Therapeutic of insomnia

ACONITE.

I thought this was a hard case for a novice to undertake, but on examination was informed by the patient that her whole trouble was brought on at first by an exposure to dry cold air on a long ride, 20 degrees below zero. She had never been well since. Now she was troubled with insomnia of long duration. She was afraid to go to sleep for fear she might die. On these indications I prescribed Aconite 6x notwithstanding the chronic character of the case. A month after she came walking into my office. She said, I did not report as I promised, because I slept good the first night, and have done so ever since, I feel well. This was my first case after graduation, many years ago. It was a remarkable cure, for it helped both the patient and me; me in the establishment of my faith in homeopathy, and the patient so long sick to perfect health. (E. E. Snyder.)

Indicated by mental symptoms, fear of death, insomnia during pregnancy, impending abortion caused by anger.

Insomnia of the aged.


ALFALFA.

Disorders characterized by malnutrition are mainly within its therapeutic range, for example, neurasthenia, splanchnic blues, nervousness, insomnia, nervous indigestion, etc.

AMBRA.

Retires tired, wakeful as soon as touches the pillow. Cannot sleep from
worry, must get up. Anxious dreams. Coldness of body and twitching of
limbs during sleep.

Nervous and hysterical sleeplessness, after worry in business, from sexual
excitement, cramps in calves at night; body; cold; anxious dreams; awakens
weak and languid; he cannot sleep and does not know the reason.


AMMONIUM VALERANICUM.

A remedy for nervous, hysterical people, suffering with neuralgia headaches (head pains) and insomnia.

AMYL NITRATE.

Insomnia, sleep very imperfect and filled with anxious dreams, especially in brain-workers. 'Congestive headache (head pain), accompanied by ptosis palpebrae; the eye shows marked hyperemia.'-Dr. H. B. Fellows.

ARNICA.

Severe fatigue causes restlessness and sleeplessness. Comatose drowsiness,
awakens with hot head, drops to sleep as he answers. Horrors in the night.
Dreams of death mutilated bodies, anxious and terrible, awakes in terror,
then sleepless. Involuntary stools during sleep.

ARSENIC ALBUM.

States of lowered vitality. The prostration of Ars. is remarkable. With it
there is the desire to move or to be moved constantly. The patient is
exhausted from the slightest exertion. Exhaustion is not felt while lying
still, but as soon as he moves he is surprised to find himself so weak. The
prostration seems out of proportion to the rest of his illness. Must lie
down. Exhaustion from hill-climbing, breathless, sleepless.

Excessive coryza with hoarseness and sleeplessness.

AURUM MET.
Weary, but cannot rest or sleep. Chronic insomnia with depression.
Sobs aloud in sleep. Frightful dreams. Restless sleep, with anxious dreams,
of thieves. Sobs aloud in sleep. Disturbed by sexual excitement. Drowsiness
after meals. Awakened by bone pains with despair. Fatigue and weakness in the
morning on waking. Nocturnal mumbling in the form of questions.

AVENA SATIVA.
Characteristics. Avena has been used empirically in substantial doses (5 to 15 drops of the tincture, preferably in hot water) in a large number of cases of nerve weakness. The leading indications are: Irregularities of the male sexual system. Nervous exhaustion. General debility. Nervous palpitation. Insomnia. Inability to keep the mind fixed on anyone subject, especially when due to masturbation or sexual irregularities. It is most valuable in enabling a patient to overcome the morphine habit. It appears to exert the same kind of soothing action, without creating a habit of its own. When not more than four grains of morphine have been taken daily it may be discontinued abruptly, 15 drops of Avena in a wineglass of hot water being given four times a day instead. The only symptom that has been observed to be caused by it is a pain at the base of the brain from 20-drop doses.
Avena sativa is preeminently an antineurotic, quieting the nervous system to a remarkable degree. Its special sphere of action seems to be upon the male sexual organs, regulating the functional irregularities of these parts perhaps as much as any other drug. It is a most useful remedy in all cases of nervous exhaustion, general debility, nervous palpitation of the heart, insomnia, inability to keep the mind fixed upon anyone subject etc., more especially when any or all of these troubles are apparently due to nocturnal emissions, masturbation, oversexual intercourse, and the like. For these disorders it is truly specific.
Avena sativa has a selective action on brain and nervous system, favorably
influencing their nutritive function. The leading indications are: Nervous
exhaustion, sexual debility. General weakness. Sleeplessness with nervous
exhaustion and weakness. Chronic insomnia.

