Lycopodium


Nash gives the symptoms of homeopathy drug Lycopodium in relation to Catarrh, Laryngitis, Croup, Bronchitis, Asthma, Pertussis, Pneumonia, Pleuritis, Tuberculosis & Cough. Leaders in Respiratory Organs by E.B. Nash, 1909….


Respiratory organs

Lycopodium is one of the best remedies for the later stages of typhoid or neglected pneumonia, and is especially indicated when there is copious expectoration, the parenchyma of the lung sounds full of mucus, there is often circumscribed redness of the cheeks, especially at 4 to 8 P.M.; often red sand in the urine and fan like motion of the alae nasi. It is often the best remedy to finish the cure where there have been liver complications such as we noticed under Mercurius, Chelidon. and Kali carb. Of course, if we have the flatulent condition so characteristic of this remedy it is additional indication for its use.

Pneumonia.

Lycopodium is one of the best remedies if the catarrh is of the dry form; stoppage of the nose at night, so that the patient has to breathe through the mouth. If given not lower than the 30th and not too frequently and at too short intervals, it will cure many cases and prevent adenoids, or remove by curing them. Of course the other Lycopodium symptoms and constitution will, in greater or less degree, be found present.

Chronic nasal catarrh This remedy, relegated by the old school to baby – land (powder) because they do not and cannot know, as we do, the virtues of medicinal substances until they are willing to divest themselves of the prejudice, so far as to resort to our methods of proving drugs, is one of which we sing loud praises. So far as tubercular trouble is concerned it may be of use not only in pulmonary tuberculosis but in that kind of manifestation in any part or tissue. Again, it may be indicated in any stage of phthisis. In weak, puny, sickly bodies, with well developed heads, but irritable nervous people, who are peevish and cross, especially after sleep; persons of dark complexion ( Iodium and Acid nitricum ), intellectually keen, but weak and deficient in muscular development; upper part of body wasted, lower part semi – dropsical, with tubercular history or predisposed to lung or hepatic disease. This is the constitution and temperament that is most apt to develop Lycop. symptoms. It is one of the main remedies in which, as Professor Bennet says, the disease seems to begin as one of essentially faulty nutrition, for notwithstanding the emaciation, or tendency thereto, there is canine hunger, the more he eats the more he wants to; but in eating, while he feels as though he could eat a ton, the first few mouthfuls fill him right up full and he can eat but little after all, on the other hand, there may be a constant sense of satiety, and excessive accumulation of flatulency, with much rumbling and gurgling in the intestines. These cases are often subjects of he lithic diathesis and often present red sand in clear watery urine, which may be accompanied with much pain in the region of the kidneys. All this may be controlled and the development of tuberculosis prevented by a skilful administration of Lycopodium. Then again it is one of our very valuable remedies in advanced cases of tuberculosis. A badly treated or neglected pneumonia, where pneumonic infiltration or hepatization is remaining, and needs something to promote absorption, often finds help here in Lycopodium. Cough may be dry, or loose as if the chest were full or mucus, with rattling, and the expectoration thick, green, salty, or offensive. If there is fever (hectic) it is often worse from 4 to 8 P.M., and is especial indication for this remedy. I have seen even incurable, far advanced cases so improve as to astonish all observers. It is wonderful the wide range of usefulness of this remedy when well chosen, and here let me say from long observation that the low or crude preparations of this drug are almost worthless. It must be used in the potencies from the 30th upward to get its best curative power.

Cough character – Dry, day and night, fatiguing, or loose in the morning with grayish yellow, salty sputum.

Aggravations – worse 4 to 8 p.m.; on alternate days; stretching out the arms; stooping or lying; in a warm room.

Concomitants – Chilly 4 to 8 p.m. feet cold, 7 p.m. Flushes of heat towards evening vomiting sour between chill and heat; thirst for small quantities during fever ( Arsenicum ). Sweats easily; wants to uncover. Affects right side most, or goes from there to the left. Unresolved pneumonias, especially with liver complications. Much flatulence, Red sand in the urine.

Lycopodium is a remedy of wide range, and deep action.

It should never be given below the 12th potency as its remedial properties are not developed below that. Raue verified it in “a case with expectoration of large quantities of pus, cough day and night hectic fever, circumscribed redness of the cheeks.” Others have done the same. Many of the symptoms indicating Lycopodium in respiratory diseases often lie outside the local trouble, such as the stomach, liver and abdominal. This is what distinguishes homoeopathy from old schoolism, that regards as paramount the local pathology of the case. Tuberculinum is often a valuable complementary or can be interpolated with advantages in cases having a tubercular history.

E.B.Nash
Dr. E.B. Nash 1838- 1917, was considered one of our finest homeopaths and teachers. He was Prof. of Materia Medica at the N.Y. Homoeopathic Medical College and President of International Hahnemannian Assoc. His book Leaders in Homoeopathic Therapeutics is a classic. This article is from: :The Medical Advance - A monthly magazine of homoeopathic medicine - edited and published by H.C. Allen, M. D.