SAMBUCUS NIGRA

Sees images when shutting eyes

• This symptom indicates visual disturbances or hallucinations that occur when the patient closes their eyes, often pointing to a heightened state of nervous sensitivity or anxiety.
• It can be a sign of over-stimulation or exhaustion of the nervous system.

Constant fretfulness

• The patient is often in a state of constant irritability, unable to be comforted or settled.
• This emotional state mirrors the restlessness and discomfort experienced physically, particularly in respiratory ailments where breathing difficulties create a sense of unease.

Very easily frightened

• The patient is highly sensitive to external stimuli, easily startled or alarmed by small triggers.
• This could be a result of their fragile state, both mentally and physically, as they are overwhelmed by their symptoms and the fear of suffocation.

Fright followed by suffocative attacks

• Fear or shock triggers severe respiratory distress, leading to suffocative episodes or panic attacks.
• The mind and body are deeply intertwined in this remedy, where psychological stress directly manifests as a physical inability to breathe.
• This symptom is particularly relevant in cases of asthma or croup in children, where a sudden fright leads to difficulty breathing.

These mind symptoms show how Sambucus Nigra not only addresses the physical respiratory system but also the emotional and psychological toll these symptoms take on the patient.

DETAILED ORGAN SYMPTOMS

FACE

• Turns blue during cough; red, burning spots on cheeks; heat and sweating on the face.

ABDOMEN

• Colic with nausea and flatulence; frequent watery, slimy stools.

URINARY

• Profuse urination with dry heat on skin; symptoms of nephritis with dropsy and vomiting.

RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS

• The patient feels a heavy pressure in the chest, as if something is compressing it, leading to discomfort, often accompanied by nausea.
• There is a persistent hoarse voice due to thick, sticky mucus that is hard to expel from the throat, particularly affecting the voice box (larynx).
• cough comes in sudden, intense bouts, often around midnight, and is accompanied by severe difficulty in breathing (dyspnea).
• The child may wake up crying due to the frightening sensation of breathlessness.
• Spasmodic croup: This condition presents as a severe, barking cough that comes in spasms, often sounding harsh and deep.
• It is caused by swelling around the vocal cords and is common in young children, particularly at night.
• Dry coryza: This refers to a dry, blocked nose without much nasal discharge, often causing difficulty breathing through the nose.
• Sniffles of infants; nose dry and obstructed: Infants may experience nasal obstruction, making it hard for them to breathe through their nose. This symptom is common in babies, especially when they try to nurse, and can lead to them having to let go of the nipple.
• Loose choking cough: A wet cough that may feel like it’s causing choking due to the amount of mucus in the throat, making it hard to expel air properly.
• When nursing, the baby might suddenly let go of the breast because the blocked nose makes it difficult to breathe while feeding. This nasal obstruction can cause interruptions in feeding.
• The child can suddenly wake up, unable to breathe properly, gasping for air, and may even turn blue (cyanosis) due to the lack of oxygen. This symptom is severe and usually occurs at night, often leading to panic.
• The child struggles to breathe out, feeling as though they cannot expel air from their lungs, leading to a sense of suffocation (Mephitis). This is particularly distressing for the child, often associated with spasmodic croup or asthma-like conditions.
• Millar’s asthma: A severe form of asthma characterized by sudden and intense breathing difficulty, often affecting children at night.
• The symptoms may mimic those of croup, but with a more persistent asthmatic component, making it harder for the child to breathe out.

EXTREMITIES

• Blue hands, oedematous swelling in legs and feet, icy cold feet.

SKIN

• Dry heat during sleep; swollen and bloated skin with general dropsy; profuse sweating while awake.

MODALITIES

• Worse: During sleep, after eating fruit, and while resting.
• Better: By sitting up in bed or during motion.

WHAT ARE MODALITIES IN HOMOEOPATHY?

RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER DRUGS

Compare

Ipecacuanha (Ipec)

• Both Ipecac and Sambucus are helpful in respiratory conditions with spasmodic coughs, dyspnea (difficulty breathing), and excessive mucus production.
• Ipecac is known for its usefulness in situations where coughing leads to nausea and vomiting, a common overlap with Sambucus.

Mephitis (Meph)

• Similar to Sambucus, Mephitis is used for suffocative coughs and respiratory distress, particularly in cases where the patient has difficulty expelling air (cannot expire).
• Mephitis also focuses on asthmatic conditions and violent spasmodic coughs.

Opium

• Opium is compared for its relationship with respiratory suppression and difficulty breathing.
• Like Sambucus, it addresses situations where there is a deep fear or suffocative feeling, but Opium tends to focus on respiratory depression due to nervous system effects, rather than just mucus or inflammation.

Sambucus Canadensis

• This variant of the Elder plant is noted for its effectiveness in treating dropsy (severe fluid retention and swelling, often in the legs) and requires larger doses, usually in the form of a fluid extract.
• It is especially valuable in addressing swelling and oedema related to kidney or heart conditions.

Antidotes

Arsenicum Album (Ars)

• If there are any adverse reactions or overuse of Sambucus Nigra, Arsenicum Album can help counteract its effects.
• Arsenicum is a broad-spectrum antidote used for many conditions involving anxiety, restlessness, and breathing difficulty.

Camphor (Camph)

• Camphor is another remedy that can antidote Sambucus, especially when there are coldness and sudden collapse-like symptoms.
• Camphor is often used when there is a need for immediate relief from respiratory distress or shock-like symptoms.

DOSE

• The remedy can be used in tincture form or in potencies from the first to sixth, depending on the symptoms and severity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What conditions does Sambucus Nigra treat?

• It is primarily used for respiratory issues such as croup, dry coryza, suffocative cough, and infant snuffles.
• It also helps with excessive sweating and urinary issues.

Who benefits most from Sambucus Nigra?

• Children with respiratory distress, especially those prone to sudden, suffocative attacks during sleep, benefit the most from this remedy.

What are the key symptoms to look for?

• Sudden difficulty in breathing, a blue tinge to the skin during cough, dry nose, and profuse sweating while awake are key indicators.