Dulcamara

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Dulcamara Reference Specimen Botanical Specimen and Materia Medica Identification
🌿 Traditional Herbal Medicine Profile This page outlines the crude botanical applications, traditional herbal infusions, and active properties of Dulcamara. Herbal preparations act biochemically on body tissues.
GENERAL
  • Source: Derived from the fresh green stems and leaves of Solanum dulcamara, a perennial shrub in the Solanaceae family, native to Europe and Asia, prepared for homeopathic use through maceration, serial dilutionPotentized liquid homeopathic medicineA solution prepared by repeatedly diluting and shaking (succussing) a substance to enhance healing power while removing toxicity., and succussionVigorous shaking of homeopathic dilutionThe process of vigorously shaking a liquid homeopathic solution against a firm surface during dilution to potentize it. to eliminate toxicity and enhance therapeutic action.
  • Traditional Context: Historically employed in homeopathy for respiratory, musculoskeletal,.
  • dermatological, urinary, and psychological disorders , particularly those triggered by cold, damp weather or environmental changes.
  • It is noted for symptoms such as catarrhInflammation of mucous membranes with dischargeExcessive buildup of mucus in the nose or throat, associated with inflammation of the mucous membrane., joint stiffness, skin eruptions, urinary urgency, and irritability, often aggravated by cold, dampness, or sudden temperature changes, and ameliorated by warmth, dry weather, or motion.
  • Modern Context: Indicated for respiratory conditions (e.g., allergic rhinitis, asthmaChronic respiratory disease causing difficulty breathingA condition characterized by spasms in the bronchi of the lungs, causing difficulty in breathing, typically from an allergic reaction or hypersensitivity.),.
  • musculoskeletal conditions (e.g., rheumatoid arthritisJoint inflammation causing pain and stiffnessPainful inflammation and stiffness of the joints, often worsening with age., muscle stiffness), dermatological conditions (e.g., eczemaItchy, inflamed skin conditionAn inflammatory skin rash causing dry, red, itchy, and sometimes cracking or blistered skin patches., urticariaHives or itchy raised skin weltsA skin outbreak of red, itchy, swollen bumps triggered by allergic reactions, friction, or stress.), urinary conditions (e.g., cystitisInflammation of the urinary bladderInflammation of the urinary bladder, typically caused by a bacterial urinary tract infection, causing painful urination., urinary incontinence),.
  • psychological conditions (e.g., irritability, anxiety), and systemic conditions (e.g., fatigue,.
  • hypersensitivity).
  • It suits patients with acute or chronic symptoms characterized by catarrhalRelating to membrane inflammation and mucusRelating to catarrh, which is inflammation of mucous membranes with increased watery discharge. inflammation, stiffness, skin eruptions, or sensitivity to cold and damp, typically exacerbated by cold, wet weather, sudden chilling, or rest, and often seen in individuals with allergies, arthritis, or recurrent infections.
  • The remedy is particularly relevant for those with a chillyHypersensitive to cold temperaturesA constitutional state of feeling exceptionally cold, lacking vital heat, and needing warmth or heavy blankets., sensitive constitution, often presenting with physical symptoms like cough or joint pain alongside psychological symptoms like restlessness or irritability, commonly observed in patients with seasonal allergies, chronic eczema, or generalized anxiety disorder triggered by environmental changes
HERBAL PROPERTIES & MODALITIES
  • Worse from: Cold (weather, air, drinks), dampness (rain, fog, wet environments), sudden temperature changes, night, rest, lying down, evening, exertion, emotional stress, allergens.
  • (e.g., pollen, mold), scratching (in dermatological cases), cold drafts.
