Causticum

A chemical preparation created by Hahnemann himself: made by distilling a mixture of slaked lime (Calcium hydroxide) and bisulphate of potash (Potassium bisulphate), capturing the volatile alkaloid-like distillate. Not a naturally occurring substance.

None in modern allopathy or chemistry; it was once classed as a hypothetical ‘caustic alkali.’ Used solely within homeopathy as a deep-acting constitutional remedy.

First prepared and proved by Samuel Hahnemann and described in his Materia Medica Pura. Additional proving data from Hering, Allen, and Clarke.

• Nerves – Especially motor nerves, voluntary paralysis, facial palsy, ptosis
• Mucous membranes – rawness, hoarseness, chronic inflammation
• Throat and Larynx – aphonia, phlegm, loss of voice from overuse
• Bladder – loss of control, incontinence, retention
• Joints – contractures, stiffness, rheumatism
• Mind – idealism, grief, injustice sensitivity, deep emotional repression

• Cloudy, damp weather (unlike most remedies)
• Warmth, particularly of the bed and from wrapping up
• Cold drinks, especially for throat complaints
• Gentle motion, e.g., stretching stiff joints
• Company, conversation, being understood
• Evening, some symptoms improve toward night

• Dry, cold winds or dry weather
• Suppressed eruptions, e.g., skin rashes or menses
• Overuse of voice, singing or prolonged speech
• Grief, injustice, or emotional repression
• Fatigue, mental or physical
• Open air, despite liking cold drinks
• Lying on the right side
• Getting wet, particularly the feet

• Gelsemium – Also features paralysis and weakness, but more drowsy and passive; Caust. is fiery and justice-driven
• Staphysagria – Suppressed emotion and sensitivity to injustice, but more internally raging and passive-aggressive
• Ignatia – Acute grief and nervous symptoms; Caust. is chronic, with raw, paralytic aspects
• Phosphorus – Sensitive and empathic, but more open and affectionate than the melancholic Caust.
• Rhus tox – Similar rheumatism and stiffness, but Rhus is restless and better from continued motion; Caust. often worse from it

• Complementary: Phosphorus, Petroselinum
• Antidotes: Coffea, Nux-v., Phos.
• Inimical: Phosphoric acid
• Follows well: Sulphur, Staphysagria
• Precedes well: Lycopodium, Sepia

Causticum is the remedy of idealism marred by sorrow. These are individuals whose conscience burns in response to suffering and injustice, but who have no outlet for their immense inner turmoil. Their nervous system becomes the battlefield where their ideals and reality clash—leading to paralysis, tremors, aphonia, and incontinence. They bear burdens silently, until the system collapses. Causticum restores the vital spark in those who have sacrificed their voice, their cause, or their grief in silence.

• Indispensable in Bell’s palsy, facial paralysis, and ptosis
• Excellent for aphonia in teachers, singers, and public speakers
• Often needed in bladder paralysis, incontinence, or postpartum urine retention
• Look for warty growths and neurologic weakness after emotional trauma
• Low to medium potencies (6C–30C) in paralysis and bladder issues
• 200C or higher in deep constitutional prescribing

Mind

• Sensitive to injustice
• Weeps from sympathy
• Fear of dark
• Confusion from grief
• Idealism, intense

Nerves / Paralysis

• Paralysis, facial
• Paralysis, bladder
• Ptosis
• Trembling, limbs

Throat / Voice

• Aphonia, chronic
• Hoarseness, from overuse
• Mucus, cannot be raised

Bladder / Urine

• Incontinence, from coughing
• Retention, postpartum
• Urine, slow stream

Extremities

• Weakness, hands
• Trembling
• Contractures
• Warts, hands

Skin

• Warts, face
• Rawness, burns
• Eruptions, suppressed

Samuel Hahnemann – Materia Medica Pura: Original proving, with detailed notes on paralysis and raw sensations

James Tyler Kent – Lectures on Homoeopathic Materia Medica: Provided the moral and psychological themes of idealism and suppression

C. Hering – Guiding Symptoms of Our Materia Medica: Expanded on neurologic affections and speech disorders

William Boericke – Pocket Manual of Homoeopathic Materia Medica: Summarised practical applications in bladder and vocal complaints

John Henry Clarke – Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica: Contributed insight into keynotes, such as aphonia, facial paralysis, and chronic hoarseness

Allen’s Encyclopaedia of Pure Materia Medica: Supplemented physical and emotional symptoms