Fungi medicines in Homoeopathy

Dr Vivek N Patil

Fungi are a very large group of Thallophytes without chlorophyll. They reproduce by means of spores. They may occur in water, in the soil, on other living organisms etc. There are harmful and useful fungi. Some fungi like mushrooms are edible. Fungi are widely used in certain industries. Antibiotic Penicillin is produced from the fungus Pencillium. Fungi cause disease in human beings, animals and plants. The reason why some fungi are so dangerous is that unlike any other living thing, fungi are able to assimilate extremely complicated organic compounds which attack common organs.

The most dangerous of fungal poisons are,
1) α – amanitin – It leads to the destruction of liver.
2) Orellanin – Causes permanent kidney damage.
3) Gyromitrin – Acts similar to α – amanitin.
4) Muscarin – Acts as a nerve poison and affects the heart and blood circulation.

Classification
There are different systems of classification of Fungi. Engler classified True Fungi in to classes Phycomycetes, Ascomycetes, Basidiomycetes and Deuteromycetes.

NAME OF REMEDIES:
1. Agaricus Muscarius ( Amanita )
2. Agaricus Campestris.
3. Agaricus Citrinus.
4. Agaricus Emeticus. ( Russula Emetica )
5. Agaricus Pantherinus.
6. Agaricus Phalloids.(Agaricus Bulbosus,Amanita Phalloids)
7. Agaricus Procerus.
8. Agaricus Semiglobatus.
9. Agaricus Stercorarius.
10. Agaricus Campanulatus.
11. Agaricus Laricis.(Boletus Laricis,Polyporus Officinale)
12. Agaricus Rubescens.
13. Agaricus Vernus.
14. Agaricinum.( Active constituent of Polyporus officinale )
15. Muscarinum. ( The alkaloid of Agaricus )
16. Boletus Edulis. ( Boletus Esculentus )
17. Boletus Luridus.
18. Boletus Satanas.
19. Boletus Suaveolens.
20. Boletus Pinicola. ( Polyporus Pinicola.)
21. Bovista Lycoperdun. ( Bovista Gigantea )
22. Phallus Impudicus.
23. Psilocybe Caerulescens.
24. Russula Foetens.
25. Secale Cornutum.
{ Spurred Rye.Grains of Rye (Secale cereale, N.O.Graminae) are changed into the black, horn like spur by a fungus Claviceps purpurea.}
26. Torula Cerevisiae.   (Yeast plant )
27. Ustilago Maydis.  (Fungus on Corn.,It contains ergotin.)
28. Solanum Tuberosum Aegrotans.  ( Diseased Potato.Infected by Peronospora infestaus. )
29. Thlaspi Bursa Pastoris.  ( Plant with invaded fungi-Plant belong to the family Cruciferae. )

Medicines in Lichen (symbiosis of alga and fungus ) group are
1. Cetraria Islandica.
2. Chladonia Rangiferina.
3. Sticta Pulmonaria. and
4. Usnea Barbata.

COMMON CHARACTERISTICS:

• HAEMORRHAGE
• GASTROINTESTINAL IRRITATION
• PARAESTHESIA

I. HAEMORRHAGE : Agar(2)., Agar.ph., Bol.la., Bol.s., Bov(2)., Sec(3)., Sol.t.a., Thlas., Ust.
Agaricus Muscarius: Dark, thick blood.(Synthesis)
Agaricus Phalloids: Internal haemorrhage.
It acts on the red blood corpuscles, dissolving them so that the blood escapes into the alimentary canal and the whole system   is drained. Haemorrhages in lungs, pleura, and skin.( Boericke )
Vomiting of blood ; bloody stool ( Clarke )
Boletus Laricis:  Bloody stool. Stools of bile, mucous, and blood, with high fever. ( Clarke )
Boletus Satanas:  A profuse diarrhoea of blood, and of the mucous lining of the intestines.( Clarke )
Bovista: Haemorrhages ameliorates.Blood acrid,bright red or dark, thick or watery. It may be non coagulable. Passive oozing. ( Synthesis ).

