Cimicifuga

Actaea racemosa is a tall woodland perennial of the Ranunculaceae (but historically grouped under the genus Cimicifuga), indigenous to North America. In homœopathy the mother tincture is prepared from the fresh root (rhizome) gathered in autumn, macerated in alcohol and potentised according to pharmacopoeial method [Clarke], [Boericke]. Phytochemistry notes triterpene glycosides (e.g., actein/cimicifugoside) and acrid resinous principles characteristic of the buttercup family, with a propensity to muscular and uterine irritability, neuralgic pains, and vaso-motor lability—correlating with the remedy’s rheumatic-myalgic and uterine–nervous spheres [Hughes], [Farrington]. Classical authors emphasise shooting or electric-shock-like pains flitting from place to place, neck–occiput myalgia, uterine dyskinesias (spasmodic dysmenorrhœa, irregular labour pains), ciliary neuralgia, and a distinctive mental state swinging from gloom and fear of insanity to nervous talkativeness and hysteroid expressions [Hering], [Kent], [Clarke], [Boericke].

The pathogenesis is drawn from early provings and extensive clinical confirmations collected by Hering and T. F. Allen, with comparative portraits by Kent, Clarke and Boericke [Hering], [Allen], [Kent], [Clarke], [Boericke]. Leading confirmations include: vertex/occipital headaches linked to uterine function, rheumatic–myalgic neck and back pains, spasmodic dysmenorrhœa with pains radiating hip-to-hip or shooting to the heart, ciliary neuralgia, chorea (puberty, pregnancy), and the fear of insanity mental state [Hering], [Clarke], [Boericke].

Cimicifuga is the neuralgic conductor of the female economy, where muscle and nerve dance to the uterine baton. Its pains are highly mobile and electric-shock-like, especially in the neck, occiput, and shoulder-girdle, with a matching ciliary neuralgia that presses the eyes outward. Over all lies a vaso-motor volatility—flushes, palpitations, sighing—such that a draught of cold air will sharpen the stitches and a jar will scatter them, while warmth, pressure, and slow stretch soothe the spasm. Psychologically, the patient lives between two climates: a clouded gloom with fear of going insane, and a nervous, loquacious excitability that chatters to drown the dread. This alternation is not random; it tracks the uterus. Before or during menses, at puberty, pregnancy, or the climacteric, the system is most labile. Dysmenorrhœa is spasmodic and irregular; labour pains ineffectual, after-pains over-acute; and from the womb pains radiate—to the heart (palpitation, flutter, fear), to the head (vertex/occiput bursting), or to the eyes (ciliary spasm). When the flow becomes free and the rhythm is restored, the heart quiets, the head clears, the fear abates. Thus Cimicifuga is a regulator, not merely an anodyne: it re-establishes sequence and harmony in spasmodic states—uterine, muscular, and mental.

This Ranunculacean signature shows in the nervous mobility and myalgic stiffness that resemble Rhus-tox. yet, unlike Rhus, prefer gentle rather than brisk motion and are exquisitely jar-sensitive. It contrasts with Gelsemium’s heavy paresis, for Cimic. is tense, vibratile, shock-like. It shares Ignatia’s globus but not her silent contradictions; Cimic. speaks its anguish—or sits with a black veil over the mind. It allies with Caulophyllum in childbirth—Caul. to provide power, Cimic. to coordinate and relax spasm. In the menopause, where flushes, palpitations, neck–occiput myalgia, and mood swings interweave, Cimicifuga restores the tempo. Whenever you meet this triad—electric, wandering myalgia (nape/occiput/shoulders), hysteriform mind with fear of insanity/globus, and uterine reflex pains radiating to heart/head/eyes, worse cold air, jar, menses, better warmth, pressure, flow established—Cimicifuga is not an accessory thought but the central motif of the case. [Hering], [Kent], [Clarke], [Boericke], [Boger], [Farrington], [Allen], [Tyler].

