IGNATIA


IGNATIA symptoms of the homeopathy remedy from Homeopathic Drug Pictures by M.L. Tyler. What are the symptoms of IGNATIA? Keynote indications and personality traits of IGNATIA…


Introduction

      Ignatia-great remedy of moods and contradictions: of mental stress and strain, connected with shock, bereavement, disappointment, or distress, which have spasmodically and completely unhinged judgment and self-control.

But, as Kent says, should the condition recur again and again, and threaten to become chronic, then Natrum mur., the “chronic” of Ignatia, comes in.

Hahnemann speaks of the “directly opposite symptoms of this remarkable drug”. And says that, on account of these alternating actions, that follow one another very rapidly, it is particularly suitable for acute disease, and for a considerable number of these-as may be seen by its symptoms, which correspond with morbid conditions so frequently met with in daily life. “It may be regarded as a medicine created for great usefulness (polycrest).”

Clarke says (Dictionary), “In order to obtain a proper under standing of the power and place of Ignatia, it is necessary to get rid of two prevalent erroneous ideas. The first of these is that Ignatia is a remedy for hysteria and nothing else; and the second is that it is the only remedy ever required in cases of hysteria.”

He says, ” The seeds of Ignatia contain a larger proportion of Strychnia than those of Nux vomica, and the great difference in the characteristic features of the two medicines prove the wisdom of considering medicines apart from their so-called `active’ principles.”

Hahnemann, comparing the mentality of the two drugs, says, “Although the positive effects of Ignatia have a great resemblance to those of Nux vomica (as might be inferred from the botanical relationship between the two plants) yet the emotional disposition of patients for whom Ignatia is serviceable differs widely from that of the patients for whom Nux is of use.”

He tells us that Ignatia is not suitable for persons in whom anger, eagerness, or violence is predominant, but for those who are subject to rapid alternations of gaiety and disposition to weep, or in whom we notice the emotional states indicated by its symptoms, provided that the other corporeal morbid symptoms resemble those that this drug can produce.

“Even in a high potency Ignatia is a main remedy in subjects who have no tendency to break out violently, or to revenge themselves, but who keep their annoyance to themselves: in whom the remembrance of the vexatious occurrence is wont to dwell in the mind, and so especially in morbid states which are produced by occurrences that cause grief.”

And in regard to epilepsy he says, “Attacks of even chronic epilepsy, which only occur after mortification or some similar vexation (and not from any other cause) may always be prevented by timely administration of Ignatia. Epileptic attacks that come on in young persons after some great fright, before they become very numerous, may also be cured by a few doses of Ignatia. But it is very improbably that chronic epileptic fits of other kind can be cured, or have ever been cured by this medicine. Ignatia is only applicable and curative in sudden attacks and in acute diseases.”

And, in regard to Ignatia, he says, “It is best to administer the (Small) dose in the morning, if there is no occasion for hurry. When given shortly before bedtime it causes too much restlessness at night.”

This is what GUERNSEY has to tell us about Ignatia:

“Anyone suffering from suppressed or deep grief, with long drawn, sighs, much sobbing, etc., also much unhappiness, can’t sleep, entirely absorbed in grief; for recent grief, as at the loss of a friend; affection of the mind in general, particularly if actuated by grief; sadness; hopelessness; hysterical variableness; fantastic illusions.”

“Catalepsy with bending backwards; opisthotonos; hysterical spasms, especially if accompanied with sighing chilliness of single parts.

“Patients” face changes colour very often when at rest.

“Worse: from mental affections; from anger; from anger with fright’ anger with silent grief; from anxiety; from anxiety with sorrow; unhappy love; mortifications caused by offence; from exertion of the mind; from sweets, coffee, tobacco; from pressure on the painless side, can lie better on painful side; from strong smells; between swallowing;’ from ascarides; when yawning.”

NASH calls Ignatia a “Remedy of paradoxicalities!” Head better lying on painful side, goneness not better by eating, sore throat better by swallowing, thirst during chill, face red during chill, etc. Relieved by profuse watery urination.

He says that Ignatia, like Aconite, Chamomilla, and Nux vomica, seems to exalt the impressionability of all the senses, but unlike the others, it has in it a marked element of sadness, and disposition to silent grieving.

