Actæa Spicata act-sp.

Joints: Wrist. Small.

Change of weather. Slight exertion. Cold. Night. Touch.

Old age. Tingling. Weakness.

Joints swell; can not move. Paralytic weakness of affected parts. Hypersensitive to cold.

Complementary: Caul. Colo. Sabi. Stic. Viol.

The indications for this remedy are decidedly rheumatic.

Violent tearing and drawing pains in the upper jaw, running from the teeth, up through the malar bones, to the temples.

Cancer of the stomach, with characteristic pains-tearing, drawing, etc.

We find it particularly indicated in rheumatic pains in the small joints, wrist, finger, ankle, toe joints. The pains are of a violent, tearing, drawing character, aggravated by contact or movement. Wrist joints pain intolerably, swollen, red, motion impossible, touch intolerable. Sometimes these rheumatic pains become general, though typified in these small joints, as the key-note. Small joints, or all the joints, swell after walking. Pain as from paralytic weakness in the hands.

Baneberry (ACTEA SPICATA)

Is a rheumatic remedy, especially of the small joints; tearing, tingling pains characterize it. Wrist-rheumatism. Pulsations over whole body, especially liver and renal region. Cardiovascular spasm. Pains worse from touch and motion.

Fearful, starts easily; confused. Ebullition of blood to head excited by drinking coffee. Vertigo, tearing headache, better in open air, throbbing in brain, pain from crown to between eyebrows; heat in forehead, pain in left frontal eminence as if bone were crushed. Itching of scalp alternating with heat; nose red at tip, fluent coryza.

Violent pain in upper jaw, running from teeth through malar bones to temples. Perspiration on face and head.

Tearing, darting pains in epigastric region, with vomiting. Cramp-like pains in stomach and epigastrium, with difficult breathing; sense of suffocation. Sudden lassitude after eating.

Spasmodic retraction. Sticking pain and distension of hypogastrium.

Short, irregular breathing at night, while lying. Great oppression. Shortness of breath on exposure to cold air.

Tearing pains in loins. Rheumatic pains in small joints, wrist, (Ulmus) fingers, ankles, toes. Swelling of joints from slight fatigue. Wrist swollen, red, worse any motion. Paralytic weakness in the hands. Lame feeling in arms. Pain in knee. Sudden lassitude after talking or eating.

Compare: Cimicif; Cauloph; Led.

Third potency.

Baneberry. Herb Christopher. (Europe and Asia.) N. O. Ranunculaceae. Tincture of root obtained in autumn.

Cancer of stomach Fright, effects of, Hepatitis. Pleurisy. Rheumatism. Toothache.

This is a rheumatic remedy like the other Actæa, but affecting more prominently the small joints and wrists. I have several times cured wrist-rheumatism with it. The joints swell after slight fatigue. The pains are tearing, drawing. The right arm and right wrist are specially affected; and there are pains like rheumatism in face. Pains are of a violent, tearing, drawing character, < by touch or movement. Pains of this kind running from decayed tooth to temples. Swelling of the joints from slight fatigue may be regarded as very characteristic. It is especially suited to men (Act. r. to women). < From motion; from change of temperature; cold air.

It follows well: Nux v. Compare: Other Ranunculaceæ; Arn., Bry., Caulo. (rheumatism of fingers), Lyc., Rhus t., Salic. ac., and Sticta (small joints).

Fright. Fatigue.

Fear of death, esp. at night in bed. — Furious delirium; also during the fever. — Effects of exertion of mind; fright mental anxiety.

A kind of drunkenness. — Dizziness; forehead feels empty when stooping. — Twitching in temples; pain from a decayed tooth to temples. — Pressure in forehead after having been in sun. — Head symptoms < at night; from walking; return periodically; also after fever. — Warm sweat on head. — Small pimples on scalp.

Objects seem coloured blue. — Sharp pains through eyes into head.

Twitching pain in ears when blowing nose or sneezing.

