Cinnabaris

A naturally occurring mercuric sulphide found in cinnabar ore, historically the source of elemental mercury and the brilliant pigment vermillion. In crude form it is sparingly soluble yet, by vapour and dust exposure, shares the mercurial toxidrome—stomatitis, ptyalism, fetid breath, bone/periosteal pains (worse at night), erethism, and cutaneous/venereal lesions ([Toxicology]) [Hughes], [Clarke]. The homœopathic remedy is prepared by trituration of purified cinnabar to the 3x and higher, then potentised. Clinically it has a marked nasopharyngeal–sinus and venereal–cutaneous axis: post-nasal catarrh with tenacious green mucus, ozaena, nasal polypi, maxillary/frontal sinus neuralgia, and condylomata/syphilitic ulcerations; it also touches eye canthi (caruncle), pharynx (“lump at choanæ”), and periosteum (root of nose, tibia). [Hering], [Allen], [Clarke], [Boericke], [Boger]

Cinnabar served as a pigment (vermillion) in art and lacquer, and as an ore of mercury; chronic artisanal exposure produced mercurialism (erethism, stomatitis), offering toxicological lines that illuminate the homœopathic picture. [Hughes], [Clarke]

Symptoms collected from early provers and extensive clinical confirmations by Hering’s school and Allen’s compilation, with additions from Hughes (toxicology) and Clarke (clinical syntheses). Keynotes—post-nasal hawking of tough green mucus, root-of-nose pain, caruncle inflammation, genital condylomata, night-bone pains, and syphilitic ulcers—are richly attested. [Hering], [Allen], [Hughes], [Clarke], [Boericke]

• Nasopharynx & Posterior Nares. Classical for post-nasal catarrh with tenacious, often green/yellow mucus that must be hawked from the choanæ; a peculiar “lump” or plug sensation behind the uvula; ozaena with fetid crusts and rawness at the root of the nose. See Nose/Throat/Symptomatology. [Hering], [Allen], [Clarke], [Boericke]
• Frontal–Maxillary Sinuses. Pressive pain at the bridge/root of the nose, radiating to forehead/zygomata, with blockage and polypoid swelling; pains worse night, damp, close rooms, better open air and after discharge. See Head/Nose/Modalities. [Boger], [Clarke], [Phatak]
• Eyes (Canthi/Caruncle). Inflamed caruncle, inner canthus feels swollen/lumpy, lids sore; lachrymation excoriating; ciliary neuralgia linked to sinus disease. See Eyes/Face. [Hering], [Allen], [Boericke]
• Throat & Fauces. Thick posterior pharyngeal strings; sensation of a string/lump from nose to throat; ulcers in syphilitic subjects; mercurial fetor. See Throat/Mouth. [Clarke], [Phatak], [Allen]
• Genito-Urinary (Syco-syphilitic). Condylomata, especially fig-warts about genitals/anus; chancres, mucous patches; thick yellow–green urethral discharge; sexual erethism with lascivious dreams. See Male/Female/Skin. [Hering], [Allen], [Boericke], [Kent]
• Skin & Mucosa. Coppery eruptions, indurated bases, ulcers with offensive discharge; warts/polypi; crusts in ozaena; syphilitic nodes. See Skin/Nose. [Clarke], [Boger], [Phatak]
• Bones & Periosteum. Nocturnal bone pains, especially nasal bones, tibia, ulna; tenderness at bridge of nose; periosteal thickening after venereal history. See Head/Back/Extremities. [Hering], [Clarke]
• Glands & Lymph. Submaxillary, inguinal glandular irritability in venereal terrain; nodes wax and wane with mucosal activity. See Mouth/Neck/Male. [Clarke], [Allen]
• Mind & Sleep (Sensual–Irritable Axis). Lasciviousness, erethism, restless nights, vivid erotic/colourful dreams; irritability from nasal obstruction and bone pains. See Mind/Sleep. [Hering], [Tyler], [Phatak]
• Mouth & Salivary. Mercurial stomatitis tendencies—spongy gums, fetor, metallic taste—though less ptyalism than Merc. sol.; ulcers with red areola. See Mouth/Throat. [Hughes], [Clarke], [Boericke]
• Nasal Growths. Polypi (soft, gelatinous), with constant hawking and blockage, often with anosmia; rains/damp make worse. See Nose/Modalities. [Boger], [Clarke]

