Gnaphalium polycephalum

Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium · Sweet-scented everlasting flower, cudweed. · Plant · Asteraceae

BoerickePhatak

This remedy is used mainly for intense sciatic pains alternating with or followed by numbness. Lumbago with numbness and heaviness in the affected area may also be treated, as may joint pains and rheumatic complaints. In addition, foul-smelling diarrhea with colic that is worse in the morning may respond to the remedy, as may scanty periods that are at their most painful on the first day.

Key symptoms

Sciatica with intense pain along sciatic nerve associated with numbness
Numbness alternates with pain along the affected part
Lumbago with numbness in lower back and weight in pelvis
Cramps in calves and feet when in bed
Pain in joints as if they lacked oil; gouty pains in big toes
Better from drawing limbs up and flexing thigh on abdomen
Dysmenorrhoea with scanty and painful menses; polyuria

Worse (aggravation)

For cold; for damp; for movement; for walking; for stepping up or down; for lying down on the left side.

Better (amelioration)

For sitting in a chair; for flexing the limbs.

William Boericke

Homoeopathic Materia Medica · 1901

Cud-weed-Old Balsa (GNAPHALIUM)

A remedy of unquestioned benefit in sciatica, when pain is associated with numbness of the part affected. Rheumatism and morning diarrhœa. Polyuria.

Face

Intermittent pains of superior maxillary of both sides.

Abdomen

Borborygmus. Colic; pain in various parts of the abdomen. Irritated prostate. First stage of cholera infantum; vomiting and purging.

Female

Weight and fullness in pelvis. Dysmenorrhœa, with scanty and painful menses.

Back

Chronic backache in lumbar region; better resting on back. Lumbago with numbness in lower part of back and weight in pelvis.

Extremities

Cramps in calves of legs and feet when in bed. Rheumatic pain in ankle joints and legs. Intense pain along the sciatic nerve; numbness alternates with pain. Frequent pains in calves and feet. Gouty pains in big toes. Better, drawing limbs up, flexing thigh on abdomen. Gouty concretions (Ammon benz). Anterior crural neuralgia (Staph). Pain in joints as if they lacked oil. Chronic muscular rheumatism of back and neck.

Relationship

Compare: Xanthoxyl; Chamom; Pulsat.

Dose

Third to thirtieth potency.

S. R. Phatak

Materia Medica of Homoeopathic Medicines

Phatak's chapter on Gnaphalium polycephalum is available in the app.

Read Phatak in the app

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