Coccus cacti

Latin name: Coccus cacti

Short name: Cocc-c

Common name: Cochineal insect | Cochineal | Carmine insect | Cochineal dye insect

Primary miasm: Sycotic   Secondary miasm(s): Psoric

Kingdom: Animals

Family: Insecta

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  • Symptomatology
  • Remedy Information
  • Differentiation & Application

Prepared from the dried female cochineal insect long used to produce the red dye carmine (anthraquinone carminic acid). Beyond its industrial use, crude cochineal is mildly irritant to mucous membranes and can provoke catarrhal and laryngo-bronchial irritation, while its pathogenesis in homœopathic sources centres upon spasmodic cough, choking, and tenacious, thread-drawn mucus that may be hawked or vomited in masses “like white of egg” ([Toxicology]/[Proving]/[Clinical]). The tincture is made from the powdered insect and potentised. The remedy displays a dual axis: respiratory (larynx–trachea–bronchi) and urinary (uric-acid/gravel), with a consistent keynote of viscid, ropy, adherent secretions in both spheres. [Allen], [Hering], [Clarke], [Boericke], [Hughes], [Boger]

Principal source of carmine for textiles, foods, and cosmetics; contact dermatitis and urticaria to carmine are recorded in non-homœopathic literature, echoing the remedy’s irritative surface tendencies. [Hughes], [Clarke]

Compiled chiefly by T. F. Allen and Hering with many [Clinical] confirmations in whooping-cough, spasmodic/bronchitic coughs, asthmatic choking at night/morning, post-nasal catarrh with ropy masses, and uric gravel/haematuria. Peculiar sensations—soft-feather tickle in larynx, threads of mucus, jelly-like masses expectorated—are repeatedly attested. [Allen], [Hering], [Clarke], [Boericke], [Boger]

  • Larynx & Trachea. Violent spasmodic cough from a tickle as of a soft feather low in larynx; cough ends in choking and gagging, often vomiting of albuminous, stringy mucus. Touch/pressure on larynx provokes paroxysm. See Throat/Respiration. [Hering], [Allen], [Boericke]
  • Bronchi (mucus quality). Tenacious, ropy, thread-drawn mucus raised with difficulty; masses like jelly/egg-white; rattling yet cannot get it up until a storm of cough expels it. See Chest/Stomach. [Clarke], [Allen], [Boger]
  • Whooping-cough terrain. Paroxysms with choking, cyanosis, nose-bleed, and vomiting of mucus; fits are worse morning on waking and from warm, close rooms, better cool air and after expectoration. See Respiration/Modalities. [Hering], [Clarke], [Boericke]
  • Post-nasal catarrh. Thick, glairy, stringy masses dropping from choanæ; incessant hawking; a sensation of a plug that must be torn away. See Nose/Throat. [Clarke], [Allen]
  • Urinary tract (lithic/uric-acid). Brick-dust sediment, uric gravel, haematuria, renal colic; mucus threads in urine; cutting at end of micturition. See Urinary. [Boericke], [Hering], [Phatak]
  • Vagus/respiratory nerves. Suffocative spells at night with anxious starting from sleep; after midnight → early morning aggravation. See Sleep/Respiration. [Allen], [Hering]
  • Ears–fauces reflex. Tickle at palate/uvula provoking cough; touch of brush/tooth-brush excites; pressure on larynx triggers. See Throat/Teeth. [Clarke], [Allen]
  • Gastro-laryngeal reflex. Cough ends in retching/vomiting of mucus; stomach empties of glairy masses; relief follows. See Stomach/Respiration. [Hering], [Allen]
  • Nasal sinuses. Thick gelatinous clots from nose, especially morning, with frontal heaviness; children pull out long strings. See Nose/Head. [Clarke], [Boger]
  • Skin & vascular. Blue face during cough; petechial spots or epistaxis from strain; urticarial tendencies in carmine-sensitive subjects (confirmatory). See Face/Nose/Skin. [Clarke], [Hughes]
  • Female pelvis—reflex cough. Cough aggravated before/during menses in some; pelvic congestion heightens morning paroxysms (clinical). See Female/Respiration. [Clarke], [Dewey]
  • Cool, open air; going to the window during a fit gives air and loosens mucus. [Clarke], [Boericke]
  • After expectoration/vomiting of stringy, jelly-like masses—the storm abates. [Hering], [Allen]
  • Sipping cold water during a paroxysm; small, frequent sips soothe the laryngeal tickle. [Dewey], [Clarke]
  • Sitting up or leaning forward with head low and mouth open during choking (patients learn the posture). [Hering], [Allen]
  • Gentle fanning/ventilation of the room; fresh air movement eases suffocation. [Clarke]
  • Unbuttoning collar; loose neckwear reduces laryngeal reflex. [Allen]
  • Gentle walking in cool air after the paroxysm; clears rattling. [Boger]
  • Hawking the post-nasal plug in the morning; relief for hours thereafter. [Clarke]
  • Quiet, minimal talking between paroxysms; voice rest. [Farrington]
  • Sleep with window ajar (if draught not direct). [Clarke]
  • Warm applications to renal area in gravel cases, after urine has flowed. [Boericke]
  • Light, warm drinks later in convalescence to thin secretions (not at paroxysm height). [Dewey]
  • Morning on waking (often 4–6 a.m.), the first stirring lights the cough. [Allen], [Hering], [Clarke]
  • Warm, close rooms, over-heated bed-rooms, stove-heat; also sudden entering from cold to warm. [Clarke], [Boger]
  • Touch/pressure on larynx; tight collars, scarfs, stooping. [Allen], [Boericke]
  • Talking, reading aloud, laughing, singing; even tooth-brushing excites. [Allen], [Clarke]
  • Dry cold air breathed rapidly; dust and feathers (tickle-analogy). [Boger], [Clarke]
  • Lying down, particularly on left side; after first sleep the cough returns. [Hering], [Allen]
  • After eating (reflex from stomach), and on taking warm drinks at height of sensitivity. [Allen], [Dewey]
  • Suppression of catarrh by drying agents—mucus becomes tougher, paroxysms worse. [Hering], [Clarke]
  • Menstrual period in some women—pelvic congestion reflex. [Clarke]
  • Exertion that hastens breathing; hurrying up stairs. [Boger]
  • Odours/fumes (paint, perfume) in sensitive subjects. [Clarke]
  • Night after midnight when room air grows stale. [Allen], [Hering]

