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In homeopathy, there are remedies derived from specific minerals and also from chemical compounds. Homeopathic causticum is a popular remedy made from the compound called potassium hydrate.
Potassium hydrate is not used in any form of medicine other than homeopathy. As a chemical, it has a close resemblance to sodium hydroxide, and it is used for similar purposes, such as soap making, bleaching, and manufacturing certain chemicals.
As a homeopathic remedy, causticum has many great health benefits. It is a key remedy for joint and arthritic conditions and skin problems like severe burns. Homeopaths also prescribe it for tremors and paralysis, urinary disorders, respiratory disorders, hemorrhoids, fibromyalgia, and more.
This article is your comprehensive guide to everything about homeopathic potassium hydrate, including its history, homeopathic profile, and its several uses and health benefits.
In this article:
Facts and History of Homeopathic Causticum
Potassium hydroxide has a chemical formula of KOH. It is mainly prepared through the electrolysis of potassium chloride—the commercially available variety of potassium hydroxide that often contains some adulteration and chlorides. Potassium hydroxide is used less often than potassium chloride, since it is more expensive.
Unadulterated potassium hydroxide is also available in white, softened crystals. That being said, potassium hydroxide is often used as white pellets for commercial and laboratory uses. In general, the compound is considered a potent base that disbands easily in water, while emitting a great deal of heat and forming an alkaline and acerbic liquid blend.
Homeopathic causticum is really quite unique to homeopathy. The founder of homeopathy, Dr. Samuel Hahnemann had actually created the remedy himself at the beginning of the 19th century, and it was featured in his book Chronic Diseases between 1821 and 1834.
Dr. Hahnemann mentioned that causticum resulted in a caustic or astringent feeling and a fiery taste on the rear of the tongue. Since Dr. Hahnemann formulated the remedy the scientific name is Causticum hahnemanni.
Causticum is made by combining slaked lime and sulfate of potash, and dissolving them in purified water. The solution is then further diluted and shaken vigorously to make homeopathic causticum that contains virtually no traces of potassium hydroxide.
How Homeopathic Causticum Treats Joint and Arthritic Conditions
Causticum is a key homeopathic remedy used for joint, knee, wrist, low back, and neck pain, especially due to osteoarthritis.
The remedy is used for all sorts of related symptoms, including stiffness, partially fused joints, numbness, cramps, twitches, restlessness, hamstring, muscle, and tendon contraction, and painful cracking when walking.
In knee and wrist conditions, there is a tearing, burning pain, as if it is sprained. There is also tightness in the hollow of the knee, and a need to stretch. Symptoms improve from warmth and dampness, but worsen from open air and during the evening.
A study published in the journal Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine in 2016 suggested that when a homeopathic complex that included causticum combined with physiotherapy, it can significantly improve symptoms related to chronic low-back pain due to osteoarthritis.
The Homeopathic Profile and Other Uses of Causticum
What are the other health benefits of homeopathic causticum? In homeopathy, the remedy profile is a significant for determining whether homeopathic causticum is the right remedy for your symptoms. Causticum is most helpful for people that tend to be introspective and serious by nature.
The person often feels the effect of grief for prolonged periods, and they may become absent-minded, mentally weakened, anxious, and hopeless. The person’s forgetfulness can lead to a compulsive need to check and recheck everything that they do.
The person is also acutely sympathetic to the sufferings of others, and they tend to react strongly to the distress or perceived injustice of others. They are also idealistic, and are often politically active. The causticum type also frequently has the tendency to feel chilly, and to be affected from weather changes, including cold, wet, and dry weather.
Other health benefits of causticum include the remedy being prescribed for weakness that may progress to paralysis of the muscles and nerves. As a result, the upper eyelids, vocal cords, larynx, bladder, and right side of the face are affected.
Causticum is also a general remedy for detoxing the heavy metal lead, and it is used particularly for symptoms of nerve paralysis and urinary weakness. The homeopathic remedy is also prescribed for respiratory disorders, hemorrhoids, skin conditions, tinnitus, fibromyalgia, and high blood pressure.
Potential Health Benefits of Causticum
Let’s take a look at how homeopathic causticum may benefit these other key health concerns:
1. Urinary Disorders
Causticum is a major homeopathic remedy for urinary disorders, including urinary incontinence in the elderly and bedwetting in children.
The person may need to urinate frequently, or the urine may be retained due to temporary paralysis. They will also have difficulty holding in their urine, especially during running, sneezing, coughing, or laughing.
The remedy is also used for cystitis with a strong urge to urinate, along with the inability to actually urinate. A loss of sexual pleasure or an aversion to sex is a common symptom when causticum is required.
