Utility of Ericaceae family of Homoeopathic remedies in joint disorders

Dr Such Sushil

Introduction
The Ericaceae flowering plant family, commonly referred to as the Heath or Heathery family, is most frequently found in acidic and infertile growth environments.

With 4250 recognized species distributed across 124 genera, the family is large and ranks as the 14th most species-rich family of flowering plants.

Classification

—  Kingdom: Plantae —  Sub kingdom: Tarcheobionta —  Super division: Spermatophyta —   Division: Magnoliophyta —   Class: Magnoliopsida —  Subclass: Dileniidae —  Order: Ericales —  Family: Ericaceae

MORPHOLOGY OF ERICACEAE FAMILY

• Leaves, Stem, Roots: Many members of this family are evergreen shrubs or climbers, with woody stems. The leaves are simple without stipules, usually alternative, and are often thick, leathery and shiny. Species growing in dry conditions often have think needle-like leaves.
• Flower: The flowers are usually in clusters or spikes, but may be solitary.
• Seeds: The ovary is usually superior but may be inferior. The fruit is usually a capsules or berry.
• Members of this Family usually have Woody stems.

ETIOLOGY AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY

• Members of the Ericaceae contain numerous diterpenoids called grayanotoxins.
• Toxins are all parts, including Grayanotoxins attach to sodium channels, preventing their inactivation and prolonging depolarization and excitation of cells.
• The compromised sodium channels allow calcium influx into the cells that has a positive isotropic effects similar to digitalis at low doses .
• Vagal over stimulation cases hypotension and bradycardia.
• Impaired cardiac conductivity leads to dysrhythmias and heart block.

IMPORTANT REMEDIES OF ERICACEAE FAMILY

• Ledum palustre,
• Kalmia latifolia – best known remedies.
• Rhododendron

Other remedies from the Ericaceae family that are known in homeopathy are:

1. Arbutinum 6. Manzanita,
2. Chimaphilla maculata, 7. Oxydendron ,
3. Chimaphilla umbellata, 8. Uva ursi,
4. Epigea repens, 9. Vaccinum myrtillus.
5. Gaultheria procumbens,

ACTIVE PRINCIPLE

• Alkaloids
• Flavonoids
• Glycosides
• Saponins
• Tannins
• Steroids and

GENERAL FEATURES

• TEMPERAMENT: NERVOUS
• THERMAL: CHILLY
• MIASM: PSORA, SYPHILIS
• DIATHESIS: RHEUMATIC and GOUTY.

 AILMENTS FROM

• Abuse of alcohol, colchicum,
• Injuries from sharp pointed instruments,
• Rat bites, stings of insect
• specially mosquitos,
• Chill,
• Wind,

SPHERE OF ACTION

• SKIN
• JOINTS
• SEROUS AND MUCOUS MEMBRANES
• HEART
• NERVES
• FIBROUS TISSUES
• CIRCULATORY SYSTEMS

CHARACTERISTIC MENTAL SYMPTOMS

1. These individuals are typically not particularly noticeable. They prefer to work in a calm, efficient manner rather than becoming the centre of attention. However, they want for recognition and admiration. But because they operate in secret and away from the public, they have a difficult time obtaining them. They could eventually develop hatred for it. They could say something like, “I try my best, I take little for myself, I give so much, I’m not arrogant, I’m quiet and earnest, work hard and good, overexert myself, try to be good to everyone in my own quiet way and still it’s not good enough, I don’t succeed, I’m not loved or respected.”
2. WORK: They put forth a lot of effort and strive to do their assignment well. After many years, people may grow more aversion to working, especially if they believe no one values their efforts.
3. POVERTY: When they are poor, they frequently get into trouble. They will put a lot of effort to solve their financial issues. But when they are unsuccessful, they often start to whine. They are pretty concerned about not having enough money for their kids. They prefer to spare it out of their own mouths yet desire to offer them whatever they require. They frequently have very few personal needs, as though they are used to living in difficult conditions.
4. SENSITIVE: They are extremely sensitive and considerate of other people’s needs. But also more susceptible to noise.
5. COMPANY: For them, the family is incredibly essential. They frequently work for their families. There are many things mothers may do for their kids. However, they are not very open or talkative. They are more reserved and sensible.
6. MILD AND GENTLE: They are often gentle and delicate. They don’t act aggressively at all.

