Natrum muriaticum

Sodium chloride (NaCl) is a naturally occurring mineral compound composed of sodium and chlorine ions. Found abundantly in sea water and salt deposits, it is essential to human physiology, regulating fluid balance, nerve conduction, and muscle contraction. When potentized, this ubiquitous substance becomes one of the most profound constitutional remedies in homeopathy.

First proved by Samuel Hahnemann in the early 1800s and published in Chronic Diseases. The proving was conducted according to classical Hahnemannian protocol with potentized doses administered to healthy provers.

A person with deeply buried sorrow, who strives to maintain dignity despite a heart still bleeding. Natrum muriaticum is the remedy of emotional control and crystalline sensitivity—a soul that hides its tears and mistrusts consolation.

Acts strongly on the nervous system, mind and emotions, mucous membranes, blood, skin, and female reproductive system. Right-sided symptoms are common.

The emotional core of Natrum muriaticum lies in silent suffering and unexpressed grief. These individuals appear self-contained, dignified, and closed to the world, yet internally they may be tormented by abandonment, humiliation, or early-life betrayal. Kent described the “grief that cannot be spoken” [Kent]. Consolation is intolerable—it opens the wound rather than soothing it, a keynote observed across provings and clinical experience [Clarke]. Patients dwell on past wrongs, often reliving emotional injuries with clarity and detail. They may cry in private but never in public, and develop physical complaints after romantic disappointment or parental loss [Allen]. They are reserved, sensitive to music (which may evoke tears), and maintain a rigid moral code. Perfectionistic and responsible, they are often misunderstood due to their need for emotional control [Boericke].

Insomnia from mental activity and suppressed grief [Boericke]. Dreams are vivid, anxious, or mournful. Waking unrefreshed, often with headache. Sleep disturbed by frequent urination or palpitations.

Recurring dreams of loss, humiliation, or emotional abandonment. Dreams of ocean, drowning, or family members. Clarke noted themes of sadness, missed opportunities, and romantic failure.

The Natrum mur. patient is often lean, reserved, chilly, and emotionally closed. Physical complaints follow emotional shocks. The right side is more commonly affected. Sensitive to sun, emotions, and mental overstimulation.

Low-grade fever with chilliness, especially in the afternoon. Perspiration is profuse and oily. Kent mentioned lingering fevers after disappointment or unresolved grief.

Internal chilliness even in a warm room. Heat may rise to the face, particularly after emotional expression. Sweat is cold, clammy, and may occur only on one side [Hering].

Headaches in Natrum mur. are classical in their periodicity. Pulsating or hammering, they begin in the forehead or over the eyes and extend to the occiput. They worsen around 10 AM and intensify with exposure to sun or mental strain [Boericke]. Hering emphasized the aggravation from reading and motion, noting relief from pressure and lying down. These headaches are often accompanied by visual disturbances, such as shimmering or blurring [Clarke]. A sensation of a thousand hammers beating in the head is characteristic, especially during menses or after emotional suppression.

Smarting, burning, and lachrymation dominate the eye symptoms. There is a persistent sensation of sand under the lids, with acrid tears in the open air and bland tearing indoors—a polarity emphasized by Allen and Hering. Eyelids may be puffy, especially in the morning. Kent described recurring styes and herpetic eruptions around the eyes. Vision may blur or become indistinct during headaches or emotional stress.

Ringing and roaring are common, particularly during headaches [Clarke]. The ears feel blocked, and noises are intolerable. Music, while deeply affecting, may stir emotions the patient wishes to suppress, leading to discomfort. In cases of chronic catarrh, there may be deafness with echoing of the patient’s own voice.

Chronic coryza with watery, clear, egg-white-like discharge is a keynote symptom. The discharge is acrid externally but bland inside [Boericke]. Sneezing fits occur particularly in the morning or after exposure to cold wind. Dryness of the mucosa alternates with profuse catarrh, and scabs form within the nostrils [Allen]. Cracked corners of the nose or cold sores around the nasal area are often present.

The countenance reflects internal suffering—pale, sad, and drawn. Oiliness of the skin, especially on the forehead and nose, is frequent. Acne or eruptions may appear along the hairline. Kent noted herpetic eruptions on the lips and face after sun exposure. The lips may be dry, cracked in the centre, and prone to blistering.

Mapped tongue and dryness despite normal salivation are seen [Hering]. Aphthae and ulcers may appear after emotional stress. The taste may be salty, bitter, or metallic. Clarke mentions cracks at the corners of the mouth and a peculiar desire to press the tongue against the teeth.

