CHELIDONIUM MAGUS

Greater Celandine.
Chelidonium majus.
N.O. Papaveraceae.
Tincture of entire fresh plant, at time of flowering
.

THE ESSENTIAL FEATURES

Chelidonium is a well-known liver remedy
with a strong tendency to right-sided
symptoms. It has very often been used
successfully in jaundice, hepatic infections of
different kinds, even hepatitis, cholelithiasis
and bilious colic, etc.; also in diseases of the
respiratory tract (pneumonia, asthma, etc.),
primarily right-sided, and especially if they
are associated with liver complaints;
neuralgia of different kinds, especially right-
sided supraorbital neuralgia; etc.

The right-sidedness of this remedy is

marked. The pains in the right side
depending on liver troubles are prominent,
with the characteristic particularity of a pain
in the right hypochondrium which extends
to the inferior angle of the scapula.
(Sometimes it is also described as a pain
shooting from the liver and stomach region
to the back.) It may be of a sharp, shooting
character or it may fix under the angle of the
scapula as a dull continuous pain. In acute
cases this pain locality is practically a
necessity for prescribing Chelidonium.
However, Chelidonium is not ameliorated by
lying on the painful side.

The remedy also has arthritic pains which

are secondary to liver disease. These
typically affect the right shoulder and both
knees (with some preference for the right
knee). The knee pain is markedly aggravated
by walking. Chelidonium is one of the primary remedies to consider in knee pain aggravated by
walking.

1748
Chelidonium Magus

It should be noted that Chelidonium is to be prescribed, like every remedy, for its symptoms. There is
definitely an organ affinity to the liver, and many Chelidonium patients may suffer with hepatic
troubles, but the remedy can also cure in a lot of pathologies independent of liver troubles; if the
symptoms agree.

As a general rule Chelidonium patients are aggravated by cold, with the exception of headaches,
sinusitis, and neuralgia, which are ameliorated by cold. Chelidonium is characteristically worse from
changes of weather, even from cold to warm. It is generally accepted to be aggravated by wet
weather, but I do not believe this to be a strong symptom; I have seen several Chelidonium patients
who are able to live near the sea with little difficulty.

A strong characteristic which I have not seen emphasised in books concerns the Chelidonium patient's
strong desire for milk and milk products, especially cheese. The aversion to cheese,
however, is well-known. There can be either a desire for or an aversion to cheese, but it is seldom
neutral. In addition, Chelidonium desires warm drinks and warm food and is ameliorated by them.
Maragaret Tyler's experience points to a marked amelioration from hot milk. This is not surprising in
connection with the facts mentioned above. Further modalities will be discussed in the sections
'Differentiation from Lycopodium' and 'Generalities'.

Classical Cases of Acute Mental Pathology

Kent remarks in his 'Lectures' that the remedy 'needs further proving,' as far as the mental symptoms
are concerned, although 'in many regions it has had superabundance of proving.' But some distinct
and peculiar n^ntal and emotional features have been brought out. Acute rental effects have been
cured with this remedy in the 19th century/, e.g. by Buchmann and Rademacher. Buch- mann, who
has done much for Chelidonium and its provings and clinical use, writes: 'Rademacher cured mental
aberrations with

1749
Chelidonium as the only remedy where a liver disease was suspected', and he recommends: 'Think
of Chelidonium in cases of mental disease where the preceding or simultaneous physical symptoms
point to Chelidonium.'

A classical case of Buchmann: a 22-year-old woman came to him, with an anxious, disturbed look, and
told him, 'Something is not right with my mind, I think I am going to become crazy, because I have a
tremendous anxiety, cannot find rest day and night, as if I were responsible for the death of
someone.' This state had lasted for five weeks and had aggravated every day. Her anxiety didn't allow
her rest at any employment and destroyed her appetite. She had no thirst. Concomitants were a
vertigo as if she should fall forward, flushes of heat in the face, and strong palpitations with
oppression of the chest. She had a bitter taste in the mouth and hard, white-yellowish stools. The pit
of the stomach and the left hypochondrium were sensitive to pressure. Chelidonium restored her to
Chelidonium Magus

health. The prescription was based upon the symptoms: 'Restlessness and anxiety of conscience, as
if she had committed a crime; as if she had to run away, yet wouldn't find peace anywhere', and:
'she has the idea as if she were unable to think and would go crazy', which had been brought out in
the provings.

Another confirmation comes from Hale: 7 have in addition seen one case of mental distress cured by
the remedy. Without much dyspepsia, there was a dry, white, narrow, and pointed tongue; with a
desire for wine and but little appetite. The mental symptoms were restlessness and uneasiness of
conscience. She felt that she had committed the unpardonable sin, and that she would be eternally
lost.' (Chelidonium is in the rubrics 'Religious affections', 'Remorse', 'Despair', 'Religious', and
'Delusions, sin, has committed the unpardonable sin'.)

1750
The Constitutional Mental Picture
Many experiences have been made since the times of Buchmann and Hale concerning the personality
structure and mental symptoms of Chelidonium. I shall give now the essential features of the
constitutional mental picture of Chelidonium as I know them from my experience.

I would like to note here that the constitutional picture of Chelidonium, in my experience, bears a
remarkable similarity to Lycopodium, leading to a degree of complication when it comes to differentiating
the two. This difficulty is particularly acute when you consider the whole person. A guide to differentiating
the two remedies follows my observations on the key-notes of Chelidonium.

Dictatorial Tendencies
During the course of my observations, I have found that Chelidonium patients are fairly forceful
individuals, with an apparent need to dominate others. They are opinionated, wishing to force their
point of view onto others, albeit with good intentions. They have a marked sense of what they
consider to be right or wrong, even in fields outside their own area of expertise. They are quick to
give advice; quick also to feel insulted when their advice is not taken. In this respect, Chelidonium is
similar to Dulcamara.

This domineering, dictatorial aspect of Chelidonium is reminiscent of Lycopodium, with one

fundamental difference. Lycopodium, unlike Chelidonium, is a coward. Consequently, Lyc. will limit
his domination to those whom he can control - subordinates, children, etc. Chelidonium, on the other
hand, will not change his behaviour depending on the person he is addressing; he will force his
opinions on superiors just as readily as upon subordinates. Chelidonium does not have the pacifism
seen in most other liver
Chelidonium Magus
1751
remedies. Such a patient will not hesitate to fight for his or her own rights or opinions.

Concern for Others Without True Understanding

In a sense, Chelidonium patients are concerned about others,
although this concern does not arise out of human sensitivity but rather out of a sense of guilt.
(Compare the anxiety of conscience described above by Buchmann.) For instance, such a patient may
make great sacrifices for someone, while at the same time not hesitating to make critical remarks in
the presence of this same person and soon feeling insulted and losing interest in him if his advice
should not be taken. Chelidonium's disposition tends more toward 'getting the job done' than truly
understanding and serving another's needs.

One may feel the presence of a deep insecurity in Chelidonium patients which leads them both to
help and to seek to dominate others. They are strong willed individuals, who seem to derive a sense
of security and satisfaction out of getting others to do their bidding.

Brief Depressions Over Minor Matters

Chelidonium patients can experience deep depressions, but usually only briefly and over relatively
minor matters. A Chelidonium woman may be very demanding of her husband, and when he does not
respond exactly the way she wishes, she broods and falls into a deep depression. By the next day she
is usually over it and remains cheerful until the next minor disappointment occurs. The following are
some symptoms of depression from the provings and clinical experiences:

'Extremely depressed; full of dreary thoughts about present and future, even to weeping; could
nowhere find rest.' 'Sad,

1752 even to weeping, depressed about present and future.' 'Sad mood, fears to ruin her health by
the proving.' Weeping and despondency; despair. Melancholy associated with enlarged liver and
jaundice. 'Thinks she will die', even 'wishes to die.' 'Brooding over some sort of trouble generally
runs through the mental state' (Kent). Depressed, with a tendency to weep without being able to
give a reason for it; restless, goes from one place to the other, with internal anxiety (Farrington).
Margery Blackie describes her experience with depressed Chelidonium patients: 'They get an awful
feeling that they cannot cope with life, and are full of dreads that anything may happen. If they
have had any worry they make it the centre of their depression and brood over it Even sometimes
when it is long past and there is nothing more to worry about they will go back and brood over it.
They cannot bear being disturbed. They are not the kind that wants someone to come in and cheer
them up; they want to be left alone.'

