How to Easily Build Your Homeopathic First-Aid Kit
When I was growing up, it was drilled into me to always have a first-aid kit on hand. Being prepared for injuries and accidents, my parents taught me, was just common sense. I agreed with them then, and I agree with them now. However, I’ve added some things to my first-aid kit that they never had:
homeopathic remedies.
A quick caveat before we dive in: This list is certainly not exhaustive, but it is a great starting point when it comes to your homeopathic first-aid kit.
Homeopathic Remedies
Aconite: this remedy is known as “arnica for the eye” in first-aid treatment. Any physical injury to the eye area calls for this one. This remedy is also primary in situations where there is shock with fear.
Arnica: this is the one remedy that should be in everyone’s medicine cabinet. It is the first line of defense in any situation that involves either emotional shock or physical contusion (bruising), or both.
Belladonna: use this remedy in situations of heat exhaustion/overheating, sunstroke, etc; note that Glonoine is also typically given in these situations.
Calendula: this is the remedy to use for all cuts and scrapes
Hypericum: think of nerves when you think of this remedy. Anytime there is damage to nerve-rich areas of the body, this is one of the remedies you will want to give.
Ledum: this is the remedy used for puncture wounds, and that includes punctures from insects (Apis is also used in insect “bites,” particularly from bee stings).
Nux-vomica: when there is a situation of over-eating or gorging on something, give this remedy. Note there is a set of remedies that may be combined and is typically used in all digestive upset/colic cases: Arsenicum (where poisoning is suspected)/Nux-vomica/Lycopodium (flatulence, bloat, is liver specific)/Carbo-veg (loss of vitality, collapse)/Colocynthis (use in any case that centers around a colic).
Phosphorus: this remedy is used for bleeding issues; certainly, you must take appropriate measures in arterial or venous bleeding, but capillary bleeding is the most common and less serious first-aid bleeding situation for this one. Apply pressure and give Phos frequently until the bleeding is stopped.
Ruta: this is the remedy to think of when there is a strain or sprain; it is generally given along with Arnica.
Silicea: use this remedy when your dog or cat gets some kind of foreign object stuck in their paw, etc. Please note that this remedy will extract objects, and that includes implanted devices; use in lower potency and do not continue beyond the immediate intended purpose.
How to Give the Remedies
You may store and use the remedies either in dry form (pellet) or wet form (pellets dissolved in 80/20 solution of distilled water/vodka and kept in a dropper bottle). Either a 30C or 200C potency is fine in first-aid situations, but typically going above or below that potency is not used in these kinds of acute situations.
All that is needed is to get the remedy on a mucus membrane. I generally take 3 or 4 pellets and let
them dissolve under my tongue, but in dire cases simply holding the pellets or drops under the person’s nose can begin to resolve the issue. How often to give the remedy(s) will depend upon the severity of the situation. It can range from one or two doses given about 15-30 minutes apart in relative mild situations (such as for a small amount of bleeding), to dosing every minute or less in very severe situations (such as for someone who is unconscious)
Preparation is Key
Because homeopathic remedies are inexpensive, easy to store, and don’t have side effects, getting them now and adding them to your first-aid kit is a great way to make sure you’re prepared for any problems that might come up.
Remember, these remedies are not intended to replace medical intervention in severe cases. Like
everything else in your first-aid kit, they are simply tools, and you must use your best judgment as to whether further help is needed.
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