• Uterus and Ovaries. Spasmodic dysmenorrhœa, irregular or ineffective labour pains, after-pains; pains shoot across pelvis or from uterus to heart/head; uterine–cardiac reflexes. See Female, Heart, Head. [Hering], [Clarke], [Boericke].
• Muscles & Aponeuroses—Neck/Back/Shoulders. Myalgia of trapezii, cervico-occipital junction; “crick” in neck; electric-shock stitches; influenza-type myalgia. See Back/Extremities. [Boericke], [Boger].
• Nervous System—Vaso-motor & Sensorium. Hysteriform states, fear of insanity, loquacity, chorea (puberty/pregnancy), ciliary neuralgia. See Mind/Eyes. [Kent], [Hering], [Farrington].
• Eyes—Ciliary Region. Photophobia, ciliary neuralgia, aching eyeballs with pressing-out pains; menses-linked headaches. See Eyes/Head. [Hering], [Allen].
• Heart—Reflex from Uterus/Spine. Palpitation, precordial pains coincident with uterine spasm or after emotional strain. See Heart/Female. [Clarke], [Boericke].
• Spine (Cervical–Dorsal). Aching, stiffness, neuralgic darting; pains worse cold air, draughts. See Back. [Boger], [Hering].
• Mucosa of Pharynx—Globus. “Ball rising in throat,” hysteric constriction; reflex with uterine irritation. See Throat/Mind. [Kent], [Clarke].
• Joints—Rheumatic. Wandering, stitching rheumatism especially about shoulders and small joints with muscular involvement. See Extremities. [Boger], [Boericke].
• Parturition & Puerperium. False pains; irregular, ineffective contractions; sensitive after-pains; choreic movements in gravid state. See Female. [Hering], [Clarke].

Gloom, foreboding, fear of insanity—“as if going crazy”—alternating with nervous talkativeness and rapid change of topic [Kent], [Clarke]. A peculiar sensorial veil or cloud over the brain accompanies the despondency; she feels separated from the world, with morbid fancies of impending misfortune or death, especially about the heart (uterine–cardiac reflex) [Hering], [Boericke]. Emotional shocks (fright, grief, disappointed love) provoke hysteroid expressions—sighing, sobbing, globus in the throat, palpitation, and erratic pains; this tallies with the aggravation from emotional shock already noted [Kent], [Hering]. The temper can be irritable, snappish, or capricious; the patient alternates between irritability and lachrymose states, especially before menses, matching the uterine affinity [Clarke]. Anxiety is centred on health of the heart/brain—“I shall lose my reason; my heart will stop”—yet objective findings are slight; when the menstrual flow becomes free, fear abates (Better when flow established) [Hering]. Sensory over-susceptibility—noise and light annoy during headaches as the mind grows hyperaesthetic [Allen]. Aversion to company yet dreads to be alone—company mitigates the fear of insanity but irritates by trifles [Kent]. Mental symptoms improve with warmth and gentle occupation; worsen in cold air and in the morning on waking to duties [Clarke], [Boericke]. [Proving/Clinical].

Sleep restless from neuralgic stitches and mental foreboding; starts with a jerk on falling asleep (myoclonic, choreic tendency) [Hering]. Dreams of death, accidents, or of one’s insanity; wakes in dread, presses hand to heart (Heart/Mind cross-link) [Clarke]. Before menses sleep broken by back/neck aches and globus sensations rising to throat; after the flow begins, sleep deepens (Female/Modalities) [Hering]. Grinding of teeth not typical; sighing respiration during sleep common [Kent]. In influenza myalgia, cannot find a comfortable spot for neck and shoulders; must change position (Back link) [Boericke]. Night aggravation from cold draughts; needs warmth of bed to settle (worse cold air, better warmth) [Boger]. After emotional days, long wakeful hours with loquacious thoughts or gloomy ruminations alternate, mirroring mind polarity [Kent]. Cat-naps in early morning with heavy head on waking (worse morning) [Boericke].

Frightful dreams of insanity, falling, pursuit; dreams of funerals with weeping; awakes sighing or sobbing (Mind link) [Clarke]. Erotic dreams with palpitation in sensitive women around menses (Female/Heart) [Hering]. Dreams cease or become less oppressive when menstrual flow is free (Modalities).

