Artemisia vulgaris, Linn. Wormwood. Mugwort. Beifuss. *N. O. Compositae. Tincture of fresh root.
Clinical
Catalepsy. Chorea. Convulsions. Dysmenorrhea. Epilepsy. Hydrocephalus. Hysteria. *Somnambulism. Worms.
Characteristics
Like the other Artemisias this remedy has a prominent place in convulsive diseases. It is indicated where the patient is excitable and irritable before attack of epilepsy. Epilepsy after fright or grief, after a blow on the head, with menstrual disturbances, with teething. Attack accompanied or followed by profuse offensive sweat, by seminal ejaculations. Profuse sweat, having a peculiar fetid, cadaverous or garlic-like odour is a characteristic of the remedy. Attacks frequently repeated, then followed by a long interval of rest. Somnambulism. Catalepsy after fright. Spasms. Chorea, swallowing difficult, hungry but cannot get the food down. Right side convulsed, left paralysed. Nocturnal pollutions. Violent cramps in abdomen with irregular, insufficient menstruation. Irregular or deficient menstruation with epileptic convulsions. Nervous chlorosis with a very dry skin. Worms.
Relations.
Art-v. acts better when given with wine than with water. *Compare: Abrotanum, Absinth. (nearest relative), Cina, Chamomilla, Arnica, Millefolium *Compatible: Stramonium, Pulsatilla, Aurum (in alternation). *Compatible *after: Aconite, Belladonna, Bryonia, Helleborus, Cina, Iodium *Compatible *before: Causticum *Similar *to: Cicuta. (staring, jerking head, etc.), Cina (eyes), Apis, Helleborus, Bufo (irritable before fit), Causticum, Chamomilla, Ruta, Secale, Bryonia (chewing motion of jaw).
Causation
Blow on head. Fright or grief or bad news.
Mind
Stupor following convulsions. Somnambulism. Inclination to steal. Effects of fright. Catalepsy induced by bodily exertion or by alluding to the disease.
Head
Sharp shooting pains through the head. Head drawn back by spasmodic twitchings. Head bent backwards and sideways.
Eyes
Coloured light, as light falling through stained-glass windows, makes head dizzy (white light does not). Eyes turned up before attack.
Face
Twitching in the face, mouth drawn to left Face looks oldish. Lower jaw pressed forward. Chewing motion of gums, grinding teeth.
Teeth
Grinding of teeth, forth at mouth, thumbs drawn into fist, eyes half open, drawn upwards.
Mouth
Bites tongue in spasms. Speech unintelligible, can utter but single words, and these only with great exertion.
Throat
Swallowing difficult, food escapes from the mouth.
Stomach
Hunger, but cannot get the food down. Nausea and vomiting. Cramp in stomach.
Abdomen
Violent cramps in abdomen, irregular, insufficient menses.
Stool and Anus
Greenish diarrhoea. Passes faeces and urine with the spasms. Worms.
Urinary Organs
Urine increased, yellowish. Obstinate strangury in a child.
Male Sexual Organs.
Nightly pollutions. Seminal ejaculations with the spasm.
Female Sexual Organs.
Prolapsus uteri. Violent contractions of uterus. Spasms during menses. Irregular or deficient menstruation with epileptic convulsions. Nervous chlorosis with a very dry skin. Violent contractions of pregnant uterus, threatened miscarriage. Checked lochia. Eclampsia of sucklings.
Respiratory Organs
Rattling breathing with the spasms. Breathing checked, suddenly a deep inspiration ends the attack (catalepsy).
Lower Limbs
Over-fatigue or weakness of the feet after long walks or long illness.
Generalities
Convulsions of sucklings or teething children. Epileptic spasms after cooling off while over-heated from dancing. Epilepsy from menstrual disturbances. Nightly epilepsy with violent trismus injuring teeth. During epileptic attacks violent sweat of offensive odour. Long and deep sleep after a fit. Somnambulism. Congestion of brain and spine. Hydrocephalus.