BELLADONNA.
Insomnia of madmen (Hyosc., then Belladonna)
The dreams found under Belladonna are frightful ones, and they constantly awaken the patient. It is probably our best remedy for insomnia due to cerebral hyperemia; that is, it will be most often indicated, also after morphine which produces cerebral hyperemia of a passive variety.

BELLIS PER.
Impulse to move. Ideas slow, difficult. Very excitable, makes himself noticed
by those around him. Insomnia between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. Dreams of anger.
Bell-p. has been observed to cause dilatation of the pupil when used locally.
It is well not to give it near bed time, as it is apt to cause sleeplessness,
waking at 3 a.m. and conversely 'waking up too early in the morning and
cannot get to sleep again' is a leading indication for its use.


CALCAREA CARB.
Another use that we may make of Calcarea ostrearum in nervous affections is one which would not appear from a superficial study of the drug, and that is its application in insomnia. The sleeplessness that calls for this remedy does not consist simply in lying awake an hour or two, but it is that long wakefulness which is the precursor to some diseases and the accompaniment of others. For instance, during childbed a woman cannot sleep. In such cases you have this class of symptoms: she has visions on closing the eyes; she starts and twitches at every little noise, and is beside herself with anguish. The tongue is dry. She borders on the state of acute mania. Calcarea ostrearum, particularly in the thirtieth potency, given every three hours during the day, almost invariably produces a desire to sleep the next night. How does Calcarea produce it? Like opium, caffeine or chloral? No; but by bringing about a healthy sleep. Still another use of Calcarea ostrearum is in that unhappy affection, delirium tremens. It is indicated when there are pretty much the same symptoms as I have mentioned for the insomnia, particularly with visions of rats and mice, and of horrible objects which terrify the patient. He talks deliriously about fire and murder. He has a constant fear that he is going crazy.

CARBONIUM SULPH.
In the stage of depression, appetite fails, insomnia and sleep disturbed by distressing dreams, spirits dejected, indifferent to surrounding circumstances.
Sudden waking, from bad dreams or nervous starting. Night good, but awoke early, with many dreams. Awoke tired (second day). Sleeplessness. Frequent insomnia. Dreams.
Constant sleepiness; often during the night sleep disturbed by sad dreams. Sleepy during the day, sleepless during the night. Sleep prolonged and deep. Sleep heavy and profound. Sleep profound, it was difficult to awaken him. Insomnia. Alternations of constant sleepiness and wakefulness.

CANNABIS INDICA.
In obstinate and intractable forms of insomnia, Cannabis is one of the best remedies we have to induce sleep. An irregular sleep is more of an indication than absolute insomnia. It produces a tranquil slumber, relieves the nervousness and neuralgic pains, and even if given in doses of from 5 to 15 drops of the tincture in water it leaves no bad effects behind. Halbert says do not use it lower than the third potency which is a commendable suggestion. Other remedies for the want of sleep are the following, which have been used empirically, but which are far superior to the hypnotics of the allopathic school :


CHAMOMILLA.
Continuing the nervous symptoms of Chamomilla, we find the drug useful for insomnia in children, when they start during sleep and the muscles of the face and hands twitch. With these symptoms there is apt to be colic; the face is red, especially one check, and the head and scalp are bathed in a hot sweat. A word of explanation is here necessary. Sometimes, during an attack of fever in a child, the cheek on which it lies becomes red ; now that is not a Chamomilla symptom. These nervous symptoms of Chamomilla axe generally reflex from the abdomen. There is very little evidence of delirium in these cases. When brain complications are present Chamomilla ceases to be the remedy, and Belladonna comes in.