RUBRICS

MENTAL GENERALS

• Mind – concentration- difficult: kalmia⁺¹. ledum⁺¹ rhododendron⁺¹.
• Mind- anxiety- kalmia⁺², ledum⁺², rhododenderon⁺¹, uva ursi⁺²
• Mind- delirium- kalmia⁺¹, ledum⁺¹, rhododendron⁺¹.
• Mind- dullness- kalmia⁺¹, ledum⁺¹, rhododendron⁺².
• Mind- fear (=apprehension, dread)- kalmia⁺¹, ledum⁺¹, rhododendron⁺¹.
• Mind- forgetful- kalmia⁺¹, ledum⁺¹, rhododendron⁺¹.
• Mind- irratibility- kalmia⁺¹, ledum⁺², rhododendron⁺¹.
• Mind- memory-weakness of memory- kalmia⁺¹, ledum⁺¹, rhododendron⁺¹.
• Mind- mental exertion-agg.- kalmia⁺¹, rhododendron⁺¹, epigea⁺²
• Mind- morose (=gloomy, fretfull,ill humor, sullen)- kalmia⁺¹, ledum⁺², rhododendron⁺¹, uva ursi⁺¹
• Mind- sadness- kalmia⁺¹, ledum⁺¹, rhododendron⁺¹, gaultheria⁺¹
• Mind- serious (=earnest)- LEDUM⁺³
• Mind- unconsciousness- ledum⁺², rhododendron⁺¹, gaultheria⁺¹

CHARACTERISTIC PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS

1. Headache- aggravation from motion and touch.
   2. Eyes- inflammation, itching, burning, pain.
   3. Vision- colors before the eyes, weak.
   4. Nose- coryza, obstruction, sneezing.
   5. Mouth- pain, dry, burning, salivation and taste is bitter.
2. Teeth- weak, crumbling
   7. Larynx & trachea- tickling, scraping, hoarse.
   8. Heart- pain, palpitation.
   9. Stomach- nausea, vomiting, pain, retching, eructation
   10. Abdomen- pain, rumbling, noises, distension, liver pain.
   11. Rectum- constipation, diarrhea
   12. Bladder- cystitis, urethritis, gonorrhoea, ureteritis, pain, neck, < urge.
   13. Testis- pain, penis itching,
   14. Urine- albuminous, bloody, green, pale, red, yellow, profuse, scanty, sediment, calculi, sand.
   15. Female- Vaginitis, leucorrhea.
   16. Menses- frequent, too early, too soon, profuse, painful, dysmenorrhea
   17. Extremities- aching, drawing, gouty; joints, pressing, rheumatic; sprained, stitching, tearing, wandering, heavy, tired, paralytic, wandering pain
   18. Backache- spine, cervical, dorsal, between scapulae, lumbar
   19. Dermatitis- red, itching, eczema, herpes, vesicles, crawling, ulcers.

