Natrum Phos: Homeopathic Medicine —Its Use, Indications And Dosage

The remedy Natrum Phos is derived from sodium phosphate which is inert in its crude state. When it undergoes potentization (process of preparation of homeopathic medicines that arouses medicinal properties of a crude substance), it becomes a very valuable homeopathic remedy Natrum Phos. It is one amongst the 12 biochemic medicines in homeopathy also known as Schuessler’s twelve tissue remedies. It is a leading homeopathic remedy to treat acidity, indigestion and heartburn.

The ‘Natrum Phos’ Constitution

Natrum Phos suits people prone to frequent acidity and indigestion.

Drug Action

This medicine acts wonderfully on the gastric system and has great affinity in treating certain gastric issues. Next its action is seen on eyes, mouth, throat, limbs and skin. Besides, it also acts well on the male and female genitals.

Clinical Indications

Acidity, dyspepsia, heartburn, belching, indigestion, colic, peptic ulcer, diarrhea, vomiting, flatulence, jaundice, joint pains, gout, hives, leucorrhoea, infertility, morning sickness, post nasal drip, worms, conjunctivitis.

Scope As A Homeopathic Remedy

 1. Gastric Complaints (Acidity, Acid Reflux, Indigestion, Heartburn, Ulcers, Worms, Jaundice)

The supreme action of this medicine is seen on the gastric system. To begin with, it is one of the leading medicines in homeopathy to bring relief in acidity, dyspepsia (also known as indigestion in which there occur discomfort in upper abdomen with gastric symptoms such as burning in stomach, gas, bloating, nausea vomiting) and acid reflux (back-flow of stomach acid in the food pipe due to improper functioning of the lower esophageal sphincter). Here, firstly it can be given to relieve heartburn (a burning sensation felt in the center of the chest behind the breastbone). Next, it can manage complaints of sour belching and sour vomiting. Natrum Phos is very suitable to treat cases of peptic ulcers. Peptic ulcers refer to open sores in the lining of the stomach or upper part of the small intestine. It can be given to manage fullness in the abdomen arising from even little eating and also noisy flatus (escape of gas from anus). Another indication for using it is diarrhea (loose stool) when stool is green. Its use is highly recommended for getting rid of worms, especially round worms or thread worms. Anal itching is well marked if one is infested with worms which gets worse at night. It is suitable for children if they have stomach pain along with green stool having sour smell, and curdled vomiting. Apart from the above, it is prominently indicated for jaundice (yellow discoloration of skin and white of eye due to increased bilirubin levels in blood).

Key Indicating Features

Acidity, acid reflux (back flow of stomach acid in food pipe)

Indigestion or dyspepsia

Heartburn (burning in the center of chest behind the breastbone)

Sour belching and sour vomiting

Worms with marked anal itching

2. Eyes (Conjunctivitis)

Natrum Phos relieves conjunctivitis (inflammation of conjunctiva which is the membrane lining the eyeball and eyelid). It helps when the eye discharge is particularly golden–yellow and creamy. Eyelids tend to stick to each other when you wake up in the morning. Next, it can be given to manage burning sensation and stitching cutting pain in the eyes. One feels sensation of a sand particle stuck in the eyes. It can be used for itching, burning and soreness of the eyelids. Lastly, it is indicated for red eyes along with burning eye watering.

Key Indicating Feature

Conjunctivitis when eye discharge is golden – yellow, creamy

3. Mouth (Coated Tongue, Blisters, Ulcers)

It acts well on the mouth to help cases of coated tongue, blisters and ulcers. For coated tongue, the main indication is yellow-colored creamy coating specifically at the base of the tongue and roof of the mouth. Natrum Phos is also indicated for blisters developing on the tip of the tongue. Natrum Phos is recommended for ulcers that peculiarly get worse from acid foods and appear on the lips or inside the cheeks. It is also suggested for gumboils, a localised pus collection in soft tissue of gums. Another characteristic feature indicating its use is a sensation of hair on tongue. It also helps to manage teeth grinding in children.

