DOLICHOS

Dolichos pruriens, a valuable and versatile homoeopathic medicine derived from the whole pod of Dolichos pruriens (Mucuna pruriens), a plant from the Leguminosæ family. It exhibits a profound action on the skin, nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, and liver. Especially suited for cases involving intense itching without eruption, neuralgia, jaundice with pruritus, teething troubles in children, and constipation during pregnancy. Characterized by aggravation at night, it is also beneficial in herpes zoster and respiratory discomfort with chest pain. Dolichos is an essential medicine in chronic and acute conditions presenting with nerve hypersensitivity, cutaneous irritation, and hepatic dysfunction.

Common Name

Hindi: Jangali, Jara

English: Cowhage, Cow-itch

SBL’s Dolichos pruriens can be helpful in the following conditions:

Skin Irritation & Herpetic Conditions

• Dolichos pruriens is indicated in intolerable, persistent itching all over the body, particularly worse at night.
• Itching is not associated with visible eruptions and is aggravated by scratching.
• Beneficial in jaundice with itching of the skin.
• Aids in dry, tettery eruptions on arms and legs, often appearing in ring shapes resembling zona (herpes zoster).
• Supports herpetic eruptions under the left axilla, spreading toward the sternum and spine with burning and smarting sensations.

Gum and Teething Difficulty

• Helps in soreness and tenderness of upper gums in teething children.
• Gums are swollen, painful, and inflamed, often preventing intake of food or drink.
• Pain in the gums is intense and worsens at night, causing restless sleep.
• Indicated in neuralgic gum pain unrelieved by local measures.

Throat and Facial Pain

• Useful in painful sensations in the throat just below the angle of the lower jaw (right side).
• Sensation likened to a splinter embedded vertically in the throat.
• Pain worsens on swallowing, accompanied by local soreness.

Abdominal Bloating and Liver Swelling

• Assists in bloated and swollen abdomen with sluggish digestion.
• Manages abdominal fullness with associated constipation, especially during teething or pregnancy.
• Indicated in hepatic swelling and jaundice, particularly with pale (white) stools.
• Supports detoxifying liver function during inflammatory states.

Constipation and Stool Irregularities

• Constipation associated with sluggish bowels during dentition or pregnancy.
• White, clay-colored stools may accompany hepatic complaints.
• Useful in managing worm-related abdominal discomfort in children.

Irritating Cough and Dyspnea

• Indicated in dry, irritating cough occurring especially at bedtime and shortly after lying down.
• May be associated with wheezing and labored breathing (dyspnoea).
• Sharp, stitching pains may be felt in the upper lobes of both lungs.

Twitching and Clonic Spasm

• Beneficial in neuralgic pain following herpes zoster infections.
• Aids in twitching of muscles and clonic spasms of the extremities.
• May present with unconsciousness during spasmodic episodes; eyes fixed, eyelids open.
• Supports overall nerve and muscle coordination in chronic neurocutaneous conditions.