Overview
Cina, also known as Artemisia Cina, Wormseed, or Santonica, is one of the most important and frequently used children's remedies in the homeopathic materia medica. Prepared from the unexpanded flower heads of Artemisia cina (a species of wormwood native to Central Asia), Cina is best known for its profound action on intestinal worm infestations and the characteristic behavioural and physical symptoms that accompany them.
The remedy has a strong affinity for the digestive tract, nervous system, and the growing child's constitution. It is most commonly indicated in children between the ages of 2 and 12 years, though it may occasionally be appropriate for adults with similar symptom patterns. The Cina child is irritable, cross, restless, and difficult to please — they do not want to be touched, carried, or approached, and they demand things only to throw them away when offered.
The characteristic feature of Cina is the combination of intestinal worm symptoms with a distinctive mental state — the child is angry, violent, and wants to be left alone, yet at the same time is restless and cannot settle. They may grind their teeth at night, have disturbed sleep, and experience abdominal colic. The remedy is also indicated for certain types of chronic headaches, epileptiform seizures, and chorea when associated with a worm history or with the characteristic Cina temperament.
In Indian clinical practice, Cina remains a highly relevant remedy due to the prevalence of intestinal worm infestations, particularly in children from communities with limited sanitation infrastructure. The remedy offers a gentle, safe, and effective alternative to conventional anthelmintic medications, particularly for children who react poorly to chemical treatments.
Key Uses
1. Intestinal Worms (Roundworms — Ascariasis)
Cina is the pre-eminent homeopathic remedy for roundworm (Ascaris lumbricoides) infestation. While several homeopathic remedies address intestinal worms — including Teucrium (pinworms), Sabadilla (tapeworms), and Natrum Phosphoricum (threadworms) — Cina is specifically indicated for roundworm infestation with its characteristic symptom picture.
Key indications: Roundworm infestation with abdominal colic; grinding of teeth during sleep; restlessness and irritability; picking at the nose; itching at the anus; variable appetite (sometimes ravenous, sometimes poor); foul breath; dark circles under the eyes; disturbed sleep with crying out.
The Cina worm picture is unmistakable. The child has a pale, pasty face with dark circles under the eyes and a bluish discolouration around the mouth. They may have a red, swollen tip of the nose from constant picking. The abdomen is often large, distended, and hard (pot-belly appearance), and the child may complain of wandering abdominal pains that are worse when hungry.
2. Irritability and Behavioural Issues in Children
The Cina child is notoriously irritable. They are described as cross, ill-humoured, and contrary — they want something and then reject it when offered. They do not want to be touched, carried, or looked at. If anyone approaches them, they may become angry, strike out, or throw things. This behaviour is quite distinct from the milder, clingy disposition of Pulsatilla or the stubborn, defiant attitude of Tuberculinum.
Key indications: Extreme irritability in children; child wants to be left alone; cannot bear to be touched or approached; demands things and then refuses them; angry, violent behaviour; restless sleep with crying and screaming; worse from consolation or attention.
The Cina child's irritability is often directly connected to the presence of intestinal worms — when the worms are expelled or treated, the behaviour improves dramatically. However, even in children without demonstrable worm infestation, the Cina behavioural picture can be present and the remedy may still be indicated.
3. Abdominal Colic and Digestive Complaints
Cina is indicated for abdominal colic, particularly in children with a worm history. The pain is typically gripping, cramping, and colicky, and is felt around the navel (umbilical region). The child may double up with the pain, and it may come and go in waves.
Key indications: Griping, colicky abdominal pain around the navel; pain worse when hungry; pain better from pressure and from lying on the abdomen; distended, hard abdomen; variable appetite (ravenous hunger alternating with loss of appetite); nausea and occasional vomiting.
The abdominal pain of Cina may be accompanied by visible peristalsis (wave-like movements visible on the abdominal wall) if there is a heavy worm load. The stool may contain visible worms, and there may be a history of passing worms in the stool.
4. Sleep Disorders — Night Terrors and Bruxism
Cina has a profound effect on sleep in children. The Cina child is a restless, disturbed sleeper who may experience night terrors, sleepwalking, crying out during sleep, and teeth grinding (bruxism). The sleep is not refreshing, and the child may wake up tired and irritable.
