St. Ignatius's bean seeds were traditionally worn by natives of the Philippine Islands as amulets to prevent and cure all manner of diseases. The Spanish Jesuits introduced the seeds into Europe from East Asia in the 17th century. They contain strychnine, a powerful poison that acts on the nervous system when ingested. The homeopathic remedy Ignatia was proved and published by Hahnemann in his Materia Medica Pura (1821-34). Ignatia is best suited to people, especially women, who are experiencing strong emotional problems, such as a broken relationship rr acute grief after a death. They are frequently emotionally fragile, artistic, and hypersensitive. Prone to mood swings and feelings of self-pity, they may have a rather brittle air, often laughing and crying at the same time. Suppressing their emotions can lead to hysteria. High expectations of those close to them are typical, and they find it hard to break the bond with their partner if disillusioned in love. Contradictory physical symptoms are typically treated with Ignatia, such as indigestion that is relieved by eating, or a sore throat that is better for swallowing solid food. There is often great sensitivity to pain, with a tendency to yawn and sigh frequently. There is also a dislike of crowds, and a fear of birds, especially chickens. Ignatia is used to treat illness that develops from emotional stress. Such conditions include headaches, nervous tics and twitches, digestive disorders such as nausea and vomiting, and a sore throat. For the homeopathic preparation, the seeds of Ignatius bean ( Ignatia ) are collected and ground to a powder, then mixed with alcohol. When the powder is saturated, the mixture is strained and diluted until it becomes a nontoxic substance. Complaints that benefit from Ignatia often arise as a result of extreme emotional stress, for example, grief, shock, anger, and the suppression of these feelings. This is a key remedy for bereavement with mood swings, hysteria, and insomnia. Other emotional states helped by this remedy include: sudden tearfulness; self-pity; self-blame; a repressed response to anger or violence; fear of being thought forceful; depression; and worry. Ignatia is effective for headaches (heavy sensation in the head and possible dizziness) that are worse lying on the painful side and that feel as if a nail had been driven into the head, nervous headaches due to emotional stress, and children's headaches that are worsened by caffeine and relieved by heat. Ailments with changeable, contradictory symptoms are helped by Ignatia, for example, sore throats that are better from eating solids, and nausea and vomiting that are better from eating. Other conditions it is good for include: tickly coughs; fever with chills that induce thirst; fainting in claustrophobic conditions; sensitivity to pain; craving for odd foods when ill; and upper abdominal pain. In women, Ignatia is given for a prolapsed rectum with sharp, upward shooting pain; painful uterine spasms during menstruation; hemorrhoids; emotionally-triggered constipation and absent menstruation. Nervous disorders - twitches, nervous tics, or numbness in the face or limbs, possibly escalating to hysterical paralysis, convulsions, or chorea (random, jerky twitches of the face or limbs). Ignatia is used if symptoms are triggered by shock, grief, or other strong emotions. Digestive disorders - nausea and vomiting that is alleviated by eating, typically with burping, hiccuping, and profuse, bitter-tasting saliva in the mouth. There may be hunger unsated by eating. Ignatia may help diarrhea, constipation, or hemorrhoids that have been triggered by emotional stress.