Which remedy is described for a child who reacts to discipline with tantrums and shows itching with convulsions and nose-picking?

• A. Bryonia
• B. Cina
• C. Drosera
• D. Conium

Answer: (B)

The key idea is matching a child’s reactive, irritable temperament with a distinctive habit pattern. Cina fits a child who becomes violently upset and throws a tantrum when disciplined, showing a hypersensitive, touchy mood that is easily provoked by correction. This remedy is also famous for nervous, habit-like behaviors in kids, especially nose-picking and itching around the nose, which signal an excitable, restless nervous system. The presence of itching and a tendency toward convulsions can occur in this nervous temperament as part of the overall picture Cina describes.

Bryonia tends to produce irritability with a strong need to lie still and pain that worsens with movement, which doesn’t align with a tantrum-on-discipline pattern or nose-picking habits. Drosera is oriented more toward violent, spasmodic symptoms such as convulsive coughing or fits with fear, rather than the specific habit and discipline reaction described here. Conium’s portrait is more of a reserved, doubtful, shy child with different physical signs, not the rebellious, nose-picking, itching kid.

So the remedy that best matches this combination of tantrums in response to discipline plus itching and nose-picking habits is Cina.