Anxiety About Others

Chelidonium Magus

Chelidonium patients are not at all sentimental. They are not easily overtaken by their emotions, nor
do they readily express affection. However, they do expect others to display tenderness and affection
towards them. In particular, Chelidonium patients develop a strong attachment to one specific
person — a husband or a wife, for example. They then suffer considerable anxiety about the well-
being of that particular person. It is in this respect that Chelidonium should be added to the rubric
'Anxiety about others'. For all that, a Chelidonium woman, for instance, who is greatly attached to
her husband will not hesitate to dominate him. She may be so forceful in her personality that the
husband simply shuts up and lets her do all the talking.

1753
Realists: Hard-headed and Practical
Chelidonium people are realists, not intellectuals. They are very matter-of-fact and hard-headed and
may indeed be anti-intellectual. They tend to shun intellectual work whenever possible, avoiding
confrontation with such matters as mathematical problems, abstractions, etc. Chelidonium cases
would never 'waste' time analysing their emotions, explaining situations, interpreting behaviour, etc.
One could go so far as to describe Chelidonium patients as mentally indolent or lazy, with a distaste
for mental exertion and conversation.

Thus, Chelidonium individuals do not make good scientists. Instead, they succeed much better in
business, real estate, etc. — fields in which their efforts produce tangible results. If you are having
problems buying a house or a car, the Chelidonium patient will have plenty of very practical
suggestions to make.

Business may also prevail in the dreams of the patients, as was first shown in Hahnemann's proving:
'Sleep with dreams of subjects of daily occupation.' Margery Blackie reports: 'Every patient to whom
I have given Chelidonium for dreams has dreamed about their business. They can also dream of
horrible things like corpses and funerals, but business is always more prominent. ' Their inner
insecurity may become apparent in these dreams: "... plain, rather worrying dreams about their
business, that they have not finished it, that they have not added everything up, that they have not
put the papers in the right place, that they will not be at the meeting on time' (Blackie).

From provings and clinical experience, there is abundant support for the intellectual indolence of
Chelidonium: 'Aversion to mental work.' 'Aversion to talking, to conversation.' 'Great aversion to
work and much sluggishness after dinner, with sleepiness.' And indeed the intellect and memory
may become

1754 weak and sluggish. Buchmann emphasises a tendency to absent- mindedness and
Chelidonium Magus
forgetfulness. From the provings: 'He goes into another room to fetch a book, but when arriving it
takes him several minutes to remember why he had gone there.' 7 forget to put on my underpants,
and when shaving I stand up from the chair before chin and upper lip are shaved.' Thinking difficult.
She easily forgets what she wants to do or what she has done. Kent comments: 'With liver troubles,
slowing down of the mental state, inability of the mind to work, sluggishness of the mind, inability
to think, inability to meditate, slow pulse. Sluggishness of the whole economy.'

Anxiety About Health

Chelidonium patients can have anxieties on the emotional plane. These can include, besides their
anxieties about someone to whom they are attached, an anxiety about their own health. The
anxiety about health may not be as strong as in other remedies, but it is definitely present. In
Chelidonium this is a realistic anxiety. This does not mean that it is fully appropriate to the situation
and 'healthy' (this would not be a pathological symptom) but has another meaning. These patients
will have check-ups by the most qualified doctors, and at the slightest problem will grow anxious and
want something practical and tangible to be done right away. This is the anxiety about health that the
Chelidonium realists exhibit.

In addition, they tend to be suspicious about what is being done. If the doctor diagnoses colitis, the
Chelidonium patient will not be satisfied. He asks, "Are you sure? Could it not be the liver, or the
spleen? Have you considered all the possibilities?" His anxiety drives him to cover all areas.

Chelidonium is a slow developer both in its pathology and in its response to the remedy. The
practitioner should be in no hurry to change remedies if the response after a month should not be

1755
impressive (in chronic cases). Aside from the slowness of response as such, Chelidonium patients are
unlikely to report improvement anyway. They are never satisfied until they have tangible, objective,
incontrovertible results before their eyes. Even if the remedy were to produce a miraculous change,
such a patient will not admit to it until a year or so of relief has passed. Even then he may be
suspicious. He will say, "You say I am better, but the other doctors all said my liver will never be
normal again. How can what you say be possible?" He may even insist on getting liver function tests in
the hope that one of them will prove to you that the liver is still affected - all this in spite of relief of
all symptoms.

Some more anxiety and fear symptoms from the provings and clinical experience are:
Fear of death, with a sensation of constriction in the trachea and a desire for belching without
success. (Feelings of constriction are very characteristic of Chelidonium and may occur everywhere in
or at the body.)

Chelidonium Magus

Dreadful anxiety and uneasiness, especially at night (midnight), with a feeling as if the head were
forcibly drawn backward.
Sudden great anxiety with palpitation. Unable to tolerate the anxiety, restlessness and heat any
longer. Paroxysms of anxiety especially in the evening, with delirium and great confusion of mind;
talks incoherently.

Paroxysms of anxiety with nausea and retching; during the paroxysm bright flickering spots before the
eyes. Paroxysms of anxiety in the room, with a sensation as if perspiration had broken out on the
forehead; the anxiety drives her into the open air where she feels better. Great anxiety with twitching
of all the limbs. Frightened by the slightest noise, as if he had a bad conscience; anxiety from the
slightest noise.

1756
Differentiation from Lycopodium

As mentioned, differentiation between Lycopodium and Chelidonium can be quite a problem in a

particular case. Generally, Chelidonium is much more forceful and heedless of risks in expressing his
domineering opinions; Lyc. is more timid and cowardly, limiting his domination to subordinates. Both
have an anxiety about health, but it is less intense and more realistic and matter-of-fact in
Chelidonium. Both remedies are right-sided, but Chelidonium's pain more characteristically radiates
to the inferior angle of the scapula. Lyc. tends to lie on its right side, whereas Chelidonium is not
ameliorated in this position and will tend to lie on the left side.

Both have bloat and distension, but Chelidonium not nearly as intensely as Lycopodium (this is also an
important differentiating feature from China, which has, in addition, an aggravation by slight pressure
which is not found in Chelidonium, while an amelioration by hard pressure may be present in both
remedies). Concerning the food desires and aversions: Lyc. has a much stronger desire for sweets
than Chelidonium. Lyc. usually is neutral about cheese, whereas Chelidonium either has a strong
desire for or strong aversion to cheese. Both desire warm drinks and warm food and are ameliorated
by them.

There are also remarkable differences in the time modalities. As with other liver remedies,
Chelidonium's symptoms are characteristically worse in the morning, with unrefreshing sleep. There
is a specific time aggravation at 4 am., particularly regarding neuralgia and headaches: Lycopodium
has a 4 p.m. aggravation. Chelidonium is not specifically worse in the afternoon, but both
Chelidonium and Lyc. do feel better in the evening - after 8 p.m. approximately.
The differentiation between Chelidonium and Lycopodium is a perfect example of the necessity for
underlining when recording

1757
Chelidonium Magus

cases. The differentiation is based mostly on shades of intensity, rather than black-and-white
differences. It could be impossible to come to a decision, if based upon a written case with no
underlining to convey the intensity of the symptoms as described by the patient. Homeopathy is a
science based upon finely tuned shades of differences from one remedy to another. This fact is
perhaps nowhere so evident as in the comparison of Chelidonium and Lyc..

Other Mental Symptoms

Ill-humour and irritability are repeatedly documented features of Chelidonium. For instance: 'Fretful
mood, with a tendency to weep.' Vexed about every trifle, with violent attacks of anger and rage.
Inclined to anger, to temper tantrums. Very irritable and ill- humoured. From the provings: 'Very
irritable mood since eight days. Every day temper tantrum without any provocation. She wants to
beat her children and trembles with rage because she has no reason to do It.' (Repertory rubric
'Children, wants to beat her: Chelidoniumonly remedy, comes from this description.)

The sluggishness of the intellect may extend to the whole organism. Unconquerable aversion to
motion and exercise. 'A kind of horror of movement ... excessive and continued apathy, with
aversion to exercise, spirits remaining unaltered' (Teste). Feels tired and prostrated from the least
exertion. 'Great sluggishness and sleepiness; feels prostrated, weary, sick; weary, listless, no desire
for anything; weariness and sluggishness of limbs/ A vague feeling of discomfort as if sick. 'Great
discomfort, feels very unwell without knowing what is the matter; has to lie down without being
able to sleep, everything is annoying and intolerable' (Hahnemann). Great desire to lie down, even
without sleepiness. Great sleepiness throughout the day.

