Phosphorus is a homeopathic remedy used to treat patients with coughs, hoarseness, constipation, apprehension and apathy among other things. Indications for its use include cravings for cold things like ice cream and ice cold water, anxious when alone and when alone in the dark, great fear in a thunderstorm, slight wounds bleed profusely, bruises easily, cough worse going into cold air, talking, laughing, reading out loud, laying on the left side.