Conium

Conium maculatum

Origin
Common in hedges, damp meadows, along river banks, and on waste ground throughout much of Europe, Asia, and North America.

Background
Used in ancient Rome for epilepsy, mania, chorea, swellings, and tumors. In 19thcentury Europe, hemlock was given as a painkiller.

Preparation
The fresh flowering plant, including the root, is macerated in alcohol and then diluted and succussed.

Common Names
Hemlock, spotted hemlock.

HEMLOCK The toxins in this plant cause paralysis, primarily of the respiratory nerves, which leads to death by suffocation if taken in excess.

Key Symptoms

materialistic nature with fixed ideas; complaints that are triggered by suppression of sexual feelings; tendency to develop tumors

Generations of storytellers have woven the poison hemlock into their tales. The Greek physician Dioscorides and the Roman natural historian Pliny used it in the 1st century CE to calm sexual urges, as a painkiller, and for skin complaints, nervous disorders, and breast tumors. Hahnemann proved and published the homeopathic remedy in his Chronic Diseases (1821–34).

Remedy Profile

Conium is prescribed for people whose minds are dulled by illness, so that they seem mentally paralyzed, tired, and depressed, with "fixed" ideas and an aversion to company. These people tend to be very materialistic when young, but ultimately lose interest in possessions.

The remedy is prescribed for cysts or tumors in the reproductive organs. It is used if physical symptoms, such as gradual stiffening of the legs, "mirror" the mental paralysis. Conium may help if illness is due to mental strain, grief, or old age. In the elderly, it is thought to restore vitality and counter premature aging. It is also used for giddiness, as well as for emotional and physical problems due to sexual excess or suppression of the sex drive.

Cysts, tumors & cancer

Symptoms: Hard lumps in the prostate, testicles, breasts, ovaries, or uterus, with sharp local pain and a possible feeling of internal itchiness. Breast tumors may be accompanied by secondary lumps in the armpits.

Symptoms better: For local pressure; for movement.

Symptoms worse: For injury; for exertion; at night; for the pressure of tight clothing.

Swollen breasts

Symptoms: Enlarged, tender, hard breasts prior to menstrual periods, with heaviness in the legs and a reduced sex drive.

Symptoms better: For pressure on the breasts; for letting the arms hang down; for fasting; for expressing emotion.

Symptoms worse: For cold; for lying down; for turning over in bed; for movement.

Enlarged prostate

Symptoms: A sensation of heaviness in the prostate and frequent interruption of urine flow, possibly with a discharge from the penis and impotency.

Symptoms better: For firm local pressure; for walking.

Symptoms worse: For injury; for exertion; for lying down; for tight clothing.

Nervous disorders

Symptoms: Cold, trembly, weak legs, with giddiness and sensitivity to light. Weakness may eventually extend to the entire body. These symptoms are common in advancing age.

Symptoms better: For warmth; for movement; for letting the limbs hang down.

Symptoms worse: For injury; at night; for exertion; for jarring; for eating.

Sexual problems

Symptoms: Extreme sexual excitement with premature ejaculation or impotence in men, and vaginal discharge and irregular menstruation in women. Suppression of sexual activity may cause anxiety, depression, and forgetfulness.

Symptoms better: For pressure on the genitals; for walking.

Symptoms worse: For sexual excess or celibacy; for alcohol.

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