Pains as of rheumatism in face; violent tearing and drawing pains in the upper jaw; pulling, tearing from a decayed tooth to temples; < from slightest touch or movement of the muscles. — The cheek he lies on sweats. — Yellow round mouth.-Lips chapped. — Submaxillary glands hurt when chewing.

Increased salivation. — Fetid odour.

Throat sore when speaking; when breathing cold air.

After drinking, shuddering. — Sour vomiting. — Tearing, darting pain in epigastric region with vomiting. — Cancer of the stomach, with characteristic pains — tearing, drawing, &c.

Pain and tenderness in liver region.

Throbbing in region of kidneys. — Urine deposits a white sediment. — Urinary calculi.

Menses suppressed by fright; by cold.

Difficult inspiration; stitches in epigastrium during deep breathing or a painful shock; or pain in the hip.

Urging sensation in heart towards abdomen and region of liver, with great anxiety at night. — Pulse 120.

Swelling of joints after slight fatigue (after walking). — Rheumatism of small joints (ankle, toe-joints, and esp. joints of hands). — Pain as from paralytic weakness of hands.-Lameness of r. arm.-R. wrist pains intolerably, swollen, red, touch intolerable; motion impossible; pressure on palm intolerable.

Shuddering after drinking. — Belching during the chill. — Shuddering followed by heat, during which vomiting supervenes.

Baneberry. Ranunculaceæ.
Grows in the woods of Europe and Asia, as does the racemosa in North America. Proved by Petroz and Lemercier in France, and Macfarlan of Philadelphia.

Weakness of memory, incapacity to recollect.
Occasional absence of mind.
Judgment perplexed ; bewildering fits, almost to insanity.
Self-deception ; self-satisfaction.
Furious delirium ; also during fever.
Great desire to work, though incapable of it.
Inclined to debauchery.
Indisposed to close thinking.
Mental enjoyment while exercising.
Sad, lamenting and sighing.
Melancholy ; dejection with inclination to weep.
Hopelessness ; constant apprehension ; anxious solicitude when quiet.
Anxiety with urging in heart. See 29 .
Fear of death, especially at night in bed.
Distaste of life.
Desperation about success of every, even most trifling undertaking.
Irresolution, inconstancy and caprice.
Obstinacy and anger.
Impatient and restless. θ Rheumatism.
Mental exhaustion. See 40 .
Worse from fright ; from mental anxiety.

Loss of consciousness.
A kind of drunkenness.
Giddiness and reeling in open air.
Vertigo with darkness before eyes.
Dizziness ; forehead fells empty when stooping.

Twitching in temples ; pain from a decayed tooth to temples.
Pressure in vertex.
Hammering pain in occiput.
Boring pain in head.
Pressure in forehead after having been in sun.
Head symptoms < at night, from walking ; return periodically ; also after fever.
Tearing and dulness in forehead.
Racking in vertex, extending to eyebrows, causing despair.

Pain seemingly in periosteum, and even in bones.
Warm sweat on head.
Small pimples on scalp.

Objects seemed colored blue.
Spots before eyes when looking steadily.
Catarrhal inflammation of eyes.
Sharp pain through eye into head.
Flow of burning tears.

Murmuring in ears after sleeping ; < from mental anxiety.
Twitching pain in ears when blowing nose or sneezing.

Nosebleed during oppression of chest.
Nostrils red.
Nasal mucus blood-tinged ; bruised pain in nose.

Face sensitive.
Pain as if rheumatism in face ; pulling, tearing from a decayed tooth to temples ; < from slightest touch or movement of muscles.
The cheek he lies on sweats.

Yellow around mouth.
Lips chapped.
Submaxillary glands hurt during mastication.

Pulling, tearing from a decayed tooth to temples.

Increased saliva.
Fetid odor from mouth.

Throat becomes sore when speaking.
Tearing pains in throat, especially when breathing cold air.

Hunger, with aversion to food.
More appetite in morning.
Disgust for food. θ Rheumatism.

