Summer is a great time to try out a homeopathic remedy or two and see just how powerful and effective homeopathy really is! Homeopathy is a natural and safe to treat a huge variety of different health issues. It is cost-effective, works well and safe to use for every age group and is easy to take wherever you travel. When you are away on vacation it is so nice to carry with you a homeopathic first aid kit because it can save you a lot of hassle and give you the ability to handle a lot of different situations! The first time you see a remedy work – you’ll feel SO good!
Homeopathy works when the symptoms that you are experiencing as closely resembles
the symptoms of the remedy. For example, the stinging sensation, redness and swelling you get after a bee sting matches the symptoms of the remedy Apis. Matching the symptoms is an important thing to grasp because if the remedy doesn’t work it is most likely because your symptoms did not match the symptom picture of the remedy! BUT DON’T WORRY! – Even if you have given the “wrong” remedy there is absolutely no harm done! You will not even experience any side effects from the remedy unlike typical medications you might purchase at the drug store.
Below is a list of the 20 top common “first aid” remedies. I’d suggest buying them in a 30C potency. Make sure to store them in a dry place away from sunlight and strong odours.
20 top common “first aid” remedies
- Aconite napellus (Acon.)
– For symptoms of “shock” – sudden onset of symptoms such as fear, panic and anxiety with or without hyperventilation.
- Arnica Montana (Arn.)
– Think injury – bruising or recent injuries such as a broken bone or sprain to reduce the amount of swelling and bruising. Helps to speed the rate of healing, reduce bruising and swelling after injuries or even after dental work!
- Apis mellifica (Apis.)
– For bites or stings! – You will see swelling, redness (or whiteness) and heat at the site often with a stinging sensation. Feels worse from heat and better from a cold compress.
- Arsenicum Album (Ars.)
– This is great for food poisoning! Vomiting & diarrhea accoompanied by chills and restlessness.
- Belladonna (Bell.)
– Heatstroke or heat exhaustion – the person will present with high temperature, redness or flushed face, glassy eyes and dilated pupils.
- Calendula officinalis (Calen.)
– For your lacerations & superficial cuts Calendula is wonderful for promoting quick skin healing and reducing infection.
- Cantharis (Canth.)
– Great for sunburns, 2nd & 3rd degree burns and scalds of the skin (even wasp stings!). The area will feel a stinging sensation and will feel better with a cold compress.
- Cocculus indicus (Cocc.)
– A great motion sickness remedy when also feeling faint and you may not have slept well.
- Euphrasia officinialis (Euph.)
– This remedy is wonderful for symptoms where eyes are streaming tears and are irritated. This is a wonderful remedy to have on hand for pink eye (conjunctivitis) or when a foreign body gets caught in the eye.
- Glonoinum (Glon.)
– Suits heat stroke when head is hot & pulsating. The head may feel congested and pains pulse upwards to the head.
- Nux Vomica (Nux-v.)
– Another great remedy for upset stomach from overindulgence in food, sweets, alcohol. Can also be used for food poisoning when there is constant need to run to the toilet.
- Phosphorus (Phos.)
– Suits nosebleeds. Blood is bright red and gushing.
- Rhus toxicodendrum (Rhus-t.)
– This remedy made from the poison ivy plant is for symptoms of allergic skin reactions where the skin forms blisters and is red and itchy.
- Silicea terra (Sil.)
– For foreign bodies likes splinters or thorns. This remedy encourages the body to push the object out.
- Ruta Graveolens (Ruta)
– For sprains and strains especially of the wrists and ankles. Any injury to tendons can be given ruta.
- Symphytum officinale (Symph.)
– To speed up the healing of broken bones ONLY ONCE THE BONE HAS BEEN SET. If it has not been set give arnica to reduce swelling, pain and inflammation.
- Ledum Palustre (Led.)
– For puncture wounds, bites and stings, and even a twisted ankle. The affected area will be cold and mottled and feels better with cold compress.
- Hypericum Perforatum (Hyper.)
– An incredible remedy for injuries to nerves (think finger caught in the door) or nerve rich areas. Give after dental work when shooting nerve pain is present.
- Tabacum (Tab.)
– A wonderful remedy for motion sickness. Symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, chills and sweating may be present. The smell of tobacco smoke may worsen the symptoms.
- Urtica Urens (Urt-u.)
– For burns and scalds where pain continues to be burning or stinging.
“Quick reference guide”
Anaphylaxis: Acon., Apis.
Bee stings/bug bites: Apis, Canth., Led.
Broken Bones: Arn., Symph.
Bruising/Sore Muscles: Arn.
Burns or scalds: Apis, Canth., Urt-u.
Food poisoning: Ars., Nux-v.
Hangover/Indigestion: Nux-v., Ars.
Heatstroke or heat exhaustion: Glon., Bell.
Motion Sickness: Tab., Cocc.
Sprains & Strains: Ruta, Arn., Led.
Splinter/Foreign Bodies: Sil., Led.
Dental Work: Arn., Symph., Led.
Injury to Nerve rich areas: Hyper.
How to take:
The golden rule with homeopathy is to take the remedy until symptoms start to improve – once this happens stop taking the remedy and only redose if the symptoms start returning.
The frequency with which you take the remedy depends on the severity of the situation. In cases where there is extreme urgency (like a nosebleed, shock, injury to nerves, excruciating pain) I recommend taking the remedy every 3-5 minutes. If you have taken the remedy 3 or 4 times with no change or improvement of symptoms stop taking the remedy because it will probably not work.
For less severe situations (such as food poisoning, sprains, heatstroke) I recommend taking 1 dose and waiting 15 minutes before taking a second dose (unless after taking the first dose there is immediate improvement). If another dose is required sooner because symptoms become more severe or start returning don’t hesitate to take another dose.
So, to end it all – the key now is to practice! If you get it wrong the first time, try again the next time!
Remember that seeking the advice of a medical professional is important for serious injuries and in serious situations.
