Aquilegia coerulea - New provings - For Homeopaths - Homeovision

Description of the substance

A homeopathic drug proving- now termed a homeopathic pathogenetic trial- of the Rocky Mountain Columbine - Aquilegia Coerulea

Eine homöopathische Arzneimittelprüfung von Aquilegia coerulea, der Rocky- Mountain- Akelei

 

The foto is taken from Wikipedia (7/11), the author kindly released into the public domain (License: see here).

 

 

What does beauty have to do with it?

 

Barbara Seideneck CHom, CCH, RSHom (NA)

 

Awe-inspiring to visitors of the Rocky Mountains, the alpine Columbine ‘s pristine beauty catches everyone’s attention from June through August. The intense blue of the flower’s outer petals resembles the color of a glacier lake or a clear Colorado sky on a summer morning. And skies hardly get any bluer than that. Its inner white concentric sepals summon images of sheer purity, and the fine gold colored stamens add to the flower’s delicacy. With admiration, hikers and mountaineers alike watch the delicate Colorado State flower dance in the slightest breeze.

 

During the years of 2003, 2004 and 2005 the Homeopathy School of Colorado undertook a proving of Aquilegia vulgaris (Auil-vulg), the Common Columbine, an un-proven homeopathic remedy listed in J. H. Clarke’s Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica (American Homeopath (AH), Vol. 11). The remarkable results of the proving inspired an interest in proving the Colorado State flower, Aquilegia coerulea (Aquil-coer) and spurred a curiosity to look for similarities and differences between these two flowers of the same family.

 

Methodology

The proving was conducted with 34 provers (25 female, 8 male) in three different groups during 2006, 2007, and 2008 at the Homeopathy School of Colorado. Each prover’s baseline data was collected by recording pre-proving symptoms for three days prior to the proving, and by taking a baseline case. The remedy was given in 30C and 200C potencies. During the proving, provers logged symptoms on a daily basis until symptoms subsided. Provers and assigned supervisors were in daily contact.

 

Hahnemann Laboratories of San Rafael, California prepared the remedy according to Hahnemannian principles in November of 2005.

 

Name Origination

The taxonomic name for the Colorado Columbine is Aquilegia coerulea (E. James), often also spelled caerulea. Aquilegia relates to the shape of the flower, Coerulea to its color. Considering this, coerulea is assumed to be the correct spelling.

• Aquilegia - Latin for eagle, the flower’s spurs resemble an eagle’s talon.

• Coerulea - Latin for blue

• Columba – Latin for dove or pigeon (the flower resembling the flight of these birds).

• E. James – The name of the person who found it in Colorado

 

Botanical Description

Columbines belong to the Ranunculaceae (buttercup) family which includes Aconitum, Cimicifuga, Clematis, Delphinium, Helleborus, Hydrastis, Pulsatilla, and Ranunculus. German botanists named this family Hahnenfuss-Gewaechse, rooster foot plants, a description related to the flower’s likeness to a bird’s foot. Columbines also compose the genus Aquilegia that contains about 8000 species of perennials.

 

The Rocky Mountain Columbine grows app. 30 to 75 cm (1 to 3 feet) high and about 45 cm (11⁄2 feet) wide. In the wild, the flower is usually of an intense blue color (or white); variations of pink, yellow, orange, red or dark purple flowers are mostly found in gardens. The blossom is arranged into two concentric circles; the inner five sepals assembled around gold-colored multiple stamens, the outer five petals tapering into narrowing trailing spurs. The rolled spurs at the back of the flower reach upward, resembling an eagle’s talons. The flower is much liked by butterflies that uncoil their long tongues to reach the very bottom of the narrow canal of each spur.

 

The contrasting sepals and petals of the Columbines give them a pixie-like look as they sit gracefully atop erect wiry branches. A bluish-green color is characteristic of the plant’s leaves. The leaves grow on long stems and are divided into three parts, each forming a scalloped three-petal leaf with a slight resemblance to cloverleaves. The species of Aquilegia coerulea (Aquil-coer) will turn its flowers partially upward to face the sun, while hybrids growing in gardens frequently hang their flowers downward.

 

Though the sun sheds golden glory

O’er the far-flung hills at dawn,

From a world azure and silver

Are your lovely colors drawn

From the great white peaks that tower

And the glacial lakes below;

From the deep blue sky above you

And the pearly clouds aglow.