CHLORAL HYDRATE.
Insomnia from overfatigue. Night-terrors, esp. in teething children.

CHOLESTERINUM.
Gallstones and insomnia.

COCA.
Has been used chiefly to promote digestion, produce sleep, relieve nervous excitement, and alleviate spasms; also to prevent difficulty of breathing on ascending, or from exertion in a highly rarefied atmosphere; derangements of the nervous system from masturbation or sexual excesses; relieves nervous excessive action in heart disease; insomnia from nervous excitement.

Coffea.
In cases where there is excessive agitation of body and mind, and where ideas force themselves on the mind, Coffea is the remedy, and its use as a beverage withheld. It will be found that this remedy acts better in the higher potencies. Hale says : 'If there is any place for high dilutions, it is in insomnia.' The patient is wide awake, without the slightest inclination to sleep, and all the senses are extremely acute. It is the remedy when excitement or good news, joys or night watching causes the insomnia. It is well suited to sleeplessness in teething children, while Opium is better suited to adults. Sleeplessness from the bad effects of too good news. Platina has sleeplessness from extreme nervous irritability.
Cries and insomnia of babies.
III-effects (especially hysteria or insomnia) of sudden mental emotions, especially pleasurable surprises.
Insomnia : before or after midnight; from excessive joy; from nursing the sick (Cocc.); and from activity of the mind (Ars., Calc., Hep., Nux-V., Puls.) (K.).

CONIUM MAC.
Insomnia of multiple neuritis.

CRATAEGUS.
Myocarditis. Failing compensation. Irregularity of heart. Insomnia of aortic sufferers; anemia; edema; cutaneous chilliness. High arterial tension. Is a sedative in cross, irritable patients with cardiac symptoms.
Insomnia of aortic patients.

FERRUM PHOS.
Insomnia from hyperemic conditions.

GELSEMIUM.
Insomnia from exhaustion; from incontrollable thinking; tobacco.
For the insomnia of brain workers, Gelsemium is a remedy. It is indicated in businessmen who pass restless nights, awaken early in the morning and worry over their business affairs. It also is most useful in a state of alternate excitement and depression.
Insomnia from nervous irritation arising from bad or exciting news; from
fright, from the anticipation of an unusual ordeal, from ovarian disease,
from asthenic fevers, from chronic spinal troubles; during pregnancy or after
labor; sleeplessness from mental overwork or debauch, exhausting the vital
force, patient is quiet, dull and stupid; he is on the verge of dropping to
sleep and then becomes again wide awake or lies in a half-waking state, with
incoherent talking; chronic cerebral irritation and pulsation in head and
body; excessive use of tobacco; hypertrophy of heart.

