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Homeopathic-Remedies:
Among the homeopathic remedies
that can help slow, arrest or reverse the progression of early cataracts,
are those which follow: , , , Not all listed symptoms need be present
for a remedy to work on the other symptoms. It is best to consult
a homeopathic practitioner or a homeopathic repertory and materia
medica to more fully repertorize your symptoms before embarking on
homeopathic self-help. Electroacupuncture, kinesiological, or biofield
testing may be helpful in zeroing in on the best remedy, or combination
of therapies.
- Aconitum napellus
- Agaricus muscarius
- Allium cepa
- Alumina (clay) for cataract with prolapsed
lens following surgery (see also Staphysagria).
- Ammonium carbonicum for cataract
in the right eye (see also kali carbonicum, nitricum acidum
and silicea).
- Ammonium muriaticum (ammonium
chloride, NH3Cl) for capsular cataract (see also colchicum
autumnale).
- Anacardium orientale (Semecarpus anacardium)
- Antimonium tartaricum
- Apis mellifica (honey bee)
- Argentum nitricum (silver nitrate, AgNO3)
when craving for, yet aggravated by sweets, with much intestinal
gas. Gray spots and serpent like floaters. Intense pain and photophobia.
Feels and walks hurried. Irritable.
- Arnica montana for traumatic cataract
from contusion (see also conium maculatum) or following surgery
(see also Calendula officinales and Senega).
- Arsenicum album (white arsenic, As2O3)
for restless, anxious, despairing people with burning sensations
made better by heat, and vision as if looking through a white
gauze due to cataract. Fears death. Mental depression. Thirst
for frequent small drinks.
- Augustura (galipia cusparia)
- Aurum metallicum (gold, Au) for anguished,
despairing people with cataracts from mercury toxicity, with objects
seeming foggy, smaller and more distant, with bruised feeling
in orbital bones. Pains extend inward. Irritable, sensitive to
noise. Mental depression.
- Belladonna (Atropa belladonna) for cataract
with lens appearing white.
- Baryta carbonicum (barium carbonate,
BaCO3) for stopping the advance of cataracts when accompanied
by dry eye syndrome, scaly skin, floaters and photophobia with
malnutrition and mental and physical deterioration. Swollen glands
in neck region. Lens appears grey.
- Belladonna
- Bryonia
- Bufo rana for cataract with lens appearing
red or white.
- Calcarea carbonicum (calcium carbonate,
CaCO3) for fair, overweight people with circular lines visible
in the lens, excess acidity, sensitivity to dampness and cold.
Vision dim, misty, with pressure, itching, burning, cutting, stinging
and watering sensations in the eyes.
- Calcarea fluorica (calcium fluoride,
CaF2) for cataracts with spots on the cornea and flickering sparks
in the vision.
- Calcarea phosphoricum (calcium
orthophosphate, Ca3(PO4)2) for scrofulous people with aching eyeballs
and head, especially on right side, corneal ulcers, cataract (helps
stop progression), and watering eyes on yawning, with failing
mental abilities. Vision appears as if looking through a veil
due to cataract.
- Calcarea sulphuricum
- Calendula officinales (calendula) for
cataract following surgery (see also Arnica montana and
Senega).
- Cannabis sativum (hemp, not available
as a homeopathic in the U.S.) for photophobia, tearing, and redness
of conjunctiva, with cataract and dimmed vision. Lens appears
gray.
- Capsicum annuum
- Carbo animalis (animal charcoal)
for senile cataract (see also secale cornutum) with weak
feeling in eyes, as though lying loose in their sockets.
- Causticum (potassium oxide) for
incipient cataract (see pulsatilla, secale and sepia) with foggy
vision or hemianopia. Lens appears reticulated (see also plumbum)
and gray. Heaviness or ptosis of the upper eyelid. Warts on upper
lid. Burning, itching, sandy feeling in eyes. Flashes of light.
Peripheral paralysis of eye muscles (levator palpebrae superioris,
orbicularis oculi, lateral rectus, or ciliary muscles). Sensitive
to cold air blowing on eyes and to cold drinks, yet better in
rainy weather.
