Sulphur

The yellow mineral element, a cornerstone of homoeopathy, traditionally used for itchy, burning skin and complaints that keep coming back.

Sulphur is a bright yellow, non-metallic element found around volcanoes and hot springs and in many minerals. Known in Hindi as gandhak, it has been used since ancient times in ointments for the skin. Homoeopathy uses purified flowers of sulphur, ground with milk sugar or dissolved in alcohol.

Hahnemann counted it among his most important remedies for long-standing complaints. Homoeopaths traditionally turn to it for dry, rough, itchy skin that burns and is worse from washing and the warmth of the bed. Its picture also includes flushes of heat, burning feet, a sinking feeling in the stomach late in the morning and complaints that keep relapsing.

• Itchy, burning skin
• Dry, rough skin
• Flushes of heat
• Recurring complaints