China

Cinchona officinalis

Origin
Native to the tropical forests of South America, but now grown in southeast Asia, India, Sri Lanka, and East Africa.

Background
In the 17th century, Jesuits used quinine, extracted from Peruvian bark, as a cure for malaria. It was widely adopted in Europe as a treatment for fevers.

Preparation
The bark is macerated in alcohol for at least five days, before being filtered, diluted, and then succussed.

Common Names
Peruvian bark, cinchona bark, Jesuit's bark, china bark, calisaya bark, loxa bark, red bark, yellow cinchona.

PERUVIAN BARK The bark of this tropical tree yields quinine, which causes symptoms similar to those of malaria if taken in large doses.

Key Symptoms

exhaustion after fluid loss; great imagination; desire for alcohol and for sweet or spicy foods; oversensitivity

The source of this remedy is Peruvian bark, which was taken from South America to Europe by Jesuits in the 17th century. This bark is of particular historical significance for homeopaths, since quinine extracted from it became the subject of Hahnemann's first homeopathic proving. In 1790 he tested quinine on himself, and noticed that it caused symptoms similar to the malaria for which it was prescribed as a cure. He developed the remedy China, which has become a key treatment for malarial symptoms and exhaustion due to fluid loss or long-term illness.

Remedy Profile

China is thought to work best for idealistic, artistic people. Despite problems articulating their feelings, they prefer meaningful talk to trivial chat, but their own intensity often tires them, causing irritability, laziness, depression, violence, or intolerance. Easily offended, they may feel paranoid and mistreated, or that they have been born unfortunate, as if the world is hostile to them. A highly active imagination can lead to a preoccupation with future plans and to egocentric, heroic fantasies that later cause embarrassment.

Physical symptoms may be linked to weaknesses in the liver and digestive system and generally include a dislike of butter and other fatty foods, and cravings for alcohol and foods that are sweet or spicy.

The remedy is used for exhaustion following illness or extreme fluid loss. It is also given for fever, insomnia, gastric upsets, and headaches.

Exhaustion

Symptoms: Extreme lethargy, with weak, jumpy muscles, and oversensitivity to noises, smells, and touch. Fatigue can be due to extensive fluid loss caused by diarrhea, severe vomiting, or possibly breast-feeding. It can also be a result of anemia, possibly linked to blood loss or heavy menstrual flow, or to debilitating illness, such as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).

Symptoms better: For lying down.

Symptoms worse: For touch; for noise; for walking.

Fever

Symptoms: Intermittent high temperature with shivering chills and profuse sweats. Thirst may be absent during sweats, but is marked with the chills. The skin may be sallow or flushed, and sensitive to the slightest touch.

Symptoms better: For warmth; for sleep; for firm pressure on the affected area.

Symptoms worse: For cold; for drafts; at night; in fall.

Insomnia

Symptoms: Sleeplessness due to excited thoughts and heroic fantasies. Even the slightest noise disrupts sleep. The mind tends to be very clear in the evening and at night.

Symptoms better: For warmth.

Symptoms worse: For cold; for drafts.

Digestive disorders

Symptoms: Indigestion accompanied by ineffectual burping and a sensation that food is stuck behind the breastbone. The abdomen may feel bloated. Gas that is difficult to expel may cause pain or, alternatively, pain may remain even after expulsion of gas. There may be attacks of profuse, watery, painless diarrhea. The appetite may be disturbed, causing either great hunger at night or a complete loss of appetite which, however, returns after the first mouthful of a meal. A bitter taste in the mouth may arise from an unsettled stomach. In addition, China may be prescribed to treat digestive symptoms arising as a result of gastroenteritis and disorders of the gallbladder.

Symptoms better: For warmth; with rest; for firm pressure on the affected area.

Symptoms worse: At night; after eating; for sour foods; for drinking, especially excess tea.

Headaches

Symptoms: Throbbing pain in the head, possibly linked to facial neuralgia, nosebleeds, tinnitus, or liver disorders.

Symptoms better: For warmth; for firm pressure on the painful area; for sleep.

Symptoms worse: For cold; for drafts; at night; in the fall; for light touch, such as combing the hair.

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