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NAJA
Acts on Heart nerves especially Pneumo-gastric and Glosso-pharyngeal. Feel like a failure, can be suicidal. Naja is almosts a specific for Valvular Heart disorders. There are palpitations on even slight exersion and while talking. A “hot-iron” sensation with weight on the chest is a Keynote. There is tremendous heat all over, especially head and face.
Night Aasthma, worse lying; better sitting up. May wake gasping and Cyanotic, Choking, with inability to speak and grasping at the throat.
Severe ovarian pain, especially left organs feel drawn together, this feeling also between Heart and Ovary.
Neuralgias: left temple pains, especially at 3 a.m.
Better smoking, open air.
(Mary Lynn GARNER, SIM. 3/91)
This remedy responds to symptoms such as a Fear of being abandoned, Fear of Rain and Acute or Chronic Endocarditis. (DG)
The Natrum emotional symptoms are characterised by a strong sensitivity to hurt, especially by someone close. They are strongly sensitive to noise, music, food and their surroundings. Natrums tend to be serious, responsible, dignified, fastidious and organized.
Natrum arsenicosum is particularly aggravated by smoke.
Natrum sulphuricum is principal (but not sole) remedy for Diabetes after grief and for head/spinal cord injury.
(Nancy HERRICK, HT. May/ 93)
NATRUM CARBONICUM
Natrum carbonicum subject possesses extraordinary Sensitivity to Music, especially to Piano. They have intolerance to Milk and to the Sun. Their ankles are fragile and they are subject to frequent Sprains. These infants may be detected by early onset of Thrush, with restlessness and red Eruption on the Buttocks. They dream of being in complete harmony with the Cosmos. They are interested in Astronomy. (DG)
NATRUM MURIATICUM
Natrum muriaticum, lean and lanky (Sulphur). One may find it difficult to differentiate between Nat-m and Sulph. Theoretically a differential diagnosis is not difficult. In practice it is not always easy since the Nat-m . patient will often tell you that he likes consolation. By this he means that he is sensitive to Sympathy given to him by others but in spite of your efforts, you will not succeed in making him explain what exactly he means by this. At present, when faced with such a type of patient, we do not even try to find out whether he is aggravated or improved by consolation, we prefer rather to rely on our flair. Even so, we prescribe Nat-m. when the patient tell us that he is improved by consolation (or when he seems to be improved by consolation).
(HUI BON HOA, BHJ. 2/75)
Cannot stand hot rooms or exposure to Sun at all, or getting very hot from violent exercise, that thoroughly upsets them. On the other hand cannot stand drafts and are sensitive to extreme Cold.
Severe Migraines. Nearly always wakes with it. They wake with a sort of dull head, almost feeling as if it will burst. These headaches usually last into the second night. It occurs very often with a period, either before or after, not so much during.
(M.G.BLACKIE, BHJ. 1/75)
The children are very polite and well-behaved (Sil.). Tremendous sense of responsibility.
(Peggy CHIPKINS, HT. Nov./92)
Friends come to them with trouble because they are very sympathetic to “underdogs”.
The child in a dysfunctional family often needs Nat-m. They can harbor much bitterness about their life.
(William SHEVIN, HT. Sep./91)
Often very nice, sympathetic persons, in ordinary life mild, they find the proximities of family and the challenge of strong emotional relationships unbearable. They make bad wives (PATERSON) under the stronger emotional challenges they become irritable, even impossible, and this probably accounts for the oft repeated phrase that they object to Sympathy. It is not Sympathy offered discreetly and tactfully that they object to, but they fear to become involved, overwhelmed in an emotional situation beyond their control. They excel in a gentle Sympathy which keeps uninvolved and hence many go to them with their troubles. But the deeper currents erupt in Migraines and emotional outbursts...
