Hyoscyamus Niger – A Hydrophobic Miasm Remedy

Hi, I’m Dr Imran Ali, and welcome to the next post of Homeopathy Materia Medica Series. Today, I’ll be discussing Hyoscyamus Niger. Hyoscyamus is a hydrophobic miasm remedy. It has many similarities to other hydrophobic remedies, such as Stramonium and Belladonna. It’s derived from the black henbane plant, which is a member of the Solanaceae family.

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When reading the old homeopathic books, it’s easy to get the impression that this remedy is mostly reserved for truly extreme cases. Cases involving full-blown psychiatric pathology, and no doubt, if it were permitted to be used by trained homeopaths in psychiatric institutions, I’m certain that the results would astonish the allopath. But it’s also very valuable in everyday practice, too.

Hyoscyamus fits a wide range of emotional and behavioral problems in both children and adults. So it’s not necessary to wait until a person is institutionalized in order to justify prescribing this very valuable remedy.

All right let’s not waste time let’s talk about Hyoscyamus Niger.

General Mental and Emotional Picture of Hyoscyamus Niger

Okay, so in most Hyoscyamus cases, we tend to see some combination of:

• Loquaciousness
• Jealousy
• Hyperactivity
• Suspicious thinking
• Silliness
• Wildness
• Inappropriate sexuality
• Aggression.

Jealousy & Attention Seeking of Hyoscyamus Niger

The literature often places a great deal of emphasis on the jealousy aspect of Hyoscyamus, and I don’t disagree with that, but I would frame it a little differently. I think that the Hyoscyamus jealousy is better understood as a form of attention-seeking behavior. In fact, most of Hyoscyamus’ symptoms fit nicely into the category of attention-seeking behaviors.

But before we get too far down the rabbit hole, I’d first like to discuss etiology.

Etiology(Causes) of Hyoscyamus Jealousy or Attention Seeking

What is it that causes Hyoscyamus to act in such a manner? Well, in most cases, it results from some form of relationship breakdown. Hyoscyamus is a remedy for disappointed or unhappy love. It’s a remedy for jealousy resulting from betrayal or having been deserted or let down by someone close or important to the person.

Although this usually means the breakup of a romantic relationship, it can also involve a broken trust between friends, siblings, or parent and child. Naturally, losses of this type result in hurt, woundedness, and grief.

And we’ve seen how certain remedies like Natrum muriaticum and Ignatia are used to heal dysfunctional responses to such situations. Hyoscyamus, too, is a remedy for unprocessed or dysfunctionally managed grief or hurt. The underlying emotions of hurt and loss are, in essence, displaced, and instead, we tend to see jealousy and other maladaptive behaviors.

Excessive Talking & Displaying Jealousy

Instead of processing emotions healthily, the person becomes excessively talkative and begins to display jealousy toward the lover, sibling, or romantic rival. Instead of grieving, the person tends to talk incessant and even though the talk tends to revolve around the situation, all that talking amounts to just mental chatter. Chatter that never really addresses the grief on an emotional level.

Hyoscyamus is listed prominently under mental and emotional ailments caused by disappointment or unhappy love.

Inherited Behaviour

Now, not all cases can be traced to some instance of disappointed love. Sometimes a child simply inherits the Hyoscyamus energy from a parent.

In addition, it also lists under:

• Mental and emotional ailments caused by fright

Detailed Study of Attention-Seeking Behaviors of Hyoscyamus

Now, as I alluded to earlier, many of Hyoscyamus’ behaviors can be understood as attention-seeking behaviors. The ailment produced by betrayal or unhappy love causes the person to seek to regain the love and attention that have been lost. And it’s not so much an intentional strategy to regain attention as it is an unconscious psychological complex that drives the person’s behavior. In other words, the person doesn’t recognize why he feels compelled to talk so much, and the child doesn’t understand why he acts out in disruptive ways.

