Baryta Carbonica Introduction

Hi everyone, I’m Dr. Imran Ali. Welcome back to the Homeopathy Materiamedica series. Today I’ll be discussing the homeopathic remedy called Baryta Carb, which is Latin for Barium Carbonate. Barium is an alkaline earth metal with atomic number 56 on the periodic table. Barium carbonate, chemical formula BaCO₃, is an inorganic compound that occurs naturally as a mineral called witherite.

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Although the homeopathic literature emphasizes the importance of Baryta Carb in treating developmental problems in children and cognitive issues in the elderly. It’s important to understand that it can be a very useful remedy for people of all ages.

Okay, so let’s go.

Core Three Characteristics of Baryta Carb

Now, Baryta Carb is a remedy that is most easily identified by its mental, emotional, and behavioral characteristics. We can sum up these characteristics and the nature of Baryta Carb in general in three words:

• Immaturity
• Insecurity
• Dependency

And these three characteristics are frequently but not always interrelated. So, as we’ll see Baryta Carb immaturity, whether on the mental, emotional, or physical level, tends to create a feeling of insecurity, which in turn fosters a type of dependency.

Immaturity –> Insecurity –> Dependency

All right. Now let’s take a closer look at these three attributes.

Immaturity And Delayed Development of Baryta Carb

Now, Baryta Carb is primarily a remedy for slow or delayed development. And this lack of maturity can be seen on any or all levels, mental, emotional, and/or physical. The person who needs Baryta Carb tends to be small and underdeveloped physically, deficient mentally, and/or naive and simple-minded emotionally.

Descriptive Words for Baryta Carb

Words that we can use to describe Baryta Carb are.

• Stunted
• Delayed
• Backward
• Slow
• Simple
• Innocent
• Naive
• Basic
• Uncomplicated
• Immature

But the terms most commonly used to characterize this remedy are childish and childlike.

It’s as if the person who needs Baryta Carb hasn’t fully grown up.

Examples of Baryta Carb Across Ages

For example, this can be the child who isn’t meeting developmental milestones or a teenager who struggles to grasp basic concepts in school, or a naive adult who doesn’t understand a remark that was intended to be ironic.

On the physical level, many Baryta Carb types are small in stature or slow to grow and develop. The older homeopathic literature refers to these physically undeveloped children with the term dwarfishness.

Children may be slow in learning to crawl, walk, or talk. The legs may be weak or there can be an unsteady gate.

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Mental And Learning Difficulties in Children

Baryta Carb can fit children who have difficulty learning. The memory may be weak. They may act confused, and they can have trouble learning to read. They aren’t capable of thinking in complex terms and may be slow and lacking in imagination.

This lack of mental capacity can make an older child or even an adult seem rather simple-minded or innocent.

Emotional Characteristics of Baryta Carb Children

On the emotional level, they tend to have a naive, childlike, or babyish quality. This is a remedy for children who continue to use baby talk when they should be developing more complex language abilities. Some choose to continue to use baby talk even when they’re capable of doing otherwise.

When parents report that the child has said that they don’t want to grow up, we must consider Baryta Carb.

Baryta Carb can be indicated for mental, emotional, or physical deficiencies that might be considered minor, but it can also be useful in more serious instances, such as can occur in cases of autism, intellectual retardation, or Down Syndrome.

Baryta Carb in the Elderly And Senility

At the other end of the age spectrum, Baryta Carb can be helpful for those suffering from various forms of senility(old age) or dementia. And it’s particularly indicated when elderly individuals exhibit similarly foolish, silly, childlike behaviors that we tend to see in younger people who need Baryta Carb.

Dementia is a severe decline in mental ability that interferes with daily life, affecting memory, thinking, judgment, language, and behavior.

Insecurity And Low Self-Confidence of Baryta Carb

Now, a lot of times, the Baryta Carb’s lack of maturity is associated with or can lead to feelings of insecurity. At some point on some level, the Baryta Carb type realizes that they aren’t physically keeping up with their peers or that they don’t have the same intellectual capacity as those around them.

This awareness of their deficiency can then contribute to feelings of insecurity or uncertainty. As a result, the Baryta Carb type tends to struggle with self-confidence.

Bashfulness And Shyness of Baryta Carb

And Baryta Carb children are notoriously shy. But it’s not just your typical everyday kind of shyness. It’s a unique type of shyness that is most accurately represented by the word bashful.

