Acidum Nitricum

A strong mineral acid, traditionally used in homoeopathy for sharp, splinter-like pains at the body's openings, such as fissures, piles and mouth ulcers.

Nitric acid, once called aqua fortis, is a strong, colourless mineral acid made from nitrogen compounds. It is widely used in industry to make fertilisers and dyes. In its raw state it is highly corrosive; homoeopathy uses it only in specially prepared form.

Its traditional sphere is the openings of the body, where skin meets the moist lining: the mouth, nose and anus. Homoeopaths turn to it for sharp pains felt like splinters, painful anal fissures, piles that bleed easily, mouth ulcers and warts. Discharges and urine are often strong-smelling, and the person tends to be irritable and chilly.

• Splinter-like pains
• Anal fissures
• Bleeding piles
• Mouth ulcers
• Warts