Calcarea Carbonica A Remedy Made From Calcium Carbonate

Hi, I’m Dr Imran Ali, and welcome once again to the Homeopathic Materia Medica series.  Today, I’ll be discussing the materia medica of Calcarea Carbonica, a homeopathic medicine derived from Calcium Carbonate (from Oyster Shell).

• Check the full Materia Medica A–Z of homeopathic remedies

I find it absolutely fascinating how some of the most dependable and powerful homeopathic remedies are derived from some surprisingly mundane substances found in nature. Calcarea Carb is derived from the scrapings of the soft white inner layer of an oyster shell. Who but us homeopaths would think that such remarkable healing power could be produced from such a benign substance?

Of course, the secret lies in the potentization and proving processes, whereby seemingly inert substances are transformed into powerful healing energies, which are then studied systematically to discover their healing applications. The thousands of symptoms, both psychological and physical, capable of being produced by a given substance and therefore capable of being cured by that same substance and homeopathic potency, are painstakingly documented and preserved in the homeopathic materia medica. In this way, we can study the materia medica of any given homeopathic medicine to learn about its therapeutic uses.

So, without further delay, let’s talk about the materia medica of Calcarea Carbonica.

Constitutional Type and Physical Appearance of Calcarea Carb

Okay, so as previously noted, Calcarea Carb is a remedy made from the oyster shell.

It is a constitutional remedy that fits people who are often identifiable by their appearance and by their body type. In my experience, this is true of Calcarea Carb types more than any other type. Now, appearances alone never justify the prescription of a remedy. But they can be excellent clues in many Calcarea Carb cases.

Classification of Body Types

Most people are aware of the classification system that divides body types into three main categories, with:

1. Ectomorphs on one end of the spectrum,
2. Mesomorphs in the middle,
3. Endomorphs at the other end.

Ectomorphs

Ectomorphs tend to be tall and thin. They are the basketball players and fashion models of the world.

Mesomorphs

Mesomorphs have medium builds. They’re more compact like baseball players.

Endomorphs

Endomorphs are more heavy-set. They’re the opposite of long and lean. They are soft and flabby.

Most Calcarea Carb Are Endomorphs

Although most Calcarea Carb types are endomorphs, they’re usually found on the spectrum between endomorphs and mesomorphs.

Fair Skin, Thick Bodies, Little Muscles

Calc carb types are usually fair-skinned with thicker bodies that have little muscular definition.

Slow Metabolism, Gain Weight Easily

Calc types have slow metabolisms, and consequently, they can gain weight easily and have a hard time losing weight. As a result, they can tend toward obesity.

Perspire Easily, especially on the Head

They perspire easily, especially on the upper half of the body and particularly on the head.

Lack Stamina (Physical + Mental)

Calcarea Carbonica types tend to lack physical and mental stamina and may fatigue easily.

Most Common in Infants & Toddlers

Calc carb is the most commonly indicated constitutional remedy for infants and toddlers.

Children Are Soft With Round Heads

Like the adult Calcarea Carb, children are similarly soft and plump with round heads.

Sweating on the Head of Kids While Sleeping

A keynote clue is that Calcarea Carb kids can sweat on the head while sleeping at night.

Mental and Emotional Picture of Calcarea Carbonica

Now, let’s talk about the Calcarea Carb mental picture.

Slow, Clam & Easy Going

Calc is slow, calm, steady, and methodical. They usually describe themselves as easy-going, and they definitely are. They are even-tempered.

Reliable, Responsible, Dependable

They’re reliable, responsible, and dependable.

Practical & Work-Oriented

And they are solid, grounded, and practical. They’re work-oriented but surprisingly can tend toward workaholism. However, they are workaholics in a slow, plotting way, not frantically or hurriedly.

Persistent & Stubborn

They are persistent and stubborn, but in a calm, determined way. They set their sights on a single task, think it out carefully, and then proceed step by step to work on it patiently and persistently until the job is eventually completed.

Does Not Want Distractions

Calcarea Carb does not want to be distracted by other matters.

Calcarea Carb is Not a Multi-Tasker

He is not a multi-tasker. He wants to finish the first task before he moves on to another one. If given too many things to juggle all at once, he can become overwhelmed. You may recall that frustration is the buzzword that makes us think of Ignatia.

