Alice in Wonderland – Growing Big and Growing Small

Summary

The homeopathic remedy Agaricus is derived from a dilution of the Fly Agaric fungus (Magic Mushrooms[1] – Agaricaceae family). Homeopaths have for years surmised the constitutional picture of Alice in the wonderful dream-tale of Alice's Adventure in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. The fact that Alice repertorised so wonderfully as Agaricus is what continually stimulates the minds, and passions, of all homeopaths.

Key words

Magic mushrooms - Agaricaceae - Agaricus muscarius - Incorrect judgment of size

1 Magic Mushrooms is a popular term for psilocybin mushrooms, fungi that contain the psychedelic substances psilocybin and psilocin and which produce hallucinogenic effects.

References

• 1 Carroll L. The Complete Illustrated Works of Lewis Carroll. London; Chancellor Press 1986
• 2 Morrison R. Desktop Guide. Nevada City, CA; Hahnemann Clinic Publishing 1993
• 3 Schroyens F. Synthesis. London; Homeopathic Book Publishers 1997
• 4 Vermeulen F. Synoptic Materia Medica. Haarlem, The Netherlands; Emryss Publishers 1992
• 5 Vermeulen F. Prisma. Haarlem, The Netherlands; Emryss Publishers 2002
• 6 Tenniel J. Original illustrations from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. http://www.alice-in-wonderland.net/alice2a.html . 

1 Magic Mushrooms is a popular term for psilocybin mushrooms, fungi that contain the psychedelic substances psilocybin and psilocin and which produce hallucinogenic effects.

2 Vermeulen Synoptic Materia medica explains this dichotomy, “Intoxication with fly-agaric is characterized by cheerfulness and loss of self-control, which is followed by lassitude and depression.”

3 Rubric; Delusion: water: spoonful of water seems like a lake; a. This delusion reflects the narcotic exaggerations of the remedy picture; Agaricus is also listed in the Rubric for “Hydrophobia.” In the story Alice finds herself in the extremely unusual predicament of nearly being drowned in the “gallons of tears” she shed when she grew as large as a telescope; she laments, “I wish I hadn't cried so much!” “I shall be punished for it now, I suppose, by being drowned in my own tears!” p. 28 Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

4 The Cheshire cat points out to Alice that she is not that unique in her confusion, “we're all mad here. I'm mad. You're mad.” p. 64 Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Agaricus is a narcotic; the adventures of Alice reflect a journey on Magic Mushrooms.

5 The caterpillar calls out to Alice that he has something important to tell her. “Keep your temper”, said the Caterpillar. ‘Is that all?’ said Alice, swallowing down her anger as well as she could.” p. 49 Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Alice does have a rather “thoughtless; reckless” [Vermeulen] side to her. Agaricus is high-spirited and easily “excited” [Morrison] and Alice is particularly adept at “putting her foot in her mouth”, especially with the Queen who after this interchange threatens Alice with her head being chopped off. “Stuff and nonsense!” said Alice loudly. “The idea of having the sentence first!” “Hold your tongue!” said the Queen, turning purple. “I won't!” said Alice. p. 112 Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. It also has to be noted that Alice's tendency” to put her foot in it”, or her ability to “talk without listening”, [Vermeulen] treads a fine line between “unrestrained” [Vermeulen] and the Rubric “speech wandering” and “mischievous” or nervous anxiety. Continually throughout the story Alice has a tendency to mention to the poor mouse that saved her from drowning in her own tears how wonderful her cat Dinah was because she caught a good many mice! At the Caucus race she upsets all the birds with the same comments about her cat and at the Mad Hatter's tea party she offended the Dormouse and Hatter. Alice is just as easily upset and frequently comments “I wish the creatures wouldn't be so easily offended!” p. 53. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

6 After Alice eats the cake she assumes a rather large telescope-like form. “Now I'm opening out like the largest telescope that ever was! Good-bye, feet!” (For when she looked down at her feet, they seemed to be almost out of sight, they were getting so far off). [p. 24 Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Lewis Carroll.]

7 Alice is also not able to resist the temptation for adventure; she “was just going to leave the room, when her eyes fell upon a little bottle that stood near the looking glass. There was no label this time with the words “DRINK ME”, nevertheless she uncorked it and put it to her lips … before she had drunk half the bottle she found her head pressing against the ceiling, and had to stoop to save her neck from being broken. She hastily put down the bottle, saying to herself ‘That's quite enough – I hope I shan't grow any more – As it is, I can't get out at the door – I do wish I hadn't drunk quite so much!’” p. 39 Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

8 Throughout the text of Alice's speech there is a continual hesitation or stammer. Alice frequently says “can't” and “shan't”. {JF: saying these words frequently is not evidence that you have a stammer, unless in the text they are written as something like ‘shhhan't’} Agaricus is noted as an excellent remedy for stammering. The author Lewis Carroll suffered with a stammer which was severe enough to prevent him from becoming a preacher in his younger years. “Agaricus is mainly a neurological remedy with twitching, spasms, and even convulsions.” “Grimacing of the mouth, especially on beginning to speak.” [Morrison]

• Mouth: Trembling of tongue

• Mouth: Stammering

• Mouth: speech difficult.

9 ”One side will make you grow taller, and the other side will make you grow shorter.” [p. 53 Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Lewis Carroll.]

10 Even allowing for the fact that Alice does check the bottle for the words “Poison”; her willingness to drink from the bottle that says “DRINK ME” and eat the cake that says “EAT ME” as well as her lack of hesitancy in following the Rabbit down the hole certainly does markedly indicate an important Rubric of Agaricus which is Heedless. [Synthesis] “Fearless; thoughtless; reckless.” “NO fear.” [Vermeulen] Synoptic Materia medica. “Nosy, inquisitive, curious. [Vermeulen] Prisma