 

Sweet columbine, sweet columbine

Beneath the aspen and the pine

You seem a gift from heav’n above;

 

How fair you blow, like sky and snow,

The spirit of the land I love,

The flower of the State of mine,

Sweet columbine, sweet columbine.

- From a lyric by Edgar MacMechen, 1922

 

Habitat

The Rocky Mountain Columbine is native to Western North America including Arizona, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Wyoming and Utah. In the mountains, the exotic flower has a broad habitat range, thriving in Aspen groves, along streams, in open woodlands and even on hot, dry talus slopes. It can be found on alpine meadows at elevations of 5000 to just above 10.000 feet (app. 3600m). The flower used for the proving was picked on July 20th at Rocky Mountain National Park, at an elevation of 9000 feet in a mossy spot along a stream, just below a group of pine trees.

 

History

In 1820 Edwin James, a brave mountaineer and his climbing party first climbed Pikes Peak, the most famous mountain peak in Colorado. Little did Edwin James know that the delicate blue and white flower he found on his climb would be adopted to be Colorado’s State flower in April of 1899 (exactly one hundred years before the tragedy at the Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado). Laws passed in 1925 prohibited removing any Columbines from public land. Additionally, it was declared illegal to pick Columbines from private land without the owner’s consent and the number of flowers picked was legally limited to 25. Praising the Rocky Mountain Columbine, the Colorado State song’s last verse reads as follows:

 

“ Tis the land where the Columbines grow,

Overlooking the plains far below,

While the cool summer breeze in the evergreen trees,

Softly sings where the Columbine grows.”

- A.J. Flynn 1915

 

Very little is recorded about Aquilegia coerulea (Rocky Mountain Columbine) being a fairly recent discovery of the New World, while the history of Aquilegia vulgaris (Common Columbine) it’s European sister, reaches back into the 16th century. We do know, that some Native American cultures used the seeds of the Rocky Mountain Columbine in a love potion.

 

Symbolism

Originally, the European Common Columbine (German: Akelei, Swedish: Akileija) was dedicated to the Norse goddess Freya, the goddess of love and fertility, crops and birth. Freya was the symbol of sensuality called upon in matters of love. She loved music, spring, flowers, and elves and was the most gracious and beautiful of all the goddesses. Old symbolism relating the plant to love and fertility has been preserved in paintings exhibiting sexual imagery, secret love and seduction, inconsistency and fickleness. Over time, Christianity transferred elements of the plant’s original mythical symbolism related to the goddess Freya to the Virgin Mary (Details see AH, Volume 11, 2005).

 

Toxicity

Despite the fact that Columbines have been ingested as tea and in salads, Columbines are considered poisonous plants. The consumption of approximately 20 grams of Common Columbine leaves (Aquil- vulg) has caused poisoning symptoms of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, breathing difficulties, heart pains, absent-mindedness, stupefaction, and confusion. Its toxins, however, are destroyed by heat and drying.

 

Although records of toxicity are not available for the species of the Rocky Mountain Columbine (Aquil-coer), it belongs to a family that contains a number of mildly toxic plants. According to information on botanical website’s the flowers are most likely perfectly safe to eat, are rich in nectar and taste sweet. The plant is not toxic to livestock.

 

Herbal Applications of Aquilegia Coerulea

Several North American Indian tribes have used the Rocky Mountain Columbine for a variety of purposes:

 As love medicine to attract the girl of their dreams

 Gosiute Indians (Great Salt Lake, Utah) used the plant as an analgesic

 Meskwaki Indians chewed the root for stomach and bowel problems

 Meskwaki Indians combined Columbine with Prickly Ash to treat “thick urine”

 Milk that had been boiled with leaves was ingested to cure sore throats

 A decoction of the root, sometimes combined with leaves to cure diarrhea

 Used to treat the pain of rheumatism, plant parts unknown

 North Western Natives mixed the ripe seed into tobacco for sweet smell

 

Mental Themes

Increased energy was reported as a jittery, buzzing state and was reflected in mental and physical symptoms alike. The deep calmness many provers felt, reached nuances from being less bothered, to a feeling of sedation and laziness, dullness, indifference and heavy sluggishness. On the opposite site of this scale anxiousness and irritation were experienced, most likely related to increased mental/emotional sensitivity. Following is a list of mental states experienced during the proving:

