# Cicuta Virosa (HMT)

## Remedy Classification
- **Type:** Remedy
- **Alternative Names:** Water Hemlock
- **Miasm:** Psoric Miasm
- **Temperament:** Neutral
- **Aggravation Time:** Neutral/Anytime

## Keynote Indications
Cicuta Virosa is one of the best treatments of convulsions .
Convulsions and convulsive fits are its typical sign.  When there is
increased mental anguish, hypersensi tivity and intolerance, where
even the slightest pressure causes tingling of the muscles, then some
patients may go into a convulsion whic h starts from the centre of the
body and spreads towards the periphe ry.  In Cicuta  Virosa, this
symptom is just the opposite of ot her remedies, where the state of
convulsion generally starts in the periphery of the body, i.e. the fingers
or soles of the feet, and then sp reads towards the upper part of the
body.  But in Cicuta Virosa, if there is severe cramp and colic at the
stomach, then it spreads into the ot her organs.  There is tightness of
the neck and a spasmodic convulsion which then shifts to the lower
part of the body.  The spread of the spasmodic condition, starting in
the centre and spreading to the peri phery, is the special feature of
Cicuta Virosa.

In Cicuta Virosa, the convulsion gene rally starts at the stomach or
heart, in the form of tingling.  The patient is more sensitive than usual
in reacting to an injury to sensitive areas or when a thorn pierces the
body.  If this leads to convulsions, then Cicuta Virosa is a useful
remedy.  Arnica and Ledum are also ve ry effective remedies.  Besides
these, Hypericum, Staphysagria an d Ruta are also useful in the
treatment of injuries to the nerves and the resulting signs and
symptoms.

Some symptoms of Cicuta Virosa resemble Catalepsy.  In this
condition, the mind becomes stunned temporarily.  The patient
forgets who he is and where he is.  There is a wave of confusion
starting in the head, resulting in the patient becoming completely
unaware of his surroundings.  Cicuta Virosa is very important in the
treatment of this condition.

The difference between apoplexy and catalepsy is that  in apoplexy,
the brain becomes functionless as a result of clotting of the blood and
the patient becomes paralysed and motionless.  In catalepsy, the
patient is apparently lethargic but  when questioned, he can answer

properly.  After that, he does not remember what has happened.  He
confuses the present with the past.  He is surprised at the sight of an
old friend, wondering if he has seen him somewhere before.

Cicuta Virosa is very useful in treating the severe muscular spasm on
the back of the head and the neck , resulting in the turning of the
neck backward (opisthotonus).  In Cicuta Virosa, the spasm is towards
the back of the neck and the person becomes rigid backwards.  In
addition to this, Cicuta Virosa is very useful in the treatment of
rigidity due to meningitis.  In epilepsy, if the person falls backwards,
Cicuta Virosa will be of use.  In other words, the conditions
resembling epilepsy and the ones resu lting in head injury should be
carefully studied regarding their special symptoms.  It must be
remembered that its convulsions sp read from the centre towards the
periphery.

Some of the mental symptoms of Cicuta Virosa resemble those of
Natrum Mur.  In old age, the arteries become narrow due to
arteriosclerosis and blood flow to the brain is reduced.  When such
patients also develop stomach upset, they will suffer from amnesia
(brainfag).  Nux Vomica is useful fo r its treatment.  The ailments of
Cicuta Virosa are related to the nerves.  When there is a severe spasm
at the stomach, Cicuta Virosa will be useful, otherwise it will not be.
One peculiar mental symptom of Cicuta Virosa is that a patient with
an advanced disease cannot  distinguish between th e tastes of different
items.  The taste buds  are afflicted; they become insensitive.  The
patient cannot distinguish betw een uncooked and cooked food.  He
will eagerly ingest both.  Some children like to eat coal, clay, lime and
paper.  This is due to a lack of calcium.  It ha s nothing to do with the
nervous system.

The patient of Cicuta Virosa behaves in a childish way.  He jumps
over the bed, talks strangely, dances, sings and screams like a child.
His thoughts are foolish.  If he has a fit of epilepsy due to sudden fear,
Aconite 1000 given promptly can be beneficial.  However, it does not
cure it. Cicuta Virosa is the idea l permanent curative medicine for the
treatment of such convulsions or epile ptic fits resulting from fear.
When the intensity of the fit subsides, these patients become deeply
downcast.  This is an additional symptom peculiar to Cicuta Virosa.

Cicuta Virosa is good in the treatment of residual ill effects of old
injuries, especially those from head inju ries resulting in paralysis.
Generally, Natrum Sulph and Arnica ar e quite useful, a nd after that is
Opium and Plumbum.  However, if convulsions or epilepsy develop
after these injuries, Cicuta Virosa can treat these conditions.  This is
also the treatment of a squint resulting from the head injuries.
However, before this, Arnica and Na trum Sulph should also be used.
If due to fear, the eyes move upwar ds, the pupils dilate and a squint
appears, then there is no better treatment for this condition than Cicuta
Virosa.

The skin symptoms of Cicuta Virosa are related to the nerves, such as,
a feeling of irritation after shaving.  The m ovement of the razor on
the skin causes tension in the under lying nerves and the roots of the
hair become hypersensitive.  The nerve symptoms usually direct
themselves to the overlying skin.  At this stage, the treatment becomes
difficult.  However, if the characteristic symptoms of Cicuta Virosa
are present, this particular remedy would work.  Small pea-size bumps
also develop over the hands and the face.  The associated eczema does
not itch.  Thick lemon coloured scabs develop over the bumps.

When a fish bone gets stuck in the throat , Silicia offers prompt
relief. However if there is subseque nt tightness and restlessness in the
throat, Cicuta Virosa will offer relief.

In Cicuta Virosa, the entire body sh akes.  The arms and legs feel
weak; sudden jerky movements  are followed by a severe weakness
of the legs, which feel unstable and cannot support the body weight.
The patient feels dizzy and sweats on the head during sleep.  A typical
eye symptom relating to Cicuta Virosa is that the person feels the
words are disappearing while readi ng.  Things look as if they are
moving closer and farther altern atively.  Hearing decreases.
Swallowing is difficult.  The throat is dry.  There is tightness in the
upper food passage (oesophagus or gullet).  Thirst is intense.  There is
burning, hiccupping, presence of gas and distension of the abdomen.
These are all symptoms of Cicuta Virosa.  There is morning
diarrhoea and the desire to keep on passing urine.  The chest feels
tight with a feeling of suffocation.  There is difficulty in breathing and
the breathing organs, like the la rynx and trachea, feel tight and
constricted.  There is a feeling of warmth inside the chest.

In women, during their periods, there is severe pain at the uterus and
the coccyx.  At the ti me of childbirth and afterwards convulsions
occur.

In Cicuta Virosa, the symptoms ge t worse with touch, gusts of cold
air, injury and tobacco smoke.  Heat relieves the symptoms.

Antidotes: Opium, Arnica
Potency: 6 to 200

## Symptoms by System