Carbon remedies in homeopathy
[Roger Morrison]
An exhaustive study of the various groups of Carbon remedies in
homeopathic materia medica.
Below I am highlighting the results of my studies of the various groups
of Carbon remedies. Very few carbon remedies are made exclusively of carbon:
Adamas. Carbo Animalis. Carbo Vegetabilis. Graphites.
The rest of the remedies (over 150 remedies) are compounds including
some amounts of Oxygen, Nitrogen, Hydrogen, Sulphur. Fascinating is that some
Carbon remedies can include for example just three elements:
Carbon, Oxygen and Hydrogen. With these same elements a carbonyl
(Camphor) or a carboxylic (Acetic Acid) or an alcohol (Carbolicum Acidum) can
be constructed. And each of these remedies -with identical elements-
can have vastly different
characteristics. Luckily, all Carboxylics (and all Alcohols or Carbonyls, etc.)
have reliable similarities. Thus in Carbon remedies, we can not predict the
characteristics by the chemical formula
-instead the exact structure, how the elements combine- gives us the
possibility to predict the symptoms of a remedy. Through provings and cured
cases, I have been able to gain some insight into these various groups.
ALCOHOLS
The main characteristic of the alcohols is extreme inhibition (or
conversely, disinhibition). The patient appears withdrawn and unable to express
himself. Other patients have just the reverse, with immoderate laughter and
gesticulation. He may become flagrantly egotistical. These two characteristics can alternate, giving
the patient a sort of “manic” appearance. In the disinhibited state, the
patient loves everyone, acts overly familiar in an offensive or uncomfortable
way. He does not understand your personal space. At other times the patient flares up over long-held grudges which
he had been harbouring. He abuses especially those who are close family
or friends and those who have helped him. The dependency the patient
feels toward his close associates is also threatening - they may let him down
or abuse him. Furthermore, there may be a type of almost childish bravado, blustering
or egotism which the patient feels is punctured by those who have seen his
weaknesses too clearly. This creates an external aggressiveness. Internally,
the patient feels a desperate need to be understood and valued but feels that
this need will never be truly fulfilled. Thus there is an alternating attempt
to cover up or overcome his flaws followed by aggressiveness when his needs are not heard. It is
interesting to note that many of these remedies are used in the treatment of
alcoholism. Most of these remedies appear to be in the Sycotic miasm.
Rubrics
Abusive.: Alco. Carb-ac. Ferr-pic. Gall-ac. Lac-ac. Sac-alb.
Abusive of family and friends.: Alco. Ferr-pic. Gall-ac. Lac-ac.
Affectionate, distasteful.: Carb-ac.
Dipsomania.: Alco. Carb-ac. Chlol. Kreos. Lac-ac. Sac-alb.
Egotism/selfishness.: Alco. Gall-ac. Sac-alb. Forsaken feeling.: Alco. Sac-alb.
Sac-l. Gesticulating.: Alco. Kres. Sac-alb.
Guilt/embarrassment/shame.: Alco. Kreos. Immoderate.: Alco. Carb-ac.
Loquacity.: Alco. Kres. Lac-ac. Sac-alb. Thymol. Shame.: Pic-ac.
Sac-alb. Shameless.: Alco.
Talkativeness, by which untimely confessions are drawn from him.: Alco.
Provings and Cases
Alco.: The modest blush of shame vanishes, and improper, undignified
acts are committed.
Alco.: “My mother was an alcoholic. I was made to take care of her. I
was invisible.” Morrison
Carb-ac.: “I hold grudges. I take a lot of guff for a long time then I
explode inappropriately. I once kicked my foot through a door. I can be bold
and audacious. If people are mean and nasty
I can be obnoxious. I chew them up and spit them out.”
Reichenberg-Ullman
Kres.: Loquacious; abundant gesticulation. Wants to embrace the whole
world.
Kreos.: “Guilt has been a big motivation for her in the past. When her
mother was dying of cancer, the patient gave up her schooling and career to
care for her.” Baker
Lac-ac.: Intense ugliness and hatefulness; writes to her best friends
all sorts of mean and contemptible things.
Pic-ac.: “I decide not to push too much since I notice how the patient
is feeling very embarrassed and sullen and, furthermore, I really don’t think
the answers are very free and truthful.” Mangialavori
Sac-l.: Cross and faultfinding, could not speak a pleasant word to
anyone.
Alcohol Remedies
Alco. Carb-ac. Chlol. Chrys-ac. Cit-ac. Gall-ac. Glyc. Guajol. Kres.
Kreos. Lac-ac. Menthol. Meth-sal. Naphtol. Pic-ac. Res. Sac-alb. Sac-l. Sal-ac.
Salin. Salol. Sarcol-ac. Tann-ac. Tart-ac. Thymol. Ur-ac. Vanil.
