Nat Mur essence by vithoulkas
Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 8:57 am
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(nat-m.)
The primary characteristic underlying the Natrum mur. pathology is introversion arising out of a feeling of great vulnerability to emotional injury. Natrum mur. patients are emotionally very sensitive; they experience the emotional pain of others, and feel that any form of rejection, ridicule, humiliation or grief would be personally intolerable. Consequently, they create a wall of invulnerability, become enclosed in their own worlds, and prefer to maintain control over their circumstances. They avoid being hurt at all costs.
People susceptible to developing the Natrum mur. type of pathology are emotionally sensitive and vulnerable, but quite clear and strong on mental and physical levels. Mentally, they have a high degree of objectivity and awareness, as well as a great sense of responsibility. For this reason, they are likely to be the sympathetic ear to whom others turn when distressed. The emotional sensitivity and the sense of responsibility readily lead such people into fields of counselling, psychotherapy, the ministry etc. While listening sympathetically to someone else's suffering, such people maintain their objectivity and appear to be very strong. They internally absorb the pain of others, however, and they dwell on it later; particularly, they wonder "How would I react in such a situation? Would I be able to take it".
Throughout life, individuals with Natrum mur. tendencies experiences deeply all impressions of life, accumulating awareness and understanding beyond their age. They are strong and enjoy being presented with challenging circumstances, even those involving emotional risk. At first, they enjoy company and thrive on the nourishment of emotional contact with others. They enjoy receiving affection from others - indeed, they inwardly expect and demand it, even though they do not themselves express affection easily. They are so sensitive that they feel hurt by the slightest comment or gesture that might imply ridicule or rejection. Natrum mur. adolescents, for example are reluctant to date, for fear of rejection. Even imagined slights can cause suffering. After being hurt several times, they learn to become cautious. They will think twice before becoming involved in an emotional experience. They turn to introverted activities which are emotionally "safe", i.e. reading books (usually romantic fiction or things having practical value in human relations), listening to music, dwelling on ideas and fantasies.
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They can become quite content in their isolation. They tend to be self-contained, desiring to solve problems by themselves without trusting help from other people. Gradually, they come to the point of not needing contact with the outside world. If someone intrudes upon their private, introverted world, they may feel resentful. Their primary concern in life becomes, "not to hurt and not to be hurt".
The issue of emotional pain, in themselves or in others, would be the end of the world for them, they are completely incapable of knowingly inflicting pain on others. For this reason, they become very serious. They cannot make jokes that might inadvertently ridicule someone else. They may appear cold and overly objective to others because they are so intent on not revealing their own emotional vulnerability or creating injury to others. This, combined with the Natrum mur. senses of responsibility, results in guilt begin a strong motivating factor in the lives of such people.
Physically, children with Natrum mur. tendencies are likely to be thin and delicate. It is common to see a fine, precise horizontal line dividing the lower eyelid in two. This line is commonly seen in young girls with hysterical personalities; other remedies showing this line include Asafoetida, Lilium tig., and Moschus. In addition, there may be a characteristic crack in the middle of the lower lip.
A Natrum mur. child is very sensitive to disharmony. If the parents fight the child may not react immediately but will suffer inside, perhaps even to the point of acquiring a physical ailment.
These children are usually quite well-behaved; it is not necessary to severely discipline them because a mere glance conveying disapproval will suffice.
The hysterical tendency in Natrum mur. children is seen readily when they are severely reprimanded. They then react to an extreme degree, falling on the floor in a tantrum, kicking and screaming. Consolation or reassurance are of no avail, and may actually make them worse they will continue with the tantrum until they themselves decide to stop.
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At an older age, the hysterical tendency shows itself in another way. Ordinarily, Natrum mur. people do not express emotion readily; they do not cry easily, for example, when suffering a grief. They may be quite serious in their demeanour. However, when nervous or under stress, they tend to laugh over serious matters, then to giggle hysterically; as this giggling becomes uncontrollable, it dissolves into hysterical weeping.
Adolescents of this type are likely to be quiet and withdrawn, but with a sense of responsibility and integrity. At a party, they tend to sit on the sidelines, enjoying themselves by watching others and imagining what they are experiencing. If they are attracted to someone, they will not be flirtatious or friendly. Indeed, they may appear to pay no attention at all, only watching the other out of the corner of the eye. They are liable to fantasize that the other person is likewise attracted and they may romantically blow the entire situation out of proportion. This is the reason why Kent states that a young girl who needs Natrum mur. will easily fall in love with a married man, or someone unattainable. This then causes intense anguish and grief, and the result is an even greater introversion.
They develop intense emotional and sentimental attachments for people, but they don't show their feelings. A daughter may have a deep feeling for her father without anyone else realising it. Then the father dies. The daughter grieves silently, locking herself in her room and crying in her pillow. To the surprise of everyone around her who did not realise the depth of her affection, she becomes very introverted, desiring only to be alone with her books and her music. There is no moaning or crying in front of others - merely occasional sighing perhaps. This internal state continues until she finally breaks down. Then there is uncontrolled, hysterical sobbing with massive shaking of the body, spasms, and twitchings. Such an outburst usually lasts just a short time, and she quickly regains control and composure.
The first stage of pathology in Natrum mur. appears on the physical level. There may be gastritis, arthritis, migraine headaches, canker sores, or herpes on the lower lip. As might be expected, such conditions are likely to occur after a period of introversion following a sever grief or humiliation.
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Alternatively, the patient may become hysterically reactive to every influence in the environment - overly sensitive to noise, to light, to cigarette smoke, etc. In such patients, allergies and eczema are common.
Neurological disorders are also very common in Natrum mur. Neuralgias affecting the left eye or the left intercostal nerves, for example, are frequent. Multiple sclerosis often responds to Natrum mur; as well, when the totality of symptoms fits. Heart disease can occur, but it tends to manifest as arrhythmias and palpitations - which arise from the influence of the nervous system on the heart.
It is during the earliest phases of pathology that some of the most well-known Natrum mur. keynotes are found. The patient has a strong desire for salt, and an aversion to slimy food and to fat, there is an aversion to chicken as well. Characteristically, there is an intolerance to heat, sensitivity to light, and aggravation (of headaches and skin particularly) from the sun. These are true to varying degrees in all of the Natrums, but they are more or less equally expressed in Natrum mur. The Natrum mur. aggravations from the sun and light are not as marked as they are in Natrum sulph. and its aggravation from the sun is not as marked as in Natrum carb. The Natrum mur. patient may be sensitive to both heat and to cold, though usually more so to heat. It is less sensitive to heat than Natrum sulph., and also less sensitive to cold than Natrum carb.
A characteristic symptom of Natrum mur. is the inability to pass urine or stool in the presence of others. This arises from the fear of ridicule, resulting in a chronic tension of sphincter muscles which can be relaxed only in private.
As the emotional vulnerability becomes increasingly pathological the patient becomes depressed; This is a depression which is inconsolable, and may even become suicidal. Suppose, for example, a young man experiences a severe rejection or grief; he retires to his room and puts on the saddest music he can find. The music is not designed to alleviate the depression, but rather to add to it. He wallows in the depression. If one thing has gone wrong, he exaggerates everything out of all proportion. He allows no-one to help, he tires to solve the problem within himself. Eventually, when the depression begins to pass, he regains a more appropriate perspective on life, and music will at that point relieve the remnants of the depression. It is in this sense that music may be either aggravation or amelioration to Natrum mur., depending on the circumstances.
