Encyclopedia of Homeopathy

MAJOR MINERAL REMEDIES• 91Natrum carbonicumNAT. CARB.KEY SYMPTOMS devoted to loved ones • suppression of emotions• weak ankles • sensitivity to sunlight • intolerance of milkRoughly 35 million tons of sodium carbonate are producedindustrially each year, particularly for use in making glass,ceramics, paper, and detergents. Traditionally, its use in medicinewas largely confined to external remedies; as a homeopathicremedy, it is used for digestive problems, nervous disorders, andskin complaints. Nat. carb. was proved by Hahnemann, withDrs. Gross, Hering, Langhammer, and others, and publishedin Hahnemann’s Chronic Diseases (1821–34).REMEDY PROFILEPeople for whom Nat. carb. is most suited arevery sensitive. They usually have an inabilityto assimilate things on both an emotional anda physical level. For example, there may be anemotional inability to tolerate noise, music,thunderstorms, hot weather, and even otherpeople. Physically, this inability to assimilatethings might, for example, manifest asdigestive problems. These people tend todevote their lives to one person, sacrificingeverything to this relationship. Prone tosuppressing emotions, they tend to actcheerful even when sad, which compoundsthe mental strain, fatigue, and irritabilitythey often feel.People who respond to Nat. carb. may findthat mental stress or physical exercise whentired aggravates their symptoms.Digestive disordersSYMPTOMS Indigestion with belching,sourness, and a feeling of nausea. There isa marked intolerance of milk, so thatingestion of even the smallest amount oftencauses diarrhea. The abdomen may feelpainful when touched and there may bethirst, especially when the stomach is upset.An empty, gnawing sensation in the stomachis common, especially around 5 a.m., andmay be assuaged by getting up and eatingsomething sweet. Constant nibbling,especially of bread and sweets, is a typicalaccompanying symptom.Symptoms better For pressure on theabdomen; for movement; for eating littleand often.Symptoms worse For heat and sun; forsympathy and fuss; for drinking milk.Colds & catarrhSYMPTOMS Colds that are aggravated by sittingin a draft, with catarrh running down theback of the throat. The catarrh may smell foul.Symptoms better For perspiring.Symptoms worse For drafts; every second day.HeadachesSYMPTOMS Headaches that alternate with painin the stomach, accompanied by sensitivity tonoise and music. Headaches may be causedby studying or other demanding mentalactivity, or by overexposure to the sun. Theremay be a feeling of dizziness.Symptoms better For movement; for eating.Symptoms worse For sun and hot weather; fordrafts; for thunderstorms; for mental exertion.Skin conditionsSYMPTOMS A wide variety of skin complaints,such as warts, moles, blisters, and corns, witheither very dry skin or a tendency to perspirevery easily. There may be extreme sensitivityto sunlight, with the result that even the slightestexposure may cause sunburn or sunstroke.Symptoms better For pressing on, rubbing,or scratching the affected skin.Symptoms worse For heat.Ankle weaknessSYMPTOMS Easily sprained or dislocatedankles, particularly in children.Symptoms better For rubbing or pressing onthe ankle.Symptoms worse For overexertion.SODIUM CARBONATE Sodium carbonate is usedworldwide in products such as household cleaners,water softeners, and soap.SOURCE DETAILSCrystals form whenbrine and seawaterabsorb carbon dioxideORIGINOnce extracted from the ashes of burnedseaweed, but now chemically preparedusing sodium chloride, ammonia, andcarbon dioxide.BACKGROUNDTraditionally used in 19th-century Westernmedicine as a treatment for burns, eczema,catarrh, and vaginal discharges.PREPARATIONSodium carbonate is mixed with lactosesugar and triturated to grind it into a powderfine enough to be soluble in water.COMMON NAMESSodium carbonate, soda ash, washing soda.ExhaustionSYMPTOMS Nervous fatigue due tooverexposure to the sun or overwork.The legs may feel weak and heavy.Symptoms better For rubbing or pressingon the affected area.Symptoms worse For heat; for noise;for any exertion.See also Infertility, page 203; Allergies, page 206; Phobias, page 211; Depression, page 212