What is homeopathy?
Homeopathy is a way of healing that is based on the law of similars that like cures like. This means that anything that can make you ill, can also cure you.
Unlike conventional medicine which often masks symptoms, homeopathy treats the underlying cause by helping the body to heal itself by bringing it back into balance.
A pain killer may help to dull the pain which is a symptom of an underlying cause. Homeopathy treats the whole person by looking at not just the physical symptoms but also at a person’s emotional and mental symptoms, to help find the best remedy.
For instance, if you are looking for a remedy for heat exhaustion you might find pulsatilla and sulphur recommended. After matching the physical symptoms to one of them, you would then read about the emotional and mental symptoms for each one to find an even closer match.
Pulsatilla is needed for anxious, changeable, clingy, excitable, introspective or teary emotional symptoms. By contrast, sulphur emotional symptoms are quite different confused, critical, discontented, impatient, irritable, lazy and restless.
Summer First-Aid Kit
Summer is a time of heat and associated symptoms of overheating – whether it’s exhaustion from a day in the sun sitting round the BBQ or pool; inflammation and swelling from an ant bite or bee sting; hot itching eczema from lying on the grass
reading ; or the burning of a graze from skidding to catch that ball – it’s all too much heat.
Homeopathy can be used alongside conventional First-Aid to increase the patient’s chance of a quick recovery. So along with the usual items in your kit, try including some homeopathic remedies to treat summer injuries.
- For cuts, bruises, sprains and strains:
Arnica: A wonder remedy, Arnica comes in drops or pills to be taken internally, and as a cream to be applied externally.
For any injury that will result in a bruise or swelling apply arnica cream as soon as possible after the accident. DO NOT use on broken skin.
For bites and stings and to increase the potency of arnica cream, take homeopathic drops or pills as indicated on the bottle.
- For eczema, cuts, sores or infections:
Calendula: With its healing properties, Calendula cream can mend a surface wound and because it is antiseptic, it helps to prevent infection.
Calendula can soothe sunburn or even more severe burns, and it can be used for skin grazes or lacerations. Gently massage the Calendula cream into the affected area, reapplying when necessary.
The Calendula pills can be used in conjuction with the cream to help the wound heal more quickly.
- For insect bites or stings:
Apis: For any bite or sting such as a bee sting, that starts to swell or cause an allergic reaction, and if the symptoms are helped by cold compresses, then Apis may be the correct remedy. Take it internally in its homeopathic pill or drop form.
Ledum: Use ledum pills or drops if the bite is from an insect, snake or spider that leaves a puncture wound. It can also be used to help prevent the risk of tetanus from a wound caused by a rusty nail.
If the symptoms include chilliness with puffiness at the injury site Ledum can help, used along with cold compresses.
- For overexertion:
Rhus Tox: After a a day’s hard work in the garden muscles start to stiffen and Rhus Tox can help relieve the immediate pain and stiffness.
This remedy may also help if there is restlessness with pains worse at night and difficulty getting comfortable due to the pain.
Homeopathic drops, pills, and creams can be purchased from health food shops, some chemists or homeopathic pharmacies. Keep them safely stored away in the First Aid Kit, away from mobile phones, electrical or magnetic sources as these may affect their potency.
Remember to look at the mental and emotional as well as the physical symptoms, and seek medical advice if symptoms persist or worsen.
Source: Castro, M., The Complete Homeopathy Handbook. MacMillan, 1990