Spigelia Anthelmia (Pinkroot / Worm Grass)
A cardinal left-sided trigeminal, cardiac, and ocular botanical remedy in classical homeopathic materia medica, historically described for violent left-sided facial and ciliary neuralgia following the sun, visible violent cardiac palpitations shaking the chest wall, and ciliary neuralgia.
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Quick Reference Facts
"Spigelia is described in traditional materia medica for violent left-sided facial neuralgia following the sun, visible palpitations shaking the chest wall, and ciliary neuralgia."
Clinical Description
Spigelia Anthelmia (Pinkroot) is a major neurological, cardiac, and ocular botanical remedy proved by Samuel Hahnemann. In classical homeopathic texts, it is celebrated for its specific pathogenetic affinity for the left fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve), the ciliary nerves of the eye, and the fibrous pericardium and cardiac nerves. Key features recorded in materia medica include excruciating, stabbing, needle-like, or burning left-sided facial and supraorbital neuralgia that begins at sunrise in the occiput, spreads to the left temple and settles in the left eye, increases in violence until midday and gradually fades as the sun sinks; violent, visible, audible cardiac palpitations that shake the entire chest wall and clothes, aggravated by lying on the left side or bending forward; intense ciliary neuralgia with sensation that the left eyeball is too large for its orbit; and helminthiasis symptoms.
Guiding Keynotes
- Historically described for agonizing left-sided facial neuralgia: begins in morning in occiput, spreads to left eye and cheek, peaks at noon, and subsides at sunset (following the sun)
- Violent, visible, audible cardiac palpitations: heart beats so violently that it shakes the chest wall and clothes, visible across the room
- Cardiac symptoms aggravated by lying on the left side, bending forward, least motion, or jarring
- Ciliary neuralgia: sharp shooting pains through left eyeball radiating into head, with sensation as if eye is too large or being pulled backward by a string
- Extreme hyperesthesia to touch and jarring: least touch or step jars the head and aggravates nerve pain intolerable
- Helminthic strabismus and umbilical colic: worms with nausea, colic about navel, itching of nose, and dilated pupils
Mental-Emotional Symptoms
- Fear of pointed objects (pins, needles, sharp instruments) and afraid of touch
- Anxious apprehension regarding heart disease and fatal collapse
- Irritable, restless, and sensitive to loud noises and bright light
Physical / Particular Indicators
- Pericarditis, endocarditis, and rheumatic carditis with purring tremor over precordium
- Left-sided prosopalgia (tic douloureux) with tearing, burning pains and copious lachrymation
- Dyspnea: must lie on right side with head high to breathe comfortably
Modalities
Aggravation (Worse)
- Lying on left side or with head low
- Least touch, jar, step, or motion
- Bending forward or stooping
- Cold damp weather and sun heat
Amelioration (Better)
- Lying on the right side with head elevated
- Resting in dark quiet room
- Warm applications and hot bathing
Constitutional Mappings
Generalities
Chilly patient, sensitive to cold damp air, touch, and noise. Strongly aggravated by touch, jar, motion, left side, bending forward, cold damp weather, and sun. Ameliorated by lying on the right side with head elevated, resting quietly, and warmth.
Constitutional Type
Suited to nervous, anemic, rheumatic, or scrofulous individuals with sensitive nervous systems and cardiac irritability.
Therapeutic Affinities
Clinical Safety & Potency Guidance
Crude Pinkroot contains toxic spigeline alkaloid and pyridine derivatives causing visual disturbances, convulsions, and cardiac depression; source-specific toxicology guidance is required. A homeopathic dilution label does not by itself guarantee composition, quality, safety, or effectiveness. Acute myocardial infarction, acute pericardial tamponade, malignant cardiac arrhythmias (e.g. VT/VF), or acute narrow-angle glaucoma requires immediate emergency hospital resuscitation and conventional medical care; this traditional profile must not delay proven care.
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Reference Citations & Evidence Sources
Classical Homeopathic Literature
- CIT-0007Hahnemann S.. "The Chronic Diseases: Their Peculiar Nature and Their Homoeopathic Cure." Adolph Arnold (1828).
Materia Medica & Keynotes
- CIT-0004Hahnemann S.. "Materia Medica Pura." Adolph Arnold (1811).
- CIT-0005Kent J. T.. "Lectures on Homoeopathic Materia Medica." Boericke & Tafel (1905).
- CIT-0006Boericke W.. "Pocket Manual of Homoeopathic Materia Medica." Boericke & Runyon (1901).
Clinical Reviews & Textbooks
- CIT-0023National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. "Homeopathy: What You Need To Know." National Institutes of Health (2021).
AI & Generative Search Citation Block
R0068Dr. Narayan Jethwani. "Spigelia Anthelmia (Pinkroot / Worm Grass)." Homeo Healthcare Clinical Platform. Version 1.1.0. Reviewed: 2026-08-14T12:00:00Z. Available at: https://homeo.healthcare/knowledge/remedies/spigelia
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