Drosera

A small insectivorous bog plant of the family Droseraceae, Drosera rotundifolia grows in acidic marshes across northern latitudes. Its round leaves bear glandular hairs tipped with sticky mucilage used to trap insects, from which the plant derives nitrogen; this peculiar physiology mirrors, in homœopathic symbolism, a hyper-reactive, grasping irritability of the air-passages [Clarke]. Constituents reported historically include naphthoquinones (e.g., plumbagin-type bodies), flavonoids and tannins; the fresh plant tincture (φ) is prepared per homœopathic pharmacopœia from the aerial parts in flower, then potentised by serial dilution and succussion [Hughes], [Clarke]. Toxicology/herbal experience suggests an antitussive, spasmolytic tendency on the laryngeal reflex, with possible local irritation in crude doses—threads that explain its later keynote action in spasmodic coughs and laryngeal affections [Hughes], [Farrington]. Hahnemann singled out Drosera as almost specific for whooping cough when the totality agreed, and offered a distinct essay on its virtues in that disease [Hahnemann], [Hering].

In European folk practice, sundew syrups were used for “chronic, teasing coughs,” hoarseness, and throat catarrh; pharmacognosy texts recorded antitussive syrups and linctuses combining Drosera with other expectorants [Clarke], [Hughes]. Outside medicine it has little industrial value, being chiefly a botanical curiosity and herbal remedy. Its carnivorous habit long fascinated naturalists (e.g., Darwin), which reinforced the traditional association to irritative, grasping spasm of the larynx in cough [Clarke].

Proved by Hahnemann and his circle with vivid laryngeal and cough phenomena; whooping-cough symptoms were striking and repeatedly clinically verified [Proving] [Hahnemann], [Allen]. Early confirmations flowed from epidemics of pertussis and cases of laryngeal phthisis; Boenninghausen and Hering codified its indications for spasmodic coughs worse after midnight, from lying down and after speaking [Clinical] [Hering], [Boenninghausen], [Clarke].

• Larynx and Trachea — violent reflex excitability, spasmodic closure, tickling “as from a feather,” hoarseness; whooping-cough, laryngitis, laryngeal TB; see Throat/Respiration [Hahnemann], [Hering], [Farrington].
• Vagus/Respiratory Reflex Arc — paroxysmal cough ending in retching, vomiting, epistaxis; cough on lying down or on beginning to speak; see Respiration/Chest [Allen], [Boger], [Kent].
• Lungs (Apices) — tubercular diathesis, haemoptysis streaks with spasmodic cough; see Chest/Fever [Clarke], [Boericke].
• Intercostals/Diaphragm — stitching pains, “as if bruised” ribs from coughing; see Chest/Back [Kent], [Nash].
• Nose/Nasopharynx — epistaxis during paroxysm, fluent coryza around attacks; see Nose/Fever [Hering], [Boger].
• Stomach — nausea and vomiting with cough; hunger after paroxysm; see Stomach [Allen], [Boericke].
• Voice/Phonation — deep, bass, cracked or aphonic from laryngeal irritation; see Mouth/Throat [Farrington], [Kent].
• Sleep Centres — attacks rouse 12–3 a.m.; cough as soon as the head touches the pillow; see Sleep [Boger], [Tyler].
• Mind — suspicion, easily startled, concentrated irritability during paroxysms; see Mind [Tyler], [Kent].
• Skin/Sweat — clammy sweat on forehead during fits; heat and sweat close attacks; see Perspiration [Boger], [Boericke].
• Cervical/Neck Muscles — strain from paroxysms; need to hold chest/neck; see Back [Nash].
• Ears — bursting ear pains with whoop and retching; Eustachian irritation; see Ears [Hering].

• Open, cool air; window open—less tickling and spasm (echoed under Respiration/Sleep) [Boger], [Tyler].
• Sitting up, bending slightly forward; holding the chest—quiets the paroxysm’s violence (see Chest/Back) [Kent], [Nash].
• Firm pressure to larynx/chest wall during cough—reflex damped (see Throat/Chest) [Farrington].
• After expectoration, or after a spell of vomiting—the spasm breaks (see Stomach/Respiration) [Allen], [Boericke].
• Slow, measured breathing—prevents the “catch” at glottis (see Respiration) [Kent].
• Warm drinks sipped very slowly during convalescence—soothes tickle (exceptions exist; see Worse drinking) [Clarke].
• Silence—resting the voice reduces provocation (see Mouth/Throat) [Farrington].
• Steady, gentle motion in open air for convalescents—less paroxysmal tendency (see Generalities) [Vithoulkas].
• Later part of night after the main paroxysm has “broken”—post-fit relief (see Sleep/Fever) [Boger].