The delirious states of Chelidonium also tend to be passive, lethargic, quiet, and are followed by
great lethargy and sleepiness.

1758 'Quiet delirium, mostly at night; later sopor also by day'(Buchmann). 'Quiet delirium, mostly at
night, followed by lethargy which continues through the day' (Hering). 'Low forms of delirium, quiet
in character' (Allen, Clinicals). Or, as with Buchmann: 'Frequently confused, gets up out of bed but it
is impossible to get an answer from her why she has got up.' Constant sopor with delirium on
waking.

But there are also states of striking restlessness and uneasiness, due to anxiety of conscience. For
instance: 'Sudden restlessness in all limbs, urging her to move. She is unable to stand still and even
if she tries she trips with her feet Must move her arms. She suddenly has to stand up and walk
about, couldn't have remained sitting. When she tries she involuntary lifts the feet. She
involuntarily touches her forearms with her hands and presses one hand into the other. After
having walked about for some minutes, the attack ceases. She wasn't able to talk about her
condition while it lasted' (From Buchmann's provings). Or: continual desire to move, to change place.
Or: delirious at night, with much anxiety and restlessness at midnight. Sudden excitement at night,
with confusion of the intellect.
Chelidonium Magus
Generalities

Some pathologies where Chelidonium may be indicated: foremost in hepatic infection of different
kinds and in jaundice. Right- sidedness and yellowness are generally important characteristics. But
the complaints do not have to be on the right side in all cases; especially when symptoms in the head
region occur, we often see infection (e.g. neuralgia and other pain) on the left side of the head, while
the symptoms of the back, respiratory and digestive symptoms are on the right side.

Thus, Chelidonium will cure supraorbital neuralgia if right-sided, but also if left-sided when the
symptoms agree. Even the scapular pain,

1759
though characteristically right-sided, may sometimes occur on the left side, as Buchmann's provings
show. (Morrison relates a case which confirms this symptom.)

The yellowness manifests on the skin of the whole body but also in single parts, especially the face,
the whites of the eyes, the hands, etc., and the tongue which may be thickly coated yellow; also in the
stool and urine {bright-yellow or golden-yellow; also clay-coloured stools). Here we especially see the
action upon the secretion of gall: diminished gall secretion makes the stool grey or yellowish-white.

Other pathologies, with or without connection to liver disorder: anxiety attacks; neuralgia
(supraorbital, prosopalgia, etc.); ophthalmias which affect the vision; cardialgia; intestinal catarrhs
with bright-coloured diarrhoea; nephritis; bronchitis and laryngitis; influenza; whooping-cough in the
beginning stage; glottis spasms and asthma bronchiale; pneumonia and pleurisy, especially if right-
sided; endocarditis, pericarditis; haemorrhoids; intermittent fever; acute rheumatism; erysipelas,
acne, roseola, and so on.

Special localities of the action of Chelidonium are, besides the liver: the portal system; the mucus
membranes (catarrhal infection) and serous membranes (especially pleura, pericardia, and knee
joints; a localisation 'two fingers' breadth below the knee-joint of one side', which was elicited in
Hahnemann's proving, has been confirmed by Keller). According to Boericke, serous effusions are
generally a clinical indication for Chelidonium.

Some general symptoms:

Lethargy, sleepiness, sickly feeling, of a somewhat vague, nondescript kind, 'does not know what is
really the matter with him/
'Great indolence and sleepiness, without yawning. * 'Great

1760
debility and lassitude.' 'Great lethargy; debility, weariness and indisposition to make any effort.'
Chelidonium Magus

'Sickly feeling as in influenza.' 'So weary, seems unable to rise from bed.'

A characteristic in connection with this depressed, weak state of the organism is also a great loss of
appetite; in most complaints, the patient has little or no desire to eat, and often loses weight as a
consequence, with much emaciation.

The indisposition to make any effort and the dread of motion goes along with a decided
aggravation from motion, especially of the suffering part, but also generally from any motion. Kent
says: 'One may not practice long before one will find a Chelidonium patient, sitting up in bed with
high fever, bending forward upon his elbows, holding himself perfectly still, for this medicine has
as much aggravation from motion as Bryonia. All of the pains are extremely aggravated by
motion. The patient is sitting with a pain that transfixes him; he cannot stir, he cannot move
without the pain shooting through him like a knife. The next day you will see that his skin is
growing yellow.'

Touch and pressure will also usually aggravate, especially in the abdominal region. But an
amelioration from hard pressure
may also occur, e.g. in complaints of the gall bladder. Also, in supraorbital neuralgia an
amelioration from pressure with the hand in the first stages has been observed, which is later
replaced by the sensitivity to touch and pressure. If a special sensitivity to pressure is felt at the
margin of the ribs, at the border of epigastrium and right hypochondrium, this strongly points to
Chelidonium.

Very characteristic is a sensation of constriction or contraction

(as if a string, a hoop, a band etc. were wound tightly around the part) which may occur almost
everywhere on the body: forehead and temples, nape of neck, larynx, oesophagus, throat, thorax,

1761
stomach, across the navel, anus, etc. In the head region, we often observe a pain that presses
outward instead of inward, sometimes accompanied by a roaring in the ears or in the head.

Further frequent pain qualities are: spasmodic, cramp-like pain, of a dull or shooting character;
drawing pain; burning pain. Often we see that the pain extends backward, especially from stomach,
liver, abdomen to the back and, of course, to the right lower scapular angle.
Characteristic pain modalities: 'The pains frequently change place quickly, cease for some hours
after lunch, prevent falling asleep before midnight, awake from sleep at 4 or 5 a.m., and are also
felt when waking at the usual time' (Buchmann). The ceasing of complaints from eating, especially
after lunch, does not only apply to stomach and abdominal pain, but also to nausea and even to
Chelidonium Magus

headaches or the mental symptoms. They might disappear for two or three hours ('time of first
digestion'), but in some cases the amelioration is only for the time during eating, and after a very
short time, the complaints return again.

Besides the amelioration by eating in general, there is a special amelioration, as mentioned, from
warm foods and drinks and from milk. And external warmth, especially local warmth, will generally
relieve the Chelidonium symptoms. Furthermore, there is a desire for sour food, vinegar, etc., and
also for wine, and these foods and drinks will also ameliorate. Concerning the food desires and
aversions, a strong affinity to cheese is well-confirmed (see above).

It was said above that changes of weather, regardless in which direction, generally aggravate the
symptoms. This is well- documented especially for cold storms, 'North Easters' (Boger) at the East
coast of America, and North-west storms in middle and Western Europe (Buchmann).

1762
Another characteristic sensation: a sudden numbness or anaesthetic feeling over the whole body,
with trembling (Hahnemann); or a kind of numbness in the muscles in the hepatic region and in the
whole right side of face, neck, and head (Teste).

A temperature symptom, again accentuating the right-sidedness: right foot ice cold up to the knee,
also with a subjective sensation of coldness, while the other foot and the rest of the body have their
natural temperature, and the veins of arms and hands are swollen (Hahnemann).

As noted above, Chelidonium has a strong action upon the sensory nerves and is therefore useful in
neuralgia; but it also affects the motor nerves, causing trembling of the head and limbs, twitching of
single muscles, mainly in the extremities, but also of the head and the eyelids, involuntary motions
of muscles, and tonic spasms of the flexors of fingers and toes. It has been prescribed with success in
certain cases of chorea, where prostration, fatigue, peevishness, anxiety, palpitation, oppression of
breath, loss of appetite and a kind of vertigo, dizziness or confusion of head, even to fainting,
predominate. 'Trembling over whole body, with fainting, nausea, anxiety.' 'Twitching in the muscles
here and there on waking.'

Tyler mentions a 'little symptom complex that spells Chelidonium in nondescript cases': pain at right
shoulder-blade-angle; tooth notched tongue; great drowsiness by day. (She adds: milk; hot drinks;
especially hot milk.)
In many complaints, there is a strikingly slow pulse.

Buchmann summarises his indications of Chelidonium like this: vertigo, staggering, dizziness;
confusion of head; trembling and twitching in limbs; greyish-yellow, sunken face; increased secretion
Chelidonium Magus
of Meibomian glands; inflamed sebaceous glands

1763
and comedones in face; heat of face; paroxysms of chill in evening; cold limbs; restless sleep before
midnight; dreams of corpses and funerals; morning perspiration; starting from sleep by the usual
complaints; relief after lunch; sleepiness by day; shortness of breath and anxiety, better by belching;
sensation of constriction, tension, and tenderness in pit of stomach and right hypochondrium; dry
throat; nausea; aversion to meat; bright- coloured slimy diarrhoea; sour-smelling turbid urine.

