Know Your Remedies: Abies Nigra (Abies-n.)

Common Names: Black Spruce.

General Information Abies Nigra (Abies-n.) is derived from the gum of the Picea mariana tree native to northern North America. It was introduced into homeopathy in the 19th century and is primarily recognized for its action on the digestive system, particularly in cases of dyspepsia linked to dietary indiscretions such as excessive tea or tobacco use. Historically, it has been used to address functional disturbances where stomach symptoms predominate and may refer to the heart. Key personality traits associated with this remedy include a tendency toward melancholy, hypochondriasis, and low spirits, often with an inability to concentrate or study. General symptoms revolve around a distinctive sensation in the stomach as if a hard, undigested object (like a boiled egg) is lodged at the cardia, leading to pain after eating, loss of appetite in the morning but strong cravings later in the day, and associated heart palpitations or irregularities when the stomach is disordered. It may also suit intermittent fevers with gastric involvement and wakefulness at night due to hunger.

Mental-Emotional Symptoms

  • Melancholy and low-spirited, with a gloomy outlook.
  • Hypochondriacal anxiety focused on health, especially digestive complaints.
  • Dullness of mind; difficulty thinking, concentrating, or studying.

Digestive Problems

  • Pain in the stomach immediately after eating, as if food is not digesting properly.
  • Sensation of a hard lump or undigested egg stuck in the upper stomach or lower esophagus.
  • Total loss of appetite in the morning, but excessive hunger at noon, night, or during wakeful periods.
  • Sour eructations and heartburn, worse from tea, tobacco, or heavy meals.
  • Constipation with a feeling of constriction or hardness in the abdomen.
  • Dyspepsia in older individuals or those with a history of dietary abuse, sometimes accompanied by hemorrhages or
    dark clots in stools.

Coughs

  • Cough with expectoration that feels tied to stomach discomfort, sometimes with blood-tinged sputum (hemoptysis) when
    a hard lump sensation is present.
  • Tickling in the throat or chest, worse after eating or in those with gastric irritation.

Fever

  • Intermittent malarial-type fevers with chills alternating with heat, accompanied by severe stomachache.
  • Fevers where gastric symptoms dominate, such as hunger during chills or pain after meals.

Sleep

  • Restless and wakeful at night, often due to hunger or stomach discomfort.
  • Difficulty falling asleep, with mind dwelling on health concerns.

For Pets

  • Pain after eating.
  • Loss of morning appetite with evening hunger.
  • Constipation with a strained appearance.
  • Functional heart irregularities linked to stomach issues.

Where do I find it?

Abies Nigra is available from our online store as a single remedy.

Home Treatment Guidelines

Acute, Self-Limiting Conditions

Conditions like colds or minor injuries, which are short-term and typically improve on their own, can be managed at home with homeopathy. However, in emergencies or if symptoms worsen, contact your healthcare provider.

Chronic Conditions

These home treatment instructions do not apply for ongoing issues, whether mentioned above or not, like persistent allergies or chronic pain. You should consult a qualified homeopath for a personalized treatment plan to achieve the best results with homeopathy for chronic conditions.

How to Take the Remedy for Acute Conditions

  • Take one pill or five drops of the remedy. The frequency depends on symptom severity. As examples:
    • For life-threatening symptoms, take every 1 minute and seek emergency help immediately.
    • For mild symptoms, take every 4 hours.
  • Stop taking the remedy once you feel better. Resume if symptoms return.
  • If no improvement after four doses, choose a different remedy or consult a professional homeopath.
  • For more details on dosing, refer to: How Often to Dose with a 30C Homeopathic remedy.
  • For information on the different potencies, read: Guidelines on which potency to use.

Homoeopathic Therapeutics (1898) by E. B. NASH M.D.:

Leaders In Homoeopathic Therapeutics by E. B. NASH M.D.

ABIES NIGRA.

Severe pain in stomach after eating. Sensation of an undigested hard-boiled egg in stomach.