 

Increased energy

Increased focus

Unusual calmness

Spacey, dull, dream-like

Difficulty concentrating

Forgetfulness

Sadness

Lazy

Indifference

Averse to company

Easy to anger

Increased emotions

Anxious, impatient and irritated

 

For the first 11⁄2 weeks of the proving I had horrible agitation, was much less patient. I was anxious, fidgety and flustered. I couldn’t focus or remember what I was just looking at. - Prover 1506

 

MENTAL SYMPTOMS:

High energy, more motivated, more cheerful 0406, 0906, 0307, 0607, 0907, 0708

Restless, fidgety, jittery 0307, 1506, 0607 0208

Unusual internal calmness, mind quiet, no need to rush 0306, 0707, 0907

Unusually relaxed, less hurried 0506, 0906, 0907

 

Feels like taken a mini Valium, pleasant sedated feeling 0208, 0308, 0408, 0907, 0906

Depressed, melancholic, unhappy 0606, 1206, 1406, 0608

Crying for no reason 0406, 0707

Moved to tears by music, thoughts, stories, movies 0406, 0107, 0408

Forgetful 0506, 0607, 0906, 0907, 0208, 0308

Difficulty concentrating 1406, 1506, 0607, 0907, 0208, 0708, 0908

Leaving out, transposing letters, horrible handwriting 0107, 0907, 0308

Irritable and impatient 0406, 0606, 0906, 1506, 0707, 0907, 0608, 0608

Anxiety 0406, 1506, 0107

Lazy 0506, 0906, 0608

Less sympathetic, less patient with family 0406, 0107, 0707, 0208

Wants to be alone, averse to company 0107, 0408, 0608, 0708

Emotionally agitated, angry, throwing things, short fuse 0606, 1506, 0707, 0807, 0907, 0608

Hit friend 0208 (very mild mannered person)

Increased confidence to speak up, ask 0406, 0506

Mentally focused, efficient, organized 0406, 0307, 0407, 0907

 

Topics in Dreams:

Of the 176 dreams recorded during the proving, 58 dreams started with threatening or violent situations that turned into dreams with benign or happy endings. It seems remarkable that one third of the dreams followed this pattern.

 

Prover 708 had frightful dreams, something she had never experienced before. Prover 1006 was cured from violent dreams suffered since serving during operation Desert Storm in Iraq in 1990 (1006). It is suggested, that Aquil-coer could help with nightmares. Following is a list dream topics:

 

Happy endings - threatening dreams end positive

Water related dreams

Attire and looks

White, yellow and blue/turquoise color

Helping others and rescuing

Forces of nature

Gatherings and food

Birth and death

Pregnancy and birth

Narrow places (Prover 0307 had 12 dreams about this topic)

Erotic and sexual dreams

 

DREAMS

Live in house with cannibals and murderers; talk them out of killing me 0906

At a party for child, men with machine guns enter, everything goes dark, calmly I am waiting for the opportunity to escape 0107

Followed by someone, but tricked the person who was following 0308

 

Joyfully watching divers while snorkeling 0908

Laughing at two guys with canoes heaped with luggage for a 4-hour trip 0207

Someone falls into a creek, gets up and laughs 0906

Dangerous surfing turns out to be in a swimming pool 1206

 

 

Cross-dressing party, bow ties, top hats, jewelry, silk crimson dress 0208

Ladies wearing shimmering dresses, one peach one turquoise 0808

Yellow, blue, and white 0308, 808

 

Swept away by strong current when kayaking, rescued two girls 0307

Child at pool, dead, she is receiving CPR, I speak to her; she becomes alive 0807

Driving a Jeep across a river water pouring in, have to protect daughter 0908

 

Prescient dream about pregnancy 0406

Gave birth to a baby girl 0606

Sea creature gives birth 1006

 

Dog that died of cancer 0606

Hugged dead aunt 0308

Funeral/wake 0307

 

Spaghetti 0606

Bright, yellow banana bread 0808

Party with lots of food 0606, 0208, 0308, 0808

 

Listening to music in a mountainous field, talking to female musician, nice experience 0307

Grateful Dead concert 0308

Saw Phil Lesh of Grateful Dead at a concert 0808

Friend fighting with her boyfriend turned into a wedding and a concert 0808

 

Long, narrow river with long skinny piers 0307

Long skinny passage from barn to corral 0307

Crawled under an upholstered chair, to get away from rattlesnake 0808

 

Vans, passenger vans, semis, big trucks, different colors 0306

Fitting new carpet in blue car 0707

Prolonged erotic dreams (several) 0907, 0308

 

General Symptoms

Marked symptoms for this area included an intense sensation of heat, tingling and buzzing sensations in various parts of the system, sensitivity to warmth and heat, weakness like being sedated, craving dairy and an amelioration from eating.

