# Silicea (HMT)

## Remedy Classification
- **Type:** Remedy
- **Alternative Names:** Silica – Pure Flint
- **Miasm:** Tubercular Miasm
- **Temperament:** Neutral
- **Aggravation Time:** Neutral/Anytime

## Keynote Indications
Silicea or Silica is an element naturally present in sand and certain
stones.  It is widely distributed in  the entire world.  This element,
along with clay, became the first building block for the creation of
life.  No wonder it is present in each and every living cell.  Through
the work of some renowned homoeopaths, Silicea has been found to
possess many qualities.  Silicea has never been used as a remedy
except in homoeopathy.  Its symptoms and signs have been discovered
on homoeopathic proving, over a long period.  Silicea is one of those
remedies in which proving is a very slow and time consuming process.
On proving, it has been found to be a profoundly active remedy,
capable of working for a long period of time.

Silicea cannot tolerate the presen ce of any foreign material in the
body.  It stimulates the body defences  to react against any foreign
body and expel it as soon as possible.  If the foreign material happens
to be inanimate, then Silicea ini tiates the process of pus formation
around it.  The pus formed creates a soft resilient medium like Mobil
oil, through which the foreign body ge ts expelled gradually and softly
without further injury to the soft tissues.  If the foreign body happen to
be animate, such as bacteria, viruse s or intestinal worms, etc., then
Silicea provokes an appropriate body response.  This process is
definitely more effective than the conventional antibiotic therapy.
Silicea may simply kill the germs and worms, liquefy them in the
form of pus or just expel them through the different natural orifices.

In some diseases, Silicea has little or no effect on the patient, such as
the typhoid fever.  Similarly, in certain cases of blood poisoning
(toxaemia and septicaemia) it may not  be as effective as Sulphur and
Pyrogenium, which are definitely much superior.  Now, after long
experience, we have come to know the diseases where Silicea will be
definitely effective, as well as the conditions where something else
would be more appropriate.  For certain deep-seated illnesses of a
grave nature, requiring the activatio n of a very speci fic response on
the part of the body, the physician has to work hard in order to find the
most appropriate remedy, keeping in mind both the nature of the
disease as well as the remedy. The powerful defence system of the
body is very intricate and individually designed to combat hundreds of
thousands of illnesses.  The system  is like a great powerful factory
beyond the comprehension of not only ordinary people but also the
expert scientists.  Silicea, de spite appearing wideranging and
powerful, has yet to overwhelm the natural defence system or even
match it.

Generally speaking, Silicea is very effective against contagious
disease, boils and abscesses.   Similarly, it provokes a surprisingly
strong reaction against inanimate fo reign objects entering the body.
For example, Silicea is extremely effective in the expulsion of a
retained nail, fishbone or shotgun pellets in the body .  Here, it
works in two ways.  When given in low potency, it gradually increases
the local blood flow, kills the germs and produces pus.  The process of
healing of the boils and abscesses, which normally takes seven to ten
days to get ready to burst open, may be completed in two to three
days.  Moreover, the pain is re latively less and much less pus is
formed.  The hole through which the pus exudes is also small and
insignificant.  On the same lines, Silicea helps the expulsion of a
needle, piece of metal or stone retain ed in the body.  The process is
very intricate and yet to be understood but the practical examples are
so obviously true.  Once, an eminent surgeon told me that one of his
patients had swallowed a needle, which became stuck in his intestines.
Obviously, it was dangerous to remove it surgically. The surgeon had
heard about the efficacy of Silicea and decided to use it.  After a
while, the needle showed up on the surface of the skin, without
injuring the internal organs.  The path adopted by the needle was the
shortest towards the skin surface.  There was no damage inflicted to
the linings of the intestines, or the fat inside the abdomen.  The
method by which Silicea performs this harmless function cannot be
conjectured by human intellect and imagination, but the observation is
too weighty and hard to be denied.  Once when I was in Rabwah, a
large irregular piece of glass got stuc k in the foot of a child, deep to
the bone.  The foot became extremely swollen and the doctor refused
to remove it surgically.  The child  was treated with Silicea 6X for a
month.  At first, the swelling star ted getting less and then the large
piece of glass started to gradually em erge from the skin.  It was then
safely removed with forceps.

