Curare

The South American arrow poison, traditionally used in homoeopathy for marked muscular weakness, heavy arms and legs, and weakness in older people.

Curare, or woorari, is the dark arrow poison made by peoples of the Amazon from the bark and stems of forest vines, chiefly Strychnos and Chondrodendron species. It relaxes the muscles, and a purified form became important in surgery. It is highly poisonous; homoeopathy uses it only in specially prepared form.

Its homoeopathic picture centres on the muscles. Homoeopaths traditionally associate it with great muscular weakness while the mind stays clear: heavy, weak arms, trembling legs that give way when walking, and fingers too weak to lift, as in tired pianists. It is also linked with weakness in older people and after loss of fluids.

• Muscular weakness
• Heavy, weak limbs
• Weakness in old age
• Trembling legs