Introduction to Acid Phos (Acidum Phosphoricum)

Hi, I’m Dr Imran Ali, and welcome back to the Homeopathy Materia Medica Series. Today, I’ll be discussing phosphoric acid or phosphoricum acidum.

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This homeopathic preparation is made from phosphoric acid, which is a corrosive inorganic acid compound that comes in various chemical configurations. Don’t be confused by the fact that some sources refer to the same remedy as acidum phosphoricum. Dr Samuel Hahnemann used metal phosphoric acid to make his original preparation of this remedy. It’s a clear glassy solid represented by the chemical formula H₃PO₄.

It’s also referred to as glacial phosphoric acid. Phosphoric acid can be extracted from the bones of animals, and of particular importance to us is the fact that it’s an ingredient commonly used in making carbonated drinks, especially cola drinks. I urge you to keep this in mind as we discuss the materia medica of phosphoric acid.

Other Common Acid Remedies In Homeopathy

According to one source, there are 37 homeopathic remedies made from acids. These include some well-known remedies such as:

• Nitric acid
• Muriatic acid
• Picric acid
• Fluoric acid
• Sulfuric acid
• Benzoic acid
• Oxalic acid

Of course, there are lots more.

An acid is a substance that has the capacity to burn through various materials, and correspondingly, the homeopathic acid remedies are often indicated for those who suffer from some kind of burnout. The various causes and symptoms of burnout differ from one acid remedy to the next. Phosphoric acid happens to be one of our most commonly indicated burnout remedies.

Core Theme of Phosphoric Acid

The underlying theme of phosphoric acid is best characterized as a struggle with adversity that leads to emotional burnout. This burnout manifests primarily as exhaustion and indifference.

The person who needs phosphoric acid has had to endure a particularly difficult ordeal. I’ll talk about the nature of this ordeal later on but right now I want to describe the phosphoric acid burnout state itself as a consequence of dealing with adverse circumstances.

Emotional Collapse and Burnout State

The person who needs phosphoric acid begins to collapse. He or she becomes emotionally worn out. There’s no energy left to care about anything. This person has done his or her best to cope but is now exhausted from the fight. There’s nothing left to give. All that remains is a combination of fatigue and apathy.

Let’s talk about these two factors one at a time.

Fatigue

Okay, so the first factor to consider is fatigue. Regardless of the specific nature of the adversity, it sucks the life out of the phosphoric acid type. He is tired and worn out,t especially on the emotional level.

• Also Read: Argenticum Nitricum – The Remedy For Anxiety

Phosphoric acid is primarily a remedy for emotional fatigue. Fatigue begins on the emotional level and can sometimes extend to the physical and or mental levels. He feels unable to cope with the emotional demands of events. He is too emotionally worn out to respond.

As a result, he may feel nothing or may complain of feeling numb. He is weak, drained, and chronically fatigued. Any emotional strain or exertion only leads to further exhaustion.

Although the books emphasize that phosphoric acid is a remedy for grief, it looks more like a state of collapse than actual grief.

Indolence and Lack of Energy

Some references describe phosphoric acid as being indolent, and it is listed in repertories under indolence. Technically speaking, indolent implies a lazy aversion to work, and while phosphoric acid may appear to be lazy, the real issue is that he just doesn’t have the energy to exert himself emotionally or physically, or mentally.

Sometimes he can be so tired that he’s inclined to lie down.

Mental Fatigue and Forgetfulness

On the mental level, fatigue can manifest as forgetfulness. The mind becomes weak, especially after grief. He forgets words and suffers from brain fatigue.

Another word that describes phosphoric acid is listless. He’s so tired that he loses interest in wanting to do things, and this leads us to the next key feature of the phosphoric acid state.

Indifference State of Phosphoric Acid

All right, so the primary manifestation of phosphoric acid’s fatigue is apathy, or as the books put it, indifference. This is the first impression we get when such a patient presents in the office. It’s not just that she’s tired; she gives the impression that she’s too tired to care.

Her affect is flat and apathetic. She is expressionless, as if she lacks the energy to show emotion. It requires energy to experience emotion, to care, to worry, to stress over something, but the phosphoric acid patient has no energy for that. She appears to be washed out, burnt out, even lifeless.

Phosphoric Acid and Depression

Some describe this phosphoric acid state as a form of depression, which it is, but it’s not like the deep, dark depression of an Aurum Metallicum. Phosphoric acid may admit to feeling despair or hopelessness, but she shows no inclination to do anything about it.

It’s more comparable to the indifference of a Sepia type, with the main difference being that Sepia’s indifference has a hormonal ideology. Phosphoric acid’s indifference comes from being drained of energy.

