PHELLANDRIUM AQUATICUM

SOURCE INFORMATION

Scientific Classification

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Order: Apiales
• Family: Apiaceae
• Genus: Oenanthe
• Species: Oenanthe aquatica

Origin and Historical Facts

• Origin: Water Dropwort is native to Europe and parts of Asia.
• It grows in wet, marshy areas and along the edges of streams and ponds.
• Historical Usage: In traditional medicine, Water Dropwort has been used for its diuretic and sedative properties.
• However, it is also known to be toxic if not used correctly.
• Its use in homeopathy focuses on its respiratory and systemic effects, especially in conditions like tuberculosis and chronic bronchitis.

DRUG PATHOGENESIS

• Phellandrium Aquaticum primarily affects the respiratory system, causing symptoms such as offensive expectoration, continuous cough, and dyspnea.
• It also impacts the head, eyes, and female reproductive system, causing specific pains and discomforts.

KEY CHARACTERISTICS

• Respiratory System: Effective in treating offensive expectoration, cough in phthisis, bronchitis, and emphysema. Often affects the middle lobes of the lungs.
• Associated symptoms include haemoptysis (coughing up blood), hectic fever, and colliquative diarrhea.
• Taste: Everything tastes sweet, a peculiar symptom that helps in identifying this remedy.
• Head: Weight on vertex, aching and burning in temples and above eyes, crushing feeling in vertex, and vertigo.
• Eyes: Ciliary neuralgia, burning, lachrymation (tearing), and photophobia (sensitivity to light).
• Female Reproductive System: Pain in milk ducts, intolerable between nursing, and pain in nipples.
• Fever: Hectic fever with profuse, debilitating perspiration, intermittent fever with pain in arms, and a desire for acidic foods.

DETAILED ORGAN SYMPTOMS

HEAD

• Weight: Feeling of weight on the vertex.
• Pain: Aching and burning in temples and above eyes, crushing feeling in vertex.
• Vertigo: Dizziness, especially when lying down.

EYES

• Neuralgia: Ciliary neuralgia, worsened by attempting to use the eyes.
• Burning: Sensation of burning in the eyes.
• Lachrymation: Excessive tearing.
• Photophobia: Inability to bear light.

FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

• Pain: Severe pain in milk ducts, intolerable between nursing, and pain in nipples.

CHEST

• Pain: Sticking pain through the right breast near the sternum, extending to the back near shoulders.
• Respiratory Symptoms: Dyspnea (shortness of breath), continuous cough early in the morning, cough with profuse and fetid expectoration, hoarseness.

FEVER

• Hectic Fever: Profuse, debilitating perspiration, intermittent fever with pain in arms, desire for acidic foods.

EXTREMITIES

• Fatigue: Tired feeling when walking.

MODALITIES

• Worse: Symptoms worsen with any attempt to use the eyes.
• Better: Specific modalities for improvement are not noted, but relief may come with rest and avoiding eye strain.

RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER DRUGS

Compare with,

• Conium (Con): Known for treating glandular affections and nervous system issues.
• Phytolacca (Phyt): Used for sore throat, breast problems, and musculoskeletal pain.
• Silicea (Sil): Used for chronic infections and conditions involving suppuration.
• Antimonium iodatum (Ant iod): Useful for respiratory conditions with excessive mucus.
• Myosotis arvensis: A remedy for respiratory and glandular issues.

DOSE

• Potency: Typically used in tincture form to the sixth potency.
• In cases of phthisis, it is recommended not to use below the sixth potency.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Phellandrium Aquaticum used for?

• It is primarily used for treating respiratory conditions such as tuberculosis, bronchitis, and emphysema, particularly when these conditions involve offensive expectoration and persistent cough.

Is Phellandrium Aquaticum safe to use?

• When used in recommended homeopathic potencies, Phellandrium Aquaticum is generally safe.
• However, due to its toxic nature in raw form, it should only be used under the guidance of a qualified homeopathic practitioner.

What are the side effects of Phellandrium Aquaticum?

• Side effects are rare when used in homeopathic potencies. Incorrect usage or overdosing may lead to aggravation of symptoms.