Calcarea Carb is Overwhelmed

Overwhelmed is the word that should remind us of calc carb. Calc becomes easily overwhelmed when there is too much on his plate. For example, calc types can become paralyzed when tasked with cleaning out and organizing the garage stacked with boxes full of old and unwanted toys, tools, newspapers, and other assorted items.

He stares at the mess, struggles to see the big picture, becomes confused as to where to begin, and gives up on the project before he even gets started.

He would prefer instead to take one box at a time, narrowly focus on its contents, and slowly sort it all out before he can even begin to think about any other box in the garage.

Calcarea Carb is Analytical

Calc carb is practical and analytical in the sense that he is the type who will sit down with the alarm clock, take it apart, and then put it back together again. Then he does the same thing all over again with the sole purpose of learning how the clock ticks, pun intended. And he will do it quietly and patiently without becoming frustrated, even if he runs into a snag.

Calcarea Carb Helps Others Practically

Many calc types will say that they love to help others. But unlike Natrum muriaticum, for example, who helps others by being a good listener, Calc prefers to lend a hand in practical ways. So she helps cook the meal for the big party, or helps a friend move into her new apartment, or drives another friend to his doctor’s appointment.

In this sense, calc is practical, responsible, and dependable, and they thrive on helping others. They are natural-born caregivers.

Calcarea Carb Can Become Co-Dependent (Need Others’ Help)

But when taken to an extreme, such a person can easily become codependent (who needs help), at which point they may lose their sense of purpose if they don’t have someone else to take care of.

Anxiety and Fears of Calcarea Carb

Calcarea Carb Manages His Anxiety With His Mind

Now, Calcarea Carb is also prone to anxiety, and the best way for him to manage his anxiety is with his mind.

It’s in this sense that calc is control-oriented. He tries to understand the problem before him in a practical way, just like he understands that alarm clock that he took apart as a kid. He wants to know all of the whens, wheres, hows, and whys of the situation. Calcarea Carb patients may ask many questions about their health problems:

• Why is this happening?
• What is causing it?
• How can it be treated?

Fear of Losing Control

Underlying all those questions is an anxiety that represents a fear of losing control. Calcarea Carb seeks to quell (finish) the anxiety by asking questions to gain a sense of understanding and rational control over the problem.

Calcarea Carb Asks Many Questions During Case Taking

Sometimes this is a good tip-off in the consulting room. The Calcarea Carb patient patiently cooperates with the interview, answering many questions. But just when the session is concluding, he may barrage(bombard) the practitioner with many questions. It soon becomes clear that providing answers to those questions only leads to more questions.

Here, we get a glimpse into the Calcarea Carb mind, which seeks to understand a problem to stave off (avoid) anxiety.

How Calcarea Carb Patient Creates Difficulties For the Doctor During Treatment

The same Calcarea Carb’s analytical tendency can sometimes make it difficult for the practitioner to conduct an interview. Instead of giving direct answers to questions about his symptoms, the Calc patient may respond by giving long, elaborate answers that include his own and his other doctor’s theories about why his symptoms are occurring.

Similarly, during follow-up visits, the Calcarea Carb patient may report improvements but then also include a variety of explanations as to why he experienced improvement, thus making it quite difficult for the practitioner to discern whether the remedy is really helping or not.

You can see how confusing it can be when a patient who took Calcarea Carb reports back that his headaches are better, but then proceeds to explain that it could be because he’s eating fewer carbohydrates, or it could be because he’s sleeping better, or it could be because he’s increased his dosage of vitamin D.

Variety of Fears of Calcarea Carb

Calc carb types are likely to exhibit a variety of fears, anxieties, and worries.

They may lie in bed at night worrying:

• About their loved ones
• About business matters
• About their responsibilities.
• They lie sleepless, ruminating about the various tasks awaiting them the following day.

Fear of Losing His Reason is the Biggest Fear of Calcarea Carb

Since calc carb counts on his rational faculties to manage his worries and anxieties, it’s quite understandable when we find out that one of his biggest fears is losing the ability to use his mind. Although Calcarea Carb is listed in repertories under fear of insanity, I believe that the more accurate rubric is fear of losing his reason.

Many calc patients express this more directly as a fear of dementia or fear of developing Alzheimer’s disease. It’s not so much a fear of going crazy as it is a fear of losing the ability to think clearly and rationally.

