Ruminating on Remedies, My thoughts on homeopathy

7/23/2022

Summer Fun #4: Sprains, Strains & Bicycle Falls

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I didn't get to all of these injuries, but I address quite a few of them in this article.

Summer athletes, take heed! ER visits shoot up in the warmer months as the weekend warriors take on the bats, balls and trails.

SPRAINS
This one hits home right now as my husband is in week 3 of his nasty sprain. Click here for an 18-second visual of what’s involved in an ankle sprain. (For the record, he wasn’t being a weekend warrior, it was just unfortunate happenstance.)

We were hours from medical care, his ankle was huge and looked very wrong. I gave him Arnica 1m immediately, to great effect. Ice. Rest. Elevation. More Arnica as needed. The ER took X-rays and sent him on his way with 2 Ace bandages and told him to take ibuprofen* for the pain. That was helpful. Not. The next day we were able to see a proper orthopedist who took more X-rays and this time sent him on his way with a walking/air boot and the same instructions for pain. He never resorted to the over-the-counter painkillers, I am happy to say.

What to do after that? Well, some people say the X-rays can be a problem. If you’re worried about that, Nat Mur 6x, (twice daily the day of the X-ray and a few days following) is said to help.

Back to sprained ankles…

The number one remedy to turn to for any accident or injury is Arnica. Give it early and repeat as needed. As a general rule of thumb, the worse the injury, the higher the potency and then back off the repetition and lower the potency as the pain dictates.

The next remedy to consider is Aconite to help reduce the shock which often follows a bad injury. Remember! Aconite rhymes with fright. Any situation that has been a shock to your system can benefit from Aconite. And, in this case, it can benefit not only the person who had the accident, but the person who witnessed the accident.

The traditional, much accepted treatment for injuries is RICE: Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. Some injuries respond to cold, some respond to heat. Ice restricts blood flow and blood flow is what you need to heal your parts. But, that blood flow is also what can cause all the swelling. I am not a physician but I have certainly had more than my fair share of injuries in my lifetime. Some of my injuries felt better with rest and elevation and ice and some felt better getting moving right away. To my mind, your pain (in addition to the input from your physician) needs to be your guide as to what is right for you.

What else can help? Here are a few homeopathic suggestions and their symptoms which may help you choose the best homeopathic remedy for your injury.

Arnica: Start here. “It is safe to say that 98% of patients who have suffered traumatic injury, however caused, need a dose of Arnica to begin their recovery” (Thomas 2000). See below for some research on Arnica.

A typical Arnica patient does not want anyone to touch their injured area. Sore, they may feel “beaten up” with swelling, bruising and inflammation. Topical Arnica is an option if the skin is intact. Do NOT apply Arnica to open wounds.

Rhus tox: for an injury that feels better for heat and continued motion. Worse on first moving. Better suited to simple sprains.

Ruta: for an injury that is worse for motion and worse for cold application. Bruised, crushed, weak feeling. A remedy for tendons and ligaments, similar to Rhus in its pain. May feel hot to touch. Follows Arnica well to help aid in recovery.

Bellis perennis: Think of this remedy if Arnica is not helping as much as you think it should be helping. Bruised pain. Like Rhus tox, a Bellis pain hurts when starting to move but gets better as you keep moving the injured area and is better from heat. A Bellis pain, though, may have the sensation of a band squeezing the injured joint. “Complicated sprains involving tendons, ligaments and soft tissue with swelling, edema and pain” (Ratera 2016).

Bryonia: worse for the slightest movement of any kind. Better for rest and immobility. This person might be a little grumpy as a result of their injury.

Ledum: when the injured area feels better from cold applications. Ankle feels dislocated and is worse by walking, to the point of being intolerable. The skin may be cold to the touch.

Symphytum for tears at the point of tendon insertion into the bone (Ratera 2016). This remedy has been known to speed along recovery. CAUTION: do NOT use Symphytum until you are certain there is no break or fracture.

Cell Salts which may be of help for sprains (Weintraub 1999):

Ferr phos: first aid remedy
Mag phos: pain which accompanies sprains
Nat sulph: after effects of shock
Ferr phos, Kali mur: swelling

for tendons and ligaments: Make a compress from these cell salts dissolved in tepid water and applied to the area: Calc fluor, Ferr phos, Mag phos, Kali mur.

Again, let your pain be your guide as to how long and how often you taking the remedies

STRAINS
According to American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, a sprain is a stretch and/or tear of a ligament and a strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon. Sprains generally occur in ankles, knees and wrists and strains generally occur in the back or leg, particularly the hamstring. Both injuries can range in severity and neither is necessarily worse than the other — it depends on the person and the injury.

Conventional medicine again recommends RICE for strains (see above).

Homeopathically, Arnica is the best place to start and may be all that you need. “Forcing, twisting, wrenching strains and tears are most likely to respond to Arnica if it is prescribed within 24 hours of the trauma” (Thomas 2000).

The above list of sprain remedies can also be applied to muscle strains with these notations:

Rhus tox may be especially helpful in injuries due to lifting or over-exertion.

Bryonia is especially well suited to intercostal and rib injuries.

Ruta is also useful for injuries due to over-exertion. Follows Arnica well to help aid in recovery.

Traumeel or T-Relief as it is now known is a nice combination remedy to help with strains. (See below for some Traumeel research.)

Cell Salts which may be of help for strains (Weintraub 1999):
In addition to the above listed cell salts:

Calc sulph, Mag phos: for muscles strained from overwork and a sensation of heat
Mag phos: for muscle spasms

BICYCLE FALLS
Number one: wear a helmet. Høye (2018) found helmet use reduced serious head injury by 60%.

We just watched an interesting documentary called Bikes of Wrath where 5 young guys re-created the journey from Steinbeck’s novel of a similar name, but this time on bikes. None of them had any head injuries, but they did indeed have some strains and perhaps a sprain — in his case, it was his elbow. They certainly could have benefitted from carrying a little remedy kit with them, that's for sure!

Sprains and strains are covered above, let's move on to cuts, scrapes and contusions.

Once again, Arnica is the first stop for any injury. If the fall was big enough, take a dose of Aconite for any shock.

ROAD RASH, see this link for more information

Ooof! It’s been a long time since I’ve had to pick gravel out of my knee, but I can still remember how unpleasant that is!

In this case, an oral dose of Arnica may be helpful because there is probably some element of bruising that will accompany the road rash, but remember DO NOT to apply Arnica to broken skin.

I have no idea who this group is, but they have some clear images indicating whether hospital treatment should be sought following a skinned knee.

Assuming the wound is not too bad and does not need professional medical care, clean the area and remove any debris. The Wound Care Society has some nice instructions.

Calendula is where you want to start homeopathically for this injury — after the wound has been sufficiently cleaned out, that is. Calendula can be taken orally, or a Calendula tincture or cream can be applied. If you have the homeopathic pellet, but not a tincture, dissolve the Calendula pellet in some clean water and apply that to the wound. Hypericum can be used in this way, as well.

Ledum is useful if the wound is deeper. It may be cool to the touch and very painful.

Hypericum: like Calendula, Hypericum is very good and soothing to use topically. In fact, they can work very well together. Helios offers a lovely combination cream**. A Hypericum wound is very sensitive and is definitely indicated if any nerves are involved, like fingertips or toes.

Hamamelis is very good if the wound continues to bleed. Arnica, too, can help with bleeding, but Hamamelis would be the next stop. Also very good for hematomas which may form as a result of the injury.

