Cactus Grandiflorus Homeopathy: Uses and Benefits

Educational information on traditional homeopathic use only. Not medical advice.

Cactus Grandiflorus is a homeopathic remedy made from the night-blooming cereus cactus (Selenicereus grandiflorus). In traditional homeopathic use it is associated with a feeling of constriction, as though a band were squeezing the chest or another part of the body, and with a gripping, oppressed feeling around the heart. It is mostly found as an ingredient in circulation and heart-support formulas.

Important: chest pain, tightness or palpitations can be serious. If they are new, severe or come with breathlessness, sweating or pain spreading to the arm or jaw, call your emergency services. This page is not a way to assess heart symptoms.

Cactus Grandiflorus at a glance

• Source: the young stems and flowers of a climbing cactus native to Central America and the Caribbean, whose large flowers open only at night
• Traditional keynote: constriction or band-like tightness, often described as an iron band
• Also linked with: a labouring heart sensation, unease and oppression in the chest, circulatory heaviness
• Classic modalities: symptoms worse around midday and at night, and lying down
• Typical potencies: 6C or 30C; higher with a practitioner

Buy Cactus CompositumBuy Cardiacum Heel

What is Cactus Grandiflorus and where does it come from?

The remedy is prepared from Selenicereus grandiflorus, the night-blooming cereus. The fresh young stems and flowers are used to make the mother tincture, which is then potentised by homeopathic dilution and succussion. On labels you may see it written as Cactus, Cactus grandiflorus or Selenicereus grandiflorus.

What is Cactus Grandiflorus used for in homeopathy?

Its keynote in homeopathic literature is constriction. Traditional associations include:

• Band-like tightness, as though an iron band were squeezing part of the body
• A labouring, gripping heart sensation with unease and oppression in the chest
• Constriction that comes and goes, sometimes with palpitations noticed when lying down
• General circulatory heaviness with a sense of pressure
• Symptoms worse around midday and at night

People who match the picture often describe tightness that comes in waves, with a heavy, oppressed feeling and a mood that can turn anxious or low.

Cactus potency: 6C, 30C or 200C?

For self-care, Cactus is commonly used in low potencies such as 6C or 30C. Higher potencies such as 200C are usually reserved for use with a practitioner. Because the traditional picture overlaps with heart symptoms, anyone with a heart condition should only use homeopathic remedies alongside, never instead of, the care of their own doctor. In combination remedies the potency is set by the maker (for example D1 to D4) so follow the label.

Traditional dosage: what product labels say

Always follow your own pack. The pages for the products we stock that list Cactus show:

• Cactus Compositum (drops and ampoules, with Crataegus, Spigelia, Kalium carbonicum and Glonoinum): drops, 10 drops three times daily for long-term use; ampoules, 1 ampoule 1-3 times weekly. The drops contain alcohol.
• Cardiacum Heel Tablets (Cactus D4 among others): 1 tablet dissolved under the tongue three times daily.
• Cor Compositum Ampoules (Selenicereus grandiflorus D3 among many ingredients): for adults and children over 6, 1 vial 1-3 times daily, as the pack directs.
• Strophanthus Compositum Tablets (Cactus D2) and Dr. Reckeweg R3 Heart Drops (Cactus D2): follow the pack directions.

Who should avoid Cactus Grandiflorus?

• Anyone allergic to cacti or any ingredient on the label.
• Anyone with diagnosed heart disease, high blood pressure or on heart medication: speak to your doctor or pharmacist first, because a homeopathic remedy is not a substitute for prescribed treatment.
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children: ask your practitioner first.
• Anyone avoiding alcohol: the drops contain ethanol.

How does Cactus differ from similar remedies?

• Crataegus (hawthorn) is the better-known heart tonic of herbal and homeopathic tradition and appears in the same combination formulas.
• Kali carbonicum is linked with stitching pains and weakness, worse in the early hours. See the Kali Carbonicum guide.
• Viburnum opulus also has a cramping, constricting quality but is linked more with the pelvis and menstrual cramps. See the Viburnum Opulus guide.

Frequently asked questions

What is Cactus Grandiflorus used for in homeopathy?

It is traditionally associated with sensations of constriction or band-like tightness, a gripping or labouring heart feeling and circulatory unease.

What plant is Cactus Grandiflorus made from?

It is prepared from the night-blooming cereus cactus, Selenicereus grandiflorus, using the young stems and flowers.

Is Cactus a substitute for heart care?

No. It is used within the homeopathic tradition only; any real heart or chest symptoms need proper medical assessment.

What is the difference between Cactus 30C and Cactus 200C?

Both are homeopathic dilutions; 30C is the common general-purpose strength for self-care and 200C is a higher potency that is usually selected with a practitioner.

Keep reading

• Kali Carbonicum: Homeopathic Uses and Benefits
• Viburnum Opulus: Homeopathic Uses and Benefits
• Colchicum: Homeopathic Uses and Benefits
• Phosphorus: Homeopathic Uses and Benefits
• China Officinalis (Cinchona): Homeopathic Uses and Benefits

Browse more

• Heel Compositums
• All Heel products
• Reckeweg products
• Health Library

Homeopathic medicines are not a substitute for medical care.