Sambucus nigra
(Sambucus nigra · Elder)
The remedy of the snuffly baby. In the materia medica, Sambucus nigra is associated with a dry, blocked nose in infants, sudden wakings around midnight with a breathless cough, and heavy sweating once awake.
Source
The fresh leaves and flowers of the European elder tree
Kingdom
Plant
Abbreviation
Samb.
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)
Babies with dry, completely blocked noses who must let go of the breast to breathe
Wakes suddenly around midnight, sitting up and struggling to breathe out
Dry heat while asleep, then profuse sweating over the whole body on waking
Fretful and easily frightened; dreads being uncovered
Tends to feel better
Sitting up in bed
Motion
Tends to feel worse
Sleep and rest
Around midnight
After eating fruit
How it compares
(remedies that are often confused with Sambucus nigra)
-
Ipecacuanha
(Cephaelis ipecacuanha)
Ipecacuanha's chest rattles with constant nausea; Sambucus is drier, with a blocked nose and sweat on waking.
Read more -
Nux vomica
(Strychnos nux-vomica)
Nux vomica also has a nose stuffed up at night and must stay covered, but with irritability and chill rather than a drenching waking sweat.
Read more
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From the classic texts
“Dry coryza. Sniffles of infants; nose dry and obstructed. Loose choking cough. When nursing child must let go of nipple, nose blocked up, cannot breathe.”
“Fever: dry heat while he sleeps; on falling asleep; after lying down; without thirst, dreads uncovering (must be covered in every stage, Nux). Profuse sweat over entire body during waking hours”
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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