Dr Nethravathi B
Abstract
Berberis Vulgaris is most effective for Kidney and urinary tract issues particularly marked by renal colic but it also effective in dermatological conditions. More than eight million patients suffer each year and get treated for the tinea-related symptoms. Conventional medicine relies heavily on topical agents. However, using a holistic approach to treating tinea cruris with Homoeopathy can help with both cure and prevention of recurrence through Mind-Body relationship for causation of disease. This study includes a review of therapeutic value of berberis in affections of skin which is frequently overlooked in the treatment of skin diseases.
Keywords – Berberis vulgaris, Tinea cruris, Homoeopathy, Berberidaceae.
Introduction – Berberis belongs to Kingdom – Plant. Subclass – Magnolidae. Order – Ranunculales. Family – Berberidaceae. Remedy – Berberis Vulgaris. Alkaloid – Berberine.
Fig no. 1: Sankaran’s plant sensations in pictures – Berberidaceae family
Common name – Barberry. Prover – Dr. Hesse of Germany in 1834. Diathesis – Rheumatic, lithic, bilious. Miasm – psoro-sycotic. Temperament – Melancholic. Side affinity – Left. Constitution – Pale having earthy complexion with sunken cheeks, blue ring around eyes. Sphere of action – Through the Ganglionic system it produces engorgement of venous capillaries and shows its action on kidneys and bladder, next on liver where it promotes the flow of bile, and lastly upon mucous membrane of these and other parts, and upon the muscular system.
Berberis is sycotic as it has urogenital inflammation, suppression of emotions and secretiveness. Its symptoms are in between those of Thuja and Staphysagria. While anger is close to the surface in Staphysagria, its origins are frequently hidden from the conscious mind in Berberis. They remain silent, engulfed in a conflict that causes tiredness, withdrawal, and psychosomatic pain symptoms. These physical symptoms may be a protection mechanism for the patient’s emotional wounds.
As said by our master Dr. Samuel Hahnemann – Most severe disease may be produced by sufficient disturbance of the vital force through the imagination and also cured by the same means (Footnote to Aphorism 16).
Berberis patients complain of being ignored or neglected as women and sexual beings. Even sexual abuse has to be considered. It appears beneficial to explore the Berberis theme in the cases of patients with myoma, patients with recurring bladder infections, a tendency to stones, sciatica, lumbago, and chronic skin eruptions. (Affecting the lower part of the body).
Skin Affections – Berberis eruptions are distinguished by the presence of brownish pigmentation patches following their disappearance. It has papulopustular eruptions. There is a red areola surrounding the eruptions. After drying, these eruptions leave a reddish mark. Berberis eruptions most commonly occur near the anus, wrists, hands, and lower extremities. The irritation is exacerbated by scratching, heating, rubbing, and walking. Cold application relieves eruptions.
Case report
A 23 years old female patient, student, presented with itching and hyperpigmented skin lesions in the past 1.5 years, initially it appeared over groins and later spread to both lower limbs. Lesions would be circular red patch initially which turns into brownish black lesion with skin thickening. Itching all the time, more disturbing mainly at night 1-4 am, < from tight clothing, eating chicken, Scratching doesn’t ameliorate. > washing in cold water.
Past History: Nothing significant. Family history: All are apparently healthy.
Personal History: Diet is mixed. Appetite is good, can’t tolerate hunger, causes headache. Thirstless. Bowel and bladder habits regular no discomfort. Sleep – disturbed due to complaint (1-4 am). Dreams – water bodies, snakes. Perspiration – on exertion. Thermals – Chilly. Sensitive – sun – headache
Gynaecological History: Menarche– 14 yrs. Menses regular since menarche. No complaints during, before or after menses.
Mentals: Anxiety conscience of, Despair of recovery, Disgust of being women.
General physical examination: Well-built and nourishment. Pallor, icterus, cyanosis, clubbing, lymphadenopathy, oedema – Absent. Vitals – Temp – Afebrile, PR – 78 bpm, BP – 120/80mmhg, Wt. – 45 kg.
Local examination of Skin lesion: Inspection: Site – Posterior part of nates, thighs & leg. Anteriorly on medial side of thighs n groin region. Colour – Brownish black lesions. Character of eruption – Thickening present, scaling minimal, with intense itching and burns on scratching. Palpation: Tenderness – not present. Surface texture – rough.
Provisional diagnosis – Tinea cruris.
Analysis of case:
| Common symptoms | Uncommon symptoms |
| Itchy skin lesions
Red to brownish black colour Scratching doesn’t ameliorate |
Itching < 1-4 am
Lesions lower part of body |
Evaluation of symptoms:
| Mentals | Physicals | Particulars |
| Anxiety conscience of
Despair of recovery Disgust of being women |
Hunger <
Thirstless Sleep disturbed |
Skin lesions on lower part of body, itchy < 1-4am, scratching doesn’t ameliorate, > cold washing. |
Miasmatic analysis: Psoro-sycotic
Totality of symptoms: Sleep disturbed midnight, after 2am – 4 am. Delusion sexuality dirty one is, about his. Brown skin pigmentations – lower extremities. Eruptions > cold washing.
Based on totality of symptoms Berberis vulgaris 200 was prescribed. The itching reduced within 4-5 days; sleep improved, felt more active during day. Lesions pigmentation reduced within 2 months.
Conclusion
Berberis Vulgaris has therapeutic value in skin affections. This medicine can be used extensively for complaints due to changeability, alternations and rapid shifts. Understanding the berberis having affinity for the systems that carry fluids out of the body, such as the kidneys and urine, as well as to the lower body relating to the issues with separation, boundary violations, sexual abuse, and/or exhaustion helps in effective treatment of complaints.
References –
- Wikipedia Contributors. Berberis vulgaris [Internet]. Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation; 2018. Available from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berberis_vulgaris
- Mohanty N. All in one homoeopathic materia medica. New Delhi: B. Jain; 2013.
- Sankaran R. Sankaran’s Plant Sensations in Pictures. Mumbai: Homoeopathic Medical Publishers; 2011.
- Cowperthwaite AC. A Text-Book of Materia Medica and Therapeutics, Characteristic, Analytical and Comparative. Nabu Press; 2014.
- Hahnemann S. Organon of Medicine 5 and 6 Edition. 2013.
- Frans Vermeulen. Concordant reference: complete classic materia medica. Assesse, Belgium: B. Jain Archibel; 2011.
- Yakir M. Table of Plants, Wondrous Order/ Michal Yakir. 2019.
Dr Nethravathi B
MD Part 2, PG Scholar, Department of Homoeopathic Materia Medica and Applied Aspects, Government Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Bangalore, Karnataka.
Email: netrakumbar@gmail.com
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