Asarum europaeum

Asarum europaeum is a low-growing, evergreen perennial native to shaded, moist woodlands of Europe. It bears two kidney-shaped leaves and small, inconspicuous brownish-purple flowers close to the ground. The whole plant has a pungent, aromatic odour and a hot, acrid taste due to volatile oils. In crude form, it has strong emetic and irritant properties. In homeopathic potency, it is chiefly known for its striking nervous hypersensitivity, peculiar sensory disturbances, and certain gastric and respiratory effects.

Historically used in herbalism as a sneezing powder (from dried leaves and root), as an emetic, and in small quantities as a flavouring agent for liqueurs. Folk medicine employed it for sluggish digestion, colds, and to induce vomiting in poisoning cases, but such crude uses are unsafe.

First proved by Hahnemann and his contemporaries; expanded by Allen in his Encyclopedia of Pure Materia Medica with further observations by Hering and Hughes.

• Nervous System: Extreme nervous and sensory irritability; heightened susceptibility to external impressions [Hering].
• Special Senses: Over-sensitive hearing and tactile sense; auditory hyperaesthesia a keynote [Clarke].
• Gastrointestinal Tract: Stomach and intestines irritated, with nausea, vomiting, and colic [Allen].
• Mucous Membranes: Irritative coryza and pharyngeal catarrh [Boericke].
• Respiration: Cough and dyspnoea from throat irritation [Hering].

• Resting in a warm room, shielded from sensory stimulation [Hering].
• Closing the eyes to avoid aggravation from light [Clarke].
• Warm drinks to soothe gastric and throat irritation [Allen].

• Noise, especially sudden or sharp sounds, which are almost unbearable [Hering].
• Touch or even the slightest jar, causing an oversensitive nervous reaction [Clarke].
• Cold, damp weather and draughts, which provoke catarrhal symptoms [Allen].
• Strong odours, which can induce faintness or nausea [Hughes].

• Coffea cruda – Hypersensitivity with sleeplessness from overactive mind; Asarum more focused on auditory over-sensitivity.
• Belladonna – Hyperaesthesia during fever but with violent congestion and heat; Asarum lacks marked congestion.
• Nux vomica – Irritability and oversensitivity but with more pronounced digestive spasm and chilliness.
• China – Nervous weakness with hypersensitivity but more from loss of fluids and vital energy.

• Complementary: Nux vomica, Coffea.
• Antidotes: Camphora, Nux vomica.
• Inimical: None known.
• Follows well: Belladonna in certain febrile hypersensitive states.

The essence of Asarum europaeum is one of exquisite nervous hypersensitivity — particularly to sound — producing irritability, restlessness, and a desire for sensory withdrawal. Physical complaints, especially gastric and catarrhal symptoms, are inseparably linked to this nervous over-sensitiveness. It suits patients who become physically and mentally unwell from overstimulation, and who can be driven to exhaustion by ordinary sensory impressions.

Valuable in convalescence from prolonged illness when the patient is left in a state of extreme nervous irritability, particularly to noise. Also useful in nervous dyspepsia where nausea and vomiting are aggravated by odours, noise, or motion. In acute catarrhs with hypersensitivity to sound, it may rapidly quiet the nervous system [Hering, Clarke].

Mind:

• Oversensitive to external impressions
• Irritability from noise
• Aversion to company

Head:

• Vertigo in open air
• Pressure in forehead with nausea

Ears:

• Sensitive to noise, slightest sound unbearable
• Hyperaesthesia, auditory

Nose:

• Coryza, fluent, acrid
• Sneezing from irritation

Stomach:

• Nausea from odours
• Vomiting after eating

Extremities:

• Trembling from excitement
• Weakness after exertion

Generalities:

• Oversensitiveness of all senses
• Weakness from nervous exhaustion

Hahnemann S. – Materia Medica Pura: primary proving symptoms on nervous hypersensitivity and gastric irritation.

Hering C. – Guiding Symptoms: keynote of extreme auditory hypersensitivity.

Allen T.F. – Encyclopedia of Pure Materia Medica: detailed proving records of nausea, vomiting, and sensory overreaction.

Hughes R. – Cyclopaedia: pharmacodynamic notes on volatile oils and irritant action.

Clarke J.H. – Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica: acute and convalescent cases.

Kent J.T. – Lectures: mental state in oversensitive patients.

Boericke W. – Pocket Manual: concise keynote references.

Farrington E.A. – Clinical Materia Medica: placing in nervous remedies group.

Lippe A. – Keynotes: mentions auditory hyperaesthesia.

Nash E.B. – Leaders: practical clinical indications for convalescence.