Genus: Conium
Common name: Poison Hemlock. Wild Hemlock. Spotted Hemlock.
Family: Umbelliferae (Carrot, Celery, Parsley) also Apiaceae
Poison Hemlock is a poisonous herbaceous plant which grows 5 – 8 feet tall. Its stem is smooth, hollow, and streaked with red or purple. The whole plant has an unpleasant odor, perhaps as a natural warning of its toxicity. Its clusters of tiny white flowers resemble another member of the Umbelliferae family, the edible wild carrot Queen Anne’s Lace, which only grows from 1 – 4 feet high and has a hairy, solid all green stem. The name Conium is from the Greek word for dizziness or whirl, an indication of vertigo, which is one of the effects of ingesting this poisonous plant. The Ancient Greeks used Conium maculatum to kill those convicted of crimes, the most famous being the philosopher Socrates.
When prepared homeopathically and potentized, Conium maculatum has an affinity for the nerves, muscles, sexual organs, and glands. No longer toxic, its ability to stimulate the body’s self-curative properties is released. A person who would benefit from this remedy has complaints that have come on gradually with a tendency to become progressively degenerate and malignant. There can be premature aging, mental deterioration, and deep depression. The gradual onset of indifference, isolation, and introversion are also characteristic symptoms. The use of homeopathic Conium could restore balance on every level – emotional, mental, and physical.
Keynotes:
- Ailments from grief, dwells on past griefs
- Ailments from suppression of sexual desire due to loss of spouse or celibacy
- Progressive debility, weakness of body and mind
- Mental dullness, forgetfulness, brain fog, confusion, premature aging
- Indifference, emotionally closed, depression
- Introversion, isolation, aversion to company
- Prefers to wear dark clothing, even only black, as if in mourning
- Vertigo, dizziness, double vision, problems with focusing, photophobia, lacrimation
- Gradual paralysis and weakness, progressive weakness of the legs, numbness
- Impaired balance or coordination causing awkward gait
- Swelling or hardening of glands, tumors, malignancies
- History of cancer of the breast, uterus, ovaries, testes, prostate
- Enlarged prostate, difficult urination, impotence
- Injuries of glands or soft parts
- Perspiration on closing the eyes, while sleeping
- Shortness of breath on least exertion, oppressed breathing
- Heartburn and eructations worse on going to bed
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