HYOCYAMUS.
Sleepless, on account of quiet mental activity. No sleep (first night). *He was unable to sleep the whole night; he tried lying upon one side and the other, yet he was unable to get quiet; only shortly before daybreak did he sleep somewhat from time to time; always during the short naps perspiration all over, especially about the neck (after five hours). He passed the night without sleep, and was seized alternately with tremors and convulsive startings. [Original revised by Hughes.] Complete insomnia for forty-eight hours, night and day (in spite of 2 half-grain doses of morphia). Was unable to fall asleep for along time; had many dreams. He first fell asleep long after midnight, yet he awoke unusually early and felt very lively, and inclined to fantasies, active and strong. *Restless sleep (after 2 grains). Sleep restless (after 18 3/4 grains). Sleep restless, with frequent waking and tossing about.
Constant insomnia is an excellent indication; outburst of laughter alternating with weeping may also occur. Dr. Butler says that for the production of sleep no remedy compares with Hyoscyamus in the tincture, five or ten drops in a half glass of water, and teaspoonful doses given half-hourly.
Insomnia of madmen : Hyosc, then Bellad.
Hyosc. hydrobrom. -Scopolamine hydrobromide. (Paralysis agitans; tremors of disseminated sclerosis. Sleeplessness and nervous agitation. Dry cough in phthisis. Similar in its effects to alcohol, both recent and remote. Corresponds to the effects of strong poisons introduced into or generated within the body. Symptoms of uremia and acute nervous exhaustion. A remedy for shock. Third and fourth dec. trituration. In physiological dosage (1-200 gr.) mania and chorea; insomnia. Scopola (Japanese Belladonna)-chemically identical with Hyoscine. (Joyous delirium, licking of lips and smacking of mouth; sleepless; tries to get out of bed; sees cats, picks imaginary hairs, warms hands before imaginary fire, etc.)
Insomnia in irritable, excitable subjects; from business difficulties or other nervous excitement; drowsy yet restless; in children, with twitchings and startings from fright.

HYPERICUM.
Brain has been strained by intense and continuous exertion after injuries to
nerves, and insomnia follows.

IGNATIA.
Insomnia from grief, cares, with itching of arms and violent yawning.
After fright: disturbed, introspective, taciturn; insomnia and great restlessness; anorexia.
Sleeplessness from grief, fright, from suppressed mental suffering; in
children after punishment, during dentition, they waken from sleep with
piercing cries and tremble all over; from hysteria; dreams of one subject the
whole night through.


KALI BROM.
Insomnia from anaemia, especially during or after acute and painful diseases;
night-terrors, patient wakes up frightened from terrific visions in his
dreams; patient is nervous, and feels better when engaged at some work or
walking about; awakes from a profound sleep and does not know where he is

LACHESIS.
Insomnia from cerebral irritation, with mental excitement, caused by
blood-poisoning; during climaxis or in the course of female complaints;
persistent sleeplessness; sleepless in the evening, with talkativeness;
awakes at night and cannot go to sleep again; sleep prevented by starting and
jumping; children toss about, moaning, during sleep; patient Aggravation from
sleep, he sleeps into an aggravation.


LYSSINUM.
Insomnia; sleepless in spite of narcotics. - s. b.

MAG PHOS.
Insomnia from nervousness and emotions.

MERCURIUS.
Sleeplessness during bilious or irritative fevers and from hepatic
affections; from ebullition of blood and anxiety, with beating at the pit of
stomach, sometimes accompanied by profuse sweats or with extreme depression
of spirit and other nervous symptoms; cannot lie on right side.

NATRUM MUR.
Mrs. M., aet. 50, or around it, had a most severe attack of Rheumatic fever, the joints being much swollen, red and distressingly painful. The usual homeopathic treatment was adopted but with no great success. It was her fifth attack of rheumatic fever. Between the third and fourth week Dr. Jones and I saw her together and found this condition : ill-colored skin; obstinate constipation; foul tongue; urine very pale and limpid; great depression of spirits; fever; joints red, swelled and painful; great restlessness; low and desponding of the future; sour perspirations; insomnia; bedsores, and great weakness. We agreed in the opinion that the emunctories had almost left off work and required to be brought back to their duty. A sharp cathartic combined with a diuretic seemed to be indicated by the general condition, but contraindicated by the profound adynamia, and hence the blessing of a refractissima dosis. My consultant'sobservation in Case II. caused him to suggest the same remedy. So we put patient on Nat. mur. 6 trit., as much as would lie on a shilling every two hours in water. No other medicine was given, and no supplements used.
At the next visit a few weeks afterwards she reported that she had been promptly cured of her old insomnia, and also of the coldness of the legs, but the legs were not as she would like, the coldness having given place to a burning feeling, especially in the veins of the part, which now swell. She no longer wraps up or encases her legs, but on the contrary they are almost too warm.
Case 27 'A few days ago,' writes the pastor in W , 'two of my children had the scarlatina, one of them being complicated with diphtheria. The allopathic physician pronounced the latter case hopeless. That which most frightened me was the complete insomnia day and night. The convulsions and typhoid symptoms did not yield to any remedy. I employed several remedies without result. At last, in looking over Schussler's work, I found that Natrum mur. was the remedy indicated. I at once made use of it, but with little confidence. However, the result was striking; after the first dose the child had a peaceful sleep, and slept quietly all night. I continued the remedy, and my child, declared hopeless, was cured in a few days.' (Jour. Pop. de Horn.)
Mrs. W., aet. 60, much sleeplessness with great nervous irritability and coldness of extremities for three months. She cannot keep them warm in any manner, coldness is subjective, but not objective. Natrum. mur. 6th trit. promptly cured the insomnia, 'soothed her nerves,' and cured the other symptoms. (J. C. Burnett, M. D.)