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This kind of depression is a kind of hysterical reaction. Ordinarily, the Natrum mur patient is objective as long as control over the emotions is maintained; but when emotional control breaks down, the patient becomes irrational, and the emotional sphere rules everything.
As the pathology moves beyond the phase of depression, the patient begins to experience periodicity of physical symptoms and alternation of moods.
Physical complaints occur at predictable intervals and times. This is why Natrum mur. is often indicated in patients who have suffered from malaria in the past or who have been adversely affected by quinine drugs; it also can be useful in patients in whose family there has been malaria. Migraine attacks often seen in Natrum mur. patients tend to occur at fixed times, usually between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Asthmatic attacks, likewise, tend to occur between 5 and 7 p.m.
The moods swing from unreasonable depression to unreasonable exhilaration. As the patient's objectivity becomes interfered with, everything on the emotional level is carried to extremes.
By this stage, some of the characteristic physical symptoms may gradually disappear. As the pathology progresses to deeper levels, there may no longer be desire for salt, aversion to slimy or fatty foods aggravation from the sun, etc. The disappearance of these traits is directly proportional to the progressive deepening of the pathological state. Often it will be necessary for the homoeopath to inquire into such symptoms not only in the present, but also the past.
As the pathology begins to reach into the emotional level, the first fear that develops in claustrophobia. In early stages, Natrum mur. patients enjoy relative emotional freedom and resent any constrictions imposed by others. Later on, their own vulnerability causes them to close off. When they perceive the same kind of enclosure outside themselves (i.e. closed or narrow places) as they have created within, they become fearful.
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Along with the claustrophobia, there occurs a rigidification of the emotional and mental planes. The patient develops fixed ideas; things are seen in terms of good or bad, right or wrong, correct or incorrect, practical or impractical.
Eventually, a hypochondriacal anxiety about health emerges, particularly in regard to heart disease. This hypochondriasis is related to the fastidiousness seen in Natrum mur. The patient is driven by a compulsive need to avoid contamination - always cleaning, washing hands, disinfecting everything. In Natrum mur. fastidiousness is specifically a fear of microbial contamination, and not so much the feeling of disgust seen in other remedies (Sulph, Puls, Merc, Phos, Mezereum). Also, in Natrum mur. anxiety about health is much less significant than hypochondriasis, which is more of an anxiety -compulsive attention to details about health.
Finally, even the compulsive control mechanisms break down completely, and the person openly expresses everything, which previously had been disallowed. They become shameless, exhibitionistic, speak in obscenities, etc; In the final stage, Natrum mur. patients do not usually lose mental control to the point of developing full-blown insanity, but shameless behaviour may occur.
Natrum mur. is such a deep-aching remedy, and it is so commonly indicated in our western world, that there are many other remedies to which it should be compared.
Ignatia, of course, is the closest of all remedies to Natrum mur. In many respects, they are virtually identical. For this reason, they often replace one another in particular cases. Generally, Ignatia acts more superficially and is more likely to be indicated in cases where patient's reactions are more superficial. Natrum mur. patients have greater strength, they can tolerate more emotional stress and more intense shocks without breaking down. In Ignatia, the person breaks down with relatively minor stress. In addition, the Ignatia pathology does not as readily affect the physical level. Thus. Ignatia is more indicated in emotional reactions appearing after ordinary griefs experienced in life, whereas Natrum mur. is more commonly indicated in instances of extraordinary stresses, particularly those causing breakdown on the physical level.
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The Ignatia patient frequently feels constricted in the throat or in breathing, especially following an emotional shock. The characteristic Ignatia sighing is an attempt to relieve this sensation of constriction. Ignatia cries more easily and s more likely to cry during the homoeopathic interview than Natrum mur. Following a grief, the Ignatia patient is less likely to experience sleeplessness than Natrum mur.
Frequently, particularly when there are mostly physical symptoms, Phosphorus may be difficult to differentiate form Natrum mur. Physically, both look quite similar - thin, sensitive, even perhaps hyperthyroid. The main point of differentiation, of course, is whether the patient has a personality which is closed or open. The sensitive person who tends to be more withheld and evasive, who leans back in the chair while describing symptoms, is more likely to need Natrum mur. The Phosphorus patient, on the other hand, is very open and expressive of emotion, tending to lean forward and engage the interviewer in personal contact.
Lilium tig. is a highly hysterical remedy, as is Natrum mur. If a Lilium tig. patient experiences rejection or humiliation, however, there is an instantaneous, impulsive reaction; the Natrum mur. patient on the other hand, will suffer inside and wait quite a long time before finally breaking down into a hysterical reaction. Lilium tig. is also more likely to be malicious and cruel during such a reaction, whereas the Natrum mur. person would rather inflict suffering on himself than cause pain to anyone else.
Moschus is another hysterical remedy, but the differentiation is quite easy. This type of hysteria is designed for others to observe. It is manipulative, an attempt to emotionally blackmail others into a desired response. Natrum mur. would rather hide any reaction as much as possible.
Pulsatilla is sometimes confused with Natrum mur. Both are intolerant to heart aggravated in the sun, and averse to fat. Pulsatilla, however, is emotionally highly expressive, automatically giving affection. When a Pulsatilla patient cries (which occurs easily), it is a "sweet" gentle crying whereas the Natrum mur. weeping is a spasmodic, loud sobbing which shakes the whole body. Pulsatilla patients that are suffering will actively seek help from others and depend on them; Natrum mur. is more self-reliant, preferring to solve problems by themselves.
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Lycopodium is a remedy which displays an outer shell created in reaction to an inner state, but internally it is, weak and cowardly. Natrum mur. is strong but emotionally vulnerable to being hurt.
Sepia is closely related to Natrum mur. Particularly in children, they may be very difficult to tell apart. Sepia children are very sensitive, and much more excitable than Natrum mur. In their excitability, they can become flushed and hyperactive. In adulthood, it is as if the Sepia patient ahs been broken down by this excessive excitability, becoming fatigued, mentally dulled, and apathetic, Natrum mur. feels affection but does not express it easily; Sepia fundamentally has lost it. The Sepia patient is much more likely to be malicious and cruel, almost enjoying hurting others; this would be unthinkable for Natrum mur.
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Nitricum acidum
(nit-ac.)
It is difficult to find a single word that encompasses the Nitric acid patient, but if I were to choose one it would be, "pests", the effect the Nitric acid patient has on others due tot he constant internal state of DISSATISFACTION; these patients are always dissatisfied and miserable. They are never pleased, even under the most joyful circumstances. In this way they reach a state where they are considered unfit for company by others; they are not at all enjoyable to be with and this is why others call them "pests".
Let us consider the different stages of Nitric acid pathology, which displays an intricate intertwining of the physical, emotional and mental planes. The most prominent aspect of the physical pathology is a SLUGGISHNESS of the circulation. This underlies many of the elements in the Nitric acid picture. It is responsible for the extreme weakness seen in Nitric acid, as well as the marked chilliness. It also causes indolent ulcers which keep on oozing and spreading. Another characteristic of Nitric acid is the fissures found at the junctions of skin and mucous membranes. These can be attributed to dryness in theses areas which causes the skin to crack easily. Physiologically, this dryness can be explained by the sluggish circulation.