Key Indicating Features

Yellow creamy coating specifically at the base of tongue and roof of mouth

Ulcers on lips or inside of cheeks that gets worse from acid foods

Sensation of hair on tongue

4. Throat (Sore Throat, Post Nasal Drip)

Natrum Phos gives great results in cases of sore throat when there is specific yellow creamy mucus coating on the throat and tonsils. One feels a lump-in-throat sensation. A pricking sensation as from pins may be felt in the right side of the throat. There is difficulty in swallowing. Other than this, it is an important medicine to relieve post nasal drip (dropping of mucus from back of the nose into the throat).  Here it works wonders when there is dropping of thick yellow mucus from the posterior nares of the throat. This complaint gets worse at night forcing the person to get up and clear his throat.

Key Indicating Features

Sore throat with specific yellow creamy mucus coating on throat and tonsils

Post-nasal drip when there is dropping of thick yellow mucus from posterior nares in the throat

5. Limbs (Joint Pain, Cramps, Numbness)

It is highly valuable in treat complaints including joint pain, cramps and numbness in arms and hands. It is well indicated when there is pain in wrist, shoulder and finger joints. Pain occurs especially in the right shoulder joint or wrist and pain from the wrist extends to the palm. It is also indicated to manage stitching type of pain in the knee mostly in the left one. The tendons of the knee feel as if shortened. Natrum Phos is also given for cases of gout (red, swollen, hot, inflamed joints from increased uric acid levels). It is suitable for cramps in hands felt while writing. There may also occur trembling of hands.  Besides, it is a significant medicine for managing numbness in arms, hands and fingers mainly on the right side.

Key Indicating Features

Joint pain mainly in wrist, finger, shoulder

Cramps in hands when writing

6. Skin Issues (Hives, Eczema, Itching)

This medicine deals with skin issues effectively. First among these is hives (itchy, raised bumps medically called wheals that appear on skin mainly from an allergic reaction). People needing it have itching on the entire body, like insect bites, that peculiarly gets worse from acidic food. Second is eczema when there is creamy, honey colored discharge from eruptions. Lastly, it is very helpful in relieving itching on ankles.

Key Indicating Features

Hives with itching on entire body like insect bites

Eczema with creamy, honey-colored discharge from eruptions

Itching on ankles

7. Male Problems (Involuntary Seminal Emissions, Itching, Burning)

This medicine can manage some male problems too. It is mainly given to manage involuntary seminal emissions at night with weakness in the back and trembling of limbs. The semen is thin and watery. It can also bring relief in itching of scrotum and prepuce. Males may also find it useful to manage complaints of itching and burning at urinary meatus felt after coition.

Key Indicating Features

Involuntary seminal emission at night with weakness in back and trembling of limbs

Itching and burning at urinary meatus after coition

8. Female Problems (Vaginal Discharge, Infertility, Morning Sickness)

It can prove beneficial to females having complaint of creamy or honey-colored vaginal discharge (leucorrhoea). The discharge is watery with sour smell. It is a leading medicine to manage infertility in women having acidic vaginal discharge. It is next indicated to manage morning sickness (nausea and vomiting that occurs during pregnancy) with vomiting of sour fluid.

Key Indicating Features

Watery, creamy or honey-colored vaginal discharge

Infertility in women having acidic vaginal discharge

Modalities

Worsening factors: Complaints get worse from fatty food, acids, citrus food, from milk, sugar and also mental exertion

Relieving factors: Complaints get relieved from cold

Dosage

This medicine can be used from 3X – 12X potency. The most commonly recommended potency is 6X potency. This medicine can be repeated three to four times a day depending on the case presentation.

Relationship with Other Remedies

Antidoted by: Sepia specifically eruptions and swelling of joints; Apis to relieve hives

It can be compared with remedies Carbo Veg, Nux Vomica, Robinia, Kali Carb and Carbolic Acid