- Chelidonium majus (celandine)
for weak, misty vision with reduced visual acuity, tearing, and
knife-like pain in eyes aggravated by lights at night (e.g. headlights).
Lens appears gray.
- Chim.
- China officinalis
- Chininum arsenicosum (quinine arsenite,
C20H24N2O2) 3H3As2O33H2O) in scrofulous ophthalmia.
- Cina (artimisia vahliana)
- Cineraria maritima (dusty miller)
is used topically as a specific remedy for cataracts, taken two
drops 3 times a day. Changes may often be measured beginning after
several weeks.
- Cocculus indicus (anamirta cocculus)
- Coch.
- Colchicum autumnale for soft
cataract (see also secale cornutum and mercurius solubilis)
with lens appearing green (cataracta viridis; see also Colchicum
autumnale, Conium maculatum, Phosphorus and Pulsatilla) and for
swelling of lens, as well as capsular cataract (see also ammonium
muriaticum).
- Conium maculatum (poison hemlock)
for traumatic cataract following contusion (see also arnica
montana) or other injury (see also tellurium) with myopia, photophobia,
coldness or burning of eyes in open air, corneal ulcers, and difficulty
openning eyelids. Inflamed tissue is hard to the touch. Can have
great pain and photophobia with little or no inflammation. Vertigo
disappears on closing eyes. Lens may appear black, gray or even
green (cataracta viridis; see also Colchicum autumnale, Phosphorus
and Pulsatilla).
- Crocus sativus
- Cubebae for cataract with lens appearing
white.
- Digitalis purpurea
- Dulcamara (Solanum dulcamara)
- Euphorbium officinarum for cataract
with better vision on a dark day.
- Euphrasia officinalis (eyebright) for
cataracts associated with lachrymation, profuse flows of mucus
from the sinuses and at night from the eyes, sticking the eyelids
together. Swelling of eyelids. Stitching, smarting sensation on
tearing. Photophobia. Pulsating head pain. Lens appears gray.
- Graphites (graphite, C) for photophobia,
mucopurulent discharge from the eyes, eczema of lids (and behind
ears) with moist cracks which bleed easily, chronic marginal blepharitis,
flickering sensation before the eyes, profuse tearing. Letters
run together when writing. Vision blacks out when stooping.
- Guiacum officinale
- Hepar sulphurata
- Hyoscyamus niger for cataract with lens
appearing gray.
- Hypericum perforatum (St. John�s wort)
for relief of congestion and pain associated with traumatic cataract
in hypersensitive people.
- Ignatia amara (St. Ignatius� bean) for
nervous people with seemingly contradictory symptoms and modalities
(i.e. improvements and aggravations). Intense, occasional photophobia.
Mental depression from grief and loss.
- Iodoform for incipient senile
cataracts and especially in rapidly progressing cortical cataracts
with broad striae and patches of flocculent masses.
- Jab.
- Kali carbonicum (potassium carbonate,
K2CO3) for cataracts more advanced in the right eye (see
also ammonium carbonicum, nitricum acidum and silicea), with sharp
stitching pain in eyes, weak vision, and tearing. Puffiness and
swelling like a sac between the eyebrows and lids. Bright sparks,
blue or green spots before eyes.
- Kali iodatum (potassium iodide, KI) for
dim, foggy, indistinct vision. Iris appears dull and discolored.
Eyes burn and tear. Iritis or choroiditis from mercury toxicity.
Chemosis (redness) of eyes. Variable degrees of vitreous haze.
- Kali muriaticum (potassium chloride,
KCl) with chronic exudative inflammation. Interstitial keratitis.
- Kali s.
- Kali sil.
- Kreosotum
- Lac caninum (dog�s milk)
- Lachesis mutus (bushmaster venom) for
hypersensitive people with disorganized blood, foggy vision with
black flickering, intra-ocular hemorrhages, especially in left
eye, worse after sleeping.
- Ledum
- Lycoperdon bovista
- Lycopodium clavatum (club moss)
has been known to stop the development of cataracts, often related
to liver stress or absent menses. Reduced visual acuity with sensation
of looking through a fine lattice. Poor night vision. May see
a veil, flickering light or black spots. Mucus in eyes which must
be wiped away to clear vision. Quickly feel full when eating.
