Anemone vulgaris and pratensis
| Pulsatilla Anemone vulgaris and pratensis |
Pulsatilla - Anemone vulgaris and pratensis (in the Ranunculaceae or Buttercup family)
Part used: Whole plant.
Taste/smell: Slightly acrid, bitter.
Tendencies: Cooling.
Dosage: 1:2 fresh strength liquid extract: 5-10 drops 1-3 times per day.
Mental picture and specific indications: Often the person who responds to pulsatilla will have nervous conditions like fearfulness, general nervousness, dejection, and weep easily. The individual is gentle, with a yielding disposition, and has changeable symptoms and moods. The body discharges are usually yellow. The person needing pulsatilla can be comforted while the person needing chamomile cannot.
Use: (a) Anti-inflammatory, (b) Sedative, (c) Analgesic.
Pulsatilla stimulates gastrointestinal and hepatic functions. It is indicated for menstrual complaints in women who are anemic, intolerant of fatty foods, have coated tongues, cold extremities and a feeble pulse. It is specific for amenorrhea following wet cold feet, acute endometriosis, ovarian neuralgia and congestive ovaritis with inflammation, dull, nagging, aching, tearing pains; not cramping pains. Animal research has indicated pulsatilla reduces uterine contractions in vitro, has a sedative and analgesic activity in vivo and an antibacterial action in vitro.
Contraindications: An overdose can cause toxicity with sensations of burning in the mouth and throat, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, slowed pulse and breathing, hypo-thermia, sensory and motor depression, stupor, coma and convulsions. Because it is a uterine stimulant, it is contraindicated in pregnancy.