Author:
Jan Scholten
Book:
Homeopathy and Minerals
Type:
Family
Chapter:
9
The Carbonicums
The Carbonicums all contain Carbon. All organic materials are built up around Carbon chains. Carbon is therefore a very important element in life. The remedies belonging to this group are: Graph, Calc, Magnesium carbonicum, Kalium carbonicum., Nat-c, Bar-c, Lith-c, Stront-c, Am-c, Carb-v, Carb-a., and Carb-s. Closely related are the remedies made out of crude oil, such as petroleum, benzenum, benzin, benzoic acid, kreosotum, trinitroluene, Ammonium benzoicum and eupion.
Giving meaning and stating values
When we are looking at the common characteristics of these remedies, it will be useful to start with Graphites, as this is made purely out of Carbon. There are two Graphites types. The first one is the stiff, hardworking person who knows what he wants and just gets on with it. The other type is very unstable, someone who gets upset by every little incident. The common theme in both types is the meaning and the values they give to life. The first type has a fixed set of values, the second type has nothing fixed, he lets himself be tossed around like a leaf in the wind. This theme of giving meaning is the main theme of the Carbonicums. They have problems with the meaning of their existence, their life. They are looking for a meaning in everything and placing values is most important to them.
Self worth
We find the theme of meaning and values in all Carbonicums. One of the most important things to find the meaning of is yourself, your own life. That is why the second theme is self worth. In Kalium carbonicum, for instance, the meaning of life is sticking to his principles and doing his duty. That is what gives him his self worth. Patients often cannot name this meaning because it is so general, filling their whole life; they usually say 'I just do it'.
Dignity
A third theme is the theme of dignity. It is logical that people who are so preoccu-pied with their self worth can also be very dignified, even a little aristo-cratic. This is well known about Kalium carbonicum and Nat-c, but the other Carbonicums, in their own way, can also carry themselves with dignity.
Shyness
One expression of the theme of self worth is shyness. Their self-worth can be undermined quite easily. 'Timidity' is the rubric in which the Carbonicums are most strongly represented. It is also no coincidence that the Silicates are the second most represented group in this rubric. Carbon and Silica are chemically closely related. The shyness and the dignity are two sides of the same coin. The underlying theme is self worth and giving meaning to life.
Workers
The next theme of the Carbonicums can be found in the area of work and profes-sion. They are hard workers. This has partly to do with social standing. But also they are quite unselfish, as Morrison (1988, page 15) describes. The problem is not who they are and what they possess, it isn’t selfishness or materialism. It is rather that they find in their work a meaning for their existence.
Father
The final theme is that of the father figure. All previous themes can be brought back to this: meaning, dignity, work, social position. In practice, these remedies often prove to have had problems with father figures or authorities. In Graphites the father is there, but he is separate from the family, he is always away, only loosely connected. In Nat-c the father can be completely absent. In Magnesium carbonicum there can be a power struggle with the father or with the authorities.
The connection between the father and the giving of meaning to life can also be found in mythology. Campbell (1991) says: 'Finding the father has to do with finding your own character and destination. Some say that you inherit your character from your father and your body, and often your mind, from your mother. Finding your destiny can thus be symbolised by the quest to find your father'.
General characteristics
Physique: overweight
Temperature: cold, > heat, < cold, < damp.
Time: < 7 pm.
Desires: sweet.
General: < exertion, climbing stairs.
Complaints
Complaints in the occiput.
Perspiration of the feet.
Bone problems: weakness, osteoporosis, fractures.