Carcinosinum

Derived from diseased cancerous tissue, often a glandular carcinoma (such as breast or uterus), sterilised and potentised. Variants include Carcinosinum Burnett, Carcinosinum of breast, and mixtures from multiple tumours.

Not classically proved like polychrests; symptoms derived from clinical experience (Burnett, Paterson, Templeton, and later by modern authors like Julian, Foubister, and Sankaran)

Carcinosinum is the remedy of the burdened perfectionist. It arises where the human spirit has been disciplined into silence, groomed for approval, and trained to perform flawlessly at the expense of authenticity. These individuals often live for others, ignoring their own needs until the body breaks down—via fatigue, eczema, insomnia, or tumoural tendencies. There is a desperate need for love, fear of disapproval, and a deep-seated grief or guilt that has never been processed. Their illness is often the body’s plea to restore emotional honesty. Carcinosinum restores the self to wholeness by validating its broken, repressed voice.

• Nervous system: overstimulation, sensitivity, insomnia
• Mind and emotions: perfectionism, suppressed grief, high control
• Skin: eczema, moles, pigmentation, neurodermatitis
• Endocrine system: hormonal imbalances, thyroid and menstrual dysfunction
• Gastrointestinal tract: constipation, food intolerances
• Constitutional vitality: inherited weakness, cancer diathesis

Carcinosinum patients exhibit deep emotional sensitivity, perfectionism, and suppression of their true feelings. There is often a history of long-standing emotional suppression, particularly grief, guilt, or abuse in childhood [Foubister]. These are children who were “too good,” overly compliant, overly responsible, or who parented their own parents. A desire to please, aversion to conflict, and anxiety from anticipation or failure are pronounced. Obsessive traits, rigidity, and self-criticism are common. Overwhelm is a keynote—they are often overwhelmed by stimuli, noise, or pressure, yet hide it well. Children are often precocious, artistic, and sensitive to reprimand. Adults may collapse into depression, burnout, or develop chronic fatigue or autoimmune states following prolonged stress. A hallmark theme is maintaining a façade, even when deeply struggling.

Sleeplessness from thoughts, anticipation, or emotional suppression. Frequent waking at 2–4 a.m.. Nightmares, especially of animals, danger, or pursuit. Children scream or grind teeth in sleep. Sleeping in a knee-chest position is a keynote.

Dreams of animals (dogs, tigers, snakes), being pursued, punished, or criticised. Flying, falling, or being trapped. Dreams of water, drowning, or choking. Repetitive or obsessive dream themes.

Exhaustion from emotional suppression, especially grief or performance pressure. History of early maturity—“old souls.” Patients often come from families with cancer, diabetes, alcoholism, or abuse. Deep disappointment, shame, or abandonment lies at the root. Craving for perfection leads to autoimmunity, fatigue, or cancer predisposition. Symptoms often emerge after loss, vaccination, or intense emotional events.

Low-grade fevers in children with chronic eczema or fatigue. Fevers may come on from emotional stress. Perspiration may be scant or profuse.

Chilly even in warm weather. Sweats from minor exertion. Sweaty palms or soles. Offensive night sweats. Sweats after suppressed eruptions.

Headaches from stress, anticipation, or overexertion. Pain often across forehead or occiput, with dull or pressing quality. May be cyclical—worse before menses. In children, head banging, especially at night. Sensitive scalp. Vertigo or dizziness with exhaustion.

Dark circles under eyes in children. Twitching of eyelids, photophobia. Recurrent styes. Vision strain from perfectionist tendencies. Sensitive to artificial light.

Sensitive to noise—startles easily, hates loud sounds. Otitis media with thick discharge, especially in sensitive or exhausted children. Hearing loss after vaccinations.

Catarrhal conditions with thick yellow or green mucus. Blocked nose in morning. Hay fever, especially in perfectionist types or children of cancer-prone families. Allergic rhinitis, worse in cold damp.

Pale, refined features, often with a serious expression. Blue veins visible on temples. Tics or twitching in children. Facial neuralgia with suppressed emotion. Moles or pigmentation around cheeks or lips.

Bruxism (teeth grinding), especially in children with night terrors. Recurrent aphthae or ulcers. Metallic taste. Tongue coated brown or white, especially in chronic states.

Early decay in children despite good hygiene. Teeth may be small, brittle, or sensitive. Pain from cold or sweets.

Recurring sore throats from suppressed expression. Globus hystericus—sensation of lump in throat. Frequent clearing of throat. Hoarseness after emotional strain.

Oppression in chest from emotional burden. Asthma in children, especially after suppression or grief. Family history of lung cancer or TB. Desire to lie on chest. Recurrent bronchitis. Moles on chest.

Palpitations from anticipation, fear of failure, or performance anxiety. Irregular heartbeat. Feels “heart will stop” or that emotions are stuck in heart region. Cardiac fatigue.

