Baryta Carb

A barium salt that homoeopaths link with the very young and the elderly, especially swollen tonsils, frequent throat colds and slow, shy development.

Baryta carbonica is barium carbonate, a white, chalky salt that occurs in nature as the mineral witherite. It barely dissolves in water, and the raw salt is poisonous; homoeopathy uses it only in specially prepared form.

Old homoeopathic texts single it out for the two ends of life. In children it is associated with enlarged tonsils, catching cold easily and slow, bashful development. In older people it is linked with tiredness, chilliness and forgetfulness. Homoeopaths also turn to it for sore throats that keep coming back and for glands that stay swollen.

• Swollen tonsils
• Recurring sore throat
• Frequent colds
• Shy, slow children
• Weakness in old age