• Open, cool air; leaving warm, close rooms clears head and nose. [Clarke], [Boger]
• Free nasal discharge or hawking plugs from posterior nares; pain lifts as the “lump” loosens. [Hering], [Allen]
• Gentle saline rinsing of nose (non-suppressive) and lukewarm sips—eases choanal rawness. [Clarke]
• Steady pressure at root of nose/zygomata (patient rubs bridge). [Phatak], [Boger]
• Warmth to limbs, cool to face in ozaena headaches. [Clarke]
• After sleep when discharge is free (though bone pains may recur at night). [Allen]
• Moderate walking in open air; head clearer, hawking easier. [Clarke]
• Loose clothing, unbuttoned collar; throat and submaxillary pressure less. [Allen]
• Flow of menses (in catarrhal women) sometimes relieves head–nose tension. [Clarke]
• After stool/urination when pelvic congestion is high with condylomata. [Hering]
• Simple, warm foods; avoidance of greasy fare lessens post-nasal accumulation. [Dewey]
• Completion of ulcer discharge (do not suppress crusts prematurely). [Hering], [Clarke]

• Night, especially after midnight—bone pains, catarrh, and genital itching intensify. [Hering], [Allen], [Boger]
• Damp, rainy weather; cellars, close rooms—sinuses block, polypi swell. [Clarke], [Boger]
• Warmth of bed to head/nose; warm rooms; stove heat. [Allen], [Clarke]
• Odours of paint/fumes (pigment-workers’ aggravation); dust. [Hughes], [Clarke]
• Touch/pressure of tight spectacles/band across the bridge (yet gentle rubbing self-applied may palliate). [Boger], [Phatak]
• Eating sweets/fats, late suppers—increase viscid posterior mucus. [Dewey], [Clarke]
• Suppression of nasal/skin discharge by caustic local measures—ozaena deepens; ulcers spread. [Hering], [Clarke]
• Sexual excess; coitus in syco-syphilitic terrain—rekindles eruptions/urethral discharge. [Hering], [Kent]
• Stooping or reading long; frontal pressure increases, eyes smart. [Allen]
• Drafts directly on head; alternating hot/cold air. [Clarke]
• Morning on waking—mouth bitter/metallic, tongue sore; forenoon hawking frequent. [Allen], [Boericke]
• Alcohol/tobacco smoke—fetor, throat rawness, urethral irritation. [Hughes], [Clarke]

Post-nasal Catarrh / Sinusitis

• Kali bichromicum — Ropy strings, plugs, punched-out ulcers; localisation exact. Cinnabaris has bridge pain, caruncle, venereal tint, and lump behind uvula. [Boger], [Clarke]
• Hydrastis — Thick, stringy yellow mucus, drooping posteriorly; less bridge-of-nose pressure and venereal link. [Clarke], [Boericke]
• Sticta pulmonaria — Dry, stuffed nose, no discharge; restless, aggravated by night air; Cinnabaris requires tenacious discharge to hawk. [Boger]
• Lemna minor — Polypi with damp, musty weather aggravation and foul smell; less canthus/caruncle sign; pair when polypus dominates. [Clarke], [Boger]
• Pulsatilla — Bland yellow catarrh, open air >, evening aggravation, tearfulness; lacks venereal/bone-pain axis. [Kent], [Clarke]

Ozaena / Ulcerative Nasal Disease

• Aurum metallicum — Profound bone destruction with depression/suicidal thoughts; Cinnabaris less melancholic, more posterior lump and caruncle. [Kent]
• Mercurius corrosivus — Violent, rapid ulceration, bloody tenesmus; Cinnabaris slower, with tenacious green mucus. [Hughes], [Clarke]
• Hepar sulphuris — Splinter sensation, suppurative tendency; Cinnabaris has choanal lump, bridge pressure. [Boger]

