Complementary Alternative Cardiovascular Medicine

Chapter 14 / Homeopathy and CVD 229
People who need this remedy have “Type A” personalities and are
hard working, perhaps even aggressive and strong-willed. They are often
in positions of power and take control easily. A patient who would respond
favorably to this remedy would be irritable and impatient, be concerned
with small details, and be conscientious about all manner of being: the
way he or she dresses, the way he or she keeps home and office, and the
quality of work he or she does. This tendency leads to competitiveness
and exhaustive drive. They would expect the same high standards from
others at home and work, hence the easy irritability and anger. They can
have strong tempers and can be unapologetic. During acute illnesses, the
emotional temperament of those who need Nux vomica is more extreme.
People needing Nux vomica suffer from insomnia, especially in the
middle of the night when they find themselves awake, thinking about
work, their responsibilities, and other tasks that need to be addressed.
Patients requiring Nux vomica are chilly and feel worse in the cold
weather. Sometimes if a patient has been this way for some time, he or
she is in a state of exhaustion. Years of going at such a workaholic pace
have taken their toll, and the physical symptoms have become stronger
than he or she can ignore. Therefore, it is the physical symptoms that
bring this patient to the doctor and that must be addressed, and the homeopath
seeks to understand those symptoms in the context of the underlying
issues.
When the symptoms match and this remedy is prescribed, the homeopath
would expect all aspects of the Nux vomica patient to improve, from
palpitations or angina to insomnia, constipation, and irritability. Lifestyle
modification recommendations are made cautiously with a patient who
needs Nux vomica, because he or she overdoes whatever suggestions
are made.
Another constitutional remedy used in cardiac patients is Glonoine
(nitroglycerine). Nitroglycerine was first used in medicine by the brilliant
American homeopath, Constantine Hering (1800–1880), who used
this substance some 30 yr before it was introduced into allopathic medical
community. When prepared homeopathically, the nitroglycerine remedy
is used for problems of intense palpitation, where there is visible
throbbing of the carotids. The patient presents with severe pulsating
headaches characterized by a sensation of congestion and fullness, which
accompanies the heart symptoms. They are worse in warm temperatures
and flush easily on the chest and face.
If the patient has angina, there would likewise be extreme redness to
the face during episodes and the attendant headache. These attacks can
be brought on by exposure to the sun or by becoming overheated. This
temperature aggravation is exactly opposite to that of Nux vomica.