Astacus fluviatilis

Astacus astacus (European crayfish) · Freshwater crayfish, river crab. · Animal

BoerickeClarkeNashPhatak

Astacus is best suited to people who feel unprotected and vulnerable during transitional phases in their lives. They are often taciturn loners who desire calmness and clarity, but tend to be vague and absent-minded, their heads feeling full of cotton balls.

Astacus has a strong affinity with the liver, digestion, glands, and skin. It is well known as a remedy for urticaria (hives), particularly if the rash is accompanied by cramps and pain, or inflammation in the liver area that feels worse for pressure on it. There may be stinging pains in the temples, ears, and kidneys, and the glands may be enlarged and inflamed, especially in children and the elderly.

Key symptoms

Skin symptoms most important; urticaria the leading indication
Nettle-rash with liver complaint is a great characteristic
Itching; crusta lactea with enlarged lymphatic glands
Erysipelas and liver affections with nettle-rash
Swelling of cervical glands; jaundice
Inward chilliness; very sensitive to air; worse uncovering
Violent fever with headache

Worse (aggravation)

For uncovering the affected area or exposing it to the air; for eating fish or meat.

Better (amelioration)

For walking; for sitting; after crying.

William Boericke

Homoeopathic Materia Medica · 1901

Crawfish (CANCER ASTACUS)

Skin symptoms most important. Urticaria.

Skin

Nettle-rash over whole body. Itching. Crusta lactea, with enlarged lymphatic glands. Erysipelas, and liver affections with nettle-rash. Swelling of cervical glands. Jaundice.

Fever

Inward chilliness; very sensitive to air, worse uncovering; violent fever, with headache.

Relationship

Compare: Bombyx-Caterpillar-Itching of whole body (Urticaria). Apis; Rhus; Nat m; Homar.

Dose

Third to thirtieth potency.

John Henry Clarke

A Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica · 1900

Cancer fluviatilis. Crawfish or River Crab. N. O. Crustaceæ. Tincture from whole animal.

Clinical

Biliousness. Colic. Cough. Diarrhœa. Fever. Glands, enlarged. Intermittent fever. Jaundice. Liver complaints. Nettle-rash. Neuralgia. Shiverings. Stomach, disorders of. Toothache. Tumours.

Characteristics

The well-known effects of shell-fish, as well as of other fish, in producing nettle-rash is exemplified in Astacus beyond all other varieties. The lacquer-workers of the East have discovered in the river-crab the best antidote to the effects of Rhus which they employ in their craft. The liver is markedly affected, and a great characteristic is "nettle-rash with liver complaint." jaundice of children. Itching of various parts. Crusta lactea, with large lymphatic glands. Enlarged glands of neck in children and old people. Pain and tenderness of liver, jaundice, stools of pipe-clay colour. Inward chilliness and sensitiveness to air; < uncovering. Violent fever with headache, glowing red face, inward chilliness. Nervous crawls over body. Tumours, recent. Gout of drinking people. Stinging pains are felt in various parts. A notable remedy.

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Eugene Beauharnais Nash

Regional Leaders · 1901

Respiratory Organs

Cough did not molest him while walking, but returned as soon as he sat down.

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S. R. Phatak

Materia Medica of Homoeopathic Medicines

Phatak's chapter on Astacus fluviatilis is available in the app.

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Classical texts are in the public domain. Educational reference only — not medical advice.