Convallaria
majalus Anhang
[W. Boericke/Presented by Sylvain Cazalet]
Grows
everywhere in the woods. Its blossoms are bell-shaped with four or six
divisions and a corresponding calyx. They are small plants with broad roots and
stem leaves. It is a span high and the two leaves are-broad and streakless. The fragrant flowers appear in May, the red
berries in September. The root is fibrous and creeping, spreads rapidly and
when powdered excites sneezing. An extract of the root is purgative. The name
is very old.
It
occurs in the Bible. Great joy comes to those who wear it. In the flower
language it means, "you are modest ; renewed luck." In the
middle ages this spring flower was used as a remedy and highly treasured as a
panacea.
It was
claimed that the Mayflower would strengthen the brain, nerves and nervous
tissue, hence it was used for all diseases of the head, as vertigo, epilepsy,
sleeping sickness, melancholia, strokes, etc. It was used in the form of an
extract or tincture. These cephalic properties were later forgotten and towards
the end of the eighteenth century it was used only for the composition of
sneezing powders. However, it remained popular in Russia and was commonly used
as a diuretic. In 1880, Convallaria was first brought
to the notice of the orthodox medical profession as a remedy for cardiac valve
affections by Trotsky. Two facts predominated from the results of
the
physiological experimentations in Russia and later corroborated in Paris, viz.,
the regularization and augmentation in energy of the cardiac contractions, and
second, diuresis
Convallaria
is one of the newer Homopathic remedies, not being
mentioned in our literature previous to 1883, and for that reason is not to be
found in Allen's "Encyclopedia" or Hering's
"Guiding Symptoms."
This
may be one of the reasons why it is not more often used. Even the Allopaths value it more highly than many of us do, as I
shall attempt to show a little later.
But
I can assure you that Convallaria is a very potent
remedy in heart conditions when certain indications are present, and finds its
place as the much needed remedy for cardiac support when there seems little
else to offer except digitalis and yet digitalis is plainly not indicated.
It
is not my purpose now to go into the indications for digitalis and yet I cannot
refrain from remarking the digitalis is used far too often when it is not
indicated. Certainly a pulse regular in force, rate and rhythm does not
indicate digitalis and yet how of ten in cases of early myocarditis
with dyspna on exertion and slight dema of the extremities do we see digitalis prescribed for
such cases despite the regular pulse. How much better we would do by the
patient if we noted their symptoms carefully and gave them Cactus, Cratęgus, Adonis, Iberis or Convallaria as the symptoms seemed to indicate.
Orthodox
school:
Dr. W. Lenneker in an article appearing in the Therapeutic Gazette
of Detroit says that he has been using the fluid extract of Convallaria
extensively in all kinds of heart affections excepting fatty degeneration of
the heart, and sums up his experience by staling that "Convallaria
in itself is one of the best tonics for the stomach ; it gives tone to the
stomach and increases the appetite, and what is more, it exerts a tonic effect
upon the intestinal mucosa, increasing the action of the bowels in a great many
people."
Shoemaker:
"In small doses Convallaria strengthens the
heart's action. In larger quantities it restrains excessive cardiac activity.
It has been found of service in mitral insufficiency. It quickly relieves the dyspna and palpitation and after having been given for two
or three days may be discontinued for a week or more without recurrence of
symptoms.
"Convallaria seldom disagrees with the stomach and no
cumulative action has been observed. As a rule the appetite and digestion seem
to improve under its use and regular action of the bowels is promoted.
"Germain-See mentions its use in the following pathological
conditions. He highly recommends it in simple cardiac arrhythmias ; in
palpitation resulting from a state of exhaustion of the vagus
nerve (the most frequent cause of palpitation) ; in mitral stenosis, especially when accompanied by failure of
compensation on the part of the left auricle, the cardiac force augments,
visibly under Convallaria as the syhygmograph
testifies. In mitral insufficiency where there is pulmonary congestion and in
dilation of the heart without fatty degeneration Convallaria
is indicated. In all cardiac affections indifferently from the moment that
cardiac inflammations appear Convallaria has an
action efficient, prompt, and certain".
Ellingwood: (eclectic)
even enlarges on the above indications for Convallaria.
It
is evident from numerous clinical works that Convallaria
is an excellent substitute for digitalis in those conditions where digitalis is
not specifically indicated and yet empirically prescribed.
Convallaria
is better tolerated, does not accumulate in the system, does not increase the blood-pressure
(although I realize that this is a mooted question in pharmacology), and
finally if its effect is slow, it is less fleeting. This latter point I have
personally demonstrated to my satisfaction. Once a patient is under the
influence of Convallaria he may be kept comfortable
for months at a time.
S.
Solis-Cohen: "Convallaria is recommended in
place of digitalis, which as regards its action on the heart and blood vessels
it closely resembles, when for any reason it is deemed advisable to suspend the
administration of the latter for a period and yet not leave the heart without
any support".
Homopathic indications for Convallaria:
Dyspna with inability to lie down is the leading
indication for the selection of the remedy. Around this symptom most of the
other revolve. Dyspna caused by walking or ascending
stairs or a hill even when there is no organic lesion or but slight
involvement.
Convallaria is a valuable remedy for weak heart with more
or less irregularity and with or without valvular
lesions.
It
is always to be thought of in dyspna with pulmonary
stasis, hyperstatic congestion and cyanosis. It is
useful for dilation of the heart due to emphysema. It is also indicated in dropsical conditions with scanty urine and constipation.
The
patient needing Convallaria will often complain of a
feeling as if the heart beat throughout the chest. Also a sensation as if the
heart ceased beating and then started again suddenly.
Tongue
is usually broad and thick with a dirty coating. There is a coppery metallic
taste. The abdomen is sensitive. Clothes feel tight. Bladder feels full. In
females soreness in the uterine region with sympathetic palpitation of the
heart. Generalized aching in back, wrists, hands, ankles and toes. The
modalities are better in the open air and worse in a warm room.
I
use Convallaria in the tincture -usually 20 drops in
½ glass of water and one teaspoonful every two hours. In old chronics I
prescribe 5 drops of the tincture 3x daily.
Vorwort/Suchen Zeichen/Abkürzungen Impressum