No VI – Bryonia


Bryonia is suitable for nervous and bilious temperaments, persons of dry and spare habit, dark complexion, excitable character, and predisposition to inflammation of the membranous tissues….


Bryonia is in every respect closely allied to Aconite, as well in its general relation to the vascular system as in its special affinities.

1. Vegetation. It operates directly on the vegetation, affecting especially the secretive process, producing a high degree of irritation, sometimes even inflammation. First of all, however, it increases the activity of the resorptive apparatus; that of the secretive function is a consequence. (Compare Mercurius). Bryonia induces the formation of products, viz.: infiltration into the cellular tissue, and serous exudations into the serous sacs. It produces no plastic exudations (as Hepar and Mercurius do). The blood is affected, as in the milder forms of typhus. By virtue of its action on the resorptive and secretive functions, Bryonia has especial affinities for the abdomen, where abound those organs and tissues on which it especially acts, viz., serous, fibrous, and mucous tissues.

2. Vascular System. The vascular system is excited in a less degree than by Aconite. Its action is partial, i.e., is exerted upon single organs. During the paroxysm of fever, the chill predominates, occurring often in the midst of the heat. Thirst is very intense (because of the increased resorption); sweat very copious.

3. Nervous System. On the nervous system it acts, 1. probably directly, attacking the serous envelopes, the meninges and neurilemma; 2. mechanically, the excretions which it induces, producing, by compression, a depressing effect.

4. Skin. No especial relation. Irritation, oedema, and vesicles, characteristic. No pustules.

5. Eyes. Irritation, serous secretion, especially attacks the sero-fibrous tissues (keratitis, sclerotitis, iritis). The secretions are at first watery; later, they are purulent, thick and tenacious.

6. Ears. A mild form of periostitis water discharge, sticking pains, illusions and dullness of hearing.

7. Face. Generally paleness; frequently, however, fugitive heat, swelling, with slight redness.

8. Digestive Apparatus. Irritation. Secretion of the mucous membrane is at first thinned, then thickened, and then altogether suppressed. Burning in the mouth and throat; difficult deglutition. The fibrous coats of the muscles are especially affected, hence pain on turning the head, swallowing, etc. (different in seat from pain of Belladonna). Oedema of the gums, and of the whole cavity of the mouth. Periosteum alveolerum affected; excessive sticking pains through the entire row of teeth, accompanied by oedema of the gums, even to the roots of the teeth. Salivary secretion increased and thin. Stomach. Digestion disturbed, in consequence ructus, vomiturition, vomitus post partum. Intestine. Similar irritation; constipation as well as diarrhoea (serous); rather, however, an alternation of the two; pinching and burning pains. Peritoneum. Irritation. Sticking pain, great sensibility. Hence, symptoms from the liver, kidneys, bladder, and uterus (their peritoneal coats being affected). The secretion of the liver is increased. The stools are thin and green, from intermixed bile; frequent vomiting of bile. The kidneys more deeply affected, secretion diminished, urine clear. For the sexual organs it has no affinity, except in so far as the serous envelopes of the organs are concerned. Oedematous and painful swellings of the testes.

9. Respiration. Irritation. Secretion, for the most part, increased, thin and serous. Dyspnoea. Pleuritic inflammations, with exudation.

10. Rheumatismus Acutus. Pain, swelling, increased temperature, redness, sensibility to changes of the weather, inability to move the parts. Inflammation of the periosteum, especially of the head and face, with the characteristic sticking pains.

The symptoms occur chiefly in the serous and fibrous tissues.

Application. Bryonia is indicated in a condition between synochia and typhus, resembling the former as respects the vascular system, and the latter a respects the nervous (compare Arnica). It is suitable for nervous and bilious temperaments, persons of dry and spare habit, dark complexion, excitable character, and predisposition to inflammation of the membranous tissues; for women and children in whom excitability is great, but energy and stability of reaction only moderate, who are inclined to lymphatic exudations and accumulations, and to nervous diseases, and at the same time, in an equal degree, to active congestions.

It is appropriate in all varieties of rheumatism, and in all conditions in which catarrhal and rheumatic characters are combined.

1. Typhus. The efficacy of Bryonia in the commencement of typhus is attested by all homoeopathic writers; but as in its very commencement typhus is not easily recognized, the claims of Bryonia remain sub-dubio. In typhus versatilis, however, with rheumatic pains, it is efficacious in all stages. Also in complications of typhus, with meningitis or pleuritis. In localized typhus, attacking the peritoneum or pleura, it is a sovereign remedy.

2. Intermittent Fever. Only in those cases in which the disease acts directly upon the ganglionic system, in which the cold predominates, and thirst and pain in the limbs are great, with accessory symptoms, e.g., serous diarrhoea and sticking pains.

3. Skin. Urticaria. Morbilli with oedema, especially with a vesicular eruption. Milaria (copious sweat). Sweating of the feet, not offensive. If offensive, Carbo-vegetabilis is preferable.

4. Nervous Affections, of various kinds, having their seat in the meninges and neurilemma. Oppression, dizziness, staggering, etc.

5. Rheumatism. Acute, with serous exudations and general vascular excitement.

6. Membranes. Inflammation of serous membranes, with serous exudations containing plastic flocculi. Irritation of meninges (in actual inflammation Belladonna is better). Conjunctivitis. Hydrops oculi acutus. Oedema palpebrarum. Otitis. Ozaena. Swelling of the face, with sticking pain or without pain. Toothache, sticking pain, with extensive swelling, increased by cold, alleviated by warmth. Peritonitis, and hence hepatitis and enteritis serosae.

7. Gastric phenomena, especially serous diarrhoea. Also renowned as a remedy for constipation. (The irritated condition of the membranes induces diarrhoea, and probably, at a later period, dryness of the membranes, and hence constipation).

8. Icterus, depending on chagrin, anger, excessive physical efforts, and a sedentary mode of life.

9. Mastitis, in nurses, especially when the mamma is somewhat oedematous with sticking pains, and the inflammation is slight (for violent inflammation, with hardness, redness, and pressing pain, Belladonna; Phosphorous, Boenninghausen).

10. Respiratory Organs. Pleuritis. Bronchitis with diminished secretion, much irritation, exciting a cough, and scanty serous expectoration, raised with difficulty. In pneumonia it is less frequently indicated; only in pleuro- pneumonia, and in pneumonia with great oedema. In bilious pneumonia (of the right lower lobe). Bryonia has in general great affinity to the biliary apparatus.

11. General. Pericarditis, endocarditis, hydrocele (Rhododendron). Oedematous glandular swelling. Sclerema. Anasarca, especially acute oedema pedum.

In phlegmone colli experience has shown Bryonia to be a most valuable remedy (Wurmb).

Carroll Dunham
Dr. Carroll Dunham M.D. (1828-1877)
Dr. Dunham graduated from Columbia University with Honours in 1847. In 1850 he received M.D. degree at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York. While in Dublin, he received a dissecting wound that nearly killed him, but with the aid of homoeopathy he cured himself with Lachesis. He visited various homoeopathic hospitals in Europe and then went to Munster where he stayed with Dr. Boenninghausen and studied the methods of that great master. His works include 'Lectures on Materia Medica' and 'Homoeopathy - Science of Therapeutics'.