Vertigo
Dizziness, giddiness, vertigo, with a kind of dullness, fogginess, confusion, etc. are marked symptoms. Vertigo, as if she
would fall forward; or else dizziness and staggering with the forward-falling sensation, but without real vertigo. Vertigo
with shivering over upper part of the body, momentary loss of consciousness, and a sensation as if he were turning in a
circle. Vertigo on closing eyes, as if everything turned in a circle. This may lead to nausea and even vomiting. 'So much
turning in the head that he vomits' (Kent). Vertigo with bilious vomiting and hepatic pain.
Vertigo in the room, with anxiety, trembling, heat in head; has to go outdoors, where she is relieved.

A 'dizzy heaviness' that is felt in the upper part of the head, particularly

in the vertex; associated with a feeling of tension.

Vertigo when sitting up in bed, or on trying to rise from bed, urging to remain in a lying position.

Head
Hemicrania, megrim, sick headache, but also neuralgia (supraorbital or cervico-occipital). The hemicrania strictly affects
one side of the head (right or left), as if cut off in the middle of the forehead and the septum of the nose. The headaches
may be very severe, so violent that the patient feels the urge to chop her hand off (Tyler). 'They are generally worse from
heat, warm applications, u/arm room, etc., in contradistinction of the general state. Periodical sick bilious headaches, with
vomiting of bile, brought on from being overheated, worse from motion, wants to lie perfectly still in a dark room;
vomiting

1764 ameliorates' {Kent; but see below, Keller). 'Glowing heat in the head, with distinctly circumscribed dark redness of
cheeks, throbbing in vessels, full pulse, fainting, difficult speaking, nausea, short respiration and cold feet'
(Buchmann).
Pressive pain in the right side of the forehead. Pressure in the forehead which extends to the orbits, which are painful as if
sore on moving the eyes. Also pressive pain in the temporal bone, behind the ear. Dull pressure in right temple, extending
to vertex, finally just above the right eye.
Right-sided supraorbital neuralgia; with sharp pain, profuse lachryma- tion ('tears fairly gush out1), sensitivity to light; in
the beginning some relief by pressure with the hand, later increasing sensitivity to touch and pressure. A description from
Riickert: with shivering and yawning, a throbbing pain sets in the right eyebrow region and temple, usually starting in the
morning, slowly extending to forehead and eye and increasing to a remarkable height in the course of some hours.
Chelidonium Magus

External pressure brings transient relief, but walking, light, air, and motion of the head aggravate the pain. Or Allen's
Clinicals: pain is cutting and extends upward and downward and may involve the right ear. Right-sided headaches
extending down behind the ears and generally to the right shoulder-blade, where the pain becomes seated. Also left-sided
supraorbital neuralgia, with right-sided abdominal, thoracic or back symptoms. Stitches in the bone above the left eye.
Pressive pain above the left eye, seeming to press down the left upper eyelid. Slowly drawing stitches, like a pressing, from
left side of occiput to forehead. Violent drawing pain from the vertex to the right temple, urging to lie down. Headaches in
the forehead and also the temples, as from a band or hoop above the eyes, just above the eyebrows, with a feeling as if
the head were compressed thereby; better on closing the eyes. This pressive- constrictive sensation may also be felt in the
vertex, 'as if the w/io/e top of the brain was caving in'.
But there are also headaches with a feeling of swelling and pressure from within outwards. According to Keller, they are
better by heat (while the 'sick headaches' that Kent describes are heat, see above), mostly localised in the region of the
ear, in the forehead, or the occiput, and accompanied by a roaring in the head and ears.
Some proving symptoms are: a pressure outwards, as if the cranium were

1765
too small for the brain; it seems to be forced through the ear, where a roaring noise is perceived like a distant waterfall. Or
there is heaviness and pain in the forehead, as if the brain would fall out, on stooping. Or: pressive pain in head, from
within outwards, particularly towards forehead, aggravated by open air, coughing, blowing the nose and stooping, but
ceasing during eating. Sometimes the headache is felt all day and only ceases when eating. A case example by Keller: 'A
headache tike a thick head or a hangover, over the eyes a sensation as if it pressed outward, especially on stooping.
Thinking is sometimes a real problem. It is not a true headache, rather a "thick head", everything seems to buzz in the
head.' Or: 'Headache with dizziness, from the forehead backwards. It was a pressure on the head as if somebody pressed
from within, and when I pressed against it from without, it felt like inflated; a real pressure from within.*
Heaviness like a weight in different parts of the head, but particularly in the occiput; it seems as if fastened to the pillow
and broken off from the rest of the skull; must raise the head with the hand when sitting up. Tensive feelings in the back
part of the head (right side). Drawing downwards in the occiput and the back of the neck. The drawing may extend to the
right shoulder and arm, down to the wrist and fingers, also to the right side of the chest. Pain as if the head were drawn
backwards.
Left-sided occipital pain; the head becomes heavy like lead, the left half of the nape is stiff, the nape feels as if broken, the
head is drawn to the left when the pain is at its height.
Violent drawing pain from the vertex to the nape of the neck, urging to draw up the shoulders, close the eyes, and step
only very lightly. A feeling of coldness in the occiput, ascending from the nape of the neck. Pulsating headaches. Repeated
attacks of violent throbbing pain from the nape of the neck to the forehead and temples. Throbbing in the temples, also
with anxiety, or a dull pain with beatings synchronous with the pulse, as if the vessels were filled with too much blood.
Even 'ticking like a watch, in right temple' (Berridge).
Vertex painful to touch, like a sore spot there; the scalp is hot to the touch. Pain in roots of the hair on combing, as if the
scalp were bruised or sore. Feeling as if the hair stood on end, at forehead and occiput, or a 'sensation as from goose-
flesh in scalp' (Keller). Much loss of hair.

Chelidonium Magus
1766
Eyes
The supraorbital neuralgia will often also involve the eyes themselves. 'Tearing pain in and above the eyes,' 'Neuralgic
pain about r. eye, especially while reading by candle-light, also a sort of fluttering before this eye, scarcely permitting her
to read.' 'Severe neuralgic pain across eyes from right to left, accompanied with the most profuse lachrymation and dread
of light. Has to keep the room entirely dark, all noises disturbed her; hardly any sleep, no appetite' (Journal of
Homoeopathic Clinics). Tearing, pressing and shooting first in right, then in left eye. In eye diseases, Buchmann observed a
symptom that often gives a valuable hint for Chelidonium: inclination and necessity to close the eyes without
photophobia, but with amelioration of the eye complaints. Heavy, tired lids.
Twitching of the eyelids.
A dirty yellow discoloration of the whites of the eyes is a key-note. Ophthalmia and blepharitis, with reddened, swollen
margins of lids and red conjunctiva, and increased secretion of the Meibomian glands; eyes agglutinated with dry, thick,
yellow mucus every morning, can be opened only slightly. Hordeolum internum; bulging distension of conjunctiva, dark
red. Profuse lachrymation with the eye pain or else with a tickling cough, tears flow over the cheeks in gushes.
A characteristic symptom from Hahnemann: a dazzling spot seems to be before the eye. and if he looks into it, the eye
waters. This symptom may be useful in inflammation of the eyes and even in cataract cases. Cf. a case of Berridge's: 'For
ten months has often seen a very bright light, beginning at right outer canthus, increasing in size, then standing before
right eye as large as a penny, then decreasing in size, and vanishing. It is seen when eyes are open or closed, but closing
tightly makes it decrease and disappear; it comes chiefly when stretching himself; it causes lachrymation when looking
into it, and makes him feel stupid.'
Other disturbances of vision: flickering, shining spots or muscae volitantes before the eyes; dim, foggy vision, unable to
see letters clearly, as if the light were not bright enough; double vision; diminished power of vision, even amaurosis, Sore
sensation in eyeballs on looking up, or generally on moving eyes. Or aching in orbits on moving the eyes.

