The patient in need of Arsenicum usually is rather thin, but not always. They can also be stoutish, but the skin on their faces and hands often looks as if it were seared or burned. It looks dried out and parchment-like. It is dry, can be flaky or it can be smothered in fancy creams and skin preparations. Arsenicum uses lots of toiletry items and products designed to improve one's looks. They are frail-looking (Thuja), may walk with a cane, may have sores, ulcers, eczema or herpetic eruptions. They may be poisoned with metals from dental restorations, especially mercury, which is the most closely related homeopathic metal remedy to Arsenicum based on similarity of symptoms.

The patient suffers from fevers, shortness of breath, anxiety attacks, diarrhea, wasting, extreme thirst (they generally like to take frequent sips of cold or iced water and keep a glass nearby for frequent small drinks), skin eruptions of a burning and eczematous nature: frequently the face has a hectic flush or red patches on the cheeks, emaciation, burning pains (which can be anywhere and are ameliorated from the application of heat), deterioration of all the vital energies of the body and the organs, septicemia, fungal infections (they can have yeast growths or sordes on the lips in acute, septic illnesses like Phosphorus, Hyoscyamus and Stramonium), cancers of all sorts, acrid thin foul excretions from the body, and , of course, the mental image described above. Melons and vegetables and ice cream may aggravate the digestion and produce diarrhea. Wants to be propped up with pillows in bed.

The patient will have very many symptoms, but don't loose sight of the overall picture. Don't get lost in minutia. This is a big mistake of young Homeopaths. If you can't see the forest for the trees, you've lost the case if you are trying to find the remedy. A young homeopath can easily become overwhelmed by the anxiety and never-ending lists of symptoms an Arsenicum patient will produce, but you have to step back from the details and review the essence, the mentals, the generals and the history of the case to simplify it in your mind. This will allow you to find the correct remedy (for professional Homeopaths only--don't prescribe for yourself--it is a big mistake.) Click here begin Classical Homeopathic Therapy with me.

Don't be afraid to consult your repertories and materia medicas during the consultation or indeed at anytime. Confirm that the general characteristics and modalities of minor physical symptoms fit into the remedy being considered but don't get hung up on one or two or three symptoms which are not listed for the remedy you are considering. The chief complaint and major physical symptoms in most cases will be found in the materia medica, but the remedy may still be the similimum with a major case symptom not listed for that remedy. If the essence, the generals and modalities and the mentals fit the case, then it is the correct remedy, nonetheless. This is a major stumbling-block for students of Homeopathy. One must use the reference texts and computer software as tools, but the final determination of the correct remedy must be decided by the Homeopath after much careful repertorization, materia medica reference and a complete analysis of the case from all angles.

Arsenicum desires hot food and drink, vegetarian food sometimes. They can be quite finicky about their diet and may have great food sensitivities or allergies and shop only at certain health food stores and have lots of dietary requirements. They frequently call ahead to get special food on airline flights and generally demand special attention not only in their diet but in every way. Special attention is another way to get or acquire something which ameliorates Arsenicum. They like sour foods, vegetables, can desire tobacco (or may have an extreme aversion to it and will carry on something awful if they smell tobacco coming from far away, will make a seen, write nasty notes and so on) or wine but do not tolerate them well. They may desire to smoke or eat Cannabis to alleviate some of their terrible anguish or to increase their appetite, or to ameliorate some of the effects of chemotherapy in cancerous affections.

The Arsenicum patient is much worse from cold and better from heat. The patient is sensitive to everything and must have everything his or her way or she feels anxious and generally aggravated and much worse; for example, food, their surroundings, cleanliness, everything being in its proper place, etc. They are worse when contradicted or opposed and will frequently fly into a rage as a result. They are generally worse in every way as midnight and the early morning hours approach. Worse midnight or 1 AM or midnight to 3 AM, also can be worse( but generally not as bad) in the afternoons about the same times: noon to 3 PM, but not always. They are generally better from eating, though not when acutely ill when it would bring on nausea, vomiting, feverishness and other complaints. They are better propped up with pillows in bed, better for company and considerate consolation. Arsenicum is better from taking drinks, cold or iced in acute illnesses to alleviate the burning pains in the lungs and stomach and hot drinks such as teas in chronic states which soothes their irritated and inflamed digestive organs and helps them to relax, usually in small amounts at a time. Better also from drugs and alcohol but only temporarily. After the high wears off their general state of health is worse because they are in such a weakened state and the drugs and alcohol do severe damage to their already impaired liver function and other weakened organs. Then, the anxiety, weakness and intensity of all symptoms increases. These patients must be kept away from these things if they are to recover and be encouraged to consume wholesome food and drink, and to rely on massage and meditation and other natural means to help alleviate their anxieties, fears and restlessness. Another thing that will ameliorate the Arsenicum state is a hot bath, hot shower, hot sauna, hot tub, etc. Pampering in general in a carefully cleaned and nurturing environment rejuvenates these people. Better but getting things, acquiring things (loves to collect items) or being given things: money, a massage, help around the house, medication, a ride somewhere, company, a nice meal, etc.

