As a country we’ve been pretty focused on petrol recently, so let’s turn this focus to the homeopathic remedy.
It’s a remedy that has a major affinity with the skin, particularly for extreme dryness and cracking of the skin. The skin can be rough and itchy, may become red and raw looking and injuries (or where it has become scratched) get infected and take a long time to heal.
The irony of this is that many commercially available creams are petroleum based, and all those available on prescription for eczema are petroleum based. I’ve seen this in practice as well a number of times, where there was a history of mildly dry skin, and when applying heavy moisturising (petroleum based) creams the skin becomes more and more dry. Natural based creams and oils are better for the skin barrier, and there is also no moisturiser treatment, which actively avoids using moisturiser to encourage the skin to produce its own oils. We also need to be aware of not stripping the skin barrier with harsh cleansers for oily skin, where the body responds by making more oil- and not over applying moisturiser, which makes the body reduce its production.
Anyway, going back to the topic at hand, Petroleum is particularly a remedy for complaints that are worse from cold, so for eczema that breaks out in winter Petroleum is a remedy to think about.
Dryness and cracking also extends to the mucous membranes. It’s a good remedy to think of for cracks in the corners of the mouth, or the other end of the gastrointestinal intestinal tract, with anal fissures.
Petroleum is also an excellent remedy for motion sickness- also appropriate given that most vehicles on the road are using petrol or another fossil fuel. Petroleum indications in motion sickness are an empty or sinking sensation in the stomach, which is paradoxically relieved by eating. There can also be a bitter taste in the mouth or burps or vomit may taste bitter.
Mentally and emotionally, Petroleum individuals may be quite irritable and easily offended, or could be anxious and highly sensitive to physical or environmental changes, particularly thunderstorms or changes in weather.
This is a brief snapshot of this remedy, but one to think of now the weather is colder, if eczema or cracked skin gets worse.