Magnesium phosphate

An inorganic salt formed by the combination of magnesium and phosphate. White crystalline powder, soluble in water.

Originally developed as a cell salt by Dr. Wilhelm Schüssler; further clinical confirmations followed, notably by Boericke, Allen, and Nash

Magnesia phosphorica represents the spasmodic, sensitive nervous system in its most delicate form. It speaks to the person who suffers from every draft of cold, every nervous strain, every emotional upset with a physical, muscular consequence—cramps, spasms, neuralgia. The mind recoils from overstimulation, the body responds with tension. This remedy restores balance where delicate nerves cry out for warmth, peace, and pressure.

• Nerves and neural pathways – especially for spasms and neuralgia
• Muscles – smooth and striated muscle fibres
• Abdomen and uterus – colic, dysmenorrhoea
• Face and head – facial neuralgia, tension headaches
• Right side of the body – especially right-sided pains
• Extremities – cramps, twitching, restless legs

The Mag-p. patient is often sensitive, delicate, and refined, with a nervous, easily startled disposition. There is a tendency to internalise stress, which then manifests physically in the form of cramps, spasms, or twitching. Worry over trifles, anticipatory anxiety, and nervous irritability are prominent. [Kent] describes a nervous type prone to fretfulness and internal tension.

Fear of being touched, hypersensitive to noise or light, with mood changes that often alternate with physical symptoms. When in pain, the person becomes withdrawn, avoids interaction, and seeks solitude in warmth. The remedy is particularly suitable for gentle, intellectual types with low tolerance for conflict or overstimulation.

Disturbed by spasms or cramps. Light, unrefreshing sleep with jerks or twitching. Wakes with abdominal or leg pain. Sleepwalkers or sleeptalkers, especially children.

Anxious or vivid dreams. Dreams of failing, being chased, or falling. Often dreams of being paralysed or frozen. Dreams may trigger waking with spasms or palpitations.

A remedy of choice for neuralgia, spasms, and cramps. Modalities define it: better from heat, worse from cold, better from pressure, worse from touch. The patient is sensitive, chilly, delicate, and often right-sided. Sudden onset of sharp or twisting pains. Physically and emotionally delicate constitutions. Often follows acute stress, exposure to cold, or nerve strain.

Low-grade fever with chilliness and neuralgic pains. Alternating heat and cold in the limbs. Fever worsens at night with increased muscle tension. Sweating brings relief.

Cold sensations in limbs, even in warm rooms. Flushes of heat in face or chest. Cold sweat with spasms. Internal chill with trembling.

Headaches of neuralgic or spasmodic character, often right-sided, with radiating or lightning-like pains. Pains shoot like electric shocks and may be triggered by cold air or wind. Head feels tight, like a band is compressing it. Facial neuralgia may extend to the temples or orbit, worse from cold or touch. Often associated with exhaustion, visual strain, or tension.

Twitching of eyelids, especially the right, during fatigue or stress. Neuralgic pains around the eyes, often in the orbit. Photophobia. Double vision from muscle spasm. Styes or cramping of the eyelids. Weak vision from overstrain or worry.

Sharp, stabbing pains in the ears, < cold wind or touch. Ringing or buzzing sounds. Neuralgic symptoms often radiate from the jaw to the ear. Spasm of the Eustachian tubes in sensitive patients.

Dryness and stuffiness alternating with fluent discharge. Sneezing from cold exposure. Cramping sensation at the root of the nose. Neuralgic pain extending from the face into the nose.

Facial neuralgia is a hallmark indication—especially on the right side, with violent, darting, or shooting pain extending to the eye, jaw, or ear. Muscles may twitch or contract involuntarily. Worse from cold air or touch, better from warmth and pressure. Face may appear drawn or anxious during attacks.

Tongue may tremble or feel numb. Speech may be impeded during neuralgic spasms. Burning or tingling on the tongue or lips. Grinding of teeth during sleep. Ulcers on the inner cheeks or tongue from nerve tension. Metallic or sour taste during headaches.

Toothache of spasmodic or neuralgic origin, < from cold air or cold drinks, > warmth. Pain may extend to the ear or temples. Sensitive teeth, worse at night. Clenching or grinding from nervous tension.

Sore throat from exposure to cold air. Sensation of constriction or cramping when swallowing. Globus hystericus or spasmodic choking. Tickling or dryness from nervous tension.

Tightness of chest from anxiety or spasm. Intercostal neuralgia—stitching, shooting pain worse from movement, better from heat. Diaphragmatic spasms. Asthmatic breathing from cold exposure. Sharp chest pains relieved by holding breath or pressure.

Palpitations from excitement or fright. Nervous fluttering or irregular heartbeat. Spasmodic constriction across precordium. Pain extending into the left arm, similar to angina pectoris. May assist in functional heart symptoms of neurotic origin.

