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