Rhus toxicodendron
The great remedy for stiffness relieved by continued motion. Rusty-gate syndrome — stiff on first motion, loosens with continued movement. Restlessness at night. Vesicular eruptions. Ailments from overexertion, damp cold. Red tip of tongue.
Source
Prepared from the fresh leaves of Toxicodendron radicans (Anacardiaceae), collected at sunset when the plant is most active.
Available Potencies
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Keynote Symptoms
Stiffness and pain worse on first motion, better from continued motion (the rusty gate). Extreme restlessness, must constantly change position. Ailments from cold damp, overexertion, sprains. Vesicular eruptions with intense itching. Red triangular tip of tongue. Lameness, stiffness.
Mind & Emotional Symptoms
Extremely restless, anxious at night, must change position constantly. Mild delirium — answers correctly but slowly and reluctantly. Sadness, weeping without knowing why. Suicidal thoughts. Apprehensive at night. Superstitious.
General Symptoms
Worse from rest, beginning of motion, cold damp weather, getting wet when perspiring, at night, lying on back or right side. Better from continued motion, warmth, warm dry weather, warm applications, rubbing, stretching, changing position.
Physical Symptoms
Head
Heavy, brain feels loose. Vertigo when rising. Occipital headache. Scalp sensitive.
Eyes
Swollen, red, oedematous. Profuse flow of tears. Orbital cellulitis. Iritis.
Face
Erysipelas, left to right. Jaw cracks on chewing. Swollen, oedematous. Vesicular eruptions.
Mouth
Red triangular tip of tongue. Dry, cracked. Corners of mouth ulcerated. Jaw stiff.
Throat
Sore, swollen. Sticking pains on swallowing. Parotid glands swollen.
Stomach
Desire for cold milk. Great thirst with dry mouth. Nausea, vertigo. Pressure as from a stone. Craves oysters.
Abdomen
Violent pains relieved by lying on abdomen. Swelling of inguinal glands.
Rectum
Dysentery with tearing pains down thighs. Diarrhea during typhoid.
Female Genitalia
Menses too early, too profuse, prolonged. Swelling of vulva, itching.
Respiratory
Tickling cough. Influenzal cough. Oppression from damp. Cough during chill.
Back
Stiff, painful. Better from motion, hard pressure, lying on something hard. Lumbago from overexertion or getting wet.
Extremities
Stiffness, lameness worse first motion, better continued motion. Hot, painful, swollen joints. Tendons sore. Sciatica worse cold damp. Numbness, formication. Limbs stiff and paralysed.
Skin
Red, swollen, intensely itching vesicular eruptions. Herpes, shingles. Urticaria from getting wet. Cellulitis. Erysipelas.
Sleep & Dreams
Restless, cannot stay in one position. Dreams of great exertion, roaming fields. Sleepless before midnight.
Fever / Chill / Perspiration
Chill as if cold water poured over. Urticaria during fever. Adynamic fevers. Restless during fever.
Modalities
Better From
Continued motion, warmth, warm dry weather, warm applications, rubbing, stretching, changing position, hot bath
Worse From
Rest, beginning of motion, cold damp, getting wet when hot, night, lying on back or right side, overexertion, sprains
Constitutional Type
Active, restless, cannot stay still. Dark complexion. Rheumatic tendency. Those whose work involves overexertion.
Clinical Indications
Arthritis, rheumatism, sprains, strains, herpes, shingles, eczema, lumbago, sciatica, influenza, cellulitis, stiffness
Comparative Materia Medica
Bryonia is the opposite — worse from any motion, better from rest. Ruta has similar tendon/periosteal injuries but is not better from motion. Dulcamara shares aggravation from damp but lacks the motion amelioration.
Safety Information
Anacardium, Bryonia, Camphora, Coffea, Croton tiglium, Graphites, Grindelia, Mezereum, Sulphur.
Poison ivy/oak causes severe contact dermatitis with intense itching, vesicles, and inflammation. Urushiol oil is the allergen. Potentised forms above 6C are safe.
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