Hyoscyamus
(Hyoscyamus niger · Henbane)
A remedy of suspicion and agitation. In the materia medica, Hyoscyamus is associated with restless, suspicious or jealous states, silly laughter or loss of inhibition, along with twitching, sleeplessness and a dry, tickly night cough.
Source
The henbane plant, a member of the nightshade family
Kingdom
Plant
Abbreviation
Hyos.
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)
Very suspicious, sometimes jealous, or fearful of being harmed
Talkative and silly, laughing at everything, or losing usual inhibitions, such as refusing to be covered
Muscles twitch and jerk; restless, picking at the bedclothes
Dry, tickling cough at night, worse lying down and better sitting up
Tends to feel better
Sitting up
Stooping
Tends to feel worse
Night
Lying down
During periods
Jealousy or disappointed love
How it compares
(remedies that are often confused with Hyoscyamus)
-
Belladonna
(Atropa belladonna)
Belladonna is hot, red and intense; Hyoscyamus is less flushed, more twitchy, suspicious and silly.
Read more -
Stramonium
(Datura stramonium)
Stramonium is more violent and terrified, especially of the dark; Hyoscyamus more jealous and suspicious.
Read moreCompare side by side -
Drosera
(Drosera rotundifolia)
Both have a dry night cough worse lying down; Drosera's comes in deep, barking fits, Hyoscyamus's from a tickle in the throat.
Read more
Side-by-side comparisons
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From the classic texts
“Dry, spasmodic cough at night (worse lying down; better sitting up), from itching in the throat, as if uvula were too long.”
“In delirium, Hyoscyamus occupies a place midway between Belladonna and Strammonium; lacks the constant cerebral congestion of the former and the fierce rage and maniacal delirium of the latter.”
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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