phosphorus

Introduction -

• Phosphorus is a chemical element that exists in combination with other minerals in nature, principally as phosphate salts. As calcium phosphate it is a major component of bones. Its main use is in fertilisers and detergents. White phosphorus is highly reactive and bursts into flames when exposed to warm air hence its name which means “light bearer” in Greek. For this reason is stored in water.

Those who need Phosphorus are usually open, impressionable, warm, friendly, and sympathetic people who enjoy company (though some needing Phosphorus may present as apathetic, withdrawn and vague from a spaced-out or foggy feeling, and not wanting company at all). Phosphorus struggles with anxiety that is always much better for company and reassurance – this anxiety can be about anything or everything. Physical complaints often affect the left side of the body first and common problem areas are the lungs, circulatory system, and nerves.

Phosphorus

Useful for:	Key Symptoms:
ANXIETY	Anxious Fearful, especially of the dark, ghosts Weak
BLEEDING	Profuse bleeding anywhere Usually bright red Dental hemorrhage Nosebleed Postoperative bleeding
PALLOR	Pale, sickly complexion May have circumscribed redness in one or both cheeks Often appears less ill than really is
HOARSENESS	May lose voice
LARYNGITIS	Painful on speaking Throat raw, sore, furry Violent tickling in throat while speaking; sore throat from overuse
COLDS	Descend into chest
COUGHS	Hard, dry, tickling cough Racking cough with trembling Cough increases when talking or breathing cold air Cough hurts throat Sensation of heavy weight in chest
INFLUENZA	Nausea Burning pains in stomach and bowels Night sweats
INDIGESTION	Weak, empty, gone sensation in whole abdominal cavity Craves cold food & drink Pain in stomach, relieved by cold food & ices Regurgitates mouthfuls
NAUSEA	From placing hands in warm water Nausea of pregnancy
VOMITING	Of food scarcely swallowed Vomits as soon as water becomes warm in stomach Sour taste and belching
DIARRHEA	Painless, profuse, debilitating Watery, "pouring away as if from a hydrant" Morning diarrhea of old people Chronic loose stool
CONSTIPATION	Stool slender, long, hard, difficult to pass, like a dog's stool
Better from:	Open air, Rubbing, Cold food or drink
Worse from:	Lying on painful side, Physical or mental exertion, Thunderstorms , Change of weather, Getting wet in hot weather, Warm food, Touch, Craves open air Thirstless with nearly all complaints

History -

• Phosphorus is found in the form of phosphates in both the animal and plant kingdoms. It is essential for the normal functioning of the nervous system, the manufacture of proteins including DNA, the metabolism of foods and the release of energy (photosynthesis in plants.) It activates the vitamin B complex. Most Phosphorus in the body is in bone, as calcium phosphate, but large amounts are also present in the brain, muscles and red blood cells. Phosphate deficiency is very rare as it is widespread in foods, but can occur in certain medical conditions. It can lead to muscle weakness, loss of appetite, joint problems, a bone disease similar to rickets and problems with nerve conduction and brain function.

• Phosphorus was first isolated in 1673, by Brandt, an alchemist in Hamburg, and shortly afterwards by Kunkel in Saxony. After distilling vast quantities of human urine with various chemicals, Brandt was left with a small amount of a brilliantly luminescent material, which was thought to be the elusive Philosopher’s Stone. Although, it lacked the potential to create gold, Phosphorus rapidly became an integral chemical in the alchemists’ repertoire. The name Phosphorus comes from the Greek, meaning the bringer of light. In alchemic circles it was known as the Morning Star, the planet Venus. Its unique properties led to many scientific papers being published about it and its potential medicinal uses.

• Robert Boyle, the father of modern chemistry was fascinated by Phosphorus, and his research into it brought about the separation of alchemy from the more “scientific” chemistry.

• Following its discovery attempts were made to discover its medicinal properties. Kunkel made it into “luminous tablets” which were reputed to heal epilepsy and melancholia (depression). Paracelsus also used Phosphorus and Hahnemann was deeply influenced by his work.

• In the 18th century Phosphorus was found to assist in the treatment of tuberculosis. Phosphorus water, a less toxic form of the element rapidly gained respectability in medical circles. In 1921 the American Medical Association recommended it for the treatment of anaemia and to facilitate new bone formation. It appeared in the British Pharmacopoeia as late as the 1950s, as treatment for nervous exhaustion, depression, pneumonia, impotence and certain eye conditions. The tonics, Sanatogen and Metatone still contain glycero-phosphates. These chemicals are responsible for the uplifting effects of these health tonics.