Key indications: Restless sleep with tossing and turning; teeth grinding (bruxism) during sleep; night terrors with screaming and crying; child wakes up frightened and confused; sleepwalking; talking during sleep; difficulty falling asleep due to irritability; worse from worms or digestive disturbances.
The teeth grinding (bruxism) associated with Cina is one of its most characteristic symptoms. The child may grind their teeth so loudly that it can be heard across the room. This is often worse at night and is typically associated with worm infestation.
5. Chronic Headaches and Migraines
Cina is indicated for chronic headaches in children and adults, particularly when there is a history of worm infestation or when the headache follows the Cina modality — worse from stooping and from reading. The headache is typically frontal or over the eyes and may be accompanied by nausea and dizziness.
Key indications: Frontal headache worse from stooping; headache over the eyes; headache with nausea and dizziness; periodic headaches that may be associated with digestive disturbances; headache with a sensation as if the head is being pressed or constricted.
The Cina headache often occurs in school-age children who experience headaches during reading or close work. This can sometimes be confused with eye strain headaches, but in Cina, the headache is more tied to the worm/digestive constitution than to visual fatigue.
6. Chorea and Epileptiform Seizures
Cina is one of the remedies listed in the homeopathic literature for chorea (St. Vitus' Dance) and epileptiform convulsions, particularly when they occur in wormy children. The movements are irregular, jerky, and involuntary, affecting the face, limbs, and trunk. The child may also experience fainting spells or petit mal-type episodes.
Key indications: Jerky, irregular, involuntary movements (chorea); epileptiform seizures in children with worms; fainting spells; petit mal episodes with brief loss of awareness; worse from excitement and from digestive disturbances.
It must be emphasised that neurological conditions such as chorea and epilepsy require thorough medical evaluation and management. Cina may be considered as a constitutional remedy under professional homeopathic guidance, not as a first-line or sole treatment.
7. Genitourinary Complaints — Bedwetting and Masturbation
Cina has a traditional indication for nocturnal enuresis (bedwetting) in children and for excessive masturbation in children. The bedwetting in Cina typically occurs in children who are irritable, restless, and have worm symptoms. The masturbation indication is for involuntary, compulsive handling of the genitals in children, often associated with the general restlessness and irritability of the remedy.
Key indications: Bedwetting in children with irritability and worm history; frequent urination with turbid urine; involuntary or compulsive genital handling in children; associated with general restlessness and disturbed sleep.
These indications should be understood in the context of the overall Cina symptom picture — the genitourinary symptoms are part of a broader pattern of nervous irritability and disturbed function.
Modalities
| Modality | Effect |
|---|---|
| Worse from | Touch and being approached; from consolation; from stooping; from reading; from hunger; at night; from cold; from looking fixedly at an object |
| Better from | Pressure (especially on the abdomen from lying on it); from rocking or swinging motion; from being carried; from warmth; from short periods of sleep |
Comparison with Similar Remedies
| Remedy | Differing Feature | Modalities |
|---|---|---|
| Cina | Intestinal worms; extreme irritability; teeth grinding; nose picking; wants to be left alone | Worse: touch, consolation, stooping. Better: pressure, rocking |
| Teucrium | Pinworms (threadworms); itching at the anus; less severe mental irritability | Worse: night, warmth of bed. Better: cold bathing |
| Sabadilla | Tapeworms; chilliness; hay fever-type symptoms; sensitive to cold | Worse: cold, empty swallowing. Better: warmth |
| Chamomilla | Irritable child but wants to be CARRIED; one cheek red, one pale; extreme sensitivity to pain | Worse: warmth, evening, touch. Better: being carried |
| Tuberculinum | Destructive, defiant, discontented; wants to travel and change; worse from music | Worse: morning, from music. Better: open air, motion |
| Arsenic Album | Fastidious, anxious, restless; wants company; burning pains | Worse: midnight, cold. Better: warmth, company |
Dosage Guide
| Potency | Indication | Frequency | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6C | Mild worm symptoms in children; teeth grinding without other symptoms | 2–3 times daily | 1–2 weeks |
| 30C | Acute worm infestation; colic with irritability; sleep disorders | 2–3 times daily | 3–7 days |
| 200C | Chronic worm susceptibility; recurrent behavioural issues; chorea | Once weekly | 4–8 weeks |
| Q (Mother Tincture) | Rarely used; traditional anthelmintic in crude form only | Not commonly used | As directed |
| 1M | Deep constitutional conditions | One dose, then wait | As directed |
When NOT Suitable
Cina should not be used in the following situations:
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Acute surgical abdomen — Severe abdominal pain with rigidity, rebound tenderness, vomiting, or signs of peritonitis requires emergency surgical evaluation.
