Umbelliferae Family in Homoeopathy

Dr Sridhar

• Most are perennial herbs.
• Flowers are bisexual.
• Distributed all over but few are aquatics.
• family is important for the products used as food, condiments & ornaments.
• Some members posses alkaloids & resins in poisonous quantities
• Inflorescence in umbelle or simple or compound.
• 3000 species in this group.
• Only 22 remedies from this group.
• Flowers are usually light in color- white or pink.

PHYSICAL  FEATURES

1)GIT:

• Sour waterbrash & heart burn extending up to the throat.
• Good remedy for colics , stomachaches & obstucted flatulence.
• Unusual distension of abdomen with hysterical belching.
• Thirst & appetite increased with aggravation after eating
• Vomiting & diarrhoea with ineffectual urging & offensive flatus.
• Craving for sour acids and desire for beer or wine.
• Aggravation or aversion to milk.

2) Nervous system

• Produces violent spasms & convulsions often epileptic or hysterical
• Convulsions during and after pregnancy with red face , pupils dilated & frothing at mouth.
• Tetanic rigidity with falling back wards.
• Jerking in sleep or as in convulsions.
• 3) lack of vital heat or tendency to takecold or aggravation from cold.- CHILLY.
• 4) Bad effects of falls, blows, sprains & injuries.< motion. > rest, lying.
• 5) excites vascular system with tendency to produce cattarah. Dropsy with fullness & puffiness of parts.
• 6) sexual sphere :
• Males:  painful ejaculation with chordee. Sexual desire increased with pollutions for several nights. Aversion to sex also.
• Females : profuse acrid leucorrhoea. Menses absent , irregular or delayed.  Menses painful, profuse or scanty, short lasting.
• Sexual desire high.

MENTAL FEATURES

• On one side:
• Cheerful, excited, intoxicated state.
• Acting in childish fashion- desire for all the pleasures of life-
• to dress up, dance, desire finery, sexual indulgence, desire company, HYSTERICAL.
• Due to increased sensitivity & long lasting susceptibility

• Lack of interest , aversion to dress up, shunning company & presence of people, even family.
• On the other side:
• Lack-luster, too simple life.
• Most of the flowers of this group are less colorful- THEME- simple, peaceful, uncommitted life. Indifference to everything.
• This is described in the symptom “delusion as if lying in a grave, that is being filled in…. Feels resigned & peaceful.”

The umbelliferae are an order of plants which have a marked action on:

•  a) The nervous system
  b) Glandular system
  c) Mucous membrame
  d) Skin 

The remedies obtained from this order are

1. Conium Mac
2. Cicuta virosa
3. Cicuta Maculata
4. Aethusa cynapium
5. Apium graveolens
6. Asafoetida
7. Ammoniacum gummi
8. Oenanthe Crocata
9. Eryngium aquaticum
10. Hydrocotyle Asiatica
11. Phellandium Aquaticum
12. Petroselimun Sativum
13. Pastinaca
14. Sium
15. Sumbul
16. Zizia
17. Pimpinella
18. Imperatoria
19. Heracleum
20. Ferula glauca
21. Eryngium maritimum
22. Athamantha

 Action on Nervous System

• Conium Mac
  – It acts as a depressor of Cerebro-spinal system
  – This acts up on Motor nerves producing Paralysis-which spreads from below upwards.
• Cicuta Virosa
  – Produces congestion at the base of the brain & in the medulla oblongata.
  – It produces local & general spasms and paralysis.
• Cicuta Maculata
  – Similar to Cicuta virosa
• Aethusa
  A frightful poison, having narcoic properties as well as Paralyzing effects.
• Athamantha :There is a dull, befogged condition of brain.
• Oenanthe crocata :Acts up on cerebro-spinal axis, Convulsions
• Phellandrium Aquaticum :Acts upon nerves Neuralgias, especially Neuralgic headache
• Apium Graveolens : It causes nervous irritation, feeling of “fidgets”, Inability to sit still in bed, Cannot keep mind from thinking.
• Petroselinum Sativum : Acts up on nerves, Neuralgia, especially Neuralgic dysmenorrhoea.
• Pastinaca : Irritability of gastric nerves depressed, emetics in double the usual doses have no effect.
• Asafoetida : It is a stimulant to the brain & Nervous system.
• There is hysterical & nervous symptom of a flatulent character.
• Sium – Acts on nerves, Neuralgias.

