Minor Homoeopathic Remedies F

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Ferrum metallicum

Ferrum met.; iron Iron is a very important mineral in the body, being a part of the haemoglobin molecule. Haemoglobin is the iron-containing pigment in red blood cells that combines with oxygen in the lungs from where it is transported and supplied to all cells and tissues. If there is a deficiency of iron in the blood, which can arise for a number of different reasons, the result is anaemia.

The person becomes pale, tired and breathless, especially with any form of exertion, and body systems cannot function properly. Iron is widely used in conventional medicine as well as homoeopathy. The source is iron ore, and haematite, a red-coloured bulbous deposit found in association with various rocks, particularly in North America, Canada and Venezuela, is especially rich in this mineral.

The homoeopathic remedy is used for circulatory disorders and anaemia. The person is frequently tired and listless, looks pale and feels chilled and may have cold hands and feet, but at the same time is often restless. The person soon becomes exhausted and may be breathless with physical exertion. The tiredness may cause irritability, depression and changes of mood. People suitable for Ferrum met. are frequently well built and appear robust but suffer from the symptoms described above. They dislike food rich in fat or cholesterol but enjoy pickled and sour foods. They may be allergic to eggs but like tomatoes.

Fiuoricum acidum

Fluor, ac; hydrofluoric acid Hydrofluoric acid has several industrial uses, particularly in the manufacture of metals and glassware, being used for cleaning and etching. It is obtained by a distillation process involving sulphuric acid and calcium fluoride with the production of hydrogen fluoride gas.

When this gas is passed through water it dissolves to give hydrofluoric acid, which contains fluorine. Fluorine is an important constituent of teeth and bones and is a strengthening substance. The homoeopathic remedy is used to treat disorders of connective tissue, bones and teeth. Varicose veins and ulcers, bone pain and tumours and decaying, softened teeth may benefit from Fluor ac.

People suitable for this remedy are frequently rather selfish and self-centred and not inclined to commit themselves to others. They are worldly and materialistic and tend to judge success in life in financial terms. Fluor, ac. people lack spiritual and emotional understanding and may have a high sex drive. They manage with little sleep and are very active, seldom feeling cold or tired.

Formica rufa

Red ant The homoeopathic remedy is obtained from the body of the crushed red ant. It is suitable for conditions producing symptoms of hot, burning, stabbing pains such as may affect joints, as in arthritic, rheumatic and gouty disorders. It is also used for severe headaches and numbness affecting the face. There may be an inability to concentrate, vagueness or slight for-getfulness.

Fragaria vesca

Wild strawberry, wood strawberry This plant is a native species of most European countries, including Britain. It is a low, creeping plant with a tangle of stalks and leaves, and produces white flowers followed by small red berries that are covered with tiny seeds. The flavour of the fruit is delicious and fragrant and has long been valued as food. The fruit, and especially the leaves, have been used for hundreds of years for medicinal purposes, the plant having diuretic, astringent and laxative properties.

Preparations made from the plant were used to treat kidney stones and urinary complaints, wounds, gout, tooth decay and diarrhoea. The cut strawberries rubbed on the skin help to relieve sunburn and other skin complaints and remove stains when applied to the teeth. The homoeopathic remedy is used to alleviate an allergic reaction to strawberries, especially when this causes a skin rash and itching. It is also used for stones in the kidneys or gall bladder, a build-up of tartar on the teeth and chilblains or sunburn.

Fraxinus americana

American white ash Ash trees of the genus Fraxinus have been used for medicinal purposes in many different countries. Various parts of the plant have been used, especially the bark, leaves, fruit and 'keys'. The bark of the American white ash, which grows in the United States, is used to prepare a homoeopathic remedy. It has astringent and tonic properties and is used in homoeopathy to treat a prolapsed uterus with dragging lower abdominal pain and also for fibroids.