Due to the use of contaminated wa ter in Africa and Sindh province of
Pakistan, quite commonly a worm enters the body , which can be
very dangerous.  It starts growing in  length like a tape .  It then shows
up like a cotton ball under the surface of the skin, which may grow up
to the size of a football.  The leg may grow to the size of the foot of an
elephant.  This is why this conditio n is called elephantiasis.  A Waqf-
e-Jadid missionary Homoeopathic  doctor named Nisar Maurani, a
convert from Hinduism, successfully  made use of Silicea in the
treatment of this disease.  He observed that Silicea 6X simply
dissolves the worm inside the body and thus obviates the need for
surgery.  Surgery can in fact be ve ry dangerous.  If the worm is not
completely removed and is severed or accidentally cut into pieces,
every piece will then rapidly grow  into a new worm, wherever it
deposits in the body. This is  potentially fatal.  Local experts in Africa
extract it by rolling it on a thor n or a matchstick.  The worm may be
hundreds of feet long.  If it gets se vered during this process, all the
hard work goes in vain. Be it Sindh or Africa, Silicea works equally
well everywhere.  It dissolves the worm and lets it be extruded
through a minute hole.

Sometimes, a fishbone gets stuck in the throat  and is difficult to
remove.  Once, I confronted a sim ilar situation myself.  I tried to
remove it but failed.  Then, I took Silicea 6X.  Within a few hours, the
fishbone came out with an act of a mild cough.  I have found it
effective in children too. With ra re exceptions, Sili cea is always
effective.

When given in high potency, Silicea dries pus.  Large abscesses thus
gradually regress and disappear.  Pu s does not form with the use of
Silicea in high potency.  Pus formation is usual with Silicea used in
low potency.  One must understand the dual role of Silicea, which
obviously is under the control of th e natural defence system of the
natural human body.  In tuberculosis, Silicea in high potency plays
the role of expulsion of the germs by way of formation of pus.  It
cannot kill the tuberculous Bacillus however.  In case the germs
happen to settle in the vicinity of an  artery, then Silicea may result in
rupture of the artery and cause severe haemorrhageing, which may
prove fatal.  Therefore, the physicia n has to be very cautious before
embarking on the use of Silicea 6X or 30 even.  In general a, low
potency works rather slowly and mild ly and thus prevents against any
serious reaction.  According to Dr. Kent, whether given in low or high
potency, Silicea is dangerous to the patients of tuberculosis.  So, as far
as possible it should be avoided but if it needs to  be given at all, only
potency 30 should be used.  It is neither too high, nor too low.

Silicea is incompatible with some remedies and should never be
mixed with them.  For example, it is  incompatible with any form of
Mercury, so Silicea an d Mercury should never be given together.
Hepar Sulph is similar to Silicea in some respects and similar to Merc
Sol in others.  It must always be used in between the usage of Silicea
and Mercury.  It serves as a bridge between the two remedies.
Sometimes, Silicea works in an unexpected way, for example, a
patient has infection in the root of a tooth, but is not aware of it.  If by
chance, he is treated with Silicea, his jaws will start swelling up and
the tooth will become loose.  At this stage, he should take Hepar
Sulph (the antidote for Silicea).  He will be relieved of the pain
immediately and will also know for sure that he had an infection in the
root of the tooth.  A suitable homoeopathic remedy then can be
administered to help restore the tooth.

A general symptom of Silicea is that the patient feels very cold.  His
hands and feet remain cold.  This symptom may however be deceiving
and hinder the way to proper treatment.  In general, the patients
suffering from infectious fever (septicaemia) have very hot hands and
feet.  Many a physician will then treat them with Pulsatilla instead of
Silicea.  Obviously, it is of no avail.  The real diagnosis of Silicea is
that before the onset of fever, the hands and feet become cold.  As the
temperature rises, the symptoms of Pulsatilla manifest.  It must be
remembered that Silicea is the chronic of Pulsatilla.  Sometimes, the
body of a patient is fiery hot, including the hands and the feet, but he
needs to be treated with  Silicea instead of Pulsa tilla.  It happens very
commonly in the treatment for severe infection of the tonsils .  Some
of these children who are wrongly tr eated with Pulsatilla instead of
Silicea may lose their life.

A Silicea patient is by nature, apprehensive of failure i.e. job or exam.
Particularly school children have this problem.  For example, many
people who in spite of being able to drive efficiently, repeatedly fail in
the driving test, in spite of havi ng reasonable knowledge and practice
of driving.  Similar fear is also  found in some other homoeopathic
remedies. Therefore, Silicea is often forgotten.  Nevertheless,
administration of Silicea 6X al ong with Kali Phos can produce
wonderfully positive results.