• Friedrich Nietzche, the philosopher, developed a theory that personality is dependent on the chemicals in the body. He believed that if Phosphorus were lacking, nervous exhaustion and depression would result. Predictably, his ideas were dismissed as the rantings of a madman, but recent advances in psychological medicine are starting to validate his thoughts. The new anti­depressants act by altering brain chemistry.

The devil’s element 

• There is a darker side to Phosphorus, hence its reputation as the devil’s element. It is highly inflammable and thus an essential ingredient in fireworks. It is used in the manufacture of matches, originally called Lucifer sticks. Originally the more toxic white phosphorus was used, nowadays it is red phosphorus. Those working in the match-making factories were exposed to high doses of the chemical and many developed phossy jaw as a result. This horrific condition is characterised by the rotting of teeth and the jaw bones, leading to appalling pain and infection.

• Phosphorus has many military uses; it was used in the First World War as a smoke screen. The billowing clouds masked troop movements. The Molotov cocktail utilises Phosphorus’ incendiary properties. In 1943 Phosphorus bombs were dropped on Hamburg, the city where it was discovered.

• The nerve gases Sarin and Tabun are phosphorus compounds. They act by interfering with the body’s nervous impulses. Both were developed by German scientists looking for new fertilisers. Intensive farming leeches Phosphorus from the soil and the resulting crops suffer. The Black Death of the 14th century led to the death of a third of England’s population. It is believed that it had such a devastating effect because the people were suffering from malnutrition brought on by years of such intensive farming. Crop rotation and leaving a field fallow improves the soil and these measures were brought in after the plague.

• As the population grew it became essential to find more practical methods of improving soil quality. Erasmus Darwin, the grandfather of Charles, advocated the use of bone ash, compost and manure – natural sources of essential plant nutrients, which are still used today in organic farming. Commercial farmers rely on industrially prepared phosphates.

• Phosphates are major food additives, used to prolong shelf life, emulsify fats and as raising agents in baked goods. Phosphoric acid in cola drinks provides the tangy taste, and the “high”. Phosphates are used to bind fluoride in toothpaste. Recent work published in the respected medical journal, The Lancet, proves the long held belief that certain food additives exacerbate hyperactivity and attention deficit disorder. Excess phosphate intake from junk foods leads to problems absorbing iron, calcium, magnesium and zinc. The exclusion of additives and preservatives from the diet has a beneficial effect on many conditions, including eczema and asthma.

• Phosphorus replaced Arsenic as the main ingredient in rat poison and as a consequence was used in murders. Poisoning led to liver failure and the subsequent haemorrhages, a raging thirst, the smell of garlic on the breath, diarrhoea, convulsions and kidney failure. The fact that the organs glowed in the dark led to early arrests, and Rodine was banned under the 1963 Animals (Cruel Poisons) Act.

• The concept of spontaneous human combustion has fascinated people ever since Charles Dickens wrote Bleak House. Many are actually murders or accidents, but there are several cases, which defy logical explanation. It is believed that after ignition takes place, the body acts rather like the wick of a candle, so that the surrounding room is left undamaged while the person is almost completely reduced to ashes. Phosphorus has been implicated. It is used in fire-retardant fabrics especially nightwear. Treated clothing smoulders and the fire is directed towards the body.

• The gut produces large amounts of phosphane gas that is highly combustible. The source of the original igniting spark in these incidents is debatable. Farmers are aware of spontaneous ignition of haystacks, again due to the accumulation of phosphane gases. It may be that something similar is occurring in spontaneous human combustion. 

• “Will o’ the wisp” may also be explained by this natural phenomenon, and the “ghosts” seen in churchyards. These may be nothing more than escaping luminescent gases, which are interpreted as ghostly apparitions by those with a fertile imagination. Indeed clairvoyants and mediums of the last century used phosphorus paints to create atmospheric luminescence in séances. 

Phosphorus…the remedy  

• Phosphorus was introduced into homeopathy by Hahnemann, and he performed the earliest scientific experiments on it. As like cures like, a study of the toxicology of the element rapidly reveals its curative nature. The early physicians have long identified the potential uses of red phosphorus. By using the potentised form of the element, homeopathy reaps the therapeutic benefits without the toxic dangers.

