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  • Remedies for Barking Coughs

    Remedies for Barking Coughs

    Portrait of middle-aged men. "Real People" series. Man with red face coughing

    There are many different types of cough and you can hear them all during winter – tickly coughs, dry coughs, chesty coughs, croupy coughs – but they all have one thing in common; they cause distress and discomfort to the sufferer (not to mention the listener!) They lead to irritability, sore muscles, and lack of sleep.

    The correct homeopathic remedy, however, can bring rapid relief. It can also resolve the underlying cause of the cough.

    To understand more about coughs this article will explore:

    1. Why we cough
    2. Two types of cough: wet and dry,
    3. Self-help measures and home remedies to safely stop a cough,
    4. Cough medicines and their unwanted side effects,
    5. Homeopathy and coughs – what’s the research?
    6. Treating that cough: information on nineteen homeopathic remedies you can choose from at home to take the bite out of that bark.

    Reasons for Coughs

    Unpleasant though they are, coughs have a purpose. They protect our lungs from unwanted particles, infection, and the build-up of secretions that would otherwise lead to pneumonia. They also act as a warning signal for several serious diseases. Coughs can be:

    • Triggered by allergies or inhaled irritants such as smoke and dust,
    • Associated with asthma, heart failure or oesophageal reflux,
    • A symptom of complaints such as bronchiectasis and cystic fibrosis,
    • A nervous habit during times of anxiety,
    • The result of a post nasal drip irritating the throat,
    • An infection by the whooping cough bacterium
    • A side-effect from blood pressure medication or anti-inflammatories such as aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

    Most often though, coughs are part and parcel of the common cold.  [REDACTED], the remainder of this article will focus on the common cough, how to soothe it, and how to get rid of it.

    Wet or Dry?

    Dry coughs are unproductive and irritating. They’re usually triggered by an annoying tickle and expel little or no mucus.

    On the other hand, wet coughs are productive. They remove congestion by expelling secretions that collect in your throat or chest.

    Either cough can be triggered by cold air, movement, talking, change of temperature, or laughing. Expectorant may be clear, coloured, stringy, frothy or tacky. Such characteristics are important to note when choosing a homeopathic remedy as different coughs will need different remedies. The reason for this will become obvious later when we look at some of the remedies homeopaths use to treat coughs.

    Treating Your Cough

    There are several options for dealing with a cough. We will start with the simplest and safest, and then work through to those that carry a greater risk. To finish, we will look at research on the homeopathic treatment of coughs and examine nineteen homeopathic remedies that you can use at home.

    Practical Advice

    • Eat healthy food and avoid sugar or sugary foods which suppress the immune system for up to 5 hours after being eaten.[1]
    • Get plenty of rest so your body can recover
    • Maintain hydration and keep your mucus membranes moist with frequent drinks of water or soothing teas.
    • Soothe inflamed airways and loosen mucus with steam inhalations and warm showers.
    • Avoid cigarettes and tobacco smoke which paralyse and eventually destroy the microscopic hairs that line your airways. These fine hairs, called cilia, normally sweep the mucus upwards in waves, away from your lungs.

    Home Remedies

    Most home remedies for coughs are the same as those used for the common cold. To read the common cold tips that also help coughs, visit: ‘The Common Cold – Ways to Send it Packing.’

    A specific tip for coughs involves black pepper. Pepper has an antimicrobial effect but in truth, its ability to soothe coughs probably has more to do with the homeopathic effect of ‘like treats like’; pepper can induce coughing in a healthy person and so will relieve it in someone suffering from a cough. Pepper is best added to raw honey and taken by the spoonful several times a day.

    Good News for Chocoholics

    Chocolate can help a cough! Theobromine, a compound found in the cocoa bean, will suppress coughs just as effectively as many cough medicines but without their side-effects. Milk chocolate contains very little theobromine compared to dark chocolate. To obtain an effective dose you need to eat 50 – 100g of dark chocolate. Enjoy!

