Ferrum phosphoricum

Ferrum phosphoricum is a chemical combination of iron and phosphorus, generally prepared by mixing solutions of ferric chloride (FeCl₃) and sodium phosphate (Na₃PO₄), resulting in a fine, white amorphous powder. Its chemical formula is FePO₄. It is considered a tissue salt and was introduced into homeopathy via Schüssler’s system of biochemic therapy.

No traditional Hahnemannian proving. Introduced by Dr. Wilhelm Heinrich Schüssler in the late 19th century through clinical observations and biochemical theory rather than classical provings. Confirmatory symptoms gathered from clinical experience and secondarily through Materia Medica sources like Boericke and Clarke.

Ferrum phosphoricum is a remedy of beginnings—it acts best in the incipient stages of inflammation, before full-blown pathology develops. The patient is often anaemic, sensitive, flushed yet weak, with vague and undeveloped symptoms. It suits delicate constitutions and children. A gentle, unassuming remedy that operates quietly but powerfully when the picture is unclear.

Capillaries; blood vessels; respiratory tract; throat; mucous membranes; muscles; right-sided complaints; inflammation in the first stage; fever states.

The Ferrum phosphoricum patient is often described as mild, gentle, and reserved, yet sensitive to surroundings and easily fatigued mentally. Boericke notes that the mind is sluggish, with difficulty concentrating, especially during febrile states. Clarke adds that they may become anxious, especially when symptoms rise suddenly, but not to the same degree as seen in more expressive remedies like Aconitum. There may be indifference or a dulled emotional response accompanying physical illness.

Restless sleep due to congestion or fever. Wakes frequently; may dream of anxious or hurried situations. Nocturnal restlessness often precedes a full febrile picture.

Unrefreshing dreams of business, haste, or danger. Waking confused and slightly hot.

Right-sided complaints; worse from heat and touch. Anaemic, delicate constitutions, especially young individuals or those convalescing. Boericke emphasises its usefulness in first-stage inflammations, especially where modalities are not yet fully clear.

First-stage fever with flushed cheeks and dry skin. Clarke says fever comes on gradually, with weakness and slight chilliness alternating with heat. Lacks the violence of Aconitum, but has gentle warmth and flushes.

Chilliness followed by heat. Sweat comes late and is not profuse. Boericke notes slight sweating that may or may not relieve symptoms. Useful for low-grade fevers with vague onset.

Boericke describes frontal headaches with dullness and throbbing, particularly in the right temple, often appearing in the early stages of colds or fevers. Headaches are worse from motion or noise and better lying down. Head congestion is mild but persistent, especially in children during early infection phases. Clarke notes the head feels hot to the touch, although the patient does not complain of significant subjective heat.

Early stage conjunctivitis, red and mildly painful. Boericke and Kent note that Ferrum phos. is ideal for first-stage eye inflammations, with flushed sclera, photophobia, and a sensation of sand under the lids. Vision may be slightly blurred from congestion, especially in fevers.

Mild earache beginning with congestion and fullness. Useful in early otitis media where the tympanic membrane is red but not bulging. Clarke reports slight deafness or ringing in the ears accompanying catarrhal complaints or fevers.

Frequent nosebleeds, especially in children, and often from the right nostril. Boericke highlights the use of Ferrum phos. in first-stage colds with watery, non-irritating discharge. Nasal obstruction alternating sides, and sense of dryness.

The face is flushed, typically with one cheek red and the other pale—a key keynote symptom. Clarke and Boericke both highlight this sign in fever or inflammation. Expression is tired and dull in acute illness.

Dryness of mouth and lips without thirst. Clarke notes that the tongue may be red or pale and trembles slightly when protruded. Mouth ulcers are rare but when present are shallow and painless.

Toothache may occur from exposure to cold, typically throbbing and better for cold applications. Boericke reports gum soreness during the early inflammatory stages and neuralgic pains from dental inflammation.

Red, inflamed throat, especially the right side. Great remedy for early sore throat, particularly before exudation. Pain worse on swallowing, especially liquids. Boericke and Kent mention dryness and rawness with flushed tonsils, but without the coated appearance of Belladonna.

