Helix pomatia (Helx-p.) = Roman Snail/= Weinbergschnecke/= Escargot
[Todd Rowe]
Quelle: Remedia.at: Helix pomatia. Ausgangssubstanz: das lebend zerquetschte Tier.
Helix tosta was chosen as a remedy to examine the healing qualities of the
mollusc family that have never been well explored. Snails are well known for
their healing properties and serve as rich
archetypes in the mythic imagination.
Themes: heaviness (like a load or as from lead/experienced on the head
and on the back) or armor/slow
Feeling weighed down emotionally
The following general themes were noted through the proving:
* Anger at being treated badly
(quite strong and seen in many of the provers. described it as feeling “angry
at being used and abused”. As “red hot” anger. This anger could be channelled
into
rage and violence). [not feeling
appreciated and anger at injustice and abuse in the world (men)]. Response to
the anger was a desire to be isolated and left alone. Sudden
* Animals
* Babies/Pregnancy
* Buildings
* Courage/Confidence
* Moistness/Slime
* Money
* Sexuality increased
* Slowness
* Weighed down/back pack
* Youth
* Abusive * Cursing * Rage
* Violence
* Defiant
* Indignation * Irritability
* Malicious * Reproaches others
* Rude * Sudden anger
Buildings: many dreams of buildings and purchasing or selling buildings.
Windows in the buildings were a particular theme.
Courageous/Confidence: described increased confidence and even
courageousness during the proving.
The self confidence and self assuredness at its strongest became
egotism, arrogance and haughtiness. Anger and confrontation was often coupled
with this.
Moistness/Slime: desired cold damp weather. This is in keeping with the
preferential habitat of the Roman Snail. In addition, the provers experienced
mucous and slime on their skin.
Stool feels slimy.
Money: Wealth and purchasing of expensive things was a prominent theme.
Persistent thoughts about money. This is in keeping with the high relative cost
of escargot.
Sexuality: fairly strong throughout the proving. Many provers had sexual
dreams. There was also a theme of rape and sexual violation, with an accompanying
aggressive violent refusal to let this occur. Themes of dishonesty, secrecy and
ulterior motives often accompanied the sexuality.
Romantic longing was also noted.
Slowness: Two provers described hearing a song in their head during the
proving. One described the song “Slow Down You Move Too Fast” and the other
“Slow Down Sister”. Slow flowy drifting
feeling
Weighed Down/Back Pack
Youth
Several provers described feeling and appearing younger during the
proving. Wrinkles disappeared as well.
Mollusc.. Themes and Land Snail themes, were correlated
with this proving
Animal. Themes
Animal imagery was very strong in this proving.
Several provers described an internal split.
Miasm
Two separate miasms arose during the proving: sycotic and tubercular.
The sycotic miasmatic characteristics predominated. However it is difficult to
make a miasmatic determination based on a single proving. One prover described
the tubercular energy as: Chilliness/Suddenness (to the general complaints).
This was seen in both physical and emotional symptoms.
Toasted Remedies
Right Sidedness
Desires/</> for wet cold weather
I have two voices in my head; one that is impatient and the one that is
amazed and mellow
I feel this is a tubercular remedy; destructive, impatience, reckless,
grass is greener over there but I can’t get there; the feeling is that I have
to make this huge last ditch effort in order to live anymore;
like if I don’t get to the gym and put myself first I am done.
Physical areas most targeted by this remedy included:
Vertigo: was sudden and fleeting. It was accompanied
by nausea and most often occurred on waking.
Head: symptoms were characterized by severe
migraine headaches which were noted by two provers. Pains were most often
pressing like a cap or helmet.
Sinus headaches that were frontal were also noted. A sensation of an
iron band around the forehead was noted.
Eye: discharge that was thick and white was noted
by three provers. There was also eye gum. Pains tended to be burning and
pressing. Twitching of the eyelids, < r. was noted.
Ringing of the ears was seen in two provers one had it accompany vertigo. Itching of the
ears and a stopped sensation were also seen.
Nose: Nasal obstruction was seen in 4 provers. <
in the morning + sneezing and clear discharge that was < in the morning.
Nasal dryness was noted.
Face: characterized by acne. Skin was oily.
Three provers noted chancre sores of the mouth. Itching and pains in the
gums were noted.
Dryness of the throat with choking and constricting sensations were
noted. Drinking not > the dryness.
A scratchy throat was described in 3 provers < in the morning/swallowing.
Significant swelling
and induration was seen of the uvula and tonsils in one provers which
was relatively painless.
Generally appetite increased during the proving. This caused weight gain
and a craving for carbohydrates and sweets. Chronic gall bladder pains were
cured in one prover and there was an affinity
for burning night time pains in the liver. Nausea was quite strong
without much vomiting. Heartburn and eructations were also seen.
A general tendency towards constipation of the rectum was seen. Two
provers had bloody stools. Slimy, mucousy stools also noted.
Sexual desire was quite high. Profuse menses with painful menstrual
cramps was noted.
Hoarseness was seen in two provers.
Difficult respiration was also seen in two provers.
Cough tended to be dry, short and at night. No hemoptysis was seen,
although this was noted as a symptom of the remedy. Oppression of the chest was
quite strong.
Breathing was described by several provers as difficult. The cough
typically was dry and deep. + heaviness
in chest. Anginalike symptoms were noted.
Two provers noted injuries to the back from lifting. This was most often
dorsal and associated with heaviness and tension.
Cramps of the calves of the extremities were seen in two provers. Nail
problems were strong. Several provers lost toe nails and cracking of the nails
was common.
Sleep was restless and difficult. There was particularly waking from 2 -
4 h. Falling asleep was particularly a problem.
The skin was moist and smooth. One prover described her skin as if
‘covered in slime’.
DD.: Helix pomatia can be compared to other Molluscae. (Calc. Sep. Urolophus halleri.
Spong.) Calc-f. Caus. Spong. Tub. Med.
Repertory:
Mind: Abrupt
Abusive, Insulting when
opposed/ailments from abuse
Anger Tendency to (violent/takes
everything in bad part/sudden)
Anxiety (of conscience/on waking)
Appearance focused on
Audacity
Benevolence
Careful
Cautious
Censorious
Cheerfulness, tendency to
Company aversed to
Comprehension, Easy
Concentration difficult (on waking)
Confidence increased
Courageous
Cursing
Delusion being abused/is not
appreciated/“As if wearing a back pack“/breasts feel smaller/eyes feel darker
and smaller/hair feels longer/is covered in dust/is younger
Defiant
Destructiveness
Discontented
Dreams
Amorous/animals/buildings/courageous/homeopathic medicines/money/remembered/travels/vivid/“As
if in a dream“
Dwells on past disagreeable occurrences
Egotism
Estranged from society
Orientation increased
Euphoria
Excitement
Fearless
Forsaken
Grief
Haughty
Hurry
Impatience (with stool)
Impulsive
Indifference, Apathy to eating
Indignation
Industrious
Injustice unsupportable
Intuitive
Irritable
Lascivious/lustful
Laughing immoderately
Laughing in sleep
Malicious/mischievous
Mistakes im time/in words
Mood changeable, variable
Rage
Reproaches Others
Restless
Rude
Sad (over past/finished events)
Secretive
Selfish
Sensitive to
clothing/colors/noise/odors
Sentimental
Sleep, during laughing/tossing
about/shrieking
Suspicious
Sympathy/unsympathetic
Thoughts Money/of the
past/rapid/quick/sexual
Tranquility
Unfeeling, hard hearted
Violent
Weeping
Vertigo: in general
Night
Moving the head backwards
Nausea with
On waking/< on rising from bed
Sudden
Head: „As if constricted in an armor“/“As if
constricted from (iron) band or hoop“
Eruptions in margin of hair
„As if hat“
Heaviness [in forehead (in frontal sinuses)/from headache]
Itching on scalp
Pain [in forehead/in temple/< wrapping head/<
pressure/migraine/sudden/cutting/darting/stabbing/pressing („As from a
cap“)/pulsating/throbbing /“Like electric current“]
Skull „As if a cap“
Wens
Eyes: Discharge (thick/white)
Discolorated: red
Gum
Pain burning/pressing
Photophobia
Twitching lids (r.)