Cell Salts which may be of help for cuts and abrasions (Weintraub 1999):

Ferr phos for abrasions and wounds; topical application of powdered tables applied directly to the injured parts
Calc sulph: for cuts that are slow to heal

Kali mur, Ferr phos: for swelling

Bruising

Guess what the first remedy is for bruising? You’re so clever! Yes, it’s Arnica! The bruise is painful and they don’t want anybody to touch it!

Bellis perennis if the bruising is deeper, and especially if the bruising is in the abdominal area.

Ledum shows up again here, too -- if the area feels better with cold application.

Ruta or Symphytum if the bone is bruised or the periosteum is affected (the tissues between the bones and the skin — think of the shins or cheekbones).

Cell Salts which may be of help for bruising (Weintraub 1999):

Ferr phos for any bleeding into tissues -- may also apply powder directly to the area
Calc fluor for bruises affecting the bones
Kali phos for all-over feelign of being bruised
Kali mur for hard, blue-black bruises

To make a compress: dissolve 5 of each cell salt tablet and apply locally; take internally also: Ferr phos, Kali mur.

HEAD INJURIES
First off — consult a physician if you have hit your head, whether you were wearing a helmet, or not.

Once again, Arnica is the place to start. Not only because it’s the go-to first remedy for any accident or injury, but in this case because Arnica is the first choice homeopathic remedy for head injury, period.

Bonus! One of my favorite homeopathic books for injuries, First Aid with Homeopathy by Dr. Manuel Mateu Ratera, has a PDF of his Head Injury pages available online.

The next-in-line remedy for head injuries is Nat sulph (see cell salts below). Like Arnica, Nat sulph can be used for residual effects from old head injuries.

Why choose one over the other? Arnica has the general trauma/injury element to it.

When to choose Nat sulph? Nat sulph has a slight edge in terms of residual effects from head injuries: concussions afterward, migraines afterward. However, Nat sulph is more clearly indicated when there is vertigo following a head injury or depression or mental dullness sets in after a head injury.

For some research on mild traumatic brain injuries and homeopathy, see Chapman et al. (1999).

Cell Salts which may be of help for head injuries (Weintraub 1999):
Calc fluor for bruises on the cranial bones, with hard, rough, uneven lumps
Ferr phos for bruising to the head, with pain
≈ Nat sulph as a cell salt may be used, as well.

These homeopathic remedies, Arnica in particular, should accompany you when you set out for any physical activities this summer. Or, better yet, purchase a little kit to throw in your bag. Taproots has nice one*.

Julia Coyte, CHom
Classically Practical homeopath

#wellnessawaits
* Just because NSAIDs are available over the counter does not mean they are without risks. There are plenty of studies out there talking about the downside of taking NSAIDs. Below are just a few of these studies.

** I have no affiliation with these companies, I just like their products.

Reference list

American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, n.d. Sprains, Strains and Other Soft-Tissue Injuries - OrthoInfo - AAOS [online]. www.orthoinfo.org.

Helios Homoeopathy, n.d. Hypericum/Calendula cream: helios-frontend [online]. www.helios.co.uk.

Høye, A., 2018. Bicycle helmets – To wear or not to wear? A meta-analyses of the effects of bicycle helmets on injuries. Accident Analysis & Prevention [online], 117, 85–97.

Mayo Clinic, 2018. Sprained ankle - Symptoms and causes [online]. Mayo Clinic.

Ratera, Dr. M. M., 2016. First Aid with Homeopathy. Kander, Germany: Narayana Verlag.

Sonnenschmidt, R., Sankaran, R., Vithoulkas, G., Borland, D., Scholten, J., Kusse, F., Mangialavori, M., Birch, K., Das Kaviraj, V., Perko, S., Welte, U., Le Roux, P., Hahnemann, S., Jus, S. and Chauhan, D., n.d. Manuel Mateu i Ratera First Aid with Homeopathy Reading excerpt First Aid with Homeopathy of Manuel Mateu i Ratera Publisher: Hahnemann Institut [online].

Summers, S., 2022. How can I take care of a scraped knee? [online]. www.truthaboutnursing.org.

TapRoots, 2022. SUMMER On-the-Go Portable Homeopathic Kit Including Hard-covered Case, Holds 8 Kit-sized Remedies [online]. TapRoots.

Temple ReadyCare, 2021. 6 Reasons for Summer ER Visits and How to Avoid Common Injuries and Illness [online]. Temple Health.

Thomas, E., 2000. Homoeopathy for sports, exercise, and dance. Beaconsfield, Bucks, Uk: Beaconsfield Publishers.

Weintraub, S., 1999. Natural healing with cell salts. Pleasant Grove, Ut: Woodland Pub.

woundcaresociety, 2016. How to heal skinned knee quickly? [online]. Wound Care Society.

woundcaresociety, 2019. How Long Does Road Rash Take To Heal [online]. Wound Care Society.

Research links - Arnica:
Marzotto, M., Arruda-Silva, F. and Bellavite, P., 2020. Fibronectin Gene Up-regulation by Arnica montana in Human Macrophages: Validation by Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay. Homeopathy [online], 109 (03), 140–145.

Research links Homeopathy & Head Injury:
Chapman, E. H., Weintraub, R. J., Milburn, M. A., Pirozzi, T. O. and Woo, E., 1999. Homeopathic Treatment of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation [online], 14 (6), 521–542.

Research links: Traumeel:
Birnesser, H., Oberbaum, M., Klein, P. and Weiser, M., 2004. THE HOMEOPATHIC PREPARATION TRAUMEEL® S COMPARED WITH NSAIDS FOR SYMPTOMATIC TREATMENT OF EPICONDYLITIS. Journal of Musculoskeletal Research [online], 08 (02n03), 119–128.

Conforti, A., Bertani, S., Metelmann, H., Chirumbolo, S., Lussignoli, S. and Bellavite, P., 1997. Experimental studies of the anti-inflammatory activity of a homeopathic preparation. [online].

Lussignoli, S., Bertani, S., Metelmann, H., Bellavite, P. and Conforti, A., 1999. Effect of Traumeel S, a homeopathic formulation, on blood-induced inflammation in rats. Complementary Therapies in Medicine [online], 7 (4), 225–230.

Porozov, S., Cahalon, L., Weiser, M., Branski, D., Lider, O. and Oberbaum, M., 2004. Inhibition of IL-1β and TNF-α Secretion from Resting and Activated Human Immunocytes by the Homeopathic Medication Traumeel® S. Clinical and Developmental Immunology [online], 11 (2), 143–149.

Schneider, C., Klein, P., Stolt, P. and Oberbaum, M., 2005. A Homeopathic Ointment Preparation Compared With 1% Diclofenac Gel for Acute Symptomatic Treatment of Tendinopathy. EXPLORE [online], 1 (6), 446–452.

Research links: NSAIDs:
Allison, M. C., Howatson, A. G., Torrance, C. J., Lee, F. D. and Russell, R. I., 1992. Gastrointestinal Damage Associated with the Use of Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs. New England Journal of Medicine [online], 327 (11), 749–754.

Bindu, S., Mazumder, S. and Bandyopadhyay, U., 2020. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and organ damage: A current perspective. Biochemical Pharmacology [online], 180, 114147.

Graham, D. Y., Opekun, A. R., Willingham, F. F. and Qureshi, W. A., 2005. Visible small-intestinal mucosal injury in chronic NSAID users. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology [online], 3 (1), 55–59.

Risser, A., Donovan, D., Heintzman, J. and Page, T., 2009. NSAID Prescribing Precautions. American Family Physician [online], 80 (12), 1371–1378.

