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Calcium sulphuricum
Year 2026, Issue 8, Article 1CaseAuthor: Rob Peters
Calcium sulphuricum (gypsum) is an undervalued product, one of those intermediate products which, besides a transition position between calc. and sulph, also has a very specific character. Initially known as one of Schüssler's salts, Kent and Candegabe have described the image in more detail.
Sometimes calc-symptoms dominate, sometimes sulph-symptoms. The most common "own" symptoms of calc-s are "jealousy", "fear something will happen", "hatred", "persons, who do'nt agree with him/her" and "lamenting, because he/she is not appreciated".
Sankaran focuses the mind image on the aforementioned symptoms.
The original situation of calc-s (see "the spirit of homeopathy") could be that of a child who, through adoption or a second marriage of the father, ends up in a family where the (step) mother is pulling her own children. In such a situation you have to develop jealousy as a survival strategy, you have to make sure you get what you want by complaining. If you agree or admit to the other person, you will be too disadvantaged.
Case study: a 37-year-old woman comes into the consulting room, and immediately starts to complain to me that the GP does not want to give her any medication for her distress, and that the lung specialist puts her off with the words that she has an unclear clinical picture to be declared a cara-patient. In 1964 she had a lung abscess, she used to walk in a corset because of a scoliosis. During the first consultation she continues to complain about the bad "treatment" of the lung specialist. When she comes to me after the second calc-s, her anxiety complaints are 70% better and her previously extended acne 50% better. She then goes back to the lung specialist who says that, after examination, she still has a mild form of cara. He prescribes becotide and ventolin for her. When I confront her with her behaviour, still taking medication while things are getting better, she stops my treatment after consultation with the family doctor. I had an inappropriate opinion and she didn't agree ("hatred, persons who disagree"). A few more details: she smelled so much of perfume that I could smell it the next day, she is afraid of fluttering animals, pigeons (fear of birds) and loves green sour apples (desire green fruit).
The own image of calc-s.
Calcium stands for: the uncertain, the dependent, the fearful, what will other people think of me, the complaining. Sulphur stands for: everything is fine with me, I am ok (egotism). The calcium element brings the suphur-self-satisfaction to shake. He becomes insecure about this: others will see (calc) that I am good (sulph). He wants to hear from others that he is good, beautiful, worthwhile, "has a right to a diagnosis," and if not, he complains about it.
He thinks he sees that others get the appreciation he doesn't get (enough), and then there's jealousy.
Sulphur always knows better, is convinced that he is right (he doesn't care what others think). Because of the calcium-element, this knowing better is called into question and he needs others to confirm him and agree with him. When he is not right, the shell closes and resentment arises (hatred who don't agree).Physical symptomsMost of the time there is talk of suppuration at some level. Yellow purulent discharge is characteristic. Abscesses, acne, bronchitis with yellow sputum.
Headache and pseudocroup better in the fresh air, but sensitive to drafts (Hep) and worse in the heat.
ENT: painful yellow discharge with perforated eardrum, otitis (Cave mastoiditis). One-sided nose.
Distress worse in fog (wet-s), with coughing, vomiting improves.
Limbs stiff, shoulder, hands, fingers, knee. Coxalgia.Desires: from sulph and/or calc and especially for calc-s a desire for (green acid) fruit, tea, salt and sweet and alcohol.
Aversion to meat, coffee and milk and an aggravation by milk.Children (according to Sankaran)Differentiation of tub. and tarent. They have in common: des. eggs, salt and indigestibles; fond of music and dancing; perspiration scalp; hot but want to play in cold water; obstinate, if anything is refused, they lie down on the floor and cry loudly; violent, beat parents; jealous; recurrent colds and coughs.For this summary I have largely used the article on calc-s, which Kees Dam wrote in Simillima 1-2, sept 92.
Kent also gives a good picture, and as far as the more physical symptoms are concerned, read Phatak Boericke and Clarke.
Sometimes calc-symptoms dominate, sometimes sulph-symptoms. The most common "own" symptoms of calc-s are "jealousy", "fear something will happen", "hatred", "persons, who do'nt agree with him/her" and "lamenting, because he/she is not appreciated".
Sankaran focuses the mind image on the aforementioned symptoms.
The original situation of calc-s (see "the spirit of homeopathy") could be that of a child who, through adoption or a second marriage of the father, ends up in a family where the (step) mother is pulling her own children. In such a situation you have to develop jealousy as a survival strategy, you have to make sure you get what you want by complaining. If you agree or admit to the other person, you will be too disadvantaged.
Case study: a 37-year-old woman comes into the consulting room, and immediately starts to complain to me that the GP does not want to give her any medication for her distress, and that the lung specialist puts her off with the words that she has an unclear clinical picture to be declared a cara-patient. In 1964 she had a lung abscess, she used to walk in a corset because of a scoliosis. During the first consultation she continues to complain about the bad "treatment" of the lung specialist. When she comes to me after the second calc-s, her anxiety complaints are 70% better and her previously extended acne 50% better. She then goes back to the lung specialist who says that, after examination, she still has a mild form of cara. He prescribes becotide and ventolin for her. When I confront her with her behaviour, still taking medication while things are getting better, she stops my treatment after consultation with the family doctor. I had an inappropriate opinion and she didn't agree ("hatred, persons who disagree"). A few more details: she smelled so much of perfume that I could smell it the next day, she is afraid of fluttering animals, pigeons (fear of birds) and loves green sour apples (desire green fruit).
The own image of calc-s.
Calcium stands for: the uncertain, the dependent, the fearful, what will other people think of me, the complaining. Sulphur stands for: everything is fine with me, I am ok (egotism). The calcium element brings the suphur-self-satisfaction to shake. He becomes insecure about this: others will see (calc) that I am good (sulph). He wants to hear from others that he is good, beautiful, worthwhile, "has a right to a diagnosis," and if not, he complains about it.
He thinks he sees that others get the appreciation he doesn't get (enough), and then there's jealousy.
Sulphur always knows better, is convinced that he is right (he doesn't care what others think). Because of the calcium-element, this knowing better is called into question and he needs others to confirm him and agree with him. When he is not right, the shell closes and resentment arises (hatred who don't agree).Physical symptomsMost of the time there is talk of suppuration at some level. Yellow purulent discharge is characteristic. Abscesses, acne, bronchitis with yellow sputum.
Headache and pseudocroup better in the fresh air, but sensitive to drafts (Hep) and worse in the heat.
ENT: painful yellow discharge with perforated eardrum, otitis (Cave mastoiditis). One-sided nose.
Distress worse in fog (wet-s), with coughing, vomiting improves.
Limbs stiff, shoulder, hands, fingers, knee. Coxalgia.Desires: from sulph and/or calc and especially for calc-s a desire for (green acid) fruit, tea, salt and sweet and alcohol.
Aversion to meat, coffee and milk and an aggravation by milk.Children (according to Sankaran)Differentiation of tub. and tarent. They have in common: des. eggs, salt and indigestibles; fond of music and dancing; perspiration scalp; hot but want to play in cold water; obstinate, if anything is refused, they lie down on the floor and cry loudly; violent, beat parents; jealous; recurrent colds and coughs.For this summary I have largely used the article on calc-s, which Kees Dam wrote in Simillima 1-2, sept 92.
Kent also gives a good picture, and as far as the more physical symptoms are concerned, read Phatak Boericke and Clarke.