Cimicifuga integrates neuralgic–myalgic mobility with a uterine–vaso-motor axis. Pains are electric-shock-like, wandering, and weather-sensitive, locating especially in neck, occiput, shoulders, and uterus, and flaring in cold air or on jar, with striking relief from warmth, pressure, slow stretch, and gentle motion [Boger], [Hering], [Boericke]. The mental polarity is diagnostic: despair, fear of insanity, a clouded sensorium oscillating with loquacity and nervous excitability, typically before/during menses or at the climacteric [Kent], [Clarke]. The uterine reflexes dominate: spasmodic, irregular, ineffective pains of dysmenorrhœa and labour, pains radiating from uterus to heart (palpitations) or to head (vertex/occiput), and relief when the menstrual flow becomes free—these cross-links knit the picture [Hering], [Boericke]. Eye symptoms (ciliary neuralgia, pressing-out) couple to head and uterus (worse menses, eye use; better closing lids, warmth) [Hering]. Compared with neighbours: Caulophyllum empowers uterine contractions (atony) whereas Cimic. coordinates and relaxes spasm; Gelsemium is heavy, torpid, paresic; Cimic. is nervous, shock-like, hysteriform; Ignatia centres on contradictory, pent-up grief with globus; Cimic. has muscular rheumatism and uterine reflexes superadded [Farrington], [Kent], [Clarke].

Influenza-type myalgia with chilliness in draught, aching neck/back; flushes at menopause with palpitations; heat without thirst during neuralgic storms [Boericke], [Clarke]. Fevers are low, nervous, and muscular rather than septic; sweats relieve muscle pains (Better perspiration) [Boger].

Chill from cold air; shivers down the back; pains sharpen (Back/Extremities) [Boger]. Heat in flushes with throbbing temples and palpitations (menopause) [Clarke], [Tyler]. Sweat breaks with relief of myalgia; head less heavy afterwards [Boericke]. Alternations reflect vaso-motor instability (Generalities).

Headaches are uterine–rheumatic: vertex and occipital pains, “as if the top would fly off,” or as if the brain were too large for the skull; pressing-out pains at eyes accompany [Hering], [Allen]. Pains shoot like electric shocks, shift from side to side, or traverse from nape to vertex with cervical myalgia, closely linked to weather and draughts (worse cold air, jar; better warmth/pressure) [Boger], [Hering]. Menstrual relation strong: headaches before or during menses, abating when flow is established (modal cross-link) [Clarke], [Boericke]. Occipital stiffness with “crick” in neck is common; turning the head aggravates [Boger]. The scalp may feel tender; hair roots sore; sensation of a tight band around head connects with vaso-motor spasm [Hughes]. Neuro-visual coupling: ciliary neuralgia radiates to head with photophobia and a black speck or veil sensation (see Eyes), worse eye use [Hering]. Micro-comparison: Gels. head is congestive, heavy, droopy lids; Cimic. is neuralgic-spastic, electric pains with uterine link [Kent]. Case vignette: dysmenorrhœic student with vertex-occipital pain “as if skull would split,” better when menses flowed—Cimic. 30C pre-menses regulated pains and head [Clinical], [Clarke].

Ciliary neuralgia with aching, pressing-out of eyeballs; photophobia; vision blurred “as through a veil,” tying to the Mind “cloud” [Hering], [Allen]. Pains shoot backwards to occiput or forwards to superciliary ridge; aggravated by use of eyes, cold air, and menses, relieved by closing lids and warmth (modal cross-links) [Hering], [Boger]. Eyeballs sore to touch; extrinsic muscles feel strained. Ciliary spasm may follow uterine disorders or influenza (rheumatic–myalgic diathesis) [Clarke]. Lacrimation scant; more of a neuralgic than catarrhal picture. Compare Spigelia (sharp, left-sided, sun-aggravated) vs Cimic. (uterine-linked, shock-like, with neck myalgia) [Farrington], [Kent]. [Proving/Clinical].

Neuralgic stitches about mastoid and external ear, worse draught, better warmth (rheumatic–neuralgic theme) [Boger]. Sounds seem distant in mental gloom; transient tinnitus with palpitations (cardio-vaso-motor link) [Clarke]. No specific otitis; pains are muscular/neuralgic. Sudden noises startle the hysteric patient (Mind link) [Kent].

No leading coryza. Sneezing or nasal tingling during globus and hysteric paroxysms; sense of air hunger with sighing respiration (Respiration link) [Hering]. Nasal bridge aching in ciliary neuralgia episodes [Allen]. Odours may provoke nausea during menses (Food/Drink) [Clarke].

Expression anxious, drawn during neuralgic assaults; alternating pallor and flushes (menopausal or hysteric) [Clarke], [Tyler]. Facial neuralgia—zig-zag, lightning pains, worse cold air, jar; better warmth and pressure (matches general modalities) [Boger]. Lips dry during headaches; jaw tired from tension (myalgic). In labour, face pinched with ineffective pains—the muscular picture mirrors the uterus [Hering].

