CANTHARIS

Cantharis vesicatoria syn. Lytta vesicatoria

The iridescent body of this beetle contains an irritant called cantharidine, which has a long, if dubious, reputation in traditional medicine, due in part to its alleged aphrodisiac properties. If taken in large doses, cantharidine is a powerful poison that attacks the urinary system. It causes vomiting, diarrhea, burning pain in the stomach and throat, and kidney damage, and can lead ultimately to death. The remedy Cantharis, proved by Hahnemann in 1805, is given for complaints accompanied by burning pain.

REMEDY PROFILE

Those who benefit most from Cantharis usually have high sex drives, which may become uncontrollable during certain illnesses. They can be restless, querulous, and difficult to get along with when ill. Irritability or insolence can even explode into paroxysms of violence or rage. In extreme cases, this may escalate into psychological problems such as intense mental confusion or mania. Cantharis is prescribed for conditions that deteriorate very rapidly. Typical symptoms are loss of appetite, burning pain in the throat or stomach, and raging thirst with an aversion to
drinking, since even a small amount of water makes the bladder pain worse. Burning cystitis and urinary tract inflammation are the main disorders for which Cantharis is used. Tenderness in the area of the kidneys, renal colic, kidney inflammation such as nephritis and pyelonephritis, and some other urinary disorders may also be eased by the remedy. It is given for sunburn, scalds, and burns if the skin has blistered, and is also used for insect bites and stings. Some digestive-tract disorders, such as gastritis, severe diarrhea, or dysentery, may respond to the remedy, as may an excessive libido.

Severe cystitis

SYMPTOMS Constant, urgent desire to urinate, with violent, spasmodic pains in the lower abdomen. Urine is scanty, hot, and bloody, and is passed drop by drop, with violent burning or cutting pains in the bladder and urethra. After urinating there is a sensationthat the bladder is not actually empty. There may be long-term urine retention, which results in a loss of muscle tone in the bladder. Inflammation of the genital area may overly stimulate the libido.

Burns & scalds

SYMPTOMS Burns, sunburn, and scalding, if the skin blisters. Cantharis is also prescribed forblisters that resemble burns.

Insect bites & stings

SYMPTOMS Unusually sharp pain at the site of a sting or bite, which has a black center. Anger, restlessness, excitability, or aggravationmay also be evident after the bite or sting.

Gastritis, diarrhea & dysentery

SYMPTOMS Violent, burning pain, distended abdomen, and possibly diarrhea accompanied by a scalding sensation. There may be an urge to empty the bowels when urinating, a loss of appetite, and irritability.

Excessive libido

SYMPTOMS Uncontrollable, inappropriatesexual arousal. An inflamed genital area, due to urinary tract infection, may stimulate sexual activity. Sexual fantasies may bestrong enough to disturb sleep.

S O U R C E D E TA I L S

O R I G I N
Found in southern Europe, notably in Spain and southern France, as well as in western Asia. Feeds on the leaves of white poplar,ash, privet, elder, and lilac trees.
B A C K G R O U N D
Traditionally used for warts, baldness, arousing the libido, and inducing miscarriage. The Greek “father of medicine,” Hippocrates, advocated Spanish fly for dropsy in the 5th century BCE.
P R E PA R AT I O N
Whole, live beetles are killed by heating. They are then macerated in alcohol and left to stand for five days, before being filtered, diluted, and succussed.
C O M M O N N A M E S

Spanish fly, blister beetle.

APIS

Apis mellifera

A 9,000-year-old cave painting depicting a figure taking honey from a hive is the oldest record of our relationship with the honey bee. Bees provide us with more than just honey, however: beeswax is refined and used in ointments and polishes; propolis (a resin collected by bees from tree buds) is used medicinally; and royal jelly is taken as a nutritional supplement. The homeopathic remedy, proved in 1852 by Dr. Frederick Humphries, is often used to treat insect bites and stings.

REMEDY PROFILE

Homeopaths easily recognize people likely to benefit from Apis because, in some ways, their behavior echoes that of bees. They tend to be fussy, restless, irritable types who are hard to please. Frantic hours spent cleaning and sorting, sometimes clumsily, often accomplish little. A vulnerable side reveals oversensitivity, sadness, weepiness, and an aversion to being alone. This need for company gives this type of person a reputation as a “queen bee” who organizes everyone. They reserve a sting in their tails for those who upset them. Fiercely territorial, they can be highly jealous or suspicious of newcomers. Apis is prescribed generally for symptoms that start on the right side and move to the left side. Ailments treated with Apis include urticaria (hives), insect bites or stings, and burns. It is used for urinary infections such as cystitis, and for edema or urine retention, especially in newborn babies. Inflammation of the eyes, mouth, or throat, and fever may also be helped.

Urticaria, bites & stings

SYMPTOMS The skin is itchy, swollen, and highly sensitive to touch, with stinging pain. It may be puffy and blotchy, with raised bumps that seem full of water. Urticaria maydevelop after a chill or fever.

Cystitis

SYMPTOMS Burning, stinging pain in the urethra and bladder on passing urine. The need to urinate is frequent, but only meager amounts of urine are passed. Kidney inflammation with puffy eyes and a lack of thirst may also respond to Apis.

Edema

SYMPTOMS Swelling of body tissues due to fluid retention. The swelling may be associated with arthritis (accompanied by the typical burning or stinging pain), meningitis, pleurisy, or peritonitis.

Inflammation of the eyes, lips,mouth, or throat

SYMPTOMS Inflammation of the eyes, mouth, or throat. The eyes are red, sore, and sensitive to light. They may water profusely with hot tears. The mouth and throat are swollen, and are subject to burning pains. Any swelling in the throat may obstruct breathing. There is a marked lack of thirst.

Fever

SYMPTOMS Fever with a total lack of thirst and possible sore throat. There may be a severe headache with stabbing pains, in which the head feels hot. There may also be chills, and the skin is dry and sensitive.

S O U R C E D E TA I L S
O R I G I N
Made from the native European honey bee, which can today be found throughout Europe and in Canada, the US, and many other countries.
B A C K G R O U N D
Bee-derived substances such as beeswax and honey have long been used in many medicinal traditions, including ancient Greek, Western, Chinese, and Unani.
P R E PA R AT I O N
The remedy is made from the whole female bee, including the stinger, or from the stinger alone. The insect is crushed, dissolved in alcohol, diluted, and succussed.
C O M M O N N A M E
Honey bee.