Worse from salt meat ; beer ; smoking tobacco.
After a meal : uneasiness ; lassitude.
After drinking, shuddering.

Belching during chill.
Nausea ; vomituritio, with dizziness.
Sour vomiting. θ Cancer of stomach.

Painful pressure in pit of stomach.
Drawing in epigastrium.
Tearing, darting pain in epigastric region, with vomiting. θ Cancer.
Cramp in stomach.

Beating, throbbing in hypochondria. θ Hepatitis.
Pressure in region of liver hurts. θ Hepatitis.
Region of spleen insensible.

Spasmodic contraction of bowels.
Uneasiness ; as before diarrhœa.
Abdomen sensitive.

Copious emission of wind ; no stool ; constipation from lack of bile.

Throbbing in region of kidneys.
Renal calculi.
Frequent urging ; pains in passing urine.
White sediment.
Urine deposit a brick-dust sediment. θ Rheumatism.

Menses suppressed by fright.
Menses suppressed from cold. θ Pleurisy.

Too weak to breathe ; obvious mostly during expiration.
Nosebleed, with oppression of chest.
Difficult inhalation ; stitches in epigastrium during deep breathing or a painful shock, or pain in hip.

Urging sensation in heart towards abdomen and region of liver, with great anxiety at night.
Pulse, 120. θ Fever. θ Rheumatism.

Bruised pain in sacral region, lying on side.

Lameness in right arm.
Right wrist pains intolerably, is swollen ; motion impossible ; slightest pressure on palm of hand near little finger causes him to cry out. θ Rheumatism.
Pain as from paralytic weakness of hands.
Fingers numb, cold, discolored.

Boring pains, better from stretching.
Thighs tremble when raised.
Knees weary.
Legs weak after changes of temperature.

Swelling of joints after slight fatigue.
Rheumatism of small joints, especially of those of hands.
Small joints swell after walking.

After slight fatigue : joints swell.
Lying on side : bruised pain in sacral region.
Motion : rheumatic pains of face < ; impossible in right wrist.
Exertion : causes cold sweat.
Walking : small joints swell ; debility.
Raising thighs : they tremble.
Stretching : relieves boring.
Blowing nose or sneezing : twitching pain in ears.

Sudden lassitude.
Debility from walking in open air.
Weakness and tingling.

Night : headache worse.
Morning : appetite better.

Change of temperature : legs weak afterwards.
Sun : pressure in forehead from being in it.
Open air : debility when walking in it.
Cold air : tearing pains in throat when breathing it.

Chill, with belching.
Shuddering, with vomiting after heat.
Delirium during fever.
After fever, headache persists.
Sweat : viscid ; cold after slightest exertion of mind or body in nervous people.
Suppressed sweat. θ Rheumatism.

Periodical : headache and other symptoms.

Right : lameness of arm ; wrist pains and is swollen.

Forehead feels empty when stooping ; urging sensation in heart towards abdomen and liver ; pain as from paralytic weakness of hands ; tingling and weakness ; throbbing in whole body.
Pain : from decayed tooth to temple ; in periosteum and bones ; sharp, acute, rheumatic in small spots.
Stitches : in epigastrium.
Sharp pain : through eye into head.
Darting : in epigastrium.
Pressure : in vertex ; in forehead ; in pit of stomach.
Hammering pain : in occiput.
Boring pain : in head ; in lower limbs.
Tearing pain : in forehead ; from decayed tooth into temples ; in throat.
Racking : in vertex.
Drawing : in epigastrium.
Twitching pain : in temples ; in ears.
Cramp : in stomach.
Spasmodic contraction : of bowels.
Bruised pain : in nose ; in sacral region.
Rheumatic pain : in face ; in right wrist ; in small joints, especially hands.
Beating, throbbing : in hypochondria ; in region of kidneys.
Dulness : in forehead.
Numbness : of fingers.

Affections of parenchymatous organs.
Seat of old inflammations.
Active sanguineous congestions.
Rheumatism showing itself partly in small joints ; pains in wrists or finger joints, very tender to touch, excruciating, < at night.