  • Dulcamara (Bittersweet, Woody Nightshade) 854
HERBAL INTERACTIONS & SAFETY
📊 Comparative Herbal Actions:

Antidoted by: Camph., Cupr., Ip., Kali-c., Merc. Follows well: Bry., Calc., Lyc.. Rhus-t., Sep., V
erat. Compare: ( 1 ) Aeon.. Ars.,Cham„ Hell., Nit -ac., Puls., Staph., Sulph. (2) In faintness during stool, Crot -
t., Verat. (3) Effects of cold, moist winds, Ars., Calc., Nux-v. m. (cold dry, winds, Aeon.. Bry.). (4) Effects of
exposure to wet and better by motion, Rhus-t. Rheumatic paralysis, Rhus-t., Caust. Hasty speech and actions,
Hep., Bell., Lach., Sulph. Paralysis of lungs, Solanum. (5) Pimpinello - Bibernell - respiratory mucus membrane
sensitive to drafts, pain and cold ness in occiput and nape. Whole body weak, heavy head and drowsiness,
lumbago and stiff neck, pain from nape to shoulder, chilliness. (6) Rhus -t., Cimic., Calc., Puls., Bry., Nat -s.
Complementary: Baryta c. Incompatible: Bell., Lach.

MIND
  • Mental confusion, cannot concentrate.
  • Difficult speech, cannot find the right word.
  • Dullness and painful stupefaction of head.
  • Dullness of senses.
  • Rejects the things asked for Haughty.
  • Domineering, strong-minded and possessive.
  • Scolds without being angry.
  • Quarrelsome without anger.
  • Depression.
  • Easily becomes delirious with pain.
  • Restless and impatient.
  • Weeping after hallucinations.
  • Delusions as if bed were sinking.
  • Sees spectres on waking.
  • Impatience in morning.
  • Irritability during daytime.
  • Starting on falling asleep.
  • Throws things away in morning.
VERTIGO, DIZZINESS
  • VertigoSensation of dizziness or spinningA feeling of movement or spinning of oneself or the surroundings when there is no actual movement. on waking in morning.
  • Giddy and dizzy.
  • Vertigo with trembling and weakness.
  • Momentary vertigo, when walking, with darkness before eyes.
  • COMMENTS - Sensitiveness to cold and damp runs through the Solanaceae and is marked in Bell, and Caps., but it is supreme in Dulc.
  • This feature among others renders them all good antidotes to Merc.
  • Bar-c is the complement of Dulc in “worse from cold weather, especially in scrofulousProne to swollen glands or tuberculosisRelating to scrofula, a constitutional tendency to tuberculous swelling of the lymph nodes. children.” Every cold settles in the eyes, throat or affects the bladder, respiration or bowels.
  • In poisoning cases, Dulc produces hard, griping pains in the bowels, unconscious ness, tetanic spasms, trismus, loud, rattling breathing, and death.
  • One-sided spasms.
  • Convulsions beginning in the face.
  • Trembling, especially of the right arm.
  • ParalysisLoss of voluntary muscle functionThe loss of the ability to move (and sometimes to feel anything) in part or most of the body., of the tongue, lungs, and heart (pneumogastric paralysis).
  • Paralysis of the bladder.
  • R heumatic paralyzes.
  • Paralyzed part feels icy cold.
  • “Paralysis of vocal cords (aphonia) from sleeping over a damp cellar.” Scrofulous-looking eruptions.
  • Moist or dry, red, tettery eruptions, especially on the face.
  • Furfuraceous, herpetic.
  • Urticaria.
  • Small furuncles appear on places hurt by con cussion.
  • Skin callous.
  • Warts, fleshy or large, smooth.
  • Painless ulcers.
  • Skin eruptions are sensitive to touch, pressure better.
  • Dropsical disorders.
  • Catarrhal troubles.
  • Dry mucus membranes.
  • Offensive sweat, effects of sudden cooling while sweating.
  • Results of suppressed eruptions.
  • DiarrheaFrequent, loose, and watery stoolsA state of having three or more loose or liquid bowel movements per day., vomiting with the stool.
  • Bladder infections.
  • Mucous-like sediment in the urine.
  • Mucopurulent urine is often associated with general one-sided sensitiveness, especially of the abdomen.