• The constitutional picture of Phosphorus was described by Kent in the 19th century. Many authors have elaborated on this model and added a psychological profile of the Phosphoric type.

• The Phosphoric individual is pale, anaemic, with full red lips, thin with a narrow high arched chest: the appearance typical of someone suffering with tuberculosis.

• Romantic literature of the 19th century is full of Phosphoric heroines. Dumas’ La Dame aux Camelias is a notable example. Greta Garbo gave a brilliant portrayal of the consumptive heroine, Marguerite Gautier, in the Hollywood film and brought Phosphorus to life for homeopaths.

• The constitutional Phosphorus is extrovert, bright, lively, with sparkling eyes and a charismatic nature. One feels invigorated in her company. She is intensely sympathetic and acutely sensitive to mood, atmosphere and all sensory impressions. She is impressionable and clairvoyant. She is imaginative and bubbly, the typical “bright young thing”.

• Mia Farrow as Daisy in the film of Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby demonstrates the shadow side of Phosphorus. Daisy is a social butterfly, narcissistic and highly-strung. Although she probably loves Gatsby in her way, self-preservation and self-interest take precedence. Her character is shallow and emotionally immature; she is incapable of the intensity of love that Gatsby feels. In difficult situations, she falls apart, descends into histrionics and demands intense sympathy and support from others. She needs protection from the harsh realities of life. After the drama of Gatsby’s tragic death, Daisy continues her life as though nothing had happened; the ugly events do not fit into her idealistic view of the world. It is as though Gatsby never existed.

• Just as with the element there is a darker side to the personality. Being so open, the Phosphorus type is prone to fears, anxieties and the result of a vivid imagination. There is a great fear of the dark, the supernatural, fire, storms, disease and death. The element Phosphorus is unstable; it rapidly turns into the gaseous form when exposed to air. Likewise, the Phosphorus archetype lacks boundaries on every level. The intense sensitivity to “other worlds” and the fears are one expression of this lack of personal boundaries.

• This tendency extends on a physical level too. There is a bleeding tendency leading to nosebleeds, bleeding gums, heavy periods, bruising, and clotting disorders, which can result in anaemia.

• Just like a match, the Phosphorus personality is prone to burn out. This may be emotional, leading to depression or nervous exhaustion, or physical illness may result. A dose of Phosphorus rapidly restores the spark.

• As a tubercular remedy, there is a tendency to upper respiratory complaints: sore throat, hoarseness, bronchitis, asthma and chest infections. The bleeding tendency leads to blood streaked sputum, and the pains are burning in nature. There is a deterioration of the condition as dusk approaches, and the patient becomes fearful, craving company and sympathy.

• In expert medical hands Phosphorus may be used to treat serious disease, such as epilepsy, liver conditions, including hepatitis, arthritis and destructive bone diseases. Phosphorus is an immensely important remedy in homoeopathy, one of our desert island remedies. It is full of contradictions, as gentle and loving as an affectionate kitten yet as dangerous and destructive as the deadliest of poisons.

-Marysia Kratimenos

Marysia Kratimenos MB BS FRCS(Ed) MFHom is on the staff of the RLHH where she is involved in stress clinics, general medicine, paediatrics and neuro-linguistic programming. 

From the Old Masters

Nash says:

• Tall, slender, narrow-chested, phthisical patients, delicate eyelashes, soft hair or nervous, weak persons who like to be magnetized. Waxy, half anæmic, jaundiced persons.

• Anxious, universal restlessness, cant stand or sit still. < in dark or when left alone, before a thunder storm.

• Burnings prominent in every place, as in mouth, stomach, small intestines, anus, between scapulæ, intense, running up spine, palms of hands, heat begins in hands, spreads to face.

• Craving for cold things, ice cream, which agrees, or cold water, which is thrown up as it gets warm in the stomach. Must eat often or he faints. Must get up at night to eat.

• Sinking, faint, empty feeling in head, chest, stomach and whole abdominal cavity.

• Cough, < twilight till midnight, < lying on left side, > on right side. Right lower lobe most affected.

• Diarrhœa, profuse, pouring out as from a hydrant; watery with sagolike particles or dysenteric, with wide open anus.

• Apathetic, unwilling to talk, answers slowly, moves sluggishly.

• Constipation: fæces slender, long, dry, tough and hard like a dog’s; voided with difficulty.

