Homoeopathic Remedies in Common Use H

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Hepar sulphuris calcareum

Hepar sulph.; sulphide of calcium This remedy is impure calcium sulphide, which is obtained by heating crushed and powdered oyster shells with flowers of sulphur. This is an old remedy that was, at one time, applied externally to treat swellings caused by tuberculosis, gout, rheumatism and thyroid disorders (goitre) and also itching skin. It was investigated and proved by Hahnemann as a remedy for the toxic effects of mercury, which was widely used by contemporary physicians.

It is now used to treat infections and any condition where there is a discharge of foul-smelling pus. It is used to treat skin conditions where the skin is highly sensitive to touch, such as boils and acne, and also, tonsillitis, sinusitis, earache, sore throat, hoarseness and laryngitis, mouth ulcers and cold sores. A wheezing, croup-like type of cough or chesty cough that may develop into a cold or influenza is helped by Hepar sulph.

This remedy helps those who, when ill, tend to produce bodily secretions that have an unpleasant sour smell. During illness, those who benefit from this remedy are irritable, difficult to please and easily offended. They are difficult patients who make unreasonable demands and hate noise or disturbance, being touched or cold air.

Symptoms are worse for cold and for getting chilled when undressing during winter and for touch. They improve with warmth and warm applications and for covering the head and for eating a meal. People suitable for Hepar sulph. tend to be overweight, lethargic, with pale skin and often depressed. They feel that life has dealt with them harshly and feel the symptoms of illness and pain acutely. They may appear to be calm but tend to be anxious and restless.

Hypericum perforatum

Hypericum, St John's wort A perennial herbaceous plant that is a native of Britain, Europe and Asia, but is cultivated throughout the world. It grows between one and three feet in height, producing elongated, oval dark green leaves that appear to be covered in minute spots or holes (hence perforatum, or perforate). In fact, these are minute oil-secreting glands that secrete a bright red solution. The large, bright yellow flowers appear in June, July and August and have small black dots around the edges of the petals.

The crushed flowers produce a blood-coloured juice that was used, in early times, to treat raw wounds. It was also believed that the plant could be hung up to ward off evil spirits (the name Hypericum being derived from the Greek, meaning 'over an apparition'). There are two traditions associated with the common name, St John's wort. One links the plant with 29 August, believed to be the anniversary of the execution of St John the Baptist.

The other is that the plant is named after an ancient order of knights going back to the time of the Crusades, the knights of St John of Jerusalem. The whole fresh green plant and flowers are used in homoeopathy to produce the mother tincture. It is mainly used to treat damage to nerves and nerve pain following accidental injury. Typically, there are shooting, stabbing pains that radiate upwards, and it is indicated especially where there are many nerve endings concentrated in a particular part of the body, e.g. the fingers and toes. It is very effective in pains associated with the spinal nerves and spinal cord, concussion, head or eye injuries.

It is also a remedy for wounds and lacerations producing stabbing pains indicating nerve damage, and accidental crushing injuries. It is useful for bites, stings, splinters and puncture wounds, toothache and pain following dental extractions. In addition, it is a treatment for asthma and some digestive complaints of indigestion, sickness and diarrhoea.

It is sometimes helpful in the treatment of piles, or haemorrhoids, and some menstrual problems with accompanying headache. The symptoms are made worse by cold, damp or foggy weather, before a storm and getting chilled when undressing. Also for touch and for a close, stuffy atmosphere. Symptoms improve when the person remains still and tilts the head backwards.