The pharmacological action of Cimicifuga has not been definitely determined. Through homeopathic provings we are acquainted with the effects of the drug, in a purely symptomatic way only; but the exact tissues affected and the mechanisms involved causing their disturbances, cannot be stated. Cimicifuga is a mild cardiac stimulant. The heart's action is slowed and its force increased; but this effect is of no special importance. Large doses depress the heart and vasomotor system.

The arterial tension is decreased and the face flushed. It is inferred from the symptoms produced in women, that it causes uterine contractions. Large doses cause frontal headache. Cimicifuga undoubtedly exerts its main action upon muscular tissue, which becomes relaxed. There are present bruised, sore sensations and muscular pains which simulate rheumatism. Sometimes diaphoresis results.

Therapeutics

Cimicifuga: This remedy suits nervous, hysterical and rheumatic women, more especially. Such nervous women often suffer from mental depression or gloom, as though a cloud had settled down upon them. Reflex uterine and ovarian symp-toms. Tremblings and twitchings.

In the last weeks of pregnancy the remedy is frequently of service, in relieving false pains, especially when these extend across the abdomen, from side to side.

Myalgias are relieved by Cimicifuga, which affects the bellies of the muscles more particularly. In women, left-sided inframammary pains are relieved by it. Menstruation is irregular in time and amount. Reflex cardiac pains are found under this medicine, such as needle-like pains in the cardiac region, extending backward, or pain extending from the heart to and down the left arm.

Rheumatic pains in the muscles of the nape of the neck, with stiffness, or heavy and pulsating pains in the lumbosacral region, extending to the thighs and hips. Aching soreness is a general characteristic of Cimicifuga; the muscles ache, the eyeballs feel sore and ache. Severe occipital headaches are relieved by it as well as some cases of spinal irritation, where there is sensitiveness to pressure in the cervical vertebrae, so that the patient cannot lean back in the chair.

In melancholia, Cimicifuga may be of use when sleeplessness, sighing and moaning are prominent symptoms, also when such patients talk of becoming crazy, are suspicious and fearful. In delirium the patient is very restless, sees rats and vermin and has sudden twitchings and startings.

In the headache of this remedy the pain is located chiefly in the occiput, or begins there and extends to the vertex, or down the spine. This pain is aggravated by bending the head forward, but is relieved by firm pressure upon the back of the neck and by bending the head backward. At times there is a sensation as though it were being lifted off.

Simple rheumatic torticollis finds a remedy in Cimicifuga: the muscles feel stiff and the pain and stiffness are aggravated by attempting to move the head.

In ciliary neuralgia the remedy is very efficient, when the eyeballs feel too large, with pains which shoot into the head and occur, or are worse, chiefly at night.

Many symptoms of Cimicifuga are left-sided, as, for example, its pleurodynia or intercostal neuralgia. In angina pectoris the remedy will be indicated by pain and numbness of the left arm, with irregular, or tremulous action of the heart.

It is of decided value in lumbago, caused by overlifting or stooping, or from a draft. The pains are worse from attempts at motion. These pains often run down the thighs. Retraction of the head in cerebrospinal meningitis. *

Characteristic Symptoms Of Cimicifuga

1. Pains in every portion of the head, but more in vertex and occiput; pressing and aching; sometimes extending to shoulders and down the spine.

2. Top of head feels as if it would fly off.

3. Rush of blood to the head, brain feels too large for the cranium, after suppressed uterine discharges or suddenly ceasing pains.

4. Intense aching pain in eyeballs, worse from moving the head.

5. Nervous or muscular irritation, of a rheumatic or neuralgic origin, especially in delicate or hysterical women, who are affected more or less with disease of the generative organs.

6. Neuralgic or rheumatic dysmenorrhea, with great mental and nervous irritability, sleeplessness, low spirited, sensitive.

7. Choreic affections at puberty, the menses not appearing.

8. Epileptic or hysterical spasms, at times of menses.

9. Menses suppressed from cold or emotions.

10. Bearing down in the uterine region and small of back, limbs feel heavy and torpid.

11. Rheumatic pains in muscles of the the neck and back, feeling of stiffness and contraction.

12. Severe aching pains in the back, down the thighs, through the hips, with heavy pressing down.

13. Aching or soreness of the muscles.

14. Sharp, lancinating pains in various parts, associated with ovarian or uterine irritation.

15. Mental depression or gloom, as though a cloud had settled over her.