• Hæmorrhagic diathesis; slight wounds bleed profusely, hæmoptysis; metrorrhagia worse; vicarious, from nose, stomach, anus, urethra in amenorrhœa.

• Cannot talk; the larynx is so painful; cough, going from warm to cold air, laughing, talking, reading, eating lying on left side (Dros., Stan.).

Lippe says:

MIND AND DISPOSITION

• Great excitability ; becomes easily vexed and angry, which makes him exceedingly vehement, from which he suffers afterwards.

• Great anxiety and restlessness, especially when alone, or during a thunder-storm.

• Zoomagnetic condition ; clairvoyance.

• Ecstasy.

• Melancholy depression, sometimes with shedding of tears or with attacks of involuntary laughter.

GENERALITIES

• Sleepiness in day-time.

• Sleeplessness before midnight ; goes to sleep late.

• Wakes frequently in the night.

• Sleepiness with drowsiness (coma vigil).

• Anxious, vivid dreams.

• Frequent waking from feeling too hot without perspiration.

• Somnambulism.

CONDITIONS

• Liability to take cold, and from it stinging and tearing in the limbs.

• Sensitiveness to cool weather and to the open air.

• The head and face symptoms are relieved by the cold air, but the chest symptoms are aggravated by it.

• Aggravation ; in the evening, at night, especially before midnight ; after breakfast ; when alone ; after eating (something warm), when lying on the back or on the left side ; when rising from a seat ; from light ; during a thunder storm ; from a change of weather ; from singing, laughing, strong smells (cough).

• Amelioration ; in the dark ; while lying on the right side ; from rubbing ; after sleeping ; from eating something cold.

• Especially suitable for lean, slender persons.

• In a condition of great debility the person is much easier beneficially affected by Phosphor., being mesmerized before taking the remedy.

• Phosphor, is an antidote to over-doses of Camphor.

Hering says:

MIND

• Stupor, delirium, grasping at flocks.

• Hysterical alternation of laughing and weeping.

• Great indifference ; answers no questions, or replies wrongly.

• Gloomy, taciturn.

• Dejection, thought he would die.

• Fearfulness, as if something were creeping out of every corner.

• Anxious, restless : at twilight ; when alone ; about the future ; during a thunder-storm ; with palpitation.

• Melancholy, sheds tears ; or, with attacks of involuntary laughter.

• Amativeness.

• Apathy ; indifference, even toward his own children.

• Excitable, easily angered and vehement, from which he afterwards suffers.

• Mind is overactive.

• Irritability of mind and body ; prostrated from the least unpleasant impression.

• While reflecting, headache and dyspnœa ; feeling of apprehension at pit of stomach ; weak feeling in head.

• Any lively impression is followed by heat, as if immersed in hot water.

TISSUES

• Ebullitions and congestions.

• Fatty degeneration of liver, heart, kidneys, etc. ; anæmia.

• Chlorosis, with too rapid growth.

• Hemorrhages from internal organs.

• Small wounds bleed much.

• Fungus hæmatodes.

• Sprains ; joints easily dislocated.

• Glands enlarged, especially after contusions.

• Dropsy of the face, hands and feet.

• Swelling of the bones ; necrosis (lower jaw).

• Exostoses, especially of the skull ; tearing, boring pains ; worse at night, or from least touch.

• Hip-joint diseased ; oozing a watery pus.

STAGES AND STATES

• Tall, slender (slim) women ; disposed to stoop.

• Nervous, weak ; desires to be magnetized.

• Grows too rapidly.

Sources :-

• Textbook of Materia Medica by Adolph Lippe M.D. 1886  Publishers: AJ.Tafel

• Constantine Hering. 1877. Condensed Materia Medica. Publishers: Boericke and Tafel

• E. B. NASH. 1899 Leaders In Homoeopathic Therapeutics. Publishers: Boericke and Tafel

Symptoms and diseases Phosphorus:

