Homeopathic first aid and self help
As with conventional medical treatments, taking homeopathic remedies in a first aid situation aims to encourage speedy healing and minimise pain and discomfort. Homeopathic remedies are completely safe and may be used alongside other treatments.
Remedies are normally placed under the tongue and sucked like a sweet. In a first aid situation, a remedy can be given every 15 minutes until symptoms subside.
Bumps, bruises and shock
Arnica is the number one remedy for bumps, bruises and shock. I carry Arnica 30c at all times and recommend you do the same. Take the remedy as soon as possible after the injury and up to taken three times daily until the bruising is gone. Frequently one or two doses is sufficient to speed healing.
If you are taking blood-thinning medication such as Warfarin, check with your homeopath before taking Arnica as it also has blood-thinning properties.
Arnica cream can be used on bruised areas, but shouldn’t be applied if the skin is broken.
Arnica is also useful for treating sore, achy muscles and is great for when you have overdone it a little.
Aconite is another fantastic remedy for shock and fright and is often used alongside Arnica after an injury. Aconite restores calm, and can be used even some time after an injury or shock where a state of fear remains.
Bach Flower Rescue Remedy can be given in water, dropped directly onto the tongue, or put on pulse points to calm anxiety or alleviate shock. It’s also useful for those administering first aid!
Burns and scalds
If there is shock, give Arnica. Then give Cantharis every 5 minutes for 30 minutes and then three times a day until the blister has healed. Cantharis is especially indicated for burns that have blistered. For lesser burns that sting Urtica Urens will help. For chemical burns Causticum can be taken every five minutes for 30 minutes and then three times a day until healed.
Two or three drops of Hypercal tincture added to boiled, cooled water will help keep the area free of infection and encourage new skin growth. Any burn that is larger than the palm of the hand requires urgent medical attention. Homeopathic burns ointment can work wonders and is available from the three main pharmacies detailed below.
Cuts and wounds
Add a few drops of Hypercal tincture to boiled, cooled water that you wash the wound with in order to prevent infection and aid healing. If the cut is very deep, use Calendula 30c and Hypericum 30c as well as applying Hypercal topically twice daily until the wound has healed. Hypericum has an affinity for the nerves so is helpful where the wound is deep and may have affected nerve endings. Give Ledum for puncture wounds.
Fractures
Take Arnica 30c or 200c every two hours for the first couple of days. If there is nerve pain, use Hypericum. Symphytum 6c can be taken twice daily for 6 weeks after the break. It is important that suspected fractures are investigated fully and where there is found to be a fracture, the bones must be set before taking Symphytum. The common name for Symphytum is Comfrey, which also goes by the name of ‘knitbone’, as it accelerates the healing of broken bones. Calc Phos 6x tissue salts are made by New Era; they are available in most health food shops. They have a nutritive action, nourishing the bones and connective tissues as they heal. They should be taken for six weeks also.
Insect bites and stings
Apis is the most frequently used remedy for bee or wasp stings. It reduces heat, puffiness and the stinging pain. It’s also good for jellyfish stings. For dog or mosquito bites try Ledum; it can also be taken three or four times daily to reduce the likelihood of being bitten by insects. Urtica Urens is used for nettle stings. Pyrethrum spray, available from homeopathic pharmacies, is excellent at relieving the itching and irritation caused by a bite.
Poisoning
If your child swallows pharmaceutical pills give Nux Vomica every 5 minutes along with any other relevant first aid procedures. Where contact with a plant causes skin irritation give Rhus Tox or Urtica Urens. In the case of food poisoning, where there is vomiting and diarrhoea give Arsenicum 30c every 15 minutes for up to six doses and then three or four times daily until symptoms clear. Phosphorus is indicated where there is great thirst but any water drunk makes you sick about 20 minutes later. Ipecac should be used where there is extreme nausea, which is only briefly alleviated by vomiting; often fits of coughing end in retching or vomiting.
Sunburn and sunstroke
Belladonna can be given where there the skin feels hot to touch, where there is fever and a headache. If the skin becomes puffy, use Apis hourly. The remedy Sol is helpful for all sun related ailments, such as prickly heat, sun headaches, mild sunburn and can be taken three or four times daily whilst you are exposed to the sun. It can also be useful to those fair-skinned individuals who have to be extra careful in the sun to help them acclimatise for the first few days of exposure.
Surgery
A single dose of Arnica 30c or 200c can be given the day before surgery, and for several days afterwards to lessen bruising and promote healing. Calendula 30c will assist the healing of large wounds and help to prevent infection. If there is intense pain after surgery Hypericum is helpful. Nux Vomica or Phosphorus can help with any ill effects of anaesthesia, especially where there is nausea or vomiting.
Many of these remedies are contained in Homeopathic First Aid kits, which are sold in the main homeopathic pharmacies. I am happy to give advice on these and can also provide kits for your families needs.
Further information
Further information on homeopathy can be found through the Society of Homeopaths or the Alliance of Registered Homeopaths or the British Homeopathic Association.