Related Remedies: Menth. Ol-sant. All Citrates. Picrates. Tartrates. All
Sugars.
ALIPHATICS
There are over twenty aliphatic compounds used in homeopathy. The best
known of these include Acet-ac. Aetherum, Alcol. Aml-ns. Chloralum, Glon. and
Ox-ac.
The main homeopathic characteristic of these remedies is passivity.
Naturally when there are moieties on the chemical, this passivity may be more
or less disguised. For example, Acet-ac. is known for its desperate anxiety and
irritability which arise from its carboxylic moiety. Despite this, when a
patient requiring an aliphatic remedy comes under stress, the deepest instinct
seems to be utter passivity. This passivity may be described as a
lack of reactivity - both mentally and physically. (This stands in
strong contra-distinction with the aromatic remedies who confront stress by excessive
mentalization.) The passivity is also related to the general theme of organic
compounds concerning lack of self-worth and invisibility. They seem to desire a
personal invitation to participate in life. For example, one of the common
complaints of those needing the remedy Alcoholus is that they were never heard
or listened to. This demonstrates some of the passive quality.
There may be a marked inability to assert. The general organic
characteristic of confusion and slowed thinking is even more emphasized in this
group of remedies, probably because most are quite small, lipid soluble
molecules and thus readily pass the blood-brain barrier. Physically prone to
circulatory dysfunction: pulsations, arrhythmia, ecchymosis. Faintness and
syncope are also prominent physical pathologies in the aliphatic group.
Rubrics
Ailments from quarrels: Glon.
Indifference: Acet-ac. Alco. But-ac. Chlol. Glon. Glyc. Lac-ac. Nit-s-d.
Ox-ac. Sulfon.
Head:
Pulsating blood vessels: Aether. Alco. Aml-n. Cit-ac. Glon. Glyc. Lac-ac.
Ox-ac. Paraf.
Chest,
Pulsation: Acet-ac. Alco. Aml-n. Chlol. Glon. Nit-s-d.
General;
Faintness: Acet-ac. Aether. Alco. Aml-n. Chlol. Cit-ac. Glon. Lac-ac. Nit-s-d.
Ox-ac. Sulfon. Thios.
Provings and Cases
Acon-ac.: Dream: I was a character who kept dying and coming back to
life with a decomposing body. Sometimes I was this person and sometime I was
just watching a movie of him.
Alco.: “I just didn’t exist as far as the family was concerned.
Especially not fitting in, not being listened to.” Carbn-H: “She is not
concerned about things. She just smiles and plays. Even when she wants to
change her clothes, she calls for her mother to help her. She won’t flush the toilet and needs help with
simple tasks.”
Chlol.: From having been a woman of strong will and excellent mental
power, she became listless and peevish, childish, indeed, in many things
begging for chloral.
Cupr-acet.: They become totally apathetic, don’t want anything, except
to be dead, at least there will be no more demands then. Failing that, the
least you can do for them is to leave them alone to rest and sleep. Scholten
Glon.: “When asked to describe her main personality characteristic and
emotional state her response was: ‘I hate arguments.”
Thios.: “She is quiet with a melancholic demeanor and gives the
impression of having suffered a great deal of emotional trauma in her life.”
Aliphatic Remedies
Acet-ac. Aceton. Acon-ac. Aether. Aethyl-br. Aethyl-n. Alco. Aml-n.
Amylam. But-ac. Carbn-h. Chlol. Cit-ac. Cosm. Croto-Chlol. Glon. Glyc. Keto-ac.
Lac-ac. Meth-ae-ae. Nit-s-d. Ox-ac. Paraf. Sarcol-ac. Succ-ac.
Tart-ac. Thios.
Related Remedies: Acetyls-ac. Benz-p. Benzin. Hip-ac. Keroso.
Nat-pyruv. Petr. Phenac.
Sulfon. Thymol. Trion. All Acetates. Citrates. Lactates. Oxalates. Succinates.
Tartrates. Valerates.
AMINES
In our materia medica there are some 20 remedies which include amine
groups. None of these remedies are well-known or fully understood. Also related
are the ammonium salts (NH4 ions) such as
Amm-c. By comparing these remedies certain aspects come clear. Scholten
(Homeopathy and the Minerals) has written extensively about the ammonium salts
identifying resentment, bitterness, grudges, coming from disappointment. These
themes are similarly represented in the amines. The patient has a feeling of
impending misfortune, disease or injury. Difficulty with trust is a frequent
component. Rather, the patient withdraws and becomes a loner and has very poor
skills with communication. This gives rise to dreams of desperate or thwarted
attempts to communicate with others through the telephone. He feels victimized
by life, yet dislikes consolation. Thus solitude is a frequent theme. He feels
taken advantage of or even persecuted. At first there may be impulsiveness and
hurry but later he becomes indifferent to external things. The patient at times
shows
a defensiveness, acting brusque or coarse with cursing and other
impolite behavior. Internally, there is great timidity. These symptoms, added
to the fact that many amines are products of excretion give the suggestion that
these remedies may fall in the Leprosy miasm. Physically, the amines have
several unique focuses. Foremost is the tendency for renal disorders.
