KOUSSO

SOURCE INFORMATION

• Common Name: Kousso, Brayera
• Scientific Name: Hagenia abyssinica

Scientific Classification

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Clade: Angiosperms
• Order: Rosales
• Family: Rosaceae
• Genus: Hagenia
• Species: H. abyssinica

Origin

• Hagenia abyssinica, commonly known as Kousso, is native to the highlands of Ethiopia and East Africa.
• It grows at altitudes of 2,000 to 3,000 meters and is a significant part of the local flora.

Historical Facts

• Kousso has been used for centuries by the Ethiopian people to treat parasitic infections, particularly tapeworms.
• The flowers of the Hagenia abyssinica tree are the primary part used in traditional medicine.
• European explorers and physicians in the 19th century documented its use and brought it to the attention of Western medicine.

DRUG PATHOGENESIS

Kousso works by causing extreme irritation to the tapeworm, leading to its expulsion from the body.

The active compounds in Kousso have a direct toxic effect on the parasite, causing paralysis and eventual detachment from the intestinal wall.

KEY CHARACTERISTICS

• Vermifuge: Highly effective in expelling tapeworms.
• Nausea and Vomiting: Common side effects during treatment.
• Vertigo: Patients may experience dizziness and a spinning sensation.
• Precordial Anxiety: Anxiety felt in the chest area, often associated with heart palpitations.
• Irregular Pulse: Treatment can cause changes in heart rhythm.
• Subdelirium and Collapse: Severe cases can lead to altered mental states and physical collapse.
• Rapid and Extreme Prostration: Significant weakness and fatigue often follow administration.

DETAILED ORGAN SYMPTOMS

GASTROINTESTINAL

• Nausea and Vomiting: The treatment can cause significant nausea and vomiting, which are common reactions to the body’s expulsion of the tapeworm.
• Precordial Anxiety: Patients may feel a sense of anxiety in the chest area, often accompanied by a sense of impending doom or fear.
• Rapid Prostration: Following the expulsion of the tapeworm, patients may feel extremely weak and exhausted.

CARDIOVASCULAR

• Irregular Pulse: The treatment can cause the heart to beat irregularly, which can be alarming but is typically transient.
• Slow Pulse: Some patients may experience a slowing of the heart rate during treatment.

NEUROLOGICAL

• Vertigo: A common side effect, patients may feel dizzy or off-balance.
• Subdelirium: In severe cases, patients might experience a mild delirium, with confusion and disorientation.

MODALITIES

• Worse: During and immediately after treatment, due to the strong effects on the body.

RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER DRUGS

• Compare: Mallotus-Kamala, another efficient remedy for tapeworms, typically administered in tincture form in cinnamon water.

DOSE

• Form: The flowers of Hagenia abyssinica are mixed with warm water and allowed to stand for 15 minutes. The mixture is then stirred well and administered.
• Administration: Typically, 1/2 oz. of the preparation is given, which may be preceded by a little lemon juice to enhance efficacy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kousso used for?

• Kousso is primarily used to expel tapeworms from the body.
• It is a potent vermifuge that acts directly on the parasites.

How is Kousso administered?

• Kousso is mixed with warm water, allowed to stand for 15 minutes, then stirred well and consumed.
• It may be preceded by lemon juice to aid in the process.

What are the side effects of Kousso?

• Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, vertigo, precordial anxiety, irregular pulse, subdelirium, collapse, and rapid prostration.

Can Kousso be used for other parasitic infections?

• While primarily used for tapeworms, Kousso’s strong vermifuge properties may have some efficacy against other parasitic infections, but it is mainly recommended for tapeworms.

Is Kousso safe for everyone?

• Kousso should be used with caution due to its potent effects.
• It is advisable to consult a healthcare provider before use, especially for individuals with heart conditions or other serious health issues.