The sensitive and optimistic Cinchona officinalis

Dr Bramarambha K

ABSTRACT:
Cinchona officinalis is one of the medicine that many homoeopaths think of in case of intermittent fever, debility after fever & also in haemorrhages. There are instances where we miss out Cinchona officinalis in our day to day practice as it is partially similar to Nux.v, Nat-m & Ign.

KEYWORDS: cinchona, china, animals, grief, sensitive, irritability, dyslexia, communication, fear, anger.

INTRODUCTION:
Cinchona was the first remedy with which Hahnemann experimented and later which leads to the discovery of Homoeopathy based on the principle Similia Similibus Curantur. Cinchona plant grows in tropical Andean forest of Western South America. Cinchona belongs to the family Rubiaceae & part used is bark of the tree.

AILMENTS FROM:

• MIND – AILMENTS FROM – anger – silent grief; with
• MIND – AILMENTS FROM – anger
• MIND – AILMENTS FROM – anticipation
• MIND – AILMENTS FROM – bad news
• MIND – AILMENTS FROM – emotions
• MIND – AILMENTS FROM – grief
• MIND – AILMENTS FROM – mental exertion
• MIND – AILMENTS FROM – mortification
• MIND – AILMENTS FROM – punishment
• MIND – AILMENTS FROM – sexual excesses
• MIND – AILMENTS FROM – surprises

SENSITIVITY

• George Vithoulkas describes the essence of Cinchona as Nervous Erethism – an abnormal irritability or responsiveness to stimulation & extremely sensitive to all external influences.
• China has increased sensitiveness of the nervous system. Acuteness of all senses – sight, smell, hearing, touch & taste. This sensitiveness can transgress their judgments leading to affections of emotions & mind.
• China’s sensitivity can be confused with emotional sensitivity of Ignatia but former also has psychic sensitivity.
• Cinchona will approach you rather cautiously, and may remain cautious until she knows you well, and even then, she will only reveal her true sensitivity if she is convinced that you are both understand and sensitive. Naturally, those China individuals who have been subjected to trauma, particularly early on in life, are even more cautious.
• As there is sensitivity to slight touch on physical plane – this can also be seen on emotional plane i.e., when cinchona person is upset, superficial gestures of support & consolation makes them worse. Showing genuine & deep expressions of concern makes them feel better(> hard pressure).
• According to Philip Bailey Cinchona is of 2 types- both are sensitive
• Worldly- principally sensitive to any form of aggression.
• Other Worldly- mainly sensitive in a psychic sense. They are quiet & subtle. (People who like to dramatize their psychic experiences are- Nat. mur, Ign, Hyos)
• Their interest in spiritual matters is mainly because of direct experiences.
• Thuja is just as sensitive as China, and just as introverted & more attracted to practical crafts. China is more liable to be philosophical than Thuja, and less practical.
• The excited nervous system of Cinchona causes them think & feel very intensely, because of which they have great imaginative powers leading them to write poetry & paint. ( Ignatia tends to be a Musician)
• Cinchona persons are very reserved & withdrawn into themselves, along with this they possess a great imaginative power & perception seeking expression in poetry & art.

(Nat. mur- Aversion to talking, except to persons they trust, to very close friends & relatives)

• MIND – FEAR – hurt, of being – feelings will be hurt by others
• MIND – VERSES – making
• MIND – CONFIDENCE – want of self-confidence
• MIND – CONVERSATION – aversion to – superficial conversation; aversion to- only remedy Cinchona.
• MIND – SENSITIVE, OVERSENSITIVE- touch, to

OPTIMISTIC IMAGINATION AT NIGHT

• Cinchona lives in the Other World of imagination in the evening on going to the bed & at night.
• These people may relive the events of the day & trying to change the actual happenings into imaginary scenarios which suit them better.

Example: In class a there was a fight between two students, but the teacher in the class couldn’t handle the situation in a better way, which lead the principal to intervene & sort it out. So, that night the teacher kept on imagining how she could have handle the situation in a better way.

• In these fantasies, they become the hero of great happenings or performers of brave actions.
• Lies awake at night making plans; theorizing, building air castles, thinking wonderful things he is going to do some day. In the morning – when reality hits, he wonders how he could have thought of such foolish things.
• In Natrum mur- they also dwell on the past unpleasant events when they are in the bed. From the above example if the teacher was a natrum mur person she would have brooded upon the situation & much weeping with melancholic sadness. China’s are optimistic.
• In Staphysagria- the nocturnal thinking pattern is different; their thoughts turn to romantic sexual relationships. They will invent a sexual relationship with someone they like. While lying in bed, their erotic minds create an erotic scenario; thus stimulated, compelling to masturbation.
• MIND – PLANS – making many plans
• MIND – PLANS – making many plans – evening
• MIND – PLANS – making many plans – night
• MIND – PLANS – making many plans – night – bed; in
• MIND – THEORIZING
• MIND – THEORIZING – evening
• MIND – THEORIZING – night

DIFFICULT COMMUNICATION

• The extreme sensitivity of Cinchona makes it difficult to deal or communicate with other people.
• In children the sensitivity during case taking can be observed through their behaviour – like being vey tensed, no much eye contact while talking to them, sometimes the child doesn’t want to talk at all, if the children do talk the eyes are directed towards parents.
• Direct expression of gratitude & appreciation is very difficult for Cinchona.
• Cinchona when attends any social gatherings sits & observes but refuses to talk to anyone except to the close friend or relative. (Nat.mur- afraid of rejection & Ignatia)
• Cinchona persons don’t seek approval of others; they are self-sufficient & believe in themselves. On the other hand they find difficulty in communication due to lack of self-confidence & insecurity which happens to be because of increased sensitivity making them uncomfortable in company.
• MIND – ANSWERING – refusing to answer