And another characteristic state of mind is a CHANGEABLE MOOD. No remedy can equal Ignatia for this the patient is at one time full of glee and merriment, to be followed suddenly with the other extreme, of melancholy sadness and tears, and so these states of mind rapidly alternate.*Crocus here resembles Ignatia. Ignatia is easily frightened, and hence one of our best remedies for the effects of fright, vying with Aconite, Opium and Veratrum alb.

With Nux vomica, it is a great nervous remedy, and acts on the spine, affecting both sensory and motor nerves. One of our best remedies for spasms or convulsions, especially when originating in mental causes, as after a fright, punishment of children, or other strong emotions. A physician while observing the patient in one of the spasms, noticed that she came out of it with a succession of long-drawn sighs. He inquired if the patient had had any recent mental trouble, and learned that she had lost her mother, of whom she was exceedingly fond, and for whom she mourned greatly, a few weeks before. Ignatia 30 quickly cured her.

Ignatia has in a marked degree twitchings all over the body, hence it becomes one of our best remedies for chorea, especially if caused by fright or grief on the mental side, or teething or worms on the reflex irritation side. Like Aconite, Chamomilla and Coffea, Ignatia is over-sensitive to pain.

He says this remedy is very unique in its fever symptoms. There is no disease in which we are better able to show the power of the potentized remedy to cure, than intermittent fever. Chronic cases that have resisted the Quinine treatment for years are often quickly and permanently cured by the 200th and upwards. The following symptoms indicate Ignatia: Ist, Thirst during chill and in no other stage. 2nd Chill, relieved by external heat. 3rd. Heat aggravated by external covering. 4th. Red face during the chill. No other remedy has thirst during the chill and at no other stage. (He points out that, in Nux vomica, during the heat, the least uncovering brings back the chill.) He says, “the red face during the chill led me to the cure of an obstinate case, and after I noticed the red face I also noticed that the boy was behind the stove in the warmest place he could find. The 200th promptly cured.”

KENT describes the Ignatia patient and condition: “A woman has undergone a controversy at home: has had a great distress unrequited affections a nervous sensitive girl finds out that she has misplaced her affections: she has a weeping spell, headache, trembles, is nervous, sleepless.

A woman loses her child or her husband : has headaches, trembles, is excited, weeps and is sleepless: unable to control herself; is ashamed of herself. In spite of her best endeavours, her grief has simply torn her to pieces. She is unable to control her emotions and her excitement. Ignatia will quiet her. If such troubles keep coming back, and the state keeps recurring. Nat. mur. will finish up the case. It is the natural chronic of Ignatia when the troubles keep coming back, and Ignatia comes to a place when it will not hold any longer.” Or when a sensitive, overtired girl falls in love with an impossible person. “She lies awake at night, sobs. Ignatia, if very recent will balance up that girl’s mind. If not, Natrum mur. comes in as a follower.”

The Ignatia patient is not one that has been a simpleton, or of a sluggish mind or idiotic, but one that has become tired, and brought into such a state from over-doing it and from over- excitement. If rather feeble in body, from too much social excitement. Our present social state is well calculated to develop a hysterical mind. The typical social mind is one that is always in a state of confusion dread, fear, anxiety, weeping run through the remedy. “Sensitive disposition; hyperacute” Overwrought; intense.

Some of these overwrought girls that come back from Paris, overwrought in their music, will have violent pains in the face- hysterical pains: others with violent headaches; others with the mental state and confusion; others with all the hysterical manifestations. Prolonged excitement. Musical excesses, etc.”

And of the Ignatia patient Kent says: “You cannot depend on her being reasonable or rational. It is best to say as little as possible about anything. Make no promises, look wise, take up your travelling bag and go home after you have prescribed, because anything you will say will be distorted. There is not anything you can say that will please.”

Margaret Lucy Tyler
Margaret Lucy Tyler, 1875 – 1943, was an English homeopath who was a student of James Tyler Kent. She qualified in medicine in 1903 at the age of 44 and served on the staff of the London Homeopathic Hospital until her death forty years later. Margaret Tyler became one of the most influential homeopaths of all time. Margaret Tyler wrote - How Not to Practice Homeopathy, Homeopathic Drug Pictures, Repertorising with Sir John Weir, Pointers to some Hayfever remedies, Pointers to Common Remedies.