Homoeopathy — Page 473
Ledum 473 LEDUM (Marsh Tea) Ledum is prepared from a plant, with a distinctive strong smell. In traditional medicine, the extract of the plant is used in the treatment of headache, heart attack and for expulsion of phlegm from the lungs. In homoeopathic form, it has been found very useful in the treatment of insect bites and joint pains. The poisonous effect of Ledum very much resembles snake venom. Like Lachesis, its ailments begin on the left side, are more intense in the upper part of the body than the lower, start mostly at the feet or the leg and then spread from below upwards. Like Arnica, Ledum is also closely related to injuries. Particularly, when used along with Arnica and Hypericum it proves to be much more effective. Ledum is of special use in the treatment of old injuries, leaving deep residual effect, or in the treatment of injuries caused by pointed objects like nails and thorns, etc. Ledum- susceptible wounds emit a lightning type of pain, even after having apparently been healed for years. In this situation, if the patient happens to get convulsions or severe muscular spasms , Ledum proves to be the best remedy. Horse dung is notorious for causing tetanus. However, if the horse itself should step on a sharp rusty nail, and sustain a deep wound in the hoof which then happens to dig into the bone, the convulsions of tetanus can rapidly be cured with Ledum 200. Ledum has the capability of curing tetanus resulting, even after many years, from wounds inflicted with sharp weapons. Ledum is also very useful in the treatment of injuries penetrating through the surface linings of the bone (periosteum). However, for the associated damage to the nerve fibres around the bone, Hypericum is much more effective. Similarly, if the nerves are damaged following surgery and the pain continues then Hypericum is found to be more useful than Ledum. Arnica in a high potency is useful in treating the sprain at the heel , but not for the residual pain due to injury to the nerve fibres. Ruta and Bellis prove to be of much greater advantage in this situation. Persistent swelling and chronic pain of the ankle resulting from repeated