Overview of Cantharis
The homeopathic remedy Cantharis is extracted, as its Latin name indicates, from the insect Cantharis vesicator. It is a beetle belonging to the Meloid family, which lives in most of central-southern Europe. Its scientific name is Lytta vesicatoria, but it is also known as Cantaride and popularly as the “Spanish fly”. The homeopathic remedy Cantharis is obtained from the tincture or shredding with lactose of the insects Cantharis vesicator and from the subsequent dilutions and dynamizations in hydroalcoholic solution.
The insect contains an active ingredient, called cantharidin, which is extracted from the powder obtained after its drying and which has been known since ancient times. It has characteristic, unpleasant smell and pungent bitter taste; it is insoluble in cold water and soluble in oils. Cantharidin has rubefacient and bladder properties. It is highly irritating on the skin and can cause blisters at the points of contact. Due to the ease of its skin absorption or even worse if ingested, it is extremely dangerous for human health, being able to cause, in excessive qualities, even death. It was used to stimulate the entry into heat of the mares.
When to use Cantharis
Cantharis is a remedy with local action, which acts mainly on the urinary tract, the gastro-intestinal system, the nervous system, the skin, the mucous membranes. The homeopathic remedy Cantharis is used in the following main cases:
- disorders of the urinary tract, cystitis and similar disorders; inflammation of the female genital system, dysmenorrhea
- skin problems, erythema, dermatitis, herpes, burns
- head problems, dizziness and headache, conjunctivitis, canker sores
- throat disorders, pharyngitis, hoarseness, laryngitis
- problems with the respiratory system, catarrhal affections of the airways with mucus
- disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, stomach pains, colic, diarrhea
- nervous system disorders, inflammation of nerve tissues, anxiety, restlessness, irritation, excess anger
Doses and administration
In all cases, if acute dilution 5CH, 1 granule every 5 – 10 min, or 5 drops every 10 – 15 min, lengthening the time with improvements; if relapsing dilution 7CH, 3 – 4 granules or 5 – 10 drops every 3 hours.
Who is Cantharis recommended for
The individual who requires Cantharis has violent burning sensations and heat, often has dermatitis, unbearable abdominal pains, sharp that occur especially when the bladder is full, has difficult, slow and painful urination, as well as frequent with the emission of a few drops of urine. Bladder pain worsens by drinking even small amounts of water or drinking coffee. The subject has shiny eyes and very dilated pupils, pale face with expression of suffering, thirst with aversion to drinking. He is a tired, depressed, restless and agitated person and has an increased sexual desire and suffers from anxiety.