Shortness of breath from spasm or anxiety. Dyspnoea worse from cold, motion, or excitement. Hiccough or spasmodic cough. Laryngeal spasm. Chest pain interferes with full respiration.

Cramping, colicky pains in the stomach. Gastralgia with violent, contractive, or twisting sensations, better from warmth and pressure. Hiccough or spasmodic vomiting. Indigestion from excitement, worry, or overexertion. Flatulence painful, relieved by belching or heat.

A keynote of Magnesia phosphorica—colicky, cramping abdominal pain, often so severe that the patient doubles over. The pain is relieved by firm pressure, warmth, and bending forward. Wind colic in children, menstrual cramps in women, or flatulent dyspepsia in sensitive adults all call for this remedy. Colic may come in waves, with spasmodic tension. Abdomen is distended and sensitive to touch, worse from cold or after exposure to drafts. [Boericke] highlights its efficacy in flatulent colic with shifting, twisting pain.

Spasmodic urging to stool with cramping. Tenesmus. Constipation with spasmodic tightening of anal sphincter. Sudden urging followed by flatus and temporary relief. Diarrhoea from nervous excitement.

Bladder spasms with painful urging. Retention of urine from cramping of bladder neck. Painful urination, with burning or shooting sensations. Incontinence during sleep in nervous children. Cystitis with spasm.

Craves warm drinks. Aversion to cold water. Indigestion from milk or raw foods. Flatulence worsens after eating quickly or while anxious. Better after warm, bland foods.

Spasmodic drawing pain in testicles or spermatic cords. Neuralgic pain in genital region after exposure to cold. Weak erections due to nervous tension or suppressed emotions. Involuntary emissions during sleep leave great fatigue.

A premier remedy for dysmenorrhoea, particularly with sharp, cramping, wrenching pain radiating from uterus to thighs or back. Pains come in spasms, improved by hot water bottles or pressure. Menses may be early, dark, and clotted. Nervous exhaustion before and after menstruation. Bearing-down sensation relieved by warmth. Neuralgic ovarian pain, especially right-sided. Indicated in delicate, over-sensitive women, especially adolescents or menopausal cases.

Neuralgic or cramping pain in the spine or paraspinal muscles. Stiffness and soreness after cold exposure. Sciatica, particularly right-sided, with darting, lightning-like pain down the leg. Lumbago better from heat and pressure.

Twitching, cramping, or spasms in limbs, especially calves, thighs, or feet. Writer’s cramp. Night cramps in the legs or toes. Restless legs syndrome. Shooting pain in arms or hands. Fingers may become numb or contract involuntarily. Right-sided symptoms are common. Cramps from overuse or cold exposure.

Hypersensitive to cold. Numbness, tingling, or crawling sensations. Neuralgic eruptions along nerves. Painful, tense areas on exposure to cold wind. Skin pale, cool, or clammy during attacks.

• Colocynthis – Colic also better from pressure, but more intense, angry, left-sided, and violent
• Cuprum metallicum – Spasms with coldness, more convulsive and violent; blue face, cyanosis
• Chamomilla – Angry, oversensitive, especially in children; colic worse from touch, better from warmth
• Nux vomica – Spasmodic and irritable, worse from overwork or stimulants; not better from pressure
• Ignatia – Spasms and neuralgia with emotional causation, more hysterical and changeable

• Complementary: Calcarea phos., Ferrum phos.
• Antidotes: Nux vomica, Chamomilla
• Follows well: Colocynthis, Gelsemium
• Precedes well: Kali phos., Zincum

• Think of it in colicky children who draw up legs and scream
• Primary remedy for dysmenorrhoea with cramping pain relieved by warmth
• Excellent for facial neuralgia, especially right-sided and from cold
• Use in muscle cramps, night cramps, or overuse spasms
• Consider for sciatica, intercostal neuralgia, and writer’s cramp

Mind

• Anxiety, nervous
• Oversensitive, touch, noise
• Irritability, from pain

Head

• Headache, neuralgic, right-sided
• Pain, lightning-like, forehead

Abdomen

• Colic, bending double >
• Pain, cramping, better warmth

Female Genitalia

• Dysmenorrhoea, cramping pain
• Menses, early, dark, clotted

Extremities

• Cramps, calves, night
• Neuralgia, limbs
• Twitching, nervous

Generalities

• Warmth >
• Cold <
• Pressure >
• Touch <

Wilhelm Schüssler – Biochemic Therapeutics: Origin of remedy and tissue salt indications

James Kent – Lectures on Homoeopathic Materia Medica: Detailed modalities and nervous type

C. Hering – Guiding Symptoms: Neuralgic pains, cramping, better from heat

William Boericke – Pocket Manual of Homoeopathic Materia Medica: Clinical use in colic, neuralgia, dysmenorrhoea

H.C. Allen – Keynotes of the Materia Medica: Modalities, spasms, sensitivity profile