Absence of Emotion in Acidicum Phosphoricum

There’s an absence of feeling, an absence of emotion. She feels nothing and may even complain of feeling dead inside. She loses interest in the things that previously excited her.

The phosphoric acid type may say things like what’s the point or who cares or there’s no use in trying. She wants nothing, cares for nothing, and asks for nothing. She doesn’t have much to say and would rather be left alone to brood silently.

Acid Phos is a Remedy For Chronic Inactivity

Phosphoric acid is the main remedy for those who have become chronic couch potatoes. They sit around all day watching TV and doing nothing. They don’t have the energy to do anything else.

When a friend calls to ask if they’d like to go out to dinner or a movie, they make up an excuse and say Maybe next time.

Repertory Rubrics for Indifference

The number of indifference rubrics that include phosphoric acid gives us a sense of just how important this keynote feature is.

We find it listed under:

• mind indifference.
• Indifference on waking in the morning.
• Indifference with emaciation and weakness.
• Indifference during fever.
• Indifference with weakness.
• Indifference with weariness.
• Indifference about business.
• Complete indifference.
• Indifference has no desires
• indifferent and taciturn(meaning not talkative)
• indifference to everything
• indifference to life itself

Phosphoric acid is found in additional indifference rubrics, but I think I’ve made my point here.

Observing the Patient State Before Prescribing Acid Phos

Now, of course, most people who need this remedy aren’t going to hand it to you on a silver platter. They’re not going to blurt out(say clearly) I’m burnt out and apathetic, and I don’t care about anything anymore. In fact, they can be quite reluctant to speak.

In such cases, we must observe the patient’s state, know the right questions to ask, and be able to read between the lines.

Speech and Communication Patterns

So the way in which the phosphoric acid type speaks is another telltale feature that can point to this remedy.

• In accordance with his flat, lifeless affect, the phosphoric acid type not surprisingly tends to give short answers.
• He’s not particularly communicative.
• He thinks long and is slow to answer.
• He’s not inclined to answer questions and may respond irritably.
• Sometimes he’s so overwhelmed that he’s unable to respond at all.

Rubrics that illustrate this taciturn tendency include:

• Aversion to answering.
• Answers monosyllabically.
• Answers reluctantly.
• Answers slowly.
• Thinks long before answering.
• Anger when obliged to answer.

Mental Prostration and Weakness Of Acid Phos

In addition, phosphoric acid is listed prominently under the following rubrics:

• Desires nothing.
• Deficiency of ideas.
• Deficiency of ideas in brain.
• Prostration of mind.
• Prostration of mind after grief.
• Prostration of mind, mental exertion aggravates.
• Prostration of mind with bodily weakness.
• Taciturn from weakness and debility.
• Aversion to thinking.
• Brooding.
• Brooding after disappointment.
• Brooding after disappointed love.
• Dwells on past disagreeable events.

Summary of the Phosphoric Acid State

So in summary, adverse circumstances wear the phosphoric acid type down until he begins to burn out and collapse. He’s emotionally fatigued to the point where he has no energy left to respond. Instead, he sinks into an apathetic state and sits around like a couch potato, disinclined to do or say anything.

He may also experience physical fatigue and sometimes mental fatigue.

Triggers/Situations Causing Fatigue & Indifference in Acid Phos Patients

All right now, let’s talk about the types of situations that can bring about this phosphoric acid state of fatigue and indifference.

Now, by the time I’m done with this list of ideological factors, you’ll probably say to yourself Gee, it seems like just about anything can lead to a phosphoric acid state and that’s pretty much true.

So the specific circumstance is less important than the overall toll that it takes on the person. Regardless of the type of event, it’s either the intensity or the prolonged nature of an adverse situation or the profound degree to which it affects the person that counts the most.

So with this in mind, here are some ideological factors that are likely to produce a phosphoric acid state.

Grief, Loss & Love Disappointment

Grief, loss, and disappointed love are common triggers. Think of the teenager in love who took a breakup with a girlfriend or boyfriend very hard. Think of a person who’s experienced the deaths of several loved ones over a relatively short period of time.

Chronic Illness OR Severe Acute Illness

Another common trigger is illness. It’s not unusual for a severe bout with an acute illness or a prolonged battle with a chronic illness to suck the life energy out of a person. So we think of phosphoric acid in cases of chronic fatigue that are never well since an illness.

Not Well After Surgical Procedure

Similarly, we think of it in cases that are slow to recover after a surgical procedure.

Additional Contributing Factors

Various sources list additional ideologic factors, including:

• Bad news
• Overstudy
• Embarrassment
• Deceived friendship
• Drug abuse
• Alcoholism.