. . . . . . . I would draw attention to the rhythmic changes in body cortisol level. This rises during the morning and there is a corresponding fall in the number of Eosinophils in the peripheral blood. By 10 to 11 a.m. these reach a minimum, the Cortisol a maximum, and this is maintained over noontide in the afternoon reversal begins, and by 10 p.m. Eosinophils are near maximum, Cortisol minimum. Now, Natrum muriaticum is characterized by a 10 a.m. aggravation (Chamomilla 10 p.m.). I suggest that the depressed often hypotensive, fatigued, wasting picture of Nat-m. lies in the direction of
Hypoadrenalism; (and the strong, angry, flushed, screaming Cham. who by contrast wants to be held, points to the Hyperadrenal side of the balance.)
That Natrum muriaticum quite often proves of value in RA is now understandable, and its great value after times of emotional Stress, bereavement, unhappy love, when depression, fatigue, emaciation supervene, is justified.
They often have tendency to watery secretions. They weep easily, or have watery nasal secretions, suggesting Allergic Rhinitis; they may have pale, watery Polyuria. The water drops and drips from them, they cannot hold it and Stress Incontinence also arises. The whole picture is a drooping and a dripping, it represents the exhaustion of the up-building, invigorating Adrenal forces. (Near to it is the Hypoadrenalism of Sepia). We can also relate the water-retaining tendency of Sodium Chloride.
I should like to mention the occurrence of aphthous Ulceration in the mouth. I know no other remedy so likely to relieve the severe recurrent cases of this painful condition. Is it related to the equally common recurrent Herpes simplex on and around the lips The virologists say No. Are they psychogenic, from the reluctance to kiss or be kissed Do they point to a state of actual nervous exhaustion But they come in crops, explosively, probably from the nervous system, and remind us of Dr. PATERSON’s brilliant characterization of this group of remedies and disorders associated with his Proteus Nosode – the “brain storms”.
(L.R. TWENTYMAN, HG, 9-75)
We have two types of patients with the Sodium metabolism affected: one with insufficient Salt in the cells as well as Plasma and extracellular spaces – the dry and emaciated type with good renal function. The other, also with too little Salt in the cells, but the renal function, as far as Salt is concerned, is poor so that Salt and Water are retained in the blood and extracellular spaces – the heavy, semi-dropsical, puffy type.
In the former type the Skin becomes dry and withered, scaly, brittle; mucous membranes dry up. The blood pressure falls, nervous sensitivity develops. In the latter type, Obesity, skin tense and without wrinkles, abdomen distended.
In some cases the neck is wrinkled and scrawny, while the legs are oedematous.
The term ‘imbalance’ characterizes most of its symptoms. there is excess and unstable equilibrium in every function. Everywhere these is oscillation or fluctuation between two opposite extremes. The patient has two natures, one the reverse of the other. The fastest changes occur in the emotions. He may be sad but can be made to laugh in a second. He may even have a causeless spell of laughter in the midst of the darkest depression, or may laugh involuntarily in the midst of a quarrel. When in company away from his home, he is a charming fellow; but at home with his wife and children, he is a perfect devil. One day he loves to go places, another day he wants to be alone at home not saying a word to anybody all day.
The Austrian impress Elizabeth loved gay amusements but people have found her sitting on a bench in the park weeping. When asked why she wept she anwered that she hated to see herself getting old. Natrum muriaticumwould have cured her. The patient is either sympathetic or cruel. He cries when his wife has a pain but would slap her for a mere trifle. He is very much afraid to die but a slight annoyance makes him want to die.
A woman falls in love and is very affectionate but if the man is more affectionate than she, her love turns into hatred. Hitler took a fancy to a member of his party or army general and if they were often seen together, it was soon rumored that this man’s life was in danger. He probably needed Natrum muriaticum.
The patient may be very generous but does not pay his bills. The government official squanders the tax payers’ money with a fascinating smile. A lady loads her girl friend with kindness but soon attacks her with a kitchen knife.
Tremendous ambition may alternate with a terrific inferiority complex; hurry and industry with indolence and procrastination. Now he wants to please, but at other times offends people with his brusqueness.
