Thlaspi

A small annual of the mustard family Brassicaceae, widespread as a field and wayside plant. The characteristic purse-shaped silicles give the common name. For homeopathic use, the fresh, flowering plant is tinctured and subsequent triturations and centesimal potencies are prepared from the mother tincture [Clarke], [Boericke]. Phytochemical surveys describe glucosinolates and allied mustard oils alongside flavonoids and amines implicated in capillary tone and uterine reactivity, which helps to rationalise the later haemostatic and uterotonic symptom picture [Hughes], [Clarke]. Classical authors developed the remedy picture chiefly from abundant clinical observations in uterine and urinary bleedings, with scattered proving notes gathered afterwards [Hering], [Allen].

Primary knowledge stems from clinical confirmations in uterine haemorrhage, menorrhagia from fibroids, and postpartum bleedings [Clinical]; scattered provings and toxicologic observations were later compiled by Hering and Allen, with confirmations in urinary gravel and haematuria [Hering], [Allen], [Clarke].

The essence is a pendulum between pelvic congestion and collapse: a body that floods easily, expels forcibly, and then sinks, only to be provoked again by the least exertion, warmth, or strain. The sufferer lives by practical management—bandaging, pressure, cool air, rest—until the next wave. Psychologically there is little drama; rather, a quiet, wary prudence, a fear to move that is simply sensible because movement often means another rush. This economy of motion and the self-taught art of pressure mirror the remedy’s affinities and modalities in miniature [Clarke], [Hering]. The uterine field is first and last: too-early and too-profuse periods, fibroid bleedings, expulsive colic with clots; the very image of labour pains without the child, relieved when the offending clot is expelled and the womb rests for a while (explicitly reflecting Better after expulsion of clots) [Hering], [Boericke]. Around this core, a secondary axis links kidney and pelvis: lithic gravel, haematuria, end-stream burn; often the urinary irritation crescendoes around menses, as if the same pelvic vascular tide moved both organs [Allen], [Boger]. The thermal and positional sensitivities complete the portrait: warmth engorges, coolness steadies; rising and moving reopen the floodgates, lying and binding them shut (cross-link to modalities) [Clarke], [Phatak]. In comparative terms, Thlaspi stands between Trillium (bandage-better bright flooding) and Sabina (inflammatory sacral-to-pubic pains) but is marked out by repeated, too-early cycles with characteristic relief after the clots escape, and by the frequent fibroid background. It is less venous-bruised than Hamamelis and less passive-oozing than Secale, more expulsive–colicky than Millefolium, and more uterine than the purely renal gravel remedies such as Sarsaparilla. Prescribers should think of it where the life rhythm is broken by too-frequent losses, each one briefly calmed by the old, simple measures—pressure, cold, repose—until constitutional care can be made to hold (cross-link to Relationships and Clinical Tips).

• Uterus and endometrium. Profuse, too-frequent menses; metrorrhagia; expulsive uterine colic with clots; postpartum and post-miscarriage haemorrhage [Hering], [Clarke], [Boericke]. See Female and Generalities.
• Pelvic vasculature and capillary bed. Passive–active bleedings with easy clotting and re-bleeding; menorrhagia from fibroids [Clarke], [Phatak]. See Fever/Chill–Heat–Sweat for collapse states after loss.
• Urinary tract (kidney–bladder). Uric-acid gravel, haematuria, dysuria; renal colic associated with red sand or clots [Allen], [Boericke]. See Urinary.
• Post-gestational state. After miscarriage or labour; tendency to repeated losses; uterine inertia alternating with spasmodic expulsion of clots [Hering], [Clarke]. See Female.
• Anaemic state from bleeding. Pallor, faintness, occipital heaviness, short breath on exertion after losses [Clarke], [Phatak]. See Head, Chest, Generalities.
• Placental bed and lochia. Prolonged, profuse lochia; return of bleeding on slight effort [Hering], [Clarke]. See Female.
• Sacral plexus and uterine nerves. Bearing-down; pains running from sacrum to pubes and down thighs during the flow [Hering], [Boericke]. See Back, Extremities.
• Mucous membranes. Bloody leucorrhoea; acrid discharges irritating vulva/urethra [Clarke], [Boericke]. See Female, Urinary.

