Ruta Graveolens - General symptoms

GENERAL

General

Very acute itching on the hands, which became red.

after some hours there developed vesicles filled with transparent liquid, and surrounded by a very red areola.

these vesicles were more numerous between the fingers than on the rest of the hand.

they showed a general disposition to become clustered, and were somewhat like the pustules occasioned by the itch insect.

on the next day, the itching became very violent, the vesicles completely covered both hands, the itching was almost intolerable, especially at night.

when the vesicles became confluent, very large phlyctenules developed and resembled an incomplete vesication by cantharides.

this condition persisted ten or twelve days, after which the inflammation subsided and the hands desquamated. Even after three weeks small vesicles continued to appear in the palms of the hands, and were disposed to form groups, as if caused by the bites of insects. Very great itching developed on the great toes, and a crop of vesicles identical with those between the hands.

this eruption on the feet was certainly not caused by direct contact of Rue, but resulted from the infection of the hands, and did not occur until several days after the trouble commenced on the hands. The next year the same man came again in contact with the leaves.

the effects were more intense than before.

for three months the hands seemed denuded of skin, they looked as if they had been boiled, and were completely excoriated.

there was also intense fever, keeping the patient in bed five or six days,.

Next morning he observed that both his hands were remarkably red and warm.

on the third day the redness and pain had increased to such an extent that the sensation was as if both hands had been exposed to scalding vapors.

he rubbed them gently with sweet oil.

towards evening they were densely covered with water blisters, especially at the tips of the fingers, which had been most exposed to the pollen.

on the fourth day the swelling of the hands.

still continued to a considerable extent, between the blisters they showed a dark-red color with a bluish tinge.

on the fifth and sixth days the swelling likewise spread over the posterior surface of the arm as far as the elbow.

embrocations of Chamomilla ^Chamomile and Elderflowers were applied, and the blisters were opened.

within the space of four weeks the epidermis of the hands gradually peeled off, even in localities where no blisters had existed,.

Frequent pressure for stool, with prolapsus of the rectum, that after this frequently took place, with a sensation of pressure, also with emission of much flatus.

the slightest stooping, and still more crouching down, caused the rectum to protrude (after seventy-two hours).

for several days afterwards the rectum remained protruding all the time, and though it could be reduced easily and without pain, yet it immediately protruded again,.

It seems as though she could no longer hold her water, with an excessively urgent desire, even if there was only a single drop of urine.

during and after micturition very painful burning in the vagina and long continued pressure.

during the night, however, she could sleep quietly as usual, but in the morning she was obliged to urinate in the same manner as on the previous day,.

Miscarriage of dead children at about seven months.

this was followed after two days by violent fever and delirium, with spasms, succeeded by great exhaustion and vomiting of bile.

for five days the patient lay in a condition resembling partial intoxication, with contracted pupils.

swollen coated tongue.

slight delirium and very slow pulse, only 30 to the minute, and at times convulsive spasms of the arms.

vomiting and painful tension in the epigastric region.

the abdomen was soft and painless.

after a while the lochiae returned.

the patient gradually recovered, though she was very weak for a long time, and the great slowness of the pulse, continued for many days,.

Ruta Graveolens acts upon the periosteum and cartilages, eyes and uterus. Complaints from straining Flexor tendons especially. Tendency to the formation of deposits in the periosteum, tendons, and about joints, especially wrist. Over strain of ocular muscles. All parts of the body are painful, As if bruised. Sprains (after Arnica ^Arnica). Lameness after sprains. Jaundice. Feeling of intense lassitude, weakness and despair. Injured "bruised" bones.

BRUISED, SORE ACHING AND RESTLESSNESS

Painful weariness Heaviness; as of a weight in forehead or hanging to feet; of lower limbs

As of a rough, blunt plug in part; head, nose, etc

Nodes

Paralytic rigidity Distortions

Rheumatism

Gnawing-burning Neuralgia

Dissatisfied Fretful

Itching inner canthi

Eyes burn

Lachrymation

Dim vision Woody taste

Swelled spleen

Urging to stool, but only rectum prolapses; worse after labor, stooping, etc

Corrosive leucorrhoea

Weak, bruised feeling in small of back, hips or lower limbs in A

Nodes in palms

Stumbles easily

Lumbago

Deep pains

Thighs feel broken Pains as if deep in long bones; must walk about

Bursae Erosive itching

Chafing Flat warts

Contractions

Brittle bones

Cracking joints, worse walking in open air

Ganglion

Glowing heat of face, skin, etc

Uterus

Ruta graveolens. Rue. N. O. Rutaceae. Tincture of whole fresh plant.