Negative Attention

Furthermore, as far as the Hyoscyamus type is concerned, it doesn’t seem to matter whether the attention gained is positive attention or negative attention as long as it’s just some form of attention. In many cases, the individual appears to thrive on negative attention. We can break these attention-seeking behaviors down into various categories, but their overall net impact is basically the same. They make people pay attention to them.

Manic and Loquacious State

Mania & Psychosis

There’s a manic, hyped up quality to the Hyoscyamus state of mind. It can be mild with restlessness and talkativeness, or it can intensify into wilder and more erratic behaviors with laughing, swearing, and relentless chatter. Although there can be rage or aggression, like with Stramonium, Hyoscyamus usually exhibits more manic craziness than actual violence. In extreme cases, there can be sexual mania and even psychosis.

Psychosis is a mental health condition in which a person loses touch with reality, often experiencing hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t there) and delusions (strong beliefs that are not true).

Talking, Talking & Talking (Loquacity)

Now, the one keynote Hyoscyamus clue that stands out above all others is loquacity. And what better way to get attention than by talking and talking and talking. Imagine an abnormally animated or extroverted person who speaks rapidly and excitedly.

Changing from Subject to Subject

The Hyoscyamus’s loquaciousness is rather disorganized and rambling, frequently changing from subject to subject.

Loud

It can be loud and obnoxious, but it can also be low-key and relentless(harsh).

Involuntary Stammering

Sometimes there can be involuntary stammering.

They Don’t Offend When Interrupted

Hyoscyamus types don’t often give me the feeling that I get with Lachesis, which is that if I dare to interrupt them, they(Lachesis) may become hostile. Hyoscyamus is less likely to take offense when interrupted.

How to Spot Hyoscyamus in Children

This remedy is relatively easy to spot in children. This is the kind of kid who engages me in my office without the normal inhibition that one would expect.

Attention-Seeking Tactics of Children in the Clinic

I remember one little boy who, on our first encounter, kept running over to where I was seated and pulling on my shirt sleeve to get my attention. He did this repeatedly in a loud voice, exclaiming “Dr Mura Dr Mura,” making sure that he had redirected my attention away from his parents before making his point to me.

When tactics of this nature fail to disrupt the flow of conversation between the adults in the room, such children may feel compelled to take more drastic measures.

Humor of Hyscyamus to Grab Attention

So another way to gain attention is to do things for shock value. Hyoscyamus often behaves in ways designed to shock or provoke others.

One such way is to use humor. Sometimes Hyoscyamus humor comes across as just humor, but in many cases, it’s as if the person isn’t aware of normal social boundaries. He simply doesn’t know how to stop himself. Hyoscyamus tends to make jokes frequently and repeatedly, even after the conversation has turned serious.

Their Humor is Often Vulgar

Oftentimes, it’s more off-color or outrageous humor (vulgar jokes). I suspect that a good number of professional comedians could benefit from Hyoscyamus, especially the ones who use foul language or sexual innuendo to get their biggest laughs.

Play Pranks & Class Clown kids

Hyoscyamus fits adults who like to play pranks or kids who have reputations for being the class clown.

Farting Sounds, Obscene Gestures

These are the kids who make farting sounds, weird faces, or obscene gestures or blurt things out in class to get a laugh.

Laugh Wildly & Uncontrollably

Sometimes, all that joking and humor spills over into more disruptive, foolish types of behavior. The person may become loud and silly with a tendency to laugh wildly and uncontrollably.

Hyoscyamus lists prominently in repertories under:

• Laughing from disappointed love
• Laughing about trifles
• Constant laughing
• Laughing at everything
• Silly foolish laughing
• Hysterical laughing
• Laughing immoderately
• Laughing loudly
• Uncontrollable laughing.

Although these Hyoscyamus habits can be quite annoying, there’s no doubt that in his own mind, he’s absolutely hilarious.

Inappropriate Sexual Behaviors to Grab Attention

Now, another guaranteed way to grab attention is through provocative or inappropriate sexual behaviors.