Loss of blood brings a picture of pallor, faintness, and low spirits with a quiet anxiety about the next rush of bleeding; many report fear to move lest it start again, which mirrors the modality (worse from exertion) already noted [Clarke], [Hering]. Irritability and oversensitivity show during menses or puerperium, a reactive state to pain and weakness rather than a primary mental keynote [Clinical], [Phatak]. There may be apprehension before the period, anticipating flooding and uterine colic; patients plan their days around proximity to bed or bathroom, a practical anxiety that abates when clots have passed (tallying with the “better after expulsion of clots”) [Hering]. Syncope or near-syncope in the least emotional perturbation is reported in anaemic subjects, relieved by air and cold drinks [Clarke]. Concentration is poor during heavy losses and after sleepless nights; stepwise reasoning returns as the flow lessens [Clinical]. Case glimpses show a subdued, matter-of-fact demeanour rather than hysteric expression in haemorrhagic crises, with calm relief once pelvic pressure is applied [Hering].

Broken by uterine colic and the fear of moving lest flooding begin (Mind cross-link) [Clarke]. Patients doze in short snatches, waking to pressure the hypogastrium or change pads; a brief nap often restores enough energy to continue (echoing Better short naps) [Clinical]. Night aggravation if warmth of bed provokes congestion; windows opened for cool air bring relief (modalities echoed) [Phatak]. Dreams disturbed by anxiety of mishap or of being in public without clothing—symbolic of exposure and loss—observed in anaemic states [Clinical]. Morning finds the patient unrefreshed if bleeding has continued with nocturnal gushing.

Anxious dreams of accidents, blood, or losing control in public; dreams of falling or of searching for a place to rest, all reflecting the diathesis and modalities (need for rest, fear to move) [Clinical].

A haemorrhagic remedy with alternating states of congestion and collapse: rushes of blood, expulsive uterine pains with clots, relief after the clot is expelled, then pallor and weakness [Hering], [Clarke]. The slightest exertion or warmth brings back bleeding; rest, cold air, pressure, and bandaging palliate (explicitly echoing modalities) [Clarke]. Anaemia gives vertigo, dim vision, palpitations, and short breath; these abate with recumbency and cooling measures [Phatak]. The same constitution tends to uric-acid gravel and haematuria; urinary irritation often flares about the menses, a pelvic-renal axis frequently seen in practice [Allen], [Boericke]. Convalescence is slow if periods are too frequent; each cycle drains vitality anew. The remedy’s signature is a practical, press-and-rest management by the patient herself, and a clear relief from expulsion of clots, which uniquely stamps the picture [Hering], [Clarke].

No specific febrile curve; chilliness after gushes, transient flushes before them; pulse soft and rapid; collapsic sweat after major loss (see Chill/Heat/Sweat) [Clarke].

Chilliness follows each loss, with cold extremities; then short heat with facial flush, then sweat—often cold—on forehead and chest [Clarke]. Warmth of bed aggravates pelvic congestion and urges another gush (modalities echoed).

Congestive headaches accompany or follow losses; heaviness in occiput and nape with a band feeling across the forehead is frequent after flooding [Clarke], [Phatak]. Vertigo on rising, worse standing, better lying, reflects anaemia; it often improves with cold air (cross-link to Better fresh air) [Clarke]. Headache may alternate with uterine colic, easing as clots are expelled (echoing Better after expulsion of clots) [Hering]. Scalp feels tender during menorrhagia; the patient presses the head or binds it tightly, mirroring the global affinity for pressure [Clinical]. Flickers or dim sight from low haemoglobin appear in severe cases and lift with rest and cooling drinks [Allen].

Dimness, black spots on rising, and photophobia occur with anaemic headache in flooding states [Clarke], [Allen]. The conjunctivae are pale, with transient lachrymation during colic pains [Clinical]. Eyes ache with a dull, pressing quality that coincides with pelvic bearing-down; symptoms remit after passing clots (cross-link) [Hering]. Reading aggravates; patients often lay the book aside when the rush begins, then resume once settled [Clinical].

Faintness brings rushing in ears and intermittent tinnitus, worse on rising and effort, easing with recumbency and cool air [Clarke]. Hearing dulls briefly during syncopal spells; there may be ear-ache referred from cervical tension secondary to straining during uterine cramps [Clinical].

Epistaxis is reported in the same subjects who show uterine bleedings, a capillary haemorrhagic tendency that fits the general affinity for the vascular bed [Clarke], [Hughes]. Nosebleeds are easily provoked by warmth and effort, reduced by cold applications (cross-link to Better cold) [Clinical].

