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 In the materia medica, Helleborus is associated with a dulled, withdrawn state in which the person sees, hears and responds slowly, with vacant staring, sighing and deep weakness.
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.
Read more -
Apis
(Apis mellifica)
Both may cry out suddenly in sleep; Apis is restless and thirstless, Helleborus dull and drinks greedily.
Read more -
Natrum muriaticum
(Natrum muriaticum)
Both worse for consolation; Natrum muriaticum holds grief inward but stays alert, Helleborus is slowed and dulled.
Read more
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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.”
“Irritable, easily angered; consolation < (Ign., Nat., Sep., Sil.); does not want to be disturbed (Gels., Nat.)”
Articles that mention Helleborus
Looking for more than a quick remedy?
Acute remedies can be a starting point for short-term complaints. Ongoing or recurring issues call for a full case: a detailed conversation about your physical, mental and emotional symptoms, so the remedy fits you as a whole person.
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