• Aversion, fish

• Aversion, mental work

• Aversion, milk

• Aversion, speeches

• Aversion, sweets

• Secretion, yellow

• Secretion, yellowish-green

• Secretion, green

• Secretion, clogged, crusty

• Discharge, excoriating

• Secretion, tough

• Adynamia

• Agranulocytosis

• Alopecia totalis

• Anxiety

• Anxiety, loneliness

• Fear during thunderstorms

• Anxiety, waking

• Anxiety, while lying on the left side

• Fear, agonizingly

• Fear to others

• Fear for their own health

• Fear of the future; Fear of the future

• Anxiety, while fever

• Responds slowly

• Answers without reference to the question

• Bronchial asthma

• Burping

• Eyelid tremors

• Eyelid twitching

• Eyes weakness after over-exertion

• Ejection, ropy

• Discharge, greenish

• Sputum, sticky

• Sputum, throat clearing to remove sputum

• Ejection, salty

• Ejection, sour

• Expectoration, difficult

• Ejection, sweet

• Ejection, transparent

• Complaints by contempt; to be despised

• Discomfort, fright

• Bloating

• Vesicle

• Bladder weakness

• Bleeding

• Bleeding tendency

• Bronchitis

• Chorea

• Delirium, muttering

• Diarrhea with undigested food

• Diplopia

• Thirst

• Dyspnea

• Dyspnea, Lying

• Dyspnea, night

• Initial insomnia

• Premature Ejaculation

• INFLAMMATION

• Vomit

• Exhaustion

• Rash

• Fatty liver

• Fat chair

• Finger swelling

• Fluorine, Pathologist.

• Fear of water

• Fear that something will happen; against misfortune

• Fear of darkness

• Fear of thunderstorms

• Fear before a serious illness; Cancer fear

• Boil

• Gastritis

• Memory impairment

• Gemütserregbarkeit, light

• Increased sex drive,

• Face, red spots

• Facial flushing

• Facial flushing, hectic, circumscribed

• Limb weakness

• Hemangioma

• Hematemesis

• Hematuria

• Hemoptysis

• Hemorrhagic diathesis

• Sore throat

• Hand swelling

• Urge to urinate, often

• Urinary incontinence

• Hoarseness

• Hepatitis

• Hepatomegaly

• Palpitation

• Hot Flash

• Cough, dry

• Cough, dry at night

• Coughing fits at night

• Hypermenorrhea

• Hypersensitivity

• Hypersexuality

• Hypochondria

• Hysteria; Conversion disorder, hysterical neurosis

• Jaundice

• Susceptibility to infection

• Sciatica

• Cachexia

• Sensitivity to cold

• Tendency to collapse

• Congestion

• Cancer

• Myopia

• Laryngitis

• Liver spots

• Liver cirrhosis

• Mastitis

• Mastodynia

• Metrorrhagias

• Compassion, compassionate, sensitive

• Floaters

• Mydriasis

• Night sweats

• Nevus

• Nerve weakness

• Nervousness

• Nymphomania

• Constipation

• Ösophagusblutung

• Otosclerosis

• Pancreatic insufficiency

• Pancreatitis

• Papel

• Papules

• Paresis

• Periodontal disease

• Petechiae

• Plethora

• Pollakiuria

• Adenoids

• Polyuria

• Croup

• Dilation of the pupil

• Cough

• Convalescence

• Rhinitis, crusting

• Seed loss, involuntary

• Sauerkraut intolerance

• Shameless

• Sleep, restless

• Sleep, interrupted

• Insomnia

• Somnambulism

• Mucosal inflammation

• About mucosal function

• Rattling of mucus

• Swallowing

• Pain, burning

• Pain, lower abdomen

• Cold

• Pregnancy, birth and lactation

• Hearing (general)

• Hearing by Tubenkatarrh

• Dizziness

• Self-confidence, lack

• Sigh

• Somnolence

• Worries, sorrow

• Splenomegaly

• Permanent cold

• Stutter

• Fecal incontinence, in motion or cough

• Syncope

• Syncope, orthostatic

• Inertia, slowness

• Lacrimation, Wind

• Tremor, limb

• Tremor, hands

• Tremor, hands writing

• Indecision, timidity

• Restlessness

• Uteruspolyp

• Require alcohol

• Require society

• Desire, wine

• Upset condition

• Vesicle

• Bloating

• Cheeks reddening

• Refuses to answer questions from

• Tooth loss

• Bleeding gums

• Loosening of teeth

• Anger, rage, rage

• Burning tongue

• Pluck sth .; Fumble

For More Details :-

• http://elixirs.com/phosphorus.cfm
• http://homeopathyplus.com.au/phosphorus/
• http://www.britishhomeopathic.org/bha-charity/how-we-can-help/medicine-a-z/phosphorus/
• http://www.repertorium-online.de/homoeopathische-mittel/Phosphorus.html

Take Care Of Your Body,

It's The Only Place You Have To Live In.

With Best Regards, Karnav Thakkar :) :)