    The Allopathic Approach – Conventional Treatment

    Conventional cough medicines usually rely on the allopathic effect [2] for their treatment (an interesting exception to this general rule occurs with two of the cough medicines that will be discussed a little further in the article.) Allopathic treatment uses suppression or palliation to relieve symptoms for short periods of time. The drawback is that in the long run, continual suppression leads to worsening health.

    Depending on whether the cough is wet or dry, conventional medicine will offer a suppressant or an expectorant. Indications and side-effects are listed below.

    Cough Suppressants

    Suppressants such as for pholcodine and dextromethorphan (and their related brand names) are used to suppress the cough reflex of dry coughs when there is no congestion or mucus to expel.

    Dextromethorphan can cause allergic reactions such as: hives, difficulty in breathing, and swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat. Urgent help should be sought if any of these occur.

    Other listed side effects include: severe dizziness, anxiety, restless feeling, or nervousness; confusion, hallucinations; and slow, shallow breathing. Some people also experience an upset stomach.

    Pholcodine products can cause: dizziness; drowsiness; excitability; poor coordination; breathing difficulties and gastrointestinal disturbances such as nausea or vomiting – especially if large doses are used.

    Expectorants and mucolytics

    Expectorants such as senega, ammonia, bromhexine, and guaiphenesin, and their related brand names, are used by conventional medicine to break up the mucus so it can be expelled easily.

    Senega and ammonia, interestingly, are homeopathic [3] medicines – something of which most conventional prescribers are unaware. Both substances when tested on the healthy produced symptoms of thick tenacious mucous and troubling coughs – the very symptoms they can treat. The only difference between their homeopathic and conventional use is that homeopaths prescribe them in potentised [4] form to avoid chemical side effects – something unable to be done if prescribed in their conventional form.

    Bromhexine and guaiphenesin are prescribed allopathically. They can produce allergic reactions in the sensitive, as well as the side effects of: nausea; vomiting; headaches; rashes; diarrhoea; drowsiness; stomach pain; vertigo (dizziness); and sweating – especially if taken in large doses. Caution should also be used with these medicines if you already suffer from gastric ulcers, and liver or renal impairment.

    Save the Children!

    When it first became known that children were being admitted to hospital and dying from over-the-counter cold and cough medicines, enquiries revealed that these products were useless for their intended purpose and contained dangerous medicines.

    In 2008, the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) decided that over-the-counter cough and cold medicines should not be given to children younger than 2 years of age. Drug regulating bodies in other countries such as Canada said they should only be given to children 6 years and older.

    Pharmaceutical companies now place warnings about these products on their labels but because they did not have to be recalled, old merchandise is still sitting on the shelves of stores and being sold. Beware.

    Remember, don’t give these medicines to children under 2 years of age. For children 2 years or older, still take care. Instructions issued by the TGA now state:

    1. Do not exceed the recommended dose, frequency of dosing or duration of use.
    2. Only use the medicine measure supplied with the medicine rather than a kitchen spoon so the right amount is given.
    3. Do not give other medicines containing similar ingredients at the same time.

    Homeopathy and Research

    One interesting study [5] with seriously ill patients on respirators in an intensive care unit showed that homeopathy not only effectively reduced their respiratory secretions but also helped them come off their respirators more quickly. The length of time they spent in the unit was also shorter and without respiratory complications.

    In contrast, those in the control group who had not received homeopathic treatment took considerably longer to recover. Some also had to be returned to the respirator after extubation because they were struggling to breath from excessive secretions in their airways – something that was not a problem for the homeopathic group. As excess respiratory secretions are a major trigger for coughs, the homeopathic treatment would also have reduced the incidence of coughs – something that is also substantiated clinically.

    Another study [6] of children with upper respiratory tract infections, including coughs, showed that those who received homeopathic treatment recovered much more quickly than those who were treated conventionally in the control group.

    A third study [7] showed that those children whose colds (and accompanying coughs) were treated with homoeopathy were more likely to feel and do better than those children whose colds had been treated conventionally. The homeopathically treated children had fewer complications, and their parents took significantly less sick-leave than the parents of those children treated with antibiotics.