1767

Sensation of pressure in orbits and eyeballs, from without inwards or

else from within outwards. 'Stupefying pressure upon the right orbita, as
if from without.' 'Pain and pressure in upper part of eyeballs, as if pressed
in.' 'Violent pressive pain in centre of eyeball, as if it were too large to allow
the upper lid to close above it.'
Feeling of sand in the eyes, less felt on closing them.
Burning and heat in the eyes.
 Ears
The neuralgic head pain will frequently involve the ears, and pain behind the right ear is a proving symptom. 'Tearing from
the right cheek-bone to the ear and around the ear, extending thence to the upper part of the occiput, upward to the
lambdoidal suture
Chelidonium Magus

A long-continued stitching in the right external ear, which gradually disappears. Both ears feel stopped; on coughing the
hearing is lost as if someone had pressed his hand upon the ears for a long time.
Roaring noises as of water or wind frequently accompany the headaches, and sometimes it is coupled with a loss of
hearing. Or there is a thundering in the ears as from a distant cannonade, a noise like 'whoop, whoop'. Painful pressure
out of the right ear, with subsequent tickling in it. Ringing in the left ear on walking. Ringing like whistling in the ears. An
annoying sensation in both ears, as if wind were streaming out of them, so that he was frequently obliged to put his finger
into the ear to relieve this sensation.

Nose
Fan-like movement of the wings of the nose in chest disorders.
Catarrhal infection, with deep racking cough and stopped coryza. Extremely
profuse mucous discharge, has to change handkerchief several times a day.
Obstruction of nose, also in liver complaints.
Itching and stinging in tip of nose; it is swollen and red.
Nostrils unusually dry, as if stopped.
Transient illusions of the sense of smell, repeated for seconds and minutes. Sore feeling in nostrils.

1768
Face
Prosopalgia and trigeminus neuralgia, with the symptoms quoted under Head and Eyes, especially profuse and often hot
lachrymation. Some proving symptoms are: 'Jerking pains in the right zygoma, as if it was being torn.' 'Tearing pains in
right cheekbone, before and behind ear, in temporal bone, and extending thence to the upper margin of the occipitai
bone/ However, redness and heat of face with coldness of extremities has also been observed. Glowing, burning heat;
tendency to flushes of heat with circumscribed redness of cheeks, sometimes a round red spot on right cheek.
Chelidonium may be indicated in erysipelas of the face, where this spot is elevated, slowly spreading and darkening,
remaining red on pressure with the finger, and with swollen and red tip of the nose. The erysipelas may even involve the
hairy scalp. Concomitants: periodic anxiety, heat in head, restlessness, difficult breathing, no sleep, no appetite.
Chelidonium is also an acne and roseola remedy. Red pustules in the face, elevated in the centre, sharp to touch; nodular
exanthemata. Inflamed sebaceous glands and comedones. The Vienna provings showed a 'special affinity to the skin of
the face', with 'papular exanthema on a red base upon the upper Hp and right cheek', 'noduies and pustules especially in
region of forehead, temple, cheek, wings of nose, upper lip, in groups of four.' Measle- like eruption in the face; burning
pain as from nettles. Acne with aversion to cheese may be an indication for Chelidonium. Feeling of swelling in the cheek
bone. Digging tearing in maxillary cavity. Pressure or transient pain in the jaws.
Yellow discoloration of the face in many complaints, especially of forehead, nose and cheeks; often greyish-yellow or
sallow; the cheeks seem to have a darker red than usual, because of the mixture with yellow. It is sunken, collapsed, and
presents an extremely sickly look; the eyes are deep-set, with blue rings.

Chelidonium Magus
Mouth
Dryness of lips, mouth, tongue, and throat, with thirst. Burning and feeling of heat in buccal cavity. Or: profuse salivation
and accumulation of water in mouth, with nausea, disgust and giddiness. Or: accumulation of tough,

1769
slimy saliva. Much mucus in the morning.
Pappy taste in the mouth, or a disgusting insipid taste as from elder-flower tea. or a metallic sour taste on the tongue, or a
bitter taste, while food and drink taste natural. Bitter water accumulates in the mouth, has to spit constantly. Bad odour
from the mouth. Bleeding phlyctaena in mouth.

The tongue has a white coat, or, more characteristic: tongue thickly coated yellow, with red margin, where the imprint of
the teeth is visible. But

in cases of dyspepsia, Hale reports that the tongue is usually narrow and pointed, with a slight white coat.
Toothache in the whole cheek (left side), especially at night, for several weeks; pain drawing.
Frequent tearing from right ear into right teeth in the afternoon. Slimy tongue.

Throat
A spasmodic tensive feeling is the main symptom in this area: severe tension at and in the throat, above the larynx, as if it
were constricted, but only the pharynx was contracted. Or else: sensation as if the larynx were pressed against the
oesophagus from without, on which account swallowing was impeded, but not breathing.
Choking in the throat, as from swallowing too large a morsel too fast.
Dryness, burning and scraping in throat; difficult swallowing. Discharge of thin mucus in throat.

Larynx, Trachea and Voice

Tensive feeling as if compressed or as if constricted by a scarf at the larynx. Pressure on larynx, or swollen feeling of it,
with sensation as if air could not pass through; more to the right side. (Thus we see that the constricting feeling may affect
either swallowing but not respiration, or respiration but not swallowing.)
Feeling of constriction in trachea, with fear of death and ineffectual desire to belch, at night on waking. Stinging pain in
the region of the larynx.
A remedy in laryngitis or bronchitis, with spasmodic attacks of cough,

1770
dyspnoea, anxiety, constrictive feeling in trachea. 'Bronchitis of children, with dusky red face and oppression of breathing'
(Allen, Ciinicals). 'Capillary bronchitis; difficult respiration, short fits of coughing, rattling of mucus in chest, particularly
when accompanied by thin, bright yellow stools' (Hoyne). Also in glottal spasm, tonic and clonic spasms of the muscles of
larynx and throat.
Severe hoarseness each afternoon at 5 p.m., so that her voice could hardly be heard (Carleton Smith). Daily aggravation at
the same time is a general feature of Chelidonium.

Respiration
Chelidonium Magus

Shortness of breath and oppression, as if the chest were constricted and she could not get her breath through.

Short and difficult respiration, with oppression and anxiety in the chest; especially at midnight on waking.
Dyspnoea and oppressed chest may accompany many complaints. In connection with this, a feeling as if the clothes were
too tight is a characteristic symptom, 'Clothes cause oppression of chest, has to loosen them.' 'Chest feels narrowed, as if
constricted by a coat of mail.' 'Pressure upon chest, impeding breath.'
Can only breathe shallowly and with much exertion, with anxiety as if he were to suffocate. Short and quick breathing;
sometimes with flapping of the wings of the nose,
A peculiar symptom: 'Unable to get enough air with every inspiration; therefore quick expiration in order to be able to
inspire again as soon as possible. Some deep inspirations relieve.'Desire for fresh air to make the breathing easier.
Short breath and anxiety are better by belching.
Nightly attacks of asthma with a sense of constriction in the chest. The Chelidonium asthma tends to have its seat in the
diaphragm. Some symptoms that support this localisation and may indicate the remedy in asthmatic complaints: cutting
and shooting pain in hypochondria, with a constrictive feeling as from a string; a sensation as of a writhing animal in the
epigastric region; hiccup; stitching and jerking pain from the lower part of the sternum straight through to the back; pain
deep in chest on stooping,

1771
extending to the vertebrae, caused by walking fast, blowing nose, sneezing; painful tension on deep inspiration at inner
side of thorax, at its base; amelioration of pain by belching (because the accumulation of air presses upon the diaphragm);
oppression of breath by a belt or with a sensation as from too tight a belt, causing anxiety. The asthmatic attacks may be
so violent that the whistling inspiration can be heard as soon as one enters the house. A strange and rare symptom is
'asthmatic attack while urinating.' Difficult inspiration, with short cough, preceded by pain first in right, then in left side of
thorax.

Cough

Chelidonium has a short and violent spasmodic cough, either dry, without any expectoration, or with forcible ejection of
small lumps of mucus; the

mucus literally flies from the mouth.

A sensation of dust in the pit of the throat and behind the sternum, causing cough but the sensation of dust is not relieved
by the coughing. Racking cough, especially in the morning, coming deep from the lungs, much expectoration that is very
difficult to raise and comes out in large lumps. Or the whole abdomen contracts painfully on each paroxysm of cough.
With the cough, retrosternal pain, especially at night.
Frequent paroxysms of cough with difficult breathing and stitches in right side of chest. Paroxysm of cough at 4 p.m.
Cough with pain in larynx, chest and back.
A kind of whooping-cough with the following symptoms: violent, racking, continuous cough, with tears in the eyes, also
waking from sleep, with burning stinging pain, constant tickling and irritation to cough in larynx, glottal spasm , ejection of
mucus. Spasms of laryngeal muscles; larynx seems to be pressed against oesophagus, or constrictive, choking sensation in
trachea as if the air could not pass through; oppression, constriction, spasm of chest; dyspnoea with anxiety, also on
Chelidonium Magus
waking at night.