NUX MOSCHATA.
I. Cerebrospinal SYSTEM. Insomnia; hyperesthesia; Paralysis.
Continued fever supervened, with insomnia and palpitation; and at length paralysis of all the limbs.
Sleepy, drowsy state, with a tendency to faint. 'All the ailments are accompanied by sleepiness and an inclination to faint.'--Lippe. [Coma vigil.] 'Sleepiness in some cases, disposition to faint in others, are remarkably characteristic of this drug.'-F. 'Very sluggish flow of ideas.'-Hg. [With insomnia.] 'Sudden change from grave to gay, from lively to serene.'-G. 'Absence of mind, can not think; indifferent to everything.'-Helbig. 'Intoxicated condition, with absence of mind.'-Helbig. 'Changeable humor, one moment laughing and the next crying.'-Helbig.

NUX VOMICA.
Insomnia, after mental strain, abuse of coffee, wine, liquor, opium or tobacco.
Useful in irritable, excited, oversensitive patients with defective memories, loss of energy, patients with whom everything goes wrong, trifling ailments are unbearable, there is intellectual incapacity and insomnia, nightmares, and it all these conditions are associated with dyspeptic troubles the remedy is all the better indicated.

OPIUM.
During pregnancy: insomnia; retention of stool; continued hiccough; frequent nausea and vomiting after eating.
Case 69 - INSOMNIA
Miss B., school teacher, brunette, age 26, had taught for several years, and was very nervous and worried much about her work. She asked me to give her something for insomnia. Had taken sulphonal, but feared she would get into the habit of it. She was sleepy more or less in the daytime, and in the evening before going to bed, but as soon as she was in bed the sleepiness vanished, and she would lie awake for hours. She was not restless, did not twitch or jerk; the only marked symptom that she had was that her hearing was very acute; said she could hear every noise within a mile of her - dogs barking, roosters crowing, etc. I gave her three powders of Opium 30, with instructions to take one when she went to bed at 10 P. M., and the others when she heard the clock strike. She only took me, as she was asleep in a short time after the first dose. She had one or two similar attacks of insomnia afterwards, but Opium 30th always relieved. (Ella M. Tuttle.)
Insomnia from sudden shock caused by bad news, with dulness and dazed
depression (Acon., agonizing restlessness); in old persons or children; in
drunkards; stupid sleeplessness, with frightful visions before midnight;
sleepy, but cannot go to sleep; insomnia with acuteness of hearing; slight or
distant noises keep her awake.