    Treating Coughs with Homeopathy

    Treating yourself with homoeopathy for simple acute problems is easy as long as you know how to choose the remedy that matches your symptoms. Troublesome coughs that follow a cold are a good way to practice and become familiar with homeopathy. Unless you prefer to, there is no need for you to see a homoeopath first, and all remedies are safe for use with babies through to the elderly when used according to instructions.

    To treat your cough, look through the remedies listed below to see which one matches your symptoms – then just take it. Instructions on how to dose, and how often, can be found here . If there is no improvement by 3-4 doses just reassess your symptoms and choose another remedy.

    Should you find it difficult to identify and sort through your symptoms, ABC Homeopathy has an online remedy finder that will make it easier for you. Alternately, an appointment can be made with a homeopath who will try to get to the bottom of things for you.

    Homeopathic Remedies for the Common Cough

    Many of the following remedies are found in home-use kits.

    Aconite napellus (Acon.)

    The sudden onset of a cough after exposure to a dry cold wind or from getting chilled. There is a suffocative feeling with a constant, short, dry cough and chest. Aconite is for the early stages of croup and croup coughs, and also night-time coughs, accompanied by shortness of breath and agitation. In the case of croup, Aconite may need to be followed by Hepar-sulph as the symptoms develop.

    (Check Availability)

    Antimonium tartaricum (Ant-t.)

    A rattling, choking, chesty cough with negligible expectoration and where the patient has to sit up in order to breathe. The patient sounds like they are drowning in mucus and there are suffocative paroxysms of coughing, with sweat (see Ipecac)

    (Check Availability)

    Arsenicum album (Ars.)

    An asthmatic cough with wheezing and frothy expectoration. There is burning expectoration or sensation, with constricted airways, making breathing difficult. The patient is very chilly, restless, anxious and may be sweaty, with marked exhaustion. The patient feels worse after midnight and is sensitive to cold.

    (Check Availability)

    Belladonna (Bell.)

    A short, dry tickling cough, with sudden onset and worse at night. The cough lubricates the throat a little, but it dries out again and causes sudden violent spasms of coughing. There is tickling, burning or a scraped sensation in the throat. Belladonna symptoms are aggressive and can include high temperatures with a flushed face, staring eyes, swollen glands and red or inflamed membranes.

    (Check Availability)

    Bryonia alba (Bry.)

    A hard dry cough with soreness in the chest, where the patient clutches at their chest to ease the stitching pains caused by coughing. Bryonia symptoms are clearly better for hard pressure and keeping still. All symptoms are accompanied by dryness and are worse for any motion (including eating or drinking). Warm air aggravates and entering a room can trigger a bout of coughing. The patient wants to take a deep breath and sigh, but this is too painful and they are irritable, thirsty and want to be left alone. The cough may be caused by exposure to cold dry winds and builds up slowly over a few days. Always wants to lie on the painful side.

    (Check Availability)

    Calcarea carbonica (Calc.)

    Tickling cough, dry at night and loose in the morning with easy expectoration. Cough aggravated by various activities like eating or playing. Will suit the chubby, sweaty Calc-carb type of patient.

    (Check Availability)

    Drosera (Dros.)

    [REDACTED]. Spasmodic cough ending in retching and even vomiting. Cough from deep in the chest forcing the patient to clutch their abdomen on coughing. A choking cough with bouts following each other so rapidly that it is difficult to breathe. Cough is triggered by tickling in the throat and wakes patient from sleep. Worse lying down, after midnight, after getting warm in bed (see Ip, Ant-t).

    (Check Availability)

    Ferrum phosphoricum (Ferr-p.)

    The early stage of a respiratory infection, or colds which head rapidly for the chest and ear resulting in bronchitis or otitis. A very common remedy in children’s coughs which start with a fever and flushed face, followed by a short painful tickling cough with soreness over the sternum. Blood-streaked sputum or nosebleeds may be reported. Also covers croupy coughs.

    (Check Availability)

    Hepar sulphuricum (Hepar.)

