Blatta americana

It belongs to Blattidae family and its zoological name is Periplenata americana. American cockroaches generally live in moist areas, but can survive in dry areas if they have access to water. They prefer warm temperatures around 29 °C (84 °F) and do not tolerate cold temperatures. In residential areas these cockroaches live in basements and sewers, and may move outdoors into yards during warm weather. These cockroaches are common in basements, crawl spaces, cracks and crevices of porches, foundations, and walkways adjacent to buildings.

Normally the average length is around 4 cm (1.6 in) and about 7 mm (0.28 in) in length. They are reddish brown and have a yellowish margin on the body region behind the head. Immature cockroaches resemble adults except they are wingless.

The cockroach is divided in three sections; the body is flattened and broadly oval, with a shield-like pronotum covering its head. A pronotum is a plate-like structure that covers all or part of the dorsal surface of the thorax of certain insects. They also have chewing mouth parts, long, segmented antennae, and leathery fore wings with delicate hind wings. The third section of the cockroach is the abdomen.

A homoeopathic tincture is made from the whole insect. It was proved by Mure and published in Pathogénésie Brésilienne. Also covered by Allen’s Encyclopaedia of Materia Medica, Vol. II. and Clarke’s A Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica, Vol. X.

This remedy has been employed in the dropsy that accompanies nephritis. It has been used as a remedy for dropsy, and has a popular reputation in jaundice. The complexion is yellow. There is extreme weariness and pain in the urethra while passing urine. Key symptoms are ascites, various forms of dropsy, yellow complexion, extreme weariness, and pain in urethra on urinating. General prostration and weariness on going upstairs. In the proving, symptoms of jaundice, yellow sclerotic have developed. Pain shifting from back (right) to shoulder-blade is also covered.

References:

1. W. Boericke, New Manual of Homoeopathic Materia Medica & Repertory [with Relationship of Remedies], Second Re-Augmented & Revised Edition Based on Ninth Edition, Reprint Edition 2002, B. Jain Publishers, New Delhi.
2. J. H. Clarke, Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica, Reprint Edition 1992, B. Jain Publishers, New Delhi.