HELONIAS DIOICA
Botanical: Chamaelirium luteum (A. GRAY) Family: N.O. Liliaceae
---Synonyms---Starwort. Helonias. Helonias dioica (Pursh.). Helonias lutea (Ker-Gawl). Chamaelirium Carolinianum (Willd.). Veratrum luteum (Linn.).
---Part Used---Root.
---Description---A herbaceous perennial found in low moist ground east of the Mississipi and flowering in May and June. Stem 1 to 3 feet high, simple, smooth, angular; leaves alternate, spatulate below, lanceolate above, radical leaves, 8 inches long, 1/2 inch wide, narrow at base and formed into a whorl; flowers numerous, small, greenish white, bractless, dioecious, in a dense, terminal raceme, nodding like a plume, 6 inches long, petals of such flowers narrow, stamens longer than the petals, filaments tapering; anthers terminal, two lobed; petals of female flowers linear; stamens short; ovary ovate, triangular, furrowed; stigmas three-capsule, oblong, three-furrowed, opening at summit; fruit many, compressed, acute; rhizome bulbous, terminating abruptly, 1 inch long; odour faint; taste bitter. Solvents: alcohol, water.
---Constituents---Chamaelirin, fatty acid.
---Medicinal Action and Uses---Emetic, tonic, diuretic, vermifuge. In large doses a cardiac poison. Of the greatest value in female disorders of the reproductive organs. The indication for its use is a dragging sensation in the extreme lower abdomen. It is useful in impotence, as a tonic in genito-urinary weakness or irritability, for liver and kidney diseases. Especially in diseases due to poor action of the liver and not to weakness of the heart or circulation. It is a good remedy in albuminaria.
HOMEOPATHIC PICTURE HELONIAS DIOICA Unicorn-root
(HELONIAS - CHAMAELIRIUM)
Sensation of weakness, dragging and weight in the sacrum and pelvis, with great languor and prostration, are excellent indications for this remedy. There is a sensitiveness expressed as a consciousness of a womb. Tired, backachy females. The weakness shows itself also in a tendency to
prolapse and other malposition of the womb. The menses are often suppressed and the kidneys congested. It seems as if the monthly congestion, instead of venting itself as it should through the uterine vessels, had extended to the kidneys. With it all, there is a profound melancholia. Patient must be doing something to engage the mind. Remember it, for women with prolapsus from atony, enervated by indolence and luxury (better when attention is engaged-hence when the doctor comes), or for those worn out with hard work; tired, strained muscles burn and ache; sleepless. Diabetes mellitus, and insipidus. Constant aching and tenderness over kidneys.
Mind.--Profound melancholy. Patient is better when kept busy, with mind engaged, when doing something. Irritable; cannot endure the least contradiction.
Head.--Burning sensation on top. Headache, better mental exertion.
Back.--Pain and weight in back; tired and weak. Aching and burning across the lumbar region; can trace outlines of kidneys by constant burning. Boring pain in lumbar region, extending down legs. Great languor, better exercising.
Female.--Dragging in sacral region, with prolapse, especially after a miscarriage. Pruritus vulvæ. Backache after miscarriage (Kali c). Weight and soreness in womb; conscious of womb. Menses too frequent, too profuse. Leucorrhœa. Breasts swollen, nipples painful and tender. Parts hot, red, swollen; burn and itch terribly. Albuminuria during pregnancy. Debility attending the menopause.
Urine.--Albuminous, phosphatic; profuse and clear, saccharine. Diabetes. Extremities.--Sensation as if a cool wind streamed up calves of legs. Feet feel numb when sitting Modalities.--Better, when doing something (mental diversion). Worse, motion, touch.
Relationship.--Compare: Agrimonia-Cockleburr--(painful kidneys, impaired digestion and menstrual difficulties; Bronchorrhœa and catarrh of bladder. Cough with profuse expectoration attended with expulsion of urine. Tincture 1-10 gtt). Aletris; Lilium; Puls; Senecio; Stannum.