Synonym – Helonias Dioica. Natural order – Melanthaceae. Common names – Unicorn Plant. Devil’s Bit. Blazing Star. Habitat – A plant growing in low grounds throughout the United States. Preparation – Tincture from the fresh root.
GENERAL ANALYSIS
Through the vegetative sphere Helonias acts on the blood-making processes, inducing a debilitated condition and a disorganizing effect; hence its applicability in anaemia and chlorosis. Its local action is especially centered upon the kidneys and uterus, producing irritation and consequent stimulation, followed secondarily by an atonic condition.
CHARACTERISTIC SYMPTOMS
Mind. Always better when doing something, when the mind is engaged. Desire to be let alone; conversation unpleasant; depressed mood.
Head Headaches associated with uterine derangements.
Urinary Organs. Pain in the kidneys, with albuminous urine. Burning in the kidneys, with albuminous urine. Burning in kidneys. Burning and scalding when urinating. Involuntary discharge of urine, after the bladder seemed to be emptied. Urine profuse and light colored.
Female Organs. Loss of sexual desire and power, with or without sterility. Profound melancholia, deep and defined depression, with a sensation of weight and soreness in the womb; “a consciousness of a womb.” Dragging, aching and weakness in sacral region, with prolapsus; also at climaxis with marked debility. Prolapsus with ulceration and a constant dark foetid bloody discharge; after parturition. Pain in back with irritation of the vagina. Excessive uterine haemorrhage (Aconite, Hamamelis, Sabina). Leucorrhoea with atony and anaemia. Intense pruritus, parts hot, red and swollen; exfoliation of epidermis. Aphthous inflammation of the vulva and vagina; curdy secretion. Threatened abortion from atonic conditions. Nipples sensitive, painful; breasts swollen.
Back. Burning and heat in the dorsal region, mostly between the lower half of the scapulae. Burning and tired aching feeling in lumbar and sacral regions.
Generalities. Unusual languor and prostration.
Compare Aletris, Cimicif., Cinchona, Ferrum, Lilium tigrinum, Phosphorus ac., Sepia, Terebintha
THERAPEUTICS.
Has been found especially useful in diseases, particularly in women, resulting from atony and general mal-nutrition. These have already been mentioned in detail, and need not be repeated. Sometimes also useful in debility following exhausting diseases; anaemia; chlorosis. Diabetes insipidus. Diabetes mellitus, with emaciation, restlessness, thirst, melancholia. Acute and chronic nephritis; Bright’s disease; albuminuria during pregnancy; dropsy from albuminuria. In nearly all conditions calling for Helonias there will be present great fatigue and prostration, with a burning or a tired, dragging, aching feeling in the lumbar and sacral regions.
ALLEN CORSON COWPERTHWAITE was born at Cape May, New Jersey, May 3, 1848, son of Joseph C. and Deborah (Godfrey) Cowperthwaite. He attended medical lectures at the University of Iowa in 1867-1868, and was graduated from the Hahnemann Medical College of Philadelphia in 1869. He practiced his profession first in Illinois, and then in Nebraska. In 1877 he became Dean and Professor of Materia Medica in the recently organized Homeopathic Department of the State University of Iowa, holding the position till 1892. In 1884 he accepted the chair of Materia Medica, Pharmacology, and Clinical Medicine in the Homeopathic Medical College of the University of Michigan. He removed to Chicago in 1892, and became Professor of Materia Medica and Therapeutics in the Chicago Homeopathic Medical College. From 1901 he also served as president of that College. He is the author of various works, notably "Insanity in its Medico-Legal Relations" (1876), "A Textbook of Materia Medica and Therapeutics" (1880), of "Gynecology" (1888), and of "The Practice of Medicine " (1901).