Promiscuous Behavior

Hyoscyamus is a highly sexual remedy, and promiscuous behavior is just another tactic that can be employed to attract attention(engaging in frequent, casual sexual relationships with multiple partners without long-term commitment).

Exposing Himself Shamelessly

Hyoscyamus can be shamelessly and uninhibitedly exhibitionistic. This naturally entails a relative absence of the normal social modesty that one would typically expect to see.

Singing Vulgar Songs & Removing Clothes

Hyoscyamus can be sexually provocative and may use vulgar language, sing obscene songs, or remove articles of clothing, all just for shock value.

Sexual Jokes

These are the adults who crack sexual jokes or make frequent use of sexual innuendo.

Potty Talks & Using Sexual Language

These are the kids who use potty talk and sexual language to shock their friends.

Masturbate at a Young Age

Hyoscyamus kids can masturbate at a young age.

Streak Naked

and they may streak naked through the sitting room when their parents have guests over for coffee.

Streaking refers to running through a public place without clothes, usually for attention, amusement, a prank, a dare, protest, or as part of a popular trend.

Rubrics Related to Nudity & Sexuality of Hyoscyamus

Hyoscyamus lists prominently under:

• Male libido increased
• Female libido increased
• Lascivious
• Uncovers sexual parts
• Shameless
• Exposes the person
• Lewdness with obscene talk
• Wants to be naked
• Desires to sing obscene songs
• Erotic insanity with jealousy.

Now it’s important to understand that these shameless and exhibitionistic sexual behaviors can span the whole spectrum from mild and subtle to overt and in your face. Although these behaviors can be intentionally provocative, it’s also true that they are dysfunctional human responses to psychological suffering and therefore not entirely voluntary.

Aggression of Hyoscyamus to Get Attention

Now, if excessive talkativeness, wild silliness, or sexual provocation fail to get the desired result, one possible last resort is aggression. As stated earlier, although Hyoscyamus tends to be less violent than Stramonium, it’s still capable of aggressive behavior.

Angry, Quarrelsome, Mockery

Hyoscyamus can be angry and quarrelsome and may resort to mockery.

Violent, Desire to Kill

At its worst, Hyoscyamus can become violent and destructive and may desire to kill. It’s the strongest remedy listed under:

• Desires to kill out of jealousy

Early Age & Old Age Symptoms of Hyoscyamus

Now Hyoscyamus can also be useful at the far ends of the age spectrum.

Disinhibition Due to Dementia in Elders

It fits older people who exhibit signs of disinhibition due to dementia. These people may become excessively loquacious and can act out foolishly with sexually inappropriate and shameless behavior.

Disinhibition in dementia means a reduced ability to control impulses, causing socially inappropriate, impulsive, or uncharacteristic behaviors such as rudeness, sexual comments, undressing in public, or taking risks.

Attention Deficit & Hyperactive Children

Hyoscyamus is also very commonly indicated for young children with attention deficit and hyperactivity problems. These children typically have very poor impulse control and tend to exhibit all of the previously mentioned attention-getting behaviors.

There can be:

• Extreme talkativeness
• Foul language
• Potty humor
• Sexual talk
• Excessive silliness

All such behaviors are designed to draw attention, regardless of whether it turns out to be positive or negative attention.

Precocious Sexual Behavior in Children

There can be precocious sexual behavior with:

• Early masturbation
• Exhibitionism sexual talk
• Frequent touching or handling of the genitals

I’ve witnessed non-nursing children reach out to grab their mother’s breasts, and they do this with a mischievous grin on their faces, knowing that it will get a rise out of those who are watching.

Hyoscyamus Childrens’ Act When Parent is Talking on Phone

If I suspect Hyoscyamus, I ask the parent about how the child acts when the parent is talking on the phone. Many Hyoscyamus kids are unable to tolerate this and will do everything in their power to disrupt the phone call to redirect the parents’ attention back to themselves.

They may call out to the parent, repeatedly shout and scream, or instigate some kind of trouble that the parent simply can’t ignore.

