Homoeopathy — Page 603
Rumex Crispus 603 RUMEX CRISPUS (Yellow Dock) Rumex Crispus is extremely useful in the treatment of cough arising from the irritation and itching in the throat. There is one continuous stream of phlegm from the nose and throat down to the larynx, trachea and chest. The phlegm may either be thin, or very thick and tenacious. Rumex is commonly stated to be associated with a cough producing a lot of phlegm, although, sometimes, it may be associated with a dry cough. It is not right to only consider phlegm to reach the diagnosis of Rumex. In fact, Rumex can work very well in a dry cough that becomes persistent. According to Dr. Kent, Rumex is associated with a severe, dry cough. The cough is of a spasmodic type. There is a feeling of rawness inside the throat and trachea (windpipe) provoking cough. The cough is associated with pain at the breast bone (sternum). The patient gets severe spasmodic coughing shortly after going to sleep. He may sometimes not be able to sleep. The patient may unknowingly wet himself during a severe bout of coughing. Sometimes, inflammation or infection results in the production of a copious amount of phlegm. Such a patient is described of phlegmatic nature. In Greek medicine, patients are ascribed to be of various natures, including bilious, phlegmatic, asthmatic and melancholic. The Rumex patient will produce a lot of phlegm, if he is of phlegmatic nature. But another patient showing symptoms of Rumex who is not of phlegmatic nature may not produce any phlegm at all. The nature of the patient works as a guideline for arriving at the correct diagnosis. This should be understood with reference to the classical medical definition, otherwise one may be confused. Rumex is also useful in the treatment of many abdominal problems , such as excessive gas and rumbling in the abdomen. Usually severe diarrhoea follows nasal catarrh. The patient contracts sudden, severe and painless morning diarrhoea, making him leave the bed abruptly. The stools are copious, watery and of dark colour. The stomach feels heavy up to the throat after taking food. There is pain in the left side of the chest. The patient cannot eat meat. The belly aches more on movement and on talking.