RUBRICS

PHYSICAL GENERAL

• Head- pain (headache in general/ cephalgia)- kalmia⁺², ledum⁺², rhododendron⁺¹
• Head- pain- cold- air- agg.- ledum⁺¹, RHODODENDRON⁺³
• Head- pain- touch- agg.- kalmia⁺², ledum⁺¹, rhododendron⁺²
• Eye- pain- KALMIA⁺³, ledum⁺¹, rhododendron⁺²
• Eye- pain- burning (=smarting/ biting)- kalmia⁺¹, ledum⁺¹, rhododendron⁺²  
• Vision- dim– kalmia⁺², ledum⁺², rhododendron⁺¹
• Ear- noises in- kalmia⁺¹, ledum⁺¹, rhododendron⁺²
• Ear- pain (otalgia)- kalmia⁺², ledum⁺¹, rhododendron⁺²
• Hearing- impaired- kalmia⁺¹, ledum⁺², rhododendron⁺¹, gaultheria⁺¹
• Nose- coryza- discharge, with (= fluent)-kalmia⁺¹, ledum⁺¹, rhododendron⁺¹
• Face- discoloration-red- kalmia⁺¹, ledum⁺¹, rhododendron⁺¹, uva ursi⁺¹
• Teeth- pain (=toothache in general)- kalmia⁺², ledum⁺¹, RHODODENDRON⁺³
• Stomach- nausea- kalmia⁺¹, ledum⁺¹, rhododendron⁺², uva ursi⁺¹
• Stomach- pain- pressing pain- kalmia⁺², ledum⁺², rhododendron⁺²
• Stomach- vomiting- gaultheria⁺¹, kalmia⁺¹, ledum⁺¹, rhododendron⁺¹, uva ursi⁺¹
• Rectum- diarrhea- breakfast- after- agg.- kalmia⁺¹, ledum⁺¹, rhododendron⁺²
• Bladder- inflammation- chronic cystitis- epigea⁺² , uva ursi⁺²
• Bladder- urination- frequent- kalmia⁺², ledum⁺², uva ursi⁺²
• Urine- copious (= increased)- kalmia⁺², ledum⁺², rhododendron⁺²
• Respiration- difficult- kalmia⁺², ledum⁺¹, rhododendron⁺¹, uva ursi⁺¹
• Back- pain- lumber reion (= small of back)- kalmia⁺², LEDUM⁺³, rhododendron⁺²
• Extremities- inflammation- joints- gaultheria⁺², kalmia⁺², LEDUM⁺³, rhododendron⁺¹
• Extremities- pain- rheumatic- gaultheria⁺¹, KALMIA⁺³, ledum⁺¹, RHODODENDRON⁺³, uva ursi⁺¹
• Skin- coldness- KALMIA⁺³, ledum⁺², rhododendron⁺¹
• Skin- formication- kalmia⁺², ledum⁺¹, RHODODENDRON⁺³
• Generals- cold- agg.- kalmia⁺², ledum⁺², rhododendron⁺²
• Generals- motion- affected part; of- agg.- kalmia⁺², LEDUM⁺³, rhododendron⁺²

GENERAL MODALITIES

• AGGRAVATION- From heat of bed, at night, on touch and motion, stormy, windy weather, thunderstorm, cold.
• AMELIORATION- External heat, wrapping up the head, motion, warm, eating, cold.

THERAPEUTIC VALUE

Amenorrhoea, Angina Pectoris, Keratitis, Ascites, Asthma, Bone affection, Bruises, Ciliary neuralgia, Gout, Injury, Lumbago, Orchitis, Rheumatism, Skin affection, Toothache, Vertigo, Wounds etc.

INDICATED REMEDIES FOR JOINT DISORDERS

	LEDUM PALUSTRE	KALMIA LATIFOLIA	RHODODENDRON CHRYSANTHUM	GAULTHERIA PROCUMBENS
Synonym	Wild Rosemary, Marsh Tea	Mountain Laurel	Yellow Snow Rose	Winter Green
Prover	Dr. Hahnemann	Dr. Hering	Seidal	Gollaher
Habitat	North Europe, Asia, America	USA	Siberia	United states of America
Parts used	Dried twigs and leaves after flowering	Fresh leaves	Fresh leaves	Fresh leaves
Affinities	Left shoulder, right hip, ankle joint, small joints	Right deltoid, spinal nerves, dorsal vertebra to shoulder blade, left side  of chest	Right side, great toe, eyeball, testes	Joints, sciatic nerves, intercostal nerves
Symptoms	Ascending type rheumatism, ankle sprained easily.	Migratory rheumatism with heart disease, descending type rheumatism, iritis, scleritis	Pain in spots, gouty inflammation, cramp like pain under ribs, orchitis after rheumatism or gonorrhea	Sciatica, inflammatory arthritis, Pleurodynia, neuralgias
Modalities	Agg.- motion, night, warmth of bed, covering. Amelio.- holding feet in ice water	Agg.- least motion amelio.- After sunset, sitting upright	Agg.- before thunderstorm, change of weather, cold, wet, rest, night. Amelio.- exercise, warmth, dry heat

REFERENCES

1. Boericke OE. Boericke’s New Manual of Homoeopathic Materia Medica with Repertory. New Delhi; B. Jain Publisher, Third Revised & Augmented Edition, 2008.
2. A Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica by J.H. Clarke.
3. Lavanya S, Acc O, Bio J, Sci B. Ericaceae Family Medicinal & Other Uses of their Genera List and their Species. 2021; Available from: https://lupinepublishers.com/biomedical-sciences journal/pdf/OAJBEB.MS.ID.000182.pdf
4. Homeopathy360.com. [cited 2023 Jul 15]. Available from: https://www.homeopathy360.com/role-of-ericaceae-family-medicines-in-joint-disorders-a-group-study/

Dr Such Sushil
Department of Homoeopathic Materia Medica
Bakson Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India