What is Clematis erecta?

Clematis erecta is a homeopathic remedy. It is made from a plant called upright virgin's bower. The Latin name is Clematis recta.

Homeopaths choose it for urine and skin problems. The classic picture is a slow, stop-start flow of urine. It is also used for a swollen, sore testicle, itchy rashes, and toothache that is worse at night.

It is made by diluting the plant over and over. At the common 30C strength, no plant is left, and trials do not show any effect beyond a placebo (a dummy pill). Long use in a tradition is not proof that a remedy works, so read the rest of this page with that in mind.

How does Clematis erecta work?

No one has shown a way this could work in the body. Homeopathy rests on two old ideas. The first is that a substance that causes symptoms in a well person can treat those same symptoms in a sick person.

The second is that shaking the mix at each step leaves some trace of the plant behind. Chemistry says otherwise. After 30 rounds of 1-in-100 dilution, not one molecule of the plant is likely to remain.

So any change you notice is most likely placebo, the body healing on its own, or the comfort of a long, careful visit. That does not mean you imagined it. It does mean the plant is not the cause.

What forms does Clematis erecta come in?

The most common form is small sugar pellets that melt under the tongue. You can also buy liquid drops made with alcohol or water. Some shops sell the mother tincture, which is the strongest and least diluted form.

Pellets are labelled 6C, 12C, 30C or 200C. The higher the number, the more the plant has been diluted. A 30C pellet is diluted so far that no plant is left.

Where it comes from:

Clematis recta grows in Europe and West Asia. Old herbal writers used the crushed fresh leaf as a blistering plaster on sores and swollen glands. That use worked by irritating the skin, not by healing it.

Homeopaths tested and wrote up the remedy in the 1800s. It appears in the standard remedy handbooks of that era and is still listed today, mainly for urinary and skin pictures.

What does Clematis erecta help with?

• Slow or stop-start flow of urine: This is the best known use in homeopathy. Books describe a thin, slow stream that stops and starts, with dribbling after. No human trial has tested the remedy for this. A weak stream in an older man often means the prostate gland is enlarged, so see a doctor first.
• Narrowed urine tube (urethral stricture): Old texts list this as a leading use. A narrowed tube is a physical problem and needs a doctor's exam. There is no trial evidence that a diluted remedy widens it. Left alone, a bad narrowing can damage the kidneys.
• Swollen, sore testicle: Homeopaths use it for a hard, heavy, aching testicle, often the right one. There is no human trial for this. Sudden severe pain can mean a twisted testicle (torsion), which needs surgery within hours, so treat it as an emergency.
• Itchy skin rash and eczema: Books describe a dry, crusty, itchy rash that burns after scratching and feels worse when washing. This comes from the old use of the fresh plant, which blisters skin. No trial has tested the diluted remedy on rashes.
• Toothache that is worse at night: Homeopathic texts list toothache that flares in bed and after warm drinks. There is no human trial for this. Tooth pain that lasts more than a day or two needs a dentist, because decay and infection do not clear on their own.
• Swollen glands: Traditional use only, from the old plaster made with the fresh plant. There is no trial evidence. A lump or gland that stays swollen for more than two weeks should be checked by a doctor.

What are the side effects of Clematis erecta?

• No direct effects at 30C, because no plant is left
• Sugar load from the pellets, which matters if you count carbs
• Upset stomach or a warm flush from alcohol-based drops
• Mouth or throat irritation from the mother tincture or very low strengths
• Skin redness, burning or blisters if the raw plant or tincture touches skin
• Delay in getting real treatment, which is the main risk

Good to know:

Pellets at 30C are close to harmless. They are sugar, and side effects are rare.

The risks sit with the strong forms and with waiting. The fresh plant and the mother tincture can burn skin and the mouth. And a blocked flow of urine, an infected kidney or a twisted testicle will get worse while you wait.

Some homeopaths call a flare of symptoms an 'aggravation' and say it is a good sign. There is no evidence for that. Treat any worsening as a reason to stop and get checked.

How much Clematis erecta should you take?

• Recommended daily: There is no dose proven by evidence. What follows is only common homeopathic practice, not a recommendation. Home kits usually suggest 3 to 5 pellets of 6C or 30C, taken two or three times a day. Drops are usually 5 to 10 in a little water. Let pellets melt under the tongue instead of chewing them. Higher strengths such as 200C are normally given by a practitioner, and less often. Do not use the mother tincture on your own.
• Best time of day: Any time of day. Homeopaths usually advise taking it away from strong tastes such as coffee, mint toothpaste or menthol sweets, by about 15 minutes.
• With or without food: Usually taken on an empty mouth, about 15 minutes before or after food or drink. This is tradition, not a proven rule.
• Time to effect: There is no reliable time frame, because no trial has shown an effect at all. Homeopaths often say hours to days. If you feel better, remember that many symptoms settle on their own.
• How long to take it: Keep any self-care trial short. Three to seven days is enough to see if anything changes. If nothing has changed, stop and see a doctor. Do not keep taking it for months for a urine or testicle problem. Those symptoms need a real diagnosis.