Educational information, not medical advice — ask your doctor or midwife.
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Secale cornutum is a single homeopathic remedy. It is made from ergot of rye, whose Latin name is Claviceps purpurea. That is a fungus that grows on rye and other grain.
Homeopaths give it for poor blood flow in the hands and feet. They also give it for heavy bleeding and for cramps in the legs. The remedy is made by diluting the fungus over and over, with hard shaking at each step.
At a 30C strength, none of the starting material is left in the pill. Trials do not show that it works better than a dummy pill. Its standing comes from long use in homeopathy, and long use is not proof that a remedy works.
There is no known way a 30C pill could act on the body, because nothing of the source is left in it.
Homeopathy rests on an idea. The idea is that a substance which causes symptoms in a well person can treat the same symptoms in a sick one. Raw ergot squeezes blood vessels shut and causes cramps, so the remedy is matched to those signs.
Each dilution step makes the mix weaker. By 30C, not one molecule of ergot remains. Homeopaths say the shaking leaves an effect behind, but this has not been shown in any test.
People do report feeling better after taking it. Rest, time, and the care of someone who listens can explain much of that. When the remedy is compared with a dummy pill, no clear difference shows up.
You will most often see small sugar pellets that you let melt under the tongue. Liquid drops in alcohol and water are also sold.
Common strengths are 6C, 30C and 200C. A C strength means a 1-in-100 dilution, done again and again. Pellets are usually made from milk sugar (lactose) and cane sugar.
The mother tincture and very low X strengths are close to raw strength. They are controlled or banned for home use in many countries, and for good reason.
Ergot has a dark past in Europe. Mouldy rye bread caused mass poisoning in the Middle Ages, known then as St Anthony's Fire. People lost fingers, toes and whole limbs, had fits, and many died.
Midwives and doctors later used tiny doses to slow bleeding after birth. Drugs made from ergot are still used in hospitals today, under close watch.
Homeopaths tested the fungus on healthy people in the 1800s and wrote down every symptom. The remedy has stayed in homeopathic books ever since.
Some reactions to Secale cornutum need urgent care. Call your local emergency number or go to an emergency department straight away — do not wait to see whether it passes.
Call emergency services now if your fingers or toes turn cold, white or blue and stay that way, if you have crushing chest pain, if you have a fit, or if you are bleeding heavily and cannot stop it.
Get urgent help if you have vomiting with burning pain and muscle cramps after taking any raw or low-strength ergot product. Take the packet with you.
See your doctor within a few days if bleeding, cramps or numbness keep coming back, or if the problem you are treating has not settled in three days.
Evidence grades and traditional-use labels are explained in our methodology. Nothing here is medical advice.
What it is typically used for, usual dose, cautions, and the study behind it where real trial data exists.
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