It seems to produce a relaxation of the entire capillary system.This relaxation favours the haemorrhagic diathesis. Epistaxis associated either with menstrual irregularities, or with traumatism. It is indicated in uterine haemorrhage when the uterus is engorged,particularly when there is a flow of blood between the menstrual periods from any little over exertion. (Farrington) .
Metrorrhagia during climaxis. Persistent epistaxis in drunkards ( Farokh.J.Master.)

Secale Cornutum :
Vicarious haemorrhage ( Synthesis )
Haemorrhages which are dark, thin and persistent; haemorrhage from uterus or any other cavities of body. Haemorrhage when the uterus is engorged, flow is passive, dark in colour and may be, offensive.( Farrington ).
Persistent epistaxis in old people and drunkards with prostration. Bleeding of gums. Haemorrhage after extraction of teeth. Haematemesis.Haematuria. ( Farokh.J.Master )

Solanum tuberosum aegrotans : Gum bleeding.( Clarke )

Thlaspi Bursa Pastoris.
Dark brownish or dark blood. Internal bleeding ( Synthesis ) Haemorrhage from uterine fibroid with aching in back or general bruised soreness. Uterine haemorrhages, with cramps and expulsion of clots. Frequent epistaxis. Bleeding in nasal operations,especially passive haemorrhages. Haemorrhage with   violent uterine colic. Haematuria.(Boericke.)

Ustilago:
Bright red or brownish, dark or pale, thin, passive oozing.( Synthesis.)
Haemorrhage from uterus. Blood is bright red, partly fluid and partly clotted. It is especially indicated when the slight manipulation necessary for a digital examination causes oozing of blood. Haemorrhage when the uterus is engorged. (Farrington ).

II. GASTROINTESTINAL IRRITATION (Clarke ) :

Agaricus Emeticus.
Sudden and violent longing for ice cold water which relieves his anxiety.
Violent burnig pains in stomach.
Violent vomiting with anxious sensation, as if the stomach hung on threads which would be momentarily torn in two, with ice cold sweat of face, and faintness.

Agaricus Muscarius.
Desire for cold water, but it aggravates his complaints.
Sharp needle like pains in the region of liver. Abundant expulsion of flatulancy of a foetid odour,like that of garlic. Loose stools,a painful drawing in the region stomach and in the abdomen.

Agaricus Phalloids.
Violent thirst ; nausea ; vomiting ; then diarrhoea.
Violent pain in epigastrium which is aggrevated by pressure.
Pain in stomach followed by vomiting.
Very frequent and bilious vomiting. Vomiting of blood.
Frequent, watery, bloody stool.

Boletus Laricis.
Feeling in fauces as if would vomit.
Severe pain in stomach with loud in rumbling in abdomen.
Dull, burning distress ; drawing ; aching in right lobe of liver with frontal headache. Sharp pain in liver on full   inspiration.
Stool mixed with something looking like oil in large and small drops. Stools of bile, mucous and blood.

Boletus Luridus.
Violent pain in epigastrium, with intense thirst.

Boletus Satanus.
Unquenchable thirst.
Frightful pain in stomach.
Sudden desire to vomit ; No nausea between attacks. A profuse diarrhoea of blood, and of the mucous lining of the intestines.

Bovista.
Desire for cold drinks especially in the faternoon and in the evening.
Sensation of cold in the stomach, as if a piece of ice is there.
Nausea with chilly disposition from morning till noon.
Pains in the umbilical region after eating. Colic compelling the patient to bent double, releived by eating.
the first portion of the stool is hard, and the latter part thin and watery.

Phallus impudicus.
Devouring thirst.
Violent vomiting with profuse salivation.
Painful sensitiveness of the whole abdomen.
Watery diarroea.

Polyporus Pinicola.
Burning in stomach and dragging in right hypochondrium. constant very severe distress in lower epigastrium, causing faintness, aggravated by pressure and by walking. severe pain in epigastrium all morning.
Pain and distress in liver and all dorsal region aggravated by walking.  stools ran from bowels in deep yellow stream.

Russula Foetens.
Nausea,colic,vomiting and diarrhoa.

