Digitalis purpurea

Digitalis purpurea, or Foxglove, is a toxic biennial plant from the Plantaginaceae family. It contains powerful cardiac glycosides—primarily digitoxin and digoxin—which profoundly influence the heart muscle, conduction system, and renal function. In toxicology, it slows and strengthens cardiac contractions, lowers pulse, and can cause arrhythmias, vomiting, and visual disturbances. In homeopathy, Digitalis acts especially on the heart, liver, and gastrointestinal system, with far-reaching implications in weakness, fainting, and circulatory collapse.

Widely used in conventional medicine (in controlled doses) as a cardiac tonic for congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and arrhythmias. Digitalis derivatives are still employed pharmaceutically today, especially in elderly patients.

First proven by Hahnemann, later extended through toxicological data and extensive clinical confirmations from Hartlaub, Nenning, and Hughes. Many symptoms derived from both homeopathic proving and poisonous overdoses.

• Heart and circulatory system – primary affinity; acts on myocardium and conduction
• Liver – congestion, jaundice, portal stasis
• Gastrointestinal tract – nausea, vomiting, slow digestion
• Urinary organs – suppression, scanty urine
• Eyes – visual disturbances, flickering, yellow-tinted vision
• Nervous system – slow pulse with mental depression
• Male sexual organs – prostate, testes (swelling, suppression)

• Lying on back with head high
• Open air (though sensitive to cold wind)
• After sleep (sometimes temporarily)
• After urination (mental relief)
• Warmth to limbs when cold

• Motion, especially slightest exertion (causes sinking, faintness, or palpitations)
• Sitting erect
• Deep inspiration or slightest physical effort
• Night, especially early morning hours
• Lying on left side (increases heart distress)
• After eating (especially cold food or drinks)
• Sudden emotional shocks or bad news
• Suppressed sexual function or long celibacy

• Lycopus virginicus – For slow, irregular heart in thyroid cases
• Cactus grandiflorus – Constriction of heart like an iron band; more violent heart symptoms
• Crataegus – Heart weakness, more general and less violent, used in elderly
• Kalmia – Radiating cardiac pain; more rheumatic in nature
• Naja – Slow pulse, heart fear, more valvular lesions
• Aconite – Sudden collapse, but more acute and feverish

• Lycopus virginicus – For slow, irregular heart in thyroid cases
• Cactus grandiflorus – Constriction of heart like an iron band; more violent heart symptoms
• Crataegus – Heart weakness, more general and less violent, used in elderly
• Kalmia – Radiating cardiac pain; more rheumatic in nature
• Naja – Slow pulse, heart fear, more valvular lesions
• Aconite – Sudden collapse, but more acute and feverish

Digitalis purpurea represents the fragile life force strained by circulatory weakness. Its essence lies in the fear of death that arises from the failing heart, the struggle to maintain equilibrium in the face of energetic collapse. It is the remedy of slow failing, of one who grows pale, weak, and distant with every heartbeat. It speaks to guilt, fear, and the quiet terror of one’s own mortality, often found in elderly patients, the broken-hearted, and those suffering from loss or abandonment. The emotional life is inextricably tied to cardiac rhythm: the less hope one has, the slower the beat becomes.

• Invaluable for bradycardia, especially if irregular and linked to weakness
• Key remedy in heart failure with cyanosis, faintness, and cold extremities
• Effective in cardiac dropsy, especially with scanty urine
• Use in jaundice from hepatic congestion
• Mind symptoms always reflect cardiac status—treat the heart to restore the soul

Heart

• Palpitation, lying on left side, agg.
• Pulse, slow, irregular, weak
• Fear heart will stop unless in motion

Mind

• Fear of death
• Despair, hopelessness
• Anxiety about the heart

Gastrointestinal

• Nausea, persistent, not relieved by vomiting
• Vomiting after eating
• Liver, pain, enlargement

Skin

• Cold, clammy
• Cyanosis
• Dropsy

Urinary

• Suppression of urine
• Albuminuria
• Burning urination

• C. Hering – Guiding Symptoms: Heart, liver, and gastric systems extensively described
• J.T. Kent – Lectures on Homoeopathic Materia Medica: Mental symptoms, cardiac pathology, and modalities
• William Boericke – Pocket Manual: Digest of key organ affinities and clinical use
• John Henry Clarke – Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica: Rich repertorial guidance on eyes, urinary and generalities
• Allen’s Encyclopaedia: Comprehensive toxicological and clinical details confirming remedy action