Rhus tox, also known as Rhus toxicodendron, is a homeopathic medication that is made from the leaves of the poison ivy plant. It is used primarily to relieve pain caused by skin and musculoskeletal disorders. The most common homeopathic remedy for sprains and strains, it also is given to people experiencing pain from flu or arthritis. Though homeopathic remedies are widely used, their efficacy remains controversial. Consult your health care provider before taking a remedy.
Homeopathic Medicine
Homeopathy is a system of medicine based on the Law of Similars, which states that like cures like, or that a substance which can cause illness in a healthy person can be used to cure a similar illness in a sick person if used in an appropriately diluted concentration, according to the National Center for Homeopathy. The same principle exists in conventional medicine, which uses radiation (which causes cancer) to treat people with cancer and digitalis (which creates heart conditions) to treat heart conditions, says Homeopathic Educational Services.
Ingredients
Rhus tox is made from fresh leaves of the poison ivy plant that are gathered at night, just before the plant comes into flower, and preferably in damp weather, as this is when the poison is most active. The leaves are then chopped, pounded to a pulp, and soaked in alcohol, and the resulting solution is then strained, according to the "The Complete Hmeopathy Handbook." The liquid is diluted with 99 parts distilled water or ethyl alcohol and shaken vigorously. The dilution and shaking are repeated until the desired strength is reached, reports Homeopathic Educational Services.
Medicinal Uses
Rhus tox is used primarily as a remedy for skin and joint disorders. Skin conditions it is used to treat include chicken pox, shingles, herpes, eczema, rosacea and diaper rash. Musculoskeletal problems including rheumatic or arthritic pain, sciatica, restless legs, cramps, sprains and strains are also cited by the "Encyclopedia of Homeopathy."
Potency and Dosage
Rhus tox may be given in any potency, though the 30C and 200C potencies are most common, reports "Practical Homeopathy." As with most homeopathic remedies, repeated lower doses are most commonly used to treat acute conditions, while fewer doses of higher potencies are thought to work best for chronic conditions.
ABC Homeopathy notes that the letters X, C, and LM, with which homeopathic remedies are labeled, refer to the number of parts of water or alcohol with which the tincture is diluted. They are Roman numerals, so the X, C and LM refer to 10, 100 and 50,000, respectively. The letter M, however, refers to 1000C and not one part per thousand.
Constitutional Types
Homeopaths categorize people into constitutional types and select remedies based on that, according to "Homeopathy: The Principles and Practice of Treatment." Personality and temperament, fears, food preferences and response to weather and seasons are among the factors considered when assigning constitutional types. Rhus tox types tend to be cheerful, lively, humorous and quick-witted. They are often serious, hard-working and driven people. They may suffer from compulsive or ritualistic behavior.
References
- National Center for Homeopathy
- Homeopathic Educational Services: A Modern Understanding of Homeopathic Medicine
- "The Complete Homeopathy Handbook"; Miranda Castro; 1990
- "Encyclopedia of Homeopathy"; Andrew Lockie; 2006
- "Practical Homeopathy: A Comprehensive Guide to Homeopathic Remedies and their Acute Uses"; Vinton McCabe; 2000