It seems that the kidneys and other internal organs of elimination do not function efficiently in Nitric acid, and therefore a lot of waste products must be eliminated through the skin - generally through discharges. That is why the Nitric acid patient is an OFFENSIVE patient in general. There is very offensive perspiration of the feet. Even the urine smells like that of a horse. Discharges are offensive, acrid, corrosive, and very irritating to the patient.
There is a characteristic disturbance of the metabolism in Nitric acid. The Nitric acid patient is usually thin and nervy, since he does not easily absorb fat, and consequently he has a craving for fat. He also desires strong food which is spicy, and salty fish such as herring. There is cracking in the jaw when chewing.
The Nitric acid patient, as Kent mentions, has an amelioration from riding in a carriage. Of course, this feature is rarely observed today with our smooth cars. I believe it is actually an amelioration from gentle vibrations of the whole body, a steady vibration which ameliorates by gently stimulating the circulation.
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Physically, Nitric acid patents look anaemic, with sunken pale skin, especially in the face. The expression is haggard and anxious. Nitric acid patients, because of their general weakness, give the impression that their health is deteriorating rapidly. In the early stages, symptoms are mostly on the physical level, the patient does not bring out any of the great anxiety about health which is produced in later stages. He says, "Never mind if I die", but INTERNALLY he is quite worried that eventually his health is going to break down. This internal feeling, together with the physical weakness, gives him a sense of defeat in regard to his health. He eventually reaches the conclusion that nothing can be done for him. Thus, there is a kind of despair of recovery in Nitric acid, though not as prominent or as clear as we see in Calcarea or Arsenicum.
As always, it is important to recall that once the symptomatology enters on the deeper planes, many of the physical symptoms may disappear. Once the anxiety over health and fear of death become a constant torment, we may no longer get the odour from the feet, or the desires for both fat and salt, even it they have not been already suppressed as being "bad for health". The physical symptoms disappear in proportion to the increase in fears and anxieties.
The Nitric acid individual has an unrestful sleep, he wakes up in the morning feeling very cross, very irritable, and very tired. Each of the main remedies for unrefreshing sleep has its own unique qualities. Nitric acid is so irritable at this time of day that nobody can even greet him. I remember a Nitric acid case who was working in a shop. The customers, of course, would come in and say "Good morning". He would merely mumble a grudging "Morn...". It is too difficult for him to speak in the morning. Everything looks very dark and desperate for Nitric acid in the morning. The pains, on the other hand, are all aggravated at night; the splinter-like pains, arthritic pains, and the pans in the long bones.
Turning now to the emotional pathology, we see in the Nitric acid and "anxiety neurosis". Kent talks about the great sensitivity of this patient. It is an internal sensitivity. Everything bothers him, nothing satisfies him. Noise can bother such a patient, but it is not only noise, even little disturbances which he has in the physical body become great annoyances. In this way, the internal sensitivity is seen to be more of a chronic state of dissatisfaction and unhappiness. Cap this with irritability, and we have the picture of Nitric acid.
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They are always complaining. Some may complain openly to other people, whereas many turn their complaints inward. These latter people develop a kind of UNFORGIVENESS. It is very characteristic of Nitric acid that he cannot forger a wrong done to him. If the wrong-doer says, "I am sorry. I was wrong. It was in a moment of irritability that I told you those things". The Nitric acid patient will say, "Yes, yes, it is alright, I do not care". But inside he will never forgive him. This is a symptoms that we an find even in the first stages, in which the pathology is in the physical body.
We see then an individual who has been disappointed by the world and who has no courage to continue fighting. He lives as if he is just drifting with the flow, feeling that nothing matters. This is a state of apathy and indifference. It is in this way that the original weakness spreads throughout the three levels, finally reaching a state of great isolation. His feelings become bland. He develops a philosophy to excuse this state. He becomes a nihilist, not believing in anything. He seems to have no force to start something new, no initiative for anything. He has lost hope and urge to do things.
To summarise the psychology of the Nitric acid person; such a person is irritable. He is sensitive both inside and outside; inside because of his own thoughts, and outside because of every little injury he thinks people do to him, noises, or other disturbances. He is unhappy, unsatisfied, unforgiving. He is so engrossed in his own misery and dissatisfaction that he cannot see anything outside himself.
Within the first stages of pathology, there are mainly physical complaints and weakness, but on occasion the patient may experience strongly a fear of death. As the pathology progresses, we see that development of a tremendous anxiety about health. Even more commonly, however, is the anxiety about health that occurs in an entirely different Nit. acid patient. Usually the pathological anxiety about health comes about in people who have been living quite comfortably - the "dolce vita" jet-setters - and then suddenly the doctor suggests that some minor complaints needs checking to rule outs something serious. From this moment on they become panicky, and this anxiety about their health may remain for a very long time unless they get Nitric acid.
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This is completely insane anxiety. For example, a Nitric acid woman finds a pimple on her scalp and she quickly decides that there is about a 90% chance that it is cancer of the brain. You explain to her that cancer of the brain develops inside the skull, not outside, but she still is not satisfied. She goes to another doctor, and then to a third, and a fourth. She is one of those patients who keeps on telephoning the doctor all the time, arguing, "Yes, I see you point, the pimple is going away anyway, but now I have a little pain in the left side of my chest. This must be cancer..." The main anxiety in Nitric acid is for cancer. They do not fear so much heart disease orstroke, their fear is for terminal ailment such as cancer which they believe inevitably leads to death.
Another feature of Nitric acid patients is that they do not easily make contact with others. They talk as there IS ALWAYS A BARRIER between them and others. Even when there is anxiety and the doctor confirms that nothing is wrong, they remain absolutely certain of their own idea. It is as if this barrier prevents any real communication. Nitric acid patients stay within their own world of suspicion. Because of this, these people make very poor conversationalists; they seem incapable of seeing the point of the other person.
EXCITABILITY IN SEX is another feature of Nitric acid. The Nitric acid man is likely to be the type who often visits Prostitutes, having sex purely out of physical excitability, and not caring about emotional or mental contact. It is not actually that he does not care, but he has decided that he cannot find a woman perfect enough to suit him. So he chooses instead to have sexual intercourse only on a physical level.
Eventually, the pathology reaches into the mental sphere Nitric acid patients may dwell on thoughts of suicide because they can find on way to make it in the world. They feel too weak to cope with circumstances, and as a result there is finally the thought of suicide. However, due to the great fear of death, they are normally too afraid to kill themselves. I remember a case in which the patient came to the interview with a pistol in his pocket. He readily confessed to me that he had decided to commit suicide. He was carrying the pistol around just waiting for the right moment to use it. He had been carrying it for months. Finally, he got Nitric acid, and sold his pistol. I remember that he had severe acne - a kind of malignant acne such as we usually see with Cal. sulph., or Calc. silicata. He had the typical morning aggravation of Nitric acid. He was so averse to talking to anyone during the first hour or so in the morning that he felt capable of literally killing someone for saying a simple, "Good morning".
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Sometime you will have to get this information from the relatives. You cannot get is straight from the patient because he does not realise that his disease has become a philosophy for him. He thinks to himself, "Why should I greet anyone in the morning"? He has decided what life is, and he sees no other point of view. It is not a limitation of freedom that is perceived by the patient. Despite all this, the worst state this patient is likely to reach is the fear of death. It is not a remedy that would be indicated in real insanity.
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Nux vomica
(nux-v.)
