Daphne Indica

A fragrant Asian daphne, traditionally used in homoeopathy for a craving for tobacco and for sudden, shooting pains in muscles and bones.

Daphne indica is the name homoeopathy gives to the fragrant or winter daphne, Daphne odora, an evergreen shrub of China and Japan grown in gardens for its sweet-scented, pale pink winter flowers. Like other daphnes it contains irritant compounds and is poisonous; homoeopathy uses it only in specially prepared form.

Homoeopaths traditionally associate it with a craving for tobacco, and it often appears in remedies for people trying to give up smoking. Its picture also includes sudden, lightning-like jerks and shooting pains in muscles and bones, aching that spoils sleep, a burning stomach, and breath, sweat and urine with a strong odour.

• Tobacco craving
• Shooting pains
• Aching bones
• Poor sleep