Rhamnus catharticus
Plant · Rhamnaceae
Key symptoms
- Violent rumbling and griping with cutting pains in the ileo-caecal region
- Cutting pains in the transverse colon
- Abdomen hard with tympanites
- Diarrhoea with liquid stools
- Extremely bitter taste with coated tongue
- Respiration short and anxious
- Weakness and prostration in all limbs
Rhamnus catharticus. Buckthorn. N. O. Rhamnaceæ. Tincture or fluid extract of ripe berries.
Clinical
Appendicitis. Colic. Constipation. Diarrhœa. Tympanites. Typhlitis.
Characteristics
The common Buckthorn produces black, shiny, four-sided berries, with an acrid taste. From these a syrup is made, and forms the Rhamni succus of the old school. It produces "copious watery stools and occasions a good deal of nausea and severe tormina. Was formerly given in dropsy, but owing to the severity of the drug is now little used" (Milne). The Schema is made up of symptoms observed in a boy poisoned by eating the berries. The ileo-cæcal symptoms seem to point to it as a possible remedy in cases of appendicitis. Homœopaths have found Rham. cath. Ø in doses of a few drops a useful palliative in cases of constipation.
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