Nux vomica is one of the more commonly prescribed remedies in the homoeopathic Materia Medica, being one of the remedies absolutely essential for every homoeopath to know in depth. To begin with, we will described the type of person most commonly affected by Nux, and then describe in more depth the peculiar Nux vomica pathology. Generally, the Nux person possesses a husky, solid, compact, muscular body type, a basically strong constitution. They are ambitious, intelligent, quick, capable and competent. Frequently, their upbringing emphasises a strong sense of duty, and strongly values the work ethic. The Nux person is self-reliant rather than dependent. Their intelligence is pragmatic and efficient rather than philosophical or intellectual. The Nux person in the non-pathological state, makes an excellent, hardworking, efficient employee - and their talents lead them toward such occupations as supervisors, managers, businessmen, accountants, salesmen.
As always in homoeopathy, however, we must be careful not to prescribed Nux vomica on the basis of such positive and constructive personality traits. Unlike the techniques of astrology, palmistry, handwriting analysis, physiognomy and others, which describe the qualities of the person - whether for good or bad - homoeopathy bases its prescriptions on the pathological state of the person. We would not wish to give a remedy which might make a person less pragmatic and efficient! So, let us consider the states in the development of the pathological state requiring Nux vomica for cure.
In the first stage, the Nux person demonstrates an exaggeration, an excess of he normally beneficial qualities of ambition and conscientiousness. Instead of using their talents merely at work in an appropriate, relaxed and balanced manner, the Nux person begins to become ruled by them. The ambition begins to occupy him during all the hours of the day and night, becoming a driving ambition, an over-emphasis on achievement and competition. Nux is the most competitive remedy in the Materia Medica, competitive to the point of damaging his own health and even at the expense of his colleagues the Nux person can become a workaholic dominated by work. Because he is capable and efficient, it is likely that he will be rapidly promoted to greater and greater responsibilities. The Nux person will welcome such promotions. Two other remedies with similar physical symptomatologies, Arsenicum and Phosphorus, will take different attitudes. Arsenicum will tend to decline a promotion with too much responsibility, partially because the self-centred Arsenicum person is more interested in personal comfort than achievement. The Phosphorous patient may be intelligent and quick also, but will shrink from the intense competitiveness which might be necessary to get ahead.
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In Nux vomica, the normally conscientious state can be exaggerated out of proportion, leading to a compulsive efficiency. Nux is one of only a few remedies listed under the rubric Fastidious, but specifically the Nux fastidiousness is tied to the emphasis on efficiency. In this sense, the Nux fastidiousness is more appropriate to reality and not so severely pathological as would be assumed by its designation in italics in the Repertory. The Arsenicum fastidiousness, on the other hand, is a typical example of the severe neurotic, syphilitic fastidiousness so classically described by psychiatrists. It is a compulsively neurotic concern with cleanliness and order, both arising out of a deep-seated, anguished feeling of insecurity; the Arsenicum patient is constantly straightening and cleaning, far in excess of what is required for simple efficiency. Natrum mur. is another well-known fastidious remedy; in this case, it is more a concern with punctuality and scheduling of time.
Eventually, the Nux vomica person may end up in a job which is over his head. Typically, he responds by working harder and longer, expecting more from himself and others; The Nux person characteristically carries the implicit assumption that any challenge, any problem, can be overcome by sheer effort and ability. One of the most difficult things for a Nux patient to do is to accept a limitation, or to resign himself to the inevitable. To keep up with the pressure, he comes to use various artificial means to keep himself stimulated, coffee, cigarettes, drugs (whether by prescription or social drugs such as marijuana), alcohol, and even sex; Despite such abuse of stimulants, it is also true that Nux patients are also unusually sensitive to many of these substances and consequently suffer consequences of their indulgences.
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The Nux vomica person is known to be a hyper-sexual individual. They have a very strong sexual desire, and may indulge their sexual impulses even beyond the bounds of conventional morality. Despite being bound by the work ethic, the Nux person is not the typical upright, moralistic personality. In their use of stimulants and drugs, and most particularly in their sexual sphere, their behaviour is conducted out of impulse and therefore is best described as "amoral". As in the rest of the Nux picture, the over indulgence of sex finally results in a state of exhaustion; in later stages, the Nux patient suffers from impotence, typically a loss of erection upon intromission.
The over-indulgence of stimulants may meet his needs for a while, but eventually, the over-stimulation and toxicity take their toll. The stomach becomes disordered. The entire nervous system becomes overwhelmed and oversensitive. Even slight stresses such a slight, small noises, someone's voice or singing becomes intolerable. The effects of the "over-amped" nervous system are described brilliantly by Kent; "For example, a businessman has been at his desk until he is tired out, he received many letters, he has a great many irons in the fire; he is troubled with a thousand little things; his mind is constantly hurried from one thing to another until he is tortured. It is not so much the heavy affairs but the little things. He is compelled to stimulate his memory to attend to all the details; he goes home and thinks about it; he lies awake at night; his mind is confused with the whirl of business and the affairs of the day crowd upon him, finally, brain-fag comes on. When the details come to him he gets angry and wants to get away, tears things up, scolds, goes home and takes it out on his family and children. Sleeps by fits and starts; wakens at 3 a.m. and his business affairs crowd on him so that he cannot sleep again until late in the morning when he falls into a fatiguing sleep and wakens up tired and exhausted. He wants to sleep late in the morning".
The Nervous system seems to become bound up, works against itself. Again, this is described best by Kent; "Another state running through Nux is that actions are turned in opposite directions. When the stomach is sick, it will empty its contents with no great effort ordinarily, but in Nux there is retching and straining as if the action were going the wrong way, as f it would force the abdomen open; a reversed action; retches, gags and strains, and after a prolonged effort he finally empties the stomach. The same condition is found in the bladder. He must strain to urinate. There is tenesmus, urging. The bladder is full and the urine dribbles away, yet when he strains it ceases to dribble. In regard to the bowels, though the patient strains much, he passes but a scanty stool. In the diarrhoea at times when he sits on the commode in a perfectly passive way, there will be a little squirt of stool, and then comes on tenesmus so that he cannot stop straining, and when he does strain, there comes on the sensation of forcing back; the stool seems to go back; a kind of anti-peristalsis. In constipation the more he strains the harder it is to pass a stool".
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These are the patients complaining of gastritis or ulcer or "spastic colon". They finally go to the doctor, who pronounces their condition psychosomatic and prescribes antacids, antispasmodics, tranquillisers, or even psychotherapy. These merely mask the symptom, usually ineffectively, and consequently worsen the sensitivity of the nervous system in general.
The Nux patient, then, is very irritable, but this is a kind of irritability which the homoeopath may find difficult to elicit without care. The Nux patient will tend to hold the irritability inside (at least in this early stage). You ask, "Are you irritable"? The patient says, "No not at all. I never even raise my voice". So you ask, "How about inside? Do you feel irritable inside yourself"? Patient; "Oh yes! Very much"!! It is such people, who are most prone to gastritis and peptic ulcer. If the person were to learn to be more expressive, he would be spared the ulcer - but then, the abuse of coffee, cigarettes, and alcohol might result in the same condition, anyway.
Finally, the pressures become too much and the Nux patient becomes impatient and irritable. He becomes impatient with himself, and particularly with others, scolding and reproaching others over minor incidents. He reacts impulsively over small disturbances. Someone quietly whistles a tune, an
In minutus@yahoogroups.com, "tamarque@..." wrote:
(nat-m.)