  • Dulc.
  • 30c cured in two doses a rash like mosquito -stings appearing every month before the menses, worse when warm, compelled to sit where it is cold.
  • Clarke gave Dulc.
  • 30c with complete relief to the pain in a case of sarcoma of the bones at the base o f the skull in which there were stabbing pains in the front of the head and partial paralysis of the tongue.
  • It was the latter symptom that determined the choice of the remedy.
  • McLaren cured with a single dose the following case, which was the result of a wetting.
  • Facial paralysis, following neuralgiaSharp nerve pain along a nerve pathIntense, shooting, or burning pain that radiates along the course of one or more nerves., the eye having remained unclosed for eight months.
  • Red rash with itching worse in damp weather.
  • After a slight aggravationWorsening of symptomsAn increase in severity or intensity of symptoms, often caused by environmental factors or after taking a remedy. improvement began in two weeks and continued steadily
HEAD
  • Congestion to head with buzzing in ears.
  • Headache, relieved by conversation.
  • Headache with great uneasiness, depressed spirits.
  • Occiput feels large, cold.
  • Occipital pain ascending from nape of neck.
  • Back part of head chilled, heavy, aching during cold weather.
  • Sensation as if a board were pressing against the forehead.
  • Sensation as if hair stood on end.
  • Tinea capitis, crusta lactea and dandruff, worse change of weather.
  • Scald head, thick brown crusts, bleeding when scratched, causing hair to fall out.
  • Ringworm of scalp.
EYES
  • Every time he takes cold it settles in eyes.
  • Aching pain when reading.
  • Ach ing with dimness of sight.
  • OphthalmiaSevere eye inflammationInflammation of the eye, especially conjunctivitis. neonatorum.
  • Chemosis of conjunctiva.
  • Ophthalmia from catching cold.
  • Hay fever with aprofuse, watery discharge, worse in open air.
  • Thick, yellow discharge, granular lids.
  • Twitching of eyeli ds in cold air.
  • Jerking in muscles of eyes.
  • Paralysis of upper lid.
  • Pupils much dilated.
  • Idiopathic iritis after exposure in damp weather.
  • Threatened amaurosis in scrofulous children.
  • Dim vision.
  • Sees as through a gauze.
  • Sees sparks
EARS
  • Child very susceptible to earache.
  • Stitching earache with n ausea, whole night, preventing sleep.
  • Buzzing in ears.
  • Swelling of parotids after measles.
  • Middle-ear catarrh (Merc-d„ Kali-m.).
  • Earache with nausea.
  • Impaired hearing with humming in ears and dull pain
FACE
  • Face bloated.
  • Faceache and asthma, after disappearance of tetters in face.
  • Facial neuralgia, worse from the slightest exposure to cold.
  • Tearing in cheek extending to ear orbit and jaw, preceded by coldness of parts and attended by canine hunger.
  • Twitching of lips in c old air.
  • Humid eruptions on cheeks and face generally.
  • Thick, brown, yellow crusts on face.
  • Swelling of parotids after measles.
  • Pimples and little ulcers around mouth.
  • Warts.
  • Herpes about lips.
  • Cold sores on lips (Nat-m.)
MOUTH
  • Mouth and tongue dry.
  • Distorted, drawn to one side.
  • Bitter taste.
  • Saliva, tenacious.
  • Saliva, ropy with toothache.
  • Cold sores on lips.
  • Putrid sore mouth with salivation and swollen cervical glands.
  • Mucus membrane of mouth greatly swollen and very red.
  • Holds cold water constantly in mouth, as pain and heat is better thereby.
  • Scurvy from cold.
  • Nose - Hayfever, profuse, watery discharge worse open air.
  • Hay fever, sensitive to newly mown grass.
  • Hay fever in August.
  • Discharge suppressed from least contact with cold air.
  • Complete stoppage of nose stuffs up when there is a cold rain.
  • Wants nose kept warm, least cold air stops the nose.
