Repertory › Remedies in the repertory

Natrium sulphuricum (Nat-s.)

Natrium sulphuricum (Nat-s.) appears in 427 rubrics in the Repertory. Of these, 26 are single-remedy rubrics in which only this remedy is listed, and 41 are small rubrics with at most two other remedies. The emphasis lies on Suicidal disposition, Sadness, and Children, in addition Disgust, Unconsciousness, and bipolar disorders. From these emerges the picture of a person who suffers from severe depression but holds back out of a sense of duty, and whose condition worsens markedly after head injuries.

Suicidal Disposition and Self-Control

With 27 rubrics, Suicidal disposition is the largest theme. The particular feature lies in the tension between impulse and restraint. Recorded are the desire to shoot oneself and the necessity of summoning all one's self-control in order not to do it ("Suicidal disposition – shooting, by – must use all his self-control to prevent shooting himself"). A second single-remedy rubric records restraint by duties to the family. Other rubrics show the thoughts themselves: reflecting on the easiest way, deciding without knowing the manner, asking about the surest method. Fear of suicide with a gun also has a single-remedy rubric of its own. An irritability with inclination to suicide but fear of death connects the two. This can be read as a person who keeps watch against himself.

Head Injury

The second continuous line is injury of the head. Single-remedy rubrics lead from it to suicidal disposition, bipolar disorder, unconsciousness, mental symptoms, and retarded development in children. Further small rubrics name concussion, shock of injuries, loss of memory, and insanity from head injury. The mind is regarded here as a consequence of a physical shock.

Sadness

Sadness is equally strongly represented, with 27 rubrics. It is aggravated by soft or colored light and by lively music, as single-remedy rubrics, after breakfast, and by the feeling of a burden of life. Sunshine ameliorates. Children appear with the wish for death, but also with cheerfulness after a good stool. The remedy thus depicts joy and gloom together.

Attachment and Responsibility

A small rubric describes strong attachment to other people, another the bearing of responsibility. The person remains bound, even when life burdens him. Fitting with this are rubrics on passion in the morning that improves in the evening, and on anger in the evening that subsides.

Summary

In the Repertory, Natrium sulphuricum shows a person who is visited in depression by thoughts of self-destruction, but binds himself to life through self-control and a sense of responsibility. Injuries of the head appear as a recurring cause of emotional change.

A reference work for professionals; it does not replace diagnosis or treatment.