Genus: Drosera rotundifolia
Common name: Round-leaved Sundew. Common Sundew.
Family: Droseraceae (Sundew)
Found in shady, marshy, swampy, boggy areas that are low in nutrients throughout Europe and North America, sundews are small perennial plants that trap insects with sticky tentacle covered leaves. The name Drosera means dewy. Long red hairs secrete drops of golden fluid that glisten like dew drops. These interesting plants are carnivorous. When an insect brushes the surface of the leaves, they close upon it like a trap and slowly digest the hapless insect. The crushed leaves have been used medicinally for their ability to relieve irritation of the mucus membranes lining the mouth, for their anti-spasmodic qualities, and for their expectorant actions.
As a homeopathic remedy, Drosera has an affinity for the respiratory organs and is known as the primary remedy for whooping cough (pertussis) or any violent spasmodic cough that is worse after midnight and worse when lying down. The cough is deep, dry, and suffocative. Breathing is difficult and the painful cough can produce vomiting or a nosebleed. The fits of coughing start with a tickling in the throat and become so violent that it is difficult to get a breath.
Keynotes:
- Severe paroxysms of coughing that make it difficult to breathe
- Prolonged and incessant coughs
- Severe dyspnea threatening suffocation
- Blueness of face and lips
- Retching, vomiting, or nosebleed from the cough
- Painful tightness in the chest when coughing, must hold chest
- Cough worse lying down, worse eating, worse after midnight
- Bronchitis, croup
- Whooping cough, pertussis, tuberculosis
- Deep, hoarse voice, sore throat of speakers
- Anxiety when alone
- Restlessness
- Very irritable, obstinate, impatient
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