Pulsatilla - The Homeopathic Remedy

General description and domicile:
Pulsatilla Nigricans was originally only found wild in the very north of Europe including Scandinavia but has since spread to all but the very southern parts of Europe. Anemone Pulsatilla, used more commonly in herbal medicines has a wider natural habitat that includes most of Europe, Britain and parts of Russia and Asia.
It is a perennial plant that does not grow much taller than six inches with a woody, thick root and divided hairy leaves. The dark purple flowers, the tallest part of the plant, a maximum of two inches in diameter, appear in spring and then again later in summer.

Part used and extraction:
All of the plant is used, harvested in the flowering season.

Remedy preparation:
Chopped and steeped in alcohol to obtain mother tincture

History:
The use of Pulsatilla for medicinal purposes dates back to Ancient Greece when it was used to cure weepy eyes. In Roman times it was used for eye infections, cataracts and tooth decay.

Remedy profile:
Gentle, mild and easygoing people who avoid conflict but can be stubborn and very moody. Pulsatilla people are very loving and kind towards others and animals. They are easily moved to tears but also laugh easily.
They like sweet foods but dislike spicy or fatty food. They prefer the open and feel claustrophobic in small stuffy rooms.

Key Symptoms:
Claustrophobia, Suffocating catarrh, easy to cry, responds to sympathy.

Used for treatment of:

Colds and coughs:
Heavily congested catarrh and blocked nose and shortness of breath.

Sinusitis:
Swollen feeling of the face sensitive to touch especially in the sinus areas.

Hayfever

Sore throat

Chicken pox:
Associated with low fever.

Mumps

Measles

Fever:
Alternating between being hot and cold.

Painful Menstruation

Premenstrual stress syndrome especially in people that tend to be mild and weepy.

Migraine

Headaches

Backache:
A sense of a sprained back and weakness of the back. In women it can be associated with menstrual pain.

Joint pains

Cystitis:
Urgent and frequent urination.

Varicose veins

Eye infections:
Additional symptoms may be sensitivity to light and smelly discharge from the eyes and nose.

Conjunctivitis

Earache

Toothache

Heartburn

Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Insomnia:
Restless sleep with many dreams and nightmares, waking hot and sweaty and not able to settle back to sleep.

General Symptoms Worse for: Factors/Conditions that make the symptoms worse
At night
When it is hot
After eating rich food
Stuffy rooms
 

General Symptoms Better for: Factors/Conditions that improve symptoms
For crying
Sympathy
Fresh air
mild exercise
Cool showers

See also our Herbal page on Pulsatilla.