Introduction

Hi, welcome back to the Materia Medica series. Today I am going to discuss one of the most common acute homeopathic remedies, which is Bryonia Alba.

Now to be clear, although Bryonia is probably the most commonly prescribed acute remedy in my practice, that doesn’t mean that it’s only indicated for acute conditions. It can definitely be helpful in chronic conditions too. In fact, the same is true of all remedies. Any remedy whatsoever can be useful in either acute or chronic situations.

The fact is that we speak of different remedies as being acute or chronic or constitutional remedies as a matter of convenience. We do this simply because some remedies are much more commonly needed in acute conditions while others have been repeatedly proven to be useful in chronic situations.

Although these categories — acute, chronic, and constitutional — serve a useful purpose, it’s important not to pigeonhole remedies. You don’t want to think of a particular remedy as being only for acutes or only for chronic conditions. A good homeopath must be able to keep an open and flexible mind at all times, because you never know when Arnica might be the similimum for a chronic case, and you never know when Sulphur could be the remedy for an acute ailment.

What is Bryonia Alba

Bryonia Alba is a remedy made from a perennial climbing vine called White Bryony. It’s also known as Wild Hops and it’s a member of the family Cucurbitaceae.

Unlike some of the more constitutional and chronic case remedies, we’re less likely to choose an acute remedy based upon its mental characteristics. Therefore, in describing Bryonia, I’m not going to begin like I usually do with the psychological profile of the remedy. Instead, I’ll start by describing some of the key features of Bryonia.

These key features are distinguishing symptoms or characteristic clues that help us to decide upon our choice of remedy. With this in mind, the key features of Bryonia are as follows:

• Aggravation from motion
• General dryness
• Thirst for large quantities of cold drinks
• Sharp, stitching pains
• Mental irritability and aversion to company

1- Aggravation from Motion Is Key Symptom of Bryonia Alba

The first and most important key feature of Bryonia is an aggravation from motion. This modality by far is the one clue that will most often lead you to choose this remedy. Bryonia symptoms are aggravated by motion — sometimes even the slightest motion will aggravate.

This tends to be most obvious in cases like a badly sprained ankle. The pain is usually severe enough that the person does not want to move the injured part. Such situations are often best handled by bandaging or bracing to help keep it immobilized. It also makes good sense to obtain a proper medical evaluation to rule out fractures or torn ligaments.

Whether the pain is related to a headache, an arthritic joint, or a case of pneumonia — the same basic rule applies. If Bryonia is the indicated remedy, the person will not want to move because it aggravates their condition.

Patient with the headache wants to lie still. The person with arthritis does not want to use the affected joints. And person with pneumonia knows that motion will intensify chest pain or trigger coughing.

As you can see, this modality isn’t limited exclusively to pain. When we see symptoms like coughing, difficult breathing, urging to urinate, or vertigo aggravated by motion — we naturally think of Bryonia.

It’s important to differentiate this from other situations that look similar. For example, when a person with flu lies on the couch all day and doesn’t want to get up, we must ask WHY. If it’s due to exhaustion, think of Gelsemium. If it’s because motion makes the head hurt or intensifies the muscle aches or triggers the cough — think of Bryonia.

2- Bryonia Have Dryness of Mucous Membranes

Another key feature that characterizes Bryonia is dryness — dryness of mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, lips, mouth, throat, or larynx. There may also be dryness of the eyes. The Bryonia cough is dry, hacking, and non-productive — the opposite of a wet, mucousy cough.

Dryness may extend to the rectum (constipation with hard, dry stools) or the skin. Sometimes there’s even a sensation of dryness inside painful joints, as if lacking lubrication. Bryonia fever tends to be dry, with noticeable lack of perspiration.

3- Bryonia Patient Has Thirst for Cold Drinks

Bryonia has a strong thirst for large quantities of cold drinks. The person desires cold drinks at long intervals — drinks a lot at once, then not thirsty again for some time. This distinguishes Bryonia from Phosphorus, who wants small, frequent sips.

