Minor Homoeopathic Remedies N

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Naja naja

Naja; Naja tripudians, venom of the cobra The cobra, which has the habit of drawing itself erect and extending the skin below its neck to form a hood before it strikes, has long been both revered and feared. The snake is capable of shooting its venom into the eyes of its prey from a distance of six feet away, which causes blindness. The bite of the cobra may prove fatal, affecting the heart and lungs, causing collapse and death. The dried venom, which is bright yellow, is used to prepare the homoeopathic remedy.

It is used to treat left-sided symptoms, particularly of the heart, but also of the left ovary. Symptoms include crushing, choking pain as in angina, with the pain extending to the left shoulder and down the arm and hand. The pulse may be slow and the person feels breathless and oppressed. Ovarian pain may extend to the upper left-hand side of the body.

Asthma that comes on after an attack of hay fever may be treated with Naja. The symptoms are made worse by lying on the left side, by cold draughts and following sleep. They are also aggravated by wearing tight, constricting clothing and drinking alcohol. For women, symptoms are worse following the monthly period.

Natrum carbonicum

Nat. carb.; sodium carbonate, soda ash Sodium carbonate was once derived from the ashes of burnt seaweed but is now obtained from a chemical process. It is used industrially in the manufacture of detergents, soaps and glass-making. Sodium carbonate has various uses in conventional medicine, being used in creams and ointments to treat burns, eczema and other skin conditions. Also, it is used in preparations to clear up catarrh and vaginal discharge.

The homoeopathic remedy was investigated and proved by Hahnemann. It is used to treat a variety of skin disorders such as eczema, chapped, dry, sore skin, cold sores, moles, warts, corns and blisters. Also, for sore throats and catarrh, headache and indigestion. Symptoms are made worse by warm, humid weather, heat in any form, including being out in the hot sun.

They are relieved by eating. People suitable for Nat. carb. have a sensitive, kind and intuitive nature, always ready to provide a sympathetic audience to others. They are devoted to their family and friends and give generously of themselves, endeavouring to be cheerful even when feeling unwell or depressed. They tend to be delicate and prone to digestive upsets, especially being intolerant of milk and dairy products. Ankles are another weak point, tending to be easily strained or sprained. Nat. carb. people are highly sensitive to music and are upset by noise and thunderstorms. They are soon exhausted by physical activity.

Natrum phosphoricum

Nat. phos.; sodium phosphate Sodium phosphate occurs naturally in body cells and is one of the SCHUSSLER TISSUE SALTS (see GLOSSARY). It is involved in the regulation of acidity in body tissues and fluids, and in complex metabolic chemical processes utilizing fatty acids. It is derived from a chemical reaction between sodium carbonate and phosphoric acid. It is a useful remedy for symptoms caused by an excess of lactic acid or uric acid. Excess lactic acid may be caused by a diet too rich in milk, dairy products or fatty foods. Also, there may be an excess of gastric or stomach acid, and this may be connected with eating too much sour food.

The symptoms are those of acid indigestion with a sour taste in the mouth, wind and abdominal pains. An excess of uric acid is present in people suffering from gout with painful, inflamed stiff joints. Symptoms are made worse by thunderstorms and by eating fatty, sour or sweet foods and with physical exertion. They improve for being out in the fresh, clean air and for cool, airy surroundings. People suitable for this remedy tend to be refined and somewhat timid and prone to blush easily. They are easily exhausted but are inclined to be restless or slightly agitated. They do not accept advice readily and are prone to dissatisfaction and depression.

Natrum sulphuricum

Nat. sulph.; sodium sulphate, Glauber's salt, sal mirabile
Sodium sulphate is a naturally occurring substance within the body and is involved in the regulation of the salt/water balance in tissues and fluids. It is found in natural brines associated with salt lakes or can be manufactured by a chemical process. Sodium sulphate is used in industry in the manufacture of wood pulp and paper, glass, chemicals and detergents. It was investigated and proved by Schussler and is one of the tissue salts {see GLOSSARY).