Vision: Blurred/flickering
Ears: Eruptions, pimples behind ears
Itching (morning)
Noises in general (l. to r./at night/stooping/ringing/+ vertigo)
Pain [at night/inside/in meatus/on touch/extending
jaw/boring/pressing/pulsating/throbbing]
„As if stopped“ morning
Nose: Coryza
Desquamation
Discharge morning/clear/green
Dry
Itching
Obstructed (r./morning)
Pain in tip
Sinuses, Complaints of
Sneezing (morning)
Tingling
Face: Discolorated
red [spot (cheeks)]
Eruptions acne/on chin/pustule
Greasy
Heat
Pain Pressing
Mouth: Apthae
Biting cheek talking or chewing
Coated palate
Cold breath
Dry (night/and thirstless)
„As if hair“ on tongue
Itching on palate
Palate covered with a false membrane
Pain in gums/in palate/burning
Taste: offensive
Teeth: Crumbling
Enamel deficient
Looseness of
Throat: Apthae
Choking, constricting
Discolorated (dark) red
Dry (at night/not >
drinking)
Emotions felt in
Inflamed
Irritated
„As if lump, plug“
Pain (waking/on swallowing/burning)
Scraping
Swollen (tonsils/uvula)
External Neck: swollen cervical glands
Stomach: Appetite
diminished/easy satiety/increased (morning)/insatiable/ravenous, canine,
excessive
Distensed („As if it would burst“/after eating)
Eructations (after eating)
Fullness
Heartburn (night)
Nausea (morning/night/< odors)/Vomiting
Noises gurgling
Pain [from emotions/burning (at night)]
Retching
Thirst/thirstless
Abdomen: Cold
Hard
Inflamed gallbladder
Pain in
gallbladder/liver/burning/cramping (at night/during menses)
Tension in hypochondria (l.)
Rectum: Constipation
Diarrhea (during headache)
Hemorrhoid
Stool: like balls/bloody/frequent/long,
narrow/mucous, slimy/hard pieces
Urine: Odorless/scanty/watery
Female organs: Irritation
Leucorrhea brown
Menses clotted/late profuse
Pain cramping during menses
Sexual desire increased
Male organs: Pain
stitching in penis/scrotum
Sexual desire increased
Larynx and Trachea: „As if larynx obstructed“
Oppression
Speech and Voice: hoarse
Respiration: Difficult (at night/ascending)
Snoring
Cough: Night/dry/preventing sleep/short/from throat
or larynx
Expectoration: Morning (after waking)
Chest: „As if foreign body inside“
Heavy/oppression
Pain lying on r.
side/burning/sore, bruised in mammae before menses/stitching (at night/in
heart)
Back: Cold
Cracking in cervical region
Heaviness (weight in dorsal region)
Injuries of the spine from lifting
Pain [morning/cervical/aching/cutting]
Stiffness (in spine)
Tension
Extremities: cold [at night]
Cramping in calf
Discoloration Spots on nails of
fingers/sprained knee
Heat Hand/foot (morning/hot #
cold)
Itching in forearm/in palms
(morning)/ankle
Nails complaints of: Brittle finger/toenails/falling of/grow rapid
Numb forearms [at night]
Pain in hand „As from
splinter“/in shoulder (aching)/in calf/in toe/cutting/stitching in knees
Restless forearms [at night
Tension in thigh/in calf
Weak upper arm
Sleep: deep
Falling asleep difficult
Position r. (impossible)
Restless
Sleepy in afternoon/sleepless (from congestion to head/from pain)
Unrefreshed
Waking [at midnight 24 h./after
midnight 3 h./4 h./difficult/frequent]
Yawning
Fever: Heat in general
Chill: Coldness in general
Morning/at night
Perspiration: Cold
At night
Skin: Cold/dry
Ecchymoses
Moisture
„As if covered with slime“
Generalities: Night
Cold <
Food and drinks: Desires: Alcoholic drinks/farinaceous
food/fish/meat/sweets (and salt/before menses)
Heat, Flushes of (in daytime)/Sensation of heat (on waking)/lack of
vital heat/< becoming heated
Heaviness („As from lead“/“Like a Load“)
Lassitude, Tendency to
morning/afternoon
r. sided
Sudden
Weariness, Tendency to
> cold weather/> wet weather
Allerlei: Als die Schnecke geschaffen wurde...
Vor langer Zeit, als die Welt noch jung war und die Tiere gerade alle erschaffen waren, betrachtete die Sonne ihr Schöpfungswerk und fand, das noch ein kleines Eckchen in der Welt frei wäre
für ein weiteres Tier. Klein müsste es sein, weich und langsam, damit es niemandem im Wege sein würde. Also erschuf die Sonne, bevor sie sich schlafen legte ein letztes Tier.
Es sah etwas seltsam aus, denn es hatte nur einen Fuß, winzige Zähne, die auf seiner Zunge saßen und Augen, die auf Fühlern von seinem Kopf wegragten.
Als diese kleine, hilflose Kreatur nun lautlos in die Nacht hinaus glitt, beobachtete dies die Mondin vom Himmel her. Das kleine, nackte Wesen tat ihr leid, denn es war schutzlos den scharfen
Zähnen der Katze und dem schweren tritt des Bären ausgeliefert. Auch hatte es nichts, wo es sich vor Regenwetter oder den Stichen der Sonne verstecken konnte. So nahm die Mondin ein Stück
von ihrer eigenen, runden, perlmutig glänzenden Gestalt und formte daraus ein kleines Haus für die Schnecke, das sie schützen sollte. Und als das Haus zur Erde fiel, wirbelte es immer rund und
rund und war am Ende ganz spiralig gewunden, als es bei dem kleinen Wesen ankam.
So wurde die Schnecke, wie wir sie heute kennen, geschaffen, beneidet von den anderen Tieren, denn sie trägt ihr Haus immer mit sich auf dem Rücken um darin Schutz zu suchen.
Also, wenn Ihr des Nachts eine
Schnecke seht, die ihre Fühler dem Himmel entgegen reckt, dann bedankt sie sich
gerade bei der Mondin für ihr wunderschönes Geschenk. (Madeleine Scott)
Helix pomatia is a large (largest in Europe), edible, air breathing land
snail.
