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Remedy reference

Helleborus

(Helleborus niger · Christmas rose)

The remedy of slowed senses. In the materia medica, Helleborus is associated with a dulled, withdrawn state in which the person sees, hears and responds slowly, with vacant staring, sighing and deep weakness.

Grief & emotions | Fatigue

Source

The root of the Christmas rose, a winter-flowering hellebore

Kingdom

Plant

Abbreviation

Hell.

Home acute kit

Usually prescribed by a homeopath

The classic picture

(a remedy is chosen when the whole picture fits the person, not from a single symptom)

Slow to answer, with a vacant stare, as if the senses were dimmed

Involuntary sighing; picking at the lips and clothes

Quiet, low, despairing mood; consolation makes it worse and they want to be left undisturbed

Deep muscular weakness, worse from late afternoon into evening

Tends to feel better

Being left undisturbed

Tends to feel worse

4 to 8 pm

Evening until morning

Uncovering

Consolation

How it compares

(remedies that are often confused with Helleborus)

  • Opium

    (Papaver somniferum)

    Both dull and unresponsive; Opium is deeply drowsy and flushed, Helleborus pale and slow, with sighing and picking.

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  • Apis

    (Apis mellifica)

    Both may cry out suddenly in sleep; Apis is restless and thirstless, Helleborus dull and drinks greedily.

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  • Natrum muriaticum

    (Natrum muriaticum)

    Both worse for consolation; Natrum muriaticum holds grief inward but stays alert, Helleborus is slowed and dulled.

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From the classic texts

“Produces a condition of sensorial depression. Sees, hears, tastes imperfectly, and general muscular weakness, which may go on to complete paralysis, accompanied by dropsical effusions.”

William Boericke, Pocket Manual of Homoeopathic Materia Medica (1901)

“Irritable, easily angered; consolation < (Ign., Nat., Sep., Sil.); does not want to be disturbed (Gels., Nat.)”

Henry C. Allen, Keynotes and Characteristics (1898)

Articles that mention Helleborus

Homeopathy for Focus and Brain Fog

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This page is for education only and is not medical advice. Homeopathy is complementary care, not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment by a licensed medical provider. Seek medical care for severe, worsening or emergency symptoms. Please view our Disclaimer.