Pulsatilla: A Remedy for Change

Commonly known as the Wind Flower, Pulsatilla Nigricans derives its name from the Latin word “pulsare”, which means to pulsate, and the Greek word “anemos”, meaning wind or breath. These words beautifully describe the plant, whose flowers hang downwards on a gently curving stem. It yields to the slightest breath of air, moving about and constantly changing position as the wind blows the flowers, causing them to gently nod and sway from side to side.

Other names include:

• Weather cock.
• Pasque (Easter) flower, as it flowers around Passion Week, which is the week before Easter, linking it to themes of renewal and new beginnings.
• Meadow anemone.

Plant Information

Pulsatilla is a perennial plant which grows in open fields in central and northern Europe, reaching a height of six to eight inches. The flower petals are a blackish-purple colour and both the flowers, and the stems, are covered with soft, downy hairs. It is a member of the buttercup or Ranunculaceae plant family.

A Remedy with Many Uses

In homeopathy, Pulsatilla is known as a polycrest. The word “polychrest” comes from the Greek, where “poly” means many and “chrestos” means useful.

Therefore, polycrest remedies treat a wide range of problems, both acute and chronic. They have broad therapeutic applications and deep, far-reaching effects on different organs of the body. This is why you will often find them in homeopathic first aid kits.

Examples of polycrests include Pulsatilla, Sulphur, Nux Vomica, Arsenicum Album, Lachesis, Natrum muriaticum, Phosphorus, Causticum, Calcarea Carbonica and Lycopodium, although there are many others.

How does the nature of the plant relate to its uses in homeopathy?

One of the things I love about homeopathy is how the characteristics of a plant, animal or mineral relate to its uses. This is known as the “doctrine of signatures” and provides a clue as to the healing properties of each remedy. Let me explain what I mean by examining some of the unique characteristics of Pulsatilla.

Changeability

The soft structure and pendulous flowers of the plant mean that it is greatly affected by the wind. In the same way that the wind affects the plant, so the person is emotionally and physically changeable. Von Lippe describes Pulsatilla as “the weather-cock among the remedies”. A Pulsatilla person can be well one hour and miserable the next. Physical symptoms fluctuate, change rapidly and are unpredictable. No two chills, stools or attacks are alike. Discharges are changeable, muscle pains wander and pains dart from joint to joint. Ailments are not always taken seriously as they change so quickly. Mentally and emotionally Pulsatilla is easily moved to laughter or tears, and weeps when describing symptoms.

Need for support

Pulsatilla grows in groups and rarely by itself. This reflects the individual’s need for the support of family and friends. People needing Pulsatilla can be self-pitying, often demanding increasingly more support from their loved ones, even to the point of being manipulative to get attention. This can leave their family and friends feeling drained and unable to meet their demands. Pulsatilla dislikes being alone and children needing this remedy find it hard to get to sleep because they’re afraid of the dark and of being by themselves. Children and babies like to be carried, and open air brings comfort, as do gentle walks. Children want constant affection and tend to cling when unwell.

Chilliness

Pulsatilla prefers habitats with trees or rocks nearby to protect it from frost. It is one of the first herbaceous perennials to bloom in early spring, flowering in April in the northern hemisphere, often when patches of snow are still on the ground. The plant is protected against chill by soft, fine hair covering the stems and leaves. Therefore, one of the key characteristics of this remedy is great chilliness with cold hands and feet. There is chilliness with pains in any part of the body, chilliness from emotional excitement, external chilliness and internal heat with diarrhoea after fright, and anxiety with shivering. In addition, Pulsatilla is used to treat chilblains and frostbite.

Thirstlessness

Pulsatilla likes water but needs a well-drained sandy soil and dislikes being waterlogged. This means you see physical symptoms such as thirstlessness, even during a fever or cold, dry mouth and lips, thick discharges from mucus membranes, a tendency to develop ailments from getting feet wet and being easily overwhelmed with feelings and tears. People needing this remedy are also sensitive to getting wet and to being exposed to wet, windy weather and may start a cough or cold after becoming cold and wet.

Which physical symptoms are associated with Pulsatilla?

• Changeable, profuse, thick, bland, yellow-green discharges. Often seen with colds, coughs, catarrh, sinusitis, earaches or eye issues.
• Respiratory issues such as bronchitis, asthma, coughs, colds, sinusitis.
• Hay fever with green nasal discharge, itching and tearing of the eyes with a strong desire for cool air and air conditioning.
• Eye conditions such as conjunctivitis, styes, blocked tear ducts. Conjunctivitis with thick, runny, yellow or green discharge from the eye; redness and watering of the eye and itching; feels like there is a hair in the eye.
• Digestive disturbances, nausea, heartburn, indigestion.
• Easily aggravated by rich food such as pastries, butter and pork as well as fatty foods, bread, dairy, especially cream and cheese. Sometimes craves butter. Eating party food, especially in children, causes vomiting and nausea.
• Congestion such as piles, chilblains, varicose veins.

Which mental and emotional symptoms are associated with Pulsatilla?

• Affectionate, mild, timid, emotional, tearfulness alternating with laughter.
• Yielding, submissive, wants to please.
• Changeable moods and mood swings.
• Better for consolation and company.
• Strong desire for affection, comfort and reassurance.
• Easily feels left out, isolated, forsaken, lonely.

Modalities: what makes symptoms better or worse?

When choosing a homeopathic remedy, it’s important to consider what makes a symptom better or worse. If you are trying to decide between two or three remedies, this information is crucial in confirming a remedy choice.

People needing Pulsatilla are worse for:

• Warmth of air, room, clothes, bed, food, warm drinks, warm stuffy rooms
• Evening, twilight
• Rest, beginning movement
• Lying on one side (left)
• Eating rich or fatty food
• Exposure to sun, heat, wind
• Getting feet wet, wet weather

People needing Pulsatilla are better for:

• Cold, fresh, open air
• Gentle exercise
• After a good cry
• Cold applications, cold bathing, cold drinks, cold food
• Hard pressure, rubbing
• Emotional support, consolation, company

An important homeopathic remedy for women

Pulsatilla has an affinity for the female reproductive system and is often indicated for hormonal imbalances and changeable moods. It is a key remedy to consider during periods of change and transition such as puberty, pregnancy, childbirth and menopause.