Some wounds and ulcers become indolent  and resistant to healing.
If the patient exhibits the symp toms of Silicea, then Silicea can
activate the healing process of th is dormant condition, by way of
formation of pus.  After the pus comes out, the wound becomes dry,
leaving a very inconspicuous scar.

Silicea is extremely useful in the treatment of enlarged body glands
in women .  It is very effective against the common skin infections
such as pustules, blisters and abscesses.  Ugly looking pubertal acne
often responds very well to the treatment with Silicea 30 and Kali
Bromide.  It can often cure the st ubborn type of acne.   The treatment
should continue for at least a month, and then repeated on and off, as
needed.

One should never forget using Si licea for infection causing the
formation of pus, in any part of the body.  Excessive sweating of the
feet in Silicea resembles Sulphur.  In Sulphur, the feet remain warm,
sweat and feel burning.  In Silicea, the patient feels cold, yet sweats
excessively on his feet.

In Silicea, the headache begins in the na pe of the neck, commonly
in the morning .  Thus, it is different from the headache of
Gelsemium.  Both Silicea and Gelsemium are of mild, cold nature.  In
Silicea, the headache may shift to the front of the head, forehead or
even the eyes.  If this symptom is evident, then the treatment should
be Silicea.  The headache begins in the morning and continues till late
night.

In Silicea, sometimes, the lower part of the body is dry, while the
upper part is sweaty.  In Calcarea Carb, it is only the head that sweats.
In Rhus Tox, the upper part of th e body sweats, except the head.  In
Silicea, the ailment begins in a very timely manner and finishes on
time (periodicity).  The symptoms can recur ho wever.  The symptoms
aggravate on the rise of the new moon.

In some children, asthma becomes more severe with the appearance
of the new moon.  This is typical of  Silicea.  Certain kinds of fevers,
irregularity of the menstrual cycles and epilepsy is also related to the
moon.  Most of the ailments of Silicea last seven days.

In Silicea, besides the nape, the headache is mostly on the right side
of the head , resembling Mag Phos (for details, please refer to Mag
Phos).  Silicea is also very useful in the treatment of severe and
troublesome eczema over the scalp .  However, the treatment should
be combined with Psorinum and Gr aphites, which will definitely
ameliorate the chronic eczema.  These remedies should be given in
potency 1000 and repeated alternately.  In psoriasis too, the patient
has to be given Psorinum, Sulphur, Silicea and Graphites one after the
other.  The disease bein g very deep and seriou s cannot be controlled
with one or two remedies.

Sometimes, children develop blood n aevi (haemangioma) in the form
of raw-looking blood-filled blisters .  If the patient is of cold
constitution, then by Allah’s grace, Silicea will be very useful.
Otherwise, Ferrum Metallicum woul d be the first choice, which has
also been found to be useful in the treatment of large birthmarks.

Silicea is very beneficial in the treatment of dangerous and deep-
seated illnesses of the glands.  It is capable of softening and reducing
the size of the glands.  Calcarea  Fluor, Baryta Carb, Phytolacca and
Causticum may also be useful.  If th e glands at the jaws, in the neck
and in the armpits start growing ra pidly and the patient is of cold
constitution, then Silicea must be used.  If Silicea does not offer any
relief, then the condition is probably cancer.  In this condition, Silicea
alone will not benefit.  This patie nt should be treated with Sulphur
CM.  When the patient starts feeling cold with the treatment of
Sulphur, then one dose of Silicea CM should be given.  As long as the
symptoms of cold or heat do not change, the treatm ent should not be
changed either.

Silicea is also useful in the treatment of ulcers of the cornea .
Corneal ulcer is difficult to treat, but if the patient is of the
constitution of Silicea then Silicea would work extraordinarily well.
(For other similar remedies, please see under Calcarea Fluor).

Tonsillitis associated with cata rrhal conditions is found in many
homoeopathic remedies.  Silicea will only be successful if this is a
constitutional remedy.  Silicea, like Ca lcarea Fluor, can also be useful
in the treatment of brittle teeth.