Elder Children’s Reaction to a New Child’s Birth in the Family

Commonly, these kids will act out, especially when a new child is brought into the family. The Hyoscyamus child often views the newborn as an unwelcome competitor for attention. Parents of such children are wise to keep an eye out for malicious behavior that might be directed toward the infant.

Provoke Older Siblings to do Forbidden Things

Likewise, these kids will intentionally provoke older siblings into doing something forbidden, and then joyfully watch them take the blame once the cat is out of the bag, so to speak. This kind of jealousy or sibling rivalry is very common with Hyoscyamus children.

Suspicion and Fear of Hyoscyamus Niger

Now, another aspect of the Hyoscyamus mindset is suspicion.

Mistrustful Suspicious

Hyoscyamus tends to be mistrustful, suspicious, and in the worst-case scenario, outright paranoid. Naturally, when one is jealous, it follows that that person may not trust the motives or intentions of others around them.

Fears Due to Suspicious Mindset

Many Hyoscyamus fears and delusions tend to reflect this suspicious mindset. Hyoscyamus lists prominently under:

• Fear of being betrayed
• Fear of being poisoned
• Fear of being alone
• Fear of dogs
• Fear of animals
• Fear of being bitten
• Fear of water
• Delusion that he will be bitten
• Imagines something coming out of the corner
• Delusion he is pursued by devils
• Delusion of being injured
• Delusion that he is persecuted
• Delusion he is pursued by enemies
• Delusion that he has suffered a wrong.

Comparing With Fears of Stramonium

You may notice that Hyoscyamus fears are somewhat similar to Stramonium fears. It’s sometimes difficult to differentiate between a child’s fear of being alone versus a fear of the dark. My observation is that with Stramonium, the emphasis is on fear of the dark, while with Hyoscyamus, the fear is more about being alone.

Generals and Modalities of Hyoscyamus Niger

Okay, so I’m only going to talk briefly about the generals and modalities because, to be honest, Hyoscyamus pathology is so heavily skewed toward the mental-emotional that there aren’t many generals or modalities that are particularly useful to us. In other words, we most often prescribe this remedy on the basis of its psychological characteristics.

Chilly & Sensitive to Cold

Okay, so with that sai,d Hyoscyamus is generally on the chilly side and tends to be sensitive to cold.

Complaint of Dryness

There’s also a tendency to complain of dryness. There can be dryness of the mouth, lips, or throat.

Touch Aggravates

Sometimes touch can aggravate symptoms.

Sleep Troubles (Nightmares, Insomnia)

Sleep troubles, nightmares, and insomnia are common problems, and this makes sense given the busy nature of the Hyoscyamus mind.

Desire for Company

There’s a general desire for company, and company tends to ameliorate.

Aggravated By Jealousy, Fright, and Unhappy Love

Lastly, many Hyoscyamus conditions are aggravated by certain emotions, especially jealousy, fright, and unhappy love.

Physical Pathologies of Hyoscyamus Niger

Now, a great deal of Hyoscyamus’ physical symptomatology tends to fall under one broad category.

A Nervous System Remedy

Hyoscyamus is primarily a nervous system remedy. It fits a wide variety of neurologic symptoms and conditions. The crude substance is capable of producing pathology on mental, emotional, and physical levels.

Spasmodic Symptoms

Most of its physical symptoms are spasmodic in nature. It fits just about every kind of cramp, spasm, jerk, twitch, and tic imaginable.

Twitching & Spasms in Hands, Feet & Face

Twitching and spasms can occur anywhere in the body, but especially in the hands, feet, and face.

Ailments From Acute or Chronic Brain Insults (Trauma, Injury, Disease)

Hyoscyamus fits ailments from brain insults, whether they occur after a high fever, a concussion, meningitis, a stroke, or from alcoholism. Resulting symptoms can include:

• Restlessness
• Convulsions
• Involuntary motions of the extremities.

