# Coccus Cacti (HMT)

## Remedy Classification
- **Type:** Remedy
- **Alternative Names:** Cochineal
- **Miasm:** Tubercular Miasm
- **Temperament:** Neutral
- **Aggravation Time:** Neutral/Anytime

## Keynote Indications
Coccus Cacti is commonly used in the treatment of day-to-day
superficial and short-lived ailments.  Yet, it is a profoundly active
medicine with the capability of curing chronic illnesses within its
jurisdiction.  So it should not only  be taken as a simple, temporary
type of remedy.

In Coccus, all the discharges are sticky long and threadlike.  The
threadlike pus resembles wool or a woven rope.  The presence of
similar type of expectoration in whooping cough  is suggestive of
Coccus Cacti.  In this way, Coccus is like Kali Bichrome which it
resembles in the sense that its expectoration is also sticky and thready,
and it is also useful in whooping cough.

Coccus patients remain sick during the winter season and do not get
better until the onset of summer.  They cannot get rid of cold and
catarrh.  If the nasal discharge is threadlike, then Coccus should be
utilized without hesitation.  In fact , it works promptly, effectively and
for a long time.  The cough and the cold become worse in a warm
room, while the cold and cold water relieve them however the
symptoms recur soon.  This contradicting behaviour of the remedy
should always be remembered.  Body heat resulting from exercise
proves harmful.  Exposure to cold establishes the a ilments deeply,
while inner heat also aggravates the symptoms.  Sometimes, external
heat may also make the symptoms worse.

The difficulty in breathing experienced while making an ascent is due
to the accumulation of sputum in the chest.  It is not related to the
weakness of the heart.  Once the pa tient vomits out the expectoration,
the chest feels light and going up heights will not be difficult
anymore.

In Coccus, the cough arises out of the need to expel the expectoration
(which causes spasm in the throat).  The distinguishing sign of Coccus
is the sensitivity of skin and inner linings, resembling the plant
‘Touch-me-not’, which withdraws on touch.  Sensitivity of the throat

is a special symptom of the Coccus  ailment.  In Coccus, there is
sometimes difficulty in swallowing also.

In Coccus the urinary symptoms such as the urgent need to urinate,
passing small brick red particles a nd gravel in the urine, and the
presence of uric acid causing a st abbing type of pain from the kidney
down to the bladder (renal colic), ar e of great importance.  Sometimes
the urination may suddenly stop altogether.

Regarding the symptoms in women, menstrual blood is thick, dark and
contains large blood clots.  This may be associated with an inability to
pass urine (i.e. retentio n of urine).  The periods become interrupted,
resuming only at night.

After the running nose stops, the ye llowish sticky secretions stick
inside the nose.  After blowing the nose, the inner lining feels as if it is
burning.  The patient feels extremel y thirsty.  Ment al depression,
solitude and silence or excessive ta lking, are also the symptoms of
Coccus (like Lachesis).  In Coccus, the catarrh can also affect the
stomach, intestines and inner linings.

Potency: usually 30

## Symptoms by System