The primary characteristic underlying the Natrum mur. pathology is introversion arising out of a feeling of great vulnerability to emotional injury. Natrum mur. patients are emotionally very sensitive; they experience the emotional pain of others, and feel that any form of rejection, ridicule, humiliation or grief would be personally intolerable. Consequently, they create a wall of invulnerability, become enclosed in their own worlds, and prefer to maintain control over their circumstances. They avoid being hurt at all costs.
People susceptible to developing the Natrum mur. type of pathology are emotionally sensitive and vulnerable, but quite clear and strong on mental and physical levels. Mentally, they have a high degree of objectivity and awareness, as well as a great sense of responsibility. For this reason, they are likely to be the sympathetic ear to whom others turn when distressed. The emotional sensitivity and the sense of responsibility readily lead such people into fields of counselling, psychotherapy, the ministry etc. While listening sympathetically to someone else's suffering, such people maintain their objectivity and appear to be very strong. They internally absorb the pain of others, however, and they dwell on it later; particularly, they wonder "How would I react in such a situation? Would I be able to take it".
Throughout life, individuals with Natrum mur. tendencies experiences deeply all impressions of life, accumulating awareness and understanding beyond their age. They are strong and enjoy being presented with challenging circumstances, even those involving emotional risk. At first, they enjoy company and thrive on the nourishment of emotional contact with others. They enjoy receiving affection from others - indeed, they inwardly expect and demand it, even though they do not themselves express affection easily. They are so sensitive that they feel hurt by the slightest comment or gesture that might imply ridicule or rejection. Natrum mur. adolescents, for example are reluctant to date, for fear of rejection. Even imagined slights can cause suffering. After being hurt several times, they learn to become cautious. They will think twice before becoming involved in an emotional experience. They turn to introverted activities which are emotionally "safe", i.e. reading books (usually romantic fiction or things having practical value in human relations), listening to music, dwelling on ideas and fantasies.
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They can become quite content in their isolation. They tend to be self-contained, desiring to solve problems by themselves without trusting help from other people. Gradually, they come to the point of not needing contact with the outside world. If someone intrudes upon their private, introverted world, they may feel resentful. Their primary concern in life becomes, "not to hurt and not to be hurt".
The issue of emotional pain, in themselves or in others, would be the end of the world for them, they are completely incapable of knowingly inflicting pain on others. For this reason, they become very serious. They cannot make jokes that might inadvertently ridicule someone else. They may appear cold and overly objective to others because they are so intent on not revealing their own emotional vulnerability or creating injury to others. This, combined with the Natrum mur. senses of responsibility, results in guilt begin a strong motivating factor in the lives of such people.
Physically, children with Natrum mur. tendencies are likely to be thin and delicate. It is common to see a fine, precise horizontal line dividing the lower eyelid in two. This line is commonly seen in young girls with hysterical personalities; other remedies showing this line include Asafoetida, Lilium tig., and Moschus. In addition, there may be a characteristic crack in the middle of the lower lip.
A Natrum mur. child is very sensitive to disharmony. If the parents fight the child may not react immediately but will suffer inside, perhaps even to the point of acquiring a physical ailment.
These children are usually quite well-behaved; it is not necessary to severely discipline them because a mere glance conveying disapproval will suffice.
The hysterical tendency in Natrum mur. children is seen readily when they are severely reprimanded. They then react to an extreme degree, falling on the floor in a tantrum, kicking and screaming. Consolation or reassurance are of no avail, and may actually make them worse they will continue with the tantrum until they themselves decide to stop.
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At an older age, the hysterical tendency shows itself in another way. Ordinarily, Natrum mur. people do not express emotion readily; they do not cry easily, for example, when suffering a grief. They may be quite serious in their demeanour. However, when nervous or under stress, they tend to laugh over serious matters, then to giggle hysterically; as this giggling becomes uncontrollable, it dissolves into hysterical weeping.
Adolescents of this type are likely to be quiet and withdrawn, but with a sense of responsibility and integrity. At a party, they tend to sit on the sidelines, enjoying themselves by watching others and imagining what they are experiencing. If they are attracted to someone, they will not be flirtatious or friendly. Indeed, they may appear to pay no attention at all, only watching the other out of the corner of the eye. They are liable to fantasize that the other person is likewise attracted and they may romantically blow the entire situation out of proportion. This is the reason why Kent states that a young girl who needs Natrum mur. will easily fall in love with a married man, or someone unattainable. This then causes intense anguish and grief, and the result is an even greater introversion.
They develop intense emotional and sentimental attachments for people, but they don't show their feelings. A daughter may have a deep feeling for her father without anyone else realising it. Then the father dies. The daughter grieves silently, locking herself in her room and crying in her pillow. To the surprise of everyone around her who did not realise the depth of her affection, she becomes very introverted, desiring only to be alone with her books and her music. There is no moaning or crying in front of others - merely occasional sighing perhaps. This internal state continues until she finally breaks down. Then there is uncontrolled, hysterical sobbing with massive shaking of the body, spasms, and twitchings. Such an outburst usually lasts just a short time, and she quickly regains control and composure.
The first stage of pathology in Natrum mur. appears on the physical level. There may be gastritis, arthritis, migraine headaches, canker sores, or herpes on the lower lip. As might be expected, such conditions are likely to occur after a period of introversion following a sever grief or humiliation.
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Alternatively, the patient may become hysterically reactive to every influence in the environment - overly sensitive to noise, to light, to cigarette smoke, etc. In such patients, allergies and eczema are common.
Neurological disorders are also very common in Natrum mur. Neuralgias affecting the left eye or the left intercostal nerves, for example, are frequent. Multiple sclerosis often responds to Natrum mur; as well, when the totality of symptoms fits. Heart disease can occur, but it tends to manifest as arrhythmias and palpitations - which arise from the influence of the nervous system on the heart.
It is during the earliest phases of pathology that some of the most well-known Natrum mur. keynotes are found. The patient has a strong desire for salt, and an aversion to slimy food and to fat, there is an aversion to chicken as well. Characteristically, there is an intolerance to heat, sensitivity to light, and aggravation (of headaches and skin particularly) from the sun. These are true to varying degrees in all of the Natrums, but they are more or less equally expressed in Natrum mur. The Natrum mur. aggravations from the sun and light are not as marked as they are in Natrum sulph. and its aggravation from the sun is not as marked as in Natrum carb. The Natrum mur. patient may be sensitive to both heat and to cold, though usually more so to heat. It is less sensitive to heat than Natrum sulph., and also less sensitive to cold than Natrum carb.
A characteristic symptom of Natrum mur. is the inability to pass urine or stool in the presence of others. This arises from the fear of ridicule, resulting in a chronic tension of sphincter muscles which can be relaxed only in private.
As the emotional vulnerability becomes increasingly pathological the patient becomes depressed; This is a depression which is inconsolable, and may even become suicidal. Suppose, for example, a young man experiences a severe rejection or grief; he retires to his room and puts on the saddest music he can find. The music is not designed to alleviate the depression, but rather to add to it. He wallows in the depression. If one thing has gone wrong, he exaggerates everything out of all proportion. He allows no-one to help, he tires to solve the problem within himself. Eventually, when the depression begins to pass, he regains a more appropriate perspective on life, and music will at that point relieve the remnants of the depression. It is in this sense that music may be either aggravation or amelioration to Natrum mur., depending on the circumstances.
