Cactus grandiflorus

Cactus grandiflorus is a climbing cactus native to the tropical regions of the West Indies and Central America. Its large, fragrant, white flowers open at night and wither by morning, a botanical marvel that has inspired much folklore. The fresh stems and flowers are used for the homeopathic tincture. In crude herbal form, it has been known to possess cardiotonic properties, comparable in some ways to Digitalis, but with a distinct sphere of action on the vasculature.

Proved by Rubini in the mid-19th century; symptoms corroborated by numerous clinical experiences (Hering, Allen, Clarke). Its sphere of action was expanded through acute observation in cases of angina pectoris, valvular disease, and menstrual disorders.

The essence of Cactus grandiflorus is constriction and congestion—a sensation of being bound, clamped, or gripped by an unyielding force. Whether in the heart, uterus, or head, the patient feels imprisoned in their own body. Its power lies in regulating circulation, relieving spasm, and re-establishing the free flow of blood and life force.

• Heart: Acts directly on the myocardium and coronary circulation, producing sensations of constriction, oppression, and irregular action.
• Blood vessels: Tends to affect both arteries and veins; marked affinity for vaso-motor spasm, congestion, and haemorrhage.
• Uterus: Menstrual disorders with a sensation as if the uterus is grasped and squeezed by an iron band.
• Nervous system: Secondary involvement through disturbed cardiac function and vascular tone.

Marked anxiety, particularly about the heart and fear of impending death [Kent]. The mental state often mirrors the physical constriction—there is a sense of being “trapped” or “held fast” emotionally. Restlessness accompanies palpitations; the patient may express despair of recovery. Depression can occur from chronic cardiac insufficiency, with irritability when questioned.

Sleep disturbed by sudden waking with oppression of the heart. Restless dreams of suffocation.

Dreams of danger, pursuit, and death. Waking with palpitations.

Cactus grandiflorus is pre-eminently a heart remedy, suited to cases of constrictive pain, congestion, and vascular spasm. The keynote is constriction—whether of the heart, chest, or uterus. Complaints often come suddenly, with intense suffering and a sense of imminent death.

Fever with flushed face and bounding pulse in inflammatory cardiac conditions.

Alternating chills and heat during cardiac episodes. Profuse sweat with least exertion.

Congestive headaches, especially at the vertex, with flushed face and pulsating carotids [Hering]. The headaches may alternate with cardiac symptoms, as if blood is driven violently to the head when the heart is constricted. Vertigo on exertion or rising, linked to irregular circulation.

Redness and congestion of the conjunctiva from vascular engorgement. Sparks or flashes before the eyes when the heart action is tumultuous. Dimness of vision with faintness.

Ringing and buzzing noises synchronous with the pulse during heart attacks. A sensation of fullness in the ears from cerebral congestion.

Epistaxis from high arterial tension. Nosebleeds may accompany menstrual irregularities.

Alternating pallor and flushing. In acute cardiac attacks, the face becomes pale, anxious, with bluish lips.

Dryness of the mouth without thirst. Palate and tongue may feel parched after cardiac episodes.

Sensation as if constricted during heart palpitations. Throat feels tense and rigid when vascular system is engorged.

The most characteristic sphere: a sensation as if the heart is grasped and compressed by an iron band, preventing normal movement [Rubini, Hering]. Severe constrictive pain radiating to the left arm, shoulder, and scapula. Palpitations violent, with suffocative feelings, worse from lying on the left side. Pulse may be quick, irregular, feeble, or intermittent. Oppression of the chest as if bound, making deep breathing difficult. Angina pectoris, endocarditis, pericarditis, and myocarditis all fall within its scope.

Cramping, clutching, constrictive pains. Cardiac murmurs with valvular disease. Periods of intense palpitation alternating with faintness. Cardiac pains may come suddenly and leave suddenly.

Shortness of breath from slightest exertion. Asthmatic breathing from cardiac origin. Sensation of suffocation in a closed room.

Nausea during acute cardiac episodes, as if from congestion of the stomach. Vomiting of food or bile in heart failure.

Abdominal fullness from portal congestion. Cutting pains in the hypogastrium during menstruation.

Haemorrhoids from venous stasis. Bleeding piles during heart decompensation.

Scanty, high-coloured urine during cardiac exacerbations. Albuminuria may be present in advanced heart disease.

Desire for cold drinks during cardiac oppression. Aversion to warm food.

Sexual desire diminished in chronic cardiac patients. Impotence from prolonged circulatory insufficiency.

Menstrual flow often scanty, black, and clotted, accompanied by the characteristic sensation as if the uterus is grasped by an iron hand [Hering]. Dysmenorrhoea with intense squeezing pains. Metrorrhagia from uterine congestion. Symptoms may alternate between heart and uterus.

Pain in the dorsal region between the shoulders during heart episodes. Stiffness in the cervical spine from vascular congestion.

Cold hands and feet during heart attacks. Oedema of feet and ankles in advanced cardiac failure.

Bluish discolouration of skin and lips during cardiac distress. Mottled appearance from poor circulation.

• Glonoinum – Sudden rush of blood to the head, throbbing, but without the fixed constriction of Cactus.
• Spigelia – Neuralgic cardiac pains, stabbing, radiating, worse from motion; lacks the band-like constriction.
• Arsenicum album – Cardiac asthma with great restlessness and anxiety, but more burning pains and periodicity.
• Digitalis – Weak, slow pulse with faintness; no marked constriction sensation.

• Complementary: Spigelia, Digitalis.
• Antidotes: Camphor.
• Follows well: Aconite in acute inflammatory cardiac conditions.

• Valuable in angina with iron-band sensation.
• Indicated in dysmenorrhoea with constriction.
• Useful in valvular lesions with congestion.
• Often required in climacteric heart complaints.

Mind:

• Anxiety about the heart.
• Fear of death during cardiac symptoms.

Head:

• Congestion to head during heart disease.
• Headache with heart symptoms.

Chest:

• Constriction, as if iron band around chest.
• Pain, heart, radiating to left arm.

Female:

• Dysmenorrhoea with squeezing pains.
• Uterus, constriction as if by iron hand.

Generalities:

• Constriction of parts.
• Haemorrhage from congestion.

1. Rubini – Original proving notes: iron-band sensation of the heart.
2. Hering C. – Guiding Symptoms: Cardiac constriction and uterine symptoms.
3. Allen T.F. – Encyclopaedia: Detailed proving records.
4. Clarke J.H. – Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica: Clinical cardiac cases.
5. Kent J.T. – Lectures: Emotional and mental states linked to heart pathology.
6. Boericke W. – Pocket Manual: Concise keynotes.
7. Farrington E.A. – Clinical Materia Medica: Heart and uterus sphere.
8. Nash E.B. – Leaders: Cardiac constriction.
9. Boger C.M. – Synoptic Key: Constriction as keynote.
10. Dewey W.A. – Therapeutics: Grouping with cardiac remedies.