Amblyopia. Anus, prolapse of. Bone, bruised.

pains in. Bruises. Bursitis. Cartilages, bruises of.

pains in. Chest, sternum, pains in. Constipation. Dislocations. Dyspepsia. Enuresis. Epistaxis. Exostosis. Eyes, sight weak.

pains in. Facial, paralysis, from cold. Fevers. Fractures. Ganglion. Haemorrhages. Hands, pains in. Paralysis. Perichondritis. Periostitis. Rectum, affections of.

prolapse of. Restlessness. Rheumatism Sciatica. Spleen, affections of. Sprain. Stammering. Tongue, cramp in.

swelling of. Urination, difficulty of. Varicocele. Veins, swollen.

varicose. Warts.

The common Rue of our gardens is a native of Southern Europe. It was formerly in great repute in medicine.

epilepsy, hysteria, hydrophobia, weakness of sight (from excessive reading), ozaena, epistaxis, foul gumboils, flatulent colic (in hysteric females), inertia of the bowels, having been cured with it empirically (Teste). It was also supposed to be a kind of universal antidote "Even in our own time the Roman ladies imagine that the most odoriferous flowers may be left in their rooms without the least danger provided a bush of garden rue be amongst them" (Teste). Practitioners (says Treas. of Bot.) have perhaps been deterred from employing it by the symptoms of acrido-narcotic poisoning induced by an overdose. Locally applied Rue is a powerful irritant, and one species, Ruta montana, is dangerous to handle even with gloves. Ruta is "useful in feverish complaints, promotes perspiration and removes noxious material.

in headache, nervous and hysteric complaints, weakness of the stomach and pains in the bowels, suppressed menses, and if taken for a long time it benefits epilepsy. The expressed juice benefits nightmare" (Green's Herbal). In large doses it causes violent gastric pains, excessive and sometimes bloody vomiting, profuse salivation and swelling of the tongue, great prostration, confusion of mind, and convulsive twitchings, with, in pregnant women, abortion (M. Hélie). In olden times it was used to ward off plague, and is at the present day the great remedy for pip or roup in fowls a disease which affects the throat and causes chokiness and turns the comb of the fowl black.

it is due to impure water and is contagious. "It certainly acts strongly on deposits of scirrhous material in both the breasts and in the vagina and sometimes lessens the size of these" (Cooper). Hahnemann's proving shows how largely the old uses were founded on a homoeopathic relationship. The vulnerary remedies indicate in symptoms of their provings the peculiar form of injuries for which they are adapted.

there are the sprained pains of Rhus Tox ^Rhus, the bruised pains (in skin and muscles) of Arnica ^Arn.

Ruta also has bruised pains, but these are more particularly manifested in bones. Ruta is one of the chief remedies for injured bones, and especially bruised bones. This power of Ruta does not appear to have been known before the provings were made. But impaired sight due to straining the eyes was an old use of the remedy.

and here are symptoms from the provings His eyes feel as if he had strained the sight too much by reading.

Weak, pressive-like pain in right eye, with dimness of surrounding objects, as if from having looked too long at an object that was fatiguing to the eyes;" "A feeling of heat and burning in the eyes, and pain in them when he reads (in the evening and by candle-light)." Each of these symptoms was experienced by a separate prover. Another effect of bruising is seen in prolapse of the rectum after confinement. But Ruta has, independently of this, a powerful action on the rectum, and caused prolapse in the provers and many severe symptoms. Tearing stitches in rectum when sitting. The prolapse is agg. by stooping, and especially by crouching together.

it comes on immediately on attempting a passage. Rushmore (H. P., x. 516) cured with one dose of Ruta 900 (Fincke) a case of prolapse preceding a very difficult stool.