7/9/2022

Summer Fun #2: Water

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Swimmer's Eye or Chlorine Conjunctivitis

Swimmer's itch
Swimmer's itch is an allergic reaction to microscopic parasites that burrow into your skin while you're swimming or wading outdoors. (Mayo Clinic n.d.)

Outer Ear Infection
(Mayo clinic n.d.)

Jellyfish… so beautiful and so dangerous!

Signs a swimmer is in trouble: (Redcross. CA 2013)

Struggling to keep their face above the water in an effort to breathe – head is low in the water, tilted back, and mouth is at water level
Has arms extended to the side pressing down for support
Has a vertical or approaching vertical body position with no supportive kick
Might continue to struggle underwater, often facing the nearest point of safety, for example land, a person, shallow water, a buoyant support toy or a boat.
Inability to respond to the question: “Are you okay?”
Silence

Whether a river, an ocean or a pool -- nothing is as inviting as a body of water on a hot, summer’s day. It’s cool and refreshing, but, after a shallow dive into the subject … I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it can be dangerous!

Let’s start with a dip in the pool, which is most likely chlorinated. Some people are particularly sensitive to the chlorine and can develop what is known as SWIMMER'S EYE or, chlorine conjunctivitis. It is essentially eye irritation but it stings and it can be pretty miserable. Goggles can help, but that's not a sure thing to keep it at bay.

Homeopathic Euphrasia or “Eyebright” for burning eyes and watery eyes. Pain as if something were in the eye. Puffy eyes. Red eyes. When “eye” is in the name of the remedy, you know it’s a good place to start.

Arsenicum album for profuse, watery, burning discharge. There is often a level of restlessness.

Or, Similisan’s Redness & Itchy Eye Relief* would be a good thing to keep in the cupboard if you or your child is prone to this.

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Moving from the pool to a natural body of water can bring it’s own set of problems, namely, SWIMMER'S ITCH or Cercarial Dermatitis.

Caused by a parasite that gets under the skin (Kolářová et al. 2012) and triggers an allergic reaction, swimmer’s itch is as the name suggests, an itchy rash.

If the rash is blistery and oozy, look to Graphites.

If the rash burns, stings and itches, try Sulphur.

If the rash stings and is raised and fluid filled, try Apis.

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SWIMMER’S EAR
Regardless of what kind of water you’re swimming in, swimmer’s ear is basically an outer ear infection caused by trapped water in your ear that can lead to the growth of bacteria (Mayo Clinic).

For sharp ear pain with a sudden onset, Belladonna. There may be redness and throbbing pain.

An aching ear pain that feels like the ear is stopped up, Chamomilla.

If there is discharge and itching, try Hepar sulph.

Or, Similason has a new formula: Swimmer's Ear Relief*.

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If you are lucky enough to be near the ocean, beware of JELLYFISH!

Potentially harmful jellyfish are found in most oceans and can cause both dermatological problems as well as systemic issues (Mebs 2014). The venom of the 51 species of box jellyfish can kill a human in less than 2 minutes (Baldwin 2022).

The Wilderness Medical Society has published “Jellyfish Stings: A Practical Approach” (Lakkis et al. 2015). If you left your stinger suit hanging in the closet and manage to get stung, conventional medicine doesn’t have a lot to offer. “The literature published on the treatment of jellyfish stings is limited, conflicting, and lacks consensus.” In short, help the person out of the water, keep them from rubbing the stung area and reassure them. Some say to apply cold, others heat. If it’s a life-threatening species, call an ambulance immediately. (Be careful when helping someone with a jellyfish sting as stinging cells may be spread on contact.)

Once again, this is a situation where homeopathy can come in very handy. Homeopathy doesn’t care if the sting is a result of a jellyfish or a bee. If the symptoms match the remedy, there is a good chance relief will follow.

First Aid with Homeopathy (Mateu 2020) says applying vinegar can decrease the effect of the toxins.

For all these homeopathic jellyfish remedy recommendations, repeat every five minutes until significantly better and then begin to lengthen the time between doses.

For most “run of the mill” jellyfish stings, try Apis mellifica. For intense burning and stinging followed by redness and swelling. The person needing Apis will generally be worse from warm applications.

If the affected area feels cold and also feels better from cold, try Ledum.

Urtica urens can be applied topically as well as ingesting the homeopathic remedy. The person needing Urtica will be experiencing great itchiness and burning, similar to experiencing stinging nettles (from which the remedy is made).

If the pains are more neuralgic in nature and radiating out, try Hypericum.

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HYPOTHERMIA
It’s a warm, beautiful day with a little breeze and you think, “what could possibly go wrong?” Well, Hypothermia is one thing that can ruin your day.

“That only happens in the cold, right?” Um. Nope. The only requirement for hypothermia to set in is anything that causes a severe drop in body temperature. It can happen in perfect conditions (Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission 2022) and, actually, swimming doesn’t even need to be involved.

It can happen from being in the water or from being caught in a rainstorm. When I was a kid, my brother went sailing on a too cold day and he returned way too cold. I remember being instructed to lie down on the kitchen floor next to him under a blanket to try and warm him up. I now know that is termed “external passive rewarming” and is the method of choice for mild hypothermia. A slow and gentle warming is what you’re after.

For hypothermia to set in, the water doesn’t have to be cold, just cooler than your body temperature. Children, the elderly, injured or intoxicated people are more susceptible (Paal et al. 2022). Shivering, confusion, breathing issues, and muscle dysfunction are some of the symptoms which may be experienced with a significantly lowered body temperature.

The Natural First Aid Handbook (Mars 2017) recommends hot water bottles to the groin and sides of the torso and warns against rubbing or massaging an individual with hypothermia. First Aid with Homeopathy (Ratera 2016) recommends hot liquids and moderate warmth to the abdomen via a hot water bottle and also talks about breath as a treatment for hypothermia. “The helper places his mouth against the spine, between the shoulder blades, and breathes out in long breaths, blowing directly against the clothing. Almost immediately, local heat is felt, and gradually this heat spreads through the body if the exercise is continued. This technique helps to warm, and also to calm the patient. It can therefore also be used in crises of asthma or panic, to calm the patient and restore natural breathing.” Fascinating!

Other than warming the person, what can be done? Homeopathy, of course!

If the person is conscious, give a dose of Aconite to help with the shock.

Bellis perennis is useful in thermal shock (Ratera 2016). Thermal shock can happen from any sudden exposure to cold when the body is hot — even drinking cold drinks when the body is hot.

Carbo vegetabilis can be useful for persons who are chilly, with cold perspiration and cold breath. Other symptoms may include coldness, numbness and weakness.

Veratrum album is for internal coldness, as if ice-water is in the veins. Weakness and collapse with coldness.

If the person is icy cold but wants to be uncovered, consider some homeopathic Camphor. Cramps, convulsions or shock may be present.

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DROWNING
Regardless of the size of the body of water, drowning is always something to watch out for and contrary to what we have seen in the movies, drowning is often completely silent (Redcross. CA 2013). See sidebar for "signs a swimmer is in trouble."

According to Stop Drowning Now (2018), in the US, 10 people die every day from drowning. “Drowning is fast and silent and can happen in as little as 20-60 seconds.”

When my son was little, I turned my back to get his floaties and the other mother with me (who I thought was watching all the kids!) said, “I didn’t know he could swim.” I turned around and I saw him standing on the bottom of the pool, completely underwater, eyes open, looking up at me. He couldn’t swim! He definitely did not belong there! That could have been a disaster. It was absolutely instantaneous — shockingly fast! Thankfully, he was completely fine. I will never be able to get that vision out of my mind. It was terrible.

