Asteraceae or Compositae

FAMILY NAME:
ASTERACEAE OR COMPOSITAE
General or Common Characteristics of the Family Asteraceae or Compositae
All the members of this family have an affinity for the blood with bruising, bleeding,
burns, or poisoning (sepsis). You can think of injuries or cuts at the physical level but
also at the emotional level. Someone needing a Daisy remedy can be easily hurt or
wounded by words or by falling, being hit, or even hitting someone or something. They
can also take a lot of beatings, bruises, bumps, falls, and injury because they think of
themselves as being tough. Last week you met Eupatorium perfoliatum (Boneset) and
you guessed it—bone-breaking pains and even broken bones.
This really is one tough little family of plants! And what a bonus for we human beings—
and even pets and animals—when we can turn to them to help us heal all the bumps
and bruises that life can bring.
Botanically, these plants can thrive in the harshest of environments, even when used
and abused. They are stepped on (Arnica), crushed (sweet little Bellis perennis),
destroyed as weeds (Silybum marianum or thistle), brewed (Chamomilla), eaten
(Helianthus the Sunflower), and even boiled (Calendula for cream). Every single one of
the family members is hardy, persistent, and tough in their own unique way. Wikipedia
states that Arnica can be found on nutrient-poor soil. For that matter, so can
Chamomilla and Bellis and Silybum marianum or Thistle. No wonder they are so
effective as a family of plants in healing our wounds! They have survived the worst
treatment in the worst conditions.
People needing a remedy from this tough little family often consider themselves to be
tough. They watch out for and protect others to make sure that no one else gets hurt.
They will get hurt themselves before allowing others to be hurt.
Or…any ailments like headache, flu, fever will feel like being beaten with sore, aching,
bruised feelings. Or…another variation will be the teething child who strikes out and
hits those who are only trying to help them while they are in so much pain. But the pain
drives the injured one to hit.
As a family, not only are they tough, but when injured, they will say, “Don’t touch me.
I’m fine.” Or the teething child will want up, then want down…want to be comforted,
then throw themselves about in a fit of not wanting to be touched.
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You have likely used at least a couple of these homeopathic remedies, but here are
some of the best-known Asteraceae/Compositae family members and a brief
description of their unique ‘personality pictures’:
Arnica montana
For sore muscles that are aching and bruised feeling, whether you have simply over
done it or you have flu that has the feeling of ‘being hit by a Mack truck.’ Knocks on
the head with bleeding nose or not, car accidents, falls from any height or on any
surface, Arnica will help heal quickly. I often advise people to be very careful for some
time after taking Arnica because the healing can be so effective, the person returns to
activity too soon. The body still needs time and rest to heal. You might even need
Arnica if you hear yourself saying to somebody, “I’m OK…just leave me alone.” You
might even notice your child cringe and pull away from you as if you might hit
them…this is, in homeopathy language, “fear of being struck or approached.” They are
that sensitive to the pain but wanting to numb the pain out at the same time.
Chamomilla vulgaris
I wonder where the ‘vulgaris’ part of the name came from because someone needing
Chamomilla either feels or is “too ugly to live.” Cross and peevish, irritable, excessively
fretful, unceasing crying, child wants to be carried all the time, and nothing helps with
the pain…this is the teething experience for some children and fits the Chamomilla
picture beautifully. This is why so many parents swear by Chamomilla for teething (that
or Coffea): it works to ease the child’s pain and you have your smiling baby back again.
Adults can easily get into a Chamomilla state, as well, with a toothache or a migraine.
Think of Chamomilla! For moms in labour, here is the homeopathy language
description of labour:
Her labour pains are spasmodic and distressing; can hardly bear them; wants to get
away from them; is very impatient.
If you have ANY situation where the family characteristics of Compositae are present
and this particular ‘personality’ picture with the pain, give Chamomilla—whatever the
complaint! Everyone will be glad that you did!
Bellis perennis
You can think of Bellis if the wound or injury is deep in the tissue, like the uterus or
abdominal cavity. Think of this remedy if someone you love has had recent surgery to
either of these areas, and they develop sepsis or blood poisoning. C-sections, forceps
delivery (you can also think of another plant family Ranunculaceae, specifically
Staphysagria), ablations, and cone biopsies. I have even used this remedy for those
who have fallen off horses and have possibly damaged the inner organs in the whole
pelvic area.
Cina maritime
This remedy has been used routinely for pinworms in children, both herbally and
homeopathically. The common name for Cina is Worm Seed! It would be safe to try
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with your child, but in my experience, there is often disappointment with the results if
the whole picture of the Compositae family and the Cina personality is missing. Like
Chamomilla, these are very irritable children/adults. How about this description:
“He is easily excited; weak; screams, strikes, and bites; is cross and obstinate.”
Yikes! And you thought the Chamomilla personality was a handful! Grinding of the
teeth and boring their nose with there fingers…and for the babies who have yet to learn
to pick their noses, you will find them boring into your shoulder while you are carrying
them around trying your best to console them. These children, as is characteristic for
the Daisy family, DO NOT WANT TO BE TOUCHED! Where Chamomilla might have
rosy cheeks, the Cina child will have a sickly pale face with rings around the eyes. They
will want something and then when given it, throw it down or throw it back at you. If
some of the personality pictures are present and you suspect worms, then you will be
very relieved to have this Daisy family remedy in your kit!
There are many more remedies in the Daisy family, and I am hoping that by showing
you the family connection, you will begin to have an understanding of how the
homeopathic families of remedies can help your family. We are all connected!
Start your own research. The Internet is filled with great information these days. Build
your own little remedy materia medica. The Daisy family is a great place to start…they
are a BIG and tough little family!
Here are a few suggestions:
Carduus marianus
Eupatorium perfoliatum (add your notes from last
week’s newsletter)
Calendula
Taraxicum (good old dandelion)
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