Tearing in rectum and urethra while urinating. Constipation.

from inactivity of rectum or impaction of faeces following mechanical injuries. A curious clinical symptom is a sensation of nausea located in the rectum. Among the general symptoms are Great weakness after a short walk.

limbs feel bruised. small of back and loins painful. Tottering as if thighs were weak.

limbs pain when walking. Does not know where to lay his legs on account of uneasiness and heaviness.

lies now in one place, now in another, and turns from side to side. All parts of the body on which he lies, even in bed, are painful as if bruised. Facial paralysis from catching cold, in robust, sanguine persons. Rheumatic paralysis of wrists and ankles. Ruta is specially suited to robust, sanguineous persons.

and corresponds to haemorrhages from nose (with pressure at root), gums, rectum. Peculiar Sensations are Pain as if from a fall in periosteum. As if a nail were driven into head. Head as if bruised or beaten. Eyes, as if strained.

as if a shadow flitting before them.

as after looking too long and intently at an object.

as if eyes were balls of fire. As if one were digging about in the ear with a blunt piece of wood. As of a lump in throat. Bladder as if constantly full. Spine as if beaten and lame. Wrists as if sprained. As if pain were in marrow of bone, or as if bone were broken. Thighs as if beaten.

as if weak. As if there were an ulcer on ankle. All parts of body bruised at night, feeling as if it were time to rise. Restlessness is a very frequent Concomitant of Ruta conditions. A peculiar symptom is cramp in the tongue with embarrassed speech. A prolonged use of Ruta 3x has cured ganglion in front of left wrist (Oran W. Smith, H. P., ix. 308). Slow pulse, contracted pupil, salivation and swollen tongue are features of its action. The symptoms are agg. By touch. Pressure agg. sore spot on sternum.

amel. pain below r. scapula, and stitches in small of back. Backache amel. lying on back. Walking or riding = chafing. Dyspepsia from straining stomach by carrying heavy weights. Scratching amel. Rubbing amel. Rest agg. Motion amel. Lying down = parts lain on to be sore.

amel. pain below right scapula.

amel. stitches in small of back. Sitting agg. Stooping agg. Bending over = faeces to escape. Exertion agg. Ascending agg. Going up and down stairs = hamstrings to feel shortened and weak. agg. At night. agg. Morning. (Vertigo on rising. Rheumatic pain in back agg. before rising. Sweat in bed.) Warm stove = chilliness. Indoors = yawning and stretching. Open air = vertigo. Cold applications agg. Cold wet weather agg. agg. Reading and straining eyes. agg. During menses.

Pain and tenderness in soles, aching in ankles and very acute shooting in back of l. heel, sometimes of r. with pinkish discoloration of it.

and shootings up through limb settling in one spot (sacro-sciatic foramen), with aching and heavy drawing across back of neck as if being dragged down.

patellae stiff and snap on bending knees.

Rue. Hahnemann. Rutaceae.

Ruta is another remedy often overlooked. It is sometimes overlooked and Rhus Tox ^Rhus or Argentum nitricum given, or other remedies not fully related to the case are given because Ruta is not well known.

Many of its symptoms are difficult to classify in the Repertory. A knowledge of its nature must be obtained. It falls under a class of complaints that resemble Rhus Tox ^Rhus, in that it is sensitive to cold, aggravated from cold, damp weather.

aggravated from becoming cold, and the complaints are often brought on from straining the part.

overstraining or overexertion of parts, but principally confined to parts that are of a tendinous character aponeurotic fibres.

white fibrous tissue. the flexor tendons especially flexor tendons that are overstrained by exertion.

Rhus Tox ^Rhus has something like this, but nothing like what is found in Ruta Ruta often suits in various surgical conditions.

periosteal troubles from injury. Periosteal trouble where the flesh is thin over the bone.

over the tibia. Bruises go away slowly and leave a hardened spot.

thickening of periosteum.

a knotty, nodular condition.

it remains sore. slow repair. A lump in the periosteum that has existed for months or years.

sensitive and sore and nodular.

as a result of a blow with a stick or a hammer, or from bumping the shin bone,.

Bruises In farmers, woodmen, mechanics, from holding a hammer or iron instrument; hard nodules form in the palm from clasping the hand over an iron instrument in projecting it forward, as from using a crowbar; a hardened mass of tissue in the tendons, like a bursa.