 

Increased energy 0406, 1206, 0307, 0108, 0508, 0608

High energy morning, low 12.00 PM - 16.00 PM, high again in evening 0406

Woke up ready to go with lots of energy 0307, 0406, 0407

Tingling, buzzing sensation, erector muscles of spine, upper face, L top of head 1006

Tingling experienced by many provers in different parts of the body

 

Sensation of heat 0306, 0406, 1006, 0107, 0307, 0607, 0707, 0907, 0208

Sensation of heat in core 0306

Hot, especially face, hands, feet, > drinking cool water 0307

 

Woke very hot, hot all day 0707

 

Chilled 0406, 0906, 1406, 0607, 0707, 1108

Chilly on a warm day 1406

Very cold, want to get into bed and cover up 0707

Cold, almost like flue, > anything warm, warm drinks and heater 1108

 

Weakness 0506, 0107, 0408, 0708

Sedated feeling, feel like a rest, feel like taken a mini Valium 0408

 

Craving diary 0406, 1506, 0307, 0208

Desire milky, creamy things, cheese and juicy fruit 0307

Craving cheese 0307

Craving dairy, milk, ice cream 0406

Craving cold milk (doesn’t drink milk) 0208

 

Desires cold food, drinks 0308, 1108

 

Better eating 0406, 0107, 708

Irritability > eating 0406

Anxiety > eating 0406

Weak and strained, winded going up-stairs, > eating a big meal 0708

Miscellaneous

Pains moving from left to right 1006, 1406

Foot sweats ameliorates all symptoms 1006

Symptoms begin with tingling, move to itching and then into pain 1006

 

Physical Symptoms

Most remarkable during the proving were the sensations of heat, tingling, itching and redness especially in the head, face, extremities, chest and stomach. Pains were generally experienced as sharp, stinging and pressing, and appeared in the head, eyes, ear, face, mouth, throat, abdomen, stomach and female organs. A large number of provers experienced nausea and vertigo, some with headaches as concomitant.

 

Immediately after taking the first dose of the remedy, my face felt hot. The sensation gradually intensified. I felt nauseous, had a hot sensation in my stomach, and my lips were buzzing. I wanted to take my clothes off and roll in the snow. - Prover 0306

 

 

HEAD

Sharp, stinging pain, forehead 0706, 0107, 0308, < lying down 0906

Stabbing pain L temple 0107, 0208

Quick, pulsating pain in R temple 0607, 0107

Light headed, frontal H/A with vertigo 0308; < standing, walking > eating 0207

Outward pressure on top of head moving L to R, itchy 1006

Pressure on both sides of head as if being squeezed with two hands 0608

Strong HA over forehead and eyes with loss peripheral vision and nausea 0907

 

 

Tingling up back of head, waking from nap 1108

Tingling as if hair is standing on end, L Vertex 1006

Sensation hair is standing straight up at occiput and vertex 0308

Sensation as if hair is being pulled at crown of head 0107

 

Itching on Vertex > scratching 0907 (lasted 4-5 days)

Formication L side vertex intensifying to pain 0107

Sensation of heat in head 0208

Hot sensation 0308

 

VERTIGO

Dizziness 0506, 1406, 0107, 0407, 0807, 0907, 0308, 0508,1108

Dizziness < standing, < bending 0907

Sensation as is would fall to left 0107, 308

Heaviness in head felt like falling forward > moving slowly > fresh air 0907

Wave-like sensation in forehead, < movement 0807, 0907

 

EYES

Stabbing pain L eye 1006, 0107, 0407

Pain R temple and R eye socket 0606, 1006, 0107

Eyes red-rimmed, swollen 0306, 0107, 0607, 0308

Dry, irritated 0706, 0607, 0108, 0808

Droopy, heavy eyelids 0906, 0107 0308

Lachrymation 0706, 0107, 0408

 

