Ask Kaviraj — Issue 12

An adorable mouse that unfortunately can't be dealt with homeopathically Homeopathy has been used extensively in the treatment of people and animals for over 200 years but its use with plants (agrohomeopathy) is still in its infancy.Vaikunthanath das Kaviraj is one of its pioneers and a leading authority in this emerging area of agrohomeopathy.

If you would like help with your garden or farm problem, email Kaviraj your question at: editor@homeopathyplus.com.au

For best results, attach a photograph of the problem with your email and we will publish your question and Kaviraj’s answer in our next newsletter.

Contents

  • Jade perch fingerlings
  • Repelling mice
  • Sick lionhead goldfish
  • Agrohomeopathy for spiders
  • Bedbugs

Questions and Answers

Q1: Jade perch fingerlings. I am growing out some jade perch fingerlings in an aquaponics set up with vegie grow-beds and a 1000 litre fish tank. As it is a completely biodynamic and organic set up I can’t use any chemicals. I recently visited a friend who has a similar, but much larger, setup and we harvested some fish but found they had intestinal fluke or worms. Is there a homeopathic remedy for the parasites? My fish are about half grown so I would only be looking at treating them close to the time of when I would be harvesting them to eat. Any suggestions would be greatfully received. Thanks, Cathy

A. Hi Cathy, There are several remedies that come to mind for this problem. The first is the great de-wormer we use in humans and other animals, Cina or wormseed. If the fish are agressive towards each other, Santonin is indicated. If using either remedy as a medicating liquid, place 10 drops into about a litre of water. If using pills or pellets, dissolve about 100 of them into a litre of water and succuss (bang) the bottle 50 times on a book to obtain a good mixture. You can then empty this litre into the fish tank at the point where fresh water is pumped in from the circulation pump. This will spread it though the entire tank. It will be so diluted in the process that there will be no danger of overdosing. It will remain for about 3 days, after which UV from sunlight will have destroyed the remedy. Taking into account the life-cycle of the parasite, it is good to repeat this about 3-4 times so that the eggs which hatch in the meantime will next be flushed out, which will certaibly be so after 3-4 doses. Since the remedy is destroyed by UV, there is no danger of an overdose. If the tank is inside, it is advisable to install UV lights to achieve complete destruction of the remedy, although I have never seen any aggravations from the remedy in fish. I must add that my own fish ponds were outside, where UV is guaranteed – especially in Australia. Kaviraj.

Q2: Repelling mice. Hi Kaviraj,

I love the idea of using homoeopathy in the garden and the house! Would you be able to suggest something to repel mice from my larder? I don’t want to use mouse traps. I could try onions but am concerned the food may take up the smell. Many thanks, Clare.

A. Hello Clare, Your options are limited with mice. If you don’t want to use a trap, what about a cat? — Kaviraj

Q3: Sick Lionhead Goldfish.

Sami writes: I have a problem with my lionhead Goldfish. She’s very sick with Fin rot and white dot appears on her head and close to eye. I think it is called Ich desease, and her gills are also in little bit dark color. Is there any homeopathic medicine for these deseases? And please tell me what type of water temperature will be suitable for her now-a-days in winter. She hides herself in the corner of the aquarium. I’m so worried about her.

A. My experience with fish and specifically lionhead goldfish is restricted to the time I had fishponds in Perth, Western Australia. That lasted about 4 years after which I moved to the east coast. They are fish that survive very well in the cooler temperatures of the West Australian winter, even in outside fishponds. The problem you mention I never encountered so the remedies I am going to recommend are remedies I have used for other problems with the scale but which by their very action on the fish stand a good chance of doing some good. I cannot guarantee they will fix the problem, but if you do not shoot, you always miss. The first remedy is called Staphysagria which has as symptoms lice infestation, thick scabs and dry skin in humans and inflamed scale in fish, associated with asphyxiation. The second remedy is called Sabadilla and I used it for apparent inflamed eyes. Fish needing either of these remedies will hide in among plants but come to the surface very often and seemingly gasp for breath with their mouths outside the water. As Ich disease seems like a lice infestation, Staphysagria seems like your best bet. Either remedy can be added to the fish tank in liquid form. Depending on the size of the tank, 2-3 drops are dissolved in a litre. Then give 20 succussions (strong shakes in which the base of the bottle or container is hit against a solid object so the liquid is well agitated). Add the litre to your tank. Do not use both remedies ate the same time since one may cancel out the action of the other. My fish recovered but since I have no visuals of your fish, I cannot say that these remedies will be the right ones for them. Again, if you do not try, you will have no results and your fish will not likely survive without fins. Good luck with your fish Sami. — Kaviraj

Q4. Agrohomeopathy for spiders?

Hi Kaviraj, Is a remedy for spiders as there is for snails? I am wondering about white-tailed spiders, redback spiders, and common black house spiders.

A. I have never tried remedies for spiders because I see them as friends. Having said that I have the feeling that a spider poison of a related spider or an enemy will do the trick – like to like. You may have to do a little research, prepare a remedy from one of these, and then test which works the best. — Kaviraj

Q5. Bedbugs

Hi Kaviraj, Do you have any advice on how to get rid of bedbugs? MR

Use a diluted tincture of Ledum plaustre 6C – 20-30 drops in a litre – after which you give 50 succussions (stong strikes of the container onto a semi-resistant surface so the liquid is well agitated). Finally add some detergent to make it stick and then spray the underside of bed, furniture and other places where you suspect bedbugs hiding. Wash all the bed sheets and blankets. Put out the furniture and the bed frame into the sun during the day – bedbugs hate sunlight. — Kaviraj

Instructions for Agrohomeopathy Remedy Use and Storage

Just add one 6X or 6C potency pill to each 200 ml of water, shake vigorously, and then spray on the leaves of your plant or water into its roots. If using the remedy for pests, spray where the pests normally gather.

Store pills and liquid away from light, moisture, and high temperatures (normal household temperatures are fine). Close range mobile phone and microwave oven emissions have been shown to affect homeopathic remedies. Keep your pills and liquid away from these appliances.

1 x vial of 100 pills from the Homeopathy Plus Shop makes 20 litres of remedy.