Temperature regulation is disordered with marked chilliness in most of these
remedies. Headache and nausea are prominent. Weakness and prostration are
common to the whole organic group but comes earlier and more regularly in the
amine group.
Rubrics
Company, aversion to: Allox. Prop. Skat. Thios. Cursing: Allox. Skat.
Dictatorial: Allox.
Dreams animals: Allox. Indol.
Forsaken: Allox
Washing hands: Allox.
Provings and Cases
Allox: “I often dream of mice, big and in many different situations¼
they are disgusting animals. The last time I saw two of them coming from a
cemetery and then they mated¼ it was awful.”
Mangialavori: Allox: Feels dirty, keeps washing hands.
Prop.: I became morose, with great desire to be let alone.
Skat.: A marked and overwhelming consciousness of despondency evidenced
itself even from the first. This feeling was not of apprehension, but rather of
hopelessness. Simultaneously with the despondency an irritability manifested
itself; very easily peeved; felt mean towards everyone.
Thios.: “She is a loner, seemingly by choice, but she claims it is
because there is no one she can relate to.” Riley
Thios.: “I sometimes think I am great, and other times I think I am
worthless. Sometimes I just want to be left alone, but I hate that, too.” Riley
Amine Remedies
Acetan. Allox. Ami-sal-ac. Amylam. Anil. Anil-s. Antipyrin. Hip-ac.
Indol. Lysid. Methyl. Oro-ac. Paraph. Phenac. Pipe. Prop. Skat. Sulfa. Sulpha.
Sulfonam. Thios. Ur-ac. Urea.
Amides (aminoesters)
Hip-Ac. Phenac. Sulfonam.
AROMATICS
Mentally, the strongest characteristic of the benzene derivatives is
mental activity. The thought process is whipping through the brain like the
electrons through the vortex. The mind is racing with ideas. The patient is
often loquacious or pressured in speech and movement but even more so in
thought. The excitement may be strong enough to produce starting. This same
excitement is usually found in the sexual sphere with marked arousal, excessive
erections, nocturnal emissions and fantasy life. At other times, there may be
an excessive preoccupation with the past and with unpleasant or sad memories.
Rubrics
Thoughts rapid: Carb-ac. Pic-ac.
Ideas abundant: Carb-ac. Kreos. Pic-ac. Excitement: Sal-ac.
Loquacity: Benz-n. Kres. Thymol. Sal-ac.
Lascivious: Carb-ac. Pic-ac. Sal-ac. Zinc-pic.
Provings and Cases
Benz-d.: “I must be constantly stimulated. My mind locks onto
interesting things. It’s an internal restlessness. Driven. In a state of
alert.” Morrison
Gall-ac.: “Nocturnal erections. Annoyingly hard. Better when my back is
relaxed. I try to stop the sexual fantasies – they’re too much. It’s an
addiction.” Morrison
Gall-ac.: “Thoughts are going all the time. My left temple stays locked
all day long. It’s hard to release it and this keeps my mind wired. I am a
workaholic. I get obsessed with projects but I also want to escape the real
world. I want to just get the idea and have others carry it out. Poor mental
focus.” Morrison
Physical characteristics which point toward benzene and its derivatives
include: General amelioration in the open air. Hemorrhage and anemia. Weakness
during menses. Band-like sensations. Vertigo and Meniere’s syndrome. Marked
tendency toward retinitis and retinal hemorrhage (characteristic of the whole
group). Hay fever. Tinnitus. Glossitis. Infection or inflammation of the prostate. Kidney
stones. Emphysema.
Heaviness or inflammation of the spine and spinal cord. Ataxia (often related to the
spinal difficulties). Peripheral oedema. Gout and podagra. Gangrenous burns.
Aromatic Remedies
Acetan. Acetyls-ac. Anil. Anil-s. Anthrac. Antip. Benz. Benz-d.
Benz-n. Benz-ac. Benzoq. Carb-ac.
Chrys-ac. Eos. Gall-ac. Guajol. Hip-ac. Indol. Kres. Methyl. Methyl-sal.
Naphtin. Paraph. Phenac. Pic-ac. Polyst.
Res. Sal-ac. Salin. Salol. Skat. Sulfa. Sulfonam. Tann-ac. Thymol.
Trinit. Vanil.