• After midnight, especially 12–3 a.m.; “the midnight whoop” (see Sleep/Fever) [Boger], [Kent].
• Lying down; as soon as head touches pillow—cough explodes (see Sleep/Respiration) [Hering], [Clarke].
• Speaking, reading aloud, singing—phonation triggers fit (see Throat/Mouth/Respiration) [Farrington], [Kent].
• Drinking (even cold water) or swallowing—liquids touch the laryngeal trigger (see Throat/Stomach) [Allen], [Boericke].
• Warmth of bed or warm, close rooms—tickling larynx worse (see Generalities/Respiration) [Boger].
• Tobacco smoke, dusty rooms, feathers—hyper-reactive mucosa (see Nose/Throat) [Hering], [Clarke].
• First going to sleep; on waking suddenly—glottic spasm (see Sleep) [Tyler].
• Rapid inspiration; deep breathing; laughing—start reflex (see Respiration) [Kent].
• Eating solid food—crumbs “go the wrong way,” set cough (see Stomach/Throat) [Allen].
• Sitting long in a warm room; entering a warm room from cold air—laryngeal tickle (see Generalities) [Boger].
• Slight exertion during attack—cyanosis, retching increase (see Chest/Generalities) [Hering].
• Pressure on abdomen during a fit—worsens retching; must hold the chest instead (see Stomach/Back) [Nash].

Aetiology & Disease Type

• Pertussin (nosode) — whooping cough with toxic exhaustion; use when Drosera pattern absent or after partial relief stalls; Drosera has strong phonation/lying triggers and relief after vomit [Clarke], [Boericke].
• Belladonna — hot, flushed, throbbing with spasmodic cough; lacks Drosera’s feather tickle and late-night head-to-pillow onset; Bell. more febrile delirium [Kent].
• Mephitis — whooping worse at night with inability to exhale; Drosera centres on laryngeal trigger and whoop on inspiration [Farrington].

Laryngeal/Tracheal Focus

• Spongia — barking, dry croup; better warm drinks, worse cold air; Drosera is often worse on drinking and in warm rooms, with midnight onset [Farrington], [Kent].
• Hepar sulph. — croupy, very sensitive to cold; slightest draft excites; Drosera less thermally chilly, more phonation/lying triggered [Kent].
• Phosphorus — hoarseness, aphonia, bleeding; desires cold drinks; Drosera less thirsty (or provoked by drinks) and more spasmodic whoop [Farrington].

Tickling/Location

• Rumex — incessant tickle at supra-sternal fossa; worse cold air, better covering mouth; Drosera’s tickle is at glottis with whoop and is worse lying/speaking [Farrington], [Boger].
• Corallium rubrum — rapid, explosive “machine-gun” cough; worse from inhaling cool air; Drosera worse lying and speaking, with relief after vomit [Kent].

Ropy/Viscid Mucus

• Coccus cacti — thick, ropy strings; morning predominance; Drosera has less tenacity, more spasm and midnight onset [Farrington].
• Kali bich. — stringy plugs, sinus involvement; Drosera rarely so ropy, and is more laryngeal-spasmodic [Hughes], [Kent].

Paroxysm with Vomit

• Ipecac — gagging/vomit without relief; rattling with little expectoration; Drosera vomits with relief and has head-to-pillow trigger [Boericke], [Nash].
• Antimonium tart. — great rattling, little power to raise; Drosera is dry, explosive, not primarily rattling [Kent].

Tubercular Constitution

• Tuberculinum — restlessness, night sweats, changing symptoms; may open the case; Drosera anchors the laryngeal midnight spasm [Sankaran], [Vithoulkas].
• Sulphur — morning aggravation, heat, burning, general weakness; Drosera’s key is midnight attacks on lying/speaking with whoop [Kent].

Modalities/Triggers

• Nux vomica — cough from talking/eating, irritable, chilly; but Nux is often before midnight, with gastric features; Drosera after midnight with whoop and relief after vomit [Kent], [Boger].

Hyoscyamus — spasmodic, choking cough, worse lying, may lead to convulsions; more nervous laughter/delirium; Drosera more purely laryngeal with whoop [Farrington].

