General Information

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 fertilizers 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warm, friendly, and sympathetic people who enjoy the company (though some needing Phosphorus may present as apathetic, withdrawn and vague from a spaced-out or foggy feeling, and not wanting company at all).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.

Common Uses

When the remedy matches the symptom profile, Phosphorus has the ability to treat conditions such as anxiety, Alzheimer’s disease, asthma, bronchitis, increased tendency to bleed and bruise, chemical sensitivity and food intolerances, chronic fatigue syndrome, hepatitis, hoarseness and pharyngitis, phobias, pneumonia, schizophrenia and bipolar states, and valvular heart disorders. 

From the Old Masters

• Tall, slender, narrow-chested 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 thunderstorm.
• Burnings prominent in every place, as in the mouth, stomach, small intestines, anus, between scapulæ, intense, running up the 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.
• Diarrhea, profuse, pouring out as from a hydrant; watery.
• Apathetic, unwilling to talk, answers slowly, move sluggishly.
• Constipation: feces slender, long, dry, tough and hard like a dog’s; voided with difficulty.
• Hemorrhagic 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.

MIND AND DISPOSITION

• Great excitability; becomes easily vexed and angry, which makes him exceedingly vehement, from which he suffers afterward.
• Great anxiety and restlessness, especially when alone, or during a thunder-storm.
• Clairvoyance.
• Melancholy depression, sometimes with the 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.
• 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.
• Worse 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 thunderstorm ; from a change of weather ; from singing, laughing, strong smells (cough).
• Better in the dark; while lying on the right side; from rubbing; after sleeping; from eating something cold.
• Especially suitable for lean, slender persons.
• Phosphorus, is an antidote to over-doses of Camphor.

TISSUES

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

Where do I find it?

Phosphorus is available from our online store as a single remedy in a variety of strengths (potency).

Dosage Instructions

Take one pill or five drops of the remedy every 15 minutes to 4 hours (15 minutes for intense symptoms, 4 hours for milder ones). Once an improvement is noticed, stop dosing and repeat the remedy only if symptoms return. If there is no improvement at all by three doses, choose a different remedy or seek professional guidance.

A Few Words

While the above self-limiting, acute complaints are suitable for home treatment with Phosphorus, see your healthcare provider if your symptoms worsen or fail to improve. Phosphorus is also used for a range of chronic or persistent complaints not listed; these are best managed by a qualified homeopath for good results.