5 first aid homeopathic remedies
These are the 5 First Aid Remedies I always have close-to-hand and when travelling - especially with children. When reaching for the paracetamol, consider using a homeopathic remedy.
Take one dose (suck to dissolve the remedy in the mouth) to promote the body’s own healing response and repeat another couple of doses if needed then stop. In a first aid situation a couple of doses, given as soon as possible, is usually sufficient.
1) Arnica 30c
Arnica is probably the most widely used of all remedies. It is used to treat injury and trauma (especially bruising and bleeding) and for shock associated with injury.
Two or three doses taken as soon as possible after injury and at intervals afterwards, if needed, help to alleviate pain, prevent bruising and bleeding and promote natural healing .
Arnica can also be applied to the bruised/injured area as a cream but avoid using on broken skin as it will sting.
Arnica can be taken in a ‘combination remedy’ with Rhus Tox and Ruta Gravis which is particularly useful when the injury involves a muscular strain or tendon sprain and where stiffness follows next morning.
2) Aconite 30c
A very useful first aid remedy for intense fear, panic and shock - usually with associated restlessness and anxiety.
For severe and recurrent panic attacks a higher potency might be needed for which you should consult a homeopath.
On a physical level this remedy helps relieve all sorts of acute inflammation and pain that comes on suddenly - often after exposure to wind or getting chilled.
Typically a child may develop painful earache, sore throat or headache after coming indoors after a cold, windy walk .
3) Belladonna 30c
A very useful remedy or acute fever and violent pains. The inflamed area may be intensely hot. Typically the symptoms are acute, red, hot and throbbing (eg a boil, abcess, earache, sore throat, sinusitis or headache). Touch or movement/jarring makes it worse. The cheeks or face of the feverish child are flushed, the eyes glisten and the pupils may be dilated whilst hands and feet may curiously be cold and the child is characteristically not thirsty.
Whilst waiting to get an appointment to see the doctor (for antibiotics perhaps), you could try a few doses of Belladonna.
4) Arsenicum Album 30c
Very useful for stomach upsets, diarrhoea and vomiting (eg travellers diarrhoea, food poisoning). Episodes are often followed by disproportionate exhaustion and prostration.
There is usually a feeling of great restlessness and anxiety. Symptoms are accompanied by thirst but just for small sips of a drink. Although the person may feel chilly and shivery, the symptoms usually feel ‘burning’ and sore.
5) Calendula & Hypericum cream - 30 gm tube
This cream is a must have for your first aid kit.
Made from organic plant extracts of Calendula (marigold) and Hypericum (St John Wort) this gentle soothing cream can be applied to cuts and grazes. The Calendula has an antiseptic action and the Hypericum soothes the raw pain of grazed skin and nerve endings.
Homeopathic remedies can be bought (ordered online or by phone) from all homeopathic pharmacies (eg Ainsworth’s, Helios and others). These pharmacies also sell various sized homeopathy kits containing selected remedies and are happy to provide advice over the phone. Some health food shops and chemists carry a small stock of basic remedies. If you require further assistance with any of the above, you could make an appointment to see me at the clinic on a Thursday.
Dr Gill Pearson
www.the-sop.com