These events in and of themselves wouldn’t normally create problems for some people. So again, it’s not the specific event itself that generates the trouble as much as the intensity or prolonged nature of the situation that can wear down the energy of the person.

Generals of Phosphoric Acid

All right, now let’s talk about some generals and modalities. Okay so generally speaking, phosphoric acid tends to manifest its pathology more so on the:

• Mental,
• Emotional level
• Nervous system
• Muscular skeletal system
• Gastrointestinal tract.

Body Types of Acid Phos

It sometimes fits those with tall, thin body types, and as we’ll see, especially adolescents who have just undergone growth spurts, but it can also fit people of any body type.

Foods Preferences of Acid Phos

In terms of food and drink, there tends to be a distinct preference for refreshing things. This includes fruits and fruity juicy cold things like a cold, refreshing, juicy drink.

Likes Cold Milk

Phosphoric acid also likes cold milk.

Desires Carbonated Drinks

But the big keynote clue is a desire for carbonated drinks. Recall that phosphoric acid is an ingredient added to some carbonated drinks.

How the Desire of Carbonated Drinks & Liking The Bubbles of Cola Drinks Help Find Acid Phos Patient

If I suspect that a patient needs phosphoric acid, I make a point of asking whether he or she likes carbonated drinks. If they say Yes, I inquire about how much they drink and how often.

I’ve had more than a few people admit that they drink a six-pack or more of cola per day. Then I’ll ask why they drink so much, and it’s one thing if they say that they have a sweet tooth, but when they say that they like the bubbles or the carbonation, it’s a strong indication of phosphoric acid.

It’s a refreshing thing, and especially the bubbles produced by carbonation help to temporarily rouse them from their fatigued and apathetic fog.

Sour Fruits/Drinks Aggravate

One exception is that sour fruits or drinks can aggravate in some cases.

Aggravated By Cold

Another general is that phosphoric acid tends to be a little on the chilly side and can be aggravated by cold air, cold drafts, or cold, damp weather.

Unrefreshed in the Morning Even After a Good Sleep

Another important keynote clue is a feeling of being unrefreshed in the morning even after a good night’s sleep.

Desire to Remain in Bed

Phosphoric acid has a very difficult time waking and getting going in the morning. They’re very much inclined to remain in bed and sleep late.

Some repertories list it, and others don’t, but I can confirm that phosphoric acid is both:

• Unrefreshed on waking
• Indisposed to rising.

Modalities of Phosphoric Acid

Worse From Cold, Better From Warmth

Okay, so in terms of modalities, phosphoric acid symptoms can be worse from cold or a cold draft and better from warmth.

Aggravated By Loss of Vital Fluids

And phosphoric acid is one of the main remedies indicated for problems that are aggravated by excessive flow of bodily fluids. This can refer to:

• Blood loss
• Excessive perspiration
• Urine
• Diarrhea
• Excessive seminal fluid discharge

The homeopathic literature often refers to this as loss of vital fluids.

Tendency Towards Diarrhea & Exhaustion

Although phosphoric acid is known for a tendency toward diarrhea and this can lead to collapse and exhaustion. Sometimes it does not. So conversely, when the patient does not become weakened from chronic diarrhea, as one would expect, we also think of phosphoric acid.

Amelioration By Sleep

Another important modality is that phosphoric acid symptoms are typically ameliorated by sleep. Even a short nap can temporarily refresh and relieve.

Aggravation From Noise/Music

Sometimes we see an aggravation from noise or even music.

Pain Worse/Move on The Side Lying On

Another interesting modality is that phosphoric acid pains tend to be worse on the side lain on or can go to the side lain on.

Aggravated After Excessive Intercourse/Masturbation

Phosphoric acid symptoms can also be aggravated after sex or after sexual excesses or excessive masturbation. And the older literature often refers to this as another example of loss of vital fluids.

Aggravated By Some Ideological Factors

And just to be complete, all of the previously mentioned ideological factors, like grief, chronic illness, and other forms of adversity, can also serve as aggravating factors.

Difference Between Ideologic Factor & Aggravating Factor

To be clear, an ideologic factor is something that triggers an illness at its very beginning, whereas an aggravating factor exacerbates an already existing condition.

Physical Symptoms of Phosphoric Acid

All right, now let’s discuss some of phosphoric acid’s physical symptom tendencies.

Chronic Fatigue Due to Chronic Illness

Okay, so it makes sense that phosphoric acid is indicated for chronic fatigue in its many manifestations. It fits chronic fatigue as a sequela to mononucleosis, chronic fatigue in combination with diabetes, chronic fatigue from colitis, and chronic fatigue with hair loss.

