Repertory › Remedies in the repertory

Absinthium artemisia (Absin.)

Absinthium artemisia (Absin.) appears in 158 rubrics in the repertory. Of these, 17 are single-remedy rubrics listing only this remedy, and 4 are small rubrics with at most two other remedies. The emphasis lies on Delusions, Fear, Forgetfulness, and Violence. From these emerges the picture of a person who fluctuates between wild excitement and complete shutdown, and whose experience is shot through with animal images and convulsive seizures.

Violence and Shutdown

The core lies in the alternation of two states. Violence alternates with stupefaction, with unconsciousness, and with stupor: "Violent, vehement – alternating with – stupor". Conversely, stupor alternates with violence, and stupefaction with violent acts. The small rubrics add insanity with brutality. The violence does not remain a permanent state; it erupts and falls back into dullness.

Animals, Persecution, and Convulsion

The delusions revolve around animals and threat. Recorded are grotesque animals, rats of all colors and evil appearance, by which the person believes himself pursued. Fitting this is the fear known only to Absinthium: that of cats and rats in this combination. Striking is the proximity to convulsive seizures. Delusions occur after convulsions, grimaces precede them, hysteria shows itself in fits, and consciousness is lost in delirium.

Memory and Withdrawal

The forgetfulness concerns a precisely circumscribed area: "Forgetful, forgetfulness – of what had happened before", likewise of what preceded an epileptic seizure. Elevated spirits end in delirium. A single-remedy rubric records that the person does not want to undertake anything with anyone; another records premature climacteric. The only friendly trait among the small rubrics is a dreamlike state that is experienced as beautiful.

Summary

Absinthium shows in the repertory a person whose mind swings between outburst and extinction. Animal images and feelings of persecution fill the phases of excitement; memory breaks off at the points where a seizure lies. The rubrics suggest that what is described here is less a mood than a state of being torn apart.

A reference work for professionals; it does not replace diagnosis or treatment.