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This kind of depression is a kind of hysterical reaction. Ordinarily, the Natrum mur patient is objective as long as control over the emotions is maintained; but when emotional control breaks down, the patient becomes irrational, and the emotional sphere rules everything.
As the pathology moves beyond the phase of depression, the patient begins to experience periodicity of physical symptoms and alternation of moods.
Physical complaints occur at predictable intervals and times. This is why Natrum mur. is often indicated in patients who have suffered from malaria in the past or who have been adversely affected by quinine drugs; it also can be useful in patients in whose family there has been malaria. Migraine attacks often seen in Natrum mur. patients tend to occur at fixed times, usually between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Asthmatic attacks, likewise, tend to occur between 5 and 7 p.m.
The moods swing from unreasonable depression to unreasonable exhilaration. As the patient's objectivity becomes interfered with, everything on the emotional level is carried to extremes.
By this stage, some of the characteristic physical symptoms may gradually disappear. As the pathology progresses to deeper levels, there may no longer be desire for salt, aversion to slimy or fatty foods aggravation from the sun, etc. The disappearance of these traits is directly proportional to the progressive deepening of the pathological state. Often it will be necessary for the homoeopath to inquire into such symptoms not only in the present, but also the past.
As the pathology begins to reach into the emotional level, the first fear that develops in claustrophobia. In early stages, Natrum mur. patients enjoy relative emotional freedom and resent any constrictions imposed by others. Later on, their own vulnerability causes them to close off. When they perceive the same kind of enclosure outside themselves (i.e. closed or narrow places) as they have created within, they become fearful.
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Along with the claustrophobia, there occurs a rigidification of the emotional and mental planes. The patient develops fixed ideas; things are seen in terms of good or bad, right or wrong, correct or incorrect, practical or impractical.
Eventually, a hypochondriacal anxiety about health emerges, particularly in regard to heart disease. This hypochondriasis is related to the fastidiousness seen in Natrum mur. The patient is driven by a compulsive need to avoid contamination - always cleaning, washing hands, disinfecting everything. In Natrum mur. fastidiousness is specifically a fear of microbial contamination, and not so much the feeling of disgust seen in other remedies (Sulph, Puls, Merc, Phos, Mezereum). Also, in Natrum mur. anxiety about health is much less significant than hypochondriasis, which is more of an anxiety -compulsive attention to details about health.
Finally, even the compulsive control mechanisms break down completely, and the person openly expresses everything, which previously had been disallowed. They become shameless, exhibitionistic, speak in obscenities, etc; In the final stage, Natrum mur. patients do not usually lose mental control to the point of developing full-blown insanity, but shameless behaviour may occur.
Natrum mur. is such a deep-aching remedy, and it is so commonly indicated in our western world, that there are many other remedies to which it should be compared.
Ignatia, of course, is the closest of all remedies to Natrum mur. In many respects, they are virtually identical. For this reason, they often replace one another in particular cases. Generally, Ignatia acts more superficially and is more likely to be indicated in cases where patient's reactions are more superficial. Natrum mur. patients have greater strength, they can tolerate more emotional stress and more intense shocks without breaking down. In Ignatia, the person breaks down with relatively minor stress. In addition, the Ignatia pathology does not as readily affect the physical level. Thus. Ignatia is more indicated in emotional reactions appearing after ordinary griefs experienced in life, whereas Natrum mur. is more commonly indicated in instances of extraordinary stresses, particularly those causing breakdown on the physical level.
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The Ignatia patient frequently feels constricted in the throat or in breathing, especially following an emotional shock. The characteristic Ignatia sighing is an attempt to relieve this sensation of constriction. Ignatia cries more easily and s more likely to cry during the homoeopathic interview than Natrum mur. Following a grief, the Ignatia patient is less likely to experience sleeplessness than Natrum mur.
Frequently, particularly when there are mostly physical symptoms, Phosphorus may be difficult to differentiate form Natrum mur. Physically, both look quite similar - thin, sensitive, even perhaps hyperthyroid. The main point of differentiation, of course, is whether the patient has a personality which is closed or open. The sensitive person who tends to be more withheld and evasive, who leans back in the chair while describing symptoms, is more likely to need Natrum mur. The Phosphorus patient, on the other hand, is very open and expressive of emotion, tending to lean forward and engage the interviewer in personal contact.
Lilium tig. is a highly hysterical remedy, as is Natrum mur. If a Lilium tig. patient experiences rejection or humiliation, however, there is an instantaneous, impulsive reaction; the Natrum mur. patient on the other hand, will suffer inside and wait quite a long time before finally breaking down into a hysterical reaction. Lilium tig. is also more likely to be malicious and cruel during such a reaction, whereas the Natrum mur. person would rather inflict suffering on himself than cause pain to anyone else.
Moschus is another hysterical remedy, but the differentiation is quite easy. This type of hysteria is designed for others to observe. It is manipulative, an attempt to emotionally blackmail others into a desired response. Natrum mur. would rather hide any reaction as much as possible.
Pulsatilla is sometimes confused with Natrum mur. Both are intolerant to heart aggravated in the sun, and averse to fat. Pulsatilla, however, is emotionally highly expressive, automatically giving affection. When a Pulsatilla patient cries (which occurs easily), it is a "sweet" gentle crying whereas the Natrum mur. weeping is a spasmodic, loud sobbing which shakes the whole body. Pulsatilla patients that are suffering will actively seek help from others and depend on them; Natrum mur. is more self-reliant, preferring to solve problems by themselves.
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Lycopodium is a remedy which displays an outer shell created in reaction to an inner state, but internally it is, weak and cowardly. Natrum mur. is strong but emotionally vulnerable to being hurt.
Sepia is closely related to Natrum mur. Particularly in children, they may be very difficult to tell apart. Sepia children are very sensitive, and much more excitable than Natrum mur. In their excitability, they can become flushed and hyperactive. In adulthood, it is as if the Sepia patient ahs been broken down by this excessive excitability, becoming fatigued, mentally dulled, and apathetic, Natrum mur. feels affection but does not express it easily; Sepia fundamentally has lost it. The Sepia patient is much more likely to be malicious and cruel, almost enjoying hurting others; this would be unthinkable for Natrum mur.
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Nitricum acidum
(nit-ac.)
It is difficult to find a single word that encompasses the Nitric acid patient, but if I were to choose one it would be, "pests", the effect the Nitric acid patient has on others due tot he constant internal state of DISSATISFACTION; these patients are always dissatisfied and miserable. They are never pleased, even under the most joyful circumstances. In this way they reach a state where they are considered unfit for company by others; they are not at all enjoyable to be with and this is why others call them "pests".
Let us consider the different stages of Nitric acid pathology, which displays an intricate intertwining of the physical, emotional and mental planes. The most prominent aspect of the physical pathology is a SLUGGISHNESS of the circulation. This underlies many of the elements in the Nitric acid picture. It is responsible for the extreme weakness seen in Nitric acid, as well as the marked chilliness. It also causes indolent ulcers which keep on oozing and spreading. Another characteristic of Nitric acid is the fissures found at the junctions of skin and mucous membranes. These can be attributed to dryness in theses areas which causes the skin to crack easily. Physiologically, this dryness can be explained by the sluggish circulation.
