Aconitum Napellus: Homeopathic Remedy for Acute Anxiety and Panic Attacks

Source: - Vegetable kingdom
Common Name: - Monkshood, Wolfsbane
Family: - Ranunculaceae
Prover: - Dr. Hahnemann in 1816
Miasm: - Psora, Sycotic
Temperament: - Nervous, Impulsive
Diathesis: - Rheumatic, Gouty
Thermal: - Very Chilly, Sensitive to Cold
Duration of action: - 1 to 7 days
Active Principle: - Aconitine
Inimical to: - Camphor, Pulsatilla
Side affection: - Right-sided symptoms, especially right-sided neuralgia, headache, and pains.

INTRODUCTION

• Aconitum Napellus, commonly known as Monkshood or Wolfsbane, is a potent remedy in Homeopathy with a wide range of applications. It is primarily known for its efficacy in acute, sudden conditions, especially those that arise with intense fear, anxiety, and exposure to cold wind or weather.
• Dr. Hahnemann noted the effectiveness of Aconitum in conditions that come on suddenly, often after a shock, fright, or sudden change in temperature. It is known as one of the top remedies for acute fevers, inflammations, and pain.

HAHNEMANN SAYS: "Aconitum Napellus is the remedy of sudden, violent, and acute conditions, where there is a marked anxiety and fear of death."

GUIDING SYMPTOMS

• Acute Onset: Symptoms come on suddenly, often after exposure to cold wind or shock. These can appear with a feeling of fear, panic, or terror.
• Restlessness and Anxiety: The patient is restless, anxious, and cannot remain still, feeling as though something terrible is about to happen.
• Extreme Thirst for Cold Water: A constant and insatiable thirst for cold water, especially during fever and inflammatory conditions.
• Fear of Death: The patient has an overwhelming fear of dying, often with a sense of impending doom.
• Dry, Burning Throat: The throat feels dry and burning, especially when swallowing, with a sensation of tightness or constriction.
• Headaches: Sudden, intense headaches, especially those that come on after exposure to cold, or after a fright or shock. The pain is usually severe, throbbing, and can be localized to the forehead or temples.
• Pains in the Chest: Sharp, stabbing chest pain, often with a feeling of suffocation or tightness, aggravated by motion or speaking.
• High Fever: Sudden high fever, often accompanied by restlessness, agitation, and excessive thirst. Fever comes on quickly, often with chills, followed by intense heat.
• Cough: Dry, hacking cough with a feeling of tightness in the chest. The cough can be worse at night or after exposure to cold.
• Neuralgia: Neuralgic pains, especially on the right side of the body. Pains are sharp, stabbing, and come on suddenly.

MIND / MENTAL SYMPTOMS / PSYCHOLOGY

• Intense Anxiety: The patient experiences overwhelming anxiety, particularly at night or during fever. They feel they are in great danger, and may express a fear of death.
• Delirium: The mind is clouded, and the patient may become delirious, often speaking incoherently or experiencing hallucinations.
• Fear of Future Events: A strong feeling of apprehension about what is to come, often accompanied by restlessness and an inability to focus on anything else.
• Panic Attacks: Sudden bursts of fear, often associated with heart palpitations and shortness of breath.
• Mood Swings: Aconitum patients may swing between extreme agitation and periods of calm, often becoming easily frightened or startled.

FEVER

Aconitum Napellus is one of the top remedies for all kinds of fevers, especially when they come on suddenly after exposure to cold or a fright.

• Intermittent Fever:

• Before Chills: The patient may experience dry, teasing cough and a taste of blood.
• During Chills: The patient is very chilly, with a strong thirst for cold drinks, especially water.
• During Heat: The face becomes red, and the corners of the mouth may develop ulcers or blisters.
• Sweat Stage: The fever ends suddenly, leaving the patient feeling exhausted but with some relief.

• Continuous or Remittent Fever:

• Causation: Exposure to damp or cold weather, or after a shock or fright.
• Mode of Onset: Fever starts suddenly, with the patient becoming restless, anxious, and fearful.
• During Fever: Restlessness, agitation, and an intense thirst for cold drinks. The fever may be accompanied by dry cough and sore throat.
• After Fever: Weakness, especially in the legs, and a sensation of numbness or paralysis.

RHEUMATISM

• Causation: Often follows exposure to cold weather, damp conditions, or after a sudden fright.
• Sensation: Sharp, stabbing pains in the joints, often with a feeling as though the bones are being scraped.
• Location: Most often affects the right side of the body, especially the right arm, shoulder, or hip.
• Worse: In damp, rainy weather, and at night, especially after getting chilled.
• Better: By warmth and movement.

SKIN

• Vesicular Eruptions: Yellow, vesicular eruptions with intense itching and burning, particularly on the skin of the face, scalp, or extremities.
• Erysipelas: Red, hot, swollen skin, often with a sharp, burning pain.
• Worse: At night, during damp weather, or after exposure to cold.

MEMORIZING TIPS

• A – Acute onset after shock or exposure to cold
• C – Chilly, extremely sensitive to cold air
• O – Overwhelming fear of death, panic attacks
• N – Neuralgia, especially on the right side
• I – Intense thirst for cold water
• T – Throbbing headache, worse after exposure to cold
• U – Unrest and anxiety, can't stay still
• M – Mouth ulcers or blisters during fever
• N – Numbness in the limbs after fever
• A – Agitation, especially at night or during fever