Bryonia alba

English patient information. Some clinical wording may still reflect the German source text. Not for self-prescription.

The main characteristic of Bryonia is the worsening of all complaints by the slightest movement. That's why the patient wants to lie still and be left alone. If this characteristic is present, Bry. probably the cure, no matter what name the disease has.

If the patient gets a cold, it starts with nasal discharge and tearing, sore eyes and headache. The next day the larynx is also affected (hoarseness) and as the disease progresses, bronchitis and perhaps pneumonia develop. A dry cough develops, which is worse when entering a warm room and at night. The patient often has stabbing pain in the chest due to the shock of the cough. He then holds the chest with his hands. The cough can also lead to headaches. The patient then holds his head with his hands because the cough is so painful. Like Bell. the cough sometimes ends with sneezing, or children cry before coughing (Bell., Hep.). The cough, as with Puls., may be better if the patient sits up.

Many patients complain of aching limbs when they have flu-like symptoms, which are then made worse by the slightest movement.

A characteristic trait of Bry. is the relief of pain by lying on the painful side. For example, if the patient has pain in the right lung - this remedy tends to have symptoms on the right side - then he would also like to lie on the right side. Typical of Bry. is a distinctly great thirst that is quenched by drinking large amounts at once and at long intervals (unlike Ars., which often requires small amounts). The Bryonia patient's mood can be described as irritable.

Patients who need Bryonia often have a white coated tongue.