Genital Warts/Chancre

• Thuja — Soft moist warts, oily skin, chilliness; Cinnabaris shows nocturnal bone pains, caruncle, ozaena. [Kent], [Clarke]
• Nitric acid — Splinter pains, easy bleeding; syphilitic–sycotic; Cinnabaris more posterior catarrh and bridge tenderness. [Hering]
• Mercurius solubilis — Profuse ptyalism, general mercurialities; Cinnabaris less salivation, more posterior hawking and caruncle. [Hughes], [Boericke]

Ciliary Neuralgia / Supra-orbital Pain

• Spigelia — Left-sided, severe, eye movement pains; Cinnabaris root-of-nose focus with catarrh. [Farrington]
• Sanguinaria — Right supra-orbital periodicity with gastric traits; less posterior hawking. [Clarke]
• Ruta — Ciliary strain from overuse; lacks catarrh map. [Boger]

Polypi / Adenoids

• Teucrium marum — Nasal polypi with itching and crawling; Cinnabaris adds posterior lump and caruncle. [Clarke]
• Calcarea carbonica — Adenoids in flabby children, sweat of head; but without green posterior mucus and bridge pressure. [Kent]

Bone/Periosteal Pains (Night)

• Aurum, Merc. iod. rubrum — Deeper bone disease; Cinnabaris when nasal bones and bridge are prime with catarrh. [Clarke], [Boger]
• Syphilinum — Nocturnal bone pains, destructive ulcers; Cinnabaris needed when catarrh + caruncle + condylomata combine. [Kent]

• Complementary: Kali bichromicum — both posterio-nasal; Cinnabaris for bridge pain/caruncle, Kali-bi. for plugs/punched-out ulcers. [Boger], [Clarke]
• Complementary: Hydrastis — mucosal tonic; follows when thick yellow catarrh persists after bridge pressure has eased. [Clarke], [Boericke]
• Complementary: Thuja — condylomata diathesis; Cinnabaris adds syphilitic and nasal poles. [Kent]
• Follows well: Mercurius sol. — after general mercurial storm; Cinnabaris for residual posterior hawking and caruncle. [Hughes], [Clarke]
• Follows well: Nitric acid — when splinter-pain, bleeding warts improve and post-nasal lump remains. [Hering]
• Precedes well: Aurum — if bone pains persist and mood sinks; use when destructive tendency outstrips catarrh. [Kent], [Clarke]
• Precedes well: Lemna minor/Teucrium — to finish polypus phase after catarrh is reduced. [Boger], [Clarke]
• Related: Merc. iod. rub./flav. — laterality in throats; Cinnabaris when nose–caruncle–condylomata triad is present. [Boericke]
• Compare: Syphilinum — constitutional antisyphilitic when ulcer/bone picture dominates over mucosa. [Kent]
• Inimical/Intercurrent: Avoid routine alternation with Aurum unless deep bone depression rules; select by nasal vs. bony centre. [Kent]
• Antidotes (practical): Hepar (mercurial surface), Nitric acid (mercurial ulcers), Ipecac. for nausea from fetor—clinical measures cited. [Hughes], [Clarke]
• Adjuncts: Air the rooms, saline lukewarm rinses (non-suppressive), avoid caustics, light evening meals, no fumes/dust. [Clarke], [Dewey]

Cinnabaris stands where Mercury’s destructive edge meets Sulphur’s inflammatory mucosa—a syco-syphilitic signature expressed in mucous overgrowths (polypi, condylomata) and ulceration/Periosteal pains that announce the night. The essence is the blocked passage: a posterior “lump” at the choanæ that compels hawking, a bridge-of-nose pressure that narrows one’s world to a bar across the face, and a caruncle that feels lumpy and angry; once the plug loosens and air is taken in the open, the mood and mind unshackle (Essence ↔ Nose/Throat/Eyes; Modalities). This inner obstruction radiates to sex and self-image: lasciviousness surges at night, condylomata and mucous patches shame the patient, and fetid odour from ozaena or mouth undercuts confidence (Mind/Female/Male). The polarity is closed–open: close rooms, damp, warmth to head, suppression of discharge, sexual excess close the system and worsen; open air, free discharge, loose clothing, and lukewarm sips open it again (10a/10b).