Dryness without great thirst during headaches; foul taste mornings when spirits are low [Boericke]. Tongue often clean; sometimes thin white coat in catarrhal/influenza states [Hughes]. Teeth feel elongated during neuralgic storms (non-keynote). Speech becomes rapid, voluble in hysteric phase; then dull, slow in gloom—mirrors Mind polarity [Kent].

Sore roots in neuralgic spells; gnashing not characteristic. Twinges dart jaw-to-temple with ciliary attacks; warmth relieves [Allen], [Boger]. Dental pain lacks the carious, cold-water modality of Coff.; Cimic. pains are shock-like, migrating, hysteriform [Farrington].

Globus hystericus—“ball rising,” with constant desire to swallow; constriction extends from sternum to throat, associated with cardiac flutter and uterine irritability (Mind/Heart/Female links) [Kent], [Clarke]. Pharynx otherwise uninflamed; the sensation is neuro-muscular. Talking aggravates globus during emotional storms; warm drinks soothe (Better warmth) [Hering]. Choking fits at menses onset or with fright [Clarke].

Oppression with sighing, need to take deep breath; thoracic muscles sore as if bruised (influenza-myalgia type) [Boericke]. Pains shoot from left chest/heart to axilla or down left arm during uterine spasm (uterine–cardiac link) [Clarke]. Intercostal neuralgia darting with draughts (worse cold air, jar; better warmth) [Boger]. Hyperventilation in hysteroid attacks with globus [Kent].

Palpitation from uterine irritation, emotion, or exertion; precordial anxiety with fear of death, especially around menses or menopause [Clarke], [Boericke]. Irregular, tumultuous action without organic lesions (functional, vaso-motor). Stitching pains to left arm; sense of heart grasped or suspended during globus; better as uterine pains settle (Female cross-link) [Hering]. Compare Ign. (spasmodic, globus; more contradictory, silent grief) vs Cimic. (loquacious or gloomy with muscular rheumatism) [Kent].

Sighing, catching at breath when pains shoot or during globus; dyspnœa with palpitation and uterine spasm (Heart/Female links) [Clarke]. Cold air induces constrictive, neuralgic sensations in chest; warmth relieves [Boger]. Chorea may involve respiratory muscles in puberty/pregnancy (rare) [Hering].

Nausea with uterine pains; morning sickness-like qualms in non-pregnant states (uterine reflex) [Hering]. Aversion to food during headache; sour eructations rare. A sinking, hysteric emptiness about epigastrium accompanies palpitations and globus (Mind/Heart links) [Clarke]. Cold drinks chill and aggravate spasms (worse cold) [Boger]. Appetite capricious; small warm food relieves faintness (Better warmth/eating a little) [Clarke]. Not a primary gastric remedy.

Neuralgic stitches across hypogastrium, especially hip-to-hip pains just before or during menses; abdomen sore to touch (Female link) [Hering], [Boericke]. Flatulence not marked. Bearing-down not as strong as Sep., yet a sense of uterine weight may be present. Colicky pains alternate with back/neck myalgia (rheumatic–uterine axis) [Clarke]. Warmth and gentle bending relieve [Boger].

Constipation from spastic states in sensitive women about menses; rectal tenesmus neuralgic, not inflammatory [Clarke]. Haemorrhoids not characteristic. Diarrhœa from fright possible (Mind link). Little in way of keynotes; rectal symptoms are accessory.

Irritable bladder during menses and hysteroid paroxysms; frequent, small urging with palpitations (vaso-motor) [Clarke]. Urine pale; no marked sediment. Symptoms abate as uterine spasm eases (Female → Urinary). Not a renal remedy.

Desire for warm drinks during globus and uterine spasm; aversion to alcohol which aggravates palpitation and mental excitability (worse stimulants) [Clarke]. Nausea from rich foods about menses; prefers simple fare [Hering]. Not a craving remedy; rather modal to warmth/regularity.

Myalgic neck/back pains and rheumatic wandering pains are the male sphere; sexual symptoms minor. Palpitation and globus in excitable men after fright or grief—Cimic. useful in hysteriform males (rare, but noted) [Kent], [Clarke]. Testicular neuralgia shooting to groin in cold air (neuralgic theme) [Boger].

