Fumaricum Acidum – Fumaric Acid

The attenuations are prepared from Fumaric acid, C₄H₄O₄, MW: 116.1.

An active factor in the Citric Acid cycle and in redox systems. All impregnation phases, also asthma, angina pectoris, pruritus, skin diseases, psoriasis, pre-cancerous states and in neoplasm phases (especially in the early stages), to improve cell-respi- ration. Hay fever. Allergies. Has a diuretic effect.

The patients who need Fumaric Acid are mostly pasty, puffy and short of breath, with greasy skin and hair and heart problems, accompanied by a reduction in kidney function and a strong tendency to perspiration, somewhat similar to the picture of Kali Carbonicum.

Malic Acid and Fumaric Acid should always be injected together, in order to avoid disturbances in the following chain of the Citric Acid cycle.

Like all Citric Acid cycle catalysts, Fumaric Acid has a regulating action on internal respiration, for example in asthma, hay fever and in head symptoms which are better for fresh air (cf. Pulsatilla), and also in cyanotic puffiness of the face with vertigo.

It has disturbances in the metabolisation of lipids and steroids, with premature ar- teriosclerosis. Here it is recommended in combination with Malic Acid for the treat- ment of hypertension, also for the treatment and prevention of embolism.

The symptoms have a certain similarity with those of Baryta Oxalsuccinica. The difference between them is that in Fumaric Acid the symptoms appear suddenly, frequently fluctuate and are worse after every meal, almost always with hypertonic headaches or striking redness of the skin, whereas Baryta Oxalsuccinica is distin- guished by its insidiousness, its sluggish reaction and its less violent exudative processes.

It is also related to the production of bile, formation of gallstones, pancreatic func- tion and diseases of the kidneys, particularly nephrosis with hypertension and dark

red cyanotic facial colouring and a tendency to collapse, with cold sweat. If the urine stands for a long time, a greasy skin forms on the surface (cf. Phosphoricum Acidum). Eczema and suppurations occur on the scrotum and the penis.

Fumaric Acid can also be of service in inflammatory diseases of the genitalia, such as oophoritis, orchitis, parametritis, and in acrid leucorrhoea and female infer- tility. It should particularly be thought of in such cases if emotional changes occur before the periods, also in vomiting during pregnancy with violent headache and raised blood-pressure. Menopausal hot flushes can also be favourably influenced by Fumaric Acid.

The drug picture of Acidum fumaricum was composed in May 1995 by David Riley, M.D., Santa Fe (New Mexico), USA.

The most important symptoms from David Riley’s drug proving were:

Essential Characteristics

Symptoms from this proving are noted for their affect on the upper respiratory system. Hoarseness, dry cough, sore and raw throat, sneezing, catarrh, head heavi- ness, and difficult breathing are noted.

Many varied food desires. Vertigo. Headaches. Nausea.

Mind

Anxiety or improvement of anxiety about finances. Angry and hurried. Sulky and indifference with aversion to company. Aversion to company. Active concentration. DREAMS: of giving birth, flying and clairvoyant events, of cutting injuries, forest, and vivid. Fear that something bad is about to happen or of being injured. Irritability without reason. Mild and quiet during stress. Sensitive to others. Shrieking during an ill mood or able to scream with anger. Sulky. Talking in sleep. Rapid thoughts as from drinking coffee.

Generalities

Desires strong tasting food. Desires salt, cheese, sausages, yogurt, and sweets. Feeling of weakness, or relaxation that leads to sleep. Excessive physical irritability as from coffee.

Vertigo

Lightheaded. Vertigo while standing.

Head

HEADACHES, worse in the forehead. Pressing headaches, ameliorated by eating. Heaviness of the head. Pimples above the eyebrow. Fullness on the forehead and vertex. Pressing head pain in the forehead and vertex. Waking with headache.

Eye

Thick discharge with lachrymation. Sleeps with the eyes open. Lachrymation and itching from the right eye. Twitching of left eye.

Vision

Blurred vision with vertigo.

Nose

Sneezing. Catarrh extending to the frontal sinuses associated with a post-nasal drip from allergies.

Face

Acne or pimples on the chin. Tingling sensation on the face and lips.

Mouth

Dryness with thirst.

Taste

Alternations of the sensation of taste in the mouth. Metallic taste in the mouth.

Throat

Sore throat, worse swallowing. Raw sensation in the throat. Heaviness in the throat. Sense that there is a lump in the throat. Raw throat pain. Scratching pain. Swollen sensation. Weakness of throat when talking.

Stomach

NAUSEA, worse before eating or after eating, and while fasting. Increased thirst. Di- minished appetite. Burping. Thirsty.

Abdomen

Distention of the abdomen. Painful flatus worse in the evening.

Rectum

CONSTIPATION with straining or improvement of constipation. Flatus in the morn- ing. Ineffectual urging.

Stool

Hard or small stools. Flaky stools, difficult to eliminate. Explosive stools. Long. Loose. Small.

Bladder

Pain before and during urination.

Urethra

Sharp pain in the urethra during urination.

Urine

Blood in the urine.

Genitalia, Female

Gushing vaginal discharge. Increased frequency of menses. Painful menstrual cramps improves.

Speech & Voice

Hoarse, weak, or lost voice. Difficult speaking as from weakness worse after talk- ing.

Cough

Dry cough with allergies.

Expectoration

Thick and yellow from allergies.

Respiration

Breathing difficult during exertion.

Chest

Sharp chest pain behind and under the sternum. Sense of pulsation in the region of the heart. Palpitation on going to sleep. Pressure as a weight on the chest. Sensation of emptiness in the chest.

Back

Pain in the sacro-iliac joint on the right side. Twisting, pressing pain in the sacro- iliac joints that is worse while standing and better with motion.

Extremities

Swelling in the fingers especially the joints. Weakness of the lower limbs.

Sleep

Sleeps on the left side. Rest sleep. Waking frequently or with the desire to urinate.