Calcarea hypophosphorosa

A chemical compound formed from calcium and hypophosphorous acid (Ca(H₂PO₂)₂), appearing as a white crystalline powder, soluble in water. Prepared in homeopathy by trituration of the pure salt. Known chemically as a source of both calcium and phosphorus, elements vital to bone, nerve, and metabolic function.

Historically used in low-dose allopathic therapy in the late 19th century for anaemia, rickets, general debility, wasting diseases, and pulmonary tuberculosis, owing to its supposed nutritive and restorative powers. In nutrition science, hypophosphites were once prescribed as “tissue builders” before being replaced by better-absorbed phosphate forms.

No complete Hahnemannian proving exists; knowledge is derived from clinical use, partial provings, toxicological data, and analogy with other calcium and phosphorus salts (notably Calcarea phosphorica and Phosphorus). First recorded homeopathic uses date from late 19th century clinical notes in cases of phthisis and debility [Clarke].

• Lungs: Chronic bronchitis, incipient tuberculosis, wasting coughs [Clarke].
• Nutrition and metabolism: Deficient assimilation, tissue wasting, malnutrition.
• Bones: Poor ossification, rickets, delayed healing of fractures.
• Nervous system: Nervous debility, mental prostration.
• Blood: Anaemia, lowered vitality after chronic disease.
• Glands: Chronic glandular enlargement from poor nutrition.

• Rest and quiet.
• Warm, dry climate.
• Nutritious food and moderate exercise in open air

• Cold, damp weather.
• Prolonged exertion, especially physical strain.
• Night, especially for cough and chest weakness.
• Rapid growth periods in children (pubertal strain).

• Calcarea phosphorica – Similar in bone and growth disorders but more marked in delayed closure of fontanelles and bone pains; Calc-hypophos. more suited to post-illness debility and early phthisis.
• Phosphorus – Marked chest symptoms, haemorrhagic tendency, and burning sensations; Calc-hypophos. has more nutritive focus.
• Ferrum phosphoricum – Anaemia with inflammatory tendency; Calc-hypophos. lacks the acute inflammatory picture.
• Tuberculinum – Constitutional remedy for tubercular diathesis; broader action but not a direct nutritive restorer like Calc-hypophos.

• Complementary: Ferrum phos., Calcarea phos., Phosphorus.
• Antidotes: Camphor (chemical antidote in crude form).
• Follows well: After convalescent use of Phosphoric acid or China.

A restorative remedy for the delicate, rapidly growing, or constitutionally weak, especially when the lungs and nutrition are compromised. Bridges the gap between Calcarea phosphorica’s bone-building and Phosphorus’s lung affinity, acting as a direct nutrient stimulant in the debilitated. Night sweats, early chest weakness, and inability to gain weight despite fair appetite are keynote.

• Valuable in incipient phthisis with debility and night sweats [Clarke].
• Useful in children with slow bone development and chronic glandular enlargement.
• In convalescence after fevers, helps restore weight and energy.
• May be considered in postpartum women with poor milk secretion and exhaustion

Mind:

• Apathy from weakness.
• Mental exhaustion from slight effort.

Chest:

• Cough in phthisical subjects.
• Oppression of chest from weakness.

Generalities:

• Night sweats with debility.
• Weakness after rapid growth.
• Emaciation despite good appetite.

Skin:

• Slow healing of wounds.
• Pale, thin skin in chronic illness.

Extremities:

• Limb pains from rapid growth.
• Muscular weakness in adolescents.

1. Clarke, J.H. – A Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica: Clinical notes on phthisis and wasting diseases.
2. Allen, T.F. – Encyclopaedia of Pure Materia Medica: Comparative analysis with other calcium salts.
3. Hughes, R. – Manual of Pharmacodynamics: Chemical properties and nutritive action.
4. Boericke, W. – Pocket Manual: Condensed indications for debility and lung weakness.
5. Farrington, E.A. – Clinical Materia Medica: Position of Calc-hypophos. in nutritive remedies.
6. Nash, E.B. – Leaders: Use in anaemic, weak constitutions.
7. Kent, J.T. – Lectures: Remarks on calcium remedies in the tubercular diathesis.
8. Boger, C.M. – Synoptic Key: Generalities in chronic wasting.
9. Dewey, W.A. – Practical Therapeutics: Convalescent tonic applications.
10. Hering, C. – Guiding Symptoms: Notes on related symptoms in allied salts.