The Arsenicum patient will be worse from cold, windy weather, exposure, excessive physical or mental exertion, loss of any kind (for example breaking up with their lover, filing for divorce, the death of a close friend),worse at night around or after midnight, worse from raw, unclean, coarse or cold foods, melons and fruits in general, can have lactose intolerance and worse from milk and dairy. Worse from vaccinations and anything that poisons the blood. Worse from suppressions, tobacco, coffee, alcohol and very sensitive to most things generally. Better from warmth, warm weather, hot bathing, eating, resting, in the morning and in the day. Better from receiving help and assistance, acquiring material things, money, et c. Better from company, lying down with head elevated, better from frequent sips of ice cold water (when acutely ill) or hot drinks in chronic conditions, herbal teas, soy drinks, et c. Better motion, taking a walk in the fresh air (though well bundled up to the neck including a scarf), changing places or positions. Can be worse or better at the seashore, and generally worse from bathing in the ocean, especially a long or strenuous swim such as going scuba diving, surfing or snorkeling.

Arsenicum has an affinity for the mind, nerves, skin, lungs, spleen, kidneys, mucous membranes, serous cavities, blood, heart, lymphatics and organs in general, according to C.M. Boger's Synoptic Key of the Materia Medica. It is an antisyphilitic as well as both an antipsoric and antisycotic remedy, just as the other three major A.I.D.S. remedies are; they are tri-miasmic, deep-acting remedies. Improvement begins almost immediately after the administration of the remedy and will eventually bring about a cleansing of waste matter from the body (of which there is plenty in the typical Arsenicum patient) in the form of a mild case of diarrhea, an increase in skin eruptions and turbid urine. Expect Arsenicum cases' skin symptoms to get worse before the chief complaint gets better. The patient will not like this, but it should be explained to them that it would be counterproductive to suppress the eruptions back inward with cortisone creams and the like, since the Vital Force, after the stimulation of the similar remedy, considers it something that does not belong on the interior where it is connected with disease processes, and must be pushed outwardly away from the vital tissues towards the exterior of Physical Man, the skin, where it will do only minor harm to the ego and slowly heal up and be rid of from the interior, in direct proportion to the amount of the eruptions. Generally, these results of the healing reaction should not be severed with if the Homeopath has taken care not to begin with too high a potency. This way the process is spread out over greater amounts of time, and time is needed for Homeopathic Therapy in cases of deep pathology, of which Arsenicum is usually one. It is generally safe to begin with a single dose of 30c or 200c but you may have to repeat sooner if you start too low in potency. This depends on the strength of the disease process and the strength of the patient, as always. These healing processes must not be interfered with, as to do so will put the patient at risk due to the suppression of an eliminative process. They will subside in a few days, weeks or months according to the depth of the disease processes, the history and/or medical suppressions. The overall improvement of the patient will be almost immediate if the remedy is correct with a reduction in fever, anxiety levels, reduced inflammations and discomfort and an increased ease of respiration, etc.

Arsenicum greatly affects the emotions and the mind and so this is an area of affinity for the remedy. This remedy is called for in many types of diseases from psychiatric to cancerous cases. But it must be remembered that this state, if not properly treated, will progress to serious and destructive diseases with ulcerations, necrosis, cancerous processes, debility and degeneration, wasting, dementia, paralysis, septic conditions, pneumonias, vital organ failure and so on. From a Traditional Oriental Medical point of view the Arsenicum patient would have a Kidney Deficiency with concomitant Lung Qi Deficiency. The kidney energy is the root energy of the entire body and you can see how such great prostration, and states of severe pathology can result from a weakening of the body's root energy, the Kundalini Energy at the base of the spine is weak in Arsenicum.

A helpful tip: Hold the pointer over one remedy bar at a time without clicking and read the alternative text for synoptic comments on the remedies, the relationships between the remedies and complimentary remedy functions. If the text box closes too soon, just keep the pointer over the remedy bar and move it very slightly on the image every couple seconds to keep the text window open.