2. Tremors and Paralysis
Causticum is also a popular remedy used for multiple sclerosis, with chronic and progressive paralytic affections of the limbs, eyelids, tongue, vocal cords, bladder, and extremities. There may also be a stutter, particularly at times of anger or excitement.
There may also be dizziness with a lack of coordination. Paralysis or facial neuralgia is also common, especially on the right side of the body. Slow-developing paralysis is common as well. Furthermore, severe or minor seizures and serious convulsions may occur. There is also a susceptibility to twitching and jerking in extreme circumstances.
3. Respiratory Disorders
Causticum is also used for respiratory problems, including sore throats, coughs, and laryngitis. The cough tends to be deep and dry, and causes discomfort and pain in the throat and chest. It may also be difficult to bring up mucus, even when it is needed.
The person’s sore throat will also be dry and raw. They also have a difficult time swallowing, and there may also be a choking sensation. Tightness and tearing chest pain may also be related to asthma.
Chronic laryngitis produces an inflamed and hoarse larynx and vocal cords. There is also pressure put on the larynx when blowing the nose.
4. Hemorrhoids
A study published in the Journal of Intercultural Ethnopharmacology in 2016 found that hemorrhoid patients would improve considerably with classical homeopathic treatment, and causticum was among the remedies used.
5. Skin Conditions
Causticum is prescribed for all sorts of skin conditions, including large warts that bleed, easily found on the face, hands, and fingertips, especially near the nails.
The remedy is also used for scars that do not heal well. Old wounds or scars may become cracked, sore, or break open or ulcerate. The scars may also be caused from warts or scarring from the removal of warts.
Causticum is also used for slow-healing burns, blisters, boils, herpes, eczema, and acne.
6. Tinnitus
Causticum is often given for the ringing, roaring, and rushing sounds associated with tinnitus. The person will also hear noises, steps, and words, as well as a cracking sound from turning their head. Symptoms improve from rising and lying down; however, symptoms worsen from cold drafts and at night.
7. Fibromyalgia
Causticum is the preferred remedy for fibromyalgia when joints and muscles become sore and stiff from overuse, and the dry and cold weather. The joints and muscles also feel contracted, while symptoms are improved from warm applications.
8. High Blood Pressure
A study published in the journal Homeopathy in 2014 found that individualized homeopathy would improve 80% of essential high blood pressure patients. Causticum was among the most useful homeopathic remedies chosen for the study.
Final Thoughts on Causticum
Where do you find causticum? Homeopathic potassium hydrate can be purchased online or at the supplement section of a health food store. The homeopathic remedy can be found in pellet or liquid form. You will also be able to get causticum as part of your visit with a homeopath when they feel the remedy best matches your emotional, mental, and physical symptom picture.
As mentioned in this article, the key uses of causticum include treatment for joint and arthritic conditions, urinary disorders, tremors and paralysis, respiratory disorders, hemorrhoids, skin conditions, tinnitus, high blood pressure, and fibromyalgia.
It is a good idea to consult with a qualified homeopath before taking causticum, or any other homeopathic remedy, rather than self-treating your symptoms. This is because your homeopath will be able to recommend the potency and dosage specifically for you. Follow-up appointments with them will also reveal whether it is necessary to change your dosage, potency, or remedy.
Related Articles:
Homeopathic Stramonium: Facts, Benefits, Uses, and Homeopathic Profile
Homeopathic Ferrum Metallicum (Iron) : Facts, Health Benefits, and Uses
Homeopathic Calcarea Carbonica: Facts, Health Benefits, and Uses
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Lockie, A., et al., The Complete Guide to Homeopathy: The Principles & Practice of Treatment (New York: DK Publishing, 1995), 123.
Hershoff, A., N.D., Homeopathic Remedies: A Quick and Easy Guide to Common Disorders and Their Homeopathic Treatments (New York: Penguin Putnam Inc., 1999), 107, 122-123, 135, 164-165, 179, 190-191, 207-209, 232-233, 251, 271, 286-289.
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Das, K.D., et al., “Treatment of hemorrhoids with individualized homeopathy: An open observational pilot study,” Journal of Intercultural Ethnopharmacology, September to December 2016; 5(4): 335-342, doi: 10.5455/jice.20160608030224.
Morris, M., et al., “Physiotherapy and a Homeopathic Complex for Chronic Low-back Pain Due to Osteoarthritis: A Randomized, Controlled Pilot Study,” Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, January to February, 2016; 22(1): 48-56. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26773321.