Encyclopedia of Homeopathy

94 •MAJOR MINERAL REMEDIESPhosphorusPHOSPHORUSKEY SYMPTOMS affectionate, open nature • tearfulness • cravings for colddrinks & salty foods • burning pains • person feels worse for lying on theleft side of the bodyPhosphorus was discovered in the 17th century by the German alchemistHennig Brand. He kept secret his method of extracting it from urine, but itwas soon discovered by the Irish chemist Robert Boyle. The name is derivedfrom the Greek phosphoros, or “light-bringing,” since the element glows inthe dark. From 1669 the unstable, highly toxic white (or yellow)phosphorus was used to make fireworks and matches, but by 1845 it hadbeen replaced by the nontoxic red form. The remedy was proved byHahnemann and published in his Chronic Diseases (1821–34).White phosphorus isvolatile and igniteson contact with airWater prevents elementfrom coming into contactwith oxygen, which wouldcause spontaneouscombustionREMEDY PROFILEPeople who love being the center of attentionrespond best to Phosphorus. Like a match thatsparks readily but burns out intensely, theyare artistic, expressive, and affectionate, butmay offer more than they can sustain. Illnessor stress rapidly exhausts their energy, makingthem lethargic and indifferent toward lovedones, but highly responsive to any sympathyoffered. They feel better for short naps.Vague anxieties crystallize into concretefears when ill, leading to nervous fatigueand tension.Cravings for salty, spicy, or sweet foods, andcold, carbonated drinks or cold milk aretypical. Warm foods or drinks may upset thestomach, as may cold drinks once they havewarmed up in the stomach.Phosphorus is prescribed for circulationproblems, bleeding, digestive disorders, chestcomplaints, and burning pains.Poor circulationSYMPTOMS The extremities feel burning hot,yet are cold to the touch. Erratic blood flowmay cause a weak pulse, hot flushes, fainting,dizziness, or palpitations. There may beburning neuralgic pain (see right), anda sense of suffocation, possibly triggered byemotion or menopause.Symptoms better For cold; for massage;for lying on the right side; for sleeping;for eating.Symptoms worse For lying on the leftside; for thundery weather; foremotional stress.BleedingSYMPTOMS Profuse, bright red blood flow,especially from the nose, gums, and lining of thestomach. Menstrual flow may be heavy. Theskin bruises easily and anemia may set in.Symptoms better For cold; for massage; forlying on the right side; for sleeping; for eating.Symptoms worse For lying on the left side; forthundery weather; for emotional stress.Digestive disordersSYMPTOMS Nausea, vomiting, and constipation,often due to food poisoning, stress, stomachulcers, or gastroenteritis. Other symptomsinclude a saliva-filled mouth and burning painin the stomach, or heartburn. Stools are long,ribbonlike, and may be blood-streaked. Ice-coldfoods and drinks are craved, but then causevomiting once they warm up in the stomach.Symptoms better For lying on the right side;for eating; for cold foods or drinks.Symptoms worse For lying on the left side; forstuffy rooms; for emotional stress; for warmfoods or salt.Respiratory illnessSYMPTOMS A sore throat and dry, ticklycough, possibly causing retching andvomiting. Phlegm is streaked with dark-redblood. Chest tightness may be due toasthma, bronchitis, or pneumonia. Coldstend to go straight to the chest.Symptoms better For sitting up; for lying onthe right side of the body; for sleep; for coldfoods or drinks.Symptoms worse For lying on the left side;for laughing; for warm foods or drinks.PHOSPHORUS Overexposure to the white form ofthe element can be deadly, since it is highly toxic.SOURCE DETAILSORIGINA pale yellow element with a distinct odor,occurring in the mineral calcium phosphatein volcanic regions. The main deposits arefound in North Africa.BACKGROUNDUsed medicinally for headaches, pneumonia,measles, rheumatic pain, malaria, andepilepsy until the 19th century, when itstoxic nature became widely known.PREPARATIONWhite phosphorus is used for the remedy.This waxy substance is insoluble in water,so it is dissolved in alcohol, filtered, thenrepeatedly diluted and succussed.COMMON NAMESPhosphorus, white phosphorus,yellow phosphorus.Burning painsSYMPTOMS Burning neuralgic pains in thelimbs, spine, or stomach, possibly with pinsand needles and numbness, especially inthe limbs, spine, or shoulder blades.Symptoms better For cold compresses;for massage.Symptoms worse For windy weather;for emotional stress.See also Respiration, pages 180, 224; Palpitations, page 186; Digestion, pages 188, 234; Reproduction, page 198