Brugmansia arborea
Datura arborea
Remedy code: 3-665.71.06
A six-year-old girl who, as a toddler, constantly had ear problems. Four years ago, she was given Verbena, and the problems were resolved. She has not had an ear infection since but now suffers from motion sickness. She feels it in her throat, and a short walk outside helps. During a car ride, she may vomit up to three times, starting after 20 minutes on winding roads, but it also happens on highways. She speaks softly, is serious, and thoughtful. Her left eye appears tense. She previously experienced motion sickness, but wrist magnet bands helped at the time. Over the past six months, her symptoms have worsened, and the family is planning a vacation. The last six months have been full of changes due to COVID-19, and she is sensitive to stimuli. When she went to school, the over stimulation caused anger, leading her to withdraw into herself. She is seeing an occupational therapist, she alternates between being hyperactive or apathetic, staring into space. She can also become very angry, screaming unable to control herself, and becomes extremely tired. After a particularly busy day (e.g., unrest in the classroom or playing with an active friend), she experiences “terror dreams.” She sits up in bed with her eyes open, screaming but not awake. The parents wait for it to pass. She does not talk about her dreams, but otherwise, her sleep is good. She is generally calm, and sweet, and loves playing with other children. She enjoys drawing and physical activities like climbing, running, cycling, and climbing trees. She is very attentive, so absorbed in a film that she does not hear anyone. When faced with many unexpected events or when she does not know what will happen, she becomes resistant, screaming and yelling in an overreaction, as if “we’re back to square one.” She finds great reassurance in knowing what to expect. She appears to have hay fever, with a runny nose. Her father is also sensitive to stimuli and needs to withdraw when things get busy. He takes time to think and is a management director. The child is decisive, attending swimming lessons and craft classes. She is selective with food, avoiding soup and puree but eating anything crunchy.
Analysis
The dreams and anger fit the Solanales. Hay fever corresponds to Cold series.
The hyperactivity versus apathy aligns with Phase 1, while the lack of control, overreaction, and desire to escape, indicate Phase 7.
The starting point was the repertory rubric "quiet, desire to sit still." A remedy fitting the mentioned symptoms was sought, and Datura arborea stood out for its association with dreams, sensitivity, motion sickness, and being overwhelmed. Later, the mother mentioned the child loves tomatoes, which strongly connects to the Solanaceae family. Motion sickness and improvement with fresh air are consistent with Tabacum. In this case a Stage was not clear.
Prescription: Datura arborea MK
Follow-up
A few days after taking the remedy, she developed a painful ear infection on the left side and cried. The infection ruptured, followed by a month-long discharge. During the second week, they went on vacation. She felt sick for the first half hour of the journey, but the rest of the trip went well, indicating the problem seemed resolved. In general, things improved. She is happy, centered, and better able to make choices for herself. Her mother noticed she seemed happy. Her sensitivity to stimuli has decreased. By the end of the day, there is less drama, and she is calmer and less tired. She wakes up less fatigued, is more cooperative, and no longer resists. She has started trying new things. She has not had nightmares and sleeps more peacefully, no longer moving all over the bed. She has had no more runny noses. Her eating habits remain cautious. There is a small, hard sublingual gland. Bowel movements are slow.
After three months she continues to do well. Car rides are now fine; she plays and draws during long trips. She feels good about herself and no longer screams or retreats to her room. She sets boundaries better and more quickly, such as taking herself out of busy situations to play alone. She still struggles with hay fever that summer, which started last year, causing watery eyes and a runny nose. She now has molluscum contagiosum around her knees and thighs, which occasionally itch.
Verbena seemed very effective for years. However, the ear region may have remained an outlet, potentially stimulating the balance organ. In any case, overstimulation is no longer an issue. Verbena was chosen based on the mother and the course of pregnancy and delivery. Datura aligns more closely with the child’s constitution, similar to her father. Verbena addressed an external layer, while both remedies are part of the Lamiidae group.