VISION

Blurry vision 0406, 0706, 0906, 0607, 0208

Flash of light 0606, 0607, 0707

Peripheral vision foggy around the edges 0407

Reduced peripheral vision, top down < reading > looking out window 0907

Trouble focusing close but not distance 0406

Photophobia 0406, 0907, 0808

 

EAR

Pain, L ear canal, 1006, 1506, 0107, 0108 > pressure 0406, > cold 0706

Pressing pain in L ear radiating to temple, L jaw joint and L molars 0107

Intense sharp pain in outer L earlobe 1006

Left ear feels fuzzy, asleep feeling extending to chin 0308

Shooting, stabbing pain R ear 0706, 1108

Plugged, pressure in R ear canal 1006, 0908

Sensitive to noise, had to turn down headphones 0607

Sounds keep shifting from R to L ear 0707

 

NOSE

Watery, clear runny nose 0506 (salty), 0306, 0607, 0208, 0308, 0408, 0608, 0708, 0908

L nostril, clear, thin mucus 0706, 0107, 0808

Paroxysms of sneezing 0406, 0707, 0807, 0908

Congestion, 0208, 0506, 0706, 1206, 0908

 

Clumpy mucous 0608

Very dry 1406, 0208, 0608

Chemical odor in nose 0906

Nail polish odor in nose, very strong 0308

Smelling bad odor with bad taste in mouth 1108

Itching and tingling nostrils 0506, 1006, 0107, 0308, 0908

Nostrils tender, sore 1006, 0608, 0708

 

FACE

Pain jaw as if had been clenching/grinding teeth 0406, 1406, 1506, 0107, 0808

Throbbing, pulsating pain jaw joint 1006, 1506, 0107

Tingles 0308

Itchy cheeks 0107, 0207

Itchy, stinging rash under chin 0308

Red, flushed, hot 1006, 0207, 0208

Numbness 0107, 0308

 

MOUTH

Apthae, stinging, tip of tongue, 0206, 0406, 0307

Apthae, inside cheek 0206, 0906, 0308

Extremely dry mouth 0606, 0307, 0607, 0708, 1108

Mouth dry, need to lick lips, swallowing difficult 0607

Lips dry 0406 (splitting), 0108

Swelling of lips 0508

Woke with lemon taste in mouth 0307 (several days)

 

THROAT

Stabbing pain at back of neck on swallowing, > pressure on R neck muscles 0306

Stinging pain L side extending to L ear 0107

Hot, burning both sides with congestion 1206

Swollen, raw, aching pain on L tonsil 0208

Sore throat 0506, 1406, 0208 (< inhaling), 0708 (splinter-like)

Dry, sore top back of mouth, craved cold water, > cold water 0406

Scraping, scratchy sensation in throat with mucous 0606, 0307, 0607,0907, 0308, 0808

Sensation of lump 0307(with choking sensation), 0607, 0907

 

NECK

Chill from neck to feet 0406

Flushes of heat, sides of neck 1006

Flushing red stripe up L side of neck 1006

 

STOMACH

Cramps 0406, 0307, 0608

After eating, sharp pains gas and cramps, > laying down, < sitting 0206

Severe, violent abdominal cramping with sudden urge for stool; foul smelling diarrhea, feel drained

after diarrhea, but mental physical stamina OK 0307

Intense nausea, excruciating stomach pain > cool, followed by several bouts of diarrhea, body hot, >

cool, laying still, < getting up 0608

Nausea 0306, 0906, 1006, 1406, 0107, 0307, 0607, 0707, 0807, 0208, 0608

 

Nausea with sensation of heat (roasting from the inside out), but body is cold 030

Nausea, belching with lemon taste 0307

Eructations tasting of alcohol (no alcohol ingested) 0107

Thirsty 0306, 0406, 0906, 1406, 0307, 0807, 0108, 0708, 0908

Thirsty for cool water 0307, 0807, 0708

Intense hunger, appetite 0406 (> eating), 0906, 0308, 0708

Decrease in appetite 0906, 1406, 0307, 0707, 0807, 0308

 