Related Remedies: Anthro. Benz-p. Keroso. Kreos. All Benzoates.
Picrates. Salicylates.
CARBONYLS
Carbonyl bonds are double bonds between carbon and oxygen. If the
molecule has two different organic moieties attached to the carbon involved in
the carbonyl bond, the molecule is called a ketone. If there is one
or less organic moiety, the molecule is called an aldehyde. Carbonyl
bonds are also a component of the carboxylic acid structure but considered
separately (see Acids). In organic chemistry, the carbonyl bond creates an
ideal circumstance for reactions which make additions to the original
molecule. The carbonyl bond is inherently unstable and the double bond reduces
in the presence of certain types of molecules such as Grignard agent. This
reaction is one of the most important in organic chemistry, allowing additions
of specific moieties in exact locations for making the desired chemical.
Interestingly, when such a reaction is carried out, the chemist refers to the
process as “attacking” the carbonyl bond with the moiety to be added. This
seems to be an intuitive anticipation of the homeopathic theme of the group. In
homeopathy, there are few carbonyls which have significant provings or
extensive clinical cases. The most widely used is the remedy Camphor. We do
have an extensive proving of the heterocyclic substance Allox. with some
clinical cases, and smaller provings of other remedies.
The common theme found in the mental state is the feeling of
persecution. The patient has the feeling of vulnerability (like the molecule)
to attack. Thus we can expect confusion between carbonyl remedies and metal
remedies. This sense of attack brings forward as a natural consequence great
aggressiveness. (similar to the Carboxylic Acid group.) In order to cut off any
real or perceived attack, the patient may become dictatorial and demanding. He
is often described as argumentative and defensive. This leads his family and
associates to stay away in droves. At othertimes the patient feels so
disappointed in his close ones that he cuts them off.
For both of these reasons, the patient often complains of a strong sense
of isolation and being forsaken.
Physical symptoms which are common to this group of remedies include:
A susceptibility for diabetes. General tendency for twitching. Cramping
pains. Glaucoma. Copious salivation. Desire for and amelioration from cold
drinks. Tuberculosis.
Rubrics
Quarrelsome: Allox. Camph.
Provings and Cases
Allox.: Would like to have a jolly good row [lost her job]. Just feels
quarrelsome.
Anthrch.: Am even-tempered and now it makes no sense that I wasn’t able
to get over being pissed off. It’s been 6-7 years since I got angry spells I
couldn’t seem to get over. [cured symptom]
Camph.: The child creeps into a corner, howls and cries; everything that
is said to him is taken as if one were ordering him and he were considered
naughty and would be punished.
Camph.: “I was always in a blinding rage, blaming my boyfriend or
someone.
I’d always be seeing the real truth – that it was all his fault!”
Herrick Keto-Ac: Feel “stirred up” today. Vented lots of feelings on a relative
stranger which left me feeling uneasy.
Carbonyl Remedies
Aceton. Ald. (Methan, Formal). Allox. Anthrch. Antipyrin. Benzoq. Croto-
Chlol. Chrys-ac. Eos. Keto-ac. Oro-ac. Urea. Ur-ac. Vanil.
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
In the early or successful stages of pathology the patient appears
confident and optimistic. He is goal oriented and industrious. Sometimes he may
appear rather hard. However, internally there is great anxiety and desire
for company. Often, however, company alone does not bring the needed
relief. The carboxylic acid patients seem to need intense interaction and
reassurance. Especially noted is the desire to be held or carried – seen in
Sacch-a. Acet-ac. Ant-t. and Benz-ac. Furthermore, in Gall-ac. the patient
desires to be watched constantly – not for an instant out of the sight of a
person who gives him security.
Thus there is often great fear about the health of the loved ones as
well as his own health. There is often an aversion to leaving home or even his
bed. The anxiety may also take the form of fear of being attacked, killed
or murdered (shot). When we hear of a patient who is in terror of
attacks and being shot or murdered, we can deduce that aggressiveness is a
feature of his make-up. Indeed, nearly all of the carboxylic acids are listed
for irritability, anger and many are listed for striking, kicking or
maliciousness – even toward the very ones upon whom they depend. This
combination of extreme dependency and extreme aggressiveness is a good clue
toward the need for a carboxylic acid remedy. Nearly all of the group appears
to fit into the Typhoid miasm. They demonstrate the determination, urgency,
hurry, ambition, industriousness, ruthlessness and crises of the other members
of this miasm. In the failed state, we find great discouragement, apathy,
aversion to work and a curious fixation upon suicide – most likely more an
ideation than a true threat. This comes about from the torture of the fears or
from frustration of desires. Deeper in the failed state, we see the well-described
debility and weakness.
