Abrotanum
A deep-acting remedy for marasmus and emaciation, especially in children. Key remedy when metastasis of disease occurs — symptoms shift from one organ to another.
Source
Tincture of fresh leaves and stems of Artemisia abrotanum (Compositae).
Available Potencies
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Keynote Symptoms
Marasmus, especially of lower extremities while face and upper body may be well-nourished. Metastasis of complaints — rheumatism alternating with diarrhea or dysentery. Emaciation with ravenous appetite. Oozing of blood from navel of newborn. Cross, irritable, anxious children.
Mind & Emotional Symptoms
Ill-natured, irritable, cruel, anxious. Cross, depressed, dull. Feels the brain is tired. Child is peevish, violent, inhuman. Inability to think clearly.
General Symptoms
Emaciation progressing upward — legs emaciate first. Great weakness and prostration. Ravenous appetite but emaciates. Alternation of complaints: rheumatism and diarrhea, piles and rheumatism. Hectic fever. Marasmus of children with marked emaciation of legs.
Physical Symptoms
Head
Headache as if brain were tired. Scalp sore to touch.
Face
Face old-looking, wrinkled, pale, with blue rings around eyes. Comedones.
Stomach
Ravenous hunger with emaciation. Gnawing, cutting pains relieved by eating. Food passes undigested. Slimy taste.
Abdomen
Hard lumps in abdomen. Distended. Oozing of blood or moisture from navel in newborns.
Rectum
Alternating constipation and diarrhea. Hemorrhoids with burning. Diarrhea alternates with rheumatism — when one appears, the other disappears.
Extremities
Marasmus of lower extremities. Rheumatic pains in joints. Gout. Lame feeling. Pricking and coldness in fingers and feet. Painful wrists.
Skin
Skin flabby, hangs loose. Furuncles. Comedones. Purplish skin.
Modalities
Better From
Motion. Eating.
Worse From
Cold air. Checked secretions. Night. Suppressed conditions.
Constitutional Type
Emaciated children, especially with wasting of lower limbs. Ill-tempered, cross, peevish. Old-looking face. Ravenous appetite despite weight loss. Often seen in children with failure to thrive or marasmus.
Clinical Indications
Marasmus. Emaciation of children. Metastasis of disease. Rheumatism alternating with diarrhea. Hemorrhoids. Gout. Oozing navel in newborns. Hectic fever. Hydrocele in children.
Comparative Materia Medica
Compare Iodium (emaciation with ravenous appetite but more thyroid involvement), Natrum muriaticum (emaciation despite eating well, but emotional causation), Sanicula (emaciation of neck in children). Abrotanum is distinguished by metastasis of complaints and emaciation starting from lower extremities upward.
Safety Information
Coffee, camphor.
Artemisia abrotanum contains thujone in small amounts. Mother tincture and low potencies should be used with caution in pregnancy.
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