Whooping-cough / Spasmodic cough

  • Corallium rubrum — Paroxysms extraordinarily rapid, slightest air current excites; face purple; expectoration scant during fit. Cocc-c.: thread-drawn jelly and relief after expulsion; strong morning-on-waking and warm-room <. [Farrington], [Clarke]
  • Drosera — Deep, barking, worse after midnight, cough causes retching, little mucus; child must hold chest. Cocc-c. more morning, jelly masses, open air >. [Farrington], [Kent]
  • MephitisSuffocation with inability to exhale, whoop prominent, night <; less ropiness. Cocc-c.: ropy albuminous expectoration. [Clarke], [Boger]
  • IpecacuanhaConstant nausea with cough, wheezing, little relief after vomiting; tongue clean. Cocc-c. nausea after violent cough with relief and stringy mucus. [Farrington], [Boericke]
  • Antimonium tart.Rattling, sleepiness, prostration, inability to raise. Cocc-c. has powerful expulsive paroxysm and feather-tickle trigger. [Boger], [Clarke]
  • Kali bichromicumRopy catarrh with plugs, exact localisation; cough less spasmodic. Cocc-c.: whoop + jelly, laryngeal touch <. [Boger], [Clarke]
  • Cina — “Worm” cough, screaming, nose-picking, grinding; less jelly. Cocc-c.: ropy masses, cool air >. [Farrington]

Laryngeal tickle / Touch sensitivity

  • Rumex crispusTickle at suprasternal fossa, cold air and talking <, coughs on inspiring cool air. Cocc-c.: touch of larynx/tooth-brush and warm room <; jelly expectoration. [Clarke], [Boger]
  • Spongia — Dry sawing laryngeal cough, warm drinks often >. Cocc-c.: moist end, cold sips >, jelly expulsion. [Farrington], [Clarke]
  • Phosphorus — Voice fatigues, talking <, tickle in larynx, craving cold drinks; expectoration not jelly. Cocc-c. confirms by ropy masses and whoop. [Kent], [Clarke]

Post-nasal catarrh with strings

  • HydrastisStringy yellow discharge, general debility; less paroxysmal choking. Cocc-c.: gelatinous clots + whoop. [Clarke]
  • Cinnabaris — Bridge-of-nose pain, caruncle inflammation, post-nasal plug. Cocc-c. lacks caruncle sign; has laryngeal whoop. [Clarke], [Boger]

Uric-acid / Gravel

  • SarsaparillaEnd-of-micturition pain, child must stand, sand in urine. Cocc-c.: mucus threads, brick-dust, ropy catarrh elsewhere. [Boericke], [Clarke]
  • BerberisRadiating kidney pains, stitching to thighs; urine cloudy; less thread-mucus. Cocc-c.: finer mucus filaments, whoop link. [Farrington]
  • LycopodiumRed sand, 4–8 p.m. worsenings, flatulent. Cocc-c.: morning worsenings, respiratory twin-keynote. [Kent], [Clarke]
  • CantharisBurning cutting throughout; tenesmus; no ropy mucus keynote. Cocc-c.: end-time cuttings with threads. [Clarke], [Boericke]

