Note: Homeopathic Treatment requires strict individualization. Please do not take any medicine without consulting your physician/homeopath.
Anemia is a lower than normal number of red blood
cells (erythrocytes) in the blood, usually measured by a decrease
in the amount of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the red pigment in red
blood cells that transports oxygen.
Although there are many different forms of anemia, the most common
are: iron-deficiency anemia, vitamin B12 anemia and folic acid deficiency.
Anemias can also be caused by such conditions as external bleeding,
chronic disease, pregnancy, alcoholism, bleeding disorders, infection
and hereditary conditions.
Symptoms of Anemia
The symptoms of iron deficiency anemia (if any) are:
Paleness
Weakness
Tiredness
Chest pains (in severe cases)
Shortness of breath (in severe cases)
Heart palpitations (in severe cases)
An increased heart rate especially during exertion (in severe cases)
Rapid breathing
Low blood pressure
The symptoms of vitamin B12 anemia can also cause:
Jaundice
Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet
Equilibrium difficulties
Confusion
Personality changes and depression
#Ferrum metallicum [Ferr]
Iron is the great allopathic remedy for anaemia from almost any
cause. It is also a great homoeopathic remedy, but it will not cure
every case of anaemia; careful individualization is necessary. When
the patient has an appearance of full bloodedness or plethora, which
is followed by paleness or earthiness of the face and puffiness
of the extremities, then Ferrum will benefit. It is not the remedy
for the anaemia resulting from loss of fluids; that is Cinchona,
or perhaps Natrum muriaticum. When Ferrum is indicated the mucous
membranes are pale, more so than with Cinchona, and there is apt
to be an anaemia murmur in the veins of the neck. The patient is
easily exhausted. Vomiting of food after eating may occur. The patient
is constantly chilly and perhaps has an afternoon or evening fever
simulating hectic fever. In very stubborn cases sometimes Ferrum
phosphoricum may serve better than Ferrum metallicum. Schuessler
recommends first Calcarea phosphorica, then Ferrum phosphoricum.
In simple, uncomplicated chlorosis Ferrum is one of our best remedies.
Hughes recommends Ferrum redactum 1x or 2X. Ludlam praises Ferrum
et strychnia citrate 3X, Dr.Jousset, Ferrum aceticum or the Ferrum
protoxalate, and Dr.Holcombe. of New Orleans, used Ferrum phosphoricum.
All these preparations of Iron may benefit cases of anaemia and
chlorosis; if so, it is by virtue of their similarity to the symptoms
of the case, and not because one or the other preparation of Iron
is a tonic in the allopathic sense. By giving the indicated preparation
of Iron it removes the underlying dyscrasia giving rise to the anaemic
or chlorotic conditions and cures the trouble.
#Pulsatilla [Puls]
Pulsatilla is the great antidote to Iron, and hence is indicated
in the anaemic condition produced by large or continued doses of
it. The system is relaxed and worn out; the patient is chilly and
suffers from gastric and menstrual derangements. Thus the symptoms
resemble closely those calling for Ferrum. The cause of the anaemia
must be sought for, and if the case comes from allopathic hands
it is safe to infer that much Iron has been given and Pulsatilla
will surely be the remedy. The Pulsatilla patient feels better in
the open air. Dizziness on rising, absence of thirst, and the peculiar
disposition will lead to the remedy. Cyclamen, which is similar
in many respects, differ from Pulsatilla in dreading the fresh air.
Cinchona is the chief remedy for anaemia resulting from loss of
fluids,as in lactation or haemorrhage, or from all exhausting discharges,
such as menstrual flow, long-lasting diarrhoea, and sexual excesses
and loss of semen. The quality of the blood is actually poorer in
cases calling for Cinchona. Special symptoms are heaviness of the
head, loss of sight,fainting and ringing in the ears, pale sallow
complexion, sour belching, poor digestion and bloated abdomen. The
patient is sensitive to draughts of air yet wants to be fanned.
