Bryonia alb (wild hops)

Bryonia was given the nicknames ‘grumpy bear’ and ‘hangover’ remedy because it applies best when stress or illness sets off a grumpy irritabilty that refuses comfort and does not want to be spoken to, bothered or moved in any way.
     Bryonia relieves ailments that approach slowly, linger too long and may result from being chilled when overheated or from fast weather changes. Its slow moving flu and colds are marked by dryness. They have a dry, hacking cough with stitching pains, bone-aching, chill-ridden fever, great thirst for cold water, dry throat and a “don’t touch me, leave me alone” growl. The constipation or flatulent food induced nausea that Bryonia relieves may have this same general demeanor and much pressure after eating. Gastric flu with a bitter taste and aching in the stomach relieved only by belching may find relief here, too. Any of these may lead to a state of great fatigue in which the slightest exertion seems too much.
     It has earned much fame by relieving intense, bursting, frontal headaches that may build to cover the whole head and do not want to be moved or jarred in any way. They feel best when buried under a pillow in a dark room. These headaches accompany most Bryonia ailments.
     Its ‘keynote’ symptom ‘pain worse from slightest movement’ apply best to its swollen, red, hot joints aching from inflammation or sprains. These joint applications are very like Apis but are not shiny and pain is more stitching than stinging. It can be very helpful for stitching pain and stiffness in the small of the back and in the neck. Most Bryonia pains find relief in applied pressure or lying on the painful side.
      Constitutionally, Bryonia applies best to reliable, tidy individuals who are driven to succeed by a need for financial security. If their effort fails, grumpy irritability and sadness can dominate. They approach life and work methodically without letting emotions get in the way.