A chief sphere. Dysmenorrhœa with spasmodic, irregular, ineffective pains that shoot across pelvis from hip to hip, or from uterus to heart (palpitation) or to head (vertex/occiput) [Hering], [Clarke], [Boericke]. Menses profuse or scant, often dark, with aching back/neck, ciliary neuralgia, and gloom with fear of insanity—relieved when flow becomes regular (modal cross-link) [Clarke], [Kent]. Pregnancy: nausea, myalgic back/neck, chorea from fright or emotional strain; false labour pains, after-pains too painful, patient over-sensitive and tremulous [Hering], [Boericke]. Parturition: pains irregular, spasmodic, ineffectual—Cimic. regulates the rhythm; cervix rigid with hysteric unrest (compare Caul., which gives power to pains; Cimic. calms and co-ordinates them) [Hering], [Farrington]. Puerperium: neuralgic after-pains, mastodynia (myalgic), low spirits, fear of insanity; lochia checked → head/heart symptoms (worse suppression) [Clarke]. Menopause: flushes, palpitations, vaso-motor storms with spine/neck pain and mental gloom; globus frequent [Tyler], [Clarke]. Ovarian neuralgia, often left, sharp shooting to thigh; worse cold air, better warmth/pressure [Hering], [Boger].

Cardinal sphere: stiff, aching, bruised feeling across nape, trapezii, and between scapulæ; “crick in the neck”; worse turning, worse draughts; electric-shock stitches on jar [Boger], [Boericke]. Spine aches from uterine disorders and influenza-myalgia; pains migrate, now shoulders, now lumbar, consistent with Ranunculacean neuralgia [Hering], [Farrington]. Occiput draws back; cervical muscles feel shortened; head pain travels upward from nape (Head link) [Hering]. Warm wraps and slow stretching relieve (Better warmth/stretching).

Wandering rheumatic pains in arms and legs; stitching, shooting, electric in type; worse cold air, jar; better warmth, gentle motion [Boger], [Boericke]. Tremulousness in hysteroid states; choreic twitchings at puberty/pregnancy [Hering]. Shoulder-girdle myalgia prominent; hands may tremble with palpitations (Heart link) [Clarke]. Knees ache on stairs after influenza; muscles feel over-strained [Boericke].

Not a primary cutaneous remedy. Vaso-motor flushes at menopause; skin alternately hot/cold (Generalities) [Clarke], [Tyler]. Hyperaesthesia of skin over neck/shoulders in myalgia episodes (Back link) [Hering]. Sweat relieves pains when warmth is established (Better perspiration) [Boger].

Uterine / Labour Pains

• Caulophyllum — Uterine atony with flying pains; gives power to contractions. Cimic.: spasmodic, irregular pains needing co-ordination/relaxation; marked neck–back myalgia. [Hering], [Farrington].
• Pulsatilla — Mild, weepy, changeable; pains wander, better open air; less fear of insanity; venous, bland discharges. Cimic. is more neuralgic-electric, hysteriform, neck-occiput myalgia. [Kent], [Clarke].
• Mag-phos. — Cramping pains better heat and pressure; lacks mental gloom/fear of insanity and broad neck myalgia. [Boger].

Dysmenorrhœa & Ovarian Neuralgia

• Sepia — Bearing-down, indifference, better exercise; not electric stitches. Cimic. has globus, fear of insanity, and shooting uterus→heart/head. [Kent].
• Lachesis — Left ovarian, loquacity, intolerance of tight clothes; worse after sleep. Cimic. less congestive, more myalgic/spasmodic. [Clarke].
• Cocculus — Nausea, vertigo, menses-linked, but lacks Cimic.’s neck myalgia and electric pains. [Farrington].

Head & Eye (Ciliary Neuralgia)

• Spigelia — Left-sided, sun-aggravated, cardiac link; but more fixed, stabbing. Cimic. more uterine-linked, migratory, electric-shock pains. [Farrington], [Kent].
• Sanguinaria — Right-sided periodic hemicrania, flushing; lacks globus and uterine reflexes. [Clarke].
• Iris-vers. — Gastric migraine with bilious vomiting; Cimic. has ciliary/neck link. [Allen].