CPR or the Heimlich maneuver, followed by mouth-to-mouth is the standard recommendation. Venema (et al. 2010) claim that 30% of rescued drowning victims require CPR. Get medical help immediately.

If the person is unconscious, administer homeopathic Carbo vegetabilis while waiting for help to arrive. Carbo veg is known as “the corpse reviver” and should be administered frequently. To avoid inhaling the remedy, place the pellet between the lips and the teeth and let it dissolve there.

If the person is better when sitting up but is experiencing a rattling in the chest, try Antimonium tart.

Lachesis is indicated when the person is suffering asphyxia and the pulse is very weak.

If there is a “near miss” like I described with my son, it may not be over and done with when you have them out of the water and breathing on their own again. Jama Pediatrics (Stern and Thompson 2022) notes that “symptoms of drowning such as gasping or difficulty breathing most commonly occur immediately. In rare cases, symptoms may develop after a nonfatal drowning. If a child develops worsening cough, fast breathing rate, vomiting or change in mental status after nonfatal drowning, take them to the nearest emergency department for evaluation.”

It may seem like it’s better (and safer!) to just dip your toes in the water to cool off, but no! Life is too short to sit out the swim!

Julia Coyte, CHom
Classically Practical homeopath

#wellnessawaits

* I have no affiliation with this company, I just like their products.

References and further reading:

Baird, J. K. and Wear, D. J., 1987. 12 Cercarial dermatitis: The swimmer’s itch. Clinics in Dermatology, 5 (3), 88–91.

Baldwin, E., 2022. Box Jellyfish: The Dangerous Jellyfish | Ocean Info [online]. oceaninfo.com.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, 2022. Hypothermia [online]. Florida Fish And Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Gordy, M. A., Cobb, T. P. and Hanington, P. C., 2018. Swimmer’s itch in Canada: a look at the past and a survey of the present to plan for the future. Environmental Health, 17 (1).

Hoeffler, D. F., 1977. ‘Swimmers’ itch’ (cercarial dermatitis). Cutis [online], 19 (4), 461–465, 467.

Kolářová, L., Horák, P., Skírnisson, K., Marečková, H. and Doenhoff, M., 2012. Cercarial Dermatitis, a Neglected Allergic Disease. Clinical Reviews in Allergy & Immunology [online], 45 (1), 63–74.

Lakkis, N. A., Maalouf, G. J. and Mahmassani, D. M., 2015. Jellyfish Stings: A Practical Approach. Wilderness & Environmental Medicine [online], 26 (3), 422–429.

Lessell, C. B., 1999. The world travellers’ manual of homoeopathy. Saffron Walden: C.W. Daniel.

Mateu, M., 2020. First aid with homeopathy. Kandern, Germany Narayana Verlag.

Mayo Clinic, n.d. Swimmer’s ear - Symptoms and causes [online]. Mayo Clinic.

Mayo Clinic, n.d. Swimmer’s itch - Symptoms and causes [online]. Mayo Clinic.

Mebs, D., 2014. Durch Quallen verursachte Verletzungen. Jelly Fish Sting Injuries Der Hautarzt [online], 65 (10), 873–878.

Paal, P., Pasquier, M., Darocha, T., Lechner, R., Kosinski, S., Wallner, B., Zafren, K. and Brugger, H., 2022. Accidental Hypothermia: 2021 Update. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health [online], 19 (1), 501.

Ratera, Dr. M. M., 2016. First Aid with Homeopathy. Kander, Germany: Narayana Verlag.

Redcross. CA, 2013. Drowning: A silent killer - Canadian Red Cross [online]. Red Cross Canada.

Schmukler, A. V., 2006. Homeopathy : an A to Z home handbook. Woodbury, Minn.: Llewellyn Publications.

Smith, S., 2007. Medical homoeopathy. West Wickham England: Winter Press.
Stern, A. M. and Thompson, L. A., 2022. What Parents Should Know About Drowning and Dry Drowning. JAMA Pediatrics [online].

Stop Drowning Now, 2018. Facts & Stats About Drowning - Stop Drowning Now [online]. www.stopdrowningnow.org.

Szpilman, D., Bierens, J. J. L. M., Handley, A. J. and Orlowski, J. P., 2012. Drowning. New England Journal of Medicine [online], 366 (22), 2102–2110.

Venema, A. M., Groothoff, J. W. and Bierens, J. J. L. M., 2010. The role of bystanders during rescue and resuscitation of drowning victims. Resuscitation [online], 81 (4), 434–439.

7/3/2022

Things that go boom

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I got hooked on watching videos about how things were made way back when … watching Sesame Street (Anon. 2022). (This video is on crayon making, but it’s a good one!) Then, for a while I enjoyed the Canadian show, “How it’s Made” — here’s a link to their firework segment.

As you can imagine, I enjoyed learning about the firework making process for this article.

What did I learn? Well, not surprisingly, the main ingredient in fireworks is … wait for it … Gunpowder.

Gunpowder originated in China in the 9th century and is made up of three ingredients: saltpeter (potassium nitrate), sulfur and charcoal.

All three of these ingredients are used in both conventional medicine and homeopathy. Saltpeter, known homeopathically as Kalium nitricum; Sulfur, aka Sulphur and charcoal, known as Carbo vegetabilis.

Historically, saltpeter in its crude form (Kali nit) was used in the treatment of asthma (Brown and University of California Libraries 1917) and, today, this ingredient can be found in toothpastes formulated for sensitive teeth. Anecdotally, some people claim this kind of toothpaste has helped their asthma (Graedon and Graedon 2010).

Sulfur, the third most abundant mineral in the human body (Science et al. 2020), is used conventionally in many areas, including: allergic rhinitis, shingles and interstitial cystitis (Mount Sinai 2022).

Charcoal, primarily in the form of “activated charcoal” is used as “a safe, effective, and inexpensive alternative to more invasive treatments for poisoning” (Park 1986). (Note: Before finding homeopathy, I never traveled without activated charcoal and it has proven very useful on many occasions. I still keep it handy, but have not needed it since learning the homeopathic remedies.)

John C. Clarke’s Gunpowder As a War Remedy: A Work of Homeopathy (2016) notes that saltpeter and sulfur both have antiseptic capabilities and that standard black powder (the original gunpowder) can be used on infections, boils, blood poisoning and "other maladies". Additionally, Gunpowder is listed in the homeopathic repertories primarily for: gunshot wounds, wounds that are slow to heal, and anal fistulae.

Knowing the ingredients that make up gunpowder, I’m not surprised people decided to use Gunpowder as a medicine, both crudely and homeopathically.

Gunpowder as a healing agent dates back in literature at least to 1865 with Culpeper’s Last Legacy, in which he wrote, “A little Gun-powder tyed up in a rag, and held in the mouth, that it may touch the aking tooth, instantly easeth the pains of the Teeth” [sic].

John C. Clarke (2016a) talks about soldiers using gunpowder: “taken crude in teaspoonful doses mixed in hot water” and shepherds sprinkling it “on bread and cheese, to cure and prevent wound-poisoning acquired in shearing and handling sheep” as well as using it on the sheep themselves for their ailments.

After experimenting on himself, Clarke used homeopathic Gunpowder in a 3x trituration. The 3x potency* means some of the original substance remains in this version of the remedy but without the taste or smell “and to be in no sort of way explosive” and calls it a “most powerful and efficacious remedy.”

Dr. T. Chatterjee claims Gunpowder in high potencies can cure “obstinate psoriasis” and, in low potency is “an excellent blood purifier” and can be helpful after the extraction of an abscessed tooth.

