The poisonous effect of Ledum very much resembles snake
venom. Like Lachesis, its ailments
begin on the left side, are more intense in the upper part of the body than the
lower, start mostly at the feet or the leg and then spread from below upwards.
Like Arnica, Ledum is also closely related to injuries. Particularly,
when used along with Arnica and Hypericum it proves to be much more effective.
Ledum is of special use in the treatment of old injuries, leaving deep residual
effect, or in the treatment
of injuries caused by pointed objects like nails and thorns, etc.
Ledumsusceptible wounds emit a lightning type of pain, even after having
apparently been healed for years. In this situation, if the patient happens to
get convulsions or severe
muscular spasms, Ledum proves to be the best remedy.
Horse dung is notorious for causing tetanus. However, if the
horseitself should step on a sharp rusty nail, and sustain a deep
wound inthe hoof which then happens to dig into the bone, the
convulsions oftetanus can rapidly be cured with Ledum 200. Ledum has thecapability of curing tetanus resulting, even after many
years, fromwounds inflicted with sharp weapons. Ledum is also very
useful inthe treatment of injuries penetrating through the surface
linings of thebone (periosteum). However, for the associated damage to the
nervefibres around the bone, Hypericum is much more effective.
Similarly,if the nerves are damaged following surgery and the pain
continuesthen Hypericum is found to be more useful than Ledum. Arnica
in ahigh potency is useful in treating the sprain at the heel, but
not forthe residual pain due to injury to the nerve fibres. Ruta
and Bellisprove to be of much greater advantage in this situation. Persistentswelling and chronic pain of the ankle resulting from repeatedligamentous sprains responds better to Equisetum. Ledum may
alsobe very beneficial if the chronic swelling is due to the
involvement ofthe joints. Chronic
ill effects of repeated ankle injuries are
bettertreated with Ruta, Bellis and Equisetum.
Some homoeopathic remedies have been found useful on
clinical evidence, though they have not been described in literature. At one
time, proving had been the standard for establishing the efficacy of
homoeopathic substances, which obviously is the best method. However, in view of the scarcity of
conscientious and impartial volunteers, clinical evidence has definitely played
an important role in the advancement of homoeopathic knowledge. Sometimes, the effect of injury to the ankle does
not remain localised. It may also result in the cramping of the legs, which
becomes worse on walking or excessive movement, causing severe discomfort. The
cramps may affect the knees and hip joints. No ordinary treatment seems to
relieve them. Only, on specific treatment, will the discomfort start receding
towards the original site, where it will become localised. The appropriate
analogous therapy will prevent the spread of discomfort from here. The swelling of Ledum originates from the
joints of the feet, like the onset of gout. Gout has its own specific nature
and is easily diagnosed, i.e. relief of discomfort in the cold or by pouring
cold water over the affected area, while the discomfort increases in the hot
weather. This kind of pain in the foot also gets better with Ledum very
quickly. All conditions related to Ledum will be relieved on cold applications.
Phantom
pains in which a diseased or injured part has been amputated and yet
the patient feels the original part of the limb existing and continuing to
hurt, is an extremely troubling condition.
For example, a person’s leg has been surgically removed (amputated)for some incurable condition, but he feels as if the big toe
(that doesnot exist any more) is hurting. Arnica and Ledum are very
effective torelieve this condition. If the treating physician comes to
know of the existing condition that required the amputation in the first
place, thenhe should treat that very condition. The phantom pain is the
painalong the nerve fibres that have been sensitized by the
sickness. In case the analogous treatment of the sickness is
administered, theaffected nerve fibres will receive the message of
reverting to their normal state. Arnica, Ledum, Hypericum and Symphytum, etc.
can be useful in the treatment
of phantom pain, provided that the original disease i.e. before
amputation, is the focus of treatment.
The Ledum patient is cold and feels very cold both inside and out, yet
his joint pains feel
better with cold applications. They become worse on the application of heat. It
is strange, yet real in the case of Ledum.
The face of a Ledum patient, like that of Lachesis, appears
swollen. Similar symptoms are also
found in heart patients. The face of a Ledum patient is somewhat bluish. The legs and feet also, are swollen (oedematous)
and bluish in colour. The Ledum patient is generally stout and well built.
Ledum may also be useful in the treatment of chronic pain of the knee joints,
in addition to the ankles, provided the pain seems to be relieved with cold
applications. As in Gelsemium, the patient passes plenty of colourless urine
freely.
In female patients of Ledum, periods are frequent,
excessive and of deep red colour. These symptoms being present, Ledum will cure
the uterine dysfunction also. Remember however, that symptoms of Ledum subside
with cold applications.
One symptom is common to Pulsatilla and Ledum yet it is
not difficult to differentiate between the two. In Ledum the limbs that become
the seat of chronic pain, gradually become weak, contracted and shrivelled, in
comparison to the non-affected side. The clear distinction is that a Pulsatilla
patient feels hot and gets relief with cold, while the patient of Ledum feels
cold yet gets relief with cold.
Moreover, his ailments still get better in cold weather. Ledum is also useful in the treatment of eye conditions. Injury
to the eye, blood shots, and simultaneous onset of gout and cataract respond
beautifully to treatment with Ledum. In Ledum, tiny red pimples form on the
forehead and cheeks, which are painful to touch. Acne appears on the nose and
at the mouth. The nose burns. There is a suffocating
type of cough and the phlegm
is mixed with blood. The trachea feels sore and constricted, causing
difficulty in breathing. The innate body temperature of a Ledum patient is low
(sub-normal), yet he cannot tolerate the warmth of the bed. Heat aggravates his
symptoms. Instead he likes to keep his feet dipped in cold water.