Genus: Anamirta
Common name: Cocculus indicus. Indian Cockle. Levant nut. Poison berry. Fish berry.
Family: Menispermaceae
Native to India and the countries of southeast Asia, the Anamirta cocculus plant is a large woody tropical vine that twists its way upward to almost 50 feet, bearing clusters of small, fragrant, greenish white flowers which produce fruits that contain a poisonous seed. The large leathery leaves are heart shaped. Traditionally all parts of the plant have been used for medicinal purposes. In Ayurveda medicine the seeds are used for snake bites, worms, and head lice. In fishing, the fruit is used by locals to stupefy fish for an easy catch. The dried seeds have been used as a central nervous system stimulant and antidote for barbiturate poisoning.
As a homeopathic remedy, Cocculus is useful to ease the nausea of morning sickness and motion sickness. People who experience a lack of sleep due to working night shifts, nursing a baby, or sitting up all night with a sick loved one will benefit from this remedy. Besides exhaustion, there is often the additional emotional strain of stress, grief, or anger. There may be dizziness, mental dullness, trembling, weakness, and numbness of the hands or feet.
Keynotes:
- Oversensitive to noise and odors, nausea at the sight or smell of food, morning sickness, vomiting, violent cramp in stomach
- Worried about others, ailments from nursing a sick or dying loved one
- Ailments from lack of sleep, aggravation from night-watching, sleepless from worry
- Ailments from rudeness, from feeling hurt or insulted
- Sadness and grief, weeping, dwells on past disagreeable occurrences
- Sudden great anxiety
- Speaks hastily, talkative, witty, joking
- Slow comprehension, mental dullness, nervous exhaustion
- Weakness, numbness, trembling, prostration
- Dizziness, vertigo, motion sickness, seasickness
- Disturbed sleep pattern, insomnia, anxious dreams, restless sleep
- Weakness of the neck, trembling in the back, numbness of hands or feet
- Dysmenorrhea, profuse painful menses with bloating and cramping
- Chilly
- Worse fresh air
- Better lying down
Information contained on this site is for educational purposes only and should not be used to prescribe, diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or illness. Any information provided is not intended to replace medical advice offered by a physician. If you desire or need such advice, you should consult a professional healthcare provider.