Secale cornutum.
Burning insatiable thirst.
Great anxiety and pressure in pit of stomach, with great sensibility to touch. Excessive painful sensibility.
Continous nausea,aggravation after eating. Easy vomiting.
Vomiting of food , lumbrici, mucous, blood, etc.
Inflammation and gangrene of liver. Liver enlarged.Painful colic with convulsions.
Diarrhoea with sudden prostration of strength. Involuntary   evacuations. Haemorrhage from the bowels.

Solanum tuberosum aegrotans.
Burning thirst.
Pain in stomach after eating,with red face after breakfast.
Gulping up after eating.
Sensation as if a spring were unfold in left hypochondrium.
Painfulness of the abdomen to contact along the median line.
Has to strain for stool until tears come. Alternate   protrusion and retraction of rectum during stool, with feeling of chilliness of body.

Thlaspi Bursa Pastoris.
Cramping pain in stomach.Sick faint feeling.
Gall stone colic. Liver affection secondary to uterine conditions. pain between end of sternum and umbilcus, like needles or an electric shock. Sever cramping pain ameliorated by bending over.

Torula Cerevisiae.
Soreness all over abdomen. Pains shift.
Sour,yeasty,mouldy odour from discharges.

Ustilago Maidis.
Thirst at night.
Cutting pain in stomach. Pain on full inspiration. Pain in epigastrium with drawing pain in joints of fingers. Distress in   afternoon ameliorated by eating. Passive venous haematemesis with nausea whch is ameliorated by vomiting.
Pain as if intestines were tied in knots. Pain in right lobe of liver.

III. PARAESTHESIA.   Agaricus Muscarius: Sensation as if pierced by cold or hot needles. Neuralgias as if cold needles run through the nerves. Sensation of a cold or cold weight on parts.
Boletus satanas: Sudden sensation through all the limbs as if he would be attacked with apoplexy.
Bovista: Multiple neuritis with tingling and numbness. ( F.J.Master )
Polyporus Pinicola: Soles of feet and heels feel as if pounded ; aggravation when boots on.
Secale cornutum: Sensation of burning, as if sparks in the whole body. feels   as if walking on velvet. Numbness, insufferable tingling,crawling starting in the face, on the back, in the limbs, in the finger tips which is ameliorated by rubbing.
Solanum tuberosum aegrotans: Sensation of water splashing on head ; as of something sticking in throat ; as if there were a fleshy growth in throat;   as if a spring unrolled in left hypochondrium ; of some thing becoming detached from sacrum.
Torula Cerevisiae: Hands cold like ice and go to sleep easily.
Ustilago Maidis: Sensation as if something were under the root of tongue pressing upward.

INDIVIDUAL RARE REMEDIES 
Agaricin.
Phthisical and other enervating night sweats. Chorea.
Dilatation of heart with pulmonary emphysema, fatty degeneration,
profuse perspiration and erythema.

Agaricus Emeticus.
Cold water causes gradual ameliorations of anxiety. Violent pains in stomach. Violent vomiting with sensation as if  the stomach hung on threads which would be momentarily torn in two, with ice cold sweat of face, and faintness < by moving the head. < by smelling vinegar,which is unbearable. All symptoms > by cold water.

Agaricus Phalloids.
Staggers as if intoxicated, and, with odd gesticulations, labours to express his sufferings but cannot artculate a syllable. Cholera like symptoms with extreme prostration  and hippocratic face. Fatty degeneration of liver, heart and kidneys. Continuous   urging for stool, but no gastric abdominal or rectal pain. Lethargic but, mentally clear. Sharp changes from rapid to slow and from slow to rapid breathing.

Boletus Laricis.
Head feels light and hollow.
Yawns and stretches when chilly.
Hot and dry skin especially in palms. Itching more between scapulae and on forearms.

Boletus Luridus.
Violent pain in epigastrium.
Urticaria tuberosa.

Boletus satanas.
Vomiting without nausea.
Frightful pain in stomach.
Dysentery.
Sudden sensation through all his limbs as if he would be attacked with apoplexy.

Muscarin.
Has much power over secretions, increasing lachrymal, salivary, hepatic etc, but diminishing renal; probably neurotic in origin, stimulating thye terminal fibres of the secretary nerves of all these structures, hence salivation, lachrymation, and excessive perspiration.