    Croup from cold, dry winds or cold air. Cough is triggered by any part of the body being exposed. Choking spells of coughing. The Hepar patient is very sensitive to cold air, or cold in any form, and is especially irritably, although they are much better for warmth or humid weather. This is an important croup remedy in children.

    (Check Availability)

    Ignatia amara (Ign.)

    Dry, hacking, spasmodic cough, where the more the patient coughs, the more the irritation.  [REDACTED] (see Dros). They are unable to take a full breath and sigh frequently.

    (Check Availability)

    Ipecacuahna (Ip.)

    Suffocative coughs,  [REDACTED], coughs with choking or gagging (compare Antim tart, Drosera). Cough incessant and violent with each breath. Stiff and blue in the face with choking cough. Rattling cough with very little expectoration. Coughs accompanied by nausea or nosebleed. Wheezing coughs that recur annually.

    (Check Availability)

    Kali bichromicum (Kali-bi.)

    A barking, hacking cough with rales of white sticky or ropy mucus, the consistency of egg-white, and hoarseness. A croupy cough with tickling in the throat and accumulation of tough mucus. It may be triggered by undressing.

    (Check Availability)

    Lycopodium clavatum (Lyc.)

    A tickling cough, with shortness of breath and fan-like motion of nostrils at each intake. Tickling cough accompanied a throbbing headache with each bout of coughing.

    (Check Availability)

    Nux vomica (Nux.)

    A dry teasing cough with a sore chest, where colds usually settle. An immobile, feverish patient who is very sensitive to being uncovered. There is a spasmodic cough, with retching, which causes a headache and a bruised sensation around the navel. The patient is oversensitive, irritable and is worse in cold, dry, windy weather.

    (Check Availability)

    Phosphorus (Phos.)

    An exhausting and violent, dry and tickling cough with irritation deep in the throat. The cough may be triggered by laughing, talking or by a change in temperature, e.g. going out or coming in. There is a bursting pain in the head, a tight painful chest and pain may spread to abdomen. The patient may clutch their head, chest or abdomen on coughing. They can’t lie on their left side and are usually anxious, seek reassurance and feel chilly, but want cold drinks.

    (Check Availability)

    Pulsatilla pratensis (Puls.)

    This is a gagging, choking cough that comes and goes. It is dry at night and loose in the morning, worse and night and on lying down, causing the patient to sit up or use extra pillows. The chest feels sore, they can’t lie on their left side and there may be spurts of urine passed with coughing. The cough is triggered by coming into a warm room or by breathing in. This patient needs reassurance or sympathy and a child will be weepy and clingy. Fresh air helps, while a closed room aggravates symptoms.

    (Check Availability)

    Rhus toxicodendron (Rhus-t.)

    A dry teasing cough from tickling in the chest, which is triggered by uncovering the smallest part, even a hand. It is a dry, night cough with a bloody taste, although no blood is seen. The patient must move about as it is worse at rest and from cold, wet weather.

    (Check Availability)

    Sepia (Sep.)

    A violent cough with thick, yellow expectoration, with retching and gagging, that is worse on rising. The expectoration is only at night or only in the morning and the patient is tired and indifferent.

    (Check Availability)

    Sulphur (Sulph.)

    A strong desire for fresh air accompanies this suffocative cough which is worse at night with the rush of blood to head and chest. There is a burning feeling on the face and chest, with red lips and eyelids. The patient feels worse after a bath and has burning feet which are stuck out of the end of the bed.

    (Check Availability)

    Many of the above remedies can be found in home-use kits.

    Notes and References

    [1] Sanchez, A., et al. Role of Sugars in Human Neutrophilic Phagocytosis, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Nov 1973;261:1180_1184. Bernstein, J., al. Depression of Lymphocyte Transformation Following Oral Glucose Ingestion. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.1997;30:613

    [2] Allopathy is the treatment of disease with medicines that produce totally unrelated symptoms to those of the disease when tested on the healthy. This approach can palliate or suppress the health problems but never cures them. The allopathic approach is frequently associated with unpleasant or harmful side-effects. Long term suppression leads to worsening health.