Pathophysiologically, mercurial influence explains night-bone pains, stomatitis, offensive secretions, and a tendency to sweat without relief; sulphide’s mucosal affinity expresses as tenacious green/yellow mucus, posterior “string”, caruncle swellings, and polypi (Affinity). The miasmatic weave is clear: sycotic overgrowth (warts/polypi) rides with syphilitic ulceration (ozaena, coppery eruptions, periosteal pains), while psora maintains the chronic catarrh and reactive skin (Miasm). The pace is chronic–recurrent, with flare-ups in damp warmth and after suppression; it seldom races like Merc. cor., but erodes steadily unless vent is restored (Differentials). The psychological portrait is practical, sensual, self-conscious: less tragic than Aurum, less weepy than Pulsatilla, less generalised than Merc. sol.; the mind frets about odour, appearance, and blocked passages, then eases once air and discharge flow. In Scholten’s terms the Mercury series wrestles with performance/communication; here the message is literally stuck in the passage until Sulphur’s outward drive re-opens it. Cure reads in simple but decisive signs: the bridge no longer aches, caruncle quiets, hawking ceases, polypi shrink, ulcers heal from within, bone pains stop waking him at night, and shame subsides as breath sweetens and the face is clear. [Hering], [Hughes], [Kent], [Clarke], [Phatak], [Boger], [Tyler]

• Posterior nasal catarrh with “lump behind the uvula”, bridge-of-nose pain, caruncle swollen. Dose 6C–30C once to thrice daily in flares; space/stop as hawking ends and open-air relief holds. [Hering], [Allen], [Clarke]
• Ozaena with fetid crusts; polypi/adenoids swelling in damp. Ventilate, avoid caustic suppression; Cinnabaris 6C–30C; intercurrent Kali bich. if plugs dominate. [Clarke], [Boger]
• Condylomata/chancres with nocturnal bone pains. Combine hygienic measures; 30C–200C depending on depth; compare/sequence Thuja, Nit. ac., Merc. sol. by surface vs. depth. [Hering], [Kent], [Boericke]

Case pearls (one-liners):
• Bridge-of-nose bar, incessant hawking of green masses, caruncle red—open air gives instant ease → Cinnabaris 30C b.i.d. × 5 days: hawking ceased, bridge pain gone. [Clarke], [Boger]
• Ozaena with crusts after cautery; fetor; polypi swell in rain → Cinnabaris 12C t.i.d.; cautery stopped; discharge normalised. [Hering], [Clarke]
• Fig-warts on glans/perineum, nocturnal tibial pains, posterior lump—Cinnabaris 200C single; warts shrank, night pains ceased as catarrh opened. [Hering], [Kent]

Mind

• Lascivious thoughts/dreams, especially at night. Sensual–mercurial erethism. [Hering], [Tyler]
• Irritability from obstruction (nose blocked, hawking in vain). Mood tracks venting. [Clarke]
• Anxiety about appearance/odour. Ozaena/venereal shame. [Clarke]
• Aversion to close rooms; desires open air. Environmental key. [Boger]
• Impatience, curt speech during frontal pressure. Pain–behaviour map. [Allen]
• Restlessness at night with bone pains. Miasmatic strand. [Hering]

Head

• Pressure at root/bridge of nose. Grand Cinnabaris keynote. [Boger], [Clarke]
• Headache from bridge to zygoma/teeth. Sinus–dental radiations. [Clarke]
• Worse damp, warm rooms; better open air. Modal cluster. [Boger]
• Ciliary neuralgia with frontal pressure. Eye–sinus axis. [Allen]
• Stooping/reading aggravates head. Posture trigger. [Allen]
• Periosteal tenderness nasal bones. Syphilitic terrain. [Clarke]

Eyes

• Caruncle inflamed/swollen; inner canthus feels lumpy. Signature sign. [Hering], [Allen]
• Smarting, excoriating tears. Discharge quality. [Allen]
• Pains from eye to root of nose. Ciliary link. [Boger]
• Light work aggravates; open air ameliorates. Modality echo. [Allen]
• Gummy inner canthi mornings. Catarrhal mornings. [Boericke]
• Photophobia with sinus pain. Reflex. [Clarke]

