Common Name: Lungwort
Family: Lichenaceae
Type: Acute Remedy
Sticta Pulmonaria – The “DRYNESS” Remedy You Must Remember!
Introduction
If you remember just one thing about Sticta Pulmonaria, remember this:
“Dry everywhere, but feels congested.”
This remedy is a gold standard for dry catarrh, especially when:
- Nose is blocked
- No discharge
- Yet patient feels full of mucus
Sphere of Action
- Respiratory mucous membranes
- Sinuses (sinusitis, influenza)
- Nervous system (restlessness)
- Rheumatic joints
Keynotes
Mind – Restless but Weak
- Cannot lie still
- Constantly changing position
- Thoughts keep running → sleeplessness
- Mind active even when body is weak
Exam Tip:
Restlessness = Sticta + Dryness → Think immediately!
Nose & Sinuses
- Blocked nose ❌ discharge
- Dry catarrh of posterior nares
- Pressure at root of nose
- Frontal sinus headache
- Dry tickling sensation
Golden Keynote:
“Blocked nose with NO discharge”
Throat & Larynx
- Dry tickling → constant cough
- Hoarseness
- Feels mucus present but nothing comes out
Respiratory System
- Dry, barking, teasing cough
- Paroxysmal cough (comes in attacks)
- Worse at night
- Cough prevents sleep
- Chest feels full but no expectoration
Useful in:
- Influenza
- Early tuberculosis
- Dry bronchitis
Joints & Muscles
- Rheumatic pains
- Shifting pains
- Shoulder, elbow, wrist involvement
- Deltoid soreness
Generalities
- Extreme restlessness (mental + physical)
- Head feels like it will burst
- Strange symptom: feels floating in air
- Fatigue with anxiety
Modalities
Worse From:
- Night (especially lying down)
- Cold, damp weather
- Suppressed catarrh
Better From:
- Motion
- Sitting up
- Warm room
- When discharge starts
Miasmatic Background
Psoric
Keynotes (Exam Gold )
- Dryness of mucous membranes
- No discharge but congestion feeling
- Blocked nose + sinus pressure
- Dry teasing cough
- Restlessness (mind + body)
- Sensation of floating
MNEMONIC
“STICTA = STICKY DRY BLOCK”
S → Sleepless (due to thoughts)
T → Tickling dry cough
I → Influenza (dry type)
C → Congestion without discharge
T → Tight chest
A → Active mind (restless)
Relationship
Compare With:
- Nux vomica
- Kali bichromicum
- Hydrastis
Complementary:
- Bryonia
- Spongia
Also Think Of:
- Wyethia → dryness posterior nares
- Pulsatilla → opposite (thick discharge present)
Potency & Dosage
- Acute cases: 6C–30C (2–3 times daily)
- Chronic / persistent: 200C occasionally
One-Line Summary
“Best remedy for dry colds with blocked nose, no discharge, and restless flu-like state.”