It seems that the kidneys and other internal organs of elimination do not function efficiently in Nitric acid, and therefore a lot of waste products must be eliminated through the skin - generally through discharges. That is why the Nitric acid patient is an OFFENSIVE patient in general. There is very offensive perspiration of the feet. Even the urine smells like that of a horse. Discharges are offensive, acrid, corrosive, and very irritating to the patient.
There is a characteristic disturbance of the metabolism in Nitric acid. The Nitric acid patient is usually thin and nervy, since he does not easily absorb fat, and consequently he has a craving for fat. He also desires strong food which is spicy, and salty fish such as herring. There is cracking in the jaw when chewing.
The Nitric acid patient, as Kent mentions, has an amelioration from riding in a carriage. Of course, this feature is rarely observed today with our smooth cars. I believe it is actually an amelioration from gentle vibrations of the whole body, a steady vibration which ameliorates by gently stimulating the circulation.
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Physically, Nitric acid patents look anaemic, with sunken pale skin, especially in the face. The expression is haggard and anxious. Nitric acid patients, because of their general weakness, give the impression that their health is deteriorating rapidly. In the early stages, symptoms are mostly on the physical level, the patient does not bring out any of the great anxiety about health which is produced in later stages. He says, "Never mind if I die", but INTERNALLY he is quite worried that eventually his health is going to break down. This internal feeling, together with the physical weakness, gives him a sense of defeat in regard to his health. He eventually reaches the conclusion that nothing can be done for him. Thus, there is a kind of despair of recovery in Nitric acid, though not as prominent or as clear as we see in Calcarea or Arsenicum.
As always, it is important to recall that once the symptomatology enters on the deeper planes, many of the physical symptoms may disappear. Once the anxiety over health and fear of death become a constant torment, we may no longer get the odour from the feet, or the desires for both fat and salt, even it they have not been already suppressed as being "bad for health". The physical symptoms disappear in proportion to the increase in fears and anxieties.
The Nitric acid individual has an unrestful sleep, he wakes up in the morning feeling very cross, very irritable, and very tired. Each of the main remedies for unrefreshing sleep has its own unique qualities. Nitric acid is so irritable at this time of day that nobody can even greet him. I remember a Nitric acid case who was working in a shop. The customers, of course, would come in and say "Good morning". He would merely mumble a grudging "Morn...". It is too difficult for him to speak in the morning. Everything looks very dark and desperate for Nitric acid in the morning. The pains, on the other hand, are all aggravated at night; the splinter-like pains, arthritic pains, and the pans in the long bones.
Turning now to the emotional pathology, we see in the Nitric acid and "anxiety neurosis". Kent talks about the great sensitivity of this patient. It is an internal sensitivity. Everything bothers him, nothing satisfies him. Noise can bother such a patient, but it is not only noise, even little disturbances which he has in the physical body become great annoyances. In this way, the internal sensitivity is seen to be more of a chronic state of dissatisfaction and unhappiness. Cap this with irritability, and we have the picture of Nitric acid.
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They are always complaining. Some may complain openly to other people, whereas many turn their complaints inward. These latter people develop a kind of UNFORGIVENESS. It is very characteristic of Nitric acid that he cannot forger a wrong done to him. If the wrong-doer says, "I am sorry. I was wrong. It was in a moment of irritability that I told you those things". The Nitric acid patient will say, "Yes, yes, it is alright, I do not care". But inside he will never forgive him. This is a symptoms that we an find even in the first stages, in which the pathology is in the physical body.
We see then an individual who has been disappointed by the world and who has no courage to continue fighting. He lives as if he is just drifting with the flow, feeling that nothing matters. This is a state of apathy and indifference. It is in this way that the original weakness spreads throughout the three levels, finally reaching a state of great isolation. His feelings become bland. He develops a philosophy to excuse this state. He becomes a nihilist, not believing in anything. He seems to have no force to start something new, no initiative for anything. He has lost hope and urge to do things.
To summarise the psychology of the Nitric acid person; such a person is irritable. He is sensitive both inside and outside; inside because of his own thoughts, and outside because of every little injury he thinks people do to him, noises, or other disturbances. He is unhappy, unsatisfied, unforgiving. He is so engrossed in his own misery and dissatisfaction that he cannot see anything outside himself.
Within the first stages of pathology, there are mainly physical complaints and weakness, but on occasion the patient may experience strongly a fear of death. As the pathology progresses, we see that development of a tremendous anxiety about health. Even more commonly, however, is the anxiety about health that occurs in an entirely different Nit. acid patient. Usually the pathological anxiety about health comes about in people who have been living quite comfortably - the "dolce vita" jet-setters - and then suddenly the doctor suggests that some minor complaints needs checking to rule outs something serious. From this moment on they become panicky, and this anxiety about their health may remain for a very long time unless they get Nitric acid.
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This is completely insane anxiety. For example, a Nitric acid woman finds a pimple on her scalp and she quickly decides that there is about a 90% chance that it is cancer of the brain. You explain to her that cancer of the brain develops inside the skull, not outside, but she still is not satisfied. She goes to another doctor, and then to a third, and a fourth. She is one of those patients who keeps on telephoning the doctor all the time, arguing, "Yes, I see you point, the pimple is going away anyway, but now I have a little pain in the left side of my chest. This must be cancer..." The main anxiety in Nitric acid is for cancer. They do not fear so much heart disease orstroke, their fear is for terminal ailment such as cancer which they believe inevitably leads to death.
Another feature of Nitric acid patients is that they do not easily make contact with others. They talk as there IS ALWAYS A BARRIER between them and others. Even when there is anxiety and the doctor confirms that nothing is wrong, they remain absolutely certain of their own idea. It is as if this barrier prevents any real communication. Nitric acid patients stay within their own world of suspicion. Because of this, these people make very poor conversationalists; they seem incapable of seeing the point of the other person.
EXCITABILITY IN SEX is another feature of Nitric acid. The Nitric acid man is likely to be the type who often visits Prostitutes, having sex purely out of physical excitability, and not caring about emotional or mental contact. It is not actually that he does not care, but he has decided that he cannot find a woman perfect enough to suit him. So he chooses instead to have sexual intercourse only on a physical level.
Eventually, the pathology reaches into the mental sphere Nitric acid patients may dwell on thoughts of suicide because they can find on way to make it in the world. They feel too weak to cope with circumstances, and as a result there is finally the thought of suicide. However, due to the great fear of death, they are normally too afraid to kill themselves. I remember a case in which the patient came to the interview with a pistol in his pocket. He readily confessed to me that he had decided to commit suicide. He was carrying the pistol around just waiting for the right moment to use it. He had been carrying it for months. Finally, he got Nitric acid, and sold his pistol. I remember that he had severe acne - a kind of malignant acne such as we usually see with Cal. sulph., or Calc. silicata. He had the typical morning aggravation of Nitric acid. He was so averse to talking to anyone during the first hour or so in the morning that he felt capable of literally killing someone for saying a simple, "Good morning".
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Sometime you will have to get this information from the relatives. You cannot get is straight from the patient because he does not realise that his disease has become a philosophy for him. He thinks to himself, "Why should I greet anyone in the morning"? He has decided what life is, and he sees no other point of view. It is not a limitation of freedom that is perceived by the patient. Despite all this, the worst state this patient is likely to reach is the fear of death. It is not a remedy that would be indicated in real insanity.
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Nux vomica
(nux-v.)
