Asterias rubens

Asterias rubens is a marine echinoderm found in the North Atlantic and European coastal waters. The whole animal is macerated in alcohol to produce the tincture. It exerts a deep action on the cerebrospinal nervous system, particularly affecting the left side, and has a notable affinity for the female reproductive organs, breast tissue, and the vascular system. Historically, it was introduced into homeopathy for the treatment of epilepsy and has since been used for certain forms of paralysis, chorea, and scirrhous breast tumours [Hering].

Introduced by Dr. Tessier (Paris) in the mid-19th century, with toxicological observations and provings recorded by Hering, Allen, and Hughes.

Asterias rubens is a remedy for left-sided neurological and glandular affections, particularly in women. It unites two main spheres: the cerebrospinal system — with paralysis, epilepsy, chorea — and the mammary glands, with a specific action on induration and cancerous changes. The psychological tone is one of anticipatory dread, nervous weakness, and depression.

• Nervous System: Paralysis, epilepsy, chorea, left-sided weakness [Hering, Allen].
• Female Breast & Reproductive Organs: Mastitis, scirrhus, irregular menses [Clarke].
• Vascular System: Varicose veins, congestions [Boericke].
• Left Side of the Body: Hemiplegia, left breast, left-sided headaches [Hering].
• Skin: Indurations, ulcers, chronic eruptions [Hughes].

Patients often present with marked depression of spirits, sometimes to the point of weeping without cause [Clarke]. There is a peculiar anticipatory anxiety preceding epileptic attacks — a feeling of inevitable calamity [Hering]. Memory is weak; there may be confusion and inability to concentrate on reading or writing [Allen]. Restlessness may alternate with periods of mental dullness, especially in nervous diseases. Sexual thoughts may be exaggerated in certain cases of hysteria or neurological irritation [Hale].

Sleep is disturbed by jerking of limbs and vivid dreams [Allen].

Frightful dreams of danger or pursuit, waking in fright [Hering].

Left-sided symptoms predominate. Suited to scrofulous or debilitated patients with a history of neurological disease, left-sided breast pathology, or chronic glandular induration [Hering, Clarke].

Heat of head with cold extremities in nervous fevers [Clarke].

Chilliness in open air, alternating with flushes of heat [Allen].

Headaches are often left-sided, neuralgic, and attended with throbbing in the temples [Hering]. There is a sensation of pressure from within outward, worse from mental effort and worse before menses [Allen]. In epileptic states, there may be a preceding aura beginning in the left hand and ascending to the head, followed by loss of consciousness [Hering].

Dimness of vision precedes or follows convulsive attacks [Clarke]. Eyelids may twitch involuntarily, especially the left [Allen].

Noises in the left ear — ringing or buzzing — may occur in nervous exhaustion [Hering].

No characteristic proving symptoms recorded, although in some epileptic patients, sneezing has been observed as part of the aura [Allen].

Flushing of the left cheek during headaches; twitching of facial muscles during sleep [Hering]. In paralysis, the left side of the face may droop [Allen].

Tongue may tremble when protruded; speech can be slow or hesitant in paralysis [Hering].

Dryness of throat and slight difficulty in swallowing noted in paralytic states [Allen].

Oppression of chest, worse lying on left side; palpitations associated with breast pain [Hering].

Palpitation worse at night and when lying on left side; pulse may be irregular in nervous patients [Allen].

Breathlessness in damp weather; sighing respiration during attacks of depression [Hale].

Nausea and sinking sensation in epigastrium before fits; appetite diminished [Hering].

A sensation of dragging or weight in the lower abdomen, especially before menstruation [Clarke].

Constipation with ineffectual urging in nervous disorders; occasional involuntary stool during epileptic seizure [Allen].

Involuntary urination during convulsions; frequent urging without copious discharge in paralysis [Hering].

Aversion to food before attacks; no peculiar cravings noted [Allen].

Sexual desire may be diminished in long-standing paralysis [Hale].

Marked affinity for left breast — pain, swelling, induration, and even scirrhous change [Clarke]. Pain may be shooting or burning, worse before menses. Menses may be irregular, scanty, or suppressed. Sensation of fullness and heaviness in pelvic organs before menstruation [Allen].

Pain in dorsal spine, worse between shoulder blades, sometimes extending to the left breast [Clarke].

Paralysis or weakness, especially of the left arm and leg [Hering]. Numbness and tingling in fingers precede convulsions. Hands may tremble when attempting fine movements [Allen].

Indurations and nodular swellings, particularly over glands. Chronic ulcers with scanty discharge [Hughes].

• Conium maculatum – Breast induration; Conium has more stony hardness and glandular origin, less nervous involvement.
• Lachesis mutus – Left-sided complaints, worse after sleep; Lachesis has more loquacity and general aggravation from heat.
• Cuprum metallicum – Epilepsy with violent cramps; Cuprum has more intense convulsions, less breast involvement.
• Silicea – Chronic indurations; Silicea has more suppuration tendency and chilliness.

• Complementary: Conium, Silicea, Cuprum.
• Antidotes: Camphora, Nux vomica.
• Inimical: None known.
• Follows well: After acute breast inflammation has subsided, to resolve induration.

• Valuable in early stages of left breast scirrhus, especially before ulceration.
• Consider in left-sided hemiplegia post-stroke.
• Useful in epilepsy when aura begins in the left hand.

Mind:

• Anxiety before epileptic attacks
• Depression, tearful
• Confusion of mind, inability to concentrate

Head:

• Headache, left-sided
• Aura in epilepsy beginning in hand

Female:

• Breast, left, induration
• Pain, left breast, before menses

Extremities:

• Paralysis, left side
• Trembling of hands

Generalities:

• Left-sided complaints
• Worse damp cold weather
• Better gentle motion

Hering C. – Guiding Symptoms: detailed breast, epilepsy, and left-sided modalities.

Clarke J.H. – Dictionary: cancerous breast changes, nervous system.

Allen T.F. – Encyclopedia: proving and toxicological notes.

Hughes R. – Cyclopaedia: vascular and nervous pathology.

Boericke W. – Pocket Manual: clinical notes.

Lippe A. – Keynotes: breast indications.

Hale E.M. – New Remedies: neurological focus.

Farrington E.A. – Clinical Materia Medica: cancer and nervous system.

Nash E.B. – Leaders: clinical keynotes.

Kent J.T. – Lectures: comparative left-sided remedy analysis.