Cyanotic face in cough

  • Corallium, Cuprum — Cyanosis with spasm; Cuprum has cramps and thumbs clenched. Cocc-c.: less cramp, more jelly and morning. [Farrington], [Kent]
  • Complementary: Kali bichromicum — for remaining sinus plugs and ropy nasal catarrh once whoop and jelly abate. [Clarke], [Boger]
  • Complementary: Sarsaparilla — completes the urinary end-time pain/gravel after Cocc-c. has cleared mucus threads terrain. [Boericke], [Farrington]
  • Complementary: Hydrastis — for post-nasal stringiness without laryngeal spasm after acute phase. [Clarke]
  • Follows well: Ipecac. — after initial wheezing/nausea settled, when ropy jelly and morning whoop remain. [Farrington]
  • Follows well: Antimonium tart. — if power to raise returns yet jelly persists. [Boger]
  • Precedes well: Drosera — when spasmodic after-midnight cough continues but ropy mass symptom has passed. [Farrington], [Kent]
  • Precedes well: Corallium rubrum — if explosive speed of cough remains despite thinning mucus. [Clarke]
  • Related/Compare: Rumex, Spongia, Phosphorus, Mephitis, Cuprum — see Differentials; choose by feather-tickle + jelly + morning. [Farrington], [Boger]
  • Antidotes (practical): Nux for warm-room irritability and over-stimulation; Camphora if collapse threatens in a sensitive infant (supportive tradition). [Dewey], [Clarke]
  • Inimical: None fixed; avoid mechanical alternation with Drosera/Corallium—select by mucus quality and time. [Kent]

Coccus cacti is a study in viscosity and vent. The essence is a feather-like laryngeal tickle that lights a storm of cough, rising to choking and gasping until jelly-like, thread-drawn mucus is expelled—by expectoration or vomit—whereupon calm descends. This spasm → discharge → relief arc underlies almost every sphere—larynx, bronchi, post-nasal, and even the urinary outlet in the lithic subject who passes mucus threads and brick-dust (Essence ↔ Throat/Chest/Urinary). The polarity is environmental and temporal: warm, close rooms and the first waking (4–6 a.m.) worsen, while cool, open air, ventilation, and the act of discharge better (Essence ↔ Modalities). Unlike the dry saw of Spongia or the deep bark of Drosera, Cocc-c. is wet with tough jelly; unlike Antimonium tart., the patient has power to raise—indeed must—though it costs distress; unlike Corallium, it is not the speed but the stickiness that defines the paroxysm. The body language is characteristic: the hand flies to the collar, the patient thrusts to the window, leans forward, mouth open, and will not speak for fear of reigniting the feather. Children display cyanosis then sudden recovery after the mass is out, returning to play until the next cycle—a fast return-to-baseline consistent with psoric–sycotic reactivity.

Miasmatically, the sycotic signature is the over-production and adhesion of mucus—sticky, stringy, tenacious—while psora contributes the spasmodic, morning pattern and environmental sensitivity. The uric-acid colouring binds airway and urine via a deeper terrain of viscosity: the same ropiness seen at the larynx appears as threads and sediment in urine, tying together disparate complaints into one organising theme. The pace is paroxysmal yet self-relieving; where syphilitic remedies tend to destruction, Cocc-c. tends to obstruction and expulsion. Clinically the case declares itself when three flags fly together: (1) a tickle “as of a feather” with touch-of-larynx aggravation, (2) albuminous, thread-drawn mucus expelled with marked relief, and (3) a morning-on-waking and warm-room aggravation, better cool air. Management that respects the essence—ventilation, loose neckwear, quiet, small cold sips, avoiding warm drinks at the height—pairs perfectly with the remedy and marks progress: the first fit comes later and lighter, cyanosis is absent, vomiting no longer needed, speech resumes without fear, and the lithic urine clarifies. [Hering], [Allen], [Clarke], [Boericke], [Boger], [Farrington], [Phatak], [Dewey], [Kent]