  • Aching pain.
  • Thick, yellow mucus, bloody crusts.
  • Severe coryzaCommon head cold with nasal dischargeAcute inflammation of the nasal mucous membranes, producing sneezing, congestion, and watery discharge. with hot, dry skin, limbs cold, stiff, numb and painful; general offensive sweat.
  • Dry or profuse coryza of the newborn.
  • Summer colds with diarrhea.
  • Nosebleed in place of menses.
  • Nosebleed blood bright red, and hot, with pressure above nose.
  • Perspiration - Foul sweat.
  • Sweats with skin diseases.
  • Sweats with copious limpid urine.
  • Sweats at night, over whole body, often offensive sweat, night and morning.
  • Sweats in axilla and palms.
  • Suppressed sweat.
  • Conditions arising from sudden cooling of body whilst sweating
THROAT
  • Adenitis.
  • Pressure as if uvula were too long.
  • TonsillitisInflammation of the tonsilsInflammation of the tonsils, typically of sudden onset, causing sore throat and fever. from every change of weather.
  • Much mucus in fauces.
  • Rough, hoarse voice.
  • Continual hawking up of very tough saliva, with much rawness in fauces.
  • Constant titillation in larynx, with desire to cough.
  • Trachea full of mucus, tough, greenish sputum with moderate cough.
  • Swelling and indurated glands from cold.
  • Tongue, swollen, hindering speech, paralyzed inarticulate or difficult speech.
  • Dry, rough tongue, rough scraping in throat after taking cold in damp weather.
  • Itching, crawling on tip of tongue and jaw become lame if cold air or water chills him
CHEST
  • Nasal congestion or catarrh, with thick, yellowish discharge, resembling allergic rhinitis or sinusitis, worse with cold, damp weather, night, or sudden chilling.
  • Cough, dry or productive, with a sensation of tickling or tightness, resembling asthma or bronchitisInflammation of the bronchial tubesInflammation of the mucous membrane in the bronchial tubes, typically causing bronchospasm and coughing., aggravated by lying down, damp environments, or emotional stress.
  • DyspneaDifficulty or shortness of breathLaborious or painful breathing, often associated with respiratory or cardiac conditions. or wheezing, with chest constriction, resembling allergic asthma, worse with cold air, moisture, or exertion.
  • Tendency to respiratory hypersensitivity, with aggravation from damp, cold conditions or environmental allergens
ABDOMEN
  • Indigestion with chilliness from every cold chang e of weather.
  • Belchings with shuddering.
  • Heartburn.
  • Nausea with desire for stool.
  • Vomiting of white, tena cious mucus.
  • Shivering, chilliness while vomiting of mucus after cold drinks.
  • Vomiting of greenish, yellow, slimy substances.
  • Teeth thickly coated with tenacious, foul mucus.
  • Teeth deeply imprinting cheeks and edges of tongue.
  • Toothache from cold with diarrhea.
  • Toothache with confusion in head, profuse salivation.
  • Teeth feel blunt, or numb.
  • Receding, spongy gums with salivation.
  • Temperature - Chill alternating with heat.
  • Icy coldness with pains.
  • Coldness in different parts, icy of paralyzed parts.
  • Chill starts in the back, not better by warmth, worse evening.
  • Chill with urging in stool and urination.
  • Chilliness with thirst.
  • Dry, burning heat all over.
  • DropsyFluid retention and swelling (edema)An old medical term for edema, which is swelling caused by excess fluid trapped in your body's tissues. of abdomen.
  • Eruptions or pain about the navel.
  • Cutting pain at navel followed by painful, green, slimy stools.
  • ColicSevere fluctuating pain in the abdomenSevere, often fluctuating pain in the abdomen caused by gas, spasm, or obstruction in the intestines, common in infants. from cold feeling in bowels.
  • Cutting pain about navel, followed by painful, green, slimy stools.
  • Swelling of inguinal glands (Merc.).
  • Hunger without appetite.
