Zincum Metallicum – Zinc

The attenuations are prepared from metallic Zinc, Zn, AW: 65.4.

Zincum Metallicum is a great nerve-remedy, exerting a fundamental action both on the brain and on the autonomic centres, the sympathetic and the parasympathetic nervous systems.

Likewise, Zinc is also an anti-psoric, and suited to cachectic patients with great weakness, which is a dominant feature of the entire provings of the remedy. Particu- larly when eruptions have been suppressed, or are slow to appear, e.g. in measles, or if symptoms of cerebral irritation occur after smallpox vaccination and there is a threat of viral encephalitis, then Zincum Metallicum, together with other medica- ments which provoke a regressive vicariation, is able to release the homotoxins from the nervous system and to break them down by way of the vaccination pustules, which once more become inflamed. Similar action has been known in Sulphur and Cuprum. In particular these effects of reactivating blocked enzyme-systems have often been described with reference to Sulphur.

Among the chronic symptoms of Zinc we find nerve pains and muscular twitch- ing, as well as a general nervousness and hypersensitivity. Patients become excited at the slightest cause, manifesting emaciation, exhaustion and paralytic weakness, all functions being depressed, including the skin eruptions and the excretions (e.g. delay of the menarche).

Sydenham’s chorea (St. Vitus’ dance) and tics are also found, as well as sensitivi- ty to noise, so that the patient cannot bear speech or even the rustling of paper. The weakly children are often mentally underdeveloped, especially when measles or scarlet fever has been retoxically treated. They tend towards cramps. The excretory functions may also be depressed, with difficulty in urination and defaecation.

There are peripheral symptoms in the nervous system, with numbness of the soles of the feet and cutting pains in the heel, or stabbing pains as occur in tabes dorsalis. These conditions may proceed to the point of complete paralysis or hemiparesis with twitching, tremors and weakness. There are frequently consequences of fright

and of sexual excesses, and also of retoxic impregnation phases, resulting in general marasmus.

There is amelioration during meals, during the menses and from restored or in- creased discharges, whilst there is a characteristic aggravation after lunch and after drinking wine. A particularly prominent symptom is great restlessness in the legs, which have to be constantly on the move. Twitching is generally characteristic of Zincum, as it is of Agaricus (tics).

Gastro intestinal disorders are present, with a bitter or sweetish taste and saliva- tion, and also aversion and disgust for sugar (the opposite of Argentum Nitricum). Constipation is prominent, although there may be passing bouts of diarrhoea. The stools are large and lumpy and difficult to pass, leading to possible bleeding from haemorrhoids.

The general sensitivity to touch is also seen in the genitalia, as in Platina. Men- struation is heavy with clots. With the onset of the period other complications disap- pear as a result of the elimination of toxic materials.

Migraines may also be present, associated with disturbances of vision, facial pal- lor and vomiting. Zinc also has a beneficial action on corneal ulcers with pannus- like growths over the cornea. The skin itself is subject to vesicular eruptions, herpes zoster and a tendency to chilliness.

Nash mentions – in addition to the spasmodic twitching and jerking of various muscles – general trembling as an important leading symptom and considers the in- tolerance of wine to be an important indication for the use of Zinc.

Zinc has some similarities with the indications for Cobaltum with regard to the sexual excesses and the weakness, especially when back pain is aggravated by sit- ting. These pains can also be relieved by Pulsatilla if they occur in association with menstrual disorders and otherwise respond to Ammonium Muriaticum.

If the main symptoms of Zincum are summed up, the result is the following es- sential remedy-picture:

1. Nervous affections with weakness and exhaustion, vertigo and swimming in the head.
2. Stubborn occipital headache, frontal headache and pressure at the root of the nose.
3. Great restlessness of the legs, which have to be constantly moving to and fro.
4. Trembling with weakness and twitching. Tics. Sydenham’s chorea. Backache, especially while seated.
5. Suppressed skin-eruptions and exanthemata (measles, scarlet fever, under-de- veloped vaccinial pustules after smallpox vaccination). Zincum brings out the eruption by regressive vicariation.
6. A high degree of hypersensitivity to noises.
7. Swimming in the head, vertigo and shakiness. Starting up out of sleep. Mi- graines with dimming of vision. Paroxysmal laughing.
8. Aggravation from drinking wine and after fright.
9. Peripheral neuralgias. Sensitivity to touch (female genitalia). Dysmenorrhoea, relieved by the onset of the period. Oophoritis, left side.
10. Corneal ulcers. Pterygium.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Zincum metallicum, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for zincum metallicum: spasmodic conditions; neuralgia; diseases which afflict the spine, the brain, and the spinal cord; conditions of exhaustion, emotional discord or upset; insomnia.