  • Whooping-cough with jelly-like, thread-drawn mucus; morning paroxysms; warm room <; cool air >. Cocc-c. 6C–30C every 2–4 hours during the spasmodic phase; space/stop promptly as fits shorten and mucus thins. [Hering], [Clarke], [Boericke]
  • Spasmodic laryngeal cough, tooth-brushing/touch of larynx <; feather-tickle. Use 12C–30C on demand; practical measures—ventilate, loosen collar, small cold sips. [Allen], [Clarke], [Dewey]
  • Uric gravel with mucus threads; end-time cutting; brick-dust sediment. Cocc-c. 6C–12C b.i.d. for several days; warm applications to loin after voiding; diet to reduce purines; follow with Sarsaparilla/Berberis if pain radiations persist. [Boericke], [Farrington], [Phatak]

Case pearls (one-liners):
Chubby child, cyanosis in fits, jelly vomit, first violent attack on waking; window > → Cocc-c. 30C q3h × 48 h: fit late and lighter, no vomiting. [Hering], [Clarke]
Adult whooper; cough on tooth-brushing, warm bathroom <; strings from choanæ → Cocc-c. 12C pre-morning routine: brushing without paroxysm by day 3. [Allen], [Clarke]
Gouty man with bronchitic ropiness + brick-dust sediment; threads in urine → Cocc-c. 6C b.i.d. + regimen: sediment ceased; cough lost jelly-phase. [Boericke], [Farrington]

Mind

  • Fear of suffocation during cough. Somatic anxiety of the fit. [Allen], [Clarke]
  • Irritability on waking with impending paroxysm. Morning mood tag. [Hering]
  • Aversion to talking for fear of coughing. Behavioural selector. [Allen]
  • Desires open air; warm room intolerable. Environmental key. [Clarke], [Boger]
  • Fastidious about tight collars; neck clothes <. Touch-larynx reflex. [Allen]
  • Calmer after expectoration/vomiting. Relief-valve psychology. [Hering]

Nose / Post-nasal

  • Mucus, thick, glairy, stringy—morning. Core nasal quality. [Clarke]
  • Clots, gelatinous, detached in lumps. “Jelly” nose map. [Clarke]
  • Hawking of post-nasal plug brings relief. Valve rubric. [Clarke], [Allen]
  • Epistaxis during cough. Congestive safety-valve. [Allen]
  • Odours/warm rooms aggravate. Environment. [Clarke]
  • Children pull long strings from nose. Graphic confirm. [Clarke]

Throat / Larynx

  • Tickle in larynx as of a soft feather. Grand keynote. [Hering], [Allen]
  • Larynx sensitive to touch; collar <. Trigger rubric. [Allen]
  • Cough from brushing teeth/touch of palate. Reflex exciter. [Allen], [Clarke]
  • Hawking ropy mucus hanging in strings. Pathognomonic image. [Clarke]
  • Talking, reading aloud, laughing aggravate. Use-limit. [Allen]
  • Warm drinks aggravate at paroxysm height. Temporal dietetic <. [Dewey]

Cough / Respiration / Chest

  • Cough, whooping, with choking and vomiting of mucus. Central whoop rubric. [Hering], [Allen]
  • Expectoration, albuminous, like white of egg; in long strings. Signature expectoration. [Clarke]
  • Worse morning on waking (4–6 a.m.). Time-stamp. [Allen], [Hering]
  • Warm room aggravates; cool air ameliorates. Master modalities. [Clarke], [Boger]
  • Pressure on larynx excites cough. Mechanical trigger. [Allen]
  • Relief after expectoration/vomiting. Prognostic sign. [Hering]

Stomach

  • Vomiting of large quantities of mucus after coughing. Gastric valve. [Allen], [Hering]
  • Nausea precedes relief. Sequence cue. [Clarke]
  • Warm drinks aggravate; cold sips relieve. Dietary pole. [Dewey]
  • Appetite low during spasmodic period. Terrain note. [Clarke]
  • Eructations relieve post-fit distension. Mechanical relief. [Allen]
  • Aversion to heavy suppers (morning fit <). Regimen tip. [Dewey]

Urinary

  • Uric-acid sediment (brick-dust); gravel. Lithic hallmark. [Boericke]
  • Mucus threads in urine. Pathognomonic urinary confirm. [Phatak], [Clarke]
  • Pain cutting at end of micturition. End-time marker. [Boericke], [Sars. diff]
  • Haematuria with renal colic. Severity cue. [Hering]
  • Morning aggravation of urinary irritation. Time echo. [Clarke]
  • Warm applications to loins relieve. Practical tip. [Boericke]

Sleep

  • Wakes choking after midnight. Night cluster. [Allen]
  • First waking (early morning) brings violent paroxysm. Time-defining rubric. [Hering]
  • Better in cool, ventilated room; window open desired. Environment rubric. [Clarke]
  • Head high; dislikes bedclothes at neck. Postural/pressure sign. [Allen]
  • Sleep returns readily after discharge. Prognosis. [Hering]
  • Talking on waking excites cough. Behavioural link. [Allen]