Chest and Lungs

Chelidonium has proved a very valuable remedy in infection of the lung, even in pneumonia, but in the vast majority of
the cases it was the right lung that

1772 was affected, more especially the lower lobe of the right lung. Pneumonia with hepatisation of the right lung; with
haemoptysis. 'Pneumonia right side, where there is a great deal of mucus' (Guernsey). 'Numerous cases of pneumonia in
right lung have been cured when associated with symptoms of hepatic derangement, distressing pain under right scapula'
(Alien, Ciinicals). Pneumonia with acute intestinal catarrh, thickly furred, dry, cracked tongue, vomiting, diarrhoea,
abdominal distension, etc.; or with 'bilious complications' (yellow sputa, jaundice); cough often violent, with frequent
vomiting of mucus; percussion results in a dull sound in the right scapular region; pale, collapsed face; sopor; twitching;
extreme prostration; no appetite. The remedy may also be indicated in right-sided pleurisy with the characteristic stitching
pain.

A dull and heavy deep-seated pain in whole right chest and shoulder,

without cough, but with embarrassed respiration; this pain, which is at times accompanied with dull beatings in the chest,
does not allow him to draw a long breath, but is not perceptibly aggravated by motion of arm; it is particularly felt in axilla
and under shoulder-blade.
Stitches beneath or below the right ribs; generally, many stitching pains in chest, but preferably on right side. 'Pain in the
lower portion of the right wall of the chest, extending into the side, involving a place of a hand's breadth, aggravated by
every inspiration.''Violent stitches in the lower portion of the right side of the thorax, on inspiration, aggravated by motion
and cough.' Stitches extending to scapula, cannot breathe deeply because of the pain. Drawing pain from lower end of
sternum around the right side to the spine, with sore pain there, even touch of clothes aggravates the pain. Sudden
violent pain in right side, about 7th and 8th rib, inspiration and motion aggravates; with headache before and after. Has to
sit upright without moving, otherwise the chest pains get intolerable. Violent stitches urge her to inspire slowly and
carefully, to talk in an extremely low voice, sometimes preventing motion and speaking altogether.
Pain between 6th and 7th rib of right side, when bending thorax to opposite side. Sensation of soreness in the lower ribs
of the right side.
Stitches in the forepart of the lower portion of the thorax, extending into the intestines below the navel.
Spasmodic pressure behind the middle of the sternum, in a spot of about 5 cm

1773
in diameter, awakens at night; the pressure extends into trachea, causing a feeling of constriction.
Violent pain in sternum on each inspiration. Pain in sternum, just above
pit of stomach, on yawning.
Oppressive pressure below the clavicula, up the neck. Intercostal neuralgia.
Keller has confirmed a striking skin symptom, especially on the front side of the thorax: small spots violently burning as
from nettles, frequently of a herpetic appearance.

Heart
Chelidonium Magus

Violent palpitation, with anxiety and restlessness all day, preceded by violent stitches in heart region. Or: suddenly great
anxiety with palpitation; the heart beats are not accelerated, but so much stronger that the clothes are lifted by the
motions of the chest. The prover heard them so loud that she believed other people had to hear them, too. Attacks of
palpitation with slow pulse.
Chelidonium may be indicated in diseases of the pericardia and heart, even valvular insufficiency. It may be indicated by
the stronger heart beat, sometimes arrhythmic, by oppression of breath, quick, laborious respiration, sensation of
constriction in chest, restlessness, anxiety, fainting, sad and sorrowful mood, coldness of extremities, etc.

Stomach
Loss of appetite, with disgust and nausea, with most complaints. The thirst may be moderately increased or diminished.
On the other hand, the general amelioration from eating {stomach pain, abdominal pain, nausea, headache, etc.) is a key-
note of Chelidonium.
Much craving for milk which ameliorates. Hale has observed this symptom in dyspeptic patients who, when in health, had
got flatulence from milk, thus confirming Hahnemann's proving symptom: 'Much thirst for milk, afterwards comfortable
feeling through whole body without complaints, though it usually caused flatulence.'
Desire for warm and hot food, also for warm and hot drinks which ameliorate; aversion to cold drinks.

1774
Great aversion to meat; also to broth; or to boiled food in general. Great aversion to or desire for cheese.
Great desire for wine or sour things which seem to ameliorate abdominal pain. Coffee may be disgusting or desired (the
latter especially if very hot). Much nausea with disgust and inclination to vomit and actual vomiting. The nausea begins in
the stomach and ascends upward, even into the head. 7 feel sick and nauseous at night. The feeling comes from deep
below and rises into the head. Maybe it would be better if I rose from bed and ate something, but 1 don't manage to
leave the bed. It is always about 3 or 4 a.m. and really wakes me from sleep' (from a case from Keller). Nausea with
increased warmth of body; with gagging, during an anxiety attack; ameliorated after belching; nausea from pain that
extends from below right scapula to the stomach.
Vomiting of tough mucus, preceded by strong nausea. Vomiting in pregnancy. Bilious vomiting, also in sick headache; also
bitter or sour vomitus, slimy, sometimes greenish. The vomiting may be very severe, nothing can be retained in stomach
except boiling hot water.
Much hiccup; much empty eructation, sometimes tasting of juniper berries. Bitter eructation causing shivering, with a
bitter taste that remains for a long time. Eructation with heartburn.
Spasmodic stomach-ache, especially when stomach is empty, relieved by eating, by drinking milk ('drowning the pain in
milk,' as one of Keller's patients described it); the pain extends to the back or to the right scapula. A sharp and painful
stitch into the pit of the stomach, extending through the body to the back. Pain in pit of stomach and in back, at the same
height. Pressive pain in stomach, with oppressed and anxious feeling and embarrassed respiration, worse by touch and
pressure. A great sensitivity, tension and constriction in the stomach and liver region; especially sensitive at the border of
epigastrium and right hypochondrium. Distension of stomach. Violent pain in pit of stomach as if the stomach were
constricted. Burning in left side, below the ribs, in a horizontal line with the pit of the stomach. Burning in stomach with
eructation; relieved from eating for several hours. Drawing pains from the sacrum upward to the right side, ending in pit
of stomach where they become fixed; motion aggravates, belching ameliorates. A gnawing and digging pain in the
Chelidonium Magus
stomach which can only be relieved

1775
by renewed eating is a key-note (if the pain is pressive or drawing, Petroleum should be compared). Constrictive pain,
appetite for sour things, frequent eructation of air, nausea, pappy taste, thickly coated tongue will confirm the selection of
Chelidonium in cardialgia.

Abdomen
The liver and gall bladder are the organs to which Chelidonium has a very special affinity, as was mentioned above, and
the remedy has cured or relieved a lot of infections of the liver, e.g. hepatitis, fatty liver, jaundice, gall-stone colic, etc.;
also many other infections where the liver is involved and icterus, bright yellow stools, etc. appear.

The characteristic symptom here is a pain in the liver region that shoots right through to the back or below the right
scapula where it becomes fixed. 'Pain through the hypochondria and in the right scapula' is a proving symptom.

Or: pain in the liver region which soon extends downward and across the umbilical region through the intestines; it feels
as though the abdomen were constricted by a string. Here we have the characteristic 'constriction feeling' again. In the
abdomen it is usually located transversely across or above the umbilicus. The navel may also be drawn spasmodically
inward, with transient nausea. Violent pressive pain in the navel region, periodically recurring or spasmodic and
continuous. Another key-note is a sensation of twisting and moving above the navel as if an animal were wriggling
through the intestines. The region of the colon ascendens is also a locality where violent pain is experienced. Or else:
'Constricting pains through both hypochondria and upwards along the chest' (Kissel).

The hepatic region is or feels usually distended (with or without true enlargement of the liver) and extremely sensitive to
touch or pressure; even the touch of the clothes may cause severe pain.