Phallus Impudicus.
Gastro-enteralgia. Violent vomiting with profuse salivation.
Painful sensitiveness of whole abdomen.
Profuse viscid perspiration.

Polyporus Pinicola.
Despondency with the pain.
Enlarged tonsils with disphagia and constant inclination to swallow.
Constant very severe distress in lower epigastrium, causing faintness ; < by pressure and by walking.
Prolapsus ani. Rheumatic pains in every part of body < in damp weather.

Russula foetans.
Chorea.
Pupils at one time normal, at another dialted, at another contracted. Patient could hear but was completely blind. Involuntary micturition.

Solanum tuberosum aegrotans.
Prolapse of rectum.
Offensive breath and odour of body.
Tumours of rectum looking like decayed potato.
Dreams of pools of blood.
< by smell of alcohol.
Cold water causes a sense of oppression and shock.

Torula Cerevisiae.
Headache worse from constipation.
Sour,yeasty, mouldy odour from discharges.
Hands cold like ice and go to sleep easily.
Recurrent boils. Itching eczema around ankles. Tinea versicolor.

Common Characteristics of the group:

1. Tendency to involuntary movements like twitching and jerking.
Agaricus
Irregular, uncertain and exaggerated motions. Patient reaches too far, staggers or steps too high, drop things etc.
Trembling, twitching, jeking and fibrillar spasms. Twitching ceases during sleep.
Bovista
Awkward motion, drop things
Twitching of facial muscles before asthma.
Secale Cor
Twiching, spasms with fingers apart.
Tetanic spasms with full consciousness.
Twitching in back extending to fingers and toes.
Staggering gait as if feet were dragged along.
Ustilago
Clonic and tetanic movements

2. Tendency to develop paraesthesias.
Agaricus
Sensation as if pierced by cold or hot needles.
Painful twitching followed by coldness and stiffness of parts.
Neuralgia as if cold needles run through the nerves.
Shooting and burning along the spine.
Burning, itching, redness and swelling as if frozen.
Bovista
Multiple neuritis with tingling and numbness.
Secale Cor
Numbness, insufferable tingling, crawling, starting in the face, in the limbs, in the finger tips. > rubbing.
Sensation of burning as if sparks in the whole body.
Formication of skin.
Ustilago
Sensation of boiling water flowing along the back.

3. Tendency to haemorrhages.
Bovista
Nose bleed, persistent epistaxis in drunkards.
Bleeding dark, offensive and stringy
Metorrhagia
Espicially during climaxis.
Secale Cor
Bleeding – thin foetid, watery oozing contiuously.
Haemorrhage after extraction of teeth.
Haematemesis
Ustilago
Congestive, passive or slow bleeding; Dark, Watery or in clods forming large black strings.
Vicarious menstruation.

4. Tendency to Increased Sexual Desire with Masturbation.
Agaricus
Increased Sexual Desire in males.
Sexual exitement in females.
Bovista
Increased sexual desire in males.
Coition aggravates.
Dreams amorous.
Ustilago
Irresistible desire to masturbate.
Erotic fancies
Emissions every night.
Emission even when talking to women.

5. Easy Prostration Especially after Coitus or Sexual Abuse.
Agaricus
Male
Great debility after coition.
Complaints after sexual debauches.
Female
Complains following coitus.
Young hysterical married women, who faint after coition.
Bovista
Reeling and confusion in head after coition.
Ustilago
Prostration after sexual abuse.

6. Tendency to Catch Cold, Feels Very Chilly Yet Aversion to
Covering.
Agaricus
Frequent sneezing with flow of clear water on getting cold.
Bovista
Chilly patient sensitive to cold.

7. Especially suitable for female during Climaxis
Agaricus
Bearing down pains especially after menopause.
Ustilago
Menorrhagia at climaxis
Congestion of various parts especially during climaxis
Irritability during climaxis.

8. Tendency to form new growths
Bovista
Para ovarian cyst.
Boil in the right ear with pain and discharge of foetid pus.
Secale Cor
Lymphoid Tumours
Boils which matures slowly with green pus.
Bloody blisters
Ustilago
Fibroid Tumours.