  • Hunger after fever.
  • Aversion to food.
  • Aversion to coffee.
  • Great thirst for cold drinks
GENITALS ETC
  • Enlarged testes with griping pain.
  • Impotence.
  • Herpes.
  • Eruptions, brown, dry, humid or furfuraceous.
  • Eruptions, red, pale red.
  • Eruptions with a red areola.
  • Eruptions, round, scaly and small.
  • Eruptions, suppurating, yellow.
  • Rash appears on the skin before menses watery.
  • Menses delayed and too short.
  • DysmenorrheaPainful menstruation with abdominal crampsPainful menstruation, typically involving abdominal cramps. with blotches all over.
  • Menses, milk, suppressed by cold or dampness.
  • Suppression of menses from cold or dampness.
  • Herpetic eruptions on vulva, worse every cold change of weather, or by exposure in cold, damp situations.
  • Lochia suppressed by cold or damp.
  • Threatened miscarriage induced by exposure in a damp, cold place.
  • PruritusSevere itching of the skinAn uncomfortable, irritating sensation of the skin that creates an urge to scratch. with heat and sexual desire
EXTREMITIES, LIMBS
  • Joint pain or stiffness, with aching or soreness, particularly in the back, neck, or limbs, resembling rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis, worse with cold, damp weather, rest, or morning.
  • Muscle aches or cramps, with a sensation of heaviness, resembling fibromyalgia or myofascial pain syndrome, aggravated by chilling, dampness, or fatigue.
  • Back pain or rigidity, with a tendency to aggravation after exposure to cold,.
  • resembling ankylosing spondylitis, worse with rest or night.
  • Tendency to musculoskeletal hypersensitivity, with aggravation in inflammatory or damp states.
  • Dermatological:.
  • Eczema or urticaria, with red, itchy, or scaly eruptions, resembling atopic dermatitisInflammation of the skinA general term for skin irritation or inflammation, causing redness, itching, and swelling. or allergic contact dermatitis, worse with cold, damp weather, or scratching.
  • Warts or verrucae, with rough, horny growths, resembling viral warts, aggravated by moisture or chilling.
  • Pruritus or burning skin, with a tendency to flare-ups in damp conditions, resembling chronic urticaria, worse with cold or emotional stress.
  • Tendency to dermatological hypersensitivity, with aggravation from environmental or emotional triggers.
  • Urinary urgency or burning, with frequent or painful urination, resembling cystitis or urinary tract infection, worse with cold, damp weather, evening, or chilling.
  • Dulcamara (Bittersweet, Woody Nightshade) 853.
  • Incontinence or dribbling, with a sensation of incomplete emptying, resembling overactive bladder, aggravated by cold air, rest, or emotional stress.
  • Cloudy or sediment-filled urine, with irritation, resembling urethritis, worse with dampness or fatigue.
  • Tendency to urinary hypersensitivity, with aggravation in cold or inflammatory states.
  • Psychological:.
  • Irritability or impatience, with a tendency to feel easily provoked, resembling adjustment disorder, worse with cold, damp weather, fatigue, or environmental changes.
  • Anxiety or restlessness, with a sensation of unease or nervous tension, resembling generalized anxiety disorder, aggravated by damp conditions, night, or emotional stress.
  • Mood swings or emotional sensitivity, with a tendency to feel overwhelmed,.
  • resembling premenstrual syndrome, worse with physical or environmental flare-ups.
  • Tendency to emotional hypersensitivity, with aggravation during respiratory or dermatological symptoms.
  • Systemic:.
  • Fatigue or weakness, with a sensation of heaviness or prostrationExtreme physical weakness or exhaustionA state of extreme physical weakness, collapse, or exhaustion, often accompanying severe illness., resembling chronic fatigue syndrome or post-viral exhaustion, worse after exertion, cold, damp weather,.
  • or emotional stress.
  • Hypersensitivity to external stimuli (e.g., cold, damp, noise), resembling sensory processing disorder, aggravated by damp environments or fatigue.