In most homoeopathic literature, Silicea is not mentioned as the
treatment for acute inflammation of the throat.  It is only described
for chronic illnesses of the throat.  This is incorrect.  In fact, Silicea is
capable of curing the acute infection of the tonsils (quinsy) associated
with fever.  Simultaneous use of Kali Mur, Ferrum Phos and Calcarea
Fluor 6X will help the fever subside rapidly, by the grace of God.  If
the fever does not come down on the first day, it  will gradually
subside in two to three days.

A patient of Silicea feels cold, yet likes to drink very cold water.   He
wants to eat ice or put ice in all the drinks.  In some homoeopathic
literatures, it is mentioned that a Silicea patient hates to take meat or if
he likes meat at all, he likes to eat it cold.  My ow n vast experience
does not support this notion.  Most Silicea patients do not in fact,
dislike meat.

Silicea is also very useful in the treatment of chronic diarrhoea ,
which may be due to tuberculosis  or unclean and unhealthy food (as
the food sometimes available in ref ugee camps).  In chronic diarrhoea
or dysentery, besides Sulphur and Croton, Silicea may also be useful,
provided that the patient’s body remains cold.  During a world war, a
homoeopath used Silicea very successfully in the treatment of
diarrhoea.  At another occasion, Sili cea did not benefit.  The reason is
that the diseases adopt different na ture in different kinds of weather
and epidemics, and will obviously need different remedies to treat
them.

Some of the Silicea symptoms resemble those of Kali Carb.  Both are
of cold constitution.  Silicea works extremely well in the treatment of
sexual diseases (like Kali Carb).  If the patient wets his bed due to
cold, this can also be treated with Silicea.

Sudden cessation of periods in women, especially  young girls can be
effectively treated with Silicea, provided the patient also exhibits other
symptoms of Silicea,  so much so that it can effectively cure even the
epilepsy resulting from the cessation of periods.

Silicea is also very useful in the treatment of asthma .  Fever during
asthma can best be treated with S ilicea.  Silicea given after the asthma
attack is over will prolong its e ffectiveness and will stop the tendency
towards asthma in the future.

Silicea is the treatment of epilepsy  if the patient is of cold
constitution and if the epilepsy is preceded by an aura originating at
the abdomen and then affecting th e brain.  One should never forget
using Silicea for the treatment of epilepsy occurring in the early part
of the lunar month.

In Silicea, the tongue hurts, as in gout, and is swollen .  One part or
other of the tongue keeps hurting cons tantly.  Blisters form over the
gums.  Silicea also relieves the hiccuping resulting from stomach
upset.  Nux Vomica and Ignatia are also  very useful in the treatment
of hiccups.
In Silicea, there is a tendency towards nausea and vomiting .  The
general symptoms of Silicea being present, Silicea can also cure the
liver dysfunction .  The patient dislikes ho t food, but loves to eat it
cold.

Sometimes, children develop severe constipation and strain hard.  In
these children, Silicea and Veratrum Album are very useful.  (For
detail, see under Veratrum Album).

Silicea is also useful in many urinary problems.  If the urine contains
pus as well as blood, or there is frequency of urination due to an
irritable bladder or the urine contai ns particulate matter settling in the
bottom of the container, then Silicea will be beneficial.

The oxalate stones produced in the kidneys, which are not amenable
to any other treatment, may be excreted in the urine by using Silicea
6X.  These stones are usually not visi ble in the x-rays.  The diagnosis
is mostly based on the severe pain (renal colic).  Oxalate stones are
more common in the areas where the food gets contaminated with
minute stone particles.  My pupils in homoeopathy have widely used
Silicea in the treatment of these stones in Afghan refugee camps
successfully.

Sometimes, cysts form in the lower part of the uterus , which can
rupture letting their sticky contents  flow out.  It is a pretty
troublesome and disturbing condition.  The ovaries become inflamed
and may even produce pus.  Small nodules form inside the uterus.
Silicea is very effective in the trea tment of all these symptoms if it
matches the constitution of the patient.

Warts, inflammation and pain due to an in-growing toenail  or
formation of the calluses  due to tight shoes can be treated with
Silicea or Sulphur according to the overall symptoms of the patient.
But some homoeopaths claim that the best treatment of an in-grown
nail is the homoeopathic remedy prepared from a magnet found in
Northern part of Australia.

Adjuvants: Thuja, Pulsatilla, Fluoric Acid
Potency: 30 or higher as needed, to be used with extreme caution.

## Symptoms by System