NYCTANTHES ARBOR - TRITIS

REMEDY OF THE DAY: Nyctanthes Arbor-Tristis

(Dr Sarat Chandra Ghose)

The following observations, provings, and clinical experience were supplied by Dr. Sarat Chandra Ghose, of Calcutta, India. They were made about the years 1898-1903 :

Name : Nyctanthes, Arbor Tristis, Sad tree.

In Sanskrit it is called Sephalika ; in Bengali, Siuli ; in Hindi, Harsinghar ; in Tamil, Paghalarnalli.

Leading Uses

It is an expectorant, bitter and tonic, febrifuge, and mild purgative. It is used in bilious and obstinate remittent fever, sciatica, and rheumatism. It is also very useful in constipation of children.

Characteristics

The following lines are reproduced from Dr. J. H. Clarke's Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica (Vol. II, Part I, pages 631-632)

"Nyctanthes is a small tree of the jasmine family, having brilliant, highly fragrant flowers, white and yellow, which do not expand till evening and which fall off about sunrise.

Thus during the day the plant loses all its brightness, and hence is called The Sad Tree' (Arbor-tristis). Nyctanthes' means 'Night-flowering.'"

S. C. Ghose has given an account of the medicinal properties of this plant (Homeopathic World, XXXVI, 24).

He has used it extensively in cases of bilious and remittent fevers, rheumatism and sciatica, and the constipation of children.

It is bitter, tonic, and expectorant and a mild purgative. In the fever there is thirst before and during chills, and bitter vomiting at close of chill. Not much sweat. Ghose compares it with Eupat. perf. He has made a short proving of it.

Symptoms For Its Administration

Mind: The patient is very anxious and restless.

Head: Dull headache exists.

Mouth: The tongue is enveloped with a thick, whitish or yellowish fur.

Stomach:Great burning sensation is experienced in the stomach, relieved by cold application.

Abdomen:There is tenderness of the liver ; stitches are felt in the hepatic region, which is very sensitive to touch.

Nausea And Vomiting:Bilious vomiting comes on at every draught.

Urine: The urine is high-colored.

Fever: It is very efficacious in all fevers, with predominance of bilious symptoms.

Insatiable thirst exists before and during chill and heat ; bitter vomiting appears at the close of chill ; constant nausea may or may not be present ; drinking causes vomiting ; the patient is very restless ; constipation or bilious stools ; perspiration is not generally marked.