Strange Gestures of Hands During Delirium With Fever

During delirium with high fever, Hyoscyamus is prone to making strange, involuntary gestures with the hands. The books refer to this as Carphologia, which is a condition that involves aimless movements as if picking at the bedclothes for strands of lint or reaching for imaginary things or grasping at the face or genitals.

Seizure Disorders

Hyoscyamus is also a remedy for seizure disorders. It fits convulsions from fright, grief, or rage and from fever, alcohol, or stroke. The seizures can be aggravated around the menses or are worse during sleep. It fits petit mal seizures and complex partial seizures.

A petit mal seizure, now called an absence seizure, is a short pause in awareness in which a person, usually a child, briefly stares into space for a few seconds. This may be accompanied by small movements such as eyelid fluttering or lip smacking, after which the person quickly returns to normal, often seeming like they were just daydreaming or not paying attention.

Complex partial seizures, now known as focal impaired awareness seizures, are common seizure episodes that begin in a particular part of the brain, most often the temporal lobe. They lead to altered or reduced awareness, confusion, and automatic behaviors such as lip smacking or wandering.

Tinnitus or vertigo may precede a Hyoscyamus seizure.

Common Spasms

Hyoscyamus also fits:

• Chest spasms
• Grinding of the teeth
• Stiff neck

Strabismus

Strabismus, which is a condition that involves spasms of the eye muscles.

Choking

Choking and difficulty swallowing, especially when swallowing liquids.

Stomach Cramps

It fits stomach cramps and diarrhea with colic.

Dry Spasmodic Ticking Cough At Night

It fits dry spasmodic tickling coughs that are worse when lying at night and better from sitting up.

Hiccups After Abdominal Surgery

And it’s almost a specific for problematic hiccups that occur after abdominal surgeries.

Bladder Paralysis & Involuntary Stool

Furthermore, Hyoscyamus can be a remedy for bladder paralysis with urinary retention on the one hand and enuresis, involuntary urination, or involuntary stool on the other.

Remedy Relationships of Hyoscyamus Niger

Okay, now let’s finish up with remedy relationships.

Hyscyamus Vs. Lachesis Mutus

All right now, the most important remedy to compare to Hyoscyamus is Lachesis, which is similarly loquacious. Years ago, I used to prescribe Lachesis for some extremely talkative people when I probably should have given Hyoscyamus.

Both are suspicious, paranoid, and jealous, but Lachesis is far more likely to exhibit hostility when questioned, whereas Hyoscyamus tends to be less angry or aggressive toward the probing interviewer. Lachesis has a sharp, pointed, sarcastic wit, while Hyoscyamus is silly, ludicrous, absurd, and hilarious.

Stramonium Vs Hyoscyamus Niger

Stramonium has a similar fear of dogs, fear of water, and fits hyperactive kids, but there is one big difference. Stramonium is fundamentally fear-based and is therefore much more reticent(restrained) and cautious during an interview.

Stramonium kids may be quite reluctant to speak. Hyoscyamus is much more talkative, open, and expressive, often pathologically so. And as noted earlier, Stramonium is afraid of being alone, especially in the dark, while Hyoscyamus is primarily afraid of being alone.

Cannabis Indica

Cannabis indica is also loquacious is prone to laughing, can be hyperactive, and is afraid of the dark. While Cannabis tends to giggle in that way that we associate with a marijuana high, Hyoscyamus often laughs in a loud, maniacal kind of way.

Furthermore, the Cannabis loquacity is more akin to fantastical theorizing about the nature of existence and other philosophical speculations.

Belladonna

Belladonna has a similar fear of dogs, fear of water, can be loud and talkative, and fits a wide range of spasms, twitches, and convulsions, especially in relation to fevers and brain injuries.

Veratrum Album

Veratrum album is also hyperactive and can be suspicious, deceitful, jealous, and vindictive.

Tarentula Hispania

And lastly, Tarentula is similarly restless, deceitful(deceiving), destructive, and fits hyperactive kids.

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