Chininum Sulphuricum

Quinine sulphate, the bitter alkaloid of cinchona bark, traditionally used in homoeopathy for complaints that recur at set times and for ringing in the ears.

Chininum sulphuricum is quinine sulphate, a salt of quinine, the bitter white alkaloid drawn from the bark of the cinchona tree. For centuries quinine was the main remedy against malaria, and it still gives tonic water its bitterness. In large amounts it is toxic; homoeopathy uses it only in specially prepared form.

Like China, its parent bark, it is associated with complaints that return with clockwork regularity, such as fevers and chills at the same hour each day. Homoeopaths also turn to it for ringing and buzzing in the ears, nerve pain under the eye, a tender spine and great weakness.

• Recurring fevers
• Ringing in the ears
• Nerve pain near the eye
• Tender spine
• Weakness