„Angst beim Allein-sein; besteht darauf, ständig beobachtet zu werden.“ Dieses typische Symptom ist eine der wesentlichen Charakteristika der Carboxylsäuren.
Physically, the carboxylic acids have further common patterns. Generally
chilly but often with heat, congestion, perspiration in the face and head.
Thirst is often quite marked. Many of these remedies are used in the treatment
of severe arthritis and gout. The pains are described as sharp or piercing.
There is great stiffness. More striking is how frequently these remedies are
indicated in deforming arthritis and joint destruction.
Next we have a great focus on the mouth with marked tendency for inflammation, aphthae and ulcerations –
even bleeding and offensiveness. Almost all of this group has problems with
digestion, characteristically
with burning in the stomach, sour eructations, flatus and often diarrhea. All of the
usual themes of the organic group can be found in this group.
Rubrics
Anxiety about health: Acet-ac. Ant-t. Bar-ox-succ. Oro-ac. Succ-ac.
Dreams of murder: Acon-ac. But-ac. Fumar-ac. Merc-acet. Nat-ox. Oro-ac.
Plb-acet. Sac-l.
Fear/dreams being shot: Acon-ac. But-ac. Mang-acet. Plb-acet. Desire to
be held: Ant-t. Benz-ac. Plb-acet. Sacch-a.
Desire to be carried: Acet-ac. Ant-t. Benz-ac. Sac-alb. Desire to be watched constantly:
Gall-ac. Dictatorial: Gall-ac. Sac-alb.
Fear poverty/business: Acet-ac. Calc-acet. Cit-ac. Mang-acet. Zinc-acet.
Anxiety future: Ant-t. Calc-acet. Ferr-acet. Keto-ac. Mang-acet. Nat- acet.
Fear/dreams of death: Acet-ac. Acon-ac. Ant-t. Cupr-acet. Keto-ac.
Lac-ac. Mang-acet. Merc-acet. Ox-ac. Plb-acet. Sac-l. Sal-ac.
Homesickness/fear to leave home: Bar-acet. But-ac. Cupr-acet. Keto-ac.
Lac-ac. Oro-ac. Plb-acet. Sac-alb. Sac-l. Succ-ac. Industrious: Calc-acet.
Mang-acet. Nat-ox.
Malice: Acet-ac. Fumar-ac. Lac-ac. Mang-acet. Nat-ox. Oro-ac.
Striking/kicking/violent: Ant-t. Cupr-acet. Gall-ac. Lac-ac. Plb-acet.
Sac-alb.
Hurry: Ant-t. Benz-ac. But-ac. Keto-ac. Lac-ac. Merc-acet. Nat-ox.
Ox-ac. Sac-alb.
Industrious: Calc-ac. Mang-acet. Nat-ox.
Aphthae: Acet-ac. Ant-t. Benz-ac. But-ac. Chinin-sal. Form-ac. Lac-ac.
Merc-acet. Nat-ox. Ox-ac. Plb-acet. Sac-alb. Sal-ac. Succ-ac.
Arthritis deformans: Ant-t. Benz-ac. Cit-ac. Form-ac. Lac-ac. Lith-sal.
Mang-acet. Sal-ac.
Eructations sour/acrid: Acet-ac. Am-be. Ant-t. Bar-ox-succ. Benz-ac.
But-ac. Calc-acet. Chin-sal. Cupr-acet. Ferr-acet. Form-ac. Hip-ac. Lac-ac.
Mang-acet. Nat-acet. Nat-ox. Ox-ac.
Plb-acet. Sac-alb. Sal-ac. Sarcol-ac. Tart-ac. Zinc-acet.
Heartburn: Acet-ac. Ant-t. Bar-acet. Benz-ac. Calc-acet. Chin-sal.
Cit-ac. Cupr-acet. Ferr-acet. Gall-ac. Keto-ac. Lac-ac. Mang-acet. Nat-ox. Ox-ac.
Sac-l.
Provings and Cases
Murder (shot)
Acon-ac.: Dreamt of being shot viciously in my left ear. There was a flash, a bright light and then I
thought, “Not yet. Damn stupid way to die.”
But-ac.: Developed great fear, and in the evening this fear was greatly
accentuated. Had fear of being shot. This condition of fear forced him to bed.
Camph-ac.: “I had to kill or be killed. You just fired. It was mindless
madness. You had to be on the lookout all the time. I hated it – God! So much!”
Nat-Ox: Dreamed of a mass murderer. When he ran away,
there were only two women left, a mother and a daughter. Others were
killed.
Oro-ac.: I remembered a long shocking dream about being convicted of
murder and having many friends come to say good-bye before I was given the
death penalty!
Sac-l.: Imagined that her mother wanted to kill her; kept constantly
looking round to see if she was coming up behind her.
Fear
Benz-ac.: Fear following hurry.