The case is frequently called to medical attention only in an acute and later stage of disease processes such as with PCP pneumonia, extreme diarrhea and dehydration, collapse, opportunistic infections of different types, after the discovery of cancerous affections, poisonings, malnutrition or any condition which includes prominently a toxic, septic and malignant terrain with resulting inflammation and fever; however, the remedy is both a chronic and acute remedy and the patient who needs Arsenicum (or China) acutely will likely also need it as a chronic remedy for a period of time after the acute ailment subsides. So Arsenicum fits chronic, sub-acute and acute conditions. In some cases the Arsenicum will only be needed for a short while if the constitutional remedy is a related sycotic or tubercular remedy such as Thuja or Natrum sulph. The patient may be weakened and frail but will nearly always have an air of tidiness, sophistication or eccentricity. Even in their sickest state, they manage to look presentable and even attractive usually with other people's help, so that at first you may think they don't look so bad after all and that they are just hypochondriacs. They very well may be, but you need to look past the superficial appearances and inquire with friends and family and the patient of course to get the history of the case and all the symptoms.

Arsenicum is indicated in all sorts of diseases where the general, mental and physical symptoms correspond to those of the patient. Not only in A.I.D.S., but in cancers of all kinds, diabetes, alzheimer's disease, parkinson's disease, heart disease, kidney disease and many more illnesses. Whenever you have emaciation, weakness, fastidiousness, chilliness, burning pains relieved by heat, and anxious restlessness, you must consider Arsenicum album as a possible remedy.

In A.I.D.S., Arsenicum will be very frequently indicated for PCP, systemic opportunistic infections of all kinds such as cryptosporidium and intestinal infections such as giardia, amoebiasis, fungal infections et c. Also it will help to fatten up many patients who continue to waste away and increase their strength and stamina. Other remedies that help to buile up wasting patients include: Tuberculinum, Phosphorus, Kali iodatum, Thuja, Calcarea, China, Silicea, Sulphur, Nitric acid, Natrum muriaticum, Lycopodium and Arsenicum iodatum which has greater emaciation than Arsenicum album, is a hotter and more active patient with a stronger appetite, a marked tendency to producing excoriating nasal discharges, scaly skin eruptions and chronic tendencies to pneumonia, bronchitis and tuberculosis.

It must be remembered that common-sense measures are as important to the recovery of a patient as is the administration of the correct medication. Massive amounts of fluids must be administered to the dehydrated patient, and even if not clinically classified as "dehydrated", the patient should receive lots of fluids to aid in the bodily dilution and elimination of toxins. The malnourished must be given plenty of high-quality proteins and nutrient-rich foods, liquefied if necessary, to aid in cellular repair and toxin elimination. Antioxidants such as buffered vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium and beta carotene are also extremely important.

Arsenicum is indicated in many conditions, diseases and ailments of all kinds, Arsenicum is one of the biggest of homeopathic polycrests. Bear in mind, that this page has now become the materia medica page for Arsenicum album, but there is an emphasis on how it comes into play in A.I.D.S./H.I.V./A.R.C. types of diseases. When writing and referring to Arsenicum album, please refer to this page for general Arsenicum album materia medica information, mental and emotional symptom, essence, generals and modalities and so on. If you would like to contribute to “NATURALLY...YOU!”, Homeopathic Solutions, please go to the Membership Page from the drop down menu at the top of the page.

There is just too much information to write everything you know or can find through research for each and every one of the major homeopathic polycrests, such as Arsenicum album. There just isn't enough space or time to compile the entire body of information extent on a particular polycrest. Perhaps, some cleaver Homeopath will create this kind of living materia medica on the Internet soon, where authors could add their own information to the materia medica of the remedy. I am just scratching the surface here. It is always best to read the materia medica of a remedy from as many sources as possible so that you gleen all the little jewels that each author adds to the complete picture of the remedy. Read on! Click here or below on "Homeopathic Library" on the navigation bar to go to Homeopathe International for a good materia medica read. And don't treat yourself, go see a competent Classical Homeopath, or you may make yourself sicker. This copyrighted materia medica is presented to the public for the general good of Men and for the advancement of Classical Homeopathy. Please feel free to share the information with others. I just ask that you to provide a link to my web site and give the author proper credit. This information is not designed to give medical advice, provide a formula for the treatment of disease or in any way to be used as a guide for treatment. It is educational material designed for the Homeopath and the Homeopathic student, medical professionals and others who wish to understand how Homeopathy works.

Prepaid, Discount Classical Homeopathic Care is now available. 10% discounts for six months contracts and 15% for one year coverage. An additional 10% discount applies for each additional person included on the coverage plans for two or more people.