It is used in the treatment of liver disorders including jaundice, digestive complaints with indigestion and colicky pains, severe chesty conditions such as bronchitis and asthma, and bladder problems with urinary frequency. It is also used to relieve mental symptoms that arise after a head injury, such as depression or personality changes. Symptoms are made worse by damp, cold weather or surroundings and by lying on the back. The symptoms are worse at night and during the morning.

Symptoms are relieved by cool, fresh, dry conditions and being out in the fresh air. Symptoms improve if the person changes position. People suitable for Nat. sulph. may either be very serious, keeping their emotions tightly controlled and putting up a front that may hide severe depression and suicidal thoughts. Or the depression may be more apparent, and they can become emotional on hearing music or contemplating art. These types are less repressed but still tend to suffer from depression. Nat. sulph. people are often somewhat materialistic and are very sensitive to damp weather with a tendency for asthma and chesty complaints with catarrh.

Nicotiana tabacum

Tabacum; tobacco The tobacco plant derives its Latin name from Jean Nicot, a Portuguese diplomat who was an ambassador for France in South America during the 1500s. He brought tobacco to France in about 1560, but it had long been used by the Indian peoples. The plant has a hairy stem and leaves, giving off a narcotic odour. It contains nicotine, which is a powerful poison causing sickness and nausea, palpitations, sweating, headache and giddiness.

It is now well established that smoking tobacco is a major cause of premature death. The homoeopathic remedy is prepared from the fresh leaves of the plant and is given as a remedy for nausea and vomiting, such as in travel sickness, vertigo and disorders affecting the organs of balance in the ears. Symptoms are made worse by even slight movements such as turning the head, and for heat and tobacco smoke. They improve in cold surroundings and after vomiting.

Nitric acidum

Nitric ac; nitric acid, aqua fortis This is a burning, extremely corrosive, clear liquid that gives off choking fumes that cause death by inhalation. Its industrial uses are mainly in the manufacture of agricultural fertilizers and high explosives. It has been used medicinally in extremely dilute form to treat severe infections and fevers, and to dissolve stones in the kidneys or bladder. It has been applied externally to the skin to burn away warts. Nitric acid is derived from a chemical reaction between sulphuric acid and sodium nitrate.

The homoeopathic remedy is used to treat sharp, stabbing pains that may be intermittent in nature and are associated with piles, or haemorrhoids, anal fissure, ulcers in the mouth or on the skin, severe sore throat with ulceration, thrush infections and ulcers in the stomach or duodenum. Usually, the affected person suffers from broken, cracked skin with a tendency for ulcers and warts, and usually feels cold. The urine and other bodily secretions have a strong, pungent odour. Symptoms are worse for acidic fruits and drinks, milk, touch or pressure and movement.

They are more severe at night and improve with heat and warm, dry surroundings. People suitable for Nitric ac. tend to be selfish, self-centred and apt to hold long grudges against others. They feel that everyone is against them but are themselves apt to fly into a rage and take offence very easily. They like to re-examine events and slights of the past and may be suspicious of other people. When ill, they are very fearful and worry that they may die.

Nux moschata

Nux mosch.; Myristicafragrans, nutmeg The nutmeg tree grows mainly on an Indonesian island called Banda, which is one of the Molucca group, and also in the Fax East and India. It was introduced to Constantinople (Istanbul) from India in about 540 AD and soon became widely used both for culinary, cosmetic and medicinal purposes. It was used to treat digestive upsets and headache and rheumatic pain.

In herbal medicine, the remedy is given for sharper, clearer eyesight. In large doses, nutmeg produces hallucinogenic symptoms of drowsiness, giddiness and unsteadiness, with unco-ordinated movements and fainting. The homoeopathic tincture is made from the inner seeds without their outer tough husks. The remedy is mainly given for mental and emotional disorders and digestive upsets. Symptoms include hysteria, agitation, excitement and exhaustion and drowsiness and confusion that may follow an epileptic attack or stroke.

Also, for abdominal pains and indigestion, constipation and inflammation of the gastro-intesti-nal tract. People who benefit from this remedy have a need for fluids being somewhat dehydrated, but do not feel any great desire to drink. Symptoms are made worse by sudden changes in the weather and damp and cool conditions.

They improve for being warm, wearing plenty of clothes and for high humidity.