Petroleum

Petroleum rectificatum syn. Oleum petrae

Key Symptoms

cracked skin; chilliness; aversion to fatty foods; irritability; offensive-smelling perspiration; person tends to feel worse in winter

Petroleum (from the Latin petra, or "rock," and oleum, "oil") is formed by the decomposition of plant and animal matter in rock sediment deposits on the sea bed. Over time, heat and pressure transform this organic material into petroleum, or crude oil. It is used in the manufacture of many goods, from fertilizers to paints and plastics to explosives. Proved by Hahnemann and published in his Chronic Diseases (1821–34), the remedy is prescribed mainly for skin complaints and nausea.

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Remedy Profile

Those who are best suited to Petroleum can be irritable and argumentative, and may lose their tempers easily. Known for their inability to make decisions, they tend also to be forgetful, which may lead to confusion and disorientation, to the point of losing their way even in familiar streets. A strange sense of physical duality may be experienced, as if their bodies are divided, or not entirely their own.

Symptoms are usually worse during the day and in winter. These individuals generally feel chilly, and prone to offensive-smelling perspiration from the feet and armpits even in cold weather. An aversion to rich, fatty foods is also common. Inhaling petrochemical fumes may aggravate symptoms and cause weakness and irritability.

Petroleum is often given for skin problems such as eczema, psoriasis, and chilblains. It is also used for complaints such as diarrhea, nausea, travel sickness, morning sickness, halitosis, and migraines.

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Eczema & psoriasis

Symptoms: The skin is dry and leathery with deep cracks, especially on the palms of the hands, the tips of the fingers, and in the folds of the skin—for example, behind the ears or the knees. Extreme itchiness may provoke scratching that causes bleeding and possible infection. The itching tends to be worse at night. There may be psoriasis, with thick patches of scaly, inflamed skin causing great discomfort. In addition, the skin may be prone to cold sores, boils, and chilblains. Petroleum is especially appropriate if the symptoms are due to hard manual labor or regular exposure to chemicals.

Symptoms better: For warm weather; after eating.

Symptoms worse: For the heat of the bed; in winter.

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Chilblains

Symptoms: Intensely itching, burning skin, especially on the hands, feet, and toes. The skin may be scratched raw, causing a weepy discharge to develop and possibly infection to set in.

Symptoms better: For dry weather; for warm air.

Symptoms worse: For cold, damp weather; for touch.

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Diarrhea & nausea

Symptoms: Diarrhea that is present only during the day. Constant, ravenous hunger may even lead to getting out of bed to eat snacks during the night. Hunger increases after a bowel movement, but there is a cutting pain in the abdomen that is worse for eating. An aversion to cabbage, peas, beans, meat, and fatty foods is characteristic. There may be nausea accompanied by vomiting, dizziness, and pressing head pain at the back of the skull . Another associated symptom may be halitosis with a strong odor of garlic. Symptoms may be linked to morning sickness, travel sickness, or eating disorders such as bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, or other psychological conditions that cause long-term bingeing.

Symptoms better: Temporarily after eating; for passing stools; for bending double.

Symptoms worse: For cold weather; for movement; in the morning; when eating.

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Travel sickness

Symptoms: Nausea and vomiting when traveling, often with a severe headache. Nausea may develop upon the slightest movement, with increased salivation.

Symptoms better: Temporarily after eating.

Symptoms worse: For cold weather; for fresh air; for movement.

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Migraines

Symptoms: Severe headache, with a sensation of great heaviness at the back of the head. The scalp is sensitive to the cold and to touch. The head may feel sensitive, as if a cold breeze is blowing on it, or numb and wooden. A degree of temporary deafness is a possible associated symptom, and there may be an accompanying feeling of nausea.

Symptoms better: For pressure on the temples.

Symptoms worse: For cold; for touch; for shaking when coughing.

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