Rheumatic–Myalgic

• Rhus-tox. — Stiffness better motion, worse damp; more tendinous sprain feeling; Cimic. has electric, hysteriform pains and uterine cross-links. [Boger], [Kent].
• Bryonia — Stitching, worse least motion, wants to lie still; Cimic. pains are electric on jar but like gentle motion. [Kent].
• Actæa spicata — Small-joint rheumatism of hands; not uterine; more synovial than muscular. [Clarke].

Hysteroid / Emotional

• Ignatia — Silent grief, contradictions, globus; fewer muscular and uterine rheumatic links. [Kent].
• Coffea — Joyous excitability, insomnia; lacks gloom/fear of insanity and uterine reflex pains. [Clarke].
• Aurum — Profound suicidal despair with cardiac heaviness; Cimic. fear is of insanity, with uterine/spinal pains. [Kent].

Cardio-Vaso-motor (Menopause)

• Lachesis — Flushes with congestion, talkative jealousy; Cimic. more myalgic, choreic tendency, globus without marked left-to-right diurnal modal. [Clarke], [Tyler].
• Glonoinum — Throbbing, bursting head with heat; Cimic. is neuralgic, pressing-out eyes, uterine-linked. [Farrington].

• Complementary: Caulophyllum — in labour dysrhythmias (Cimic. to coordinate/relax, Caul. to energise). [Hering], [Farrington].
• Complementary: Pulsatilla — in changeable dysmenorrhœa where venous element blends with neuralgic spasms. [Clarke].
• Complementary: Mag-phos. — to quell pure cramp after Cimic. unknots the hysteric complex. [Boger].
• Follows well: Gelsemium — after heavy, prostrate influenza phase leaves myalgia; Cimic. for lingering neck–occiput pains. [Farrington], [Boericke].
• Follows well: Ignatia — when grief is primary; Cimic. when grief spills into hysteric globus + uterine reflex. [Kent].
• Precedes well: Sepia — if bearing-down and pelvic laxity persist after Cimic. pacifies spasms. [Kent], [Clarke].
• Precedes well: Lachesis — if congestive left ovarian theme emerges after neuralgia declines. [Clarke].
• Related: Spigelia, Sanguinaria, Rhus-t., Bry., Act-spic., Coffea—see differentials.
• Antidotes: Coffea and Nux-v. may quiet over-stimulation that blunts Cimic.’s action (clinical). [Clarke], [Kent].
• Inimical: None classically fixed; avoid capricious alternation with deep antipsorics. [Clarke].

• Dysmenorrhœa & labour: Irregular, spasmodic pains that fly and fail—dose Cimic. 30C at onset to coordinate; in labour, repeat by effect; interleave Caul. if atony predominates. [Hering], [Farrington], [Clarke].
• Cervico-occipital myalgia (post-viral/menstrual): Cimic. 6–30C b.i.d.–t.i.d. for a few days; add heat + slow stretching. [Boericke], [Boger].
• Ciliary neuralgia linked to menses: 30C once daily for several cycles at day −3→+1; enforce eye-rest and warmth. [Hering], [Allen].
• Chorea at puberty/pregnancy after fright: Cimic. 200C single then wait; watch for co-factors (Ign., Gels.) per picture. [Hering], [Kent].
• Puerperal low spirits, fear of insanity with over-painful after-pains: Cimic. 30C p.r.n.; ensure lochia is not suppressed. [Clarke], [Boericke].
• Menopausal flushes + neck/occiput pain + palpitations: Cimic. 30C nocte for 1–2 weeks, then review. [Tyler], [Clarke].
• Pearls:
  • Headache better when menses flow, worse before—think Cimic. [Hering].
  • Uterine pains shoot to heart/head, with globus—Cimic. [Clarke].
  • Electric-shock myalgia of nape/shoulders, jar-aggravated, warmth-ameliorated—Cimic. [Boger], [Boericke].

Mind

• Fear of insanity; gloom with a cloud over mind. Central keynote; uterine link. [Kent], [Clarke].
• Loquacity alternating with despondency. Hysteriform polarity. [Kent].
• Hysteria with globus and sighing; after fright. Emotional aetiology. [Hering].
• Aversion to company yet dreads to be alone. Paradox easing in company. [Kent].
• Anxiety about heart; fear of death at menses/menopause. Utero-cardiac reflex. [Clarke].

