Spigelia is prepared from a plant called pink root. It is
renowned for the treatment of neuralgic pains affecting the left side of
the body. It is also of great value in the treatment of joint pains. Patients suffering from chronic
multiple joi nt pains become irritable and hypersensitive. Spigelia will be very useful in the
treatment of these patients. Spigelia is highly effective in certain heart
conditions, such as inflammation
of the outer covering of the heart as well as the valves of the heart, and rapid heartbeat (tachycardia). Spigelia is
of immense value for the treatment of left-sided facial
neuralgia. According to the majority of Homoeopaths, Spigelia can cure
any form of neuralgic
pain affecting the neck and the face.
Sometimes, the pain at the neck and shoulder becomes chronic. It feels
better on application of hot fomentation. The Spigelia ailments become worse in
cold weather, though the pain as such is of burning and lightning type, as if
the affected part has been tied with hot burning wires. The patient feels hot
up to the end of the nerves. Spigelia should not be forgotten in this
situation. As far as possible, one should avoid having injections, etc.
Injection therapy may suppress the condition, but the wrong choice of injection
may inflict permanent, serious harm. Spigelia,
when effective, needs no supplementation with injections. If Spigelia fails
then one should look for other appropriate Homoeopathic remedies.
The neuralgic
pain of the eye (ocular neuralgia) usually arises, on exposure to
cold. The pain undulates along the course of the nerves. The Spigelia pains fleet around, over the
entire body. Spigelia is very useful in
the treatment of
pericarditis as well as endocarditis. Pericarditis means the
inflammation of the outer covering of the heart, causing fever and tightness in
the chest. Endocarditis means the
affliction of the valves of the heart by bacteria, resulting in fever,
difficulty in breathing and dysfunction of the heart. The neurologic symptoms of Spigelia include a weak memory, general indifference, restlessness and confusion. The
patient feels dizzy on getting up suddenly. The weakness may be due to
increase or decrease of blood pressure, or due to the disturbance
of the fluid level in the internal ear (labyrinth). Dizziness may sometimes be
due to an ear infection. Despite severe pain, the patient is drowsy. The patient
feels better on lying down with the head elevated. The symptoms of Spigelia
become worse on bowing the head forward.
The aches and pains of Spigelia can affect the right as well as the left
side of the body. Yet, Spigelia is considered ideal for the treatment of left-sided
problems. Sanguinaria is considered useful for the problems related to the
right side of the body. The headache amenable to treatment with Spigelia begins
at the nape of the neck, and then shifts to the right or the left side of the
head. It is associated with severe throbbing and is of undulating type. The
pain may become localized to the forehead over the right or the left eye. During
the pain, the head feels tightly tied. Sometimes, the patient starts having
cold sweats due to the extreme severity of the pain or he may start throwing
up. Such a patient should be immediately wrapped in a heavy quilt, given hot black
tea and Spigelia be administered to them without delay. Unusual high sensitivity to pain is found in
Pulsatilla, Hepar Sulph, Chamomilla and Oxalic Acid. For details, please refer
to the appropriate chapters.
In Spigelia, the pain is felt in the substance of the nerve. It
is not due to inflammation or injury to the nerve. The pain is very severe and may
be externally marked with red lines along the course of the nerve. It may probably be due to increased blood
flow along the nerves. This symptom is typical of Spigelia. The red lines are
visible only on the affected area. The pain may be of piercing type and touch
is unbearable. In Spigelia, the eyes
feel big. The patient cannot focus the eyesight and sometimes
objects look out of their actual place. The pain
in the eye is associated with extreme pressure. The eye hurts on
moving the eyeball. However, the eye is not red. Pain without redness indicates
the neuralgic nature of the pain. One may feel dizzy on trying to move the eye.
The eyes water and are sensitive to light. The facial pain
may involve the cheekbones, eyes, teeth and the temple areas. The pain becomes worse
on bending forwards. Spigelia is also useful in the treatment of intestinal
worms.