Sometimes the mere idea of an emotion arouses the contrasting emotion. He cannot cry at a funeral, he even laughs when everybody else is sad, and his eyes are dry. On the other hand he may be sad and quarrelsome at a party when everybody else is cheerful.
Sometimes the pendulum does not swing to the opposite side but swings still further in the same direction. at a party where everybody laughs, a boy wants to laugh most; among humble people he wants to be the humblest,; if someone is kind, he is still kinder; if a girl loves him, he loves her more and could sacrifice himself for her. The books say that consolation aggravates and makes him angry. It does sometimes: but just as often it is soothing and craved by the patient exactly as in Pulsatilla. ‘Consolation makes him feel better’ is therefore not a contraindication for Natrum muriaticum.
They are given to excesses in work and sport, drinking and eating, smoking and amusement. Some Natrum muriaticum cases cannot stop a work, once begun, until it is completed. For e.g. they start painting the house and carry on all day and night.
The desire for certain objects wipes out all caution and self-control and leads to Kleptomania, robbery, juvenile delinquency and the worst kind of crimes. Yet, this individual with a violent temper and dangerous instincts may at other times be mild mannered, sympathetic and even charming. A boy may be as good as gold when handled with love and kindness, but throws himself on the floor and kicks and screams when antagonized.
Fear and Anxiety are likewise excessive. A girl wSakes up panicky, can’t say why. She is afraid of birds, worms and small animals. She can’t relax, bites her nails and sucks her thumb. Grown-up persons afraid of enclosed spaces – tunnels, mines, even the telephone booth. If alone in a room, the doors must be wide open. Cannot dive into a swimming pool, for fear of being suffocated. Fear of wide open spaces; there should be a fence or wall nearby, on which their eyes find a support. Fear of dark, or going out at night. One of my patients could not look up at the sky on a starlit night, was terribly afraid.
There may be excessive anger and hatred, but not always. Point-blank statements that these patients are hateful, vindictive, dangerous formidables, quarrelsome are only half-true. A number of them are the very opposite. These are amiable, considerate, kind, generous, great philanthropists, liberal, jovials, jesting – in short, nice specimens of humanity.
Intellectual faculties may show similar abnormalities – these may be over – or under developed. They may possess phenomenal memories or may be Cretine, Mongoloids.
Many inventive geniuses, creative artists such as painters, poets, composers, musicians are Natrum muriaticum personalities.
Van GOGH was a refined sympathetic soul, but with his friend GAUGUIN, he quarreled and threw dishes. Moments of sublime artistic inpiration alternated with spells of darkest depression so that one day he cut off one of his ears. His depression led to his suicide. Richard WAGNER was luckier, he found a Homœopath who cured him, VOLTAIRE said that he would have gladly given his immortality for a good digestion. He would have had a greater opinion of his immortality after a dose of Natrum muriaticum. CEZANNE would work hard for a period, then suddenly, for no apparent reason, he would throw away his brush and be unable to make a stroke for weeks.
In short, it may be said that increased creativity, artistic and other, and intellectuality coexist with decreased rationality or other short comings in the mental development.
Alternation and excess in one direction or another are found also in physical symptoms. Ignorance of this fact has caused many failures in prescribing. Everywhere in the physical sphere there is excess of function or lack of it, one disturbed condition or its opposite. Oversensitivity or loss of sensation, drowsiness or sleeplessness, restlessness or aversion to motion, thirst or thirstlessness, craving or aversion for one and the same food article, growing too fast or too slow, body temperature too high or too low, chilliness or intolerance of heat, well one day, sick the next, are symptoms of this remedy and seen in the same individual at different times in alternation or singly.