Slime or mucus has different functions for a snail and can be thin or
thick. It is an organic
hydrogel (= ein Wasser enthaltendes, aber wasserunlösliches Polymer) which can
absorb a great quantity
of water, almost 250% water. of its own weight. On the body
there are glands which run from the mouth to the backend. Slime helps prevent
water loss, is used in locomotion by enabling it to
crawl over rough surfaces or slick ones (glass). It is also used as a
deterrent against enemies, although the slime itself doesn’t contain any bitter
tasting chemicals.
Helix native to the limestone areas of Central and Southeastern Europe.
It has spread out to other areas gradually over time, mainly by human hands. In
some areas (mainly
over-collecting has greatly reduced the numbers and in some countries of
Helix pomatia is found in copses, thickets, parks, gardens and vineyards.
The snail prefers a chalky substrate in warm low lying country. Snails need
damp, not wet, environments.
Although snails need moisture, wet or waterlogged soil must be drained
to make it suitable for them. Similarly, rainwater must run off promptly. Snails
breathe air and may drown in overly wet
surroundings. In the hours of darkness, air humidity over 80% will
promote good snail activity and growth. Snails like hiding places (during the
warm daytime/in winter).
Helix pomatia has thousands of teeth. On the front of the body is the
head, where two pairs of tentacles are located. The upper pair bears the eyes,
the lower pair is used for smelling and feeling.
The mouth has a tongue called radula. In the top of the mouth is a hard
ridge and food is being mashed between the radula and this ridge. The front
teeth of the radula wear very fast but the
radula grows from the back end.
Near the opening of the mouth salivary glands release digestive enzymes.
The salivary gland secretions moisten the digested food and envelop it, thereby
making easier it for the food to go
into the esophagus. The esophagus ends in the stomach. The intestines
release large quantities of a brown digestive juice in the stomach. The
intestinal gland fills up most of the space in the
visceral sac. The intestinal gland consists of smaller and bigger
follicles. A steady back and forth movement of the digestive juices between
stomach and intestines enhances the process of
absorption of the food. The movement of the digestive juices is caused
by the muscles of the intestinal gland and ciliae. The digested food flows over
the liver cells which absorb the food.
The smaller intestine starts at the visceral sac, follows the edge of
the kidney and enters the pulmonary cavity. It ends near the pneumostome
(breathing pore) in the smaller intestine on the
point of exit from the visceral sac a deep groove. This groove which is
coated with cilae takes over all non-absorbed solids and directs it into the
small intestine. Here the solids are
compressed and enveloped with a layer of slime after which they leave
the body.
Snails of the same species collected from different regions may have
different food preferences. Some foods that snails eat are: Alyssum, fruit and
leaves of apple, apricot, artichoke (favorite), aster,
barley, beans, bindweed, California boxwood, almost any cabbage variety,
chamomile, carnation, carrot, cauliflower, celeriac (root celery), celery, ripe
cherries, chive, citrus, clover,
cress, cucumbers (favorite), dandelion, elder, henbane, hibiscus,
hollyhock, kale, larkspur, leek, lettuce (makes good snails), lily, magnolia,
mountain ash, mulberry, mums, nasturtium, nettle,
nightshade berries, oats, onion
greens, pansy, parsley, peach, ripe pears, peas, petunia, phlox, plum, potatoes
(raw or cooked), pumpkins, radish, rape, rose, sorrel, spinach, sweet pea,
thistle,
thorn apple, tomatoes (well liked), turnip, wheat, yarrow, zinnia. They
will eat sweet lupines, but will reject bitter lupines and other plants with
high quinolizidine alkaloids.
Snails also avoid plants that produce other defensive chemicals,
defensive stem hairs, etc. Snails usually prefer juicy leaves and vegetables
over dry ones.
Respiration and Circulation
The blood system in Helix pomatia is open, with blood spaces and no
veins. The pigment is colorless, and is called haemocyanin., which contains copper. The
relative weak heart consists
of a single thick walled ventricle and a single thin walled auricle. The
blood takes oxygen from the lung and transports it to the auricle, and then to
the ventricle. The ventricle releases blood
with oxygen in the arteries, after which the blood goes to the tissues.
The so-called lung (pulmonary cavity) lies on the inside of the roof of the
visceral-sac. Through the breathing-pore, the
pneumostome, oxygen reaches the snail’s lung. When the pneumostome is
open the roof and bottom of the pulmonary cavity are close together. When the bottom
goes down the oxygen can flow
into the lung. Then the pneumostome closes and the bottom goes up,
pushing the oxygen in the body. It is comparable to the midriff in mammals.
In spring, when the Roman snails have been awake from hibernation for
some time, it becomes time for mating. Depending on the weather and other
environmental conditions, mating time may
last until the end of June.
Roman snails, and most terrestrial snail species, are hermaphrodites.
They have male as well as female organs in one collective genital apparatus.
This organ system not only contains sexual organs
in the narrow sense of the word, but also various auxiliary organs that
have respective tasks in different periods during mating. What advantage does
being a hermaphrodite give to a Roman snail?
Because of its proverbial slowness the snail needs much time to move in
a very small area. So the chances to meet a mating partner are too low to
divide them even further by two sexes to choose
from. Terrestrial pulmonate snails (Stylommatophora) such as the Roman
snail, on the other hand, have double mating chances, because in principle,
they can mate with any snail of the right species
they encounter. During copulation, Roman snails do not act as either
male or female, but simultaneously as both. Some snails may act as males one
season and as females the next.
A Roman snail’s mating process takes place in several phases, which go
from an attraction phase over an extensive courtship until finally the
copulation itself. The encounter of two Roman snails
ready for mating is not purely incidental. Like many other terrestrial
snails, they have a gland located at the gland that produces an olfactory
sexual attractant. Those attractants are also used by
other snail species such as banded snails (Cepaea). As a consequence two
snails of entirely different species may feel attracted and try mating. Between
snails of different species, that attempt
must remain unsuccessful.
The courtship among Roman snails is a very interesting thing to witness.
Both snails begin by raising their heads and putting their flat foot soles
against each other. They touch each other with
tentacles and lips while they are swaying gently. As a prelude to the
actual copulation this courtship process may last as long as twenty hours. The
copulation itself will take a much smaller fraction
of time.
During the courtship possibly a dart may be applied, one snail stinging
it into the mate’s foot. This dart has been called a love dart, as its
application obviously is in direct connection with
courtship or mating. The pricked snail becomes visibly more excited and
active, sometimes it also returns the favor by jabbing a love dart into the
mate’s body. A Roman snail’s love dart can
become as long as 7 to 11 mm and consists of a four-edge blade on one
and a crown on the other end. In idle state with this crown the dart sits on a
papilla in the dart sac. To use the dart, the
snail pushes out the interior of the dart sac, thus thrusting the dart
into the mate’s body. After separation from the papilla, the dart remains stung
in the body. Though called a dart, in many
languages also an arrow, the Roman snail’s love dart is neither thrown
nor shot, there is no distance of free flight. Instead it is thrust into the
mate’s body, more like a dagger, than a dart.