The liver pain is often stitching, shooting, lancinating; also pressive; or there is a dull tensive pain as if bruised, 'sore'
(Kent), or as from muscle strain (Buchmann); or burning (Keller). The spleen may also be involved and painful. The liver
pain is, like the stomach-ache, ameliorated by eating; 'feeling of comfort immediately after eating' as Neidhard says;
external warmth or warm

1776 food and drink also relieves. Pain in right thigh or hip, heaviness in the occiput, and different right- or left-sided
pressive pain in the head region may be
concomitants.
Another interesting symptom is a 'kind of numbness in the muscles of the hepatic region and in the whole right side of
neck, face, and head' (Teste). Moreover, Chelidonium has a specific action upon the function of the whole intestinal tract.
Buchmann gives a lot of cases where the remedy cured gastric and intestinal catarrhs, even chronic, with decreased
secretion of bile (seen in the colour of the stools), great lassitude and heaviness of limbs, headache and inability to think.
'Epidemic gastro intestinal catarrhs with bright-coloured diarrhoea, loss of appetite and fever, often very obstinate, with
great emaciation and prostration' (Buchmann). The action upon the portal system shows in abdominal hyperaemia,
Chelidonium Magus
sometimes leading to haemorrhoids. More abdominal symptoms:
Abdomen distended, tense and hard; also bloated and flatulent; with full and
uncomfortable feeling. Flatus discharged in great quantities.
Growling and dull rumbling in abdomen.
Contraction of the abdominal walls, especially on coughing.

Griping in the umbilical region, then cutting in the abdomen and across the

right lumbar region, extending to the back.

Pinching in the intestines, extending to chest and back, ameliorated by flatus. Continued cutting in intestines immediately
after eating, which he had relished, though. (Here we have an example of the pains that are not felt while eating but
appear immediately after eating. This also belongs to Chelidonium, as well as the other and more characteristic pain that
is relieved after eating and during the two or three hours of digestion.)
Constrictive sensation in the hypogastrium, with pressure upon the bladder; just before the passage of turbid urine. Or:
spasmodic pain just above the os pubis, with frequent urging to urinate.
Tensive spasmodic drawing pain in both inguinal regions, extending from above and outer part to below and inner part.
Jerky cutting in intestines, as with knives; obliged to go to stool which does not relieve.

1777
Rectum
On account of the portal congestion, Chelidonium may be a useful remedy in haemorrhoids, whether blind, bleeding, or
discharging mucus, preceded by sacral and lumbar, occipital and cervical pain and accompanied by the abdominal
symptoms of Chelidonium
Severe itching and crawling in rectum and anus, or else at the perineum, is a frequent symptom. It may be felt daily for a
long time; in one proving it lasted 5 weeks. Sometimes the itching alternates with a constrictive feeling: 'Sensation as if
the rectum were being pressed out, with spasmodic constriction of anus and rectum. Stool causes pain in anus. Burning
and cutting in rectum and constriction of anus, alternating with itching.' Or: 'Consistency of stool as usual, but with a
sensation as if the anus were constricted and allowed the passage only with difficulty.' Chelidonium has diarrhoea and
constipation, and alternation of diarrhoea and constipation characteristically occurs in many ailments where this remedy
is indicated.

The diarrhoea often lacks bilious colouring and is bright-yellow, golden-

yellow or light-grey, even white, usually of a pasty or liquid consistency; in adults it sometimes looks like faeces of little
children. It will contain much mucus in the form of flakes, strings, or gelatinous lumps.
In intestinal catarrhs, we sometimes observe a painless diarrhoea, hardly with any 'announcement' or urging, 'slipping out
unexpectedly' (Buchmann). In these cases Chelidonium will be indicated if the other symptoms agree. The constipation
may be rather obstinate. Ineffectual urging and pressing. And when a hard stool is discharged, it is often clay-coloured,
whitish, etc., sometimes mixed with blood, and painful, with cutting pain in rectum and anus. Characteristic is a discharge
Chelidonium Magus
consisting of small hard nodes, like sheep's dung.

Urinary Organs
Buchmann states that Chelidonium has also a special affinity to the kidneys. Dull, pressive, or spasmodic pain in the
kidneys with much sensitivity to touch and pressure have been repeatedly caused in the provings, sometimes
simultaneously with liver pain of the same quality. Renal pain may also extend along the ureters down to the bladder.
Thus, Chelidonium might be useful in

1778
nephritis. This is supported by changes of the urine, with turbidity, excess of uric
acid and hippuric acid, renal casts, epithelial particles, and a lack of chloride salts
(NaCl); and also by symptoms of oedematous swelling in extremities, esp. ankles.
He relates a case where Chelidonium acted very favourably.
Dragging pain in the bladder, with spasmodic trembling pain in the inguinal
region; after relief of these pains oppression of the chest.
Stinging pain in bladder region.
Frequent urging to urinate, with little or no discharge of urine. The urine is frequently dark-yellow, golden-yellow, or even
darker, brownish-red, like brown beer, forming bubbles at the margin of the vessel. Urine reddish or dark-red; in infants
staining the diaper reddish-brown. Or: urine lemon yellow and turbid when discharged. The turbidity immediately after
passing has been elicited in nearly all provers, but a dark- yellow and clear urine were also observed. Urine smells sour or
resinous.
On the other hand, Teste observed an extremely profuse emission of whitish, foaming urine, which is confirmed by the
Vienna provers. Burning and cutting pain in urethra on urination. Stitches, especially towards the orifice (in a male prover).

Male Genitalia
Frequent erections, even during the day. Drawing pain in spermatic cord.
Itching and crawling at scrotum and glans; redness, heat and swelling of scrotum, with eruption of flat vesicles containing
yellowish serum, painful to touch. Drawing pain in testes. Has been used in hydrocele.
Pain at or in glans penis-, or an annoying and 'anxious' feeling in glans as after a strong erection.

Female Genitalia
Menses profuse and too early or too late, or suppressed; with the characteristic right-sided scapular pain. Liver or gall-
bladder problems during gestation, with icterus, bilious vomiting, pain beneath right scapula. Longing for unusual articles
of food during pregnancy (Hering). Vomiting in pregnancy. Agalactia. Burning in vagina every day, in morning and
afternoon, lasting up to one hour.

1779
Slimy, tough, whitish fluor from vagina, staining the linen yellow. Itching of vulva; pruritus. Pain in right ovary.
 Ncck and Back
In the cervical region, a painful stiffness of the neck, especially the nape of the neck, is characteristic. It is often connected
with the leaden heaviness in the occiput (see Head) and drawing pain from above downward, from the vertex into the
nape of neck and further down into the back. Painful tension in a small streak of the right side of the neck toward the
Chelidonium Magus
shoulder, as if in a tendon, in the afternoon while sitting.

Awakens at 4 a.m. with painful stiffness of cervical muscles of right side. Stiff neck on both sides when moving head,
painful on deep inspiration. Stiffness and paralytic pain in nape of neck, even as though it were broken.

Stiffness with cracking or creaking in cervical vertebrae on moving neck.

The dorsal region presents the key-note of Chelidonium, the fixed pain beneath lower angle of right scapula. The pain
quality is dull and pressive or stitching, shooting. It is not always felt as coming from the liver or stomach region, but may
also occur as an isolated, independent symptom. Some more proving symptoms that are seated in this important locality:
Pinching spasmodic pain at inner margin of right scapula, preventing him from moving the arm. This may also be
described in other ways: as from a lump at scapulaor as if something were squeezed and pinched there' (Keller). Awakens
at 4 a.m. with pain In right scapula, aggravated, on inspiration and moving right arm; extending around right side to chest
and causing oppression; or to the stomach, causing nausea and vomiting. Later the pain goes to the right shoulder and
down the arm to the wrist, with coldness and stiffness of arm, inability to move it and feeling as though it were broken
and separated from the trunk.
Pressure and oppression at the right scapula, extending forward through thorax to sternum.
Similar pain may sometimes occur at or beneath the left scapula, also sometimes shooting forward straight through chest.
Stitching pain between the scapulae, even as if from a knife, on motion,

1780
e.g. stooping to pick something up from the floor; making it impossible to turn around (Keller).
Drawing pain between shoulder-blades, extending downwards to the small of the back.
Pain in right side of back, with heaviness of occiput.
Back pain as if bruised, on motion, especially when rising after stooping or from a seat.
Sore pain in all vertebrae, aggravated by motion and pressure upon the spinal processes.
Tearing pressure at the lowest lumbar vertebrae, extending forward to the ilium; as though the vertebrae were being
fractured from each other, felt when bending forward and bending backward again, also when walking.
Sore pain in the lowest lumbar vertebra, as if dislocated or broken. Pain in sacrum all day.

