Anacardium orientale

Anacardium orientale is derived from the juice of the Semecarpus anacardium nut, a tree native to India. The juice is highly irritant and vesicant to the skin and mucous membranes. In its raw state, it can cause severe dermatitis. The nut was historically used in Ayurvedic medicine as a stimulant and for various skin and nervous disorders. The homeopathic remedy is prepared by potentising the crude extract.

First proved by Hahnemann and published in Materia Medica Pura. Later expanded by Hering, Allen, and Clarke. Known for its peculiar mental picture of duality, cruelty, and inner conflict.

Anacardium orientale embodies the conflict between light and shadow within the human psyche. The sensation of a “demon on one shoulder, angel on the other” dominates both the mind and moral sense. This inner war manifests as violent impulses restrained by fear or guilt. The patient is alienated from their own identity, unsure of their thoughts, intentions, or morals. Physically, this theme appears as “plugged” sensations—in the throat, rectum, chest, or spine. Everything is halted—digestion, expression, elimination. Yet when nourished, even briefly, the symptoms lift. Anacardium is thus the remedy of the divided will, the blocked instinct, and the imprisoned self.

• Mind and nervous system – profound action on moral faculties, memory, will, and duality
• Gastrointestinal tract – stomach, bowels, and rectum especially affected
• Skin – eruptions, itching, contact vesication
• Spinal cord and motor system – paralysis, numbness, weakness
• Senses – perversion or dullness of taste, smell, hearing
• Throat – globus hystericus, choking sensation
• Left side – symptoms often predominate on the left

The Anacardium mind is a battlefield—a split between good and evil, civility and cruelty. The most characteristic feature is the sensation of a demon or second self urging wickedness, accompanied by guilt and inner torment [Kent]. Patients may be aware of this duality and feel powerless to resist. There is loss of confidence, lack of moral restraint, and suspicion. Memory is profoundly weak—forgetful of words, what was read or said a moment ago. Low self-esteem alternates with aggression. Children may seem cruel, tormenting animals or weaker siblings. There is also indecision to the point of madness: “Do it—don’t do it.” [Clarke].
One of the few remedies with absence of all moral restraint, it is indicated in violent impulses, especially to curse, strike, or murder, even loved ones. Often used in delirium, dementia, and violent psychosis when cruelty and amnesia are marked. Despite these dark impulses, there is often extreme anxiety about committing wrong, leading to religious or compulsive behaviours. Suicidal thoughts may arise but are often restrained by fear or uncertainty.

Sleeplessness from anxiety or rush of thoughts. Dreams anxious, disturbing. Talking or moaning in sleep. Sleep not refreshing. Waking unrefreshed, disoriented. Nightmares of evil, pursuit, or suffocation.

Dreams of danger, crime, fire, or pursuit. Dream of committing horrible deeds. Disturbing dreams reflecting inner conflict. Nightmares provoke waking in fright.

The picture of Anacardium is one of mental conflict, physical tension, and functional obstruction. Whether it be mind, rectum, or moral clarity, things feel blocked, restrained, or “plugged”. The improvement from eating is near-pathognomonic. The duality of self—good versus evil, active versus passive—is central to the remedy. Suited to students, businessmen, or children under strain, or in early psychotic states with cruelty, detachment, and amnesia.

Dreams of danger, crime, fire, or pursuit. Dream of committing horrible deeds. Disturbing dreams reflecting inner conflict. Nightmares provoke waking in fright.

Chilliness from emotional stress. Cold limbs with hot face. Sweat profuse at night. Sweat from minimal exertion. Offensive perspiration. Sweat relieves itching in some cases.

Heaviness, fullness, or pressure in the head, especially in the temples. Pain often described as pressing outward or as a tight band. Headache is worse from mental exertion and better from eating. Confusion, vertigo, and giddiness are common. Sensation as if a plug were pressing into various parts of the head. Hair may fall out during times of mental strain.

Itching of the eyelids. Dryness with burning in the canthi. Sensation of a band around the eyes. Vision blurred, better after wiping. Sparks or black spots before the eyes. Inability to focus after mental fatigue. Eyelids stick together. Aversion to light.

Itching of the eyelids. Dryness with burning in the canthi. Sensation of a band around the eyes. Vision blurred, better after wiping. Sparks or black spots before the eyes. Inability to focus after mental fatigue. Eyelids stick together. Aversion to light.

Dryness and obstruction, especially at night. Frequent sneezing. Fluent coryza alternating with dryness. Loss of smell. Crusts or bloody mucus may form in nostrils.

Pale, sunken, or expressionless face. Neuralgia of the face, < talking or cold air. Tension in facial muscles. Pimples and vesicular eruptions on cheeks. Twitching of facial muscles. Lips dry, cracked.

Dryness of mouth and tongue without thirst. Speech confused, words lost. Tongue coated white. Burning or prickling of tongue. Metallic or bitter taste. Saliva thick, stringy. Blisters or ulcers may form inside cheeks.

Toothache worse from cold, better from warmth and eating. Teeth feel elongated. Gnawing or tearing pains. Sensation of pressure or plug in dental roots. Gums spongy, bleed easily.

