Drosera Rotundifolia: Source

Drosera rotundifolia
Source
Drosera rotundifolia is a queer and interesting plant found growing in bogs and
damp ground. It rejoices in a variety of local names - round- leafed sundew, red-
rot, youth wort, moorgrass, oreille du diable. It presents a circle of low-lying cup-
shaped leaves somewhat like salt- spoons with short thick handles for stalks;
these leaves are fleshy, greenish-red in colour, and their margins and upper
surfaces are covered with a menacing array of tentacle-like hairs. The tips of the
hairs are club-shaped and secrete drops of sticky fluid; this is most abundant
when the sun is at its height, giving the appearance of dew-drops. Any luckless fly
alighting on the leaf in search of refreshment is quickly entrapped by infolding of
the marginal hairs, and duly digested for the nourishment of the plant. Slender
stalks arise from the centre of the leaf rosette, two to six inches in height, bearing
at the tip a cluster of small white flowers. The juice of the plant is bitter, acrid,
caustic and odourless; it contains both citric and malic acids. The mother tincture
is prepared from the active fresh plant.
Pharmacology
There appears to be an affinity with the lymphatic system, pleura, synovial
membrane, larynx and shafts of long bones, inducing an inflammatory reaction
and a susceptibility to tuberculous changes in the parts affected.
Proving
Drosera was proved by Hahnemann, and recorded in Materia Medica Pura, Vol.
VI.
Appearance
Pallor and emaciation may be observed.
There is stiffness, lameness and evident reluctance to active movement. Despite
this there is an uneasy restlessness when Lying down, owing to discomfort and a
'hard-bed feeling'. Supports the affected part with the hands, especially when
coughing.
Psychology
The subject may be suspicious, silent, reserved, and unduly irritable over trifles. Is
restless, uneasy, often with delusions of persecution. There is fear of solitude, of
ghosts; dreads the night.
Possibly an inclination of suicide by drowning.
Physiology
The subject is always too cold; chilly even in bed; shivers and shudders when at
rest. The head and face may be hot and the rest of the body cold.
There is a distaste for acid things and for pork. Thirst is marked in the hot stage of
fevers.
Sleep is interrupted by starting awake in fright. Tends to snore in sleep.
Perspires profusely, especially at night.
Symptomatology
General
A feeling of bruised soreness all over is accompanied by hypersensitivity to all
stimuli and considerable weakness. Spasms, flashes of heat, stitching or shooting
pains occur. There is a tendency to cramping, constricting sensations in throat,
oesophagus, abdomen, and hands when grasping an object. Is easily exhausted.
Head
Vertigo is worse when out of doors, with a tendency to fall to the left. A pressive
or stabbing headache is worse on moving the eyes; some relief is obtained by
holding the head firmly between the hands. Headaches may be associated with a
stuffed-up feeling and accompanied by nausea, which is worse in the morning; it
is aggravated by heat and by stooping. A curious symptom is coldness of the left
side of the face, with stinging pains associated with dry heat on the right side.
Eyes
Outward-shooting pains are felt in the eyeballs, especially on stooping. Vision
may be dim with a sensation of gauze before the eyes. Eye dazzle may be
troublesome.
Ears
Shooting and squeezing pains are felt in the ears, worse when wallowing. Tinnitus
is described with buzzing, roaring or humming noises.
Respiratory system
Epistaxis occurs, especially in the evening. Fluent coryza is accompanied by much
sneezing. Blood is seen on handkerchief on blowing the nose. There is much
burning and scraping with stitching pains in the throat, which may appear dark
red or purple. A crawling or tickling sensation in the larynx is associated with
pallor and paresis of the vocal cords, redness of the mucosa over the arytenoids,
and a measure of aphonia; the voice is low and husky; there is yellow slimy
sputum. The hoarseness is associated with attacks of suffocation when talking or
coughing. A violent tickling cough comes on in paroxysms and is accompanied by
choking, vomiting and cold sweats; it is worse on first lying down- infants start
coughing as soon as the head touches the pillow; it is worse also after midnight,
especially about 2 a.m. , also from talking, eating food, or drinking cold fluids. The
patient often holds onto the chest for support when coughing. Sputum is yellow,
blood-streaked or purulent, and has a bitter or foul taste.
Alimentary system
Shooting pains are felt in the teeth after taking hot drinks. Ulcers occur on tongue
and palate. Food tastes bitter, especially bread. Hiccough, waterbrash, gagging
and vomiting may occur. Dysenteric stools are accompanied by cutting pains;
passage of stool is followed by pain in abdomen and lumbar region.
Lymphatic system
This is an important sphere for the remedy, especially in relation to tuberculous
adenitis, including tabes mesenterica.
Urinary system
Frequency of urination, but only scanty quantities passed.
Genital system
Menses are delayed or absent. Leucorrhoea is accompanied by pains similar to
those of parturition.
Locomotor system
Widespread muscle pains with stiffness and shivering when at rest. Pain of
gnawing or stinging character is felt in long bones, especially close to joints; it is
worse when at rest and relieved by movement. The remedy may be considered in
rheumatic affections, also in tuberculosis of bones or joints.
Modalities
There is aggravation when lying down; on drinking; when singing or laughing;
towards evening and in the second half of the night.
Is better in the open and when walking or active in any way.
Clinical notes
The remedy is of signal value in whooping cough and any cough that I essentially
paroxysmal in type. As mentioned, it can be of service in dealing with tuberculosis
of larynx, lymph nodes and other tissues. It is strongly indicated if there is a family
history of tuberculosis, or a history of previous tuberculous trouble or contact
with cases of active disease. High potencies should be avoided in treating active
tuberculosis.

Drosera Rotundifolia: Source

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