Proving
Urtica urens
Introduction
Urtica urens is a drug used in homoeopathy for uric acid diathesis, joint pains, enuresis, spleen affections, gout, etc. It role in urticaria is known in low potencies. To re-establish its curative efficacy in homoeopathic doses, a placebo controlled pathogenetic trial was conducted by David Riley with the support from Deutsche Homöopathie-Union (DHU), the homoeopathic division of Dr. Willmar Schwabe, Germany, using 12CH with 17 female and 5 male provers. Important symptoms found during proving are reported here along with old symptoms. For the complete details of the proving, readers are requested to refer the original proving.
Mind
Dreams. Dreams of killing or murder, of being betrayed or estranged. Fear of poverty. Irritability when working. Quarrelsomeness. Relaxed and peaceful as from drinking. Euphoric. Laughing and witty. Weeping from disappointments, but ameliorated when walking outside. Feeling of terror and fear of survival. Yelling.
Head
Pain in the forehead or temples. Dull head pain over the eye or at the temple. Throbbing pain on the forehead, temples, or left side, and on waking. Vertigo, headache with spleen pains.
Eyes
Dryness or lacrimation from tiredness or of the left eye, making it difficult to keep the lids open. Burning pain or scratching sensation. Heaviness of lids.
Ears
Itching in the ear better from boring. Noises in the ear like humming or ringing with cold symptoms. Piercing pain causing them to gasp with pain.
Nose
Congestion of the nostrils on both sides. Dry and itching inside. Discharges that are watery or blood-streaked. Sneezing with coryza. Odors noticed more.
Face
Aphthae or cracks on the lips. Pimples on the chin that itch. Itching on the chin or cheeks. Red discoloration about the eyes. Swollen face.
Mouth
Dryness of lips. Swelling of gums on the left. Ulcers on the edges of the tongue. Vesicles on the lips or tip of tongue. Fasciculations of the tongue. Sore tenderness of the tongue.
Teeth
Aching pain in the molars. Piercing pain in teeth when walking.
Throat
Swollen and tender left cervical glands. Sensation of a plug on swallowing. Thick, sticky, green mucus. Scratching pain. Sore pain on swallowing. Swollen sensation making it difficult to drink.
Stomach
Decreased appetite. Acid reflux. Full sensation. Many symptoms of nausea. Nausea alleviated by drinking cold milk, eating, warm drinks, or air or walking in open air. Nausea in the abdomen, after eating, or on motion. Thirst that is increased. Heavy sensation during the nausea.
Abdomen
Distention that is uncomfortable. Sensation of fullness or heaviness. Pain that is pressing, sore, or cramping. Diarrhœa chronic disease of large intestine characterized by large secretion of mucus.
Rectum
Diarrhea with urging. Urging before stool or preceding diarrhea.
Stool
Acrid or burning stool. Hard. Loose. Frequent. Yellow.
Bladder
Burning pain before urination improves. Frequent waking to urinate or urging at night.
Male
Dryness or itching of the scrotum.
Female
Itching white leukorrhea. Diminished secretion of milk. Uterine hæmorrhage. Acid and excoriating leucorrhœa.
Respiration
Difficult respiration, worse on inspiration and when climbing or at work.
Cough
Productive cough with expectoration. Cough from breathing deeply or mucus in throat. Yellow mucus.
Chest
Tight sensation above the nipples. Desire for deep breathing, as if the chest is numb.
Back
Pain between the spine and the scapula as from a pulled muscle.
Extremities
Clumsiness. Dryness of skin on hands and legs. Itching especially on the forearm, hand, patella, or legs that may be ameliorated by scratching. Painful tingling sensation down the front of thighs. Weakness of the right hip or left upper arm. Aching of the left upper arm extending to the elbow. Sore or bruised knee, calf, or hip. Sprained sensation of the hip. Pain in the calf or hip. Painful spasm in the hamstring with trembling. Pain from standing or ascending.
Sleep
Sleepiness in the afternoon or daytime and must nap. Difficulty falling asleep at night. Waking at 2 or 4 a.m. or from shocks.
Fever
Sensation of internal heat.
Perspiration
On waking. Intermittent during the day.
Skin
Itching blotches. Urticaria, burning heat, with formication; violent itching. Dryness. Pimples or skin eruptions that are itching. Itching stinging.
Generalities
Energy increased with less need to sleep. Aversion to alcohol, spicy tea, or sweets. Lassitude during the daytime. Weariness after menses improves. Aggravated by physical activity. Warm on waking. Aching bones and sensitivity to pressure and touch.
Bibliography
1. David S. Riley, Materia Medica of New and Old
Homoeopathic Medicines, Springer-Verlag GmbH, 2012.
2. W. Boericke, New Manual of Homoeopathic Materia Medica
& Repertory [with Relationship of Remedies], Second Re-Augmented
& Revised Edition Based on Ninth Edition,
Reprint Edition 2002, B. Jain Publishers, New Delhi.