Selenium

The trace element selenium, traditionally used in homoeopathy for exhaustion after illness or mental work, falling hair and flagging vigour in older men.

Selenium is a grey, non-metallic element named after Selene, the Greek goddess of the moon. It is found in rocks and soil alongside sulphur, and in small amounts it is a necessary nutrient, present in nuts, grains and seafood. The raw element is toxic in larger amounts; homoeopathy uses it only in specially prepared form.

Homoeopaths traditionally associate it with great weakness and easy exhaustion, worse in hot weather, after illness or after long mental work, especially in older people. Its picture includes falling hair from the scalp, eyebrows and body, hoarseness in singers, headaches from tea and flagging vigour in older men.

• Exhaustion
• Hair fall
• Hoarseness
• Low vigour in men
• Worse in hot weather