Nux vomica is one of the more commonly prescribed remedies in the homoeopathic Materia Medica, being one of the remedies absolutely essential for every homoeopath to know in depth. To begin with, we will described the type of person most commonly affected by Nux, and then describe in more depth the peculiar Nux vomica pathology. Generally, the Nux person possesses a husky, solid, compact, muscular body type, a basically strong constitution. They are ambitious, intelligent, quick, capable and competent. Frequently, their upbringing emphasises a strong sense of duty, and strongly values the work ethic. The Nux person is self-reliant rather than dependent. Their intelligence is pragmatic and efficient rather than philosophical or intellectual. The Nux person in the non-pathological state, makes an excellent, hardworking, efficient employee - and their talents lead them toward such occupations as supervisors, managers, businessmen, accountants, salesmen.
As always in homoeopathy, however, we must be careful not to prescribed Nux vomica on the basis of such positive and constructive personality traits. Unlike the techniques of astrology, palmistry, handwriting analysis, physiognomy and others, which describe the qualities of the person - whether for good or bad - homoeopathy bases its prescriptions on the pathological state of the person. We would not wish to give a remedy which might make a person less pragmatic and efficient! So, let us consider the states in the development of the pathological state requiring Nux vomica for cure.
In the first stage, the Nux person demonstrates an exaggeration, an excess of he normally beneficial qualities of ambition and conscientiousness. Instead of using their talents merely at work in an appropriate, relaxed and balanced manner, the Nux person begins to become ruled by them. The ambition begins to occupy him during all the hours of the day and night, becoming a driving ambition, an over-emphasis on achievement and competition. Nux is the most competitive remedy in the Materia Medica, competitive to the point of damaging his own health and even at the expense of his colleagues the Nux person can become a workaholic dominated by work. Because he is capable and efficient, it is likely that he will be rapidly promoted to greater and greater responsibilities. The Nux person will welcome such promotions. Two other remedies with similar physical symptomatologies, Arsenicum and Phosphorus, will take different attitudes. Arsenicum will tend to decline a promotion with too much responsibility, partially because the self-centred Arsenicum person is more interested in personal comfort than achievement. The Phosphorous patient may be intelligent and quick also, but will shrink from the intense competitiveness which might be necessary to get ahead.
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In Nux vomica, the normally conscientious state can be exaggerated out of proportion, leading to a compulsive efficiency. Nux is one of only a few remedies listed under the rubric Fastidious, but specifically the Nux fastidiousness is tied to the emphasis on efficiency. In this sense, the Nux fastidiousness is more appropriate to reality and not so severely pathological as would be assumed by its designation in italics in the Repertory. The Arsenicum fastidiousness, on the other hand, is a typical example of the severe neurotic, syphilitic fastidiousness so classically described by psychiatrists. It is a compulsively neurotic concern with cleanliness and order, both arising out of a deep-seated, anguished feeling of insecurity; the Arsenicum patient is constantly straightening and cleaning, far in excess of what is required for simple efficiency. Natrum mur. is another well-known fastidious remedy; in this case, it is more a concern with punctuality and scheduling of time.
Eventually, the Nux vomica person may end up in a job which is over his head. Typically, he responds by working harder and longer, expecting more from himself and others; The Nux person characteristically carries the implicit assumption that any challenge, any problem, can be overcome by sheer effort and ability. One of the most difficult things for a Nux patient to do is to accept a limitation, or to resign himself to the inevitable. To keep up with the pressure, he comes to use various artificial means to keep himself stimulated, coffee, cigarettes, drugs (whether by prescription or social drugs such as marijuana), alcohol, and even sex; Despite such abuse of stimulants, it is also true that Nux patients are also unusually sensitive to many of these substances and consequently suffer consequences of their indulgences.
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The Nux vomica person is known to be a hyper-sexual individual. They have a very strong sexual desire, and may indulge their sexual impulses even beyond the bounds of conventional morality. Despite being bound by the work ethic, the Nux person is not the typical upright, moralistic personality. In their use of stimulants and drugs, and most particularly in their sexual sphere, their behaviour is conducted out of impulse and therefore is best described as "amoral". As in the rest of the Nux picture, the over indulgence of sex finally results in a state of exhaustion; in later stages, the Nux patient suffers from impotence, typically a loss of erection upon intromission.
The over-indulgence of stimulants may meet his needs for a while, but eventually, the over-stimulation and toxicity take their toll. The stomach becomes disordered. The entire nervous system becomes overwhelmed and oversensitive. Even slight stresses such a slight, small noises, someone's voice or singing becomes intolerable. The effects of the "over-amped" nervous system are described brilliantly by Kent; "For example, a businessman has been at his desk until he is tired out, he received many letters, he has a great many irons in the fire; he is troubled with a thousand little things; his mind is constantly hurried from one thing to another until he is tortured. It is not so much the heavy affairs but the little things. He is compelled to stimulate his memory to attend to all the details; he goes home and thinks about it; he lies awake at night; his mind is confused with the whirl of business and the affairs of the day crowd upon him, finally, brain-fag comes on. When the details come to him he gets angry and wants to get away, tears things up, scolds, goes home and takes it out on his family and children. Sleeps by fits and starts; wakens at 3 a.m. and his business affairs crowd on him so that he cannot sleep again until late in the morning when he falls into a fatiguing sleep and wakens up tired and exhausted. He wants to sleep late in the morning".
The Nervous system seems to become bound up, works against itself. Again, this is described best by Kent; "Another state running through Nux is that actions are turned in opposite directions. When the stomach is sick, it will empty its contents with no great effort ordinarily, but in Nux there is retching and straining as if the action were going the wrong way, as f it would force the abdomen open; a reversed action; retches, gags and strains, and after a prolonged effort he finally empties the stomach. The same condition is found in the bladder. He must strain to urinate. There is tenesmus, urging. The bladder is full and the urine dribbles away, yet when he strains it ceases to dribble. In regard to the bowels, though the patient strains much, he passes but a scanty stool. In the diarrhoea at times when he sits on the commode in a perfectly passive way, there will be a little squirt of stool, and then comes on tenesmus so that he cannot stop straining, and when he does strain, there comes on the sensation of forcing back; the stool seems to go back; a kind of anti-peristalsis. In constipation the more he strains the harder it is to pass a stool".
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These are the patients complaining of gastritis or ulcer or "spastic colon". They finally go to the doctor, who pronounces their condition psychosomatic and prescribes antacids, antispasmodics, tranquillisers, or even psychotherapy. These merely mask the symptom, usually ineffectively, and consequently worsen the sensitivity of the nervous system in general.
The Nux patient, then, is very irritable, but this is a kind of irritability which the homoeopath may find difficult to elicit without care. The Nux patient will tend to hold the irritability inside (at least in this early stage). You ask, "Are you irritable"? The patient says, "No not at all. I never even raise my voice". So you ask, "How about inside? Do you feel irritable inside yourself"? Patient; "Oh yes! Very much"!! It is such people, who are most prone to gastritis and peptic ulcer. If the person were to learn to be more expressive, he would be spared the ulcer - but then, the abuse of coffee, cigarettes, and alcohol might result in the same condition, anyway.
Finally, the pressures become too much and the Nux patient becomes impatient and irritable. He becomes impatient with himself, and particularly with others, scolding and reproaching others over minor incidents. He reacts impulsively over small disturbances. Someone quietly whistles a tune, an
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