Spigelia Homeopathy: Uses and Benefits

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

Spigelia is a homeopathic remedy made from pinkroot (Spigelia anthelmia), a plant native to the Americas. In homeopathic tradition it is associated with sharp, stitching nerve pains, especially on the left side of the face and around the left eye, and with palpitations that are felt strongly. It is used as part of self-care, and facial pain, headaches or palpitations that are severe or recurring should be seen by a doctor.

Buy SpigelonBuy Reckeweg R16 DropsBuy Reckeweg R187 Drops

Spigelia at a glance

• Common name: pinkroot, also called Demerara pinkroot or annual wormgrass.
• Source: the dried plant of Spigelia anthelmia, which was historically used as a worm remedy and is toxic in crude form.
• Potencies you will see: 6C, 30C and 200C pillules are the usual ones; D-potencies appear in the combination products we stock.
• Who uses it: home users and practitioners who follow its left-sided, stitching-pain picture.

What is Spigelia traditionally used for (para que sirve)?

The classical picture centres on the nerves and the heart, with a left-sided emphasis. Traditional homeopathic associations include:

• sharp, stitching, shooting pains, often in the left side of the face;
• headaches settling over and behind the left eye;
• palpitations that feel violent and can be heard or seen;
• pains that are worse for touch, movement, jarring, and cold, damp weather;
• a marked dread of sharp, pointed objects such as pins and needles.

Reckeweg R16 is listed on our site for migraine and nervous headaches, and R187 for neuralgic pains of the head. These are traditional uses and are not a claim that the products will treat any condition.

Spigelia 30 vs 200C: which potency?

In the homeopathic tradition 6C and 30C are the usual potencies for home self-care, and Spigelia 30C is the strength most commonly sold for that purpose. 200C is a higher potency and is generally chosen with an experienced homeopath, particularly where the picture is a long-standing one. The products we stock are combination products on the decimal scale (Spigelia at D3, D4, D5 or D6), so the potency is fixed by the formula.

Traditional dosage as printed on our product pages

• Spigelon: listed for constitutional headache. Tablets, in general 1 tablet dissolved under the tongue 3 times daily, in acute disorders 1 tablet every 15 minutes over up to two hours. Drops, in general 10 drops 3 times daily, in acute disorders 10 drops every 15 minutes for up to two hours. Ampoules, in acute disorders daily, otherwise 1 to 3 times weekly, 1 ampoule.
• Dr. Reckeweg R16 Drops: according to the acuteness of the headaches, 3 to 6 times a day, 10 to 15 drops in some water; after improvement, 10 drops three times daily for 2 to 3 days.
• Dr. Reckeweg R187 Drops: unless otherwise recommended, in acute cases 5 to 10 drops up to a maximum of 12 times daily; in chronic cases 5 to 10 drops 3 times daily.
• Cactus Compositum: the page says dosage must be determined in each individual case.

Products we stock that contain Spigelia

• Spigelon (Heel): Spigelia anthelmia D3 with Atropa belladonna, Bryonia, Gelsemium, Melilotus, Natrium carbonicum, Silicea and Thuja. Available as ampoules, tablets and drops.
• Dr. Reckeweg R16 Migraine and Neuralgia Drops: Spigelia D4 with Cimicifuga, Gelsemium, Iris and Sanguinaria.
• Dr. Reckeweg R187 Drops: Belladonna D8, Colocynthis D6 and Spigelia D6.
• Cactus Compositum (Heel): Spigelia anthelmia with Cactus, Crataegus, Kalium carbonicum and Glonoinum; the page lists it for heart and circulation, so see a doctor for any chest symptoms.

We do not currently stock a single-remedy Spigelia pillule.

Who should avoid it?

Read each label. The drops contain alcohol, and combinations carry other ingredients such as Belladonna that you may want to discuss with your practitioner. Ask a qualified practitioner before use in pregnancy, while breast-feeding, and for babies and children. A sudden severe headache, headache with fever, stiff neck, vision change, weakness or confusion, new facial numbness or drooping, chest pain, fainting, or palpitations with breathlessness are reasons to seek urgent medical care, not to try a remedy. Persistent facial pain should be assessed by a doctor or dentist.

How is Spigelia different from similar remedies?

Homeopaths often compare Spigelia with Colocynthis and Gelsemium. In classical texts Colocynthis neuralgia is cramping and better for hard pressure and bending double, while Spigelia pain is stitching, left-sided and worse for touch. Gelsemium headache is linked with heaviness, drooping eyelids and a dull, tired feeling. Belladonna, which appears with Spigelia in several of our formulas, is the remedy for throbbing, hot and sudden pain. These are teaching comparisons used by homeopaths, not diagnostic tests.

Frequently asked questions

What is Spigelia used for in homeopathy?

Spigelia is traditionally associated with sharp, stitching nerve pains, left-sided facial pain, headaches around the left eye and strongly felt palpitations. It is used within self-care and is not a treatment for any diagnosed condition.

What is Spigelia used for (para que sirve)?

Para que sirve Spigelia: in homeopathy it is traditionally used for left-sided stitching face and eye pains, and for sensitive palpitations. See a health professional if symptoms are severe or keep returning.

What is Spigelia homeopathic medicine made from?

It is made from pinkroot, Spigelia anthelmia, a plant native to the Americas, prepared by serial dilution and succussion.

What are the uses of Spigelia 30?

Spigelia 30C is the low potency commonly chosen for home use, traditionally for the left-sided, stitching nerve pain picture. Higher potencies such as 200C are usually chosen with a homeopath.

Which products we stock contain Spigelia?

Spigelon, Dr. Reckeweg R16, Dr. Reckeweg R187 and Cactus Compositum list Spigelia. We do not stock a single-remedy Spigelia.

When should I see a doctor instead?

See a doctor for sudden severe headache, headache with fever or stiff neck, chest pain, fainting, palpitations with breathlessness, or facial pain that persists. Homeopathic remedies are not a substitute for medical care.

Keep reading

• Headaches: Homeopathic Remedies for Tension Headaches
• Headaches Due to Studying: Homeopathic Remedies
• Neuralgia and Nerve Pain: Homeopathic Remedies
• Pain: Top 7 Homeopathic Remedies
• Herpes Zoster (Shingles): Homeopathic Remedies

Browse more

• Nervous system imbalances
• Reckeweg products
• Heel products

Homeopathic medicines are not a substitute for medical care.