Dry, tickling cough with flushed face and slight fever. Clarke notes Ferrum phos. excels in the first stage of pneumonia or bronchitis, especially on the right side. Chest feels hot and sore, better for lying on back. Shortness of breath on exertion.

Palpitations from slight motion or fever. Pulse is soft and fast. Useful in anaemic patients with vague precordial pain. Clarke mentions sense of fluttering or fullness in the chest.

Shallow, fast breathing with sighing. Difficulty breathing during fever. Better in cool air. Useful in young, anaemic individuals with weak lung capacity.

Mild loss of appetite during febrile episodes. Nausea or sour eructations may occur in acute conditions. Clarke observes slight tenderness in the epigastrium, but no strong gastric disturbances.

Tympanitic distension, particularly in fevers or with catarrhal symptoms. Pain is dull, pressing, and often right-sided. Clarke notes occasional diarrhoea during early inflammation of the intestines.

Stool may be soft or diarrhoeic, sometimes with mucus, especially in febrile states. No particular keynote features noted here.

Increased frequency of urination with pale yellow urine. Useful in early cystitis where burning is minimal. Boericke mentions enuresis during fevers in children. May be dribbling or slight incontinence.

Desire for cold water. Aversion to meat. Clarke notes loss of appetite in fevers with desire for juicy fruits.

No significant or characteristic symptoms.

Useful for early stages of inflammation of the ovaries or uterus. Clarke notes menses may be bright red and too early. Useful in young girls with irregular periods and general debility.

Backache in lower spine from muscular strain or fever. Clarke notes aching and stiffness in the cervical and lumbar spine in early catarrhal fevers.

Soreness and tenderness in limbs during fever. Clarke notes right-sided symptoms more pronounced. Muscular weakness, especially in forearms and calves. Kent describes flushed hands and feet with a tired sensation.

Flushes of heat, especially in early fevers. Skin is hot and dry at first, later becoming slightly moist. Clarke mentions Ferrum phos. for early stages of erysipelas before exudation.

• Aconitum napellus – Both are early-stage remedies, but Aconite has intense fear and anxiety, while Ferrum phos. is calmer and more subdued.
• Belladonna – Also useful in early fevers, but Belladonna has stronger heat, redness, and congestion, especially in the head. Ferrum phos. is milder and more right-sided.
• Gelsemium – Both may have slow onset of fever. Gelsemium is dull, drowsy, and chilly; Ferrum phos. is more flushed, irritable, and warm.
• Bryonia alba – Bryonia has more dryness, stitching pains, and aggravation from motion. Ferrum phos. lacks the dryness and shows more restlessness.
• Phosphorus – Both have lung and haemorrhagic affinity. Phosphorus is open, anxious, and worse lying left side; Ferrum phos. is more subdued and better lying back.

• Complementary: Calcarea phosphorica, Gelsemium
• Antidotes: Nux vomica, Belladonna
• Follows Well: Aconitum, Bryonia
• Precedes Well: Kali muriaticum, Ferrum metallicum

Excellent in early colds, coughs, sore throats, and fevers where symptoms are minimal or not yet individualised. Use in 6X or 12X potency as a tissue salt or 30C–200C in acute prescriptions. Especially good for children or elderly patients who appear mildly ill but lack strong symptoms.

Mind

• Indifference, during fever
• Concentration, difficult
• Mental exertion, aggravates

Head

• Headache, temples, right
• Pain, dull, motion, from
• Congestion, head, early inflammation

Eyes

• Conjunctivitis, first stage
• Pain, sand, as if
• Photophobia, during fever

Nose

• Epistaxis, children, in
• Coryza, watery, early stage
• Obstruction, alternating sides

Throat

• Inflammation, tonsils, right
• Pain, swallowing, liquid, from
• Redness, general

Chest

• Cough, dry, tickling
• Pneumonia, beginning of
• Bronchitis, first stage

Generalities

• Inflammation, first stage of
• Right-sided complaints
• Fever, low grade
• Touch, aggravates
• Cold applications, ameliorate

William Boericke – Pocket Manual of Homoeopathic Materia Medica
John Henry Clarke – Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica
James Tyler Kent – Lectures on Homoeopathic Materia Medica
C. Hering – Guiding Symptoms of Our Materia Medica
Wilhelm Schüssler – Biochemic Therapeutics