- Magnesium carbonicum (magnesium
carbonate, MgCO3) for cataracts, with dim vision, black spots
in vision, dry or profusely watering eyes, chronic blepharitis
with eyelids stuck together in the morning. Lens appears gray.
- Manganum carbonicum
- Mercurius solubilis (mercury, Hg) for
soft cataract (see also colchicum and secale cornutum) with misty
vision, stitching pain in eyes, periodic loss of vision, aversion
to light, black spots or sparks before eyes. Ulcer at lid margin.
Ciliary injection.
- Naphthalinum (naphthaline, moth
balls, C10H8) for cataract starting with turbidity extending from
the posterior capsule and periphery of the lens, with opaque radiating
spokes extending inward from the periphery.
- Natrum carbonicum
- Natrum muriaticum (table salt, NaCl)
for dim vision like looking through gauze or feathers, or as though
objects are covered with a thin veil. Visual confusion and unsteadiness.
Fiery zig-zig around all objects. Eyes fatigue with reading or
writing. Pain in and above eyes with daylight. Eyes tear in open
air. Mental depression from grief and loss.
- Nitricum acidum (nitric acid,
HNO3) for cataract in the right eye (see also ammonium
carbonicum, kali carbonicum, nitricum acidum and silicea) with
soreness on palpation of orbit area. Burning pain and corneal
ulcers with tearing, pains like pieces of glass. Objects look
dark, and vision is obscured when reading. Black spots in vision.
Lens appears gray.
- Nux vomica (Strychnos nux vomica,
poison nut) sedentary, irritable, thin people who overdo things,
with morning photophobia and dry eye sensation at inner canthus,
with cloudy vision. Lens appears black.
- Opium (Papaver somniferum, poppy, not
available as a homeopathic remedy in the U.S.) for cataracts with
lens appearing gray.
- Phosphorus (P) for cataract especially
in the left eye (see also sulphur), in people who bleed easily,
even from small wounds, with a mist or gauze-like veil before
the eyes and halos around lights. A sensation as if something
were pulled tightly over the eyes. Black spots floating in vision.
Aversion to light. �Cataracta viridis,� i.e. lens appears
green (see also Colchicum autumnale, Conium maculatum, and
Pulsatilla).
- Plumbum metallicum (lead, Pb) for cloudy
vision that makes one want to rub the eyes. Dim vision on right
side with tearing pain in eyes and forehead at night. Eyes feel
too large. Lens appears reticulated (see causticum).
- Psorinum
- Pulsatilla (wind flower) for incipient
cataract (see also causticum, sec. and sepia) in fair people,
easily brought to tears, with dim vision, and tearing in open
air. Mental depression. Thirstless, even with fever. Vertigo.
Lens appears gray or green (cataracta viridis; see also Colchicum
autumnale, Conium maculatum, and Phosphorus).
- Rhus toxicodendron (poison ivy) for corneal
infection or pan-ophthalmitis following cataract surgery. Restlessness,
aching increases with first motion, but improves with continued
movement.
- Ruta graveolens for cataracts with lens
appearing gray.
- Saccharum album (white sugar)
- Sanguinaria canadensis
- Sant.
- Sarracenia purpurea
- Sarsaparilla (Smilax officinalis)
- Secale cornutum (ergot of claviceps
purpurea) for incipient, soft (see also colchicum and mercurius
solubilis) senile cataracts (see also carbo animalis) with
dim vision, dilated pupil, eyes sunken and surrounded with a bluish
margin. Fixed wild staring.
- Senega (Polygala senega, Seneca snake
root) for cataract following surgery (see also Arnica montana
and Calendula officinales) with vision obscured, glistening before
eyes, worse from rubbing eyes. Eyelids swollen. Eye pain as if
pressed out with eyes being expanded, especially in dim light.
- Sepia (squid or cuttle fish ink)
for incipient cataract in women with uterine problems. Green halo
around lights. Burning pain and pressure in eyes.