Baryta Carb tends to be bashful.

Meaning Of Bashful

Well, one particular definition of bashful is that it’s a feeling of being uncomfortable with other people and a tendency to be easily embarrassed. But it’s more than just that. To me, bashfulness is an innocent, childlike quality of shyness or timidity. It’s a combination of naivety and shyness.

And although we commonly apply the term bashful to children, it can also fit adults, too.

Bashful Behavior In Baryta Carb Children

Hiding Behavior

So the books paint a picture of the bashful Baryta Carb child as one who hides behind the parent, occasionally peeking out from behind to see what’s going on. And I’ve seen these kids in my office more than a few times.

They bury their faces in mom’s arms while periodically looking up to glance at me. Or they stand behind Dad while he sits in a chair talking to me.

Don’t Make Friends or Play With Others

These are the kids who stay to themselves at school. They don’t easily make friends or play well with others.

Aversion of Strangers

They’re often averse to the company of strangers.

Rarely Mix With Kids of Their Age

Their delayed development or immaturity makes it hard for them to fit in with kids their own age who are maturing at a more normal rate.

Baryta Carb Adolescents And Fear

As these children grow older and become adolescents(10-19 years of age) or young adults, they feel inadequate or incompetent. Some may describe it as a feeling of inferiority.

Now this strong feeling of insecurity can result in a great deal of indecision, or, as the homeopathic books say, irresolution.

Irresolution And Insecurity In Baryta Carb

Baryta Carb lists very prominently in the repertory under:

• Mind irresolution,
• Irresolution in acts,
• Irresolution in projects
• Irresolution about trifles.

Furthermore, the Baryta Carb fears and delusions also reflect the tremendous sense of insecurity of this remedy.

Fears And Delusions of Baryta Carb

Baryta Carb lists under the following fear rubrics in children.

• Fear that something will happen.
• Fear of people.
• Fear of people in children.
• Fear of responsibility.
• Fear of strangers.

Delusions Rubrics of Baryta Carb

• Delusion of being criticized.
• Delusion of being laughed at.
• Delusion of being laughed at hides behind the furniture.
• Delusion that she is being watched.
• Delusion that his legs are cut off.
• Delusion that he walks on his knees.

Helplessness Feeling of Baryta Carb

These last two rubrics are symbolic of the sense of helplessness that Baryta Carb can feel when trying to deal with unfamiliar people or situations, or the big, scary outside world.

And just for completeness, I would also add to the list:

• Fear of new situations,
• Fear of doing new things,
• Delusion that people are talking about him,
• Anxiety about health,
• Anticipation,
• Anxiety,
• School phobia.

School Phobia And Behavior of Baryta Carb Chil

Baryta Carb is the first remedy that we think of for children who do not want to go to school or even refuse to go to school.

Additional symptoms that can stem from Baryta Carb sense of insecurity, can include:

• Irritability,
• Nightmares,
• Rigid habits
• A strong adherence to routine.

Rigidity of Baryta Carb

We think of this rigidity(inability to be changed or adapted) as a way for the Baryta Carb type to compensate for his indecisive nature and to create a sense of control.

For example, Baryta Carb may focus on being neat and can be very concerned about his appearance, and this is why it is listed prominently under:

• Conscientious about trifles (a thing of little value or importance)

Dependency Of Baryta Carb

Of course, it also makes sense that an immature person with insecurities would tend to be rather dependent upon other people. And this is generally true of Baryta Carb types.

Baryta Carb stays close to home and close to family. Home is his comfort zone where he feels safe, secure, and protected. Recall the child who hides behind its parents.

Desire To Hide

Baryta Carb lists prominently under the desire to hide. Rubrics About Desire To Hide In Children:

• Child thinks visitors will laugh.
• Hides behind furniture.
• Desires to hide.
• Covers face with hands and looks through fingers.
• Desires to hide from strangers.

Reassurance And Passivity

Needs Reassurance From Parents

Baryta Carb is very dependent and fears losing those upon whom he is dependent. He needs reassurance and seeks out reassurance.

When asked a question, the Baryta Carb child will turn its head in the direction of a parent or caretaker as if to say, “What do you think? What should I say?”

Can’t Take Their Own Decisions

Baryta Carb types want others to make decisions for them. In this sense, they lack initiative, are easily influenced, and are therefore easily suppressed.