Sometimes the love dart misses its target. Then it may come to rest on
the mate’s body without penetrating it, but it can also happen that one of the
two mates is hurt. It is not in every mating
process that a love dart is applied. Roman snails mate whenever
possible, but the replication of a love dart sometimes needs more time than
remains between two mating encounters. Research
has found that application of a love dart not at all only influences snail
behavior. Using a love dart a secretion is injected that is produced by the
finger shaped glands in the genital apparatus.
This secretion contains hormones that influence certain parts of the
genital apparatus and that way improve the reproductive chances of the snail
that applied the dart.
After the long and extensive courtship there may be several attempts for
copulation. It may happen that the readiness to mate between two snails is very
different, so that the copulation attempts
may look more like a wrestling match. When finally both snails manage to
find a suitable position, they actually perform copulation. Both penises are
entwined and inserted into the mate’s vagina.
The union successfully completed, both snails stay as they are. At the
same time, a sperm packet, a so-called spermatophore, is produced in either
snail’s body and afterwards filled with sperm cells.
This spermatophore is almost 10 cm long and is roughly shaped like a
thread. Even after it was positioned in the mate’s genital apparatus, the tail
still looks out of the snail’s genital opening. This is
why the two snails remain motionless for a certain time after completing
of the copulation: The spermatophore’s application in the mate’s genital
apparatus must be supported; an early interruption of
the union may disrupt the spermatophore and thus render useless the
hours of toil involved in a standard snail courtship.
It is only now that both snails separate. Soon later they may meet again
with other potential mates. A part of the sperm cells just received, however,
will be stored in a special sperm pouch.
Those sperm cells may then well manage to fertilize egg cells, though
they will have to compete with sperm cells of other mating partners also stored
in the same pouch.
Fertilization only happens, when it is time to lay eggs. That will
happen, provided the environmental conditions are favorable and there is a
place where the eggs can be deposited in a special
hole in the ground.
Birds, insects, mice, rats, mice, moles, skunks, weasels, frogs,
lizards, centipedes, beetles, crickets, toads and other predators take a heavy
toll on the young snails. Parasites, nematodes, trematodes,
fungi, and microarthropods may attack snails, and such problems can
spread rapidly when snail populations are dense. The bacterium Pseudomonas
aeruginosa causes intestinal infections.
Helix pomatia has historically been used as an anti-cancer remedy and
anti-tuberculosis remedy. Escargot has been used as an anti-cancer therapy
since ancient medieval times. Recent studies
have shown that Helix pomatia Lectin specifically binds
N-acetylgalactosamine glycans, which are prominent in cancer progression. This
substance has been used as a marker in determining metastatic progression.
Pests
Snails in general are not very well liked. Many are considered to be
garden pests and are poisoned or stepped on when they are found. A permit from
the Department of Agriculture is needed to
ship snails into the U.S. Roman snails are considered pests on grapes
grown to make wine.
Roasted snail shells have been found in archaeological excavations, an
indication that snails have been eaten since prehistoric times. In ancient
gardens before they were eaten. A
by water to prevent escape, supplying vegetation as feed, and fattening
them on corn meal.
Pliny described the snail
the best snails for breeding. “Wall fish” were often eaten in
large quantities of snails at Mardi Gras or Carnivale, as a foretaste of
Lent.
The nutrient composition of raw snails (per 100 grams of edible
portion), according to information from the nutrient databank of
Repertory Extraction from the Complete Repertory (Roger Van Zandvoort)
Respiration: Difficult (ascending)
Cough: preventing sleep
Dry
Tickling
Expectoration: Bloody, spitting of blood
Voice: hoarseness (chronic)
Chest: Tuberculosis pulmonalis (with HEMOPTYSIS)
Respiration Difficult.
Cough preventing sleep
Cough Dry
Voice: hoarse
Helix tosta was chosen as a remedy to examine the healing qualities of
the mollusc family that have never been well explored. Snails are well known
for their healing properties and serve as rich
archetypes in the mythic imagination.
The strongest sensation experienced during the proving was that of
heaviness or armor. Heaviness like a load or as of lead. This was experienced
both on the head and on the back. The provers
describe the following;
Feeling weighed down emotionally
The sensation is that I have this helmet and this thing on my back that
I can’t get off and it is holding me back; like I am stuck in the mud and it
takes forever for things to happen or manifest;
Like something stuck to my back on both sides; cannot get it off;
restricting like the helmet on the head; as if I have a permanent back pack;
stronger on the back; it feels hard; restricting;
> resting on the couch; it is a burden and too heavy; holds me back;
cannot move; stuck in the mud; have to wait for something to help me.
I realize I have thicker skin; it is like body armor; not very
emotionally affected
I felt contained as if there were actual boundaries around my body; like
a thick layer all around my body and head; it felt like a bold line.
Very, very emotional; had to draw a family tree for one of my classes
and I choked up thinking of family; emotions make me feel sad as if a rope were
tied around my waist and chest like I cannot breathe.
Dream: following my friend to her house; I had to
cross a small pool of water; had a backpack with me and was having to
practically be a contortionist to get around with it.
I am in a store and looking at a sleeping bag that the bottom inflates
to the body; I get in and it is really uncomfortable lying on another body; I
can’t buy it.
My children said I was boring and that I need to have more fun; all
three kept repeating it.
I was told to move out of my comfort zone.
This sensation of weight or armor is connected to the source which has a
shell that surrounds it, providing both protection and security but also
restricts movement and slows the animal down.
Although the shell provides security, it is a place that is experienced
as boring and not fully alive. For example:
The state without the shell or security was described as follows:
Dream – Initially I am helping this patient on the phone giving him
instructions regarding his treatment. Next I see this guy starting to look for
something. I ask what do you want so I can find it. He does not say anything,
then others come and take me and they have taken everything. It seems I had
been asleep when they took everything. I know these people very well. I cry and
beg them not to take me away. Then a friend comes and says do not cry and you
are OK and we sit. I am crying and say I want to transform myself so my true
self comes out and also I can see the true self in others. She tries to console
me and then this other guy comes and they begin to take me away. I do not know
where they are taking me and they have taken everything, like I am completely
stripped of everything. I am also hoping that this is a dream I am having but
it does not seem to be in the dream. Everything is taken including me and I do
not know where they will take me or what they will do to me. As I was writing
the dream in my bed I was hot and getting sweaty. The temperature is cold now
so the sweat was of nervousness nature.
General Themes
The following general themes were noted through the proving:
Anger at being treated badly
Animals
Babies/Pregnancy
Buildings
Courage/Confidence
Moistness/Slime
Money
Sexuality increased
Slowness
Weighed down/back pack
Youth
Anger at Being Treated Badly
This was quite strong and seen in many of the provers. One prover
described it as feeling “angry at being used and abused”. Another described it
as “red hot” anger. This anger could be channeled into both rage and violence.
It manifested through the following:
Abusive
Cursing
Defiant
indignation
Irritability
Malicious
Rage
Reproaches others
Rudeness
Sudden anger
Violence
Much of the anger stemmed from not feeling appreciated and anger at
injustice and abuse in the world. Many of the provers described anger at
abusive men.
The response to the anger was a desire to be isolated and left alone.