Extremities
The extremities generally feel heavy, stiff, fatigued, lame, even as if paralysed, every motion needs a great effort and tends
to aggravate the general state.
Coldness of extremities, with heat of head and face; especially of finger tips and feet. On the other hand, distended veins
on the hands are also a characteristic symptom which may be accompanied by swelling and heat as far as the middle of
the forearm. Or: right foot icy cold up to knee, while left foot and rest of body have their natural warmth.
Severe neuralgic and rheumatic pain in the limbs, violently tearing, drawing and shooting. From a case of Heyne: 'Girl, 6
years old, attacked by an exceedingly painful rheumatism of the muscles and joints. The least touch on any part of the
body gives the greatest pains. The rheumatism set in with severe fever, with moderate, not alleviating perspiration; urine
brown; child moans continually on account of the pains.' May be indicated in cervico-brachial neuralgia, especially right-
Chelidonium Magus

sided. But also symptoms of irritation of the motor nerves: Trembling and twitching in limbs. Tonic spasms of flexors of
fingers and toes.

1781
Rheumatic pain in shoulders, arms, tips of fingers, whole flesh sore to touch. Many pains in right shoulder, often coming
from scapula (see Back) and extending down arm, Arms, esp. right one, heavy, as if weights hung from them; stiff, as if
paralysed or broken, with numb feeling and coldness.
But also: paralytic pain in left shoulder and whole arm; or left-sided pain as if dislocated, with sensation of coldness in
upper arm. Rheumatic swelling of elbow joints.
Can only with difficulty open the hands in the morning, on account of tonic spasm in finger flexors.
The last phalanges of the right hand fingers are yellow, cold, as if dead; nails blue. Stitching pain in the joints of the index
finger (right or left). Rheumatic pain in hips, thighs, legs, worst in knees and in the right side. Bruised pain in lower limbs,
in hip, knee, and ankle joints; from thighs to calves, aggravated, by walking and touch.
Paralytic drawing pain from right hip joint to toes, suddenly ceasing. Right lower limb feels altogether paralysed.
Sensation as if the lower limbs were much heavier and thicker than usual. Cannot fall asleep because of coldness and
sensation as if 'frozen to stiffness' in lower limbs.
Sensation of lameness, stiffness and coldness in right thigh. A kind of
paralysis in the left thigh and knee. Trembling or giving way of knee joints.
The knees are a special locality of pain, especially their serous membranes; pain that is felt distinctly in the surfaces of the
joint.
Knee pain: paralytic drawing; stitching; or pain with stiffness and burning.
Pain in hollow of knee.

Hard pressure, two fingers' breadth under the right or left patella.

Heaviness of both legs, as if she had to drag a big weight on every step. Coldness
and numbness of legs. Drawing downwards in calf.
Stiff ankles, as from a false step; feet feel as if paralysed.
Oedematous swelling of legs, most about ankles; swelling reddened,
elastic or hard. Pressive pain in ankles, on every step.
Spasm in sole of right foot, sole and toes are bent downward. Toes numb, as if dead. The spasm was relieved by
compressing the calf with the hand, but increased on stepping.

1782
Intolerable pain in the heels as if they had been wounded by too narrow and short shoes.
 Sleep
Great sleepiness, drowsiness, lethargy throughout the day, especially after a meal and in the evening; falls asleep when
sitting. TV sleep. Night sleep unrefreshing, great fatigue in the morning.
'Such great drowsiness, even when walking in the open air, that she feels like falling asleep in the street' (Teste). Or: falls
Chelidonium Magus
asleep for some minutes during a conversation, several times (Buchmann).
Fatigue and sleepiness, with desire to lie down, but without being able to sleep.
Frequent yawning, sometimes accompanied by eructation of air. Frequent stretching of limbs; sometimes a real urge,
especially in the arms, stretches them so much that a cracking is heard.
Restless sleep before midnight, because of restlessness and excitement, because of cold stiff limbs, or other complaints.
Unusual waking at 4 a.m. on account of different complaints. Repeated
starting from sleep. Awakens several times with confused mind.
Dreams of the daily occupation, of business: that they haven't finished
their work, that they won't be in time for a meeting, etc.
Dreams of becoming a soldier, with much fear, weeps in his sleep.
Confused dreams that cannot be remembered in the morning.
Dreams of corpses and funerals; horrific dreams of being killed or being
buried alive.

Fever
Chelidonium patients are predominantly chilly people, easily shivering; however they often have a hot head with cold
extremities, particularly feet and finger tips. Shivering at night on waking. Shivering over upper part of body, with vertigo
and momentary fainting.
Shaking chills in the evening, about 6 p.m., with chattering teeth and shivering as if icy cold water were being poured over
the body, lasting about 15 minutes; afterwards violent heat, especially in the head. Feeling of heat in whole body, but
mostly in face and hands.

1783

Increased warmth in whole body, especially in the palms, where the heat seems to start; but not in the feet.

Internal and external heat with warm sweat on face, neck and chest, with vertigo and nausea.
General dry heat, with pulse 100 to 110 bpm, at 4 p.m.; ears cold.
'Now he had a feeling of warmth in whole body, now a feeling of coldness;
often this alternated in this way in single limbs' (Hahnemann).
Sweat during sleep, after midnight and especially towards the morning.
One prover had perspiration every morning for five weeks.
Sweat from the slightest bodily exertion.
Indicated in intermittent fevers with daily periodicity, beginning in the afternoon or toward evening, with short shaking
chill (rarely over a quarter of an hour) followed by heat, mainly in head, that lasts about two hours, with thirst.

Skin
Yellow, yellowish-grey, or sallow colour; wilted skin. Much itching of skin, now here, now there; especially around anus,
perineum, and genitalia; also on back, arms, lower limbs. Boger (Synoptic Key) says that even the itching is subject to the
general amelioration from eating. Single transient stitches in skin as from needles, at several spots, alternating with each
other.
Chelidonium Magus
Red, round, burning spots, as large as a coin, on forearm.
Red miliary eruption on neck, chest and arms.
Red pimples and pustules on various parts, painful or painless.
Nodular eruptions, sharp to touch, especially in the face.
Eczema, with much swelling, heat and redness of the skin, covered with thin
scales, moisture oozes out between them; under the scales the skin is shining red
and moist; intolerable itching, periodic increase of swelling and inflammation.
Small herpes-like spots on skin, violently burning like nettle-rash; especially on
front of thorax.
May be indicated in erysipelas; acne, inflamed sebaceous glands, with comedones; roseola; measle-like eruptions; herpes
facialis. Old, spreading ulcers, of a putrid, offensive smell.

1784
CLINICAL

Antrum of Highmore, inflammation of. Cancer. Chest, affections of. Chorea. Constipation. Cough. Diarrhoea. Dyspepsia.
Gall-stones. Gonorrhoea. Haemoptysis. Haemorrhoids, Headache. Influenza. Jaundice. Lachrymal fistula. Laryngismus.
Liver, affections of. Nephritis. Neuralgia. Nose-bleed. Pleurodynia. Pneumonia. Rheumatism. Scald-head. Stiff neck.
Taste, altered. Tumours. Warts. Whooping-cough. Yawning.

RELATIONS

Remedies that follow well:, Aeon., Ars.r Bry., Cor-r., Ipec., Led., Lyc., Nux., Sep., S p i g S u l p h .

Antidotes: Aeon., Cham., C o ff A c i d s . , Vinum. Literature:

Allen, Hughes (including their reports of Teste's provings), Hering, Guiding Symptoms, Hering, Gynaecology and
Obstetrics;
Blackie, Morrison (Seminar Burgh-Haamstede 1987, who also quotes G. Vithoulkas);
Buchmann, Provings and clinical cases of Chelidonium, from AHZ; Clarke, Tyler, Boericke, Boger (Synoptic
Key), Phatak; Hahnemann, Reine Arzneimittellehre; Hartlaub/Trinks, Reine Arzneimittellehre-,
Jahr, Noack/Trinks; Guernsey, Nash, Lippe, H. C. Allen (with Ungern- Sternberg's additions), Farrington, Kent;
Keller, AHZ 1979, p. 218ff: Chelidonium and Organotropy (a useful text with many confirmations of physical symptoms);
Masi, Congress of the Liga Medicorum Homoeopathica Internationalis in Argentine 1992, quoted according to the
report of Fischer in AHZ 1993, p. 123ff; Several clinical confirmations from the journal Klassische Homoopathie,; Some
old cases from Ruckerts Klinische Erfahrungen and Journal of Homoeopathic Clinics.
 1785

Chelidonium Magus