Nose/Throat

• Post-nasal catarrh; hawks thick, green/yellow mucus. Central rubric. [Hering], [Allen]
• Sensation of a lump/string behind the uvula. Key sensation. [Clarke], [Phatak]
• Ozaena with fetid crusts. Destructive catarrh. [Clarke]
• Polypi/adenoids worse damp/close rooms. Environment pointer. [Boger]
• Anosmia alternating with hyperosmia. Functional swing. [Clarke]
• Better after free discharge. Relief valve. [Hering]

Skin/Genitals

• Condylomata, moist, fig-like (genital/anus). Syco-syphilitic hallmark. [Hering], [Allen]
• Ulcers with coppery base; mucous patches. Syphilitic depth. [Clarke]
• Chancres/chancroids with fetor. Venereal target. [Boericke]
• Warts bleed easily. Fragile overgrowth. [Phatak]
• Night itching of genitals/anus. Circadian cue. [Allen]
• Suppression of discharges aggravates. Law of direction. [Hering]

Generalities/Environment

• Worse at night; worse damp/close rooms; worse warmth of head. Master aggravations. [Boger], [Allen]
• Better in open, cool air; better after discharge/hawking. Master ameliorations. [Clarke], [Hering]
• Fumes/odours aggravate (paint/dust). Occupational hint. [Hughes], [Clarke]
• Bone pains nocturnal. Miasmatic marker. [Hering]
• Sweat at night without relief. Mercurial pattern. [Allen]
• Tendency to polypi and warts. Sycotic theme. [Phatak]

Teeth/Face

• Toothache from sinus pressure (upper molars). Reflex path. [Clarke]
• Soreness at infraorbital ridge/malar bones. Facial extension. [Boger]
• Upper lip excoriated by nasal discharge. External sign. [Boericke]
• Rubbing bridge gives relief. Behavioural cue. [Phatak]
• Face coppery in ozaena. Terrain colouring. [Clarke]
• Caruncle–nose–tooth triad present. Selection cluster. [Hering]

Hering — The Guiding Symptoms of Our Materia Medica (1879): core picture—post-nasal hawking, caruncle swelling, condylomata, nocturnal bone pains; clinical confirmations.
T. F. Allen — Encyclopædia of Pure Materia Medica (1874–79): detailed catarrhal/venereal symptoms; modalities; head–eye–nose relations.
Richard Hughes — A Cyclopædia of Drug Pathogenesy (1891–95): toxicology of mercury compounds; stomatitis, fetor, bone pains; occupational aggravations.
John Henry Clarke — A Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica (1900): synthesis—ozaena, polypi, posterior “lump/string”, caruncle, condylomata; management cautions against suppression.
William Boericke — Pocket Manual of Homœopathic Materia Medica (1906): keynotes—post-nasal catarrh, polypi, canthus swelling, venereal lesions; practical modalities.
C. M. Boger — Synoptic Key of the Materia Medica (1915): modal environment (damp/close vs. open air); bridge-of-nose pressure; polypi; localisation.
S. R. Phatak — Concise Materia Medica (1977): concise keynotes—root-of-nose pain, hawking “lump,” caruncle; syco-syphilitic terrain; modalities.
James Tyler Kent — Lectures on Materia Medica (1905): miasmatic analysis; contrasts with Thuja, Aurum, Mercurius in venereal/nasal disease.
E. B. Nash — Leaders in Homœopathic Therapeutics (1899): mercurial tendencies and night pains; practical dosing notes (contextual).
W. A. Dewey — Practical Homœopathic Therapeutics (1901): catarrhal dietetics (sweets/fats), non-suppressive measures; adjuncts.
Margaret Lucy Tyler — Homoeopathic Drug Pictures (1942): vivid mind/sleep vignettes—lascivious dreams; practical pointers for catarrh cases.
Rajan Sankaran — The Substance of Homœopathy (1991): miasmatic layering—sycotic/syphilitic interplay (interpretive).
George Vithoulkas — Materia Medica Viva (1991): modern clinical portrait—nasal–venereal axis; open-air modality (interpretive).
Roger Morrison — Desktop Guide to Keynotes & Confirmatory Symptoms (1993): quick confirms—caruncle, bridge-of-nose, posterior lump, condylomata.
Adolph von Lippe — Text-Book of Materia Medica (1866): accessory notes on catarrh/venereal signs and glandular involvement.