Cramp, Bark; High Cranberry Bush.
Introduction
(Clarke says, “Our Guelder Rose, is the cultivated and sterile variety”) Provings by H.C. Allen, with eleven provers, male and female. The O and the first and thirtieth strengths were used.
ONE learns most about the Viburnums from HALE’S Materia Medica of the New Remedies (1880 Edition.).
He says: The physician who shall find a remedy for painful will have the blessings of thousands of suffering women”.
That VIBURNUM OPULUS, for the treatment of dysmenorrhoea, is traditional in this country (U.S.A.). That the aborigines so used it, and handed the secret down to the white people that it has been successfully used as a domestic remedy for more than century. Hale says that he first realized its value, from observation of its domestic uses. He used a weak infusion; or drop doses of the O finally dilutions up to the 3x. It appears to have been used most in lower potencies.
He says that it is specifically indicated in spasmodic dysmenorrhoea; for “false labour pains which may render a woman’s life a torture for weeks” for after pains-a dose after every pain”. He says that cramps in the abdomen and legs of pregnant women are controlled very quickly by it. “It will prevent miscarriage, if given before the membranes are injured, and when pains are spasmodic or threatening”. He predicts that it will prove useful in spasmodic conditions of all hollow muscular organs. He says he has used Viburnum in many cases of neuralgia and spasmodic dysmenorrhoea, and has yet to meet a single case where it has failed to cure. So much so, that he had taken pains to look up old cases, dismissed as incurable years ago, and “in every instance, so far it has cured these old, obstinate cases”.
He tells of corroboration from physicians who have written him since his first accounts of the value of Viburnum. One reports a cure of a membranous dysmenorrhoea;- If this should be verified, we have now four remedies for that painful condition Borax, Guaiacum Ustilago and Viburnum.
“I Shall not be surprised, he says, if it is found useful in heart cramp, which is the real condition, in angina pectoris; also perhaps in spasm in laryngitis. [Why not, also, in Asthma?]
In regard to the VIBURNUM PRUNIFOLIUM, he writes: This species seems to possess some of the properties of the Viburnum op. But is probably not identical in its powers. He had used the tincture in threatened premature labour or miscarriage, dysmenorrhoea and spasmodic uterine pains, with good results.
He quotes a Dr. Phares of Alabama (Allopath), who says “It is particularly valuable in preventing abortion and miscarriage, whether habitual or otherwise; whether threatened from accidental causes, or criminal drugging. It completely neutralizes the action of gossypium (used for purposes of abortion) and compels the delinquent mother, however, unwilling, to carry the foetus to full term. Some farmers on whose plantations I have used this medicine and who have seen much of its effects on negro women who always managed to miscarry, declare their belief that no woman can possibly abort if compelled to use the Viburnum”. He says, that “it has certainly prevented abortion in every case in which I have ordered it for the purpose. that miscarriage has never taken place so he is informed, in any case where this medicine has been used as a preventive:. He gives a number of interesting cases.
One may say, that one has given Viburnum prun. in the O to a certain number of cases of threatened abortion, with so far as one can remember, success.
That VIBURNUM is absolutely homoeopathic to the conditions, which, by long native and domestic practice it traditionally cures, will be gathered from the following provings some made with the 30th potency. It would, therefore probably work as well possibly better, needing less frequent repetition, in the higher potencies. Of these we have no personal experience yet!
BLACK LETTER SYMPTOMS, AND ITALICS (Viburnum opulus)
Dull frontal headache.
She has cramping colic pains in lower abdomen, almost unbearable. Pains come suddenly and with terrible severity. Cramp-like colic pains in lower abdomen (during menstruation).
Before menses: severe bearing down; drawing in anterior muscles of thigh; heavy aching in sacral region and over pubes; occasional sharp, shooting pains in ovaries; they make her so nervous that she cannot sit still. Excruciating, cramping, colicky pains in lower abdomen and through womb. Pains begin in back and go around, ending in cramps in uterus.
During menses: nausea; cramping pain and great nervous restlessness; flow ceases for several hours, then returns in clots.
Menstrual flow scanty, thin light-coloured, with sensation of lightness of head, faint when trying to sit up. Spasmodic, or membraneous dysmenorrhoea.
Leucorrhoea, thin, yellow-white or colourless, except with stool, when its is thick, white blood-streaked.
NEURALGIC AND SPASMODIC DYSMENORRHOEA.
Pain beginning in back and going round to loins and across pubic bone like labour pains. Irritable ovaries, with dysmenorrhoea.
Cramp-like pains and spasms of stomach bowels, bladder or other organs when reflex from uterine irritation.
Cramps in abdomen and legs of pregnant women.
Will prevent miscarriage if given before the membranes are injured, and when the pains are spasmodic and threatening.
Hysterical convulsions from uterine irritation.
General irritation of nervous system.
Cramps and contractions of extremities, especially during pregnancy.
Among peculiar sensations are also:
Opening and shutting in left parietal region (in occiput Cocc. Compare also Cann. ind.)
Stabbed with a knife in eyes and ears.
Ears pinned to head.
As if she could not live sick feeling in stomach.
Pelvic organs turning upside down.
As if she would collapse, from waist to lower pelvis.
As if breath would leave body and heart would cease beating.
Clutching and cramping pains in heart. Excruciating, cramping pain in heart.
Oppression over whole chest: dyspnoea, as if chest muscles failed to act.
As if hands would burst.
In sleep, sensation of falling, wakes with a start. (Compare Thuja.)
Dr. Boger, writing later, stresses a few more points.
Violent nervous, or spasmodic effects in females. Can’t keep still.
CRAMPING.
Haemorrhage.
Frequent profuse urination: during headache menses, haemorrhage, etc.
Heavy ache, or EXCRUCIATING CRAMPS IN PELVIS: (>) menses. Dysmenorrhoea; with flatulency, loud eructations and nervousness
MISCARRIAGE. False labour pains.
UTERINE HAEMORRHAGE.
SUFFOCATION: at night; worse cold damp.
Infantile asthma.
Pains in back, end in CRAMP IN UTERUS, OR GO DOWN ANTERIOR SURFACE OF THIGHS.
