Zincum Picricum

Zinc picrate, a salt joining zinc and picric acid, traditionally used in homoeopathy for brain fag, nervous exhaustion and dull headaches from overwork.

Zincum picricum is zinc picrate, a yellow salt formed from zinc and picric acid. Picric acid is a bitter yellow compound once used as a dye and an explosive. The raw salt is toxic; homoeopathy uses it only in specially prepared form.

It joins two remedies known in homoeopathy for an overworked nervous system: zinc, with its tired brain and restless limbs, and picric acid, with its heavy exhaustion after study. Homoeopaths traditionally use it for brain fag from overwork, poor memory and energy, dull, heavy headaches at the back of the head, and general nervous weakness with a languid, heavy body.

• Brain fag
• Nervous exhaustion
• Back-of-head headache
• Poor memory
• Low energy