Action on Glandular System

• Conium Mac
  There is congestion and induration of glandular structures associated with soreness
  Mainly of Mammae, ovary & prostate
• Aethusa
  mammary and axillary glands are swelled like a string of beads.
• Hydrocotyle
  Prostatic gland is affected, Sensation of weight in Perinium.
• Phallandrium
  Mammae are affected especially milk ducts, -More affinity towards right.
• Petroselinum -Prostatic enlargement
• Eryngium Aquaticum
  Prostatic gland is affected, frequent desire to urinate and Discharge of prostatic fluid from slightest cause

Action on Skin

• Cicuta Virosa :Produces Pustular eruption with yellow Crusts.
• Petroselinum à:-Stimulates the skin  Eruptions
• Aethusa :Produces herpetic eruption
• Ammoniacum :-Produces Eruptions
• Apium Gravealens :-Urticaria always appearing with intense itching with rapid change of location.
  Granulating ulcers with profuse discharge.
• Hydrocotyle
  – Acne, eczema, Pemphigus
  – lupus, covered with papular eruptions
  – Thick crust covering yellow pus
  – leprosy

Aethusa cynapium

• Common name:- Fool’s Parsley
•  Especially for children during dentition in hot summer weather
• children who cannot bear milk.
• Great weakness : children cannot stand; unable to hold up the head (Abrot.)
• Prostration with sleepiness.
• Idiocy in children : incapacity to think; confused. –
• Complete absence of thirst (Apis, Puls. -rev. of Ars.).
• Intolerance of milk.
• Cannot bear milk in any form; it is vomited in large curds as soon as taken; then weakness causes drowsiness (compare, Mag. c.).
• Indigestion of teething children; violent, sudden vomiting of a frothy, milk-white substance; or yellow fluid,  followed by curdled milk and cheesy matter
• Epileptic spasms, with clenched thumbs,  red face,  eyes turned downwards,  pupils fixed and dilated; foam at the mouth, jaws locked.
• Aggravation. After eating or drinking; after vomiting; after stool; after spasm .
• Vertigo with drowsiness with palpitation,head hot after vertigo ceases.

Apium graveolens

• Common name:- Common celery
• Contains a soporific active principle.
• Obstinate retention of urine, throbbing headaches and heartburn, have been produced by celery.
• Swelling of throat, face, and hands.
• Rheumatic pain in muscles of neck also in sacrum.
• Growing pains.
• Hungry for apples.
• Dysmenorrhoea, with sharp, short pains, better flexing legs.
• Head  –
• Depressed; energetic; feeling of fidgets; cannot sleep from thinking.
• Headache; better eating.
• Abdomen  –
• Sore; sharp sticking pain as if stool was coming on; diarrhoea, sharp pain in left iliac region going over to right.
• Nausea increases with pains.
• Female  –
• Sharp sticking pains in both ovarian regions, left, better bending over, by lying on left side, with legs flexed; nipples tender.
• Respiratory  –
• ickling, dry cough.
• Intense constriction over sternum, with drawing feeling through to back on lying down.
• Throat swollen, dyspnoea.
• Sleep  –
• Unrefreshed;
• sleepless.
• Wakes from 1 to 3 a.m.    –
• Eating does not help sleep.
• Not fatigued from loss of sleep.

Asa foetida

• Common name:- gum of the stinkasand
• The flatulence and spasmodic contraction of stomach and oesophagus with reverse peristalsis are the most marked symptoms.
• In its selection, its relation to the hysterical and hypochondriacal patients, must be borne in mind.
• Besides these superficial symptoms, it has been found to affect favorably deep ulcerations, caries of bones, especially in the syphilitic organism; here the extreme sensitiveness and terrible throbbing, nightly pains, guiding to its use
• Throat  –
• Globus hystericus
• Stomach  –
• Great difficulty in bringing up wind.
• Flatulence and regurgitation of liquid.
• Hysterical flatulence.
• Great distention.
• Sensation of emptiness and weakness, with distention and beating instomach and abdomen.
• Forcible eructation of gas.
• Pulsation in pit of stomach.
• Violent gastralgia; cutting and burning in stomach and region of diaphragm.
• Female  -Mammae turgid with milk in the unpregnated.
• Deficient milk, with oversensitiveness.
• Rectum  –
• Distended, griping, with hunger.
• Obstinate constipation.
• Pain in perineum, as if something dull pressed out.
• Skin  –
• Itching, better scratching; ulcers painful on edges.
• Suppressed skin symptoms produce nervous disorders.
• Modalities  –
• Worse, at night; from tough; left side, during rest, warm applications.  –
• Better, open air; from motion, pressure.

Cicuta virosa

• Common name:-Water Hemlock
• Women subject to epileptic and choreic convulsions
• Spasms of teething children, or from worms.
• Convulsions : violent,  with frightful distortions of limbs and whole body; with loss of consciousness of opisthotonos; renewed from slightest touch, noise or jar.
• Puerperal convulsions
•  frequent suspension of breathing for a few moments, as if dead; upper part of the body most affected; continue after delivery.
• Abnormal appetite for chalk and indigestible things; for coal or charcoal; child eats them with apparent relish (Alum., Psor.).
• Epilepsy : with swelling of the stomach as from violent spasms of the diaphragm; screaming; red or bluish face; frequent at night.

• Injurious chronic effects from concussions of the brain and spine, especially spasms; trismus and tetanus from getting splinters into flesh (Hyper.).
• Pustules which run together, forming thick, yellow scabs, on head and face.
• Sycosis menti.
• Eczema no itching; exudation forms into a hard lemon-colored crust.
• Brain disease from suppressed eruptions. – Aggravation. From tobacco smoke (Ign.); touch.