Gunpowder remains a useful homeopathic remedy today for abscesses, boils and carbuncles and in bold-type, Robin Murphy mentions blood poisoning, also known as sepsis. (Sepsis is a life-threatening condition and needs to be treated immediately by a medical professional.)

Interestingly, historically speaking, the advent of gunpowder on the battlefields was cause for amputations as a result of gunshot wounds and the ensuing sepsis (Stansbury et al. 2007). It appears that gunpowder caused the wounds which, in turn, caused sepsis which, in turn, caused the need for amputation, which, ironically could have been avoided by treating the wound with Gunpowder in the first place and thus avoiding the amputation. A crazy version of not quite “like cures like,” but as "same cures same," which in homeopathy is termed Isopathy.

If you have a pet who has a hard time with the fireworks, try Aconite (rhymes with “fright”) or, put a few drops of Bach Rescue Remedy in their water bowl.

Happy 4th of July and be careful of all those things that go BOOM!

Julia Coyte, CHom
Classically Practical homeopath

#wellnessawaits

* Potency article

Reference list
Anon., 2022. Sesame Street - How Crayons Are Made [online]. www.youtube.com.

Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopedia, 2003. Gunpowder summary [online].

Brown, O. H. and University of California Libraries, 1917. Asthma, presenting an exposition of the nonpassive expiration theory [online]. Internet Archive. St. Louis: C. V. Mosby company.

Chatterjee, T., n.d. My Random Notes on some Homeopathic Remedies Reprint. accessed through Radar Opus software.

Clarke, J. C., 2016a. Gunpowder As a War Remedy: A Work of Homeopathy. USA.

Compound Interest, 2015. The Chemistry of Fireworks | Compound Interest [online]. Compound Interest.

Culpeper, N., 1685. Culpeper’s Last Legacy [online]. openlibrary.org.

Graedon, J. and Graedon, T., 2010. ‘Sensitive’ toothpaste may help asthma. Chicago Tribune [online], 15 May 2010.

Mount Sinai, 2022. Sulfur Information | Mount Sinai - New York [online]. Mount Sinai Health System.

Murphy, R., n.d. Repertory, version 3. Accessed through Radar Opus software.

Park, G. D., 1986. Expanded Role of Charcoal Therapy in the Poisoned and Overdosed Patient. Archives of Internal Medicine [online], 146 (5), 969.

Pray, T. J. W., 1849. The Medicinal Properties of Sulphur. The Boston Medical and Surgical Journal [online], 40 (26), 521–523.

Schroyens, F., n.d. Synthesis Adonis. accessed through Radar Opus software.

Science, U. of H. at M. F., Program, H. N. and Program, H. N., 2020. Sulfur. pressbooks.oer.hawaii.edu [online].

Science Channel, 2020. How It’s Made: Fireworks. YouTube [online]. YouTube Video.

Stansbury, L. G., Branstetter, J. G. and Lalliss, S. J., 2007. Amputation in Military Trauma Surgery. The Journal of Trauma: Injury, Infection, and Critical Care [online], 63 (4), 940–944.

Further references — Homeopathy & Medicine
Casey, S., 2011. Gunpowder! Little-Known Remedy Packs a Wallop Against Wounds - Shirley Casey [online]. Hpathy.

Clarke, J. H., 2016b. Gunpowder. from Materia Medica by John Henry Clarke. Homeopathy. [online]. www.materiamedica.info.

Rxlist.com, 2021. Sulfur: Health Benefits, Uses, Side Effects, Dosage & Interactions [online]. RxList.

The Center for Homeopathy, n.d. The Discovery of the Therapeutic Uses of Gunpowder [online]. Center for Homeopathy.

Further reference list — Fireworks & Gunpowder
Foxhall, K., 2017. gunpowder – The Recipes Project [online]. Hypotheses.com.

Jennifer, 2017. Jennifer Evans [online]. Early Modern Medicine.

** This is a fun subscription service of science experiments for kids.
Mel Science, n.d. Magnesium fireworks [online]. MEL Science.

Science Made Fun, n.d. Fireworks and their Colors [online]. Sciencemadefun.net.

United States Geological Survey, 2020. What minerals produce the colors in fireworks? [online]. www.usgs.gov.

5/21/2022

Her ears were 'yuck'

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Our overseas visitors just left us after a very enjoyable time.

One (dare I say) benefit of staying at the home of an enthusiastic homeopath is that some issues can be addressed in a relaxed fashion. Among other ailments, we addressed a long-standing case of plantar fasciitis; pre-wedding emotions for the mother-of-the-bride were handled nicely with Ignatia; bug bites were avoided and (if we didn’t get the OHM* bug spray on in time) helped; sunburned shoulders were quickly cooled with Similasan’s Burn Recovery*™; jangled nerves following an off-road adventure were met with Aconite (remember! Aconite rhymes with Fright!); Nux vomica came in handy the morning after the late night festivities and a custom Bach Flower Remedy blend for the bride herself proved useful for the ubiquitous pre-nuptial butterflies. Did I mention it was a nice, long visit with plenty of time to get the chance to show off what homeopathy can do!?

The day before the return flight, painful ears as a result of flying was brought up. So, I sent along a tube of Kali mur. When she landed, she texted to say that she did not take the remedy for the first flight and her “ears were yuck. Took them for the second flight and for the first time no need to keep moving jaw to pop ears, also when landing.”

Kali muriaticum is one of Schussler’s 12 original cell salts and is known to help the body clear congestions. (In this case, I gave her the 30c potency, but I’m sure the 6x "cell salt" would have worked just fine, but may have needed to be repeated more frequently.) This remedy is known to be helpful for blocked eustachian tubes, middle ear conditions, swollen glands and when crackling noises are heard when blowing the nose or swallowing. Robin Murphy talks about "snapping, itching, as of a plug in ears". That pretty much sums up the discomfort one can feel in one's ears when flying and Kali mur did the trick for her.

Her husband jokingly asked if I had “anything for the annoying fellow passengers.” Yup. Nux vomica would be worth a try for that because, after all, it’s not necessarily that the fellow passengers are annoying, it’s the fact that one is being annoyed by one's fellow passengers.

Whoo hoo! I love it. Homeopathy works so quickly and so effectively for so very many conditions. I truly wish everybody knew about this amazing medicine!

Julia Coyte, CHom
Classically Practical homeopath

#wellnessawaits

* OHM products are only available to professional homeopaths and their clients.

** I have no affiliation with this company, I just like their products.
I have never used it, but I bet Similasan’s Itch Relief would work well, too!

11/21/2021

Relief

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T-Relief, that is. I was annoyed when the company changed the name of Traumeel to T-Relief. No reason, I guess I just liked the name Traumeel. But today, I think the name T-Relief is far superior.

I am riddled with osteoarthritis. It seems every time I have an x-ray done, I get confirmation as to why this or that place was stiff, sore or uncomfortable. My hands, wrists, knees, hips, ankles, feet — I’m sure there are more, but I haven’t had those black and white internal pictures yet. For the most part, my osteoarthritis is a non-issue. I credit bone broth and homeopathy (of course!) and exercise. If I don’t move regularly, my knees (right knee in particular) and hips get ornery. So, I make sure to walk frequently and for fairly long distances. Conversely, my hands and wrists can get sore if I use them too much. Go figure. (Actually, as I am thinking about it, perhaps that has to do with broken bones, as I broke a bunch of fingers and my wrist. Hmmm. I’ll have to noodle this further. I’ve never really given it any thought before.)