• Complementary: Nux vom. — gastric/irritable layer when food/talking excite; may prepare for Drosera’s deeper laryngeal phase [Kent].
• Complementary: Sulphur — constitutional tubercular ground; often needed before or after Drosera to steady relapses [Kent], [Clarke].
• Complementary: Calcarea carb. — scrofulous children, night sweats; strengthens terrain after acute Drosera phase [Boericke].
• Complementary: Rumex — covers peripheral tickle in trachea; Drosera addresses glottic spasm; may be alternated if levels shift [Farrington].
• Follows well: Hepar sulph., Spongia — after acute croup stage subsides, Drosera for residual midnight spasmodic cough [Kent].
• Follows well: Phosphorus — when aphonia/bleeding have eased yet midnight spasm persists [Farrington].
• Precedes well: Tuberculinum — in relapsing, changeable tubercular constitutions to widen response, then Drosera for laryngeal keynotes [Sankaran], [Vithoulkas].
• Precedes well: Pertussin — when toxic pertussis layer blocks response; Drosera consolidates afterwards [Clarke].
• Antidotes: Camphor (general medicinal over-action); Ipecac (excess gastric nausea state) [Kent], [Boericke].
• Related: Corallium r., Coccus c., Rumex, Mephitis, Cuprum (whoop/convulsion); each differentiated above [Farrington].
• Inimical: none classically listed specifically; observe usual caution in alternation with close cognates [Kent].
• Concordant: China (post-paroxysm weakness), Arnica (bruised chest wall) as local supports [Nash], [Boericke].

Drosera’s essence is the hyper-excitable laryngeal reflex of the tubercular temperament: a hair-trigger glottis that turns trivial stimuli—lying down, a word, a sip—into a storm of explosive coughs, the breath caught and re-caught until a whoop breaks through, the stomach retches, sweat beads, and sleep descends. Everything in the case orbits that pivot. The mental posture echoes it: wary, irritable, guarded, intolerant of talk or interference at critical moments, for the sufferer knows how fragile the balance is. The environment is decisive: warm, stagnant rooms and bed-heat tighten the coil; cool, fresh air and an upright posture slacken it. This explicit environmental polarity (Better open air; Worse warm rooms) and mechanical polarity (Better sitting up; Worse as soon as head touches the pillow) must be heard in the history and then re-heard inside the symptoms at throat, chest, sleep, mind, and generalities [Boger], [Kent], [Tyler].

Kingdom signature helps: a small carnivore of the bog, Drosera lives by irritation and grasping—its sticky tentacles whip on contact—just as the Drosera patient “grabs” at the least stimulus and flings himself into a paroxysm. The Tubercular colouring shows in the rapid pace, night aggravations, alternating apparent wellness, emaciation tendency, and the craving for air and space; the Psoric base gives the oversensitivity, and in advanced laryngeal ulceration a Syphilitic tint appears [Sankaran], [Vithoulkas], [Kent]. Pathophysiologically, the picture correlates with a sensitised laryngeal inlet and vagal reflex loop that, once triggered, entrains abdominal musculature and respiratory pump until a crisis event (vomiting, profuse expectoration, sweat) resets the loop. That is why “Better after vomiting/expectoration/sweat” is not a random observation but the therapeutic hinge.

Differentially, Drosera must be separated from Rumex (tickle lower, worsened by cold air on inspiration, covered mouth relieves), Corallium (extreme rapidity of cough, worse inhaling cool air), Coccus (ropy strings and morning predominance), Ipecac (vomit without relief and more constant nausea), and Antimonium tart. (wet, rattling chest with weak expulsive force). Spongia/Hepar handle the classic croup phase, but Drosera owns the post-croup midnight spasm provoked by phonation and recumbency [Farrington], [Kent]. Phosphorus is a near-neighbour in hoarseness/aphonia and bleeding, but the Drosera patient fears to speak because speaking sets the cough machine off; Phosphorus often seeks cold drinks which, in Drosera, may provoke [Farrington].

In practice: think Drosera when the history is “worse after midnight; as soon as I lie down or start to speak it explodes; drinking or swallowing catches the throat; I must sit up by the open window; after I vomit I can sleep.” In epidemic pertussis, these features are often so clean that Drosera earns the reputation Hahnemann gave it. In laryngeal TB, its role is quieter but sure when the hoarse, painfully phonating voice and night cough parade those same modalities [Hahnemann], [Clarke], [Farrington].

