Sabadilla officinarum / Asagraea officinalis

Sabadilla is a toxic plant that is found growing naturally in Central America and Mexico. A member of the lily family, Sabadilla  may also be cultivated in different parts of North and South America. This plant is not only a popular insecticide, but also forms the basis for a homeopathic remedy by the same name. The sabadilla plant encloses an alkaloid called veratrine that works as a contact and stomach poison for insects. While the plant is regarding to be the least poisonous among all botanical insecticides, the dust of the dried out plant is harmful for humans and can cause eye irritation as well as sneezing when inhaled. The medicinal uses of sabadilla were first documented in the 16th century. Traditionally, this plant has been exclusively used to eliminate lice as well as kill worms in the intestine. Since exposure to this plant results in symptoms that are similar to those due to cold or hay fever, the homeopathic remedy sabadilla prepared from this plant is used to treat these health conditions. In addition, this homeopathic medicine is also extensively used to cure thread worms in children. It may be noted that all homeopathic remedies work by enhancing the overcharged or intense immune system. When used in a highly watered down form, homeopathic remedies stimulate the body in a manner similar to a trigger or allergen (a substance that induces allergy) which results in a slow, but steady deadening or numbing of the immune system. It is interesting to note that the homeopathic remedies that are used to cure allergies are primarily derived from the plants or substances which in their unrefined form are generally responsible for giving rise to symptoms of allergy. The homeopathic medicine sabadilla is indicated for use in patients who are generally very susceptible to cold and smell. In fact, even the slightest exposure to a potent smell or cold air may trigger sporadic sneezing and copious discharge of watery substances from their nose. Therefore, using sabadilla is effective in providing relief from incessant and violent sneezing as well as exasperating itchiness and tickling sensation in the nose. In such cases, the one nostril of the patient may be congested, while the other may be discharging profuse watery substance and the condition is likely to deteriorate by the fragrance of any flower. Other symptoms in this case may include a burning sensation in the eyes along with watering. Sabadilla, the homeopathic remedy, is prepared in a tincture form from the plant called Cevadilla (a synonym for Sabadilla Lily). Precisely speaking, the dried up seeds of the plant are used to prepare this homeopathic medicine. The Cevadilla fruits enclose brownish seeds that have rich veratrine (a toxic mixture of alkaloids) content. The seeds of sabadilla or Cevadilla are used in the manufacturing of insecticides. In homeopathy, sabadilla is extensively prescribed for treating hay fever, allergies, children's diarrhea, worms and other health conditions. The symptoms of these health conditions include sporadic sneezing accompanied by runny nose, reddish eyes, acute frontal pain, diarrhea associated incessant splitting pains. People who require the homeopathic remedy most would feel better when they consume warm/ hot foods and drink and are covered with something warm. Their condition deteriorates when they take cold foods and drinks, are exposed to cold air and during full moon. It is generally said that patients who need the homeopathic medicine sabadilla are quivering individuals who are susceptible to cold air, cold food/ drinks and a cold room/ environment. A Sabadilla patient will always want to be wrapped up properly for warmth and also desire hot beverages to keep his/ her stomach warm. In fact, warm drinks help to comfort their stomach. The Sabadilla patient often undergoes conditions related to catarrh (inflammation of the mucus membranes, especially of the respiratory tract) and, therefore, he/ she wishes for hot air. In order to get relief from such catarrhal conditions, they require taking hot foods and beverages. Providing them with warm foods or drinks makes them happy. In such situations, the Sabadilla patients find it difficult to swallow any cold food or beverage, as these substances only augment the pain and swallowing problems. Therefore, using the homeopathic remedy sabadilla is extremely useful not only in curing the actual health conditions, but also alleviating the associated symptoms. When taken, the homeopathic remedy sabadilla moves from the left to the right and any good practitioner of homeopathy will soon find a relation between this medicine and another homeopathic remedy called lachesis. This is primarily because the conditions it cures involves pain and inflammation of the throat that begin on the left side and gradually spreads to the right. Both the homeopathic remedies sabadilla and lachesis are effective in treating such health conditions.

Uses

The homeopathic remedy sabadilla works or has an effect on the mucus membranes of the nose and tear glands. Hence, in homeopathy, this medicine is extensively used to cure hay fever and cold, especially when they are accompanied by sporadic sneezing and a runny and itchy nose along with scratchiness in the soft palate. These conditions may also be accompanied by a burning sensation in the eyes, watering from the eyes and a tearing headache all over the eyes. Patients suffering from hay fever may also have a dry and tender throat making it difficult to swallow anything. In such conditions, taking hot beverages helps to comfort the throat. While sabadilla is effective in curing the actual health conditions and providing relief from the associated symptoms, this homeopathic medicine is also used to eliminate thread worms in kids. As aforementioned, in homeopathy, sabadilla is a useful medicine for treating intestinal worms that brings about nausea, which, in turn, results in vomiting. In fact, this homeopathic remedy is most effective for children who have a tendency to cry continuously and are quite difficult to pacify. Sometimes, it may even be near impossible to comfort such crying children. While homeopathic medicines may prove to be very effective in treating intestinal worms and occasionally they are sufficient to get rid of such worms, there are times when it is also necessary to use conventional medicines to treat the condition. Therefore, homeopathic medicines should only be used separately in cases where the patient fails to get any relief from the worms using the more conventional medications. Nevertheless, homeopathic medicines are also effective and safe when they are used concurrently with conventional medicines while treating intestinal worms.