Homeopathic First Aid Remedies by Brenda Pretty

Do you need to be prepared?

An introduction to some really useful homeopathic first aid remedies.

In this article I would like to give you some information about my top four homeopathic first aid remedies and also describe some first aid scenarios where homeopathy could be really useful.

I believe that homeopathic remedies are helpful as first aid because they help with the physical symptoms that the person is displaying and the remedies also ease the person's distress. A well chosen remedy works quickly and effectively.

When choosing a first aid remedy think along the lines of the 'three legged stool'. Match three symptoms that the patient is displaying with three symptoms from the remedy picture. Remember that if one of the symptoms is an emotional symptom then the remedy has a greater likelihood of being of help.

Arnica

For me Arnica is the number one remedy to think of for accidents, injuries and shock. Most of us tend to respond to injury in a similar way which is why Arnica is such a useful remedy. Arnica will minimize bruising, help with the pain of an injury and also the shock associated with the injury. Try to give Arnica as soon after the injury as possible.
Arnica is particularly effective if the person has a fear of being touched and shrinks back from being examined, they may even say that they are okay even when it is quite clear that they are not.

I am sure you can think of many situations where Arnica would be useful. For myself I am well known for always having a supply with me when I attend rugby matches. Two of my sons play and Arnica has been a great help for those rugby injuries. Not least just recently when the youngest broke his nose. I gave him Arnica as soon after the injury as I could and I have to say that there hasn't been much bruising and he has had very little pain. I also believe that it helped him to recover from the shock of the injury.

Think of Arnica where any bone is broken, for any accident where there is bleeding and bruising, for sprains, for strains and for nosebleeds. Arnica is also useful after dental treatment and surgery.

Hypericum

This is my second remedy for injury. Hypericum is so helpful where there has been damage to nerves. For example, wounds to fingers and toes and injury to the base of the spine such as falling on the coccyx. Also for deep cuts where the nerves are involved.

The pain associated with the Hypericum picture is severe and sharp, pain that shoots up the nerve away from the damaged area. Cold air and touch make the pain worse, while keeping still helps to ease the pain.

Think 'blood and crush' injuries. I remember jamming my fingers in the car door, rushing as ever! The pain was horrible, shooting up my arm. I felt sick, cold and clammy. In fact I had to sit down and rest. In this situation a dose of Arnica for the shock, followed by a dose of Hypericum helped a lot. Hypericum is also a very useful remedy for the pain associated with dental work and surgery.

Aconite

Aconite is a remedy with an extensive homeopathic picture but for this article I would like to focus on it's use in first aid. The person needing Aconite will be frightened, shocked, anxious, fearful. Someone who has just experienced or witnessed a terrifying accident, had a terrible fright or believes that something terrible is about to happen to them. They will be inconsolable, to the point of believing that they are going to die, they will be restless and have dilated pupils. This is different to the Arnica shock picture where the person will say they are okay. The Aconite state is much more fearful, anxious and active. The symptoms are much worse at night but better if the person can get some fresh air.
I have used Aconite for people who dread surgery, who are very fearful of the procedure they are about to undergo. Indeed one person said that without the Aconite they would have been extremely nervous to the point of not having the hip replacement surgery that they badly needed.

Apis

Bites and stings are another type of first aid situation where homeopathic remedies can help relieve symptoms and ease distress.

Apis would be the remedy to choose where the person has been stung or bitten and the area affected reacts by becoming hot, red and swollen. The affected area looks water logged and is painful to touch. The person is fidgety and agitated because of the pain. Any heat is unbearable, but cool bathing and moving about helps.

Conversely bites that are cold to touch and feel numb, with taut skin and are better for cool bathing would respond well to Ledum.

The symptoms of the case and the things that help or make the situation worse all help in the search for the remedy that best fits the way the person is experiencing the problem. Someone who has been stung by a bee or wasp may need Apis if the symptoms of the remedy match the symptoms of the patient.

Homeopathic remedies are helpful in first aid situations but do not replace basic first aid measures. If in doubt always seek help.

If a remedy doesn't help and the situation allows, then gather some more information and rethink. If a remedy helps for a while but doesn't hold then maybe a different remedy would more appropriate. If in doubt contact your homeopath for advice. However, remember that if symptoms are severe, rapidly worsening, life threatening or persistent always seek urgent medical advice.

Copyright 2008 Brenda Pretty