Indications: whooping cough with head-to-pillow onset; spasmodic, explosive cough provoked by speaking, swallowing, or warmth of bed; nocturnal paroxysms 12–3 a.m.; laryngeal TB/aphonia with painful phonation; nosebleed or vomiting at the height of the fit; relief after expectoration/vomit/sweat; intolerance of warm rooms; craving for open, cool air [Hahnemann], [Hering], [Farrington], [Clarke]. Potency: classical authors used 6C–30C in pertussis (frequent repetition during storms) and 30C–200C where the picture is clean; many moderns prefer 200C for marked spasm, and LM/Q scales for chronic laryngeal disease to chip at nightly patterns gently [Kent], [Boericke], [Vithoulkas]. Repetition: in acute whoop, dose at the close of a paroxysm or at the earliest prodrome of the next; space as intervals lengthen; in chronic laryngeal TB, dose once daily to every few days as night attacks attenuate [Kent], [Nash]. Adjuncts: upright posture, cool, moving air; strict vocal rest; liquids in teaspoons between attacks only; avoid warm, close rooms; support the chest wall with a pillow during paroxysm—these mirror Drosera’s ameliorations and reduce provocation [Boger], [Farrington].
Case pearls:
• Child with pertussis: every attempt to lay him down exploded a whoop; blood from nose, vomit ended fit, slept—Drosera 200C shortened paroxysms within 48 h [Hering].
• Teacher with aphonia, painful phonation, midnight cough, worse warm room; a word spoken set it off—Drosera 30C t.i.d. then 200C prn returned voice and sleep [Farrington], [Kent].
• Laryngeal TB: night cough with scant blood, hoarse bass voice, better cool air—Drosera LM1 nightly reduced the head-to-pillow trigger over three weeks [Clarke], [Vithoulkas].

Mind

• Mind, irritability, from least disturbance; worse conversation — talking provokes cough and vexation; protect quiet [Farrington], [Kent].
• Fear, anticipatory, of lying down (lest cough begin) — tubercular vigilance around recumbency [Boger], [Sankaran].
• Aversion to being spoken to during illness — voice/sound as trigger [Farrington].
• Suspicious, easily startled at night — hyper-reactive reflex state [Tyler].
• Anxiety with suffocation during paroxysm; better after expectoration — crisis-relief arc [Hering].
• Obstinacy in children during whoop — refuses handling which provokes cough [Hering].

Head

• Headache, bursting, with cough; better after vomiting — classic whoop climax/relief [Allen], [Boger].
• Epistaxis during cough — relieves congestion temporarily [Hering].
• Vertigo with cough, blackness before eyes — pertussis strain [Allen].
• Head, heat of, with cold hands during fit — vasomotor swing [Boger].
• Pain, occiput, when lying down, heralds paroxysm — recumbency trigger [Kent].
• Sensitiveness to warm room — environmental key [Boger].

Throat/Larynx

• Larynx, tickling, as from a feather — Drosera keynote [Hahnemann], [Farrington].
• Cough, as soon as head touches pillow — pathognomonic pointer [Hering], [Boger].
• Cough from talking, singing, reading aloud — phonation trigger [Farrington], [Kent].
• Cough from drinking, swallowing, even small sips — laryngeal catch [Allen].
• Laryngitis, chronic; aphonia; painful phonation — Drosera sphere [Farrington], [Clarke].
• Touching larynx aggravates cough — tactile hyper-reflexia [Farrington].

Respiration/Cough

• Whooping-cough, paroxysms ending with retching/vomiting — relief after vomit [Hering], [Allen].
• Cough, spasmodic, rapid, successive shocks — mechanical pattern [Kent].
• Cough, night, after midnight — circadian key [Boger].
• Cough, worse warm room; better open air — environment polarity [Boger].
• Cough, returns on lying down after first sleep — head-to-pillow sign [Hering].
• Cough, with epistaxis; with haemoptysis, streaks — apical irritation [Clarke].

Chest

• Pain, chest, stitching with cough, sides — intercostal strain [Nash].
• Bruised pain of chest wall after coughing — hold chest to ease [Kent].
• Oppression in warm room; relief at window — fresh-air craving [Boger].
• Voice, deep, bass; hoarse, rough — laryngeal inflammation [Farrington].
• Haemoptysis, scant, with night cough — laryngeal/apical TB hint [Clarke].
• Must sit up in bed during cough — positional amelioration [Kent].

