Acidum Formicum

Chemically known as CH O , Formic acid can be obtained from 2 2 insects like red ants (Formica rufa), hairs of a caterpillar (Bombyx processionea), in pine needles, in stinging nettles, in old turpentine, in minute amounts in sweat and urine and others. It can also be prepared by oxidising a variety of organic substances. But, heating oxalic acid with glycerin is the finest method of preparation. Central Council for Research in Homeopathy, India, has documented a proving of this remedy. The details of the proving are available in the book “Homeopathic Drug Provings”, published by the council in 2005. The proving was carried out in 1980–1981 at the Drug Proving Research Unit (H), Kolkata (W.B. ). It was done using 6 and 200 centesimal potencies on 14 provers between the ages of 16 and 37. Out of the total 14 provers, 5 were women.