A Review: Alnus Rubra in the aspect of homoeopathy treatment of leucorrhoea.

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A Review: Alnus Rubra in the aspect of homoeopathy

treatment of leucorrhoea.

Purpose of review: The purpose of this review is to update knowledge about a rare homoeopathic

medicine Alnus Rubra; and its effectiveness in treatment of leucorrhoea by the

principle of Homoeopathy system of medicine.

Abstract: Alnus Rubra is one of the common broadleaved shurb in Pacific

Northwest forests. It is commonly called Red alder. Ecologically it is important

because of its ability to fix nitrogen, In many types of traditional medicines bark

of this plant is use as alterative and emetic, and is especially recommended for

scrofula, secondary syphilis, and cutaneous diseases, In the modern medicine

active principle of Alnus Rubra, as prepared for practitioners, is called Alnuin,

and is most excellent in cases of dyspepsia produced by inactivity of the gastric

glands. In this review focus on an introduction of this medicine and homoeopathy

aspect of this medicine recommended in various Materia medica for the treatment

of leucorrhoea cases.

Introduction:

This is a well-known shrub, growing in

clumps, and forming thickets on the borders of

ponds and rivers, and in swamps. The stems are

numerous, and from six to fifteen feet high.

The leaves are obovate, acuminate, smooth,

and green, from two to four inches long.

Distribution:

Alnus rubra grows from southeast Alaska south

to central coastal California nearly always

within about 200 km (120 mile) of

the Pacific coast, except for an extension 600 km (370 mile) in land

across Washington and Oregon into northern most Montana.1

A Review: Alnus Rubra in the aspect of homoeopathy treatment of leucorrhoea.

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Botanical Description:

Red alder is one of the most common broadleaved trees in Pacific Northwest

forests. It is an early successional species that commonly occupies moist, recently

disturbed sites. Historically, it has been discriminated against because it

aggressively competes with conifers; however, its fast growth rate and its ability

to rapidly occupy vacant sites are causing land managers to re-evaluate its

commercial value. Ecologically, red alder’s ability to fix nitrogen makes it an

exceptionally important part of Northwest forests. Red alder leaves are simple,

alternate, and deciduous; they are ovate in shape, have doubly serrate margins,

and commonly range in length from 2 to 6 inches, A leaf is typically shiny green

and smooth on its upper surface and paler and pubescent along the veins on the

underside. Flowers are produced in late summer and are borne in clusters of

aments (also called catkins) with 2–5 aments per cluster. Seeds are tiny winged

nutlets borne inside woody cone-like fruits called strobiles. These strobiles are

1/2–1 inch long, cylindrical in shape, and turn from green and yellow to brown

as they ripen.2

Cultural and Historical Uses:

Northwest Indians use red alder as a pigment and as a medicine. When mixed

with steelhead eggs, red alder bark produces a stable red dye; when mixed with

iron oxide, it produces a reddish-orange stain. The Kwakiutl Tribe used a poultice

made from the bark of red alder as an analgesic and dermatological aid. Some

tribes chewed alder bark to stop hemorrhaging, to cure tuberculosis, and to treat

heart pains. An infusion of bark from the stem of alder, but not the root, was used

by the Gitksan Tribe for various maladies.3 Red alder bark also contains the

chemical compound epi-catechin, which is one of several compounds that have

shown promise in research on the HIV virus.4

Homoeopathic Description: Alnus is an unproved remedy.5 Cooper, who has

used a fresh plant tincture of Alnus, gives : "Pain in rectum after stool"; and

"heaviness in head as after being drunk the night before" as having been produced

by it.5

Preparation: The fresh bark is chopped and pounded to a pulp and weighed.

Then two parts by weight of alcohol are taken, the pulp mixed thoroughly with

one-sixth part of it, and the rest of the alcohol added. After stirring the whole

well, and pouring it into a well-stoppered bottle, it is allowed to stand eight days

A Review: Alnus Rubra in the aspect of homoeopathy treatment of leucorrhoea.

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in a dark, cool place. The tincture is then separated by decanting, straining and

filtering.

Drug power of tincture, 1/6.

Dilutions must be prepared as directed under Class III.6

Symptoms recommended in various Homoeopathic Materia Medica for

treatment of Leucorrhoea:

S.No. Name of Materia Medica Mention Symptoms

01. ALLEN T. F., Hand Book

of Materia Medica and

Homoeopathic Therapeutics

This drug has been used for strumous

disorders, leucorrhoeas, with erosions

of cervix, which bleed easily,

amenorrhoea, burning pain from back to

pubis.

02. BLACKWOOD A. L., A

Manual of Materia Medica

Therapeutics and

Pharmacology.

It has been employed in hematuria and

in leucorrhoea, which caused erosions

and bleeding.

03. BOERICKE W., Pocket

Manual of Homeopathic

Materia Medica.

Leucorrhoea, with erosions of cervix,

bleeding easily.

04. CLARKE J. H., Dictionary

of Practical Materia Medica.

Among its indications are:

Leucorrhoea with erosions which bleed

easily; amenorrhoea with burning pains

from back to pubis.

05. HALE E. M., Special

Therapeutics of the new

Remedies.

It is said to be particularly useful in

cases where eruptions on the skin

alternate with diseased conditions of

mucous membranes.

06. MURPHY R., Homeopathic

Remedy Guide.

Leucorrhea with erosions of cervix,

bleeding easily. Amenorrhea with

burning pains from back to pubis.

07. PULFORD A.,

Homoeopathic Materia

Medica of Graphic Drug,

Pictures And Clinical

Comments.

Leucorrhoea, cervix eroded and

bleeds easily, amenorrhoea, burning pain

from back to pubis. Glandular

enlargement, scrofulous, chronic skin

eruption, the eruption may alternate with

A Review: Alnus Rubra in the aspect of homoeopathy treatment of leucorrhoea.

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diseased condition of the mucus

membranes.

08. LILIENTHAL S.,

Homoeopathic Therapeutics

Diseases of mucous membranes which

arise from or alternate with eruptions of

the skin.

Refrences:

Moerman, D.E. 1998. Native American ethnobotany. Timber Press, Portland,

Oregon. Page No.927.

Haeussler, S., D. Coates, and J. Mather. 1990. Autecology of Common Plants in

British Columbia: A Literature Review. B.C. Ministry of Forests, Research Branch,

Victoria, B.C., Canada. Page No.272.

Moerman, D.E. 1986. Medicinal Plants of Native America. University of Michigan

Museum of Anthropology, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Technical Reports, Number 19,

Volume 1. 534 p.

Forlines, D.R., T. Tavenner, J.C.S. Malan, and J.J. Karchesy. 1992. Plants of the

Olympic coastal forests: ancient knowledge of materials and medicines and future

heritage. P. 767–782 in Plant Polyphenols.

CLARKE J. H., Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica.

O'CONNOR J., The American Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia, Part-2, Page No.63.

ALLEN T. F., Hand Book of Materia Medica and Homoeopathic Therapeutics.

BLACKWOOD A. L., A Manual of Materia Medica Therapeutics and Pharmacology.

BOERICKE W., Pocket Manual of Homeopathic Materia Medica.

HALE E. M., Special Therapeutics of the new Remedies.

MURPHY R., Homeopathic Remedy Guide.

PULFORD A., Homoeopathic Materia Medica of Graphic Drug, Pictures And

Clinical Comments.

LILIENTHAL S., Homoeopathic Therapeutics.