Common name: Calcium carbonate. Oyster shell. Chalk. Limestone.
Chemical formula: CaCO3
What do oysters, chalk, and the White Cliffs of Dover have in common? Calcium carbonate, a calcium compound that is a common mineral found in animal shells, limestone, tooth paste, algae, and antacids. Calcium is an element located in row 4, column 2 of the Periodic Table of Elements. Carbon is located in row 2, column 14. Both these elements are vital to life processes. Calcium is essential for the development of bones and teeth. As the fifth most abundant element in the human body, calcium helps regulate blood pressure, heart and muscle contractions, blood clotting, and nerve impulses. The body controls blood calcium levels through the intricate autonomic nervous system which regulates unconscious body functions. In homes that have hard water, deposits of calcium carbonate, called limescale, can build up in pipes, hot water heaters, and cause an unsightly ring around the toilet. In some oysters, microscopic crystals of calcium carbonate will form a protective coating around an irritant that becomes lodged between the mollusk’s shell and its mantle, eventually forming a beautiful pearl.
To make the homeopathic remedy Calcarea carbonica, only the white inner lining of oyster shells is used. This remedy combines aspects of both sea animals and minerals. It is one of the main polycrest remedies that has a wide variety of uses. Calc-carb is especially useful during infancy, puberty, and old age. Happy babies with large heads and bellies, who are slow learning to walk and talk, who sweat on their heads and neck during sleep, and who are constipated will benefit from this remedy. Children tend to be independent and curious but usually have poor stamina, nightmares, and many fears. They can be obstinate and become fixated on finishing what they are doing. The stereotypical picture of a Calc-carb child is the cartoon character Charlie Brown. Adults are hard-working, practical, responsible, and methodical. They tend to become overwhelmed by their responsibilities and may become anxious over money or health concerns. When Calcarea carbonica is needed in old age, it is often a sign of strong vitality. People needing Calc-carb tend to be chilly, sweaty, and hungry.
Keynotes:
- Poor stamina, general aggravation from exertion, sluggish, worse walking up stairs
- Chilly and worse cold, wet weather
- Sweats easily from exertion, at night in bed, from getting cold
- Sour perspiration, clammy feet and hands, wears socks to bed
- Leg and foot cramps at night in bed
- Tendency to gain weight, obesity, poor muscle tone
- Obstinate, stubborn
- Strong sense of responsibility, over-worked, overwhelmed
- Fear of heights, going insane, poverty, animals, spiders
- Averse to hearing of cruelty, crimes, accidents, bad news, horrible things
- Nightmares, anxious dreams, sleepless from worry
- Frequent colds, recurrent otitis media, tonsillitis, pharyngitis
- Constipation without ill effects, without urging, clay-like stool
- Diarrhea in teething children, worse drinking milk
- Low back pain, arthritis
- Frequent strains and sprains
- Menstrual problems, PMS, uterine fibroids, uterine hemorrhage
- Pica. Craves eggs, sweets, ice cream
Information contained on this site is for educational purposes only and should not be used to prescribe, diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or illness. Any information provided is not intended to replace medical advice offered by a physician. If you desire or need such advice, you should consult a professional healthcare provider.