Tendency to the formation of deposits in the periosteum, in bone, in tendons, about joints. The especial location is in the wrist.

bursae and nodules form in this part. Overstraining of tendons and in the place where it is likely to give out a nodule will form in the tendon.

lumps, bunches, little tumors in the tendon. Gradually increasing contraction of flexors, so that the hands become permanently flexed.

the foot becomes flexed so that the sole becomes increasingly concave, and the toes are drawn under from overstraining and violence to the flexors.

These muscles are largely tendinous. Continual use until it becomes an overuse. Eyestrain followed by headache, and the effects are also; on the globe of the eye, and coating of the eye, so that the overstrained eye is red.

Pain in the eye, above and through the eye when he attempts to use the vision, that is, aggravation from the exertion of vision. From looking at fine print, fine sewing. This overexertion of vision brings about redness, pain and inability to concentrate vision on one point.

But they can be easily differentiated. Ruta is aggravated from cold, wants everything warm. Argentum Nitricum ^{Arg. nit} is aggravated from heat wants to be in a cool place. The patient must be considered.

There is general exhaustion in Ruta The legs give out on rising from a chair, the patient totters and makes several efforts on rising from a seat. Routinists give Phosphorus ^Phosphorus and Conium Mac ^Conium for this. Ruta and Phosphorus ^Phosphorus both have violent, unquenchable thirst for ice-cold water. Compare Phosphorus ^Phos. and Conium Mac ^Con. because of the weakness through the hips and thighs.

They are only common and belong to many other remedies.

"Inclination to contradict and quarrel."

"Dissatisfied with himself and others."

"Anxious and low-spirited, with mental dejection."

These symptoms are only common; they can be grouped in one of two classes. The patient can be irritable, or the opposite-good-natured. Ruta Graveolens is classified among the irritable.

"Despondent," that is, the opposite of happy-another of two classes.

"Melancholy disposition toward evening."

The only thing here is that it is aggravated toward evening. When things are brought out so that they belong to one of two classes, they are important only in a mild degree.

Pains Many of the complaints are worse lying down, especially the pains that are sharp, stinging, tearing in the nerves.

Ruta is a painful medicine, but is slow in producing symptoms, hence it of a chronic nature. Old neuralgias, stinging, tearing, burning pains, especially in the lower extremities, about the eyes; faceaches. It has all the pains, described by all the adjectives that apply to pain, but it is worse lying down and worse from cold.

Rending, tearing pains in the sciatic nerves. The severest forms of sciatica.

pains commence in the back and go down the hips and thighs.

tearing pains. comfortable during the day, but aggravated as soon as he lies down at night. Gnaphalium ^Gnaphalium is a great sciatic remedy, and it also has this aggravation from lying down.

"Eyes feel hot like balls of fire."

To use Ruta for a pure inflammation when the eyes feel hot would be a failure. Euphrasia Officinalis ^Euphrasia, Belladonna ^Belladonna and Aconite ^Aconite are used in simple inflammations from a cold, and the, antipsorics when the case is chronic. But if a woman strains her eyes from long sewing on fine work, and the balls feel like fire, she needs Ruta. Aconite ^Aconite if after exposure to cold winds, there is inflammation with lachrymation, and the eyes look like raw beef.

"Eyes burn, ache, feel strained; sight blurred; aggravated from using them in the evening,"

In part of the general aggravation in the evening. When, in copying, the manuscript is placed here, and the copy at a different distance, this necessitates a constant change of vision in looking from one to the other, and especially if the copying is done in a poor light, a headache will come on, which Ruta will cure.

After overusing the eyes in this way, if the patient rides in a cold wind, a paralytic weakness results, and this is a further indication for Ruta Lachrymation from exposure to the wind or riding in the cold. Paralysis of certain muscles of the eye, even strabismus; all sorts of disturbances of accommodation.

"Loss of power over internal rectus."

"Asthenopia; irritability of every tissue of eye from overwork or from using eyes on fine pork; beat and aching in and over eyes; eyes feel like balls of fire at night; blurring of vision; letters seem to run together, lachrymation, etc."

Amplyopia, dependent upon overexertion of eyes, or anomalies of refraction; from writing by artificial light.; fine needlework, etc in a weaver, could with difficulty distinguish one, thread from another, and could not read at all; mistiness of sight, with complete obscuration at a distance.

"Frequent unsuccessful urging with prolapsus ani."

"Protrusion of rectum after confinement."