No Will of His Own

The Baryta Carb mindset is one of great passivity, as if the mind is vacant. He is very dependent and has no will of his own.

Prefers Routine & Resists Change

He prefers routine and is resistant to change.

Not Willing to Take Responsibility

He is unable to deal with complexity and unwilling to take on responsibilities.

Why Baryta Carb Adults Are Hard to Spot?

And again, although commonly observed in children, this combination of immaturity, insecurity, and dependency can also occur in adolescence, adults, and the elderly. It’s just that these traits can be a little harder to detect in older individuals who have spent their lifetimes learning how to cover up and compensate for their shortcomings.

General Symptoms and Modalities of Baryta Carb

Now let’s talk about Generals and modalities.

Chilly

Generally speaking, Baryta Carb is on the chilly side, and it also tends to be cold-sensitive.

Aggravation From Cold, Damp Weather

We often see an aggravation from cold, especially from cold, damp weather or from becoming cold.

Aggravated When Feet Become Cold/Wet

Baryta Carb symptoms can be aggravated, especially when the feet become cold or after the feet get wet.

Food Preferences of Baryta Carb

Foodwise, there tends to be:

• A preference for eggs,
• A desire for sweets,
• An aversion to fruit.

Aggravation From Warm Food and Vice Versa

There may be an aggravation from warm food and an amelioration from cold food.

Glandular Tendency of Baryta Carb

And as we shall see, there’s a distinct tendency toward glandular problems, with swollen glands being a commonly occurring symptom.

Symptoms Occur Locally on Single Organs

Another general is that symptoms tend to occur locally in single parts. For example, single organs like the testes or ovaries may fail to develop or mature. Or there may be numbness of the fingers or numbness of the knees. Or there can be cold, clammy perspiration of the feet only.

Problems From Suppressed Foot Sweat

Furthermore, there’s a tendency to develop problems from suppressed foot sweat.

Lack of Overall Energy

And lastly, another common complaint is a general lack of overall energy.

Physical Symptoms of Baryta Carb

Now it’s time to move on to Baryta Carb’s physical symptomatology.

In keeping with the theme of immaturity, Baryta Carb is a remedy that fits a variety of developmental problems.

Small Stature Children/Slow Growth

It can fit children of small stature or children who are slow to grow.  A common physical feature is a distended abdomen. Small, emaciated Baryta Carb children can have a pot-bellied appearance with a hard, distended abdomen. In addition, there may be constipation with hard stools.

School Headache

Additional childhood problems also include school headaches.

Nail Biting Habit

A tendency to bite nails may be present in children.

Bedwetting

Another important feature is Enuresis or bedwetting in children.

Regression of Toilet Training

Sometimes, there may be a regression of toilet training in response to psychological stressors.

Potty/Toilet training regression is when a toilet-trained child has accidents again, usually due to stress or major life changes.

Slow to Walk & Talk

And recall that Baryta Carb can be slow to walk and or slow to talk.

Alopecia

Another Baryta Carb condition is alopecia, especially premature baldness.

A Case of Alopecia in a Teenage Girl of Normal Height

I was once consulted by a teenage girl for sudden, dramatic, and unexplained hair loss. She was quite tall and not short of stature at all.

Her mother did most of the talking for her. High school graduation wasn’t far off, so I asked her about her future plans. She looked rather perplexed by my question, as if she hadn’t given it any real thought. When I pressed her again, she said that she would continue to live at home with her family. She didn’t have much else to say about the matter.

Fortunately, monthly doses of Baryta Carb halted the hair loss, but more importantly, she became more vocal with each successive office visit. I could see that she was maturing psychologically before my very eyes.

Down Syndrome And Mental Retardation Treatment In Homeopathy

By the way, I’ve received inquiries over the years about whether homeopathy can help individuals with intellectual retardation or Down syndrome.

And the answer is YES, it can help.

I’ve treated children with Down syndrome and have seen improvements in physical symptoms, in mental capacity, and in emotional maturity.

Can homeopathy cure Down syndrome? Certainly not. But it can help such individuals be as healthy as they can be within the limits of their conditions.

Glandular Swelling and Inflammation of Baryta Carb

Now, Baryta Carb also has a strong tendency to develop conditions that affect glandular tissue or glandular organs. Glands can become swollen, hard, painful, and or inflamed.

