Considered a versatile remedy among herbalists and homeopaths, pulsatilla has been linked to various benefits. But beware – if prepared incorrectly, pulsatilla is a known irritant. Find out more.

Pulsatilla is a medicinal herb which is believed in homeopathic and herbalist circles to be a potent remedy. Based on traditional use, pulsatilla is used for a range of complaints from period pain to conjunctivitis.

However, pulsatilla is also known to be an irritant when incorrectly prepared, and it isn’t usually recommended in mainstream medicine due to its potential side effects.

But what’s the truth about pulsatilla? If you’ve ever wondered what is pulsatilla used for? Is pulsatilla good for anxiety?  How often can you take pulsatilla? then we have all the answers.

What is pulsatilla? 

Also known as the pasqueflower, the pulsatilla is perennial plant native to Europe and southwestern Asia.¹

It also goes by pulsatilla vulgaris, its scientific name, and anemone pulsatilla, after the genus it belongs to.²

When in the ground, it’s a pretty purple flower. When harvested and dried, it’s a potent herb used as a traditional medicine.

The pulsatilla plant contains a substance called ranunculin, which is converted to anemone when the plant is dried. This anemone is the medicinally active component.³

What is pulsatilla used for in homeopathy? 

Pulsatilla is used in homeopathy and herbalism, both alternative medicines which proclaim to utilise the natural power of plants to create remedies for various health problems.

They are both based on traditional herbal medicine and use plants in their preparations, but there are differences in the way these two modalities approach plants.

1. Homeopathy 

Homeopathy works on the theory that a plant which causes a certain symptom when taken in large amounts can, when the plant is taken in small amounts. treat cases which present the same symptom.

The plant preparations used in homeopathy are highly diluted, leaving only a small trace of the active ingredient. Research studies are lacking, and conventional medicine does not recognise homeopathy as an effective course of treatment.⁴

1. Herbalism 

In herbalism, plant preparations are used which harness the benefits of the active ingredients they contain.⁵ For example, essential oils contain highly concentrated plant extracts which have been proven to have certain properties such as antimicrobial action, or the ability to reduce stress.

Emotional and mental well-being: Pulsatilla is sometimes given for emotional or mental imbalances, such as anxiety, depression, and mood swings. It may be especially helpful for persons who tend to be sensitive, weepy, or quickly affected by stress.

Characteristic Mental Symptoms (Psychology)

• Mild Yielding , changeable:Very tuned to what you want(Avoid any leading questions) They shape themselves around what ever is presented with force . Moulds herself to what others want(Phos-Suggestible;Puls-Malleable) (Puls –A river shaped by surroundings ; Phos-cloud, changing but diffusing) Gay like April day
• Weeping tendency, cannot narrate her symptoms without weeping. She weeps at everything whether it is joyful or sorrowful. Patient is better by consolation; all symptoms are relieved by consolation. That gives her immense comfort and relief.

Pulsatilla child:

• Pulsatilla children of both sexes are highly emotional.Devoted, affectionate and mild providing their emotional needs are met by their parents, but they tend to demand instant gratification and if they feel deprived they will cry and be petulant until their needs are met.
• There is no attempt to disguise her pain
• Emotional satisfaction is more important- seeks for emotional security-rejected feeling easily- needs constant reassurance that they are loved-moans, whines to attract loving attention(Phos- active curious adventurous-robust emotionally)
• Selfish,Dependent up on her parents, particularly fond of physical contact
• Away from home-timid with strangers
• Highly personal about her preferences
• Jealousy- She will tend to get very jealous of other children if they are favoured by her parents
• Fear- darkness- ghosts(Nat.m.-afraid of men)
• Being alone makes the pulsatilla anxious esp. in childhood
• Aggression is threatening to her-Peace maker

Adult:

• She has an intellect, but it is used exclusively in service of her emotional needs and desires-does not suppress emotions
• As long as her home life is going smooth, she lives in blissful ignorance of much of the worlds drama. Interest in domestic affairs- but revolve around her loved ones (Calc.- more interest in domestic affairs- more creative- as a hobby)-loss of loved ones-they will be at sea
• They release from their attachment with parents at their puberty. Pulsatilla who are fortunate enough to step from parental home in to a loving stable romantic relationship, cope more easily with adolescence
• Emotional instability-esp. in relation with husband they need constant reassurance if any rejection, cries but Nat.m.-suppresses) Crying is her most frequent response to emotional pain
• Passivity, simplicity and sensuality:
• She is quite happy to be lazy when she can unless her mate demands of her that she be productive
• Confusion-indecisive- not interested in logical rational things, lazy rather than unintelligent
• Aversion to opposite sex
• Innocence:Open hearted (Phos)
• Religious insanity, aversion to marriage, mania from suppressed menses.
• Anguish about the heart, even to suicide.
• Fancies a naked man is wrapped in her bedclothes; dreams of men.
• Fatigued by mental labour; head is affected. Confusion of head, with pains, as after intoxication or watching

Pulsatilla Men:

• Irresolution, shyness,
• Vast majority of Pulsatilla children grows up in to other constitutional types(Principally Nat.m.), with only a few growing up in to Puls. Women and exceedingly few in to puls. men

Indicated in children with excess feminine energy as well as in females

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