Fumar-ac.: Really scary episode with heart during the night. It stopped
in the middle of a dream for 2-3 seconds. Preceded by really fast palpitations.
I was concerned that if I slept I would die in my sleep.
Gall-ac.: “I cannot be alone; even in the office my secretary works on
the other side of a thick window so this way she cannot hear the noise; but I
have to be able to see somebody.”
Nat-ox.: Dreamt of missiles exploding. Dreamt of my brother who is a
militant neo-Nazi fascist. And fear of a stranger who came into my home.
Succ-ac.: In the evening I was supposed to go and buy some groceries. I
was reluctant to leave the house for some unknown reason.
Aggression
Gall-ac.: “He disrupts the whole class, spits at and strikes other
children, curses, ignores people when spoken to, bites classmates or kicks
them, initiates all the fights with his classmates and his sister.” Zaren
Sac-alb.: “He becomes cross, rebellious, angry and hyperactive. He has
horrible fits of temper, stamping his feet on the floor, kicking, striking, and breaking
things intentionally in front of his parents, especially his mother.
Defiant = Hurry/Industry
Cupr-acet.: They have a tendency to work very hard and to deny
themselves all sorts of basic needs.
Lac-ac.: He is impelled to productive work in the evening, although he
had been much fatigued during the day¼.
Oro-ac.: Felt my mind was racing way ahead of me. Felt wired. I felt
hyped up on overdrive today.
Nat-ox.: I felt like I had to hurry all day at work today.
Succ-ac.: “He never can stay in place. He likes to move. He has
businesses in Russia, Austria, former Yugoslavia. He is very fast.” Sankaran
Carboxylic Acid Remedies
Acet-ac. Acetyls-ac. Acon-ac. Ami-sal-ac. Benz-ac. But-ac. Camph-ac.
Cit-ac. Form-ac. Fum-ac. Gall-ac. Hip-ac. Keto-ac. Lac-ac. Meth-sal. Oro-ac.
Ox-ac. Sal-ac. Sarcol-ac. Succ-ac. Tann-ac. Tart-ac.
Related Remedies: Ol-succ. All Acetates. Benzoates. Citrates. Formates.
Lactates. Oxalates. Salicylates. Succinates. Sugars. Tannates.
Tartrates. Valerates.
ETHERS
The ethers are compounds in which two organic groups (or any form) are
connected by an oxygen atom whichhas a single bond to both groups (R1-O-R2).
Here we see disassociation between mind and body;
between parts of the personality. This disassociation may be associated
with a pleasurable tranquility or with great fear.
Physically, cerebral congestion has been noted in several of these
remedies.
Ether Remedies
Aether. Guajol. Meth-ae-ae. Phenac. Salin. Vanil. Related Remedies:
Eucal. Pipe. Sac-alb. Sac-l.
NITRATES
The nitrate moiety is not strictly speaking an organic molecule and does
exist in inorganic molecules (for example, our remedies Kali Nitricum and
Argentum Nitricum). In these inorganic compounds, the nitrate group
is an ion in an ionic salt; in the organonitrates, the moiety is found
covalently bonded to a variety of organic molecules. Because there are a large
number of these organonitrate remedies, I believe it may be useful to summarize
some of their characteristics here. The organonitrates have been used by humans
extensively for explosives. They are also used medicinally as vasodilators. The
main characteristic of the nitrates in the
emotional sphere is the strong sense of immanent danger. This
characteristic was first mentioned by Chhabra.
The danger is usually perceived as being something cataclysmic like an
automobile accident or an explosion (it is interesting that the organonitrates
are among the most explosive substances known). The patient shows
an explosive quality with enthusiasm, buoyancy or temper outbursts (normally
rapidly dissipating). He may be impulsive or, more commonly, spend great effort
on controlling his impulses and behavior. There is a fear
of expressing himself too forcefully. On an inner level, the patient
frequently tells of dreams of fire, explosions or other dangerous situations.
He suffers from an unexplainable fear that something terrible is about to
happen.
Physically, the most common complaints reflect a disturbed circulatory system
including hypertension, flushes and hot flashes, great sensitivity to heat and especially the sun. Vertigo on
over-rapid rising from a seat
is a common complaint. Migraines or severe, pulsating headaches with flushed face are found. Palpitations
and violent pulsations can occur in all members of this group.
Provings and Cases
Amyl-n.: “I have cured a very bad case of chronic blushing or flushing of blood to the face on the
least excitement, either mental or physical.” Nash
Benz-d.: “I have fear of letting go of the structure and trusting the
universe. I won’t be held. It will be total chaos. I’ll be falling without a
net.” Morrison
Benz-d.: “I’m also obsessive. Especially about women’s bodies. My desire
is so strong that it pulls all of my attention. I don’t have a big sex drive
for my girlfriend. In fact, my libido is way down – yet still there’s the
thoughts. It’s this compulsive thinking! It’s disturbing. I can’t stop it!”