Tonsilitis & Inflamed Neck Glands

The Baryta Carb type tends to catch a cold easily and frequently. And with those colds, we often see swollen tonsils or enlarged and painful neck glands.

Mouth Breathing Due to Swollen Tonsils & Adenoids

Tonsils and adenoids may be so swollen as to impede breathing(difficult breathing) and hence the Baryta Carb tendency to mouth breathe.

Tonsils Abscess With Pus Discharge

The tonsils can become inflamed and may have an abscess and suppurate, especially on the right side.

Anterior Cervical Neck Glands Swelling

The homeopathic literature notes that the anterior cervical neck glands can become swollen and hard like knotted cords.

Lymphatic Glands Swelling

Lymphatic glands around the ears or in the back of the head in the occipital region can become swollen and painful.

Thyroid Gland Swelling

Baryta Carb can also be indicated when the thyroid gland is hard, swollen, or painful.

Parotitis

Salivary glands can also be affected. Baryta Carb is a remedy for parotitis.

Reproductive Issues of Baryta Carb

Small-Sized Reproductive Organs

Reproductive organs can be small or may become atrophied. This failure to develop normally can affect the testes, ovaries, or uterus.

Impotence, Low Libido

Along with this, there may be a diminished libido, an aversion to sex, or impotence.

Lymphatic Cancers

We also consider Baryta Carb in cases of lymphatic cancers, such as Hodgkin’s disease.

Old Age Problems Requiring Baryta Carb

And lastly, we also think of Baryta Carb for a variety of problems that can develop in old age.

Prostate Gland Issues

Baryta Carb can be a remedy for prostatitis(Inflammation of the Prostate Gland) or an enlarged prostate gland.

Dementia & Alzheimer’s

And just like it fits cases that involve mental delay at the beginning of life, it also fits conditions that involve mental decline, like Alzheimer’s or dementia, especially when the individual regresses into a childlike state of dependency.

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder and leading cause of dementia, slowly destroying memory, thinking, and daily functioning due to brain cell loss.

Vascular Problems of Baryta Carb

Baryta Carb also fits a wide variety of vascular problems such as:

• Hypertension,
• Atherosclerosis (Arteries become damaged from factors such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes and certain genetic influences)
• Aneurysms (a bulge or ballooning in a weakened area of a blood vessel wall, often in the aorta or brain, caused by disease or injury),
• Strokes,
• T I A s.(Transient Ischemic Attack)

Symptoms that can occur with these vascular conditions include hemiparesis, difficulty with swallowing, or even paralysis of the tongue.

Hemiparesis is weakness on one side of the body affecting the arm, leg, and sometimes face, usually caused by brain injury, leading to movement and daily activity difficulty.

Remedy Relationships of Baryta Carb

Now it’s time to talk about remedy relationships.

Complimentary Remedies

Remedies listed in various sources as being complementary to Baryta Carb include.

• Calcarea Carb
• Dulcamara
• Lycopodium
• Sepia
• Silica

Remedies worth comparing to Baryta Carb include:

Silicea

Silica, who is chilly and bothered by cold, lacks confidence, has similar developmental delays and growth disorders, fits glandular problems, and is constipated.

Calcarea Carbonica

Calcarea Carbonica is characterized by a chilly nature, a desire for eggs and sweets, slow development of developmental milestones, frequent colds, swollen glands, and constipation.

Lycopodium Clavatum

Lycopodium struggles with self-confidence, likes sweets, has a distended abdomen, and suffers from prostatitis, prostatic hypertrophy, and impotence.

Bufo Rana

Bufo Rana is another main remedy for developmental delay and intellectual retardation. One difference is that while Baryta Carb is soft and gentle-natured, Buffo is rather crude and primitive.

Natrum Mur

Natrum Muriaticum can fit arrested development, slow learning to talk, and can be shy and emotionally reserved.

Pulsatilla

Pulsatilla is soft, gentle, passive, dependent, inhibited, easily influenced, lacks confidence, and tends to like eggs.

Lesser-known Barium Remedies List

And lastly, it’s worth comparing other less well-known barium remedies to Baryta Carb.

• Baryta Acetica
• Baryta Iodata
• Baryta Muriatica
• Baryta Phosphorica
• Baryta Sulphurica

Closing Lines

Thanks for tuning in, and please be sure to share. I would love to see your comments and clinical experiences regarding the use of Baryta Carbonica.

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