Generalities

  • Warm, close room aggravates (stove-heat). Grand aggravation. [Clarke], [Boger]
  • Open, cool air ameliorates. Grand amelioration. [Clarke]
  • Morning on waking aggravates. Chrono-key. [Allen], [Hering]
  • Ropy, stringy secretions (nose–throat–bronchi–urine). Unifying keynote. [Clarke], [Phatak]
  • After expectoration/vomiting better. Valve generality. [Hering]

Mind

  • Fear of suffocation during cough. Somatic anxiety of the fit. [Allen], [Clarke]
  • Irritability on waking with impending paroxysm. Morning mood tag. [Hering]
  • Aversion to talking for fear of coughing. Behavioural selector. [Allen]
  • Desires open air; warm room intolerable. Environmental key. [Clarke], [Boger]
  • Fastidious about tight collars; neck clothes <. Touch-larynx reflex. [Allen]
  • Calmer after expectoration/vomiting. Relief-valve psychology. [Hering]

Nose / Post-nasal

  • Mucus, thick, glairy, stringy—morning. Core nasal quality. [Clarke]
  • Clots, gelatinous, detached in lumps. “Jelly” nose map. [Clarke]
  • Hawking of post-nasal plug brings relief. Valve rubric. [Clarke], [Allen]
  • Epistaxis during cough. Congestive safety-valve. [Allen]
  • Odours/warm rooms aggravate. Environment. [Clarke]
  • Children pull long strings from nose. Graphic confirm. [Clarke]

Throat / Larynx

  • Tickle in larynx as of a soft feather. Grand keynote. [Hering], [Allen]
  • Larynx sensitive to touch; collar <. Trigger rubric. [Allen]
  • Cough from brushing teeth/touch of palate. Reflex exciter. [Allen], [Clarke]
  • Hawking ropy mucus hanging in strings. Pathognomonic image. [Clarke]
  • Talking, reading aloud, laughing aggravate. Use-limit. [Allen]
  • Warm drinks aggravate at paroxysm height. Temporal dietetic <. [Dewey]

Cough / Respiration / Chest

  • Cough, whooping, with choking and vomiting of mucus. Central whoop rubric. [Hering], [Allen]
  • Expectoration, albuminous, like white of egg; in long strings. Signature expectoration. [Clarke]
  • Worse morning on waking (4–6 a.m.). Time-stamp. [Allen], [Hering]
  • Warm room aggravates; cool air ameliorates. Master modalities. [Clarke], [Boger]
  • Pressure on larynx excites cough. Mechanical trigger. [Allen]
  • Relief after expectoration/vomiting. Prognostic sign. [Hering]

Stomach

  • Vomiting of large quantities of mucus after coughing. Gastric valve. [Allen], [Hering]
  • Nausea precedes relief. Sequence cue. [Clarke]
  • Warm drinks aggravate; cold sips relieve. Dietary pole. [Dewey]
  • Appetite low during spasmodic period. Terrain note. [Clarke]
  • Eructations relieve post-fit distension. Mechanical relief. [Allen]
  • Aversion to heavy suppers (morning fit <). Regimen tip. [Dewey]

Urinary

  • Uric-acid sediment (brick-dust); gravel. Lithic hallmark. [Boericke]
  • Mucus threads in urine. Pathognomonic urinary confirm. [Phatak], [Clarke]
  • Pain cutting at end of micturition. End-time marker. [Boericke], [Sars. diff]
  • Haematuria with renal colic. Severity cue. [Hering]
  • Morning aggravation of urinary irritation. Time echo. [Clarke]
  • Warm applications to loins relieve. Practical tip. [Boericke]

Sleep

  • Wakes choking after midnight. Night cluster. [Allen]
  • First waking (early morning) brings violent paroxysm. Time-defining rubric. [Hering]
  • Better in cool, ventilated room; window open desired. Environment rubric. [Clarke]
  • Head high; dislikes bedclothes at neck. Postural/pressure sign. [Allen]
  • Sleep returns readily after discharge. Prognosis. [Hering]
  • Talking on waking excites cough. Behavioural link. [Allen]

Generalities

  • Warm, close room aggravates (stove-heat). Grand aggravation. [Clarke], [Boger]
  • Open, cool air ameliorates. Grand amelioration. [Clarke]
  • Morning on waking aggravates. Chrono-key. [Allen], [Hering]
  • Ropy, stringy secretions (nose–throat–bronchi–urine). Unifying keynote. [Clarke], [Phatak]
  • After expectoration/vomiting better. Valve generality. [Hering]

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