I take absolutely no medicines or painkillers of any kind, aside from homeopathy. It is important to note that I have arthritis in many places, but I need to acknowledge that my arthritis is considered mild to moderate. (If you are suffering with severe osteoarthritis, homeopathy can probably still help, but I would recommend a more targeted homeopathic approach in addition to T-Relief.)

Occasionally, I wake up with sore hands. Today was one of those days. I grabbed T-Relief and put a small amount of the cream on my hands. Within less than 2 minutes, I had relief. True relief. No remnants of stiffness or soreness. None. That’s the moment I decided I prefer the new name of this homeopathic combination. (A few years ago I watched an older woman with pretty advanced arthritis use Traumeel and she said, “it’s like I put on gloves and I have new hands.” Yes! I can now relate to that!

What’s in T-Relief and why does it help? Let’s take a look. Interestingly, this combination uses extremely low potencies: 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 6X and 10X. (For a refresher on homeopathic potencies, click here and here.) With these low potencies, the instructions of using it “2 to 3 times daily, or more often if necessary” make good sense*.

Aconitum napellus or Aconite for short. Numbness and tingling can result when the inflamed joints press on nerves. Raynaud’s disease occurs more frequently in arthritis patients and it, too, can be helped by Aconite. “Red, shining swelling, very sensitive joints” (Murphy 2020) are helped by Aconite as are weak and lax ligaments of joints and sharp joint pains. Hip joints and thighs that feel lame. Trembling can also be associated with osteoarthritis and Aconite can help with this, too.

Arnica montana. T-Relief takes, in my opinion, a scattershot approach (in a good way!) with their Arnica by including it in 1X, 3X and 10X potencies. One of these potencies is most likely going to provide some relief. Arnica is the go-to remedy for over-doing it, as well as experiencing a lame feeling. Limbs which ache as if they had been beaten. Aching as a result of exposure to cold and damp or muscular strain. Cramps, like writer’s cramp. Weakness in the hands, especially when grasping. Arnica is shown here and here and here to have anti-inflammatory effects.

Baptisia tinctoria is also excellent for aching, sore and bruised pains with great weakness. Wandering pains as well as stiffness and pain.

Belladonna is well known for any ailment which is red and hot. Swollen joints, cramping pains. Spasms and shifting pains and the cold limbs which can sometimes result from arthritis.

Bellis perennis, the common daisy, is amazing for aching pains, new or old. (If you are suffering from old injury pains, Bellis perennis may be your new best friend.) Sore joints as well as muscular soreness. A bruised, aching, sore pain. Tight wrists. Hip pains that are worse for exertion.

Calendula officinalis. Calendula has been shown to be anti-inflammatory (and here, too) as well as being useful in repairing damaged tissues and when we get right down to it, what is osteoarthritis? “Osteoarthritis is a joint disease in which the tissues in the joint break down over time” (NIAMS 2019) so it makes sense that Calendula would be helpful in repairing not just superficial wounds, but also the deeper tissues. Like Belladonna, Calendula can also help with cold hands and feet.

Chamomilla The Materia Medica does have some guidance regarding Chamomilla assisting when ankles give way, when there are pains in the hips and loins and numbness and stiffness of hands, particularly when grasping objects. However, I think Chamomilla’s biggest contribution to this combination remedy is its ability to soothe irritability and anger. Not being able to easily do, or do at all, what you want to do, inevitably leads to irritability. If Chamomilla can help soothe a teething toddler, it can help a grumpy old arthritic person!

Echinacea also addresses cold hands and feet as well as aching, weakness and pain in general.

Hamamelis virginiana is another good pain remedy. It is indicated in very sore muscles and joints and it is one of the most highly indicated remedies for varicose veins which have been found to be associated with osteoarthritis (Sisto et al. 1995).

Hypericum perforatum is another excellent nerve remedy as well as a good remedy for when the joints feel bruised. It is also a highly indicated remedy for pain in general, especially radiating or shooting pains.

Millefolium is a pain remedy, not terribly specific to arthritis with the exception of sprains and strains of joints. (Remember, T-Relief is not specifically formulated for arthritis, it is for pain, in general.)

Ruta graveleons is a big remedy for bruised pain, particularly in the bones and shows an affinity for joints, ankles and wrists. Cracking in joints. Knees which give way. Pains in the bones of feet and ankles. Pain and stiffness in wrists and hands.

Symphytum officinale is for bone pain and more importantly, complaints and pains of cartilage. Aching hip pain as well as joint pain, generally. See here and here for research on Comfrey, AKA Symphytum.)

As you can see, T-Relief is a beautiful combination of low potency homeopathic remedies to assist in the relieving of mild to moderate arthritis pain.

P.S. Don’t be surprised if you rub some T-Relief into your hands and find relief in your knee. Once the remedies are in your system (in this case via the skin), you will likely find relief all over, not just where it was applied.

Julia Coyte, CHom
Classically Practical homeopath

#wellnessawaits

* It’s always important to read the directions and use according to manufacturer’s recommendations.

REFERENCE LIST

Arthritis National Research Foundation, 2021. Does arthritis cause numbness or tingling? [online]. Arthritis Research | Arthritis National Research Foundation.

Carmona-Terés, V., Moix-Queraltó, J., Pujol-Ribera, E., Lumillo-Gutiérrez, I., Mas, X., Batlle-Gualda, E., Gobbo-Montoya, M., Jodar-Fernández, L., and Berenguera, A., 2017. Understanding knee osteoarthritis from the patients’ perspective: a qualitative study. BMC musculoskeletal disorders [online], 18 (1), 225.

Grube, B., Grünwald, J., Krug, L., and Staiger, C., 2007. Efficacy of a comfrey root (Symphyti offic. radix) extract ointment in the treatment of patients with painful osteoarthritis of the knee: Results of a double-blind, randomised, bicenter, placebo-controlled trial. Phytomedicine [online], 14 (1), 2–10.

Jurca, T., Józsa, L., Suciu, R., Pallag, A., Marian, E., Bácskay, I., Mureșan, M., Stan, R. L., Cevei, M., Cioară, F., Vicaș, L., and Fehér, P., 2020. Formulation of Topical Dosage Forms Containing Synthetic and Natural Anti-Inflammatory Agents for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Molecules [online], 26 (1).

Marzotto, M., Arruda-Silva, F., and Bellavite, P., 2020. Fibronectin Gene Up-regulation by Arnica montana in Human Macrophages: Validation by Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay. Homeopathy [online], 109 (03), 140–145.

Murphy, R., 2006. Nature’s materia medica : 1,400 homeopathic and herbal remedies. 3rd ed. Blackburg, Va.: Lotus Health Institute, November.

Murphy, R., 2020. Nature’s materia medica : 1,400 homeopathic and herbal remedies. 4th edition. Blackburg, Va.: Lotus Health Institute, November.

NIAMS, 2019. NIAMS Health Information on Osteoarthritis [online]. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.

Sisto, T., Reunanen, A., Laurikka, J., Impivaara, O., Heliövaara, M., Knekt, P., and Aromaa, A., 1995. Prevalence and risk factors of varicose veins in lower extremities: mini-Finland health survey. The European Journal of Surgery = Acta Chirurgica [online], 161 (6), 405–414.

Staiger, C., 2012. Comfrey: A Clinical Overview. Phytotherapy Research [online], 26 (10), n/a-n/a.
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10/9/2021

Just going for a Pepcid…

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On a recent road trip, we encountered a man at a stop who got out of his truck and went into his camper and came out saying, “just getting a Pepcid. I ate too much for lunch."

A Pepcid may help him in the moment, but homeopathic Natrum phosphoricum will help him both in the moment as well as in the future.

