Claviceps purpurea (Secale cornutum)

A parasitic fungus that infects rye and other cereal grains, producing dark, horn-shaped sclerotia. It contains potent alkaloids such as ergotamine and ergometrine, historically associated with toxic epidemics of gangrene and convulsions.

Used in conventional medicine for the induction of labour (ergometrine), treatment of postpartum haemorrhage, and as a vasoconstrictor in migraine. Historically notorious for causing mass poisoning (“St. Anthony’s Fire”).

Proved by Stapf and Hahnemann; toxicological data from epidemics of ergotism provide extensive clinical observations.

• Vasomotor system – extreme effects on blood vessels (constriction, ischaemia)
• Uterus – profound influence on uterine contractions and haemorrhages
• Peripheral circulation – especially fingers, toes, ears (dry gangrene)
• Nervous system – trembling, numbness, spasms, paralysis
• Skin – coldness, mottling, ulceration, gangrenous change
• Eyes and vision – disturbances from vasospasm
• Left side – predominant localisation of many symptoms

• Cold applications
• Stretching out limbs
• Uncovering the body
• Hard pressure (for abdominal pains)
• Bleeding (sometimes relieves headache or tension)

• Warmth, especially warm rooms or covers
• Touch
• Pregnancy and during/after labour
• Night
• Motion (though sometimes also brings temporary relief)
• Suppression of discharges

• Carbo vegetabilis – Similar collapse and coldness, but more gas and fainting
• Arsenicum album – Burning and restlessness, but more anxiety and fear of death
• Camphora – Sudden coldness and collapse, more acute and violent
• China – Haemorrhagic weakness, but with more bloating and periodicity
• Lachesis – Dark haemorrhages, but loquacity and left-sided congestion dominate

• Complementary: China, Arsenicum
• Antidotes: Camphora, Opium
• Follows well: Belladonna in congestive states
• Precedes well: Silicea in gangrenous ulcers
• Inimical: None noted

Secale cornutum is a remedy of collapse, ischaemia, and vascular crisis. Its essence lies in the withdrawal of life force to the periphery, producing cold, shrivelling, and decay. It reflects the syphilitic miasm in its most degenerative and destructive form. It is suitable for cases where there is great inner burning with outward coldness, a sense of living death, and a craving for air or cold. It is the remedy of dry gangrene, passive haemorrhage, and hopeless exhaustion—yet always paradoxically marked by a strange inner agitation.

• Useful in uterine haemorrhage with atony and dark, oozing blood
• Indicated in dry gangrene of fingers, toes, or old wounds
• Helpful for collapse following diarrhoea, cholera, or postpartum bleeding
• Valuable in thin, exhausted elderly women with chronic vascular disease
• Consider in restlessness during extreme prostration—when patient wants to move despite weakness

Female

• Haemorrhage, passive, dark, continuous
• Uterus, atony of
• Menses, too long, too dark
• Leucorrhoea, dark, offensive

Extremities

• Gangrene, dry
• Numbness of limbs
• Tingling in fingers and toes
• Ulcers painless

Skin

• Shrivelled, dry, cold
• Burning internally
• Cyanosis
• Formication

Generalities

• Worse warmth
• Better uncovering
• Collapse, post-haemorrhagic
• Burning with coldness

• Samuel Hahnemann – Materia Medica Pura: Original proving observations, especially on mental and vascular themes
• T.F. Allen – Encyclopaedia of Pure Materia Medica: Provided rich toxicological symptoms from ergotism epidemics
• John Henry Clarke – Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica: Described applications in obstetrics and gangrene
• C. Hering – Guiding Symptoms: Contributed keynotes for vascular collapse and gangrene
• William Boericke – Pocket Manual of Materia Medica: Summarised clinical indications, especially haemorrhage and uterine weakness