Sanicula aqua

This remedy is prepared from the mineral-rich water of the Sanicula Springs in Ottawa, Illinois, discovered in the 19th century. The spring’s waters were famous for their curative effects, particularly in chronic and constitutional disorders. The remedy was introduced by Dr. W. E. Leonard and Dr. M. C. Peterson, who observed its deep action on developmental disorders, nutrition, and the musculoskeletal system. It is especially noted for its profound effects on children with deformities, weakness, and poor assimilation.

Historically used in balneotherapy (healing baths) for chronic rheumatism, skin affections, and developmental complaints.

First proved by Dr. W. E. Leonard in the late 19th century; clinical confirmation by Dr. M. C. Peterson and others

• Bones and joints – spinal curvatures, club foot, hip dislocations
• Connective tissue – ligaments, cartilage, and fascia
• Gastrointestinal tract – assimilation, nutrition
• Skin and glands – eruptions, offensive discharges
• Respiratory tract – adenoids, enlarged tonsils, catarrh
• Mind – delayed mental development, stubbornness
• Urinary system – enuresis, offensive urine

• Lying on abdomen
• Vomiting
• Warm weather
• Dry climate
• Discharges (when they are allowed to continue)

• Cold air and drafts
• Washing (especially hair washing)
• Suppression of eruptions or discharges
• Night (particularly 1–3 a.m.)
• Dentition and growth phases
• Emotional suppression or reprimand
• Touch or uncovering

• Calcarea phosphorica – Also for late walking, open fontanelles, but more craving for cold and ice, and more irritability
• Baryta carbonica – Mental and physical developmental delay, but more fearful, shy, and bashful
• Silicea – Sweaty head, slow development, but more obstinate, chilly, and fine-featured
• Tuberculinum – Emaciation, obstinate, restless children, but more destructive tendencies
• Medorrhinum – Enuresis, sweating, and tubercular history, but more extremes in behaviour
• Calcarea carbonica – Sweaty head, fat, sluggish children; Sanicula is leaner and more offensive in discharges

• Complementary: Calc. phos., Silicea
• Antidotes: Pulsatilla, Nux vomica
• Follows well: Baryta carb., Sulphur
• Inimical: Mercurius (can interfere when given during eruptive suppression)

Sanicula aqua is the remedy of arrested development, both physical and mental. Its picture is clear: children who are obstinate, underdeveloped, prone to discharges and deformities, with offensive smells and sour sweat. Their growth is slow; they walk late, speak late, teethe late, and yet show flashes of wilfulness. The body fails to assimilate, to mature, to function smoothly. Everything is off-rhythm, sluggish, or blocked—until the storm of sweat, discharges, or vomiting clears it. The remedy restores flow, growth, and equilibrium where suppression has stifled vitality.

• One of the best remedies for developmental delay in children with structural or nutritional problems
• Use in enuresis, especially when it occurs in the first sleep
• Effective in chronic adenoid and tonsil hypertrophy with nasal obstruction
• Useful in club foot or hip dislocations in infancy
• Consider in constitutional prescribing for lean, offensive, obstinate children with delayed milestones

Mind

• Stubbornness, children
• Development, delayed
• Irritability in children
• Fear of dark

Head

• Fontanelles, open too long
• Sweat, head, during sleep

Extremities

• Club foot
• Dislocation, hip
• Weak ankles
• Sweaty feet, offensive

Urinary

• Enuresis, first sleep
• Offensive urine
• Staining urine

Skin

• Offensive sweat
• Cracks in hands and feet
• Unhealthy skin, slow healing

Generalities

• Delayed development
• Worse from suppression
• Better from vomiting
• Sweaty children

Mind

• Stubbornness, children
• Development, delayed
• Irritability in children
• Fear of dark

Head

• Fontanelles, open too long
• Sweat, head, during sleep

Extremities

• Club foot
• Dislocation, hip
• Weak ankles
• Sweaty feet, offensive

Urinary

• Enuresis, first sleep
• Offensive urine
• Staining urine

Skin

• Offensive sweat
• Cracks in hands and feet
• Unhealthy skin, slow healing

Generalities

• Delayed development
• Worse from suppression
• Better from vomiting
• Sweaty children