How to Use Gelsemium sempervirens
Gelsemium sempervirens is a plant substance, commonly known as yellow jasmine, native to tropical and subtropical Americas. The traditional herbal use was for a number of neurological and dermatological problems including measles, ear pain, dysmenorrhea, headaches, muscle pain, and anxiety. All parts of the plant are toxic, containing strychnine-related alkaloids including gelsemine and gelseminine.
Homeopathically, this medicine is considered very useful for anxiety. Specifically, it has been used to address anticipatory anxiety or a fear that one will lose control. This leads to a “deer in the headlights” type of reaction where the person can become frozen from the anxiety. This particular anxiety can be associated with a generalized nervous system reaction, causing symptoms like dizziness, nausea, weakness, fainting, trembling, headache, and exhaustion. While classically used for anxiety reactions and anticipatory anxiety, other conditions have also been treated with Gelsemium.
Conditions that may call for the use of Gelsemium sempervirens:
- Anxiety
- Influenza
- Guillain-Barre syndrome
- Ptosis
- Nystagmus
- Pre-syncope
- Diarrhea (especially related to anxiety)
- Anxious bladder (Overactive Bladder Syndrome)
- Post-stroke syndromes
- Nystagmus
When using Gelsemium sempervirens for the treatment of a specific pathology, the homeopathic indications should be considered as guiding information to help select the medicine. These indicators include:
Overpowering weakness of muscles
Paralysis or weakness associated with trembling, twitching, or tremors
Vertigo or light-headedness, particularly coming from the occiput
Absence of thirst
Painless diarrhea associated with weakness (especially in humid weather)
Urinary incontinence with excitement
Weakness of the larynx or voicebox with tremulous voice
Overpowering sleepiness
Chilliness, especially in the spine or occiput
I had a direct experience of the Gelsemium state once while giving a lecture. Though I was well qualified to give the talk, I suddenly became light-headed and completely lost my train of thought. I became sort of stunned for a moment or two. My legs felt very weak and began to tremble a bit. My voice was weak and unsteady. The light-headed sensation was not vertigo, but a faintness that progressed to nearly fainting. A rush of thoughts distracted me from my presentation. I felt chilled and weak. I had the distinct desire to run from the place. After about ten minutes, the sensations passed as I continued my talk. Though never repeated, I am convinced that I entered a Gelsemium state acutely during the talk.