Hair Loss Due to Grief

In fact, it’s the main remedy for hair loss caused by grief. There may be hair loss from the head, the eyebrows, or the beard.

Premature Graying of Hair

Sometimes there’s premature graying of the hair.

Diarrhea Caused By Grief

Phosphoric acid is also one of the main remedies for diarrhea caused by grief. The diarrhea tends to be painless, may be involuntary, and, as noted earlier, can occur without causing weakness or prostration.

Bone Pain Worse At Night

Another phosphoric acid keynote clue is bone pain, especially bone pains that are worse at night. Bone pain at night is a characteristic of the syphilitic miasm and the syphilitic remedies.

Phosphoric acid bone pains are often described as gnawing pains. There may be a sensation as if the bones are being scraped.

Osteomyelitis

It’s also a remedy for bone inflammation or bone infections, also known as osteomyelitis.

Night Sweats & Dryness of Mucous Membranes

Some additional clues that point to Acid Phos include night sweats, dryness of the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, mouth, or tongue.

Milky Urine

Milky urine or urine like curdled milk with white curds produced at the end of urination.

Useful For Rapidly Growing Adolescents (10-19 Years Old)

Lastly, Phosphoric Acid can be indicated for children and especially for rapidly growing adolescents.

Homesickness in Kids

It’s one of the main remedies for homesickness in kids and commonly it fits tall, thin kids who experience sudden growth spurts. The rapid change in metabolism can sometimes sap all the energy from the young growing teenager.

Growing Pains of Adolescence

Acidicum Phosphoricum is also one of the main remedies for growing pains of adolescence.

A Perfect Picture of Phosphoric Acid Teenager

Think of the common stereotype of the teenager in the middle of a growth spurt, practically overnight, he grows taller, becomes fatigued, and sinks into a chronic state of apathy with a distinct tendency to sleep late, sometimes rising from bed as late as noon time.

He loses all interest in things, mopes around the house, and speaks only when spoken to, often responding with a yes no or I don’t know.

Well, guess what, it’s not really a stereotype; it’s a common scenario that practically screams for treatment with phosphoric acid. Sometimes we also see headaches, bone pains, especially leg pains, or heart palpitations associated with adolescent growth spurts.

A Cured Case of an Acid Phos Young Kid Suffering From Tremendous Fatigue

I once saw a young adolescent boy suffering from tremendous fatigue. He sat slumped in his chair, saying nothing. His long, skinny legs had begun to give him trouble. He was losing coordination and was having a hard time walking.

He’d seen his pediatrician and various specialists, including a neurologist, but no one could quite figure out what was wrong with him. The interview revealed that he had undergone a pretty dramatic growth spurt around the same time that his symptoms began.

Repeated doses of phosphoric acid over the course of a few months pulled him right out of it. When I last saw him, he was sitting straight up in his chair. He spoke to me, and he walked without any difficulty.

Remedy Relationships of Acidicum Phosphoricum

Okay let’s finish up with remedy relationships.

China Off (Loss of Vital Fluids)

China is the one remedy consistently listed in the books as being complementary to phosphoric acid, and the main connection is that both remedies are indicated for ailments caused by loss of vital fluids.

Sepia (Indifferent)

Remedies worth comparing to phosphoric acid include sepia, which is similarly apathetic and indifferent, but usually for hormonal reasons, and compared to phosphoric acid, there is less emphasis on fatigue.

Silicea (Tall & Thin)

Silica is also tall and thin and fatigued but is not typically apathetic.

Calcarea Phos (Tall, Thin, Growing Pains)

Calcarea Phos is tall and thin, unrefreshed in the morning, and fits kids with growing pains.

Phosphorus (Cold Drinks, Growing Pains)

Phosphorus likewise fits growing pains and desires cold, refreshing things.

Helleborus (Slow Answers)

Halis also takes a long time to reflect before answering but its apathy and depression are usually caused by an insult to the brain or nervous system.

Carcinosin (Chronic Fatigue)

Carcinosin is commonly indicated in cases of chronic fatigue. It also fits cases that have never been well since some illness like flu or mononucleosis.

Picric Acid (Mental Fatigue & Collapse)

Picric acid is primarily a remedy for mental fatigue and collapse especially when the exhaustion is brought on by mental exertion or overstudy.

Muriatic Acid (Physical Weakness & Collapse)

Muriatic acid is another remedy for weakness and collapse especially on the physical level.

Gelsemium (Weakness, Fright)

And finally, gelsemium is commonly indicated for weakness and fatigue, especially in cases brought on by fright.

Conclusion

That’s my take on phosphoric acid. Thanks for reading! Please comment and share.

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