ABDOMEN

Sharp pain L side 0406, 1006, 1206, 0308

Dull, cramping pain, waist 1006, 0308

Pressing pain lower abdomen 0107

Heat sensation, spleen area 1006

 

RECTUM

Several bouts of painless, gushing diarrhea 1006

Frequent bowel movements 1406, 0308

Constipation with dizziness, nausea, HA 1406

 

BLADDER

Decrease in urination 0306, 0906 (thick urine)

L-sided back spasm and increased urination 0407

 

FEMALE

Nosebleed before rising from bed day of menses onset 0107

Menses 4 days late 0406

Menses started 5 days early 0208

Painful cramps, nauseated, difficult to get ready for work with pain 0407

Intense itch and small bump, > warm shower, compress 0606

Stinging, biting pain upward inside vagina 0308

Sexual desire decreased, not as proactive, orgasm not a priority 0906

 

COUGH

Paroxysms of cough, 0306 > head elevated 0406

Tickling at roof of mouth and back of tongue causes cough 0706

 

CHEST

Hot, as if burning, skin hot to touch, red-hot splotches, > cool 0406

Chest pain 0107, 0208, 0607, 0308

Heart palpitations 0207, 0307, 1108

Fluttery feeling in chest 0207, 0808

Itching, L nipple 1108

 

BACK

Bubbling sensation radiating from scapula to crown of head 0107

Chilly shivering, tingling up and down spine while urinating 0308

Left side intense pulsating pain 0308, 0407, 0907, 0608

 

EXTREMITIES

Arthritis-like pain and stiffness 0306, 0406, 0607, 0807

Stiffness, couldn’t type, write 0406, 0607

Hand feels stiff, like a glove, < morning, < cold, < before storm 0807

 

Heat sensation 0406, 0307, 0907, 1006, 0908

Heat in both hands 1006, 0907

Hands red 0406, 1006, 0107

Hands hot, clammy, sweating 0406, 0307, 0308

Sudden, burning, sore, upper arms, < touch, < movement 0906

Soles of feet burning 0406, 0908

 

Soles of my feet were burning. I had a hot feeling extending to arms, hands, face, my chest being

very hot, burning, and turning red > fanning, drinking cold water. On the next day the heat

stopped, I felt cold and chilled, chills starting on my neck, running down entire body.

- Prover 0406

 

Sharp pains 1006, 1406, 0107, 0807, 0308

Awakened 4 times by painful electric shock to base of palm 0107

Sharp pain middle two fingers of L hand 1006

Shooting pain in L hamstring area, < flexing 0308

Sharp cramp in bottom of foot 1006, arch of foot 1406, 0807

 

Itching and tingling

Hands itching 0107, and arms 0807 (< night)

Chill, goose bumps down arms with tingling, shoulders prickly 0308

Tingling in elbow with numbness in fingers 1406, 0607

 

SLEEP

Light sleep 0306, 0406, 0407, 0907, 0308

Waking from anxiety and restlessness 0408

Waking, jittery, but easily back to sleep 0307

Sleepiness but unable to sleep 1406

 

PERSPIRATION

Acrid smelling 0107

Breasts to neckline 0308

Profuse R side 0608

Perspiring on waking 0707, 0208, 0608

 

SKIN

Old moles, upper arms, became raised, round, and red 0306

Red, spotty, irregular rash on front of neck after bathing 0107

Itching trunk, legs, neck 0506, 1006, 1406, 0807

Itching face, soles of feet, palms of hands 0707, 1006

Skin warm, chilled internally, not quite sweating > indoors 0907

(The numbers after each symptom are the prover numbers.)

 

Curative Effects

Twelve provers highly impressed by the curative effects of Aquil-coer experienced improvements in dreams, energy and concentration, blood sugar levels, nose congestion and inflammation, stomach problems, menstrual cramping and acne.

 

Prover 1006: History of violent dreams (result from being a soldier/PTSD). During the proving dreams are loosing their violent aspect. Locations and persons in the dreams are similar, but no violence ccurs. The prover continues to have less violent dreams as of May 2008 (proving 2006).

 

Prover 0508: Overall energy much improved; thinking more clearly, better memory and improved concentration. Not cranky although didn’t sleep well. Happy, refreshed throughout day. Feeling more energetic and able to do more things. Less irritated with people; not getting upset with anyone; clear focus all day. Duration 23 days.

