Epiphegus virginiana
Epifagus virginiana · Plant · Orobanchaceae
Epiphegus Virginiana suits neurasthenic women whose headaches are triggered by any deviation from their usual routine or by physical or mental exertion. The headache characteristically follows hunger and is accompanied by viscid salivation. Sleep relieves the condition and open air worsens it.
Key symptoms
- Sick, neurasthenic, nervous headaches especially in women
- Headache brought on or worsened by exertion, shopping, or deviating from routine
- Pressing pain in temples from without inward, worse left side
- Headaches from nerve fatigue due to mental or physical exhaustion, preceded by hunger
- Viscid salivation with constant inclination to spit
- Tongue coated yellow with bitter taste
- Subinvolution with painful menstruation and congestion
- Drowsy after meals; loose stools
Worse (aggravation)
- Working in open air
- Exertion, shopping, or deviating from ordinary pursuits
- Mental or physical exhaustion
Better (amelioration)
- Sleep ameliorates
Beechdrop (EPIPHEGUS - OROBANCHE)
A remedy for sick, neurasthenic, and nervous headaches, especially in women, brought on or made worse by exertion, shopping, etc. Tongue coated yellow; bitter taste. Drowsy after meals. Loose stools. Subinvolution, with painful menstruation and congestion.
Head
Pressing pain in temples from without inwards, worse, left side. Viscid salivation, constant inclination to spit. Sick headache coming on when deviating from ordinary pursuits. Headaches from nerve tire caused by mental or physical exhaustion, preceded by hunger.
Modalities
Worse, from working in open air. Better, from sleep.
Relationship
Compare: Iris, Melilot; Sanguinar. Fagus-Beech-nuts--(headache and salivation; swelling on mouth; dread of water).
Dose
First to thirtieth potency.
Epiphegus Virginiana. Beech Drops. Cancer-root. N. O. Orobanchaceæ. (A slender branching herb without leaves, of a dull purple or yellow-brown colour growing as a parasite on the roots of beech-trees.─H. R., iv. 10.) Tincture of whole fresh plant in full flower.
Clinical
Cancer. Diarrhœa. Gonorrhœa. Headache. Palpitation. Salivation.
Characteristics
The Orobanche family to which Epiphegus belongs is nearest to the Scrophulariaceæ in botanical features. In addition to the name of "cancer-root" it is also called "clap-root" and "flux-plant," showing the virtues with which it is popularly accredited. Its homœopathic use has been almost exclusively confined to the treatment of headaches of the neurasthenic type, brought on by any extra exertion, relieved by a good sleep. The pain is pressing from within outward. A very characteristic symptom is: "Constantly wants to spit, saliva viscid;" when this symptom occurs in connection with a headache Epiphegus will almost certainly cure. It is said to have …
Phatak's chapter on Epiphegus virginiana is available in the app.
Read Phatak in the appClassical texts are in the public domain. Educational reference only — not medical advice.