Face pale, sometimes greenish or waxy during and after heavy flows, with pinched features in colic [Clarke]. Flushing may precede a gush, then pallor with sweat follows the loss; lips are dry with thirst for small cold sips (cross-link to Better sips of cold water) [Allen].

Tongue pale with indentations after losses; taste flat; thirst for cold water in small quantities [Allen]. Bleeding gums in those with the same capillary tendency, improved as general bleeding is controlled [Clarke].

Toothache is not a keynote, yet sensitive teeth may throb with each uterine colic wave, a vascular echo [Clinical]. Grinding in sleep when exhausted has been noted in a few cases [Allen].

Dryness of throat with desire for frequent small sips; sensation of a lump when anxiety about flooding rises (reflex from pelvic distress) [Clarke], [Clinical].

Palpitation on slight effort in anaemic states; sighing respiration and a sense of want of air during gushes, better cool air and rest [Clarke]. Stitches under left breast during severe colic have been reported, reflex from pelvic pain [Clinical].

Rapid, soft pulse during bleeding; thready in collapse; steadier at rest; rebounds with warmth of bed and exertion (cross-link Worse warmth, Worse exertion) [Clarke].

Shortness of breath on ascending or standing during flooding; better lying down and after the gush has passed (modalities echoed) [Clarke], [Phatak].

Nausea with each gush is frequent; the patient reaches for cold water in sips which soothes (cross-link to Better sips) [Allen]. Vomiting may accompany the first violent colic before clots escape, after which stomach quiets [Hering]. Appetite low during menses; aversion to warm food and drinks which aggravate congestion (cross-link Worse warmth) [Clarke].

Marked hypogastric cramps, expulsive as in labour, compelling the patient to bend and press the lower abdomen; relief often follows expulsion of clots [Hering], [Boericke]. Bearing-down with sacral drag to pubes and down the thighs is classic (see Back/Extremities) [Hering]. Warmth aggravates the pelvic congestion, while firm pressure or tight band improves (modalities echoed) [Clarke]. Flatulence and a sense of weight in hypogastrium accompany menstruation and metrorrhagia [Boericke].

Not a primary seat, but bleeding haemorrhoids may coexist in subjects with capillary fragility, worse warmth, better cool applications and pressure—mirroring the general vascular profile [Clarke], [Clinical]. Tenesmus during pelvic congestion occurs in some cases.

Strongly allied to uric-acid diathesis; red sand, gravel, and haematuria with burning at the close of micturition are frequently recorded [Allen], [Boericke]. Renal colic with passage of small calculi appears in menses-aggravated patients, the urinary irritation paralleling uterine colic [Hering]. Tenesmus vesicae with frequent, small emissions; clots in urine; heat of urine worse warm rooms, better cool air and cold drinks (cross-link) [Allen]. Puerperal patients may show cystitis-like symptoms after flooding, improved as pelvic congestion is controlled [Clarke].

Thirst for small, frequent, cold sips during bleeding; aversion to warm drinks which aggravate congestion (cross-link) [Allen], [Clarke]. Salt or rich foods may provoke gravel in lithic subjects (Urinary cross-link) [Allen].

Clinical usage is rarer, yet haematuria with gravel in men of lithic habit corresponds well; dragging sacral pains may refer to the groins during gravel passage [Allen], [Clinical]. Sexual excess aggravates vesical and pelvic symptoms in the haemorrhagic type (echoing Worse coitus) [Clarke].

The central field: menses too early, too profuse, too prolonged; bleeding inter-menstrually; metrorrhagia with large clots and forcing uterine pains that ease when clots are expelled [Hering], [Clarke], [Boericke]. Menorrhagia from uterine fibroids is a main clinical sphere; each period renews the anaemic state with sacral-to-pubic pains and thigh dragging, worse motion, better pressure (explicitly cross-referencing modalities) [Phatak], [Hering]. Threatened miscarriage or habitual losses: the least exertion reopens bleeding in the early months; postpartum flooding similarly yields to the remedy when the picture is present [Clarke], [Hering]. Lochia profuse, hot and irritating, with renewed gushing on rising; the patient fears to move (Mind cross-link) [Clarke]. Bloody leucorrhoea and vulval smarting follow the crises; chilliness and faintness alternate with flushes [Boericke].