Wants open air, cannot stand closed rooms. Asthmatic tendency from grief, guilt, or suppressed anger. Chest tightness when upset. Better for deep breathing or being outside.

Marked food sensitivities: dairy, wheat, chocolate. Cravings for spicy food, chocolate, and coffee. Alternating appetite: ravenous or none. Nausea from anticipation. Gastric pain from worry. History of eating disorders.

Bloating, especially in evening. Gurgling, sensitivity to touch. IBS-like symptoms. Abdominal pain from suppressed anger or shame. Food intolerances, worse from sugar.

Constipation from emotional suppression. Stool hard, dry, or ribbon-like. Painful defecation in children. Itching, fissures, or bleeding. Some may have alternation with diarrhoea. Worse before menses.

Urinary frequency from nervous anticipation. Enuresis in children with history of early trauma. Cystitis from suppressed sexual feelings. Painful urination, frequent urging.

Craves: chocolate, spicy food, coffee, fat, salt
Aversion: milk, eggs, meat
Worse from: dairy, preservatives, additives, refined sugar
Often intolerant to: gluten, casein, food colourings

Suppressed libido or anxiety around sexuality. Premature ejaculation. History of sexual repression or guilt. Eczema or moles on scrotum.

Menses irregular, dark, clotted. Early puberty or delayed menses. Premenstrual syndrome with weepiness, irritability, or craving chocolate. Breast tenderness, fibrocystic changes. Recurrent miscarriages or family history of reproductive cancers. Aversion to coition or pain during intercourse.

Pain and stiffness in cervical or thoracic spine. Children may have scoliosis or weak posture. Tension held in upper back and neck from emotional repression.

Tiredness and heaviness in limbs. Cold hands and feet. Restlessness in legs, especially at night. Trembling during anxiety. Nail biting. Tics in children.

Moles, café-au-lait spots, brown pigmentation, or neurodermatitis. Eczema in folds—behind knees, elbows, and ears. Craving to scratch even if skin is not itchy. Skin complaints often suppressed early. Keloid formation. History of skin issues with family history of cancer.

• Natrum muriaticum – Also suppresses grief and seeks solitude, but Nat-m. is colder, less artistic, and more rigid
• Staphisagria – Also deals with suppressed anger and abuse, but is more explosive and less perfectionistic
• Ignatia amara – Sudden grief, sighing, and hysteria; Carc. is deeper, more chronic, and performance-driven
• Calcarea carbonica – Both can be over-responsible and anxious, but Calc. is more grounded, slower, and fearful
• Lycopodium – Also anticipatory anxiety and performance fear, but more egotistical and dictatorial than Carc.’s self-effacing nature

• Complementary: Nat-m., Medorrhinum, Phosphorus
• Antidotes: Puls., Nux-v., Ign.
• Inimical: Tuberculinum (sometimes)
• Follows well: Ignatia, Staphisagria, Sepia
• Precedes well: Natrum series, nosodes

• Use for children with ADHD, autism, or eczema, especially with family history of cancer
• Excellent constitutional in perfectionistic, overachieving, or burned-out adults
• Helps after suppressed grief, sexual trauma, or vaccination injury
• Often required when constitutional simillimum fails due to deep miasmatic block
• Sensitive patients may benefit from low potency (6C, 30C) initially; later 200C–1M
• Observe closely: strong reactions possible; allow time before repeating

Mind

• Anxiety, anticipation
• Sensitive to reprimand
• Desire for perfection
• Suppressed grief
• Love for dancing / music
• Fear of failure

Skin

• Eczema, chronic
• Moles, numerous
• Neurodermatitis
• Café-au-lait spots
• Skin, suppression of

Sleep

• Sleeplessness, after midnight
• Dreams, flying, pursued
• Grinding of teeth
• Sleeping knee-chest position

Generalities

• Family history of cancer
• Food intolerance
• Vaccination, aftereffects of
• Sea air, ameliorates

Chest

• Asthma, worse damp
• Bronchitis, recurring
• Oppression, emotion from

Dr. Donald Foubister – Carcinosin as a Constitutional Remedy: Described sensitivity, perfectionism, and child profiles

James Compton Burnett – Cancer and Cancer Cure: Introduced early clinical use and nosode origin

Margaret Tyler – Drug Pictures: Expanded clinical observations of Carcinosin in artistic, sensitive types

Dr. J. Paterson and Templeton – Developed bacteriological understanding and constitutional traits

George Vithoulkas – Essence of Materia Medica: Provided deeper insight into modern miasmatic use

Sankaran – Soul of Remedies: Mapped core themes, compensation, and suppression archetypes

Robin Murphy – Homeopathic Clinical Repertory: Repertory rubrics and practical prescribing notes