Morrison
Glon.: “Once during a particularly ‘explosive’ argument the patient had
a sudden impulse to throw herself from the apartment roof. She can also weep
and cry simultaneously which eventually > her mood.” Morrison
Nitrate Remedies
Aethyl-n. Amyl-n. Glon. Nit-s-d.
Aromatic Nitrates
Benz-d. Benz-n. Pic-ac. Trinit. Related Remedies: All Picrates.
NITRILES
The nitrile moiety consists of a carbon atom triple-bonded to a nitrogen
atom which is commonly known as cyanide. This arrangement leaves either a free
bonding site on the carbon atom (allowing organonitriles) or
a negatively charged ion (anion) that becomes bonded into salts with a
variety of cations. It is thus chemically similar to the halogens – in fact, it
is known as the “false halogen.” The nitriles (or cyanides) are among
the deadliest poisons known to man. The main characteristic is betrayal
(similar to the Iodum feeling of being stabbed in the back) which is of a life
and death nature. The cyanide group brings with it the feeling of
murder, betrayal and tremendous fear. The first compensation is to cling
to those around him. If this proves ineffective, or if the perceived threat
comes from those near to him, he combats the threat with anger and abusiveness,
biting and struggling and violence. If this is ineffective, he gives in, loses
hope, loses touch with reality or becomes suicidal. Though the patient acts
rather cheerful, the mental state is centered upon fear.
There is fear of death, dreams of dead bodies, fear of houses collapsing
upon him and fear to go to sleep. The threat causes a strong desire for company
(similar to carboxylic acids) and a fear to be left alone. Thus the patient
falls into a relieving fantasy that he is with friends – he reaches out to them
and calls them by name. Heart symptoms and bangina are strong physical symptoms
of the nitriles. The patient may shriek out in pain
and fear. With this apprehension may also be the typical organic
chemical confusion. When this is extreme, the patient is lost and disoriented.
There can be difficulty of thinking and absent-mindedness, forgetting of
appointments. To understand the state, we can reflect upon the consciousness of a
condemned prisoner: strapped in a chair, left alone in a dismal room, knowing
that death is seconds away. He may call out for help, weep violently, rant or
bite at those confining him. Yet all of this behavior is in vain and he knows
it. Additional physical characteristics include: Spasms, especially of the
hands, face and throat. Cyanosis. Contractures. Cancer of the tongue.
Convulsions and petit mal. Dysphagia. Like the other halogens, there are many
throat and larynx symptoms.
Rubrics
Absence, frequent: Hydr-ac. Merc-cy. Zinc-cy. Anxiety from pain:
Hydr-ac. Merc-cy. Fear death: Hydr-ac. Kali-fcy.
Face; Discoloration bluish: Hydr-ac. Kali-cy. Face, old expression:
Hydr-ac. Kali-fcy.
Throat; Swallowing, difficult: Hydr-ac. Kali-cy. Merc-cy.
Provings and Cases
Hydr-ac.: Experience under hypnosis: “He lost his parents in the chaos,
only clinging to his teddy bear. He was hustled along in a group, and finally
told to undress to take a shower. Many naked people were jammed together into a
large room, and then they started to scream and to tumble down on top of him.
Being shorter than most, he was one of the last to breathe in the deadly fumes
of the gas, Zyclon B (cyanide). He died in
terror and pain.” Collins
Kali-cy.: “It’s heartbreaking – especially not getting to be with my
wife.
I’m allergic even to the bedding in our home. I’m like a homeless
person. I don’t know where I’m going to sleep. I’m a fugitive – on the run. On
the margin of society. I’m not highly thought of, no social support.
There’s very little support in the world. Nothing works, I could just
spiral down and down.” Herrick/Morrison
Nitrile Remedies
Amyg-am. Arg-cy. Chinin-hydr. Ferr-cy. Hydr-ac. Kali-cy. Merc-cy.
Merc-scy. Zinc-cy.
Related Remedies: Kali-ferr (Kali-fcy). Zinc-fcy.
SUGARS
Sugars are best understood as a sub-category of Carboxylic Acids.
Structurally there are great similarities but more importantly the inner state
is often indistinguishable. Confirming their importance as a source of energy
in the body, the patient who needs one of these remedies often has a
great deal of difficulty with food and nutrition. Smits has written about the
importance of Saccharum Album in hypoglycemia and diabetes. Seeing deeper into
the nature of the remedy, he elucidated the sense of deprivation often
associated with the remedy.