Touch : rheumatic pains of face worse.
Pressure : causes pain in palm of hand.

Especially suited to men (Act. rac. to women).
Weak, nervous ; cold sweat.
Rheumatic diathesis.

Answers well after Nux vom .
Collateral relations : Act rac . and other Ranunculaceæ.
Discrete relations ; Arnic ; Bryon. ; Cauloph . (rheumatism of fingers) ; Lycop. ; Rhus tox. ; Sal. ac . and Sticta (small joints).

Actæa spicata, L. A tincture is prepared from the fresh root.

Cimicifuga, Clematis, Aconite.

The pains are generally tearing, drawing. ▶ Fermentation in blood. ▶ Pulsations. ▶ Weakness after eating; from talking; walking in open air; sudden. ▶ Delirium, during fever; furious. ▶ Unconsciousness. ▶ Headache persisting after the fever; headache in skull and periosteum. ▶ Boring in head. ▶ Vertigo, with nausea. ▶ Head symptoms agg. at night and by walking; mostly periodical. ▶ Pressure in forehead. ▶ Pain in vertex; hammering, in occiput. ▶ Sensation of horripilation on scalp. ▶ Pimples on scalp. ▶ Ophthalmia like catarrhal inflammation. ▶ Suggillations in conjunctiva. ▶ Burning lachrymation. ▶ Vision blue; vision of spots when looking steadily.

Twitching pain in ears, when sneezing on blowing nose. ▶ Ear sore to touch. ▶ Murmuring in ears after sleep, agg. by anxiety. ▶ Nostril red. ▶ Bruised pain in nose. ▶ Nasal mucus tinged with blood. ▶ Nosebleed during oppression of chest. ▶ Yellow around mouth. ▶ Rheumatic pain in face (Acon.). ▶ Lips chapped. ▶ Salivation. ▶ Fetid breath. ▶ Pain in submaxillary glands when chewing. ▶ Throat in throat, agg. by cold morning or evening air. ▶ Throat sore when speaking.

Appetite sharp in morning. ▶ Hunger, with aversion to food. ▶ Nausea. ▶ Vomiting; sour (Calc. c.). ▶ Sticking in epigastrium on deep inspiration. ▶ Pain at stomach pit; in stomach, with difficult breathing. ▶ Cramp in stomach; drawing in epigastric region. ▶ Uneasiness in stomach after eating. ▶ Emissions of flatus. ▶ Spasmodic contractions of bowels. ▶ Compression in abdomen. ▶ Pain in right hypochondrium on pressure; P. as before diarrhœa; as before or during menses. ▶ Painful shock in abdomen at each inspiration. ▶ Uneasiness in appetite. ▶ Pulsations in right hypochondrium. ▶ Left hypochondrium almost insensible. ▶ Stool pappy; omitted. ▶ Frequent urging to urinate; with painful micturition. ▶ White sediment in urine.

Respiration difficult, with pain in stomach; with pain in hip; inspiration; on account of weakness, especially expiration. ▶ Bruised pain in sacral region when lying on side. ▶ Pulsation in kidney region. ▶ Swelling of joints after slight fatigue. ▶ Pain in hands as from paralytic weakness. ▶ Lower limbs swollen; boring, amel. by stretching; weakness after changes of temperature. ▶ Thighs tremble when lifted. ▶ Knees weary. ▶ Horripilation after drinking; H., then heat with vomiting. ▶ Cold, numb and discolored fingers. ▶ Sweat on head (Calc. c.); cheek on which he lies; viscid; cold, with malaise (Calc. c.).

Almost the only use of this drug has been for subacute rheumatic gout of the small joints, associated with sour stomach.

Like its nearest relative, Cimicifuga, produces tearing rheumatoid pains, which, associated with its decided gastric derangement (sour vomiting, etc), have led to its use in rheumatic gout, particularly of the finger joints. (Imperfectly known.)