Homoeopathy — Page 357
Guaiacum 357 GUAIACUM Guaiacum is a profoundly effective and very powerful remedy. However, homoeopathic doctors rarely use it. Only a few experienced doctors have used it and even then once in a while, otherwise, the drug has remained unknown. Usually, it is used for the treatment of rheumatic pain and gout. If the symptoms of hereditary tuberculosis are found in a patient, Guaiacum must be kept in mind for the treatment of such a patient. In a patient of Guaiacum, there is a tendency towards diarrhoea. Furthermore the white ropy structures called tendons, which attach the muscles to the bones, become contracted and then shrink, resulting in the contracture of the joints, meaning that they cannot be fully stretched, and hurt on such an attempt. There is a feeling of pain and tiredness over the muscles of both the shoulders. Guaiacum is useful in treating this condition. The symptoms of Guaiacum aggravate with heat while they ameliorate in cold. From this point of view, it is similar to Ledum, Pulsatilla, Lac Caninum and Iodum. However, there are clear-cut symptoms of each of these remedies, by which they can be distinguished; a proper diagnosis can be arrived at and the optimal treatment may be given. Due to the multiple joint pains, the patients of Guaiacum stoop forward while walking. Their knee joints become weak , and the hands and feet become stiff. The person may become completely disabled physically. Besides Guaiacum, these symptoms can be treated with Colchicum. The significant feature of Colchicum is that the pain starts at the big toe. The salient sign of Guaiacum is that the affected area is hypersensitive to any kind of touch. The symptoms become worse with the application of heat. The swelling of the joints may lead to the formation of ulcers and abscesses. Guaiacum is deeply related to the bones as well. The bones become soft , bend and become porous like a sponge (osteoporosis). This condition often reminds one of Calcarea Carb. However, if there is the tendency towards joint pains, Guaiacum will be found more effective. Another sign of Guaiacum is the feeling of extreme tiredness. On the slightest movement, the patient feels weak. The weakness then involves the nerves leading to further physical weakness. The body then starts wasting.