Caladium seguinum

Caladium seguinum belongs to the Araceae family, native to tropical America. The plant contains acrid, needle-like calcium oxalate crystals and an irritating juice that can cause intense burning and swelling of mucous membranes when chewed. In crude form, ingestion can lead to salivation, swelling of the tongue and throat, inability to articulate, and severe gastric distress. Homeopathically, the tincture is prepared from the fresh root and leaves, potentised to remove toxicity. It is especially noted for its action on the sexual sphere, pruritus of the genitalia, mental states linked to sexual weakness, and peculiar gastric disturbances.

First proving conducted under the direction of Dr. C. Hering in the mid-19th century, with further clinical confirmations by Allen and others, especially in male impotence and genital itching.

Caladium seguinum centres on sexual weakness with preserved desire, genital itching, and a craving for tobacco. The mental depression is tied to a deep sense of inadequacy, particularly in men, and the physical impotence is accompanied by nervous exhaustion. The itching of genitals, worse warmth of bed, is a keynote.

• Male genital organs: Impotence, sexual weakness, and genital pruritus [Hering].
• Nervous system: Mental prostration linked to sexual exhaustion.
• Skin and mucous membranes: Itching, burning, and irritation of genitals; erythematous patches.
• Stomach: Nausea and loss of appetite; craving for tobacco despite aversion to food.
• Respiratory tract: Occasional hoarseness, dryness of larynx.

Marked despondency with loss of self-confidence, particularly in relation to sexual function [Hering]. The patient feels mentally weak, apprehensive, and incapable of exertion. There is a peculiar sadness, as if life had lost its joy, often accompanied by fixed ideas about sexual failure. Thoughts of previous sexual excess haunt the mind, increasing the depression. Memory is impaired, concentration poor, and there is aversion to mental work. This mental depression is often interwoven with physical genital symptoms, suggesting a strong psycho-sexual link in the remedy’s action.

Restless, especially in the second half of the night. Frequent waking with thoughts of sexual incapacity.

Sexual dreams, sometimes without emission. Dreams of business or past events.

General weakness and irritability after sexual attempts. States of nervous debility linked to sexual exhaustion, tobacco abuse, and mental depression.

Chilliness in the evening with internal heat of genitals.

Heat localised in the genital region during bed warmth. Slight perspiration on forehead during genital itching.

Fullness in the head with pressing sensation in the temples, particularly during genital excitement. Occasional vertigo, especially in the morning after restless nights. Dull headache accompanying gastric or sexual symptoms.

Lids heavy; eyes feel weak and sunken. Dimness of vision when reading, with strain and inclination to close the eyes.

Occasional buzzing or humming noises, worse when fatigued.

Dryness of nasal mucosa with a tendency to obstruction on one side. No coryza noted in provings.

Pale, drawn expression in cases of long-standing sexual weakness. Occasionally flushed during gastric or sexual aggravations.

Dryness of mouth on waking; sensation of roughness of the tongue. Taste flat, with loss of relish for food. Tobacco smoke tastes unusually pleasant even to those normally averse.

No marked proving symptoms.

Dryness and roughness in the throat. Sensation as if the uvula were elongated, with frequent clearing.

Oppression of chest with need to take deep breaths. Dryness in the larynx with hoarseness.

Palpitations from emotional upset, especially sexual embarrassment or anticipation.

Breathing somewhat impeded during genital excitement. Inclination to sigh deeply.

Loss of appetite with nausea in the morning. Strong craving for tobacco, which paradoxically soothes gastric uneasiness [Allen]. After meals, there is discomfort and a sense of weight in the stomach, but without marked pain. Sometimes eructations of tasteless gas.

Sensation of emptiness in the abdomen, even shortly after eating. Mild griping pains in the lower abdomen, worse in the evening.

No characteristic symptoms in proving; may be constipated in chronic cases.

Frequent desire to urinate, often associated with relief of genital irritation after micturition. Urine clear, abundant.

Aversion to food; craving for tobacco, which is unusual and may be diagnostic [Hering].

The most prominent sphere of action. Complete loss of desire with physical inability for erection, or erections that are short-lived and incomplete [Hering, Allen]. Sexual excitement may occur mentally but is not followed by physical response. There is persistent itching of the glans penis and scrotum, worse from warmth of bed, better after urinating. Seminal emissions may occur without dreams, leaving great exhaustion. Notable in cases where impotence follows excessive tobacco use or sexual excess. Caladium patients often retain desire in the mind but suffer from peripheral sexual paralysis.

Less documented, but some provers noted intense genital itching and dryness. Occasionally useful in pruritus vulvae with no discharge.

Dull lumbar aching after sexual excitement or unsuccessful coitus.

Lassitude in the limbs, especially in thighs after sexual attempts. Trembling from weakness.

Itching of genital region is striking—intolerable when warm, compelling scratching. Itching may be worse at night and interfere with sleep.

• Agnus castus – Also has impotence and low desire, but with total absence of mental sexual excitement. Caladium retains desire in the mind.
• Selenium – Impotence after sexual excess, but with excessive emissions and more general debility.
• Lycopodium – Impotence from fear of failure, with strong desire but failure at the act; more bloating and right-sided complaints.
• Nux vomica – Sexual weakness in irritable, over-stimulated patients with gastric disturbance.

• Complementary: Selenium, Lycopodium.
• Antidotes: Camphor, Nux vomica (for overaction).
• Follows well: After Agnus castus or Selenium in chronic sexual debility.

• Excellent in cases of impotence where the patient still has mental sexual desire but cannot achieve erection [Hering].
• Noteworthy for treating genital itching of both sexes when worse in bed warmth.
• Craving for tobacco is a peculiar confirmatory symptom.
• Can follow Agnus castus or Selenium in chronic sexual debility cases.

Mind:

• Sadness from sexual weakness.
• Anxiety about sexual failure.

Male:

• Impotence with mental desire intact.
• Genital itching, worse warmth of bed.
• Emissions without dreams.

Generalities:

• Weakness from sexual excess.
• Aggravation from warmth of bed.

Stomach:

• Aversion to food, desire for tobacco.

1. Hering, C. – The Guiding Symptoms: Core symptoms in genital sphere and craving for tobacco.
2. Allen, T.F. – Encyclopaedia: Proving records, modalities.
3. Clarke, J.H. – Dictionary: Clinical confirmations in impotence and genital itching.
4. Boericke, W. – Pocket Manual: Summary of keynotes.
5. Hughes, R. – Pharmacodynamics: Discussion of crude toxicology.
6. Farrington, E.A. – Clinical Materia Medica: Comparative study with Selenium and Agnus castus.
7. Boger, C.M. – Synoptic Key: Condensed keynote list.
8. Nash, E.B. – Leaders: Clinical indications.
9. Kent, J.T. – Lectures: Emphasis on the mind–sexual connection.
10. Dewey, W.A. – Practical Therapeutics: Grouping with other impotence remedies.