INJURIES:FALLS, BRUISES
Arnica is the Homeopathic
aspirin. It is the first remedy to think of in any injury, because is treats
pain and shock. If the accident is particularly severe, Aconite may be
indicated also to treat the shock or fear associated with the injury, before
Arnica is given.
Arnica is also known as
the sportsman's remedy because of its usefulness in treating pain associated
with muscle strain.
For bumps and bruises,
Arnica ointments are available in pharmacies and they can be used directly on
the spot. It is useful to take Arnica internally as well, to promote healing.
If the spot bruised, hit
or crushed is in a nerve rich area, (like fingers, toes, mouth or anus)
Hypericum should be used, especially if the pain is throbbing and radiating.
Hypericum is often indicated for a fall on the spine or coccyx.
When the head has been
injured and headaches persist, Natrum sulphuricum should be thought of.
SCRAPES, CUTS
When the skin has been
broken, Arnica ointment should not be applied. Calendula ointment is used
instead to promote repair of the skin. Again, Arnica can be taken internally,
as well as Calendula to promote the body's healing capacity.
If the cut is made with a
sharp knife, or if it is deep, Staphysagria is a good remedy to prevent
scarring.
Calendula mother tincture
can be put in bath water to help heal cuts in hard to reach areas. You can soak
a wound this way or even make a spray solution to apply to wounds.
Hypericum should again be
thought of for fingers and toes and that searing, throbbing pain associated
with such wounds.
PUNCTURE WOUNDS
Ledum is the #1 remedy
for puncture wounds and is usually given first. It is considered a preventative
against tetanus which can result from such wounds.
After Ledum, or if the
Ledum stage was missed, Hypericum follows well and is used often the beginning signs
of tetanus have appeared (red streak from wound towards body and shooting
pain).
Again Staphysagria can be
used if the puncture is quite deep.
WOUNDS TO THE EYE
Arnica is the first
remedy to use for a wound to the eye, especially if the eyeball is injured or
if the soft tissue around the eye is bruised.
Aconite is also used for
injury to the eye, especially is a foreign object is imbedded there and the
patient is fearful.
For blunt injury to the
eye which causes headaches, symphytum is the remedy of choice and can even heal
long lasting, chronic ailments following a blow to the eye.
Ruta is a good remedy for
acute eye strain.
SPRAINS
Arnica is again the first
remedy to consider in cases of sprain, externally and internally, as it
alleviates pain and causes the reabsorption of blood which accumulates in the
soft tissues when blood vessels are broken in an accident.
The second remedy to
consider for sprains is Ruta gravoelens. It is used to treat injury to
connective tissue, tendons and periosteum which are characterized by stiffness.
For less severe sprains
which leave a sensation of stiffness on first motion, Rhus tox. is the primary
remedy. Rhus will continue the healing after Arnica has been used to reduce the
swelling of an injury.
Bryonia is used when the
former remedies cannot completely heal a sprain and the injury is worse from
any motion.
FRACTURES
Again with any accident
Arnica is given first for pain and swelling, Aconite as well if the patient is
very frightened, which can often be the case with a fracture.
When a fracture is
suspected, this must first be verified by XRay. Once the fracture is set,
Symphytum is the remedy to repair the fracture.. Bryonia is used for fractured
ribs and should be considered if a fracture remains painful after administering
other remedies. Calc. phos. can also be used in slowhealing fractures.
Ruta is used more for
injuries to the periosteum and to the knee, shin, or elbow. Ruta can be taken
before and after XRays to minimize side effects.
BITES, STINGS
Bee stings are treated
with Apis (redness, burning, swelling, sticking pains) as well as for allergic
reactions, hives, with the same characteristics.
Ledum is used to treat
mosquito, black fly, and sand flea bites. It can be taken internally at 200C or
as an ointment externally to relieve itching.
Arnica is used more to
treat wasp stings.
Hypericum is used to
treat more painful bites such as those of moose flies or deer flies, which
remove a chunk of skin
The bites of snakes or
other animals are usually treated like puncture wounds.