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Neurological emergencies — Status epilepticus, severe chorea with debilitation, or any acute neurological deterioration requires immediate medical care.
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Severe dehydration from diarrhoea or vomiting — Requires medical rehydration, not homeopathy alone.
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If symptoms do not match — Cina is a specific remedy for a particular picture of irritability, worms, and abdominal symptoms. It should not be used indiscriminately for all childhood behavioural issues.
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Alongside strong-tasting substances — Avoid coffee, mint, tobacco, and camphor within 15 minutes of taking the remedy.
Always consult a qualified homeopath before taking high potencies (200C or above) or using Cina for long-term constitutional treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How quickly does Cina work for intestinal worms?
A: Cina 30C taken twice daily can begin to affect worm symptoms within 24–48 hours. Improvement may be seen in the form of reduced irritability, better sleep, and reduction in teeth grinding. The actual expulsion of worms may take several days. For confirmed worm infestation, a course of at least 7–10 days of treatment is typically recommended.
Q: Can Cina be used for adults with worm infestations?
A: Yes, Cina can be used for adults with roundworm infestation if the symptom picture matches — irritability, abdominal colic, teeth grinding during sleep, and the typical modalities. However, adults with worm infestations may also benefit from other remedies depending on the specific type of worm and their individual symptoms.
Q: Is Cina safe for babies and toddlers?
A: Yes, Cina is safe for children as young as 1 year old in appropriate potencies. For very young children, 6C or 30C is recommended. The remedy is particularly indicated for toddlers who are extremely irritable, grind their teeth at night, have disturbed sleep, and may have visible worms in their stool.
Q: How does Cina compare to conventional deworming medications?
A: Conventional deworming medications (like albendazole or mebendazole) are highly effective at eliminating worms but can sometimes cause side effects such as abdominal pain, nausea, dizziness, and headache. Cina offers a gentler alternative that not only addresses the worms but also the constitutional and behavioural disturbances that accompany worm infestation. In many cases, Cina can be as effective as conventional treatment when the symptom picture is clear.
Q: Can Cina help my child stop grinding their teeth?
A: If the teeth grinding (bruxism) is associated with intestinal worms or the typical Cina picture (irritability, restless sleep, colicky abdominal pain), then Cina can be very effective. Improvement is often seen within a few days of starting the remedy. If there is no improvement after 2 weeks, a different remedy or a dental evaluation may be needed.
Q: Does the child need to have visible worms for Cina to work?
A: No. Cina can be indicated even when no visible worms are present, as long as the symptom picture matches. Many children with the Cina picture have subclinical worm infestations that are not readily apparent. The remedy addresses the constitutional disturbance whether or not worms are demonstrable.
Conclusion
Cina is one of the great children's remedies in homeopathy, with a well-defined sphere of action centred on intestinal worm infestations and the characteristic physical and behavioural symptoms that accompany them. The remedy's symptom picture — extreme irritability, teeth grinding, restless sleep, abdominal colic, and a dislike of being touched or approached — is one of the most distinctive in the homeopathic materia medica.
Beyond its use for worms, Cina has a broader constitutional role for children who fit the Cina temperament: cross, contrary, restless, and difficult to please. In such children, the remedy can produce profound improvements in behaviour, sleep, and overall well-being.
For Indian families, where worm infestations remain a common childhood health challenge, Cina offers a safe, gentle, and effective treatment option that aligns with the principles of homeopathic medicine. When prescribed on the basis of symptom similarity, it provides deep and lasting relief not only from the worms themselves but from the entire pattern of disturbance they create.