Babies/Pregnancy
It was not clear why this was a strong theme in the proving as Roman
snails do not care for their young. There were issues about wanting to get
pregnant and grief that they could not. This grief
was experienced “As if there was a rope tied around my waist and chest
like I cannot breathe”. Some caretaking issues with babies were noted. Multiple
babies or children were often noted.
Buildings
There were many dreams of buildings and purchasing or selling buildings.
Windows in the buildings were a particular theme.
Dream: A woman is telling me she has to lose her house and land for a
whale that is coming in from the ocean; lived on a piece of triangular land
that was in-between 2 tributaries that flowed into the ocean.
Dream: I was in a large restaurant that was shaped like a spiral inside;
it was an old building but finely constructed of wood; there was much fine
carving.
Dream: My husband and I were buying beach-front property; touring a
house valued at $1.4 million; We were seriously interested in buying and
indicated that to the real estate agent; the price did not phase us.
Dream: My husband and I are in a huge building looking for an apartment
for the next years to live in; A realtor is with us but he doesn’t say
anything; the hallways and the apartments are especially dark;
the first apartment has several windows; they are rectangle shaped and
rather wide than high; I like the windows but my husband doesn’t like this
apartment for some reason; the next apartments are even darker; what is
important to me seems to be the windows.
Courageous/Confidence
Many of the provers described increased confidence and even
courageousness during the proving. One prover described it as follows:
Much more courageous; confidence improved; I did many things during the
proving that I never felt the confidence to do before; saying it like it is;
especially confrontative to men; I feel in charge; I can do what I want and say
what I want and don’t really care what others think.
This also manifested in the
following dream:
At some downtown public building; a woman shows up among a group of
people with multiple leashes and about 15 dogs; the dogs kept getting loose;
one by one I kept gathering them; trying to help this woman who has more than
she can handle; then a pit bull gets loose; my immediate reaction is to
overcome my fear and go towards him and pet him and grab his leash; just like
the others; I realize I can’t show fear or he will attack; I walk right toward
him and reach down and pet him; I bring him back to the woman; next a mountain
lion gets loose; I have huge fear but have to muster up the courage to not show
the fear; I realize that people may try to hurt him out of fear; he is in bad
shape and looks exhausted; I am able to contain him; a man started screaming
from fear that the mountain lion would attack his daughter so I took the lion
back outside and tied him up; I see two people with bow and arrows aimed at
him; I was angry and defensive; I ran towards them to block their shots and
chased them off while swearing at them.
The self confidence and self assuredness at its strongest became
egotism, arrogance and haughtiness. Anger and confrontation was often coupled
with this.
Moistness/Slime
The provers desired cold damp weather. This is in keeping with the
preferential habitat of the Roman Snail. In addition, the provers experienced
mucous and slime on their skin. This is described as follows:
Skin feels wet and slimy and cold; like I am always wet; it sucks and feels
uncomfortable; Skin felt wet, slimy and cold like I am always wet; very
uncomfortable; it is slimy; slimy thing about it; wet and slimy; I know it is
not wet; cold and wet and yucky like the cold wet like breathing; it feels as
if you are in the rain or covered in old slime.
Stool feels slimy.
Dream: I had a really bad cold, a ton of green mucous came out which was
slimy, thick and bubbly; there was a whole garlic bulb in it! - - - - -
Money
Wealth and purchasing of expensive things was a prominent theme. Several
provers described persistent thoughts about money. This is in keeping with the
high relative cost of escargot.
The following illustrate this:
Dream: I was floating down a river and passing out money. - - - - -
Dream: In the passenger seat of a truck; I had this feeling that I had
just completed a purchase: the biggest purchase of my life and I was so
confident, felt so good about the purchase.
Dream: I wanted to buy a diamond ring for $14,000; I took a nap and
slept past the time the store closed; I was thinking do I really want to put
$14K on my finger and have it be worth 1/3 that when I walk out of the store? -
- - - -
Dream: My husband and I were buying beach front property; touring a
house valued at 1.4 million; We were seriously interested in buying and
indicated that to the real estate agent; the price did not phase us. - - - - -
Dream: my husband was selling some winter coats that my mom used to sell
some years ago. These coats were very warm with llama fur, extremely expensive.
He was asking $40,000 for a coat. The client, my friend, wanted to offer
$12,000. We were inside a very expensive and exclusive restaurant. The colors
of the coat changed from dark to light colors, beautiful bright colors from
nature, as if the coat had a life by itself. My friend was selling jewelry,
expensive too. - - - - -
Dream: A tour of houses of wealthy executives; beautiful large homes
with a lot of larger windows and shades for privacy; the person giving the tour
said that because the executives have large living spaces, they need to stay in
the finest hotels during business travel; later I went to the children of these
executives and they would go off to school but come back home after their
parents left for work. - - -
Sexuality
Sexuality was fairly strong throughout the proving. Many provers had
sexual dreams. There was also a theme of rape and sexual violation, with an
accompanying aggressive violent refusal to let this occur. Themes of
dishonesty, secrecy and ulterior motives often accompanied the sexuality.
Dream: I was in a relationship with a guy; I was in the bathroom and he
was coming after me so I locked the door; he was banging on the door but I
wouldn’t let him in; later I was locked in a car and he was going to smash the
window; my feelings became loving to him and I told him it was not necessary to
smash the glass; I got out of the car and hugged him and kissed him; I felt
turned on and knew everything would be OK; he talked about his anger and I told
him he would be OK once we find his remedy. - - - - -
Dream: Feeling of stuck and being in a hard place and the need to get
out of the situation. Also feeling of danger trying to cross an area that is
very dangerous and we are not familiar with it. In this scene I am about to
have intercourse. I ejaculate intensely and awake. - - - - -
Dream: Walking along a busy street in my white socks; I was not at all
dressed up or looking good; I was dressed shabbily; a rundown car with a bunch
of thugs sped up and pulled alongside of me; they were soliciting me to become
a prostitute; I took a shopping cart and was swinging it around and around and
was hitting them and telling them to get away.
Dream: A lady owned a ranch and was brushing her horse. A man was there
with his son; the lady’s dog was chained up nearby; The man told his son that
the dog was protective of the woman and he said “watch this”; he kissed the
woman and the dog started charging at the man; the dog ran until his chain
tightened. - - - - -
Romantic longing was also noted.
Slowness
Two provers described hearing a song in their head during the proving.
One described the song “Slow Down You Move Too Fast” and the other “Slow Down
Sister”. The provers described it as follows:
The sensation is that I have this helmet and this thing on my back that
I can’t get off and it is holding me back; like I am stuck in the mud and it
takes forever for things to happen or manifest; Like something stuck to my back
on both sides; cannot get it off; restricting like the helmet on the head; as
if I have a permanent back pack; stronger on the back; it feels hard;
restricting; better resting on the couch; it is a burden and too heavy; holds
me back; cannot move; stuck in the mud; have to wait for something to help me.
Slow flowy drifting feeling
Weighed Down/Back Pack
See the description under “Sensation” above.
Youth
Several provers described feeling and appearing younger during the
proving. Wrinkles disappeared as well.
Animal imagery was very strong in this proving. This is illustrated in the
Theme section below.