PASSIFLORA.
Insomnia resulting from nervousness, mental worry or excitement, or from exhaustion (Gels., Kali-P., Nux-V.) (C.).
Insomnia of the infants (Acon., Bell., Cham.) and the aged (Bar-C.) (Br.).
experience with Passiflora consists in its application in insomnia.
The insomnia in Passiflora is not due to any pain or distress but to a sort of nervous erethism.
This removed his insomnia, craving for liquor and morphia habits.
Mr. D., aged 52, sent for me to attend him during the month of May. I found him presenting all the prodromal symptoms of delirium tremens, and at once ordered him to bed, and none too soon, as the event proved. For seven days he tossed about in a wild delirium which was greatly aggravated by marked gastric irritation. I had him carefully watched, both day and night, until the delirium wore off. The treatment up to this time was Cannabis Ind. for the mental trouble and Nux v., which greatly relieved the gastric symptoms. But the moment he began to improve the old cravings for liquor and morphine returned. Right here let me say that for years he has been a great sufferer from piles and the only rest he could get was to sit propped up in his chair. His sufferings caused him to seek relief during theday in liquor and at nights in morphine. And this habit had so fastened itself upon him that try as he might, he could not give it up. When he came under my treatment I at once put stop to all stimulants and narcotics, but not without considerable trouble, for he seemed determined to have them. Night after night he would lie there calling for something to make him sleep, and this kept up until he was bordering on a state of insanity. Fully realizing that something must be done and that quickly too, I made up my mind to try Passiflora. This I did, and from the time I gave him the first dose improvement set in and has continued ever since. I at first gave him a half teaspoonful of the TINCTURE at bedtime, but this not proving sufficient, I increased it to a teaspoonful. He has now been taking it almost constantly for a period of eight weeks and claims he has not had as natural a sleep for years; and lays particular stress on the fact that when he awakes in the morning he feels so refreshed and his mind remains clear. But what seems even more wonderful is that from the day he first took this drug up to the present he has never felt the slightest desire to return to his former habits. The mere mention of liquor or opium seems to sicken him, and I am fully satisfied that he is now cured and will (so far as liquor and opium are concerned) remain so. He now takes special delight in praising the drug to his friends and really seems never to tire talking about the wonderful help it has been to him. I have also prescribed the drug to others for insomnia and always with success, one case excepted, in which I gave it for hemicrania, and here, although it quietened the patient, it failed to produce the desired sleep.
In the insomnia of adults, from whatsoever cause, I always give 60 drops at bedtime, and if not asleep in half an hour I repeat the same dose.

PLANTAGO MAJOR.
Sleep. Excessive and continued yawning. Insomnia from abdominal trouble. Grinding teeth during sleep. Sleep restless; disturbed by dreams
.Insomnia from abdominal troubles; cannot sleep after 4 A. M.; tosses about or falls into a dreamy sleep, full of gloom and fright, which rouses him.

RAPHANUS.
Sexual insomnia. [Kali Brom.]
Nymphomania, with aversion to her own sex and to children, and sexual insomnia.
This brings on a sort of sexual insomnia.

SECALE.
Insomnia with restlessness, fever, anxious dreams.
Insomnia of drug and liquor habitudes.

STICTA.
Sleeplessness from nervousness, from cough, after surgical operations.

STRAMONIUM
NIGHT TERRORS: easily frightened, wakens terrified, knows no one, screams, clings to those nearby (2) [1]; fear of the dark (4), desire for light (3); sleeplessness in dark room (3); faintness in dark places (2)[1]; desire for company at night (3), agg. when alone (2);
1. NIGHT TERRORS: child awakens terrified, knows no one, screams, clings to those near (2); fear of being alone at night (4); child refuses to go to sleep alone (TS); sleeps only in the arms of his parents, awakens when put down in the bed (TS); waking as from fright (2); shrieking on waking (1); sleeplessness in a dark room (3); weeps all night, laughs all day.

VALERIANA.
Insomnia especially during pregnancy and menopause.
Hering says it meets 'Nervous disorders occurring in excitable temperaments
in hypochondriasis it calms the nervousness, abates the excitement of the
circulation, removes the wakefulness, promotes sleep and induces sensation of
quietude and comfort. Sadness is removed in globus hystericus in all
asthmatic and hysterical coughs. Nervous palpitations, profuse flow of limpid
urine. Red parts become white'.
sajjad.