Encyclopedia of Homeopathy

MAJOR MINERAL REMEDIES• 85Hydrargyrum metallicum syn. Mercurius solubilis HahnemanniMERC. SOL.KEY SYMPTOMS foul-smelling discharges • reserved, suspicious state of mind • insecurity• copious perspiration that does not relieve conditions • person feels worse at nightEgyptian papyri dating from 1600 BCE record the early medicinal use of mercury,which later spread to the Greeks, Romans, and Arabs. Its use persisted through to1900 in the West as an aggressive treatment for syphilis and other diseases, untilits toxic effects were deemed too dangerous. Merc. sol. was proved by Hahnemannand published in his Materia Medica Pura (1821–34). It is given primarily forulcers, glandular problems, and offensive-smelling discharges.MERCURY This mineraloften forms as a liquidin volcanic rockssuch as cinnabar.MERCURY DEPOSITIN CLOSE-UPREMEDY PROFILEPeople who benefit most from Merc. sol. areanxious and restless. A need for stability andorder gives them a conservative facade. In tryingto restrain an inner sense of urgency, theybecome insecure, introverted, and suspicious,appearing detached and even arrogant in theirdealings with people. They bottle up feelings ofconflict until they explode in a blind rage. Ifunwell, they slow down in mind and body, butnever lose their inner sense of restlessness.Illness may bring on confusion, a weak memory,hesitant speech, and weepiness. Constanthunger is typical, with cravings for bread, butter,and cold drinks such as milk or beer, butaversions to other alcoholic drinks, coffee, meat,and sweet foods.Typical physical symptoms include abscesses,ulcers, fever, swollen glands, and copioussweating. Bodily discharges, such as sweat,saliva, urine, and stools, are often foul-smelling.Symptoms are worse at night, and areaggravated by extremes of heat or cold(moderate temperatures are necessary forrecovery). Excessive salivation is common,as is constant swallowing and dribbling onthe pillow at night.Mouth & throat conditionsSYMPTOMS Mouth ulcers on the tongue, walls ofthe mouth, and gums. Sore, raised, creamcoloredpatches may form in the mouth, usuallyindicating oral thrush. A sore throat maybecome ulcerated, and tonsillitis may set in.Abscesses may form in the roots of the teeth,causing painful swelling. Gums may becomepainfully inflamed and prone to bleeding(gingivitis). The teeth may also ache and loosen.Pain brought on by a toothache or a sore throatmay extend to the ears. Other typical symptomstreated by Merc. sol. include a bitter taste inthe mouth, halitosis, swollen glands, fever(see below), and a yellow-coated tongue thatmay bear tooth marks.Symptoms better For rest; for moderatetemperatures; for applying warm compresses.Symptoms worse For extreme heat or cold;for sweating; for hot or cold foods and drinks.Catarrh & coldsSYMPTOMS Watery, yellow or greenish catarrhthat has a foul, strong odor, with constantsneezing, and a raw, burning sensation in thenose. Chills, aches, fever (see below), andinfluenza are accompanied by a bitter-tastingmouth, a headache, and a sore throat (see below,left). Pain in the sinuses may extend to the teeth(see below, left) and ears (see below).Symptoms better For rest; formoderate temperatures.Symptoms worse For extreme heat or cold;for lying on the right side; for sweating.Eye & ear infectionsSYMPTOMS Light-sensitive, swollen, watery, orinflamed eyes that exude a nasty yellow,greenish, or blood-flecked discharge, which maybe due to conjunctivitis. Merc. sol. is also usedfor ear pains with a thick, yellowy green,bloody, and foul-smelling discharge.Symptoms better For rest; formoderate temperatures.Symptoms worse For extreme heat or cold; atnight; for stooping; for touch.FeverSYMPTOMS High temperature with profuse,offensive-smelling perspiration that chills theskin. The fever often occurs with swollen glands,neuralgic pain, and a viselike headache.Symptoms better For rest; forCINNABARSOURCE DETAILSORIGINDeposits are extracted from cinnabar, foundnear volcanic vents and hot springs inSpain, Italy, the US, Peru, and China.BACKGROUNDAdvocated by Paracelsus, 16th-centuryscientist, and used medicinally for centuries:Charles II and George Washington were bothprescribed it.PREPARATIONMercury is dissolved in nitric acid, forming agray powder precipitate. This is then filtered,dried, and triturated until soluble.COMMON NAMESMercury, quicksilver, black oxide of mercury,ammonio-nitrate of mercury. Many differentmercury preparations are available.moderate temperatures.Symptoms worse For changes in temperature;for intense heat; for sweating; at night; for lyingon the right side.ThrushSYMPTOMS Itchy, burning vaginal discharge inwomen, and itchy, red spots on the penis inmen, with a discharge.Symptoms better For bathing in cool water;for rest.Symptoms worse For touch; for humidity.See also Pneumonia, page 183; Osteoarthritis, page 196; Mouth, page 232; Children’s health, page 246