Several provers described an internal split. One prover described the
split as follows:
I have two voices in my head; one that is impatient and the one that is
amazed and mellow
Miasm
Two separate miasms arose during the proving. These were the Sycotic
Miasm and the Tubercular Miasm. The sycotic miasmatic characteristics
predominated. However it is difficult to make a miasmatic determination based
on a single proving. One prover described the tubercular energy as:
I feel this is a tubercular remedy; destructive, impatience, reckless,
grass is greener over there but I can’t get there; the feeling is that I have
to make this huge last ditch effort in order to live anymore; like if I don’t
get to the gym and put myself first I am done.
Dreams have a tubercular (busy/active) and sycotic (secretive) feeling
to them.
Dreams of travel were particularly strong. Themes of secrecy, hiding and
covering up were equally strong.
See the descriptions below for details of expressions of both of these
miasms within the proving.
Toasted Remedies
There is some suggestion that toasted or burned remedies tend to be more
Tubercular (ref. Spong.).
General Characteristics
The following general symptoms were most characteristic.
Chilliness
Most of the provers described chilliness or chills. Some hot flushes
were noted but these tended to be brief and followed by the chilliness. One
prover described the chilliness as follows;
Mucous membranes feel cold; as if it is 10° in the winter in
Massachusetts at the ocean with a wind blowing at 25 mph, and every breath is
cold as ice and takes your breath away.
Right Sidedness
A significant majority of the provers experienced right-sided symptoms.
There were also a few provers that had left-sided symptoms that then moved to
the right.
Desire for Wet Cold Weather
A desire or > in wet, cold weather was seen in three of the provers.
This is consistent with the animal which prefers damp and colder climes. The
animal however cannot tolerate too hot or too cold temperatures. It both
hibernates and aestivates. One prover described this as being unable to
tolerate either cold or heat.
Suddenness
There was a suddenness to the general complaints. This was seen in both
physical and emotional symptoms.
In addition, to the above, cravings for sweets, carbohydrates and
alcohol were noted. Two of the provers described things as going “backwards”.
Emotional and Mental Characteristics
The predominant emotional characteristic seen in this remedy was anger. This
was described by provers as “red hot anger” and “confrontational with stupid
people”. Many of the provers described a lack of willingness to put up with any
abuse or injustice anymore. This was particularly targeted by women towards
men. See the general themes for more details.
The second emotional and mental characteristic was that of increased
confidence and even courageousness. In extreme form, this manifested in both
egotism and haughtiness.
See the general themes for more details.
Physical Characteristics
Physical areas most targeted by this remedy included:
Vertigo was sudden and fleeting. It was accompanied by nausea and most
often occurred on waking.
Head symptoms were characterized by severe migraine headaches which were
noted by two provers. Pains were most often pressing like a cap or helmet.
Sinus headaches that were frontal were also noted. A sensation of an
iron band around the forehead was noted.
Eye discharge that was thick and white was noted by three provers. There
was also eye gum. Pains tended to be burning and pressing. Twitching of the
eyelids, worse right was noted.
Ringing of the ears was seen in two provers: one had it accompany
vertigo. Itching of the ears and a stopped sensation were also seen.
Nasal obstruction was seen in four provers. This was worse in the
morning. It was accompanied by sneezing and clear discharge that was worse in
the morning. Nasal dryness was noted.
The face was characterized by acne. Skin was oily.
Three provers noted chancre sores of the mouth. Itching and pains in the
gums were noted.
Dryness of the throat with choking and constricting sensations were
noted. Drinking did not ameliorate the dryness. A scratchy throat was described
in three provers < in the morning and on swallowing. Significant swelling and
induration was seen of the uvula and tonsils in one provers which was
relatively painless.
Generally appetite was increased during the proving. This caused weight
gain and a craving for carbohydrates and sweets. Chronic gall bladder pains
were cured in one prover and there was an affinity for burning night time pains
in the liver. Nausea was quite strong without much vomiting. Heartburn and
eructations were also seen.
A general tendency towards constipation of the rectum was seen. Two
provers had bloody stools. Slimy, mucousy stools was also noted.
Sexual desire was quite high. Profuse menses with painful menstrual
cramps was noted.
Hoarseness was seen in two provers. Difficult respiration was also seen
in two provers. Cough tended to be dry, short and at night. No hemoptysis was
seen, although this was noted previously as a symptom of the remedy. Oppression
of the chest was quite strong.
Breathing was described by several provers as difficult. The cough
typically was dry and deep. Chest heaviness accompanied. Angina-like symptoms
were noted.
Two provers noted injuries to the back from lifting. This was most often
dorsal and associated with heaviness and tension.
Cramps of the calves of the extremities were seen in two provers. Nail
problems were strong. Several provers lost toe nails and cracking of the nails
was common.
Sleep was restless and difficult. There was particularly waking from 2:
4 am. Falling asleep was particularly a problem.
The skin was moist and smooth. One prover described her skin as if ‘covered
in slime’.
[Todd Rowe]
A proving of Helix tosta was performed in Phoenix Arizona at the
American Medical College of Homeopathy, in the spring of 2010. The proving was
conducted by the American Medical College of Homeopathy Department of Research.
This was a full Hahnemannian proving.
Quelle: Helios Pharmacy
The proving consisted of 15 subjects who began taking Helix tosta C 30
on January 22, from 22 - 65 years of age and in good health. 3 male and 12
female provers.
In general those on allopathic medication or who had significant health
problems were excluded from the proving.
This proving was double blinded. All the provers, proving supervisors,
and proving coordinator were unaware of the remedy being proven. The homeopathic
medicine was selected because of its medicinal properties, symbolic
significance and lack of usage within the homeopathic community, despite being
listed as a homeopathic medicine.
The proving was placebo controlled. Three of the provers received placebo
and were only identified at the end of the exit group proving.
As with previous provings, we found that those individuals who took the
placebo generally had the same symptoms as those who took the actual
homeopathic medicine. This is in keeping with findings of others conducting
provings from around the world.
Each prover was assigned a proving supervisor who interviewed them prior
to the onset of the proving to obtain a baseline case. Each prover then
attended an introductory meeting with their fellow provers prior to the start
of the proving, to go over basic policies and procedures and to obtain informed
consent. Each prover had regular contact with their proving supervisor
throughout the proving. The proving supervisors reported directly to the proving
director.
Each prover took a single dosage of C 30 of the assigned homeopathic
medicine at bedtime. If they exhibited any symptoms in the next 24 hours they
received no further homeopathic medicine. If they had no symptoms, then they
repeated the homeopathic medicine 24 hours later. Each prover received a
maximum of 7 doses of the C 30. A dosage
consisted of 10-12 pellets of the chosen homeopathic medicine.
Participants journaled the symptoms until the symptoms resolved or up to
six months after the initiation of the proving. Additionally the supervisors
kept a separate journal from the daily interaction with their provers. Informed
consent was obtained from each participant.
Symptoms were reviewed in an exit group meeting one month later, which
was videotaped. Journals (both of the provers and supervisors) were reviewed
separately. Any participants who had residual symptoms or improvement following
the one-month interval were followed subsequently until the symptoms resolved
or were permanently cured (up to six months).
