Homoeopathy — Page 595
Rhus Tox 595 RHUS TOXICODENDRON (Poison Ivy) Rhus Toxicodendron is better known by its short name, Rhus Tox. It is prepared from a wild plant called ‘bichhoo booti’ (poison ivy). Its poison produces severe intractable itching. The patient contracts high fever. The appetite is lost. There is nausea and severe headache. The glands become enlarged inside and out. Sores develop inside the mouth and on the tongue. In 1798, a French doctor accidentally found out that this particular poison cured a serious skin disease of a patient. The doctor subsequently tried this in the treatment of various skin diseases, paralyses and joint pains and found it very useful. For homoeopathic use, the leaves of the plant are ground in the humid season. Rhus Tox is indispensable for homoeopathic doctors. It is used in the treatment of many diseases. The most important symptom of Rhus Tox is burning and inflammation leading to the formation of large blisters. In fact, the largest blisters associated with skin disease are found only in Rhus Tox. In Anacardium and Cantharis, blisters are also found but they are relatively small. Rhus Tox benefits the burn’s patients immensely. It must be given at once and in high potency. Besides this, Rhus Tox is highly beneficial in the treatment of paralyses. Right-sided paralysis (hemiplegia) gets better with Rhus Tox and Sulphur used alternately. Even if the patient does not show the whole spectrum of Rhus Tox symptoms, he could still benefit to some extent. When the vision of one eye is being affected as a result of severe physical strain or continuous mental overlay and the heart is also under stress, a dose or two of Rhus Tox benefits immediately. In this condition, either there are dancing shadows before the right eye or the right half of the field of vision is lost. Rhus Tox is very beneficial in the treatment of neuralgias that become worse with rest and get better on movement. The severe burning sensation does not let the patient rest. He remains restless and does not find comfort in any position. Movement seems to offer