Staphysagria is also used
for insect bites which itch excessively and create large welts. It can be taken
preventively to reduce the number of bites when you know that you will be
exposed.
IMBEDDED OBJECTS, BOILS
Silicea is the primary
remedy for ejecting splinters or any foreign object trapped under the skin. If
Silicea is not successful, and the splinter is very sensitive, Hepar sulph 30
will do the job.
For boils, Belladonna can
be given before pus forms, when the boil is very red, hot, painful and shiny.
When a boil is extremely
sensitive and feels like there is a stick under the skin, Hepar sulph. Is again
useful. Silica can be used acutely or constitutionally to treat boils which
develop from every little injury.
When a child develops
crop of angry-looking boils, especially on the buttocks, Sulphur is often the
remedy.
BURNS, SCALDING
For minor scalding or
sunburn Calendula tincture or gel can be applied externally. It can also help
in treating scars from previous burns. A red hot sunburn can be relieved with
Belladonna.
Cantharis can be used
internally or externally or both for more serious burns. A bad sunburn with
blistering calls for Cantharis.
Causticum is used only
internally for second degree burns.
Urtica urens is also a
good remedy for first degree burns, especially if they sting.
MEDICAL PROCEDURES
Before a trip to the
dentist, or any other medical procedure, if you are fearful, take Aconite 200C,
you will be surprised how calm you can become.
Arnica should be taken
before and after any procedure to minimize shock and help to heal bruising.
Hypericum should be taken
after an operation in a nerve rich area of the body. It helps to repair
traumatized nerve tissue.
For incisions,
Staphysagria is indispensable. It is usually given in a single dose after an
operation. It also helps to cope with feelings of invasion which often follow
surgical intervention of any kind.
For the side effects of
anaesthetics, such as nausea, confusion and other discomforts, Phosphorus is
the choice remedy. It can be given repeatedly until the unpleasant symptoms
subside.
For injections, either
vaccinations or for local or general anaesthesia, Ledum can counter the shock
to the system. (Puncture wound)
CLEANSING
Nux vomica is the
universal homeopathic cleanser and is usually administered in 200C potency once
after a one-time exposure to toxic substances, such as medication or obnoxious
fumes, or overindulgence in stimulants. If a person is more consistently
exposed to toxic substances, sometimes Nux, along with a homeopathic dilution
of the substance itself can be used on a regular basis to counteract long-term
ill-effects.
When specific traumas are
identified as blocking healing, specific corresponding homeopathic remedies can
be used in sequential ascending doses to clear out the system. The ensuing
reaction is termed at "cleansing" or "healing" reaction.
EMOTIONAL REMEDIES
Often the most powerful
blockages to healing can be longheld and unexpressed emotional traumas. It is a
good idea to treat these emotions before they become a serious problem for the
health of the individual.
FEAR: The first line
remedy for fear is Aconite. A generalized anxiety can be treated with Aconite
30C, whereas a more specific frightening event can be treated immediately with
Aconite 200C even before the onset of symptoms if the severity of the fright
warrants it.
GRIEF: When a person
suffers a loss, of a dear friend, pet, or loved one, Ignatia is the firstaid
remedy. Ignatia can safely be given as high as 1M, but a lower potency will do,
although it may have to be repeated.
ANGER: Staphysagria is
the remedy for anger and resentment and it can be used to treat both immediate
and longerterm instances. If a person experiences a deep humiliation, invasion
of privacy or violation, Staphysagria can prevent that emotion from taking hold
and coloring their whole perspective on life. Suppressed anger can lead to a
number of physical ailments, particularly targeting mainly the digestive tract
and liver, but can also result in tension headaches. Chamomilla is the remedy
most often given to children when they experience stomach upset or other
symptoms after a fit of anger or tantrum. Other remedies which are for symptoms
following anger are Colocynthis (abdominal pain, headache, neuralgia >
bending double, pressure) and Nux vom. (stomach pains> warmth, warm drinks,
bending backwards)