Helix pomatia is a large (the largest snail in Europe), edible, air
breathing, land snail (terrestrial, pulmonate, gastropod, mollusc). It is
frequently farmed and called by the French name Escargot, when it is used in
cooking. The snail is quite large and easily seen. They are most often seen in
the early mornings when it is damp.
Shell
Its shell is spherical with a conical spire. It is very strong with thin
axial lines. The aperture is round and the lip thin. The umbilicus is narrow and
covered by the edge of the columella in a way that leaves only a slitlike
opening visible. In some cases the umbilicus is completely covered. In old
shells the periostracum is often worn away giving the surface a whitish color.
Shell size is 32-50 mm wide and 30-50 mm high. The color is light yellowish
brown to whitish grey, often with 3 faint mauve or dark violet bands. The shell
is big enough for the snail to retract the whole body into it. It usually has
4-5 whorls which coil clockwise as the snail grows. The axis of the shell is
called the columella, attached to this is a muscle which runs through to foot
to the tentacles. The snail builds his shell by secretion of calcium carbonate
from the mantle. A thin layer, called the periostracum, covers the outside of
the shell. In adult snails this is often weathered and flaking off. Because
Roman snails often crawl on walls and trees, accidents happen and they fall
off. That is why you often see shells with rough patches on it. The snail is
able to repair the shell very quickly.
Slime
Slime or mucus has different functions for a snail and can be thin or
thick. It is an organic hydrogel which can absorb a great quantity of water,
almost 250 % of its own weight. On the body there are glands which run from the
mouth to the backend. Slime helps prevent water loss, is used in locomotion by
enabling it to crawl over rough surfaces or slick ones (glass). It is also used
as a deterrent against enemies, although the slime itself doesn’t contain any
bitter tasting chemicals.
Life Span
The snail reaches adulthood in 3-4 four years. The life span is up to 10
years.
Helix tosta is native to the limestone areas of Central and Southeastern
Europe. It has spread out to other areas gradually over time, mainly by human
hands. This includes Austria, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, England, France,
Germany, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Russia, Scandinavia, and Spain.It has
been introduced to the United States (Michigan). In some areas (mainly France),
over-collecting has greatly reduced the numbers and in some countries of
Europe, the species has been put on the endangered list. It is illegal to
collect the species in England.
Helix pomatia is found in copses, thickets, parks, gardens and
vineyards. The snail prefers a chalky substrate in warm low lying country.
Snails need damp, not wet, environments. Although snails need moisture, wet or
waterlogged soil must be drained to make it suitable for them. Similarly,
rainwater must run off promptly. Snails breathe air and may drown in overly wet
surroundings. A soil moisture content of 80% of capacity is favorable. In the
hours of darkness, air humidity over 80% will promote good snail activity and
growth. Snails like hiding places (warm daytime/winter).
Aestivation and Hibernation
The animal aestivates (becomes dormant in times of heat) and during this
period it creates a calcareous epiphragm in order to seal the opening of its
shell. During the winter, they hibernate in small holes.
There are two sets of muscle fibers, each performs a different task.
When moving forward one set contracts pulling the snail from the front and
pushing it off toward the back. At the same time the second set pulls the outer
surface of the sole forward. They have the ability to forage as far as 150 to
300 feet (50 to 100 meters) and still find their way back. Ninety-nine percent
of snail activity, including feeding, occurs in the cool, dark nighttime, with
peak activity taking place 2 to 3 hours after darkness begins. The cooler
temperature stimulates activity, and the nighttime dew helps the snail move
easily. They hide in sheltered places during most of the day.
Helix pomatia has thousands of teeth. On the front of the body is the
head, where two pairs of tentacles are located. The upper pair bears the eyes,
the lower pair is used for smelling and feeling. The mouth has a tongue called
radula. In the top of the mouth is a hard ridge and food is being mashed
between the radula and this ridge. The front teeth of the radula wear very fast
but the radula grows from the back end.
Near the opening of the mouth salivary glands release digestive enzymes.
The salivary gland secretions moisten the digested food and envelop it, thereby
making easier it for the food to go into the esophagus. The esophagus ends in
the stomach. The intestines release large quantities of a brown digestive juice
in the stomach. The intestinal gland fills up most of the space in the visceral
sac.
The intestinal gland consists of smaller and bigger follicles. A steady
back and forth movement of the digestive juices between stomach and intestines
enhances the process of absorption of the food.
The movement of the digestive juices is caused by the muscles of the
intestinal gland and ciliae. The digested food flows over the liver cells which
absorb the food. The smaller intestine starts at the visceral sac, follows the
edge of the kidney and enters the pulmonary cavity. It ends near the
pneumostome (breathing pore) in the smaller intestine on the point of exit from
the visceral sac a deep groove. This groove which is coated with cilae takes
over all non-absorbed solids and directs it into the small intestine. There the
solids are compressed and enveloped with a layer of slime after which they
leave the body.
Snails of the same species collected from different regions may have
different food preferences. Some foods that snails eat are: Alyssum, fruit and
leaves of apple, apricot, artichoke (a favorite), aster, barley, beans,
bindweed, California boxwood, almost any cabbage variety, chamomile, carnation,
carrot, cauliflower, celeriac (root celery), celery, ripe cherries, chive,
citrus, clover, cress, cucumbers (a favorite snail food), dandelion, elder,
henbane, hibiscus, hollyhock, kale, larkspur, leek, lettuce (liked, and makes
good snails), lily, magnolia, mountain ash, mulberry, mums, nasturtium, nettle,
nightshade berries, oats, onion greens, pansy, parsley, peach, ripe pears,
peas, petunia, phlox, plum, potatoes (raw or cooked), pumpkins, radish, rape,
rose, sorrel, spinach, sweet pea, thistle, thorn apple, tomatoes (well liked),
turnip, wheat, yarrow, zinnia. They will eat sweet lupines, but will reject
bitter lupines and other plants with high quinolizidine alkaloids. Snails also
avoid plants that produce other defensive chemicals, defensive stem hairs, etc.
Snails usually prefer juicy leaves and vegetables over dry ones.
The blood system in Helix pomatia is open, with blood spaces and no
veins. The pigment is colorless, and is called haemocyanin, which contains
copper. The relative weak heart consists of a single thick walled ventricle and
a single thin walled auricle. The blood takes oxygen from the lung and
transports it to the auricle, and then to the ventricle. The ventricle releases
blood with oxygen in the arteries, after which the blood goes to the tissues.
The so-called lung (pulmonary cavity) lies on the inside of the roof of the
visceral-sac. Through the breathing-pore, the pneumostome, oxygen reaches the
snail’s lung. When the pneumostome is open the roof and bottom of the pulmonary
cavity are close together. When the bottom goes down the oxygen can flow into
the lung. Then the pneumostome closes and the bottom goes up, pushing the
oxygen in the body. It is comparable to the midriff in mammals.
Mating Season
In spring, when the Roman snails have been awake from hibernation for
some time, it becomes time for mating. Depending on the weather and other
environmental conditions, mating time may last until the end of June.