Pain in rectum when sitting. Great soreness in rectum as from ulceration. It is a useful remedy in piles and stricture of the rectum.

It is a decided rheumatic remedy. All those remedies which are susceptible to cold, aggravated by cold, wet, stormy weather, are described as rheumatic remedies.

Rheumatic symptoms of the back.

"Pains as if bruised in lumbar vertebrae."

"Pain in back or coccyx as from a fall or blow, or as if bruised."

"Hamstrings feel shortened and weak; knees give way going up or down stairs."

"Pain and lameness in the ankles after sprain or dislocation."

"Lameness after sprains, especially of the wrists and ankles."

Immediately after a, sprain, for the inflammatory state, you will most likely need to give Arnica ^Arnica, and Rhus Tox ^Rhus will probably follow. But when nodules occur in the tendons as a result of the strain, Ruta is called for.

Ruta is a great remedy for a mere sprain; it has all the soreness and weakness of tendons. Arnica ^Arnica, Rhus Tox ^Rhus and Calc Carb ^Calcarea are often necessary in a routine way when there is absence of all symptoms, except the strain alone.

Paralytic weakness in the lower extremities after a sprain of the back. Under the aggravation in the evening is melancholy disposition, burning in the eyes, green halo around the light; sight blurred; eyes ache; pain below right scapula.

Extreme restlessness like Rhus Tox ^Rhus So restless be can't keep still; a nervous restlessness.

"Bruised feeling all over as from a fall or blow, worse in the limbs and joints."

"Bruises and other mechanical injuries of bones and periosteum; sprains; periostitis; erysipelas."

Ruta is related to and is an antidote to Merc Viv ^Mercury

Eruptions on the skin with itching, which changes place after scratching like Mezereum ^Mezereum Compare Phosphorus ^Phos in the thirst for cold water and the weakness of the lower extremities. In the rheumatism distinguish Phytolacca Decandra ^Phytolacca

Ruta Graveolens which has already been mentioned as to its prominent action in the periosteum, especially in injuries and effects therefrom, also, like Arnica ^Arnica, has a "bruised, lame sensation all over as after a fall; worse in limbs and joints," and also "all parts of the body upon which he lies are painful, as if bruised." Like Rhus Tox ^{Rhus tox}., the Ruta patient wants to change position frequently. The pains and lameness of Ruta seem to have a particular liking for the wrists. Here also must Eupat. perf. be remembered.

These pains in the wrists of Ruta are, like Rhus toxicod., worse in cold, wet weather, and better on motion. There is no remedy oftener useful for eye-strain from close study, sewing, etc., than Ruta. The eyes feel weary and ache as if strained, or they burn like balls of fire. Two other remedies must be remembered for eye-strain, viz. Natrum muriaticum and Senega ^Senega. An understanding of these three remedies may save many cases of asthenopia or weakness of accommodation from the abuse of spectacles. Ruta is also one of our best remedies for prolapsus of the rectum.

Ignatia ^Ignatia stands closest here. Both are worse on stooping, lifting, or at stool. Muriaticum Acidum ^{Muriatic acid} and Podophyllum Peltatum ^Podophyllum should also be remembered; with the former the prolapsed organ is very sore and sensitive to the least touch, even of the sheet on which he lies, and the rectum comes down even when urinating (Aloe Socotrina ^Aloe). The prolapse of Podophyllum Peltatum ^Podophyllum is almost always accompanied by the characteristic diarrhea, but may be the result of strain by lifting, when the uterus may also prolapse. These uses of Ruta make it a very valuable remedy.

Dose

First to sixth potency. Locally, the tincture for ganglia and as a lotion for the eyes.

Region

Fibrous tissues EYES

Flexor tendons Joints Wrists and ankles Back (lumbar)

Cartilages

Periosteum

Skin

Sensations

Itching about the corners of the mouth (third day),

Formication on the thigh, so that he was obliged to scratch the side upon which he was not lying,

Deep fine stitches very close together in both arms that change to a kind of biting itching, with redness and heat of the skin of the arm,

Hot tingling prickling in the soles of the feet,

Itching over the whole body, relieved by scratching, in the morning on rising from bed (after twenty-four hours),

Itching on one side of the face (after twenty-four hours),

Itching of the left upper arm, provoking scratching (after eight hours),