Verbena verticillata. Vitex agnus castus (Linn.) The Chaste Tree. (Shores of Mediterranean, Provence, and Greece.) *N. O. Verbenaceae. Tincture of ripe berries.
Clinical
Agalactea. Anus, excoriation and chaps of. Ascites. Dislocations. Gonorrhoea, secondary. Gouty joints. Gums, ulcerated. Impotence. Knees, coldness of. Leucorrhoea. Mouth, ulcers in. Rheumatic nodes. Spleen, swelling of, induration of. Sprains. Sterility. Testicles, swelling of, induration of. Toothache.
Characteristics
As its name implies, *Agnus *castus produces its chief effects in the sexual sphere, causing depression of function. General debility and depression of vital power are marked. There are very characteristic symptoms in the mental sphere. Great sadness with a fixed idea of approaching death. This fear is not of *immediate death as with *Aconite, but the patient thinks it is sure to come after a while, and there is no use in doing anything. When this mental state is found after confinement and the milk fails to appear, *Agn. *c. is the remedy. Absentmindedness. Drowsiness. It corresponds to lymphatic constitutions. Premature old age, with apathy and melancholy, self-contempt from sexual abuse. Nervous debility in unmarried persons. Impotence and gleet in old offender. Among other peculiar symptoms are: Illusion of smell as of herrings, or musk, ulcers in mouth and on gums. Tearing pain in lower jaw. Toothache from hot food or drink. Swelling and induration of spleen. Rumbling of flatus during sleep. Discharge of prostatic fluid while straining at Stool and Anus.. Suppressed menses with abdominal pain. Leucorrhoea staining yellow. Sterility. Deficiency of milk, with despair of recovery. Pain as if dislocated in joints. Joints easily twisted. Rheumatic and gouty nodosities on joints.
Relations
Agnus is the only proved member of the Verbena family, though the Labiatae or Mint family are closely allied. *It is antidoted by: Camphor, Natrum mur. (headache), strong solutions of table-salt. *It is followed well by: Arsenicum, Bryonia, Ignatia, Lycopodium, Pulsatilla, Sulphur, Selenium *Compare: (Leucorrhoea staining yellow), Nux-v., Chelidonium, Carb-an., Kreosotum Teste groups it with Mur-ac. and Hyoscyamus
Causation
Sexual excesses. Repeated attacks of gonorrhoea or gleet. Sprains or over-lifting.
Mind
Extreme absence of mind, unable to recollect things, finds it difficult to read or keep up the train of thought. Despairing sadness, low-spirited, fears of approaching death, keeps repeating that she will soon die.
Head
Tearing pain, with pressure in the temples and forehead (in the brain), worse during motion. Pain in the temple, as from a blow. Heaviness in the head, and pressure, as if the head would fall forward. Pain in the vertex, as from staying in a room filled with a thick and smoky atmosphere. Tension and chilliness in the scalp, which is warm to the touch.
Eyes
Corrosive itching or gnawing itching over and on the eye-brows, on the eyelids and under the eyes, better by scratching, but it soon returns. Dilated pupils (and photophobia).
Ears
Roaring in the ears. Hardness of hearing.
Nose
Odour before the nose, like herrings or musk. Hard, aching pressure on the dorsum of the nose, better by pressure.
Face
Corrosive itching of the cheeks, under the eyes, and on the chin. Formication in the cheeks. Rending, tearing pain under the alveoli of the right lower jaw.
Mouth
Ulcers in the mouth and on the gums. The teeth are painful when touched by warm food or drink.
Appetite and Taste
Thirstlessness and aversion to drink. Metallic, coppery taste.
Stomach
Nausea in pit of stomach when standing, later in the abdomen, with a sensation as if the intestines were pressing downwards, constant inclination to support bowels with the hands.
Abdomen
Abdomen sore to touch. Swelling and induration of the spleen, especially after intermittent fevers. Ascites. Rumbling of flatulence during sleep. Fear as if entrails were sinking down, constantly wants to support bowels with hands.
Stool and Anus.
Difficulty of passing soft Stool. When pressing at Stool and Anus., discharge of prostatic fluid. Sensation as of subcutaneous ulceration near the anus, only when walking. Corrosive itching of the perineum. Rhagades at the anus. Deep fissures of the anus, often giving pain when walking.
Urinary Organs
Frequent micturition.
Male Sexual Organs
Diminution of sexual power. The penis is small and flaccid, so relaxed that voluptuous fancies excite no erection. Feeble erections without sexual desire. The testicles are cold, swollen, hard, and painful. Impotence, with gleet (especially with those who have frequently had gonorrhoea). Gleet, without sexual desire or erections. Emission of prostatic fluid when straining at Stool and Anus., during micturition. Drawing along the spermatic cords. Pollutions from irritable weakness with prostatorrhea. Itching of the genital organs. Yellow discharges from the urethra. Gonorrhoea, with suppressed sexual desire.
Female Sexual Organs
Transparent leucorrhoea, parts very relaxed. Leucorrhoea spotting linen yellow. Sterility, with suppressed menses, and want of sexual desire. Milk scanty or entirely suppressed. Deficient secretion of milk in lying-in women. Swelling and inflammation of the uterus. Retained placenta.
Chest
Hard pressure in the region of the sternum, especially during a deep inspiration. Cough in the evening in bed, before going to sleep.
Upper Limbs
Hard pressure in right axilla and upper arm, worse from touch and motion. Swelling of the finger joints, with arthritic, tearing pains.
Lower Limbs
Lancinating pain in the right hip-joint. Heaviness of right foot, as from a weight. Stitches in the legs (left big toe). Tearing pain in joints of toes, worse when walking.
Generalities
Great debility. Inflammatory, rheumatic swelling of the joints. Gouty nodosities. Sprains, bad results from lifting too much. Feet turn under when walking.
Skin
Corrosive itching on different parts of the body, better by scratching, but it soon returns. Itching around the ulcers, in the evening.
Fever
Pulse small, slow, imperceptible. Chilliness, internal with trembling, the external skin is warm. Much chilliness, with cold hands. Flushes of burning heat, principally in the face, with cold knees in the evening in bed. Perspiration almost only on the hands, when walking in the open air.