This is true of all of the sugar remedies. The patient feels he is being
neglected even when people are doing everything in their power to help him. The
Buddhists call such individuals “hungry ghosts” in reference to unsatisfied
spirits whose mouths are too shriveled to take in more than a drop of
refreshment. It is as if the patient has been unable to assimilate the
sweetness of life – or has been given none. He becomes demanding and
aggressive. The strongest symptom associated with this group of remedies is
sarcasm and contempt. The patient is unable to hold his tongue and frequently
scolds and harangues others in the most cutting terms.
Galeazzi: the opposite side of these remedies, is a compulsive desire to
sweeten everything around him, sometimes becoming almost unbearably sweet. In
the failed state the patient may be subject to depression and great anxiety.
Physically, the patient often suffers with disorders of blood sugar,
diabetes, anorexia or other disorders of nutrition. Many complaints are
ameliorated by eating. Conversely, these remedies may be indicated in digestive
troubles and food intolerance. Especially there is great rumbling and flatus (as in the carboxylic acids).
Restlessness is a frequent complaint. Also disorders of yeast are common such
as tinea or thrush. Due to the carboxylic acid moiety, the sugar remedies fall
in the Typhoid miasm.
Rubrics
Censorious: Lac-ac. Sac-l. Forsaken: Lac-ac. Sac-alb. Homesick: Sac-alb.
Sac-l.
Sarcasm: Lac-ac. Sac-alb. Sac-l.
Want of childish cheerfulness: Sac-alb.
Provings and Cases
Lac-ac: Intense ugliness (repulsiveness, hideousness) and hatefulness;
writes to her best friends all sorts of mean and contemptible things. Becomes
easily peevish and mistrustful; believes himself intentionally injured (hurt,
prejudice) by all his environments, and attaches the most hateful significance
to the most innocent occurrences.
Lac-ac: “Her mother badgered the life out of her, she had no contact
with her father and her brother took his frustrations out on her. She left home
in consequence.” Case of hypoglycemia, Scholten
Sac-alb: “Refuses to be cuddled, but asks for much attention. She says
to her mother, ‘You don’t love me anymore.’ Feels that she is accused of
everything and that her brother is always in the right.”
Behavior disorder, Smits
Sac-l.: It was as if she was young once more, and longed for something
which she feared she could not get. Feeling of grievance and neglect, and as if
her old long forgotten troubles were brought back to her. Cross and
faultfinding, could not speak a pleasant word to anyone.
Sac-l.: Intense nervousness, seems as if she would fly out of her skin; wakes at 3 h.,
and does not sleep again till 7 h., worries about all sorts of things.
Succ-fr.: “Great depression of the mind and spirits. Worries much over
his disease.” Yingling
Sugar Remedies
Acer-s. Mel. Sac-l. Sac-alb. Succ-fr.
Related Remedies: Lac-ac. Salin. Tann-ac.
TERPENES
These plant-derived chemicals have a fresh, stimulating fragrance and
effect. All of us have used Vick’s VapoRub which combines several terpenes –
there is a pleasant, warm-cold sensation which creates an openness in the chest
and whole respiratory tract. They also produce a mild euphoric or excitement
feeling. This translates into the main mental characteristics for their
homeopathic use.
The patient feels a type of uplifted and excited sensation. They have
many ideas which they pursue with enthusiasm and intensity. There is a drive
for activity – both physical and mental. They may dream of excited flying or adventures. Despite this
stimulated state, the patient is analytical and has a practical side and a
consciousness of finances. Alternately, the patient suffers with a sense of
boredom when unable to find an outlet for these excitements. Pathology develops
when the patient is let down by family or co-workers. Rage and mania are the
result. Physically, the patient suffers from neuralgia, strong inflammations of the organs or serous
membranes, urinary problems or especially respiratory difficulties. Left
frontal headaches, glossitis and chemical sensitivity syndromes. Generally of
the Tubercular miasm.
Rubrics
Mind:
Activity; desire for: Eucal. Menth. Delirium, maniacal: Camph. Ter.
Ideas abundant: Camph. Menthol. Ter.
Head: Pain;
Forehead; Eye; above left: Camph. Menthol. Ter.
Provings and Cases
Camph.: Never felt better; ideas never more lively or clearer; it
appeared as if the intellectual powers were increased; champagne never brought
on a more pleasing intoxication (after half an hour).
Eucal.: Pleasant general excitement, shown by irresistible desire for
moving about and a feeling of buoyancy.
Menth.: Eager for work and dispatches it quickly.
Tere-l.: I accomplished everything and more. Overcame obstacles
effortlessly.
Terpene Remedies
Camph. Eucal. Gaul. Menth. Menthol. Ol-Sant. Ter. Tere-ch. Ter-l. Related Remedies: Camph-ac. Camph-br.
Vorwort/Suchen Zeichen/Abkürzungen Impressum