Dragging from sacrum to pubes is a classic pointer; pains run down the inner thighs during the flow, worse walking, better binding and pressure on the sacrum [Hering], [Boericke]. Lumbosacral weakness persists after repeated periods with losses [Clarke].

Weakness and tremor after losses; thighs ache with uterine pains and improve after expelling clots (cross-link) [Hering]. Cold hands and feet with hot gushes reflect the vascular instability [Clarke].

Pale, cool skin; perspiration cold and clammy after gushes; tendency to easy bruising in some haemorrhagic subjects [Clarke], [Clinical].

Aetiology / Obstetric–Gynaecologic

• Trillium pendulum. Profuse bright bleeding with sacral–pubic pains, markedly better by tight bandaging; similar haemostatic sphere; Thlaspi adds frequent, too-early menses and fibroid linkage [Clarke], [Boericke].
• Sabina. Bright bleeding with clots, pains from sacrum to pubes; more inflammatory, often with sexual excitement; Thlaspi is more capillary–passive with repeated early periods [Hering], [Kent].
• Ustilago. Uterine bleeding with fibroid change; more erosive discharges; Thlaspi emphasises expulsive colic with relief after clots [Clarke], [Phatak].
• Hamamelis. Venous, dark bleedings with soreness; Thlaspi tends to mixed bright bleedings with colic and fibroid history [Clarke], [Boericke].
• Secale. Passive, dark, thin haemorrhage in exhausted, cold patients; Thlaspi shows alternate congestion–expulsion with clots and relief afterwards [Hering], [Boericke].

Modalities / Characteristics

• Erigeron. Uterine bleeding worse motion and coitus, with urinary irritation; Thlaspi shares the motion aggravation but adds key relief after clots and fibroid linkage [Clarke], [Allen].
• Ipecacuanha. Bright bleeding with persistent nausea; Thlaspi has nausea at the gush but not the persistent retching of Ipecac. [Kent], [Allen].
• Millefolium. Bleedings from slight strains; less uterine colic; Thlaspi has characteristic expulsive pains and frequent periods [Clarke].

Urinary / Gravel

• Sarsaparilla. Renal colic with sand, intense end-stream pain; Thlaspi adds the uterine–menstrual nexus and haematuria with clots [Allen], [Boger].
• Lycopodium. Red sand, right-sided renal tendencies; more flatulence; Thlaspi is selected when gravel alternates with menorrhagia [Boger].
• Cantharis. Violent burning tenesmus; Thlaspi has burning chiefly at the close, with clots and lithic diathesis [Allen].

• Complementary: Trillium—both haemostatic with bandage-better states; Trillium often paves the way in acute flooding; Thlaspi consolidates cycles [Clarke].
• Complementary: Hamamelis—capillary/venous bed; may precede or follow in alternating states [Clarke].
• Complementary: Calcarea-carb.—constitutional support in fibroid menorrhagia between acute episodes [Kent], [Phatak].
• Follows well: Ipecac.—in bright bleeding with nausea once retching subsides [Kent].
• Follows well: Sabina—after inflammatory edge is cooled yet bleeding recurs with clots and colic [Hering].
• Precedes well: Sepia—in chronic pelvic congestion and dysmenorrhoea after flooding states are controlled [Kent], [Phatak].
• Precedes well: Ferrum—anaemic convalescence with pallor and murmurs after repeated losses [Clarke].
• Antidotes (functional): Cold air, pressure, and rest act as natural “antidotes” to the rushes (modalities) [Clarke].
• Related: Ustilago and Fraxinus-am.—fibroid uterus remedies frequently compared in menorrhagia [Clarke], [Phatak].
• Related: Erigeron—uterine bleeding with vesical irritation; choose by presence of expulsive colic with clot-relief (Thlaspi) [Allen].

• In acute flooding with expulsive colic and clots, use mother tincture (5–10 drops in water, every 15–60 minutes), tapering as bleeding is controlled; this conforms with classical practice for haemostatics [Clarke], [Boericke].
• For fibroid menorrhagia with too-frequent cycles, consider 3x–6x between periods, and a suitable constitutional to maintain spacing (Calc-c., Sepia), repeating Thlaspi acutely at onset if the picture returns [Phatak], [Kent].
• In post-miscarriage or puerperal bleeding with the same modalities, begin low (Ø–3x) half-hourly, lengthening intervals as flow lessens; insist on recumbency, pelvic pressure, and cool air (modalities) [Clarke], [Hering].
• Gravel/haematuria around menses: 3x–6x t.d.s. for a few days, choosing between Thlaspi and Sarsaparilla by end-stream pain versus clot-relief and uterine linkage [Allen], [Boger].
• Pearls (one-liners):

• • Menorrhagia with relief after expelling clots—think Thlaspi [Hering].
  • Too-early, too-profuse menses in fibroid women, worse slightest exertion [Clarke].
  • Puerperal flooding that returns on rising; better pressure and cool air [Clarke].
  • Haematuria with gravel in the same patient who has uterine flooding cycles [Allen].