When he does experience confusion or a momentary lapse in memory, Calcarea Carb becomes inordinately (more than required) concerned that others will notice this deficiency. Calc carb is the most prominent remedy listed under the rubric:

• Delusion imagines others will observe his confusion.

Fear of Being Dependent on Others

A related Calcarea Carb fear is the:

• Fear of losing one’s independence.

This applies both physically and mentally. Calcarea Carb fears losing the ability to think and the ability to get around on his own more than death itself. He dreads the thought of being confined to a wheelchair or having to live in a nursing home.

He wants to maintain the ability to live independently without needing the help of others. For this reason, he fears any disease that in his mind could lead him to having to depend upon the assistance of others to be able to perform his activities of daily living.

More Fears of Calcarea Carb

Calc carb is prone to a variety of additional fears.

They include:

• Fear of heights,
• Fear of insects,
• Fear of dogs,
• Fear of rodents,
• Claustrophobia,
• Fear of the dark,
• Fear of flying,
• Fear of cancer,
• Fear of infectious diseases,
• Fear of poverty,
• Fear of losing control.

Although that’s quite a lengthy list, bear in mind that most people who need calc carb will only exhibit a few of these fears.

Calcarea Carbonica in Children

Now, calc carb children are similarly calm, easy-going going and good-natured. They’re ideal babies, and they’re easy to take care of. However, they can be persistent and even strong-willed, but in a calm way. They’re not going to throw tantrums like Tuberculinum.

Nightmares of Calc Carb Toddlers

Calc carb toddlers (1-3 years of age) may have nightmares. When they reach a certain age, they may begin to ask questions about God and about death. Here we see the beginnings of that need to understand things to cope with anxiety.

Slow Development of Calcarea Carb Children

Children can be developmentally slow. They may be slow learning to crawl and late learning to walk.

In fact, slowness is a theme that runs throughout most of Calcarea Carb symptomatology.

In most cases, they do develop just fine. They simply do it slowly according to their own timetable.

Speech Development is Slow

The development of speech may be slow

Teeth Development is Slow

The teeth may come in late.

Metabolism is Slow

The metabolism tends to be slow.

Learning & Growth Milestones Are Late

Growth spurts and developmental milestones may take time, and even learning can be slow. One could say that slowness is the very essence of calc carb itself.

Learn to Read Slow

Children learn to read slowly.

Finish Exam Slowly

They take longer to finish their exams.

Why is Calcarea Carb Slow?

It’s not that they can’t learn; it’s just that they take longer than others to absorb and assimilate information and to perform physical tasks.

The good news is that a timely dose of Calcarea Carb can assist the child whose growth is delayed or who is struggling to keep up in school.

General Physical Symptoms and Modalities

Calcarea Carb is Chilly

Now, in terms of General Symptoms, Calcarea Carb tends to be more chilly than warm. And calc is bothered by cold weather, especially cold, damp weather.

Easy Perspiration on Head & Upper Body

Calc perspires easily, especially on the head and upper body.

Hands or Feet Are Cold and Clammy

They may complain of cold, clammy (wet from sweating) hands or feet.

Wear Socks To Bed and Take Them Off

Some calc types wear socks to bed, take them off after a while, and then stick them out from the covers when the feet feel warm.

Sleeping on the Left Side

Some calc types prefer to sleep on the left side.

Desire for Eggs

Calc carb food desires can be quite useful as clues. Firstly, there’s the famous desire for eggs. Many will admit to eating eggs several times per week, if not daily. But don’t be fooled by those who have given up eating eggs due to the bad reputation they have from the medical establishment.

And some may forget to mention their love of eggs simply because it’s an everyday staple of their diet. Always be sure to dig deep enough. It’s important to ask questions until you’re sure that you have an accurate answer.

Desire Starchy Foods

Calc types also love starchy foods like Pasta, but especially potatoes. They look forward to a hearty meal of meat and potatoes for dinner.

Desire Starch Sweets

And they love starchy sweets for dessert like cakes, pies, and donuts.

Desire Ice Cream

Most also have a hard time resisting ice cream.