 

Prover 1206: I have been congested for a long time. After two days of the remedy it’s gone. My energy level is higher than ever. I also have been dealing with runner’s stitch on the left, nothing has helped. Since the proving I have had it very infrequently. But I have been very sad in the mornings and evenings.

 

Prover 1406: Nose congestion, present for six months cured by the remedy on Day 4.

 

Prover 0707: Red, swollen inflammation on tip of left nostril for 6 months, no treatment helped, aggravated on day 3 of the proving. The right septum became red and inflamed for a day. By evening only dry and crusty; the inflammation went down by 80%. On day 7 of the proving the inflammation was completely gone, not to return.

 

Prover 0807: Suffer from sinus congestion, first L sinus opened up on day 1. Both sides open during the whole proving.

 

Prover 0707: Stomach seems to assimilate food better, no gas after meals.

 

Prover 0707: Experienced a note worthy drop of blood sugar levels. Fasting blood sugar levels were taken between 7:30 AM and 8:00 AM every day, reading 138 on the first day, 120 on day 14, and 116 on day 21 of the proving.

 

Prover 0406: Menstrual cramps less intense than usual. No blood clots, no cramping after 1st day, less profuse, less tired, able to stay active.

 

Prover 1108: Overall menses better, cramps much less intense than usual, no vomiting.

 

Prover 307: Acne I had my entire lifetime seems noticeably cleared up, fungal rash on upper arms since July 2006 is gone.

 

Prover 0508: Fell asleep easier, slept through whole night, woke refreshed, happy all day. Slept through the night for 22 days (highly unusual).

 

Summary and Conclusion

Most mental states experienced during the proving of the Rocky Mountain Columbine (Aquil-coer) also appeared previously in the Common Columbine (Aquil-vulg) proving: Exuberance, high energy, hypersensitivity (especially heat, light and noise), slowness, calmness, sedation and relaxation, forgetfulness, indifference to other’s feelings, easily angered and excited, weeping easily, and aversion to company.

 

Every one of these mental states is contained in the list of sensations of the Rananculacea family compiled by R. Sankaran in his book Schema, and clearly part of the family picture. A number of symptoms of Aconitum, Cimicifuga, Clematis, Helleboris, Hydrastis and Pulsatilla were also part of both Columbine provings.

 

The amount of violent dreams with benign outcomes and seems an impressive result of the proving. Aquil-vulg did not influences dreams in this way or produce similar dreams. Dreams occurring during both provings include: Colorful dresses, gatherings, mountainous areas, animals, sexual dreams, pregnancy, water and colorful cars.

 

Physical symptoms experienced by a majority of Aquil-coer - provers clearly point to the use of the remedy to treat nausea and vertigo, stitching pains of the GI-tract (especially with diarrhea) and the extremities (especially with heat and tingling), headaches (especially with heat and vertigo), menstrual problems including thick bland discharge and rash-like skin conditions. .

 

Finally, how do themes of a substances appearance, or behavior transcend a proving? Shouldn’t two gorgeous flowers equally yield themes of beauty and grace? In the earlier proving of the Common Columbine (Aquil-vulg) these topics surfaced in dreams. Amazing dreams of nature, landscapes, an “unworldly” garden, beautiful flowers, and a palace satisfied this expectation. The Rocky Mountain Columbine (Aquil-coer) did not offer anything along these lines. Its beauty was revealed by its capacity of pacifying violent dreams and an impressive amount of curative effects during the proving.

 

Words of Appreciation

Special thanks go to our homeopathic heroes, the provers and supervisors, finding time in their busy lives to contribute to the body of homeopathic knowledge. I would like to thank Dorothy Simoni, PhD, CHom, Professor Emeritus, Cal Poly Pomona, and homeopath in Boulder, Colorado, (homeopathy@sugarloaf.net) for her relentless attention to detail and her dedication to this three-year proving. Also, many thanks to Michael Quinn from Hahnemann Laboratories for preparing the remedy.

 

Barbara Seideneck, CHom, CCH, RSHom (NA) is a German homeopath practicing in Boulder,

Colorado. She is the founder and director of the Homeopathy School of Colorado, established in 1991.

 

Barbara has previously conducted provings of Amethyst, Aquilegia Vulgaris (Common Columbine), Ayahuasca (Magic Vine), and Emerald.