CONTRARINESS AND IRRITABILITY

• Irritability is mainly due the increased sensitivity of Cinchona.
• Anything can irritate them, provoking fits of passion or very hurtful, sarcastic comments (Nux.vom).
• Children may show their temper tantrums by hitting or biting when they are touched.
• Kent mentions that Cinchona person is unable to control the mind, to make it do what he wants it to do.
• Once the cinchona women become dissatisfied with her life at home; she lashes out at her husband even at the slightest provocation. Later she becomes remorseful. Discontented & sensitive mood lead to temper & quarrelling.
• In proving, Cinchona shows great aversion to physical & mental exertion, no desire to work & dreads work.
• Sudden changes of mood occur: during a cheerful mood, sudden, transient screaming & tossing about the bed, without any apparent or visible cause.
• MIND – ANGER – stabbed anyone; so angry that he could have
• MIND – ANGER – trifles; at
• MIND – LAZINESS
• MIND – MENTAL EXERTION – aversion to

FEAR OF ANIMALS

• Cinchona has fear of dog, cat, cow sheep, horses, chickens, to any animal which are all comparatively big animals.
• Fear of creeping things like snakes, not to insects. (Fear of Insects= Calc.carb, Nat.mur & Phos)
• MIND – FEAR – animals, of
• MIND – FEAR – dogs, of
• MIND – FEAR – animals, of – domestic
• MIND – FEAR – creeping things; of

ANXIOUS

• Indescribable anxiety in pit of stomach, along with perceptible & visible pulsations.
• Inconsolable anxiety can bring on tendency to suicide, jumps out of bed & wants to commit suicide, yet is afraid to open a window or to approach knife.
• MIND – SUICIDAL disposition – courage, but lacks
• MIND – SUICIDAL disposition – fear – death; with fear of
• MIND – SUICIDAL disposition – fear – window or a knife; with fear of an open
• MIND – SUICIDAL disposition – shooting, by
• MIND – ANXIETY – suicidal disposition, with
• Mind – JUMPING – bed, out of
• MIND – ANXIETY – perspiration – during

INSOMNIA & EXHAUSATION

• The hyper stimulation of the nervous system will lead to a general lack of sleep.
• Insomnia after haemorrhage.
• Disturbed sleep at night, dreams causes anxiety & which wakes them up & do not know whether the dream is still going on or it is reality; they don’t even understand that they are awake.

DYSLEXIA, INDECISION AND UNGROUNDEDNESS

• First sign of mental exhaustion is a tendency to misplace words in reading or writing.
• Anxious & restless, with great prostration of the mental capacities.
• The psychic sensitivity exacts price on rational thinking.
• With their sensitivity, they may also have indecisiveness.
• They can become indifferent, the emotions get exhausted

Once the state goes any further they may feel that nobody wants to connect with them.

• MIND – DELUSION, imaginations- pursued, he is: enemies, by
• MIND – IRRESOLUTION, INDECISION- acts, in
• MIND – MISTAKES; making – speaking, in – words – misplacing words
• MIND – MISTAKES; making – speaking, in – words – reversing words
• MIND – MISTAKES; making – speaking, in – words – wrong words; using

PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

• Cinchona persons may have slim bodies with long delicate fingers & long eyelashes.
• The face is angular & spiritual china has triangular face with chin as the apex.
• Eyes are large & brown.
• Hair is generally dark & straight, sometimes blonde.
• Lips are usually thick, reflecting a passionate nature, and the mouth is wide.

SOUL OF REMEDIES- RUBRICS

• Delusion, hindered at work, is.
• Delusion, persecuted, he is.
• Delusion, pursued by enemies, thought he was.
• Delusion, tormented, he is.
• Delusion, unfortunate, he is.
• Fancies, exaltation, of.
• Plans, making many.
• Indolence, aversion to work.
• Indifference, apathy, etc., alternating with vexation.
• Contemptuous, everything, of.
• Unworthy, objects seem.
• Offended easily.
• Suicidal disposition, but lacks courage.

REFERENCES

• Homeopathic Psychology Personality Profiles of the Major Constitutional Remedies- BAILEY Philip M.
• Lectures on Homeopathic Materia Medica – J T Kent.
• Materia Medica Viva (volume- 8) – George Vithoulkas.
• Soul of Remedies – Dr Rajan Sankaran.
• Prisma, The Arcana Of Materia Medica Illuminated – Frans Vermeulen.
• Repertory of Homeopathic Materia Medica- J T Kent.
• SYNTHESIS – Repertorium Homoeopathicum Syntheticum – Dr.Frederik Schroyens.
• Synoptic Materia Medica 1 (vml2) – Frans Vermeulen.
• New Comprehensive Homoeopathic Materia Medica of Mind- Dr H L Chitkara
• Complete Repertory – Roger Van Zanvoort

Dr BRAMARAMBHA K
PG SCHOLAR MD PART 1
Department Of Materia Medica
Government Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital Bengaluru- 560079
vaishnavikshetty@gmail.com

Under The Guidance Of;
Dr. ASHOK KUMAR DANTAKALE
PROFESSOR, Department Of Materia Medica
Government Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital Bengaluru – 560079