REMEDIES TO KEEP IN YOUR HOMEOPATHY FIRST AID KIT

Homeopathy is not only wonderful in chronic physical or mental conditions, but is also fabulous to use in acute conditions. I’ve always had a homeopathy first aid kit handy for those times when you feel the sniffles coming on and need to take something quickly before getting in touch with your homeopath or general practitioner. Here are some of my favourite remedies to keep handy for those little emergencies.

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REMEDIES FOR INSECT BITES AND STINGS

Ledum palustre: Great to use in mosquito bites when there is associated puffiness. The bite is usually relieved by cold applications.

Apis mellifica: Useful in bee stings where the sting is bright red, shiny and swollen. There is a great deal of burning which is better for cold applications.

Rhus toxicodendron: also another option for mosquito bites where there is burning, swelling and itching which is relieved by warm applications

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REMEDIES FOR FEVERS AND INFLUENZA

Aconitum napellus: Great at the very start of a cold or the flu.

Atropa belladonna: Wonderful to use in fevers. What is specific about this remedy is that you can actually feel the heat emanating from the individual who has the fever. Their face is incredibly red and they tend to hallucinate with their fevers. There is also a right-sided pulsating headache associated which is relieved by pressure.

Pyrogen: great to use in septic fevers. Incredibly high fevers with a sensation as if the bones are breaking

Ferrum phos: Great to use at the onset of a fever. Also wonderful to use to stop a nose-bleed.

Apis mellifica: Useful in sore throats which appear incredibly red and swollen. The uvula and pharynx are so shiny that they almost appear jelly-like.

Rhus toxicodendron: useful in sore throats where it hurts to initially swallow but continuous swallowing actually relieves the throat. The throat is relieved by swallowing warm liquids. There is a dry roughness and burning associated.

Lachesis mutans: Great to use when the throat is especially worse on the left-hand side. The throat feels incredibly swollen with a difficulty in breathing. Those needing this remedy usually hate having anything around the neck.

Kali bich: Great to use in a head-cold. The sinuses are extremely tender to the touch and the pain can almost be pin-pointed to a particular spot. The mucous is yellow in colour and can also be blood-streaked. There is usually a post-nasal drip which results in a sore throat.

Arsenicum album: Useful in flu as well as allergies. Lots of sneezing with a continuous runny nose. The nasal discharge is clear. Great weakness associated.

Gelsemium smperivens: Violent sneezing- the person who sneezes multiple times in a row. Sinuses associated with a headache that feels as if a band is wrapped around the head and goes behind the ears.

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REMEDIES FOR EMOTIONAL SHOCK, GRIEF AND BEFORE A NERVE- WRACKING EVENT

Aconitum napellus: Use in the initial shock. Can also be used to stop a panic attack.

Ignatia amara: Useful during the stages of grief. This remedy helps to bring clarity to the individual and helps to calm the nervous system. There is taciturn whereby the person will alternate between laughing hysterically, crying and anger outbursts.

Argentum nitricum: For when there is anticipatory anxiety associated with gastric upset and a craving for sweets.

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REMEDIES FOR DIARRHEA AND VOMITING

Podophyllum: Sudden onset of diarrhea. Explosive watery diarrhea that is preceded by severe cramps and spasms in the abdomen.

Carbo vegetabilis: Extreme bloating and gas associated with offensive diarrhea. There is a sensation of heat and burning in the abdomen and the person is better for being fanned.

China officianalis: Extreme weakness with alternating shivers and fever. There is a lot of bloating associated with the diarrhea. The person becomes extremely weak.

Kali bichromium: An often over-looked remedy in cases of gastric ulcers. There is nausea associated with a “punched out” sensation in the stomach.

Arsenicum album: Great first-choice remedy when diarrhea occurs as a result of food-poisoning.

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REMEDIES FOR MUSCLE OR JOINT INJURIES

Arnica montana: Usually the first choice for injury. There is a large amount of bruising and swelling which is worse for movement.

Ledum palustre: Useful in sprains whereby the affected area is cold to the touch and relieved by a cold compress.

Rhus toxicodendron: Wonderful to use in sciatica which is worse for the righ-hand side. The sciatica is worse for sitting for long periods of time and for initial movement, but relieved by continuous movement.

Magnesium phosphoricum: I love recommending this remedy for cases of severe cramping during menstruation.