Calcarea Carbonica

Calcium carbonate from oyster shell, one of homoeopathy's great constitutional remedies, linked with chilliness, sweating, slow growth and sour digestion.

Calcarea carbonica is calcium carbonate, the substance of chalk, limestone, eggshells and seashells. Hahnemann prepared it from the soft, white middle layer of the oyster shell, which is why the remedy is also called Calcarea ostrearum.

It is one of homoeopathy's major constitutional remedies, centred on nutrition, bones, glands and skin. It is traditionally associated with people who feel the cold, sweat easily about the head, tire quickly and put on weight easily, and with children who are slow to teethe, walk or grow. Homoeopaths also turn to it for sour belching and acidity, and for tiredness after overwork.

• Slow growth and teething
• Chilliness and sweating
• Sour acidity
• Tiredness from overwork
• Bones and teeth