Roman snails, and with them most terrestrial snail species, are
hermaphrodites. They have male as well as female organs in one collective
genital apparatus. This organ system not only contains sexual organs in the
narrow sense of the word, but also various auxiliary organs that have respective
tasks in different periods during mating. What advantage does being a
hermaphrodite give to a Roman snail? Because of its proverbial slowness the
snail needs much time to move in a very small area. So the chances to meet a
mating partner are too low to divide them even further by two sexes to choose
from. Terrestrial pulmonate snails (Stylommatophora) such as the Roman snail,
on the other hand, have double mating chances, because in principle, they can
mate with any snail of the right species they encounter. During copulation,
Roman snails do not act as either male or female, but simultaneously as both.
Some snails may act as males one season and as females the next. Other snails
play both roles at once and fertilize each other simultaneously.
Mating process takes place in several phases, which go from an
attraction phase over an extensive courtship until finally the copulation
itself. The encounter of two Roman snails ready for mating is not purely
incidental. Like many other terrestrial snails, they have a gland located at
the gland that produces an olfactory sexual attractant. Those attractants are
also used by other snail species such as banded snails (Cepaea). As a
consequence two snails of entirely different species may feel attracted and try
mating. Between snails of different species, that attempt must remain
unsuccessful.
The courtship among Roman snails is a very interesting thing to witness.
Both snails begin by raising their heads and putting their flat foot soles
against each other. They touch each other with tentacles and lips while they
are swaying gently. As a prelude to the actual copulation this courtship
process may last as long as twenty hours. The copulation itself will take a
much smaller fraction of time.
During the courtship possibly a dart may be applied, one snail stinging
it into the mate’s foot. This dart has been called a love dart, as its
application obviously is in direct connection with courtship or mating. The
pricked snail becomes visibly more excited and active, sometimes it also
returns the favor by jabbing a love dart into the mate’s body. A Roman snail’s
love dart can become as long as 7 to 11 mm and consists of a four-edge blade on
one and a crown on the other end. In idle state with this crown the dart sits
on a papilla in the dart sac. To use the dart, the snail pushes out the
interior of the dart sac, thus thrusting the dart into the mate’s body. After
separation from the papilla, the dart remains stung in the body. Though called
a dart, in many languages also an arrow, the Roman snail’s love dart is neither
thrown nor shot, there is no distance of free flight. Instead it is thrust into
the mate’s body, more like a dagger, than a dart.
Sometimes the love dart misses its target. Then it may come to rest on
the mate’s body without penetrating it, but it can also happen that one of the
two mates is hurt. It is not in every mating process that a love dart is
applied. Roman snails mate whenever possible, but the replication of a love
dart sometimes needs more time than remains between two mating encounters.
Research has found that application of a love dart not at all only influences
snail behavior. Using a love dart a secretion is injected that is produced by
the finger shaped glands in the genital apparatus. This secretion contains
hormones that influence certain parts of the genital apparatus and that way
improve the reproductive chances of the snail that applied the dart.
After the long and extensive courtship there may be several attempts for
copulation. It may happen that the readiness to mate between two snails is very
different, so that the copulation attempts may look more like a wrestling
match. When finally both snails manage to find a suitable position, they
actually perform copulation. Both penises are entwined and inserted into the
mate’s vagina. The union successfully completed, both snails stay as they are.
At the same time, a sperm packet, a so-called spermatophore, is produced in
either snail’s body and afterwards filled with sperm cells. This spermatophore is
almost 10 cm long and is roughly shaped like a thread. Even after it was
positioned in the mate’s genital apparatus, the tail still looks out of the
snail’s genital opening. This is why the two snails remain motionless for a
certain time after completing of the copulation: The spermatophore’s
application in the mate’s genital apparatus must be supported; an early
interruption of the union may disrupt the spermatophore and thus render useless
the hours of toil involved in a standard snail courtship.
It is only now that both snails separate. Soon later they may meet again
with other potential mates. A part of the sperm cells just received, however,
will be stored in a special sperm pouch. Those sperm cells may then well manage
to fertilize egg cells, though they will have to compete with sperm cells of
other mating partners also stored in the same pouch.
Fertilization only happens, when it is time to lay eggs. That will
happen, provided the environmental conditions are favorable and there is a
place where the eggs can be deposited in a special hole in the ground.
Helix pomatia need at least three inches of soil in which to lay its
eggs. Batches of up to forty eggs are laid in the ground during the spring and
summer. They take from three to five weeks to hatch.
The eggs measure about 3mm in diameter and have a calcareous shell and a
high yolk content. Occasionally, the snail will lay about a dozen more a few
weeks later. The snail covers the hole with a mixture of the slime it excretes
and dirt. This slime, which the snail excretes to help it crawl and to help
preserve the moisture in its soft body, is glycoprotein similar to egg white.
The first snails to hatch eat the shells of their eggs. This gives them
needed calcium for their shells. They may then begin eating unhatched eggs.
Natural Predators
Birds, insects, mice, rats, mice, moles, skunks, weasels, frogs,
lizards, centipedes, beetles, crickets, toads and other predators take a heavy
toll on the young snails. Parasites, nematodes, trematodes, fungi, and microarthropods
may attack snails, and such problems can spread rapidly when snail populations
are dense. The bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes intestinal infections.
Medicinal
Helix pomatia has historically been used as an anti-cancer remedy and
anti-tuberculosis remedy. Escargot has been used as an anti-cancer therapy
since ancient medieval times. Recent studies have shown that Helix pomatia
Lectin specifically binds N-acetylgalactosamine glycans, which are prominent in
cancer progression. This substance has been used as a marker in determining
metastatic progression.
Pests
Snails in general are not very well liked. Many are considered to be
garden pests and are poisoned or stepped on when they are found. A permit from
the Department of Agriculture is needed to ship snails into the U.S. Roman
snails are considered pests on grapes grown to make wine.
Heliculture
Heliculture is the process of farming or raising snails. Snail farming
on a large-scale basis requires a considerable investment in time, equipment,
and resources.
Roasted snail shells have been found in archaeological excavations, an
indication that snails have been eaten since prehistoric times. In ancient
Rome, snails were fattened up in “cochlear” gardens before they were eaten. A
Virginia farmer described keeping snails in a cool, moist and shady
environment, supplying artificial dew if necessary, containing them on an
“island” surrounded by water to prevent escape, supplying vegetation as feed,
and fattening them on corn meal.
Pliny described the snail garden of Fulvius Hirpinus 2.000 years ago as
having separate sections for different species of snails. Hirpinus allegedly
fed his snails on meal and wine. The Romans selected the best snails for
breeding. “Wall fish” were often eaten in Britain, but were never as popular as
on the continent. There, people often ate snails during Lent, and in a few
places, they consumed large quantities of snails at Mardi Gras or Carnivale, as
a foretaste of Lent.
Nutrient Content
The nutrient composition of raw snails (per 100 grams of edible
portion), according to information from the nutrient databank of France, is:
Energy (kcal): 80.5Water (g): 79Protein (g): 16Available carbohydrates
(g): 2Fibres (g): 0Fat (g): 1Magnesium (mg): 250Calcium (mg): 170Iron (mg):
3.5Vitamin C (mg): 0.
Vorwort/Suchen. Zeichen/Abkürzungen. Impressum.