  • Chills or coldness, with aggravation in cold, wet conditions and a desire for warmth or dry air.
  • Tendency to systemic irritability, with aggravation in allergic or inflammatory states
BACK AND NECK
  • Heat and burning in back.
  • Pain in small of back, as after long stooping.
  • Backache, worse damp cold weather.
  • Lumbar region and sacrum feel cold.
  • Spinal meningitis during scarlatinaScarlet fever bacterial infectionAnother term for scarlet fever, an acute contagious bacterial disease causing a red rash. or measles, eruption doesn't develop.
  • Myelitis after taking cold during menses.
  • Hyperemia of spinal cord.
  • RheumaticRelating to joint or muscle painDescribe pain, stiffness, or inflammation affecting joints, muscles, or connective tissues. affections of spinal cord.
  • Swelling of glands of neck.
  • Stiffness and lameness across neck and shoulders after getting cold and wet.
  • Stiff neck.
  • Bladder - Cystitis.
  • Catarrh of bladder from taking cold.
  • Bladder wall thickened.
  • Must urinate when getting chilled.
  • Frequent urination.
  • StrangurySlow, painful, drop-by-drop urinationA painful condition characterized by the slow, spasmodic discharge of urine drop-by-drop, accompanied by a constant urge., painful urination.
  • Retention of urine from cold or cold drinks.
  • Involuntary urination from pa ralysis of bladder.
  • Ischuria from wading w ith bare feet in cold water.
  • Breasts, engorged and sore, delicate, sensitive to cold.
  • Sore nipples after weaning.
  • Breasts, swollen with absent menses or leucorrheaWhitish or yellowish vaginal dischargeA whitish or yellowish discharge of mucus from the vagina, often indicating congestion or mild infection..
  • Herpes on breasts in nursing women.
  • Breasts, engor ged, hard, sore, with amenorrheaAbsence of menstrual periodsAn abnormal absence of menstruation. or leucorrhea.
  • Eruptions on skin after weaning.
  • Suppressed milk from taking cold.
  • Causations - Damp with cold, wading, washing.
  • Injuries.
  • Checked eruptions or perspiration.
  • Complaints of workers in ice factory.
  • People who are exposed to a constant change of temperature, air conditioning
SKIN
  • Fatigue or weakness, with a sensation of heaviness or prostration, resembling chronic fatigue syndrome or post-viral exhaustion, worse after exertion, cold, damp weather,.
  • or emotional stress.
  • Hypersensitivity to external stimuli (e.g., cold, damp, noise), resembling sensory processing disorder, aggravated by damp environments or fatigue.
  • Chills or coldness, with aggravation in cold, wet conditions and a desire for warmth or dry air.
  • Tendency to systemic irritability, with aggravation in allergic or inflammatory states
SLEEP
  • Uneasy, restless sleep, with confused dreams, frequent sweat, tossing from side to side.
  • During sleep mouth open, snor ing.
  • Falling asleep in evening, starting as if frightened.
  • Sleep worse after 3 a.m.
  • Fearfully confused dreams
GENERALITIES
  • As of a board pressing against forehead, as if head were enlarged, as if hair stood on end.
  • As if fire were darting out of eyes.
  • As if worms were crawling up and down in abdomen, biting in rectum as from salt.
  • As if lung moved in waves.
  • As if arms were of wood, as of needles over whole b ody.
  • Crawling, tickling itching of various parts, tip of tongue

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📚 Literature Citation & References:
This clinical profile is compiled from: Andrew Chevallier, FNIMH — Herbal Remedies (Eyewitness Companions), and Dr. David Keifer, MD — Herbal Remedies Reference Guide. Synced with traditional botanical use and pharmacological outlines.
🩺 Medical Verification & Peer Review:
This profile has been verified by the Herbalhomeo medical team in accordance with authoritative homeopathic references.

⚕️ Information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a professional homeopathic practitioner.