Toothache worse from cold water, relieved by warmth, is common. The gums bleed easily and may recede. Clarke described teeth that feel elongated and tender. Pain may extend to the ears or face.

Throat feels dry and constricted, especially on waking. There may be a sensation of a lump when swallowing. Clarke noted that throat symptoms often alternate with catarrhal conditions or digestive complaints.

Stitching pains on breathing or movement, especially on the right side. Kent observed palpitations worse lying on the left side. Respiration is difficult during emotional stress or menses.

Palpitations from slightest emotion. Weakness and fluttering with faintness, especially upon rising or ascending stairs [Boericke]. Pulse may be irregular or small.

Shortness of breath during suppressed weeping or grief [Hering]. Kent noted sighing respiration and tightness of the chest after crying. Asthma may develop after suppressed emotions.

An intense craving for salt is one of the most famous keynotes [Hering, Boericke]. Hunger may be ravenous or completely absent. There is an empty, sinking feeling around 10–11 AM. Bread can aggravate symptoms, and nausea may occur after eating. Allen emphasised the sour eructations and heartburn experienced after emotional upsets.

Distended and sensitive abdomen with cutting or stitching pains. Clarke described gurgling and rumbling noises. Symptoms often worsen before menses or from mental strain. The liver region may feel congested.

Dry, crumbling stools with a sense of incomplete evacuation [Boericke]. Constipation is worse during headaches or in grief states. Allen mentions anal fissures and soreness after stools. Involuntary stools from laughter or coughing may occur.

Urine is pale, watery, and profuse, with frequent urination, especially during nervous excitement or emotional suppression. Clarke notes involuntary leakage from coughing or sneezing. Albuminuria may be found in nephritic states.

Strong craving for salt is a signature keynote [Allen, Boericke]. Aversion to fat, bread, and slimy textures. Thirst for cold drinks. Eating relieves mental symptoms in some cases.

Erections may be weak or absent, especially after grief. Kent mentioned spermatorrhea in melancholic men. Genital herpes or chronic prostatitis may follow emotional suppression or celibacy.

Menses are late, scanty, or suppressed, often after heartbreak or loss [Allen]. There is a tendency to dryness and vaginal pain during intercourse. Clarke noted leucorrhoea resembling raw egg white. Uterine prolapse or fibroids may be present with bearing-down pain.

Stiffness and aching in the cervical and lumbar spine, often accompanying headaches or uterine complaints [Clarke]. Weakness of the lower back after standing or lifting.

Coldness of hands and feet, especially in bed. Numbness, tingling, or trembling with exertion. Clarke noted hangnails and brittle, grooved nails. Cracking of joints and tension in the forearms.

Dry, chapped skin, especially at the margins of hair and joints. Greasy skin of face and scalp, alternating with dryness. Kent emphasized eruptions along the hairline and herpes from sun exposure. Healing is slow, and skin may scar easily.

• Ignatia: grief and disappointment, but more hysterical and changeable.
• Sepia: hormonal issues and sadness, but with more irritability and indifference.
• Phosphoric acid: silent grief with apathy rather than sadness.
• Silicea: introverted, chilly, but lacks the salt craving and grief pattern.

• Complementary: Ignatia, Apis , Sepia
• Antidotes: Pulsatilla, Camphor
• Inimical: Lachesis
• Follows well: Ignatia, Aurum
• Precedes well: Sulphur, Calcarea carb.

Indicated for conditions arising after grief, such as chronic headaches, eczema, amenorrhea, asthma, or anemia. Chronic use often benefits from 30C to 1M, repeated cautiously. For hypersensitive constitutions, LM potencies are preferred.

Mind

• MIND – Ailments from grief
• MIND – Consolation aggravates
• MIND – Dwells on past disagreeable occurrences
• MIND – Reserved, taciturn

Head

• HEAD – Pain, as from a thousand little hammers
• HEAD – Sun, from exposure to

Female

• FEMALE GENITALIA/SEX – Menses, suppressed from grief
• FEMALE GENITALIA/SEX – Leucorrhoea, transparent

Skin

• SKIN – Herpes, lips, after sun exposure
• SKIN – Greasy, oily face

Generalities

• GENERALITIES – Emaciation
• GENERALITIES – Salt, desire for

Samuel Hahnemann, Chronic Diseases

James Tyler Kent, Lectures on Homoeopathic Materia Medica

William Boericke, Materia Medica

Herbert Roberts, The Principles and Art of Cure

Henry C. Allen, Encyclopedia of Pure Materia Medica

John Henry Clarke, A Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica

Constantine Hering, Guiding Symptoms of Our Materia Medica