Encyclopedia of Homeopathy

72 •MAJOR MINERAL REMEDIESAluminum oxydatumALUMINAKEY SYMPTOMS sense of feeling hurried and flustered • fatigue and sluggishness• failing memory • dryness of the skin and mucous membranesSignificant amounts of aluminum absorbed into the body are thought bysome to cause the mental processes to slow down. Some evidence suggeststhat it may aid the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Sources of ingestedaluminum in humans may include drinking water, baking powder, foodadditives, and indigestion remedies. Alumina, proved by Hahnemann andpublished in his Materia Medica Pura (1821–34), is given chieflyfor sluggish states and dementia.REMEDY PROFILEAlumina is best suited to those who are generallysluggish. They may be in a state of deep despair,and fear that something awful is about tohappen. Fear of insanity is not uncommon,especially on sighting sharp objects and knives,which may even trigger suicidal thoughts.Reactions to external stimuli and questions areslow, yet despite this, these people often feel asense of haste, hurry, and confusion.Typical physical symptoms include dry, grayskin and dry, sore mucous membranes. Inaddition, there may be a lack of coordination,weakness, and fatigue, possibly associatedwith chronic illness.Alumina is typically used for elderlypeople who are senile and confused, with apoor memory. It is also suited to delicatebabies. The remedy is given to treat fatigue,nervous complaints, constipation, andunusual food cravings.and the eye muscles may beaffected, causing droopingeyelids and squinting.Symptoms better For fresh air;in the evening.Symptoms worse For cold air; in themorning; for salty and starchy foods.Rock isvery denseand hardDementiaSYMPTOMS Deterioration of mental processesleading to sluggish and absent-mindedbehavior. Those affected may forget whothey are and feel as if they are talking,hearing, or smelling through someone else’ssenses. There is often a sense of being adriftfrom the body. Elderly people are mostcommonly affected. The remedy may begiven to treat Alzheimer’s disease.Symptoms better For damp weather; in theevening; for moderate exertion.Symptoms worse For warm rooms; upon waking.ALUMINUM The mineral bauxite is the mainsource of aluminum, since it is composedof hydrated aluminum oxides.POWDERED ALUMINUMSOURCE DETAILSBAUXITEORIGINObtained from bauxite, a dense mineral thatis predominantly found in Ghana, Jamaica,the US, France, Italy, Hungary, Indonesia,and Russia.BACKGROUNDUsed as an antacid in indigestion remedies,and in cooking utensils. Controversiallythought by some to be a factor in triggeringthe onset of Alzheimer’s disease.FatigueSYMPTOMS Great weakness, sluggishness,and exhaustion. The skin is pallid, andthe legs are heavy and tired, even whensitting. This weakness may be the resultof chronic illness.Symptoms better For damp weather; formoderate exertion; while eating.Symptoms worse For warm rooms; uponwaking; for lying or sitting down.Nervous disordersSYMPTOMS Numbness, “pins and needles,” asensation of muscle paralysis and fatigue, andslow, weak movements. The extremities maybecome uncoordinated (locomotor ataxia),ConstipationSYMPTOMS Sluggish bowels or severeconstipation. The rectum characteristically feelsparalyzed, and great effort is required to expeleven small, soft stools. Pregnant women,newborn babies, and children are mostcommonly affected. Alumina mayalso help elderly or sedentary people who havesevere constipation and no urge to pass stools.Symptoms better For fresh air; in the evening;for warm foods and drinks.Symptoms worse For cold air; for heat; in themorning; for salty and starchy foods.Appetite disordersSYMPTOMS A dry mouth and throat, withcravings for dry foods or inedible substancesPREPARATIONAluminum oxide crystals are extracted frombauxite using an industrial process. They arethen triturated with lactose sugar, filtered,diluted, and succussed.COMMON NAMESAluminum oxide, pure clay.such as pencils, chalk, clay, tea leaves, andcoffee grounds. The cravings appear to be forsubstances that actually contain aluminum.Symptoms better For fresh air; in the evening;for warm foods and drinks.Symptoms worse For starchy, salty, or highlyprocessed foods.See also Constipation, page 238