Head

• Headache, vertex/occiput, as if top would fly off. Typical seat/type. [Hering], [Allen].
• Pain from nape to vertex; neck stiff (crick). Cervico-occipital link. [Boger].
• Pressing-out pains at eyes with headache. Ciliary coupling. [Allen].
• Headache better when menses flow. Modal check. [Hering].
• Head pains electric-shock-like; worse jar, cold air. Qualitative signature. [Boger].

Eyes

• Ciliary neuralgia; photophobia; aching eyeballs. Organ affinity. [Hering].
• Vision as through a veil; black specks. Sensorium match. [Allen].
• Eye pains worse use, menses; better closing lids, warmth. Modal set. [Hering], [Boger].
• Pain from eyes to occiput/supra-orbital. Direction. [Allen].

Throat/Chest/Heart

• Globus hystericus (“ball rising”). Classic. [Kent], [Clarke].
• Palpitation from uterine trouble or emotion. Reflex hallmark. [Clarke], [Boericke].
• Chest oppression with sighing. Hysteriform breathing. [Hering].
• Precordial pains radiate to left arm with uterine pains. Link. [Clarke].

Female

• Dysmenorrhœa, spasmodic; pains shoot hip-to-hip. Signature pelvic rubric. [Hering], [Boericke].
• Menses irregular; headaches/heart symptoms before flow. Sequencing. [Clarke].
• Labour pains irregular, ineffectual; false pains; after-pains too painful. Parturient sphere. [Hering].
• Ovarian neuralgia (left), sharp shooting; worse cold air. Laterality/modal. [Hering], [Boger].
• Lochia suppressed → head/heart symptoms. Direction of disease. [Clarke].

Back/Extremities

• Neck, trapezius myalgia; “crick”; worse draught/jar; better warmth. Core rubric. [Boger], [Boericke].
• Pains electric-shock-like, flying about. Quality. [Boger].
• Stiffness between scapulæ; aching spine. Seat. [Boericke].
• Wandering rheumatism of shoulders/arms; worse cold air. Weather link. [Boger].
• Must stretch slowly to ease muscles. Behavioural amelioration. [Boericke].

Sleep/Generalities

• Startings on falling asleep; frightful dreams; wakes in dread. Neuro-hysteric. [Hering], [Clarke].
• Worse cold air and jar; better warmth, pressure, gentle motion. Global modality. [Boger].
• Vaso-motor flushes, menopause; palpitations. Climacteric sphere. [Clarke], [Tyler].
• Symptoms linked to menses; better when flow is established. Temporal key. [Hering], [Clarke].
• Chorea at puberty/pregnancy from fright. Nervous affinity. [Hering].

Hering — The Guiding Symptoms of Our Materia Medica (1879–91): provings/clinical confirmations (uterine reflex, ciliary neuralgia, chorea, labour dysrhythmias).
Allen, T. F. — Encyclopaedia of Pure Materia Medica (1874–79): head-eye couplings, neuralgic quality, modal specifics.
Kent, J. T. — Lectures on Homœopathic Materia Medica (1905): mental polarity (fear of insanity vs loquacity), uterine relations, comparisons (Ign., Gels., Caul.).
Clarke, J. H. — A Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica (1900): sequencing with menses/menopause, globus, utero-cardiac reflex, differentials.
Boericke, W. — Pocket Manual of Homœopathic Materia Medica (1901): electric pains, cervico-occipital myalgia, dysmenorrhœa, influenza-myalgia.
Boger, C. M. — Synoptic Key of the Materia Medica (1915): modalities (cold air, jar), muscular/neuralgic seat, stretch/warmth amelioration.
Farrington, E. A. — Clinical Materia Medica (1887): Ranunculacean group features, obstetric comparisons (Cimic. vs Caul.), ciliary neuralgia.
Hughes, R. — A Cyclopædia of Drug Pathogenesy (1895): pharmacologic rationale (triterpenes, vaso-motor lability) and neuralgic tendencies.
Tyler, M. L. — Homœopathic Drug Pictures (20th c.): climacteric portrait (flushes, palpitations, mood swings), practical tips.
Nash, E. B. — Leaders in Homœopathic Therapeutics (1899): nervous leaders; clinical hints on dysmenorrhœa and myalgia.
Dunham, C. — Homœopathy, the Science of Therapeutics (1877): functional nervous states and hysteric phenomena (contextual application).
Boger-Boenninghausen — Characteristics and Repertory (early 20th c.): repertorial confirmations (globus, menses-head link, rheumatic mobility).