- Silicea (quartz, SiO2) for cataract,
especially right eye (see also ammonium carbonicum, kali
carbonicum and nitricum acidum), following suppression of sweating,
especially of the feet. Letters run together or look pale,
like a gray cover obscuring the vision. Black spots and fiery
sparks in vision. Photophobia. Tearing. Corneal ulcer. Sensitive
to cold air blowing on eyes. Likes head wrapped warmly.
- Spigelia anthelmintica
- Stannum metallicum (tin, Sn)
- Staphysagria (Delphinium staphysagria)
for prolapsed cataractous lens following surgery (see also Alumina).
- Stramonium (Datura stramonium)
- Sulphur (S) for poorly washed
people with skin problems and cortical cataracts, especially
of the left eye (see also phosphorus), with lens appearing
gray. Burning, smarting in eyes feeling like a splinter of glass,
dim vision, acrid tears.
- Taraxacum officinalis (dandelion)
- Tellurium metallicum for traumatic cataract
following injury (see also conium and arnica) with ocular lesions
causing the cataract.
- Thiosin.
- Valeriana officinalis (valerian)
- Veratrum album
- Zincum metallicum
The earlier natural, preventive
treatment has begun, the better is the success rate. Silicea can sometimes
benefit in later stages, however, when the cataract is interfering
severly with vision.
Other remedies prepared homeopathically
may be beneficial. In addition to homeopathic preparations of the
many nutritional and herbal factors listed in the sections above,
additional factors involved in the prevention of cataracts may include
pyruvate and ketoacids that protect the lens against oxidative damage.
The sarcode lens may be tested.
Since the lens is at the end of the stomach meridian, stomach sarcode
potencies and other appropriate stomach remedies may be considered.
Nosodes for cataract include Cataracta
senilis (associated with increased myopia), Cataracta complicata (associated
with eye diseases such as iridocyclitis, glaucoma, retinal detachment
and pigmentary degeneration), and Cataracta brunescens (associated
with yellowing of the lens nucleus). Responses to these nosodes and
other remedies can be measured at EAV point �Stomach 4.�
The nosode Coxsackie-Virus B4
is considered in conditions affecting avascular tissue such as the
crystalline lens.
Homeopathic potencies of Cortisone
may be tested as an isonosode if cortisone therapy is a cause of the
cataract.
Complex homeopathy, such as Cataract
Drops, containing multiple ingredients in a single formulation is
another available option to consider. Another complex homeopathic
remedy suggested by the same manufacturer for cataracts is Ear, Eye,
Sinuses, along with vitamin C, vitamin E and Selenium.
Also consider Protomer or homeopathic
Mercurius solubilis for removing Mercury. Heavy Antitox is helpful
for other heavy metals.
The next section covers laboratory
testing for cataract prevention and reversal.
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Endnotes (see print version
for placement in text):
Moffat JL. Homoeopathic Therapeutics
in Ophthalmology. Jain Publishers, New Delhi, 1982. p. 127.
Burnett JC. Curability of Cataract
with Medicines. Jain Publishers, New Delhi, 1989.
Berridge EW. Diseases of the Eyes.
Jain Publishers, New Delhi, 1984. p.36.
Norton AB. Ophthalmic Diseases
and Therapeutics. Jain Publishers, New Delhi, 1987. p.441-2.
Varma SD, et al. Scientific basis
for medical therapy of cataracts by antioxidants. American Journal
of Clinical Nutrition 53:335S-345S, 1991.
Nosode Therapy in Practice. Baden-Baden,
Germany: Biologische Heilmittel Heel GmbH, 1985; p. 30-31.
Voll R. 2nd Supplement to the
Four Volume Work: Topographical Positions of the Measurement Points
of Electroacupuncture According to Voll. EAV Diagnosis of Eye Diseases,
15 New Measurement Points for Portions of the Eye, EAV Therapy for
Eye Diseases, 5 New Approaches. Medizinisch Literarische Verlagesellschaft
MBH, Uelzen, 1983. 96-97.
available to doctors from Professional
Health Products at 800-952-2219 and directly to the public from Remission
Foundation at 800-788-2442.
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The next section covers laboratory
testing for cataract prevention and reversal.
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