Calc Carb Diet Is The Farmer’s Diet

When I first learned about homeopathy back in medical school, I watched my mentor treat a lot of farmers who lived in the countryside. Many responded very favorably to calc carb, and they often had similar dietary preferences. I like to think of it as the farm diet.

When you think of calc carb think eggs for breakfast meat and potatoes for dinner and ice cream for dessert.

Aversion to Slimy Foods

As far as food aversions, Calcarea Carb, like Natrum muriaticum, has a notorious aversion to slimy foods. Sometimes that specifically means oysters, but I’ve found that this can vary because slimy is in the eye of the beholder.

You’d be surprised how many Calcarea Carbs refer to their food aversions by using the specific word slimy.

Calcarea Carb Crave Odd Things (Pica)

Another interesting food clue is that Calcarea Carb, like Alumina, can crave odd things like clay, pencils, or charcoal.

Some repertories list this under:

• Desires indigestibles
• Desires inedibles.

Conventional medicine calls this symptom Pica. It’s a condition common among children, but it can also occur in adults.

A Case of a Woman Craving for Chalk

I once saw a woman who couldn’t control her craving for chalk. She ate sticks of chalk by the boxful. Calc carb quickly eliminated this problem.

Common Physical Complaints of Calcarea Carbonica

Now, let’s talk about the Calcarea Carb physical symptoms. Of course, since calc is a broad constitutional polycrest, it covers a wide range of physical health problems. So I’ll only mention some of the more common ones here.

Frequent Colds & Respiratory Infections

First calc can be prone to catching frequent colds and other respiratory infections like coughs, ear infections, and bronchitis.

Arthritic Issues

Similarly, Calcarea Carb is prone to a wide range of arthritic or rheumatic conditions.
The main modality in such cases is aggravation from cold or cold, damp weather.

Constipation Without Urge and Without Discomfort

Calc carb is often constipated, but it sometimes presents uniquely. There is constipation, but without urging to go, and surprisingly, this does not seem to cause any physical discomfort.

This is worded rather awkwardly in repertories under:

• Mind cheerful with constipation.

Calf/Foot Cramps in Bed

Calc may complain of calf and or foot cramps that act up while in bed at night.

Vertigo of Calcarea Carb

Vertigo is another problem that calc is susceptible to. The specific modalities can help differentiate calc from other vertigo remedies. The modalities include:

• Aggravation from motion of the head
• Worse turning the head quickly
• Worse ascending stairs.

Another keynote symptom is that calc may experience vertigo in high places. For example, while standing at a precipice or looking out from a tall building.

Shortness of Breath & Fatigue

Another common calc complaint is shortness of breath and fatigue that occur especially while ascending stairs or walking uphill, but also from exertion in general. In such cases, a workup usually reveals no obvious medical cause for these symptoms.

Swollen Glands of Calcarea Carb

Calcarea Carb is also prone to swollen glands, uterine fibroids, and thyroid conditions. Recall the calc theme of slowness. Many Calcarea Carbs have slow metabolisms, and a common cause for this can be hypothyroidism.

Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland produces too little hormone, leading to a slower metabolism and reduced energy levels throughout the body.

Modalities of Calcarea Carbonica

Now, let’s finish off with a brief list of the most important Calcarea Carb modalities.

Cold Aggravation

Calcarea Carb can be aggravated by cold, damp weather, by cold air, and even by a draft of air.

Physical Exertion Aggravates

There’s aggravation from physical exertion in general, but especially while ascending stairs.

Mental Exertion Aggravates

And there can also be aggravation from mental exertion.

Remedy Relationships of Calcarea Carbonica

Complimentary Remedies

And finally, as far as remedy relationships, Calcarea is complementary to:

• Lycopodium
• Belladonna
• Rhus tox
• Sulphur

Calcarea carb acute ailments often respond especially well to Belladonna and Rhus tox, but also to Hepar sulph and Pulsatilla.

Remedies Similar to Calcarea Carb

When considering calc carb, it’s important to compare it to other similar remedies. These include:

• Antimonium crudum
• Baryta carb
• Calcarea phosphorica
• Capsicum
• Dulcamara
• Phosphorus
• Graphites
• Hepar sulph
• Kali carb
• Pulsatilla
• Silicea

Conclusion

Well, there you have it, a crash course on Calcarea Carbonica, one of the most important constitutional remedies in the homeopathic materia medica. Please don’t forget to share.

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