Conium maculatum

• Common name:- Poison Hemlock.
• The “Balm of Gilead” for diseases of old maids and women during and after climacteric.
• Especially for diseases of old men; old maids; old bachelors; with rigid muscular fibre; persons with light hair who are easily excited; strong persons of sedentary habits.
• Debility of old people; complaints caused by a blow or fall; cancerous and scrofulous persons with enlarged glands; rigid fibre.
• No inclination for business or study; indolent, indifferent, takes no interest in anything.
• Memory weak, unable to sustain any mental effort.
• Morose; easily vexed; domineering, quarrelsome, scolds, will not bear contradiction (Aur.); excitement of any kind causes mental depression.
• Dreads being alone, yet avoids society (Kali c., Lyc.).
• Glandular induration of stony hardness; of mammae and testicles in persons of cancerous tendency; after bruises and injuries of glands (compare, Aster. rub.).
• Breasts sore, hard and painful before and during menstruation (Lac. c., Kali c.).
• Vertigo : especially when lying down or turning in bed; moving the head slightly, or even the eyes; must keep head perfectly still; in turning the head to the left (Col.); of old people; with ovarian and uterine complaints.
• Cough : in spasmodic paroxysms caused by dry spot in larynx (in throat, Act.); with itching chest and throat (Iod.);
• worse at night,  when lying down,  and during pregnancy (Caust., Kali br.).
• Great difficulty in voiding urine; flow intermits,  then flows again; prostatic or uterine affections.
• Menses : feeble, suppressed; too late, scanty, of short duration; with rash of small red pimples over body which ceases with the flow (Dul.); stopped by taking cold; by putting hands in cold water (Lac d.).
• Leucorrhoea; ten days after menses (Bor., Bov.); acrid; bloody; milky; profuse; thick; intermits.
• Bad effects : of suppressed sexual desire,  or suppressed menses; non-gratification of sexual instinct, or from excessive indulgence.
• Sweat day and night,  as soon as one sleeps, or even when closing the eyes (Cinch.).
• Aggravation. At night; lying down; turning or rising up, in bed; celibacy.

Hydrocotyle asiatica

• Common name:- Indian pennywort
• Curative in disorders that exhibit interstitial inflammation and cellular proliferation in any part.
• Hypertrophy and induration of connective tissue.
• Has considerable reputation in leprosy and lupus, when there is no ulceration.
• The skin symptoms are very important.
• Of great use in ulceration of womb.
• Difficulty in maintaining the upright posture.
• Very copious perspiration.
• Pains of cervical cancer. 
• Heat in vagina.

Oenanthe crocata

• Common name:-water dropwart
• Epileptiform convulsions; worse, during menstruation and pregnancy.
• Puerperal eclampsia; uraemic convulsions.
• Burning in throat and stomach, nausea and vomiting.
• Red spots in face.
• Convulsive facial twitching.
• Skin affections, especially lepra and ichthyosis.
• Head  –
• Pains all over head, dizzy.
• Sudden and complete unconsciousness.
• Furious delirium, giddiness.
• Countenance livid, eyes fixed, pupils dilated, convulsive
• Extremities  – Convulsions; opisthotonos.
•  Pain along crural and sciatic nerves, commencing in back.
• Cold hands and feet.
• Numbness of hand and foot. Oleander  (rose-laurel)  * Has a marked action on the skin, heart and nervous system, producing and curing paralytic conditions with cramp-like contractions of upper extremities.  *

Petroselinum (Parsley)

• Urinary symptoms keynote. Piles with itching.
• Thirsty and hungry yet as soon as they begin to eat or drink they lose all desire (rev. of, Cal.).
• Sudden urging to urinate (Canth.).
• Frequent voluptuous tickling in fossa navicularis
• Child suddenly seized with desire to urinate; if cannot be gratified at once jumps up and down with pain Burning, tingling from perineum throughout whole urethra.
• Gonorrhoea : sudden irresistible desire to urinate. Milky discharge.
• intense biting, itching,  deep in urethra, must rub it with some rough article in urethra for >> ; pain at root of penis or neck of bladder.

Phellandrium aquaticum

• Common name:- water dropwort
•  The respiratory symptoms are most important, and have been frequently verified clinically.
• A very good remedy for the offensive expectoration and cough in phthisis, bronchitis, and emphysema.
• Tuberculosis, affecting generally the middle lobes.  * Everything tastes sweet.
• Haemoptysis, hectic and colliquative diarrhoea.
• HEAD
• Weight in vertex; aching and burning in temples & above eyes.
• Female  –
• Pain in milk ducts; intolerable between nursing.
• Pain in nipples.
• Chest  – Sticking pain through right breast near sternum, extending to back near shoulders.
• Dyspnoea, and continuous cough, early in morning.
• Cough, with profuse and fetid expectoration; compels him to sit up.
• Hoarseness.
• Fever  –
• Hectic; profuse and debilitating perspiration; intermittent, with pain in arms.
• Desire for acids.