Arsenicum album

Arsenicum album (also known as arsenic trioxide) is a frequently-used homeopathic substance derived from the metallic element arsenic. Arsenic is often considered highly poisonous. However, the arsenic oxide in a homeopathic preparation is highly diluted, and the amount of arsenic in the homeopathic doses is so small that it is not considered a health risk. As Samuel Hahnemann put it: “For curative purposes, according to the homeopathic method, doses of very high dilution have been found, by innumerable experiments, to be amply sufficient. The dose of the smallest part of a drop containing the decillionth of a grain of white arsenic usually suffices for the cure.”^[1] As with all homeopathic substances, there is no scientific evidence of its curative power, and any results are believed likely to be due to the placebo effect.

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Dosage

Dosages and lengths of administration are usually based on the individual, problem, symptoms, causes, and onset of symptoms. In general, dosage for applications of a homeopathic arsenicum album preparation (where c = a centesimal or dilution factor of 1:100) is 6c every 2 hours for up to 10 doses. The amount of As₂O₃ then equals 100⁻⁶ or 10⁻¹² mass percent. This dosage is repeated if deemed necessary if believed to be an effective cure.

Preparations

The homeopathic remedy is prepared by separating arsenic from iron (as in arsenopyrite), cobalt, and/or nickel by baking at high temperatures. The powder is then ground and diluted with milk sugar (lactose).

Arsenicum album is available at health food and drug stores in various potencies, in the form of tinctures (liquid), tablets, pellets, or as a powder.

References

1. ^ http://www.hpathy.com/materiamedica/hahnemann-materia-pura/arsenicum.asp Hahnemann’s Materia Medica Pura