Toothache worse from cold, better from warmth and eating. Teeth feel elongated. Gnawing or tearing pains. Sensation of pressure or plug in dental roots. Gums spongy, bleed easily.

Constriction of chest, as if bound. Pain on taking deep breath. Cough dry, short, triggered by talking or exertion. Pain through left side of chest. Oppression > eating. Sensation of plug behind sternum.

Palpitations from fear, grief, or exertion. Irregular pulse, especially during anxiety episodes. Pain radiates to left arm. Coldness in heart region. Throbbing under sternum.

Shortness of breath with anxiety or choking sensation. Worse from tight clothing. Sighing respiration. Must loosen clothes or open windows. Asthma-like attacks during emotional suppression.

Another keynote: All symptoms improve while eating. Gnawing or empty sensation in stomach, returning as soon as digestion is complete. Constant hunger, even after meals. Nausea with faintness. Stomach feels contracted, as if tied. Burning after coffee. Aversion to milk. Belching sour or bitter.

Bloated, distended abdomen. Cramping colic with desire to bend double. Pain better after stool or eating. Rumbling and flatulence. Cutting pains before stool. Twitching of abdominal muscles. Sensation as if intestines were tied in knots.

One of the leading Anacardium areas. Ineffectual urging—patient strains long without success [Boericke]. Sensation as if plug in rectum, or stool must be extracted manually. Dry, hard, knotty stools. Bleeding piles. Itching and burning at anus. Rectal prolapse with stool. Suitable for children or elderly with sluggish bowels.

One of the leading Anacardium areas. Ineffectual urging—patient strains long without success [Boericke]. Sensation as if plug in rectum, or stool must be extracted manually. Dry, hard, knotty stools. Bleeding piles. Itching and burning at anus. Rectal prolapse with stool. Suitable for children or elderly with sluggish bowels.

Night sweats with weakness. Acrid, offensive. Sweat stains clothes. Face and hands sweat easily. Sweat < anxiety or fear.

Sexual desire either excessive or entirely lacking. Erections incomplete or painful. Emissions without erections. Itching of scrotum or perineum. Coldness of genitals. Genital warts, aggravated after suppression of eruptions.

Menses too early, profuse, or delayed. Irritable before flow. Vulval itching and burning. Leucorrhoea acrid, copious. Bearing-down pain as if uterus would protrude. Mental symptoms often worse before or during menstruation. Useful in hysteria with choking, cruelty, or amnesia.

Weakness in the spine. Pain in lumbar region, < sitting. Sensation of a band or plug pressing into dorsal spine. Numbness of back and limbs. Twitching of paraspinal muscles. Pain extending from scapula to chest.

Numbness and tingling in hands and feet. Paralytic weakness, especially in arms. Trembling during exertion. Hands feel clumsy, drop objects. Pain in fingers, as if knotted. Coldness of limbs. Left side more affected.

Itching < heat or bed, > cool air. Eruptions vesicular, forming crusts. Skin feels dirty, must wash often [Kent]. Excoriation in folds. Thickened, cracked skin on hands. Vesicular eczema from emotional suppression. Skin hypersensitive to contact, esp. near genitals or anus.

• Hyoscyamus – More manic or overt psychosis, less self-awareness
• Stramonium – Terror and violence, but more driven by fear than inner conflict
• Plumbum – Also has plug-like sensations, but more destructive and neurological
• Nux vomica – Similar irritability and gastric symptoms, but more action-oriented
• Lachesis – Jealousy and loquacity; Anacardium more internalised and controlled

• Complementary: Lycopodium, Nux vomica, Sulphur
• Antidotes: Camphora, Coffea
• Follows well: Ignatia, Pulsatilla
• Precedes well: Silicea
• Inimical: Causticum (may suppress inner conflict)

• Useful in early schizophrenia, especially with cruelty, amnesia, or religious conflict
• Top remedy for student stress with brain fog and craving for food
• Constipation with no urging and “plug” sensation highly characteristic
• Suited for eczema with intense itching < warmth

Mind

• Duality of will
• Cruelty, hidden impulses
• Loss of memory for names, words
• Suicidal thoughts, restrained
• Better while eating

Rectum

• Constipation, ineffectual urging
• Sensation of plug
• Stool dry, hard, must be removed manually

Throat

• Sensation of lump
• Choking on empty swallowing
• Better from food

Skin

• Itching < warmth of bed
• Eczema, vesicular
• Excoriation in folds

Generalities

• Better for eating
• Worse for fasting
• Weakness after mental exertion
• Plug sensations throughout body

• Samuel Hahnemann – Materia Medica Pura: Provided the original proving, emphasising plug sensations, mind symptoms, and digestion
• C. Hering – Guiding Symptoms: Developed the duality and cruelty aspects; added details on paralysis
• James Kent – Lectures on Homoeopathic Materia Medica: Focused on mental split, suppression, and memory loss
• William Boericke – Pocket Manual: Practical usage for constipation, mental disorders, and skin eruptions
• John Henry Clarke – Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica: Added expansive notes on amnesia, moral themes, and delusions