Canchalagua
Centaurium chilense (Erythraea chilensis) · Plant · Gentianaceae
Canchalagua is primarily a fever and intermittent remedy for tropical and subtropical climates, with a general sore and bruised feeling through the body and characteristic head congestion. It acts as a bitter tonic similar to Chinchona and Gentians and has been used in influenza. The tincture must be made from the fresh plant.
Key symptoms
- Intermittent fever of severe type in hot countries
- General sore, bruised feeling all over the body
- Head feels congested and bound; scalp feels drawn together like rubber
- Chills repeatedly down the back, worse in bed at night
- Nausea and retching with fever
- Skin wrinkled like a washerwoman's hands
- Buzzing and roaring in ears; burning in eyes
Worse (aggravation)
- In bed at night (chills worse)
- Cold trade-winds on Pacific Coast
Erythraea venusta-Centaury
Used extensively as a fever remedy and bitter tonic (Gentiana), antimalarial and antiseptic. Of use in severe type of intermittent fever in hot countries; also, in influenza. Sore, as if bruised all over. Sensation of drops falling from and upon different spots.
Head
Congested. Scalp feels tight; head feels as if bound; burning in eyes; buzzing in ears.
Fever
Chill all over; worse in bed at night. Sensitive to cold trade-winds on Pacific Coast. General sore and bruised feeling; nausea and retching.
Skin
Wrinkled like a washer-woman's. Scalp feels tight, as if drawn together by India-rubber.
Dose
Tincture, in drop doses. Must be made from the fresh plant. Its medicinal properties are lost in the dry.
Erythræa chironioides. N. O. Gentianaceæ. Tincture of whole plant when in flower.
Clinical
Influenza. Intermittents.
Characteristics
This is a popular Californian remedy. It is indicated in intermittents of most severe type of hot countries; general sore, bruised feeling, nausea and retching, the skin becomes wrinkled like a washerwoman's. It was proved by Dr. Richter, who experienced the following among other symptoms: Head feels congested. Scalp tight; feels as if drawn together by indiarubber. Stitches, pain, buzzing and roaring in ears. Constipation, hard, knotty stools. Chills repeatedly down back < in bed, at night. Sleeplessness. After the proving, a cold wind could be borne better than before.
Classical texts are in the public domain. Educational reference only — not medical advice.
