Ignatia

Ignatia amara syn. Strychnos ignatia

Origin
Native to the East Indies, China, and the Philippine Islands. This large tree bears a bitter fruit that contains the seeds within its pulp.

Background
In the late 17th century, the Dutch used the seeds of St. Ignatius's bean to treat conditions such as gout, cholera, asthma, and epilepsy.

Preparation
The dried seeds are powdered before being steeped in alcohol at least five days. This is followed by filtration, dilution, and succussion.

Common Names
St. Ignatius's bean.

ST. IGNATIUS'S BEAN The seeds are very bitter, due to the poisonous strychnine they contain.

Key Symptoms

ailments triggered by grief; tendency to bottle up emotions; fear of birds; sensation as if there is a lump in the throat

St. Ignatius's bean seeds were traditionally worn by natives of the Philippine Islands as amulets to prevent and cure all manner of diseases. The Spanish Jesuits introduced the seeds into Europe from East Asia in the 17th century. They contain strychnine, a powerful poison that acts on the nervous system when ingested. The homeopathic remedy Ignatia was proved and published by Hahnemann in his Materia Medica Pura (1821–34).

Remedy Profile

Ignatia is best suited to people, especially women, who are experiencing strong emotional problems, such as a broken relationship or acute grief after a death. They are frequently emotionally fragile, artistic, and hypersensitive. Prone to mood swings and feelings of self-pity, they may have a rather brittle air, often laughing and crying at the same time. Suppressing their emotions can lead to hysteria. High expectations of those close to them are typical, and they find it hard to break the bond with their partner if disillusioned in love.

Contradictory physical symptoms are typically treated with Ignatia, such as indigestion that is relieved by eating, or a sore throat that is better for swallowing solid food. There is often great sensitivity to pain, with a tendency to yawn and sigh frequently. There is also a dislike of crowds, and a fear of birds, especially chickens.

Ignatia is used to treat illness that develops from emotional stress. Such conditions include headaches, nervous tics and twitches, digestive disorders such as nausea and vomiting, and a sore throat.

Grief & distress

Symptoms: Fainting, crying and laughing simultaneously, or hysterical behavior due to an inability to express emotions. There may also be insomnia.

Symptoms better: For breathing deeply; for eating.

Symptoms worse: For anxiety; for emotional stress; for coffee; for tobacco.

Headaches

Symptoms: Sharp, spasmodic pain, as if a nail is sticking into the side of the head, with a hot, heavy sensation in the head and possible dizziness, especially after emotional stress.

Symptoms better: For lying on the affected side; for resting the head on a surface.

Symptoms worse: For loud talking; for stooping; for being in a smoky room.

Nervous disorders

Symptoms: Twitches, nervous tics, or numbness in the face or limbs, possibly escalating to hysterical paralysis, convulsions, or chorea (random, jerky twitches of the face or limbs). Ignatia is used if symptoms are triggered by shock, grief, or other strong emotions.

Symptoms better: For warmth; for changing position; for firm pressure on the affected area; after eating.

Symptoms worse: For cold air; for touch; for emotional stress; for strong smells.

Digestive disorders

Symptoms: Nausea and vomiting that is alleviated by eating, typically with burping, hiccuping, and profuse, bitter-tasting saliva in the mouth. There may be hunger unsated by eating. A prolapsed rectum with sharp, upward-shooting pain may be helped by Ignatia, as may diarrhea, constipation, or hemorrhoids that have been triggered by emotional stress.

Symptoms better: For lying or pressing on the affected area; for changing position; for urinating; for eating.

Symptoms worse: For cold air; for touch; for strong smells; for coffee; for tobacco.

Sore throat

Symptoms: A constantly sore, tickly throat that feels as if there is a lump in it, yet seems better for eating solids. There may also be a racking cough.

Symptoms better: For warmth; for changing position; for eating.

Symptoms worse: For touch; for cold air; for emotional stress; for coffee; for tobacco.

« Hypericum

Iodum »

Disclaimer | Feedback