This is intended only as a useful guide to the homeopathic remedies which may be needed in an emergency or an acute situation. That is, a situation that has an immediate and apparent cause: an insect bite, burn, sprain, sting, or tummy upset. It’s not meant as a comprehensive guide to each remedy, but only as an indication of its emergency use when on the road or away from home.
If your ‘patient’, yourself or a family member, in this case, does not experience swift alleviation of the condition or appears to be worsening in terms of pain or distress, you must seek medical assistance. This is especially so in the case of children, and in anyone where there has been a blow to the head, dizziness or unconsciousness, or a high fever.
The remedies are effective, gentle, and safe to use with children and infants. There are various ready-made kits available from homeopathic pharmacies such as Helios and Ainsworth. I am a postgraduate homeopath, and the remedies listed below are those which I have turned to most often for my and my own family’s health for over 20 years. They are cheap to buy, have a long shelf-life if looked after (just don’t store them next to cell phones, microwave ovens or put them through an x-ray machine), are very light to pack, and don’t need to be taken with water. They are available in various potencies, but 30C is good for non-professional, home use. If you have children under 12 years old it is recommended to have a duplicate kit of these remedies for their use, in the 6C potency.
10 Remedies for the Road
Stings: bees, wasps, and plants
Apis Mellifica 30C Take immediately in the event of the intense burning pain of a bee or wasp sting. In the event of allergic swelling of the mouth or tongue. Where there is redness, swelling, puffiness, and oedema. When the patient feels better from the cool air and cold applications.
Urtica Urens 30C Stings from plants, especially nettles. Hives, raised red blotches, nettle rash. Alleviates burns, scalds, and sunburn too if there is the keynote burning heat and violent itching
Bruising, blows, falls, aching, stiffness
Arnica Montana 30C Aching pains, for instance in the lower back after physical exertion such as digging. Muscle pain after over-lifting and overworking. Blows to the head. Soreness and bruised feeling, and in actual bruising. For the trauma and shock associated with trips, falls and other injuries. Especially indicated where the patient is stoic and their reaction after an injury is “I’m fine!” Do not use it where there is broken skin.
Hypericum Perforatum When there is radiating and shooting pain from the injured part indicating trauma to nerves. Especially indicated in injuries to head and tailbone, fingers, toes, and nails. Sciatica.
Rhus Toxicodendron For use in stiffness of muscles and joints, rheumatism in cold, damp conditions, or season. The “creaky gate” remedy, when initial movement is difficult, but motion limbers up! Ailments from straining a single part, muscle or tendon, over-lifting. Sprained ankles. Pains are tearing, shooting, and stitching. The patient is restless with continual changing of position.
Bites
Hypericum Perforatum For use in puncture wounds. Also from bites of animals and insects. Shooting pains from the injured part is the keynote here.
Ledum Palustre For use in puncture wounds, produced by sharp-pointed instruments or bites, especially where the affected part feels cold rather than hot.
**NB Ledum may help prevent Tetanus if taken immediately. Hypericum may help if Tetanus develops. This is an emergency and medical assistance must be sought**
Vomiting, diarrhoea
Arsenicum Album The No 1 remedy to use in vomiting and diarrhoea, after eating spoiled food. Especially after watery food and fruits, or ice cream. Especially if the patient is anxious, restless, and doesn’t want to be left alone.
Nux Vomica No 1 liver remedy For use in bruised soreness of abdomen. Ill effects of alcohol, drugs, spices, and stimulants may be signs of an upset liver. Flatulence and colic. Relieves both constipation with frequent ineffectual urging, and diarrhoea after stimulants, and where there is a state alternating between the two. Indigestion from coffee and alcohol. Nausea and vomiting with much retching. Motion sickness from riding in a car or seasickness. Vertigo, especially in the morning on an empty stomach.
Scalds and burns
Cantharis Vesicatoria Burns and scalds such as from a hot water spill, and blisters from these. Pains are burning, sharp and raw, along the course of a nerve. Mouth and throat when burnt after eating too hot food. Severe sunburn. There may be vesicular eruptions (flat blisters under the skin) that itch and burn. The patient usually feels chilly. Can be used in cystitis where the keynote burning and rawness are felt.
Wounds
Calendula Officinalis Use in abrasions, lacerations, tears, cuts, and burns. It restores the vitality of a wounded part where the skin is broken. It is anti-septic and prevents and heals the infection. Prevents the excessive formation of scar tissue. A patient requiring this remedy may display chills and goosebumps.
Dose After an initial dose of 1 x 30C pill left to dissolve under the tongue (or 6C in children under 12) first wait and see. Look for improvement of the patient’s general condition. If there is improvement but symptoms remain, repeat the dose hourly a maximum of 4 times, checking for improvement at each hourly stage. These are acute conditions and frequent dosing may be necessary. Redness, inflammation, swelling, fever, laboured breathing, and loss of consciousness are Red Flags and medical assistance should be sought immediately.
As I said, this is not a comprehensive guide to these 10 remedies. They each have many applications in both acute and chronic conditions. The list is intended as First Aid until you can get to a professional of your choice to assess and aid you further. As a gardener, I would be lost without Urtica Urens, Apis, Hypericum and Ledum! Maybe it will just pique your interest in Homeopathy. I hope you find it useful!