    [3] Homeopathy is the treatment of disease with medicines (remedies) that produce similar symptoms when tested on the healthy. This approach ‘cancels out’ the disease symptoms and stimulates a self-healing response from the person’s own vitality. Homeopathic treatment improves rather than weakens that vitality so that full healing is more likely.To learn more about homeopathy visit Tutorials.

    [4] To better understand how homeopathic remedies are prepared and the potentisation process, read the Potentisation tutorial (and the Three Scales of Potency and Benefits of Potentisation tutorials).

    [5] Frass, M, Dielacher, C, Linkesch, M,  Endler, C, Muchitsch, I, Schuster, E, Kaye, A..  Influence of potassium dichromate on tracheal secretions in critically ill patients, Chest, March, 2005.

    [6] Steinsbekk, A,  Fønnebø, V, Lewith, G, and Bentzen, N. Homeopathic care for the prevention of upper respiratory tract infections in children: A pragmatic, randomised, controlled trial comparing individualised homeopathic care and waiting-list controls. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, Volume 13, Issue 4 , December 2005, Pages 231-238.

    [7] Trichard, M, Chaufferin, Nicoloyannis, N., Pharmacoeconomic Comparison Between Homeopathic and Antibiotic Treatment Strategies in Recurrent Acute Rhinopharyngitis in Children, Homeopathy (2005)94, 3-9.

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  • Dishwashing liquid? – You’re soaking in it! Erica’s story

    Dishwashing liquid? – You’re soaking in it! Erica’s story

    This morning while I was in the bathroom, my 1 year old decided to take the Palmolive dish detergent and “paint” our newly painted entrance way with it. Normally we use Seventh Generation which is clear and non-toxic but we had the bright green other stuff because it cleans Lovebugs off cars and lately we’ve been inundated with them and they’ll ruin the paint on your car if you don’t get them off.

    Anyway, my poor little one’s right eye was almost completely swollen shut, fire-y red and blotchy. I spent about 15 minutes trying to rinse her eye at the kitchen sink and it just was not getting any better. So I put her in the tub and poured water over it again and again for another 15 minutes and it still was not getting better. The baby was so upset as was I!

    I thought about giving her a remedy and I considered Apis Mellifica and Allium Cepa. But she had just taken a remedy earlier in the week for Croup and I did not want to interfere with anything that might still be working.

    I suddenly had an idea and while my 10 year old daughter watched the baby in the tub, I quickly made a 10x “remedy” by dropping 1 drop of the dish detergent into an 8 oz. glass of water. I gently stirred this and took 1 drop of this water and added it to a 16 oz. bottle of spring water after I’d emptied out about 1/4 of it. I succussed it 10x and emptied all but a tiny bit, refilled it, and then succussed it again. I did this 10 times. There was never enough of the original “soap water” to make soap bubbles and after diluting it 10 times I was confident it was safe to use as a rinse.

    Being a photographer, I always have my camera nearby and I decided to take a before picture to see if it made any difference. I then poured about 1/2 of the solution over the baby’s eye and forehead. She was *not* happy! But… within about 15 seconds her eye opened and the redness went down a little…

    About 8 minutes later, the eye was completely open and the redness was much better! I took her out of the tub and within 30 minutes, the eye was completely better and the baby was happy again!!! 🙂 Hooray!

    Originally, I thought this was technically an isode because it was using the same substance that caused the problem. But as kind reader Patty informed me it is truly homeopathic – and the most similar. Patty pointed out 379.1 in Chronic Diseases which states it does not remain the same once it is diluted and potentised. I did not give more Palmolive but a remedy made from it. (Thanks Patty – see her comments for detail.)

    Having a digital camera I was able to record the timing between pictures. Have a look-see below! 🙂 The baby is down for a nap and I’m off to go scrub flourescent green dishwashing liquid off my walls!

    • Picture 1 – Pre-remedy but about 30 minutes post washing the eye with water.
    • Picture 2 – 15 seconds after remedy wash.
    • Picture 3 – 8 minutes after remedy wash.
    • Picture 4 – 30 minutes after remedy wash.

    Picture 1 – Poor baby! Before remedy but after 30 minutes of washing eye with water.

    These series of images show the before and after results of how homeopathy helped this little girl after she got soap in her eyes.

    Picture 2 – hey, it’s open! (15 seconds after remedy)

    Picture 3 – Wow, it’s working! Smiling! (8 minutes after remedy)

    Picture 4 – All better Mommy! Hooray! (30 minutes after remedy)

    Close-ups

    Pic 1 – pre-remedy

    Pic 2 – 15 seconds post-remedy

    Pic 3 – 8 minutes post-remedy

    Pic 4 – 30 minutes post-remedy

    Erica McPhee graduated Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude from the University of New Hampshire in 1991. She worked as a sr. human resource analyst before leaving the corporate world to start her own lettering and design business at home while raising her children. While her design work rapidly gained favor amongst celebrities and high society for elaborate hand-lettered invitations and social correspondence, at the same time her young son was diagnosed with autism. This began a life-changing journey which led her to study homeopathy after her son’s dramatic recovery using a homeopathic remedy.

    View her blog here.

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  • Q. Carbo Veg – a ‘Corpse Reviver’?

    Q. Carbo Veg – a ‘Corpse Reviver’?

    A zombie crawling out of a grave Answer:  Carbo vegetabilis (Carb-v.) is a homeopathic remedy that has been given the memorable nickname, ‘The Corpse Reviver’.

    Carb-v is prepared from vegetable charcoal and while it’s used for several minor problems, it’s best known for its seemingly miraculous ability, in some circumstances, to revive people or animals close to death.

    Today, outside of homeopathy, this ability is not well-known but in the past medical doctors regularly used it for conditions that seemed hopeless.

    The following are just two accounts.

    Dr Eugene Nash, Professor at New York Homoeopathic Medical College and lecturer at the Homoeopathic Hospital of London, wrote:

    During the terrible epidemic of typhoid fever in Ithaca a few years ago I was called in consultation in four cases.

    One of the worst was as follows : After I had seen three light cases with the physician who called me, we were walking on the street and met a man who shook hands with the doctor ; introduced me to him, and the inquired of him about another case (his niece). He answered, there is no hope. Two physicians have just left her to die.

    Dr. E. then told him that I was there to counsel him. Well, said the man, my brother is poor, but if your doctor will see her I will pay the bill.

    She was certainly in an apparently hopeless condition. She had had no movement of the bowels for fourteen days, notwithstanding old school cathartics in abundance, and they had informed the family that the bowels were paralyzed and would never move again.

    The abdomen was enormously distended. She laid upon her back with her knees propped up. She was cold, and pulse flickering and weak, hippocratic face, and they were fanning her to try to give her breath. There was no restlessness like Arsenicum (Ed. Note: another homeopathic remedy used for similar symptoms). She was past that.

    In answer to the doctor’s look, I said there was but one small chance left, and I felt it. We dissolved some pellets of Carbo-veg 200 in water, with directions to give a teaspoonful once in two hours, and let us know if she was alive in the morning.

    She was alive in the morning and better, and under the remedy the bowels moved naturally in a couple of days, the tympany rapidly gave way. The Carbo-veg was followed by China 200, and the girl recovered. (1)

    On the other side of the world, Dr Margaret Tyler, a key figure in British Homeopathy at the beginning of the 20th century and doctor at the London Homeopathic Hospital for over 40 years, wrote of one child:

    One has seen that in one extreme case, in especial, the sort of case one does not forget, and which one quotes to show what Carbo veg. can do in the most desperate conditions, where the symptoms agree.

    It was a small girl with heart disease, and an acute exacerbation supervening that was abruptly ending her young life.

    She had a pneumonia with pleural effusion. An endocarditis with pericardial effusion, and one morning, when the Physician was going his round accompanied by several other doctors, she was found lying forward on the supports that had