KENT asserts that Natrum muriaticum is warm-blooded. Years ago, once I took Natrum muriaticum for a cold, after which cold baths became soothing for me. These two have been false guides in my prescribing, with further experience. I have learnt that very few enjoy cold bathing. The majority bathe lukewarm and some bathe hot and would be shocked by a cold bath. In a Natrum muriaticum family of three generations the oldest generation usually likes cool bathing, the middle likes it lukewarm and the youngest likes it mostly hot. The oldest has the best vitality, therefore prefers warmer temperatures; the third is sensitive to cold. The voluntary provers of the remedy, with good vitality, reacted just as the oldest generation, preferring cold.
I also feel obliged to emphasize that Natrum muriaticum is not warm-blooded, though he may dislike hot air, hot baths, hot sun. his vitality is always diminished. This makes him often chilly, yet his aversion to heat is only an effect of the sensitiveness of his vascular system to temperature changes, and while he is sensitive to heat, he is just as sensitive to cold. He feels better in winter only if he is warmly dressed or heavily covered in bed.
Nor is it true that emaciation proceeds from above downward. This symptom, as well as every other general symptom, proceeds either from above downward or from below upward.
This applies to Emaciation, Obesity, Dehydration, Overhydration, Perspiration, Dryness, Atrophy, Itching, Venectasiae paraesthesias, Ppains, etc.
The particulars of this remedy are of great importance in prescribing, as they are, though local, as often an expression of the functional deviations affecting the whole system. Some examples: Hair Dry or Greasy, Thin or Thick, growing fast or slowly andfalling out; Eyes Dry or Watery, sunken or protruding, hot or cold; Ear canals puffy and narrow or atrophic and wide; Ear Lobes large and turgescent or thin and waxy; face too red or too pale; cheeks puffy or sunken; tip of nose red and bloated or shiny and atrophic; lips swollen or dehydrated; mouth cold or hot; tongue large and indented or small and smooth; saliva excessive or deficient; pharynx small or patulous; secretion of sebaceous and sweat glands copious or scanty; pigmentation excessive or leukoplakia; neck emaciated and withered or strong and overdeveloped; breasts undeveloped or hypertrophic and pendulous; abdomen sunken or too prominent; buttocks small and dehydrated or too large and fat.
NATRUM PHOSPHORICUM
Acidic belching, sour taste in the mouth, and thrush are some of the symptoms encountered. (DG)
Head colds; Asthma in humid weather, especially around 4 or 5’o clock in the morning. Meningitis following head injuries with cerebral edema. (DG)
Natrum sulphuricum is principal (but not sole) remedy for Diabetes after grief and for head/spinal cord injury.
(Nancy HERRICK, HT. May/ 93)
NITRIC ACID
A nihilist, believes in nothing.
(G.VITHOULKAS, HL. 2&3/94)
Nitricum acidum is an individual who applies rules and laws rigidly. At school, we find children who are “too serious, too well-behaved”. Their suffering comes from lack of flexibility. (DG)
NUX VOMICA
Effects of indiscretions in eating and drinking, strain, overwork.
Flushings and faint feeling, while eating Chilly and sensitive to drafts, averse to uncover during fever, yet dislike stuffy atmosphere.
(Hamish W. BOYD, BHJ. 1/78)
In low back pain the Nux patient shows aggravation on rising and improves with movement; moreover, this improvement is very distinct. These resemble Rhus tox., hence do not automatically prescribe Rhus tox. We feel thatRhus tox. is prescribed often in the place of Nux.
Pain at the level of the first dorsal vertebra as if one had been thrashed and as if one were covered with bruises. This, we feel, is a symptom extremely characteristic of Nux.
Nux seems to be the remedy most often indicated in Rhizarthrosis of the thumb. (Nux-v., Thuja, Rhus-t.,Nat-c.)
(HUI BON HOA, BHJ. 2/75)
The patients have a “hardness” to them. They have a lot of intensity but are not necessarily nasty as irritable, unless provoked.
If emotional expression was suppressed in childhood, the resulting stress may come out as an intense skin rash.
These patients are very susceptible to grief.
(William SHEVIN, HT. Sep./91)
Nux vomica is a person who is overexcited, on edge after excesses of any kind without an adequate expenditure of physical energy. (DG)