A Text-Book of Materia Medica.
(Characteristic, Analytical, and Comparative.)
By Pr. Allen Corson Cowperthwaite, M. D., PH. D., LL. D.
Natural order.- Valerianaceae.
Common names.- Valerian. All Heal.
Through the cerebro-spinal systemValeriana affects directly the nervous centers, producing a high degree of irritation, which results in excessive nervous excitability, pain and spasms, all partaking of a hysterical character, which latter is the most important feature of the action of the drug.
Unusually joyous mood. Intellect clouded.
Mild delirium with trembling excitement.
Headache, the aching especially violent over the orbit.
Violent pressure in the forehead, followed in a few minutes by sticking in the forehead, and especially over the orbits.
The pressure over the orbits alternates between a pressure and sticking ; the sticking is like a darting, tearing as of it would pierce the eyes from within outward.
Pressure in the eyes in the morning after rising ; the margins of the lids seem swollen and sore.
Smarting in the eyes as if occasioned by smoke. (Croc.)
Sparks and flashes before the eyes (Bell., Cycl., Glon.) ; objects seem on fire.
Neuralgic pains in the face. (Bell., Cinch., Merc.)
Crampy jerkings in different parts of the face. (Ign.)
Previous to dinner he has a taste and smell as of fetid tallow.
Flat, slimy taste in the mouth, early in the morning after waking.
Frequent empty eructations.
Gulping up of rancid fluid, not rising into the mouth.
Nausea, as if a thread were hanging in the throat, arising from the umbilicus and gradually rising to the fauces and exciting copious accumulations of saliva.
Disposition to vomit ; vomiting.
Pressure in the epigastric region.
Bloated abdomen, hard.
Twisting colic ; hysterical.
Stools frequent and pasty.
Urinary Organs.- (Valeriana)
Frequent emission of urine.
Urine contains a white, red, or turbid sediment.
Respiratory Organs.- (Valeriana)
When walking, feels pressed across the lower half of the chest, with oppression of breathing.
Sudden stitching in chest and in region of the liver,from within outward.
Violent stitches and pressingfrom within outward in the region of the last true ribs, when standing.
Dull stitches, resembling a pressing from within outward, in the left side of the chest during an inspiration.
Neck and Back.- (Valeriana)
Intense pain in the left lumbar region above the hip, as if he had strained the part much ;worse when standing, and especially when sitting, than when walking.
A very painful drawing, mixed with stitches, from left shoulder down to fingers ; change of position did not relieve, but itdisappeared when walking.
Violent stitch in knee.
Painful drawing in upper and lower extremitieswhen sitting quietly, relieved by walking.
Upper Limbs.- (Valeriana)
Crampy, darting, tearing, like an electric shock, repeatedly through the humerus ; intensely painful.
Crampy drawing in region of biceps, in right arm from above downward while writing.
Lower Limbs.- (Valeriana)
Crampy tearing in outer side of thigh, extending into hip.
Twinging pain in outer side of calfwhen sitting.
Pulsative tearing in right calfwhen sitting, in the afternoon.
Transient pain, as if sprained in right ankle, most felt while standing, but seems to disappear when walking.
Lower limbs contracted.
Sudden pain as if bruised in outer malleolus of right foot,worse when standing, less when walking.
Drawing in tarsal jointwhen sitting.
Stinging pain in heelswhen sitting.
Drawing in many places, now here, now there, like transient jerks.
Wide awake in evening, restless at night, could fall asleep only toward morning, when he had vivid dreams.
Sensation of icy coldness.
Constant heat in whole body, and uneasiness.
Dry heat in face and whole bodyin the evening when sitting.
Flushes of heat over cheeks for two hours, several timesin the evening.
Much perspiration during night.
In morning ; in eveningwhile sitting or standing.
Therapeutic Range.- (Valeriana)
In hysteria, and in other nervous affections where the hysterical element predominates.
Ambr., Asaf., Mosch.
Copyright © Robert Séror 2003