Fagopyrum esculentum (buckwheat)
This species is widely cultivated especially in North America. The plant is used for green fodder and provides good honey. The seeds are used to make flour.
Fagopyrism is a form of primary photosensitivity which occurs in animals that ingest the young flowers and the seeds. Pigments with an absorption band about 590nm are responsible for photosensitisation (Watt and Breyer-Brandwijk 1962, Kingsbury 1964). Fagopyrin and related fluorescent chemicals are related to those of Hypericum (Bigger 1959). Buckwheat has been reported to cause contact irritation of the skin (Watt and Breyer-Brandwijk 1962, Muenscher 1951). Photosensitivity has been reported to occur in humans who ingest buckwheat (Pammel 1911, Bruce 1927, Sheard et al. 1928, Mathews 1937, Muenscher 1951, Behl et al. 1966). Buckwheat can produce Type I hypersensitivity reactions (Blumstein 1935). According to Blumstein (1935) and Blum (1941) most, if not all, cases of buckwheat poisoning in man are not examples of photosensitisation but are allergic reactions. Hjorth (1968) recorded one positive patch test reaction to the plant and negative reactions in five cases.
Using the method of Daniels (1965), the seeds of F. esculentum, both with the husk on and dehusked, did not produce psoralen-type phototoxicity for Candida albicans (Mitchell 1972, unpublished observation). Fagopyrism has also been attributed to ingestion of Polygonum (Mathews 1937).
Use of the straw as a head rest caused asthma and rhinitis (Matsumura et al. 1964). Injection of the allergen caused sudden death (Lamson 1924).
Homeopathy
FAGOPYRUM ESCULENTUM
Buckwheat (Dutch name: boekweit)
(FAGOPYRUM)
Its action on the skin, producing pruritus, is very marked. Visible pulsation of arteries. Fluent coryza. Offensive excretions. Itching erythema. Pruritus senilis. Post-nasal catarrh; dry crusts, granular appearance of posterior nares with itching.
Head.--Inability to study or remember. Depressed and irritable. Itching of eyes and ears. Pains deep in head, with upward pressure. Itching in and around eyes and ears. Head hot, better bending backward, with tired neck. Occipital headache. Bursting pains. Cerebral hyperæmia.
Nose.--Sore, red, inflamed. Fluent coryza, with sneezing, followed by dryness and crust formation.
Eyes.--Itching and smarting, swelling, heat and soreness.
Throat.--Soreness and feeling of excoriation, deep down pharynx. Uvula elongated, tonsils swollen.
Stomach.--Eructations of scalding, hot, acid, watery substance; better, coffee. Bad taste in the morning. Persistent, morning nausea. Drooling.
Heart.--Pain around heart, better lying on back, extending to left shoulder and arm. Throbbing in all arteries after retiring. Palpitation with oppression. Pulse irregular, intermittent, rapid. Light feeling in chest.
Female.--Pruritus vulvæ, with yellow leucorrhœa, worse, rest. Burning in right ovary.
Extremities.--Stiffness and bruised sensation in the muscles of the neck, with sensation as if nape of neck could not support head. Pain in shoulder, with pain along fingers. Vehement itching in arms and legs; worse towards evening. Feet numb and pricking. Streaking pains in arms and legs.
Skin.--Itching; better by bathing in cold water; worse scratching, touch and retiring. Sore red blotches. Blind boils. Itching of knees and elbows and hairy portions. Itching of hands, deep in. Vesicular, pustular, phlegmonous dermatitis. Skin hot, swollen.
Modalities.--Better, cold water, coffee; worse, in afternoon; from sunlight, scratching.
Relationship.--Compare: Dolichos; Bovista; Urtica.
Dose.--Third potency and 12x.