Dr. George Royal thinks many physicians err in giving Cinchona too
low in symptomatic anaemia when much time has elapsed since the
drain was made on the system. He finds the 30th. productive of better
results than the lower preparations. NATrum muriaticum is also a
remedy for anaemic and debilitated conditions due to loss of fluids,
especially in women who suffer from menstrual disorders and in chronic
cases with a dead, dirty-looking skin. Chininum arsenicosum is sometimes
prescribed for anaemia, not, however, on the totality ;of the symptoms,
but because it is said to be "good for it." It has been
found curative in certain cases ;of pernicious anaemia. Acetic acid
suits anaemic nursing women, with waxy skin, and thirst.
#Calcarea carbonica [Calc]
Almost any of the deeper acting constitutional remedies may be of
use in anaemic and debilitated conditions, and especially are the
Calcareas useful. Thus we have Calcarea phosphorica as the remedy
for the "green sickness," chlorosis of young girls, with
a complexion like wax, alabaster lips and ears, a bright eye, and
when they smile or laugh it is a sickly one. The face sometimes
has a true greenish hue or a sallow one. In such cases the menses
are apt to be too early and then calcarea phosphorica is well indicated
for this condition. Calcarea carbonica is indicated by the psoric,
scrofulous or tubercular diathesis and the general symptoms of the
drug, by disgust for meat, craving for sour and indigestible things,
swelling of abdomen, vertigo and palpitation ;on going upstairs.
The patient is in a state of worry. Constantly imagining calamities.
Alumina is also a remedy for chlorosis due to the scrofulous diathesis
and from improper nourishment, such as occurs in some children brought
up on artificial foods. Nux vomica, too, may be indicated in anaemic
conditions when due to gastro-intestinal derangements. Plumbum has
been recommended for inveterate chlorosis with obstinate constipation.
Alumina also, being an antipsoric, is the remedy for anaemic conditions
about puberty, with abnormal craving for indigestible substances,
such as slate pencils, chalk, etc.
#Arsenicum [Ars]
This being a direct poison to the red blood corpuscles takes first
rank in cases of pernicious anaemia or in anaemias due to a malarial
of ;toxic influence. Dr.Blackley, of England, reported four cases
of pernicious anaemia cured with small doses of the remedy. It does
not correspond to simple anaemias so well. It indications are excessive
prostration considerable oedema, violent and irregular palpitation,marked
appetite for acids and brandy, extreme anxiety and rapid emaciation
. There is irritable stomach and intense thirst. When the allopathic
school uses Arsenic as a blood tonic, and Dr.Bartholow says, "it
is one of the most valuable remedies in the treatment of chlorosis
and anaemia," it does so on strictly Homoeopathic principles.
Picric acid. The extreme prostration of pernicious anaemia, with
a heavy tired feeling all over the body, burning pains along the
spine and aggravation from excitement indicate this remedy.
#Helonias [Helon]
An excellent remedy in anaemia and chlorosis. It suits especially
anaemia from prolonged haemorrhage in women enervated by indolence
and luxury, or such as are worn out with hard work; they are too
tired to sleep and the strained muscles burn and ache A characteristic
modality is that the patient is better when the attention is engaged,
hence better when the doctor comes. This anaemia is associated with
disturbances in the urinary and sexual organs. Tired,anaemic, backachey
females need Helonias, "It is one of the best blood makers
that we have." (E. G. Jones.)
#Aletris [Alet]
Chlorosis. "The China of the uterine organs." (Hale.)
Tired dull, heavy,confused. Debility of females from protracted
illness; no organic disease. Power and energy of mind and body are
weakened.
#Secale [Sec]
This remedy produces a progressives general anaemia. It is shown
by the peculiar cachexia of anaemia, pale, bloodless, jaundiced
color. By its effect on the blood corpuscles it produces a general
anaemia, threatening not only the life of a part, but vitiating
the whole life of the bodily economy. It is a sort of a mechanical
anaemia.
#Natrum muriaticum [Nat-m]
This is one of our best remedies in anaemic conditions. There is
paleness, and, in spite of the fact that the patient eats well,
there is emaciation. There are attacks of throbbing headache and
dyspnoea, especially on going up stairs, constipation ands depression
of spirits, and consolation aggravates. With these symptoms there
is much palpitation, fluttering and intermittent action of the heart.
The hypochondriasis in these cases is marked. Scanty menstruation
is frequently an indicating symptom. Kali carbonicum is one of the
most important remedies in anaemia, weak heart, sweats backache,
especially with female complaints. |