One of the most beautiful aspects of homeopathy is its ability to help clear a condition. I was suffering from some indigestion issues a couple of years ago and I began using the Banerji Protocol of Nat phos 30c, twice daily (and occasionally more often if I was experiencing discomfort). Soon, I only needed it about once a week and in no time even less frequently than that. I realized the other day that I was still carrying it around in my purse though I have not required it in about a year (maybe longer, actually).

Nat phos can assist with:
• heartburn
• regurgitation of food
• pain when swallowing
• sour belching as well as a sour taste in the mouth
• toots (flatulence), especially when accompanied by sour risings
• sourness in general: sour vomiting, sour stomach, sour stools, sour burps… for big people and little people. I think back to when my kids were little and I wish I had known about Nat phos for those sour spit ups!

I didn't know the man who was going for a Pepcid, but I wish the circumstances had allowed for me to share this marvelous remedy with him.

Julia Coyte, CHom
classicallypractical.com

#wellnessawaits

10/3/2021

Homeopathic Remedies to consider following a major accident

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Ladders are deceptively dangerous. A few years ago a friend fell from a 2-story ladder and suffered horrific injuries resulting in numerous surgeries and the lingering potential loss of a limb. Today I learned of another friend who fell off what was described only as a tall ladder. I’m told he broke 3 ribs, his nose and his arm and required some stitches in his face and was knocked unconscious. I can’t even imagine the pain he is enduring.

Without further information of what sorts of interventions he has been given, here is what I would suggest, homeopathically speaking, to help find some relief after such a major accident.

When something like this happens, you have to address the most serious aspects first and in this case that would be the injury to the head.

He has apparently not suffered any brain damage, thank goodness. With a knock to the head like that though, I would start things off with a dose of homeopathic Arnica montana in as high a potency as you have available. Arnica is the first homeopathic remedy to think of after an accident in general and more specifically following an injury to the head. Arnica is one of 2 highly indicated remedies for head injuries. (Nat sulph is the other remedy to consider in this scenario.) Arnica is reputed to help with shock: Traumatic shock, shock from blood loss, shock from fractures, surgical shock and even mental shock. Arnica is also known to help with all these types of pains in general, including the pain from all the broken bones as well as the inevitable bruising* that will follow.

Broken ribs. 3 of them! Homeopathic Bryonia alba is known as the “grumpy bear” remedy. A Bryonia pain is virtually always aggravated by motion (Morrison 1993). When it hurts to move. When it hurts to breathe. When it hurts to even move your eyes. When you hurt that much, you’re gonna’ be grumpy. Bryonia is also an excellent remedy for the pain from broken bones, which, of course, hurt when you move them.

For the stitches, homeopathic Calendula would be where I would start. Calendula is amazingly soothing in addition to its ability to help heal wounds*. Calendula can be taken both internally as well as used topically (by dissolving some pellets in water and then soaking cloths or bandages in the solution and applying them to the area).

*For research showing the benefits of Calendula and wound healing and Arnica for bruising, check out my research page.

His loved ones are suffering right along with him. Ignatia amara may help to address the worry and the fear they are enduring. Aconite might be in order if they witnessed the fall, to help with that shock, especially if the image keeps re-playing in their mind.

How often to take the remedies following an injury varies and is dependent on the severity of the injury and the resulting pain. Let this pain be your guide. The worse the pain, the more frequent the administration of the remedies. With the remedies suggested above, I would do the following:

Arnica: Immediately following the injury and repeat as necessary until the person is calm. Following that, begin alternating Arnica and Bryonia every hour until the pain is significantly lessened. (Note: this may need to be more frequent at the start.)

Calendula 30, twice daily. Re-apply the topical Calendula dressings as they begin to dry out until no longer needed for pain and the risk of infection has passed.

After the initial few doses, wait for the pain to return before taking another dose. Do not take the remedies if there is no pain. If the pain returns, that is the time to take the remedy.

Support remedies to be considered:
Calcium phosphorica 6x (Calc-phos) and Calcium Fluoride 12x (Calc-fluor) are tissue salts (cell salts) which can be taken daily, or even twice daily, for bone support.

For the loved ones:
Aconite immediately and repeat until they are calm and that initial shock has subsided.
Ignatia, twice daily until the stressful situation has stabilized.

Be mindful of deceptively dangerous contraptions!

Julia Coyte, CHom
Classically Practical Homeopathy

#wellnessawaits #homeopathycanhelp

Sources:
Morrison, R., 1993. Desktop guide to keynotes and confirmatory symptoms. Nevada City, Calif.: Hahnemann Clinic Pub.
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Photo by Mick Haupt on Unsplash

9/30/2021

My Little Bag of Wellness

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Not my actual purse, but the same style from the same company. Maruca Design uses US fabric mills and are all crafted by hand in Colorado and are incredibly well made and long lasting.*

This is the actual little remedy bag that I keep in my purse. It is an EMF shielding bag and though I don't know that that is necessary, it is made for holding homeopathic remedies and therefore sized just right.*

My purse is not large. It is just big enough to hold my phone, my credit card, my keys and a small bag of homeopathic remedies, of course!

What do I keep with me on my person whenever I leave the house? Here’s the complete list and how and why I use these remedies when I am out and about.
Please note, the use of these remedies is not daily. They are with me just in case.

Aconitum/Bryonia. This Banerji Protocol combination remedy is my absolute go-to for anything that is not quite right. At the first sign of feeling unwell, this is what I grab when I am not at home.

This remedy also came in handy following a golf cart traffic accident. (These carts are dangerous and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!) The driver of the cart broke their wrist and I messed up my knee and hip and cracked the windshield with my noggin.

Aconite for short, (rhymes with “fright”) is, the pre-eminent remedy for being in or witnessing a shocking event. "Suddenness and violence are the soul of Aconite" (Pareek and Pareek 2012, p. 104).

Bryonia is an excellent remedy for both sprains and broken bones, particularly the wrist (Morrison, M.D. 1998, p. 375) and for when pain is experienced with the slightest movement. Bryonia is major clinical remedy for neck injuries (Pareek and Pareek 2012, p. 60) which was a distinct possibility for me in this situation.

Both of these remedies came in very handy immediately following this crash.

Natrum phosphoricum 30c. For a while there, indigestion was troubling me and Nat phos would calm that unpleasant burning feeling right down. As is the case with most well selected homeopathic remedies, the appropriate remedy will both address the immediate situation as well as help your body heal itself moving forward.
I didn’t even realize I still had this remedy in my bag because I haven’t needed it in a such a long time.

Helios AAA. AAA is a combination of Ambra grisea, Anacardium and Argentum nitricum. This remedy was taught to me as a good remedy for people experiencing anxiety while traveling.

I first put it in my bag a few years ago when my young son was experiencing an unusual fear of flying before a trip. He is a seasoned traveler and his discomfort threw me for a loop. I gave him one dose of AAA and within an hour he had completely forgotten he even had any apprehension at all let alone the fact he was certain that death was imminent.

I keep it with me because it is just a really excellent remedy for severe anxiety.

Hypericum perforatum 200c. Hypericum is known as the “Arnica of the nerves.” I don’t remember why I put it in my bag originally, but it did come in handy after a fall on the ice rink. Hypericum is well known for its ability to address pain in nerve-rich areas and the tailbone most certainly is a nerve-rich area! And, an excellent remedy for puncture wounds.

Ferrum phosphoricum 3x. This cell salt is a really good first aid remedy for both halting sicknesses and fever (Morrison, M.D. 1998, p. 541) before they can take root as well as reducing inflammation following an injury. It has been used for my sons’ bleeding noses (it stops them quickly!) as well as for a very young dining companion who was feeling poorly (she was back to her old self before dinner was even served).