4- Sharp Pains of Bryonia

The pain of Bryonia is typically sharp or stitching — like being stuck with a fine needle. It may also feel cutting, stabbing, or shooting. In chest pains, Bryonia appears prominently in rubrics like stitching or stabbing chest pains.

5- Mental State and Irritability of Bryonia Alba

When sick or in pain, Bryonia is typically irritable and prefers quiet. He wants no disturbance, no motion, no company. Even talking to him can make him angry. He wants to be left alone in stillness — not moved physically or emotionally.

6- Psychological Profile of Bryonia Alba

Following are some most important characteristics of Psychology of Bryonia Patient:

Fear of Poverty:

Bryonia is one of the most prominent remedies listed under fear of poverty. This fear lies close to the core of his psychological makeup. He is business-minded, practical, materialistic, determined, and industrious — preoccupied with business, work, and financial security. He talks, dreams, and worries about business.

Anxious About Future:

He becomes irritable and anxious about the future, about money and material security.

Strong Desire To Go Home (Even if at Home):

Another strong theme is “home.” Bryonia strongly desires to go home, talks of home, and even during delirium says he wants to go home — even if already at home. Home represents safety and security for him.

7- Additional Modalities of Bryonia Alba

Aggravation from motion is the keynote modality, but several others reinforce it:

• Better from rest
• Better from quiet
• Better from steady pressure
• Better from holding the painful part
• Better lying on the painful side
• Better from bracing or splinting

Other modalities include:

• Worse from cold dry or windy weather
• Worse from becoming chilled when overheated
• Better in cool open air
• Better from perspiration
• Worse from anger or mortification
• Worse around 9:00 p.m., especially for fever or chills

8- Generals of Bryonia

Bryonia patients often desire cold or ice-cold drinks but sometimes also warm milk. There may be desire for or aggravation from meat, oysters, coffee, or wine; worse from bread or gas-producing foods like cabbage or beans.

General tendencies:

• Right-sided complaints (except headaches, which are left-sided)
• Prefers to sleep on the left side

9- Common Physical Problems of Bryonia Patient

Here are most common organs or systems that are usually effected in a Bryonia patient:

Liver, Mucous Membranes, Serous Membranes & Musculoskeletal System

Bryonia has strong affinity for the liver, musculoskeletal system, and serous and mucous membranes. Serous membranes (around joints, brain, lungs, heart) may become inflamed with swelling or fluid accumulation. Mucous membranes (eyes, nose, throat, rectum, urinary tract) also show dryness.

Chest Conditions:

Chest conditions include asthma, bronchitis, pleurisy, mastitis, and pneumonia. The cough is dry, painful, worse from motion, eating, or entering a warm room. Stitching needle-like pains in the lungs aggravated by the slightest motion are keynotes of Bryonia.

Abdominal Disorders & Conditions:

Abdominal conditions include appendicitis, gastritis, hepatitis, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. Appendicitis pains are worse from motion, better lying on the right side. Constipation is with hard, dry stools and dryness of the rectum. Diarrhea worse on first rising in the morning.

Arthritis:

In arthritis or gout, pain is worse from motion, better from warmth, worse from cold. In sciatica, pain is worse from motion, better lying on the affected leg. Bryonia is also suited to musculoskeletal injuries where the person avoids movement due to pain.

Headaches & Migraines:

Headaches are usually left frontal, above the eye, extending to the occiput, worse from motion (even eye movement), often accompanied by constipation. Vertigo worse on rising in the morning or from sitting, with sensation of sinking through the bed.

10- Remedy Relationships of Bryonia Alba

Natrum muriaticum, Sulphur, and Alumina are constitutional remedies that may develop acute conditions needing Bryonia. Rhus Tox is complimentary of Bryonia.

Rhus Tox:

Complementary remedies include Rhus toxicodendron, which often follows Bryonia well in acute injuries. Bryonia fits the initial acute stage when movement aggravates, and Rhus tox fits later when stiffness remains.

Natrum Muriaticum:

Natrum muriaticum and Bryonia share the aversion to company.

Alumina:

Alumina shares constipation and dryness.

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