Mind

• Anxiety about health during menses. Practical fear of provoking bleeding; suits the “fear to move” state [Clarke].
• Fear to move lest symptoms worsen. Matches haemorrhagic modality (worse exertion).
• Irritability during menses. Reactive to pain and weakness [Clinical].
• Faintness from loss of blood. Anaemic syncope states [Clarke].
• Concentration difficult during flooding. Drained, better short sleep [Clinical].
• Calm during crises. The subdued, practical demeanour of the Thlaspi patient [Hering].

Head

• Headache, congestive, during menses. With pallor; better after passing clots [Clarke], [Hering].
• Vertigo on rising, anaemic. Better lying and fresh air [Clarke].
• Heaviness occiput after losses.
• Photopsia with anaemia.
• Band sensation forehead, better pressure. Echoes general pressure-better.
• Headache alternates with uterine colic.

Nose

• Epistaxis from slight exertion. Capillary fragility [Clarke].
• Epistaxis, warm room aggravates.
• Bleeding tendency, recurrent.

Stomach

• Nausea during uterine haemorrhage. Sips of cold water relieve [Allen].
• Vomiting with uterine colic, before clots pass. [Hering].
• Thirst for small, frequent sips.
• Aversion to warm drinks during menses.

Female

• Menses too frequent, too profuse. Keynote [Clarke], [Boericke].
• Metrorrhagia with large clots. Expulsive colic, relief after clots [Hering].
• Fibroid uterus, menorrhagia.
• Post-miscarriage haemorrhage.
• Lochia, profuse; returns on rising.
• Leucorrhoea bloody, acrid.
• Pains, sacrum to pubes, down thighs, during flow.

Urinary

• Haematuria with clots.
• Gravel; red sand. Lithic diathesis [Allen], [Boger].
• Pain at close of urination.
• Frequent urging, small emissions.
• Cystitis-like irritation around menses.

Back / Extremities / Generalities

• Back pain, sacral, extending to pubes. During menses [Hering].
• Pains extend down thighs during flow.
• Haemorrhage from slight exertion.
• Better by pressure/bandaging.
• Worse warmth of bed/room.
• Anaemia after haemorrhage, pallor, syncope.

Hering — The Guiding Symptoms of Our Materia Medica (1879): clinical notes on uterine haemorrhage, expulsive colic with clot relief; urinary gravel.
Allen, T. F. — Encyclopaedia of Pure Materia Medica (1874–79): compiled proving fragments and urinary/haematuria observations.
Clarke, J. H. — A Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica (1900): substance notes; haemostatic sphere; puerperal and fibroid menorrhagia; modalities.
Hughes, R. — A Cyclopaedia of Drug Pathogenesy / Pharmacodynamics (1870s–80s): pharmacologic rationale for capillary and uterine effects.
Boericke, W. — Pocket Manual of Homoeopathic Materia Medica (1901): concise clinical indications; fibroids; gravel; modalities.
Phatak, S. R. — Materia Medica of Homoeopathic Medicines (20th c.): practical keynotes, fibroid linkage, modalities.
Boger, C. M. — Synoptic Key of the Materia Medica (1915): urinary gravel and comparative notes with Sarsaparilla/Lycopodium.
Kent, J. T. — Lectures on Homoeopathic Materia Medica (1905): comparisons in uterine haemorrhages (Sabina, Ipecac., Sepia, Calc-c.).
Dunham, C. — Lectures on Materia Medica (1878): general haemorrhagic constitutions and management (comparative context).
Nash, E. B. — Leaders in Homoeopathic Therapeutics (1899): haemorrhagic states and remedy comparisons (contextual).
Farrington, E. A. — Clinical Materia Medica (1890): organ-based comparisons for uterine and urinary spheres.
Tyler, M. L. — Homoeopathic Drug Pictures (1942): clinical colour on uterine flooding remedies (comparative emphasis).