Rhus Tox

Research indicates that approximately 80% of all of us are presently suffering or have suffered from back pain. Reasons people see their doctor are #1 Back Pain; #2 Headaches. 

The first remedy that comes to mind when discussing back pain, arthritis, aches and pain is the remedy RHUS TOX. 

Rhus tox is often the remedy in Backache, Body aches during flu, Lumbago, Rheumatism, Sprains. Whether the pain is from an old injury or not, consider Rhus tox. Lifting heavy loads that cause bruised and sprained pains. Overlifting, with the sudden "crick" in the back, with pain worse with raising arms above the head. 

KEYNOTE: STIFFNESS 

WORSE-- in the morning, yearly and weather change aggravation, cold and damp weather, overexertion. 

BETTER-- with movement, as the muscles start to warm up as one walks and does gentle exercises, warm, dry weather, rubbing the painful areas, change of position. Rhus tox people are restless since change of position improves their pain. Rhus tox nickname is "Rusty Hinge" and Rhus tox is often referred to as the "Rusty Gate Remedy". The back stiffens up after sitting still for awhile. This is also why mornings and initial motion are such an acute aggravations. 

Rhus Toxicodendron, Rhus Tox, is the #1 arthritis and joint remedy. Keynote is: pain is better after the person is up, moving about and muscles and joints are warm.

Remember Rhus Tox for the flu season! Keynotes are flu symptoms with general aches in the muscles, joints, and bones.

Rhus Tox is from Poison Ivy. Rhus Tox is a remedy for skin ailments such as, shingles hives, fever blisters, chicken pox, poison ivy , and rashes with poison ivy appearance.

Keynote is: red spots, very itchy, with burning and swollen vesicles.

Rhus Tox main features:

Muscle sprains, strains

Joint stiffness

Restlessness (physically and mentally)

Better with motion

Worse first thing in the morning

Coughs from midnight til morning

Skin ailments, red, itchy, with swelling

Rhus Tox

Useful for:	Key Symptoms:
	Restlessness, both physically & mentally
SPRAINS & STRAINS
SORE MUSCLES	From overexertion
RHEUMATIC	"Rusty gate" syndrome; less painful when limbered up
PAINS	Pain & stiffness in small of back, nape of neck
SCIATICA	Tearing pains down thighs
INFLUENZA	Aching in all bones Can't lie still, restless
COLD SORE	After cold or influenza Tongue dry & red tipped
HOARSENESS	From over straining voice
COUGH	Dry, teasing cough Coughs from midnight until morning Coughs on putting hands out of bed Coughs during a chill
IVY POISONING	Intense itching & burning
HIVES	Red, swollen, itching
CHICKEN POX	Intense itching Restless
Better from:	Continued motion, Warm applications, Cold, Lying on something hard, Rubbing, Change of position, Warm Dry weather, Walking, Stretching out limbs
Worse from:	Beginning motion, During sleep or rest, Dampness, While sitting, After rain, Lying on back or right side

Take 10 question self-quiz for quick insight on if Rhus Tox suits you.

1 Is your arthritis worse first thing in the morning?

2 Are your symptoms accompanied with physical restlessness and mental despondency?

3 Do you cough after a chill from midnight until 5 p.m.?

4 Are your flu symptoms accompanied with muscle, joint or bone pain? Sore all over?

5 Does your back pain include pain and stiffness in the small of the back and nape of neck?

6 Are your symptoms worse after prolonged sitting or inactivity?

7 Are your symptoms better after a walk, mild activity?

8 Do sciatic symptoms come on afterexposure to cold or dampness?

9 Do you suffer from regular poison ivy breakouts?

10 Do you suffer from rashes and itchy skin?

Toxicodendron radicans (Poison ivy; older synonyms Rhus toxicodendron, Rhus radicans) is a plant in the family Anacardiaceae. It is a woody vine that is well known for its ability to produce urushiol, a skin irritant that causes an itching rash for most people (technically known as urushiol-induced contact dermatitis), but it is not a true Ivy (Hedera).

Poison ivy grows throughout much of North America, including the Canadian Maritime provinces, Quebec and Ontario, and all U.S. states east of the Rockies except North Dakota, as well as in the mountainous areas of Mexico up to around 1,500 m (4,900 ft) (see caquistle or caxuistle—theNahuatl term), and is normally found in wooded areas, especially along edge areas. It also grows in exposed rocky areas and in open fields and disturbed areas. It also grows as a forest understoryplant, although it is only somewhat shade tolerant. The plant is extremely common in suburban and exurban areas of New England, the Mid-Atlantic, and southeastern United States. Similar species, Poison-Oak, and Toxicodendron rydbergii are found in western North America. Poison ivy rarely grows at altitudes above 1,500 m (4,900 ft), although the altitude limit varies in different locations. The plants can grow as a shrub up to about 1.2 metres (3.9 ft) tall, as a groundcover10–25 cm (3.9–9.8 in) high, or as a climbing vine on various supports. Older vines on substantial supports send out lateral branches that may at first be mistaken for tree limbs.

It is not particularly sensitive to soil moisture, although it does not grow in desert or arid conditions. It grows in a wide variety of soil types, and soil pH from 6.0 (acidic) to 7.9 (moderately alkaline). It can grow in areas subject to seasonal flooding or brackish water.

It is now more common now than when Europeans first entered North America. Real estate development adjacent to wild, undeveloped land has engendered "edge effects," enabling poison ivy to form vast, lush colonies in such places. It is listed as a noxious weed in the U.S. states of Minnesota and Michigan and the Canadian province of Ontario.

Poison ivy and its relatives are virtually unknown in Europe. Many Europeans who hike in the US and Canada are surprised to find that such a hazardous plant exists so commonly on the continent.