Star Anise. Chinese Anise. *N. O. Magnoliaceae. Tincture of seeds.
Clinical
Catarrh. Colic. Cough. Hemoptysis. Lungs, affections of. Stomach, catarrh of. Rheumatism. Thigh, pain in.
Characteristics
*Illicium is a genus of Magnoliaceous shrubs or low trees with smooth entire leaves, exhaling when bruised a strong odor of aniseed, owing to the volatile oil contained in minute pellucid dots, which may be seen by the aid of a lens. The fruit is used throughout China, Japan, and India as a condiment, and is chewed in small quantities after a meal for sweetening the breath. It has also a local repute as a stomachic and carminative. Provings were made by Franz and Mure. Both showed the action of the drug on the nose, mouth, and stomach. Franz had many symptoms on the face, especially lips, skin, and extremities. A very remarkable symptom of Franz’ has been confirmed by Flora A. Waddell (H. P., vii. 427). A man suffering from rheumatism of two years’ duration came limping into Dr. Waddell’s office, asking if she could do anything for his limb. He complained that when he sat down he could not rest in that position at all. Asked why, he replied: “Whenever I sit down my limb feels as if broken off right here,” pointing to the middle of his thigh). He said he often got up to straighten himself in order to make sure. He also had some pain in his arm, and severe “sore pain” in his back. *Illic. 30x cured all the symptoms. Mure’s symptoms were noted on head, abdomen, chest, and back. Tough white expectoration appears to be a characteristic, and this symptom has been frequently confirmed: Pain in region of third rib, about one or two inches from sternum (junction of rib with its cartilage), generally on right side, but occasionally on left. Hering says it is useful for old asthmatics, and the stomach catarrh of old drunkards. Colic of babies. The pain in thigh is worse sitting, better rising. Pains in the head are worse in morning, better in evening.
Relations.
*Compatible after: Aconite and Bryonia in hemoptysis. *Compare: In chest pains, Pix, Menth-pu. Botanical, Magnol.
SYMPTOMS.
Head
Pains in head, better evenings, worse mornings.
Ears
Buzzing in ears. Ringing in ears followed by sleep. Itching over left ear, going off when touching the place.
Nose
Acute catarrh. Water discharge from nostrils. Warm, smarting sensation in nose, succeeded by sneezing. Sharp stitches in tip of nose.
Face
Stinging sensation in upper lip, as if blood would press out, better from touch. Dryness of upper lip, which is drawn closer to teeth. Burning in inner surface of lower lip, with sensation as if it had gone to sleep.
Mouth
Tongue covered with *aphthae, most on edges. Edges of tongue folded like little bags.
Throat
Touch, viscid phlegm from stomach, with old drunkards.
Appetite
Rye bread tastes good, its odor is refreshing. Satiety after eating but little. All food, except rye bread, tastes too salty or bitter, yet appetite is good.
Stomach
Nausea in stomach, extends to chest, then ceases. Nausea, with gagging and inclination to vomit. Bloating of stomach, acidity.
Abdomen
Pain in splenic region. Three months’ colic, especially if it recurs at regular hours, bowels disturbed. Violent wind colic. Rumbling in abdomen.
Stool
Stools: bilious, compact and dark-coloured.
Urinary Organs
Retention of urine.
Respiratory organs
Dyspnoea in old asthmatics. After coughing, feeling of emptiness. Frequent cough, with pain. Spitting blood in small quantities and with pus-like phlegm, pain in right chest. Whitish expectoration. Tough, viscous phlegm, with old drunkards.
Chest
Pain in region of third rib, about one or two inches from sternum, generally on right side, but occasionally left. Pain about junction of third rib with its cartilage, haemorrhage, cough, congestion, enlarged liver.
Heart
Palpitation, with aphthae and weakness.
Back and neck
Pain in back and chest. Cramp-like drawing, as from a cold, in left side of dorsal vertebra.
Upper Limbs
Jerking and tearing in bend of left elbow and at same time in palm, a feeling as if an artery had been injured by a blow. Pressure back of right hand, between the two middle metacarpal bones, as though something hard lying between them, worse pressing hand against anything hard, not by touch.
Lower Limbs
Left thigh feels as if broken in the middle while sitting, it disappears on standing.
Skin
Stitches as with pins in left palm, between first and second fingers, better by scratching, but afterwards return with burning. Dull, painful stitches in skin of lower forearm. Crawling, itching stitches in right palm. Itching in front and above left ear, better by touch.
Sleep
Sleepless at nightfall. Disturbed sleep.
Fever
Heat from abdomen to stomach and chest, running over different places, and abating during day.