Causticum is a profoundly effectiv e Homoeopathic remedy which has
been found very useful in the treatm ent of many day-to-day illnesses.
It is normally used as the instant treatment of muscular paralysis,
especially facial palsy , though it is also useful in many other
illnesses. The Causticum symp toms progress gradually. The
paralysis that follows exposure to cold is usually considered as having
occurred suddenly. In fact, the pa tient has been exposed a few days
earlier and then suffers from gradual progressive restlessness, weakness and tiredness before exhib iting the symptoms of paralysis.
Paralysis of a sudden kind is seen in Aconite. In the case of
Causticum, the exposure to cold occurs two to three days, or at least
twenty-four hours before the onset of signs.
Stammering due to partial paralysis of the muscles of the tongue, but
not due to fear, is best treated with Causticum. However, once a child
starts stammering, an element of f ear also prevails. In such a
situation, the combination of Stra monium and Causticum will offer
much faster relief from paralysis. In the illnesses of Causticum, the nerves become afflicted resulting in
permanent changes in the muscles. The glands become hard. If the
paralysis prolongs, the limbs become stiff and contracted. Causticum
is the ideal treatment if other sympto ms of Causticum are also present.
Hysteria is another condition in which successive fits gradually
become more and more severe lead ing to convulsions. The patient of
the nature of Causticum is over-sensitive and can neither tolerate noise nor light touch. Cold and the heat both do not suit him. Usually the spasm affects individual muscles. Joint pains associated with
Causticum are relieved by the applica tion of heat, except in the case of
the fingers where cold offers greater relief than heat. Similarly, the
cough associated with Causticum also responds better to intake of
cold water. The patient of a Causticum nature suffers more in the hot climate or with heat, except in the areas of the throat and the hand. Causticum by nature causes restlessness.
Causticum is also related to epilepsy . However, epilepsy resulting
from a deformity of the skull or a se vere accident is not amenable to
Causticum 236 any kind of medicine. For this, su rgery is the only treatment. In
America, a neurosurgeon was awarded a Nobel Prize for the successful surgical treatment of thirty-four epileptic patients.
In Causticum, if the symptoms relating to the skin are suppressed
by any means, then mental illnesses ensue.
The headache that may potentially result in a stroke can be treated
with Causticum. Some kinds of severe headache may render the
patient temporarily blind. If in such a patient, the vision returns and
there are no paralytic signs, Ge lsemium would be found more
effective than Causticum. In case of paralytic symptoms, Causticum would be the most ideal remedy The slowly progressive drooping of the eyelids (ptosis) also requires
Causticum. This condition develops and progresses slowly and so
will be the road to recovery. The treatment with Causticum should be continued with perseverance. At times, the alternation of Sulphur and
Causticum will also be found to be useful.
Sometimes, the patient sees spots. Green spots specify Causticum. In Causticum, there is a tendency to develop warts . Thuja and
Medorrhinum are both usef ul in the treatment of fine, soft warts but
when the warts are large and in abundance, Causticum and Nitricum
Acid are more useful. Warts relate d to Causticum appear on the face
and the nose, especially a big wart y area over the nose establishes its
diagnosis. Another symptom of Causticum is the development of paralytic
symptoms in the throat. The voice is hoarse in the morning. The
symptoms gradually develop and can progress to difficulty in
swallowing. The patient is afraid of choking himself by entry of food
into the air passage. This sympto m may be associated with many
other Homoeopathic remedies. But a successful outcome rests on the
constitutional remedy. The Causticum patient is not usually superstitious. Sometimes he may
lose his appetite altogeth er at the sight of food.
Sometimes, women develop urinary retention/stoppage at the time
of childbirth due to anxiety, pressure or inflammation of the kidneys.
Causticum 237 Causticum becomes indispensable to co mbat this urgent situation. In
fact, it becomes a life saving measur e in some cases. I have found in
my practice, that some women do not pass urine for twenty-four hours
after giving birth. On administer ing Causticum, they first passed
blood-mixed urine, showing that th e kidneys were only inflamed and
not totally shut down. The blood in the urine started clearing and
urination became free and normal. After this, they were given a course of Pareira Brava Q, which acts as diuretic and washes the kidneys naturally clean. In other situations when urinary stoppage
occurs, Causticum has a different role. For example, the patient cannot pass urine while sitting. When the patient stands up, the
pressure expels the urine invol untarily and unknowingly. Causticum
has been found significantly usef ul in treating this condition.
In Causticum, sometimes there is pa ralysis of the lower part of the
large gut (rectum) and the patient su ffers from faecal incontinence.
The stools become hard in the rect um in the form of stones. The
patient happens to pass those hardened stools while walking,
unknowingly. Such patients are rare but in my experience, and I have
seen two or three, all of who were old people.
The patient of Causticum exhibits a reddish glare on the tongue.
Women experience pain and spasms in the lower abdomen before
their periods, which cease once menstruation begins. When bleeding stops, the spasms recur. The spasms get better when menstruation resumes. When periods stop as a reaction to some shock , fear or at the death
of a dear one, Causticum may be useful to abate this condition.
Similarly, nursing mothers may stop producing milk due to sudden
shock or severe grief. Causticu m will restore their lactation.
The paralysis of the throat in a Causticum patient is not only related
to the muscles of swallowing but also affects the voice box. The three Homoeopathic remedies Phosphorus, Bryonia and Causticum are very similar. In shor t-lived illnesses, they can be given
together without any danger. In fact, the combination works at a greater advantage. This combination should not be used in a potency higher than 30. If this combinati on does not prove to be effective,
the most, may work on its own.
Adjuvants: Carbo Veg, Petrosel
Antidotes: Colocynth, Dulcamara, Guaiacum, Nux Vomica
Potency: 30 to CM