Petroleum 200c originally went in my bag a few winters ago when I had some cracked and sore hands (Morrison, M.D. 1998, p. 411). This homeopathic remedy is far superior to the goopy stuff with the same name that one might apply to their skin — I don’t recommend that at all! Strangely, homeopathic Petroleum is also good for motion sickness (Morrison, M.D. 1998, p. 214).

For the dry, cracked skin, take it once or twice daily until the skin is improved.

For travel sickness, take a dose every 15 minutes or so. (If there is no improvement after 4 or 5 doses, it’s not the right remedy and it's time to find another better indicated remedy).

Arnica 200c. Between the Arnica, the Hypericum, the Ferr phos, and the Aconite/Bryonia combination, I definitely have emergencies covered! Arnica is the first remedy to consider in an accident or injury (Morrison, M.D. 1998, p. 371). It not only addresses shock (similar to Aconite above), but it is also excellent for bruising, muscle soreness and general aches and pains.

Arnica & Hypericum are well indicated following any dental work, and that is reason enough to keep them in your purse!

Apis mellifica. Apis is the first remedy to grab when anaphylactic shock sets in, or is threatening to set in. Allergic reactions, bug bites and bee stings, (especially those that appear full of fluid) and throats threatening to swell shut! (This happened to my brother after eating shell fish when we were kids — I didn’t know about homeopathy then but I think this memory is why I keep it in my bag now, though Urtica urens would probably be a better choice for allergic reactions to shellfish in particular.) If you have someone in this frightening condition, administer the Apis (or Urtica urens) immediately and frequently while you are on the way to the hospital or waiting for the ambulance to arrive.

**Apis is one of the few remedies for which caution is advised when pregnant. That is not to say this remedy can’t be used during pregnancy, it is to say that it should be used cautiously and judiciously when pregnant.

Natrum muriaticum 30c. I usually keep 6x in my purse, but I ran out and forgot to replace it. I was traveling a few weeks ago and there was smoke from forest fires all around and the local shop didn’t have my usual 6x. The 30c definitely made breathing easier and helped with the burning/stinging eyes. Nat mur can put a stop to a hammering headache (Morrison, M.D. 1998, p. 11) before it has the chance to take proper hold and it is very helpful for dry, chapped lips as it helps to balance the fluids in your body.

Nux vomica 200c. Historically, this remedy is probably the most frequently used remedy in my family. Nux is amazing for when that restaurant meal didn’t settle too well. It’s good for cold and allergy symptoms and it’s very good for sneezing fits. Nux has come in handy for irritability and anger as well as headaches that accompany the crankiness. Nux vomica is an excellent remedy for too much… too much fatty food, too much candy, too much alcohol.

Nux vomica came in extremely handy after our dog had a minor surgery for something embedded in his paw. I didn’t know he was going to have this little procedure or I would have planned accordingly. But, because I had Nux in my purse, I was able to slip it in his cheek and this 130 pound beastie quickly awakened from his anesthesia (Pareek and Pareek 2012, p. 310) and was able to get into the car on his own steam. About an hour later, the stupor returned but another dose of Nux got him moving again.

One last thing I keep in my bag is a tube of Boiron’s Calendula cream.* Just today when we were at the zoo I used some for a little cut on my leg and a bug bite on my wrist which was irritated by my watch strap. I have used it as a face cream. I use it for dry skin. (Did I mention I live in a desert?) I have shared it with friend’s children when they have fallen and scraped their knee. I have used it following a sunburn. It’s by far the largest thing in my bag but it has earned its spot on the front lines.

This list sounds like I’m not telling the truth about the size of my purse. Honestly, you would never imagine the amount of healing this little bag could hold just by looking at it.

Julia Coyte, CHom
classicallypractical.com

#wellnessawaits. #homeopathycanhelp

*I have no affiliation with these companies, I just like their products.

Coco and Camille

Maruca Design

Resources used in this article:
Morrison, M.D., R., 1998. Desktop companion to physical pathology. Nevada City, Calif.: Hahnemann Clinic Publ.
‌
Pareek, R. S. and Pareek, A., 2012. Homeopathy for Acutes and Emergencies. Kandern, Germany: Narayana Publishers.

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8/26/2021

I did a doozy…

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The before picture was immediately after the injury. The after photo was taken about 6 weeks later.

Graphic content warning. If you’re squeamish, you can start at the 3rd paragraph.

Back in February of this year, I did a doozy. In hindsight, I perhaps shouldn’t have been handling a knife. I was having an “off” day. But, life goes on and I was preparing dinner and slicing a sweet potato. Turns out I sliced a nice hunk off the pad of my left ring finger!

That was shocking, I tell you. The blood was profuse. My finger was throbbing with pain. Part of my finger remained on the blade of the knife. My husband happened to be on the phone with his cousin/doctor who informed him that there was not much that could be done since there was no skin left to reattach. I paced around with my arm straight up over my head to hopefully staunch the bleeding, but it didn’t help much.

Start here, if you're squeamish.
I am happy to say we have a good first aid kit at home* and my husband and son went to work to get me bandaged up. Meanwhile, I went to my cupboard and took Hypericum 30x which happened to be sitting in the kitchen cupboard from the last time one of us had some dental work done. The pain very quickly abated. Hypericum is well known homeopathic remedy for its positive effect on nerve rich areas and “lacerations with intolerable pains.” That fit the description of what was happening for me, I assure you.

I also right away took a dose each of homeopathic Aconite and Arnica to address the shock and some Phosphorus for the bleeding. With my finger wrapped up well and propped on a pillow for the night and a couple of doses of Hypericum 200c in me, I miraculously got a pretty good night’s sleep. I took very good care of myself and my poor, sore finger for the next few days, but I still managed to develop an infection. I did an on-line call with a physician who prescribed both an antibiotic and a silver ointment. I filled the prescription for the antibiotic (just in case) but I chose to first treat the infection using only homeopathy, which I successfully did. (I did use the silver ointment for a couple of days because it needed something between the wound and the bandaid.)

I continued with the Hypericum 200c and then I added Arnica routinely after learning about a study showing the positive effects of Arnica on tissue development and healing. Once the skin had grown back, I used Helios’ Healing Cream for a few more weeks. This cream is made from tinctures of Calendula and Symphytum with Thiosinaminum 6x and Vitamin E oil.

Calendula has a long history of wound healing in the herbal world. (Follow these links for a review of Calendula’s wound healing properties in canine dermatology and a study on Symphytum’s beneficial effects on human skin fibroblasts.) And here for a 1910 article talking about the fact that “thiosinamine is not a new drug” and has been used in treating scars since way back when.

It’s been 6 months and I am happy to say that with the help of homeopathy, the skin grew back on my finger — you really have to look at it in the right light to see the circle of scar tissue. It is tender now and again if I knick it or pinch it but, all in all, I am pleased with how this potentially disastrous situation turned out.

NOTE: This is how I decided to treat my injury. I am not recommending anyone who suffers a similar fate to do it this way. Emergency rooms are there for this very reason.

* If you don’t have a good first aid kit at home, I suggest you get on that. Most of the readily available kits are pretty lame, in my opinion. The big kit we have at home I created over the years after researching what may be needed in an emergency. Recently, I found really good kits from My Medic. I keep one of these in the RV and have been very pleased with it. I do not have any affiliation with this company, I just like their products. https://mymedic.com

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Ruminating on Remedies

Julia Coyte, CHom

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