Sleep

• Sleep, as soon as lies down, cough compels to sit up — head-to-pillow trigger [Hering].
• Sleeplessness, fear of coughing on lying — anticipatory dread [Boger].
• Sleep, after vomiting, profound — crisis resolution [Allen].
• Waking after midnight with paroxysms — timing hallmark [Boger].
• Children, fall asleep immediately after a fit — practical cue [Hering].
• Dreams of choking, cannot call for help — phonation trigger in dreams [Tyler].

Fever/Chill/Heat/Sweat

• Fever, evening, warm room aggravates cough — environment coupling [Boger].
• Chilliness before paroxysm — prodrome [Boger].
• Heat, face/head, with cough — vascular flush [Hering].
• Sweat, forehead, during paroxysm; general sweat ends it — relief sign [Boger].
• Night sweats, laryngeal TB — tubercular colouring [Clarke].
• Thirst small and frequent around heat — but drinking may provoke [Allen].

Generalities

• Worse after midnight — core time modality [Boger].
• Worse lying down; as soon as head touches pillow — positional trigger [Hering].
• Worse talking; worse swallowing; worse warmth of bed/room — the triad of triggers [Farrington], [Boger].
• Better open, cool air; better sitting up, leaning forward — management keys [Kent].
• Weakness after paroxysm; sleep relieves — arc completed [Hering].
• Convulsive tendency in children during whoop (cyanosis, rigidity) — watch Cupr., Hyos. if convulsions dominate [Farrington].

Hahnemann — Materia Medica Pura (1821–34): proving data and essay on Drosera in whooping cough; modalities and crisis-relief pattern.
Hering — The Guiding Symptoms of Our Materia Medica (1879): clinical confirmations in pertussis, epistaxis, vomiting with relief, midnight aggravation.
Allen, T. F. — Encyclopædia of Pure Materia Medica (1874–79): proving details; stomach/vomit relief; phonation and swallowing triggers.
Hughes, R. — A Manual of Pharmacodynamics (1870): pharmacologic notes (antitussive tendency), pathophysiologic correlations for laryngeal reflex.
Clarke, J. H. — A Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica (1900): Drosera in laryngeal TB and pertussis; non-homœopathic syrup use; environmental modalities.
Boericke, W. — Pocket Manual of Homœopathic Materia Medica (1901): keynotes—midnight, head-to-pillow, whoop, relief after sweat/vomit.
Boger, C. M. — Synoptic Key (1915): modalities (after midnight, warm room), open-air amelioration, crisis-relief notes; repertorial anchors.
Kent, J. T. — Lectures on Homœopathic Materia Medica (1905): Drosera portrait; differentials vs Corallium, Rumex, Spongia, Hepar; posture and phonation triggers.
Farrington, E. A. — Clinical Materia Medica (1887): laryngeal focus; voice/phonation pain; practical differentials (Coccus, Corallium, Rumex).
Nash, E. B. — Leaders in Homœopathic Therapeutics (1899): intercostal strain, bruised chest wall; management pearls around paroxysm.
Dewey, W. A. — Practical Homœopathic Therapeutics (1901): therapeutic grouping for coughs—whoop, croup; sequencing with Nux, Hepar, Spongia.
Boenninghausen, C. von — Therapeutic Pocket Book (1846): repertorial weight to time, posture, and phonation modalities in cough.
Tyler, M. L. — Homœopathic Drug Pictures (1942): vivid picture; midnight onset; aversion to being spoken to; child portraits.
Phatak, S. R. — Materia Medica of Homoeopathic Medicines (1977): concise keynotes—tickle at larynx, triggers, relief after vomiting.
Sankaran, R. — The Substance of Homœopathy & Miasms (1991–94): tubercular miasm analysis—pace, environment, alternation.
Vithoulkas, G. — Materia Medica Viva (1991–93): constitutional and management insights; potency/repetition strategies; open-air craving.
Morrison, R. — Desktop Guide to Physical Pathology (1998): differentials within cough disorders; practical prescribing notes.
Shore, J. — Homœopathic Portraits (1992): psychological nuance in oversensitive respiratory remedies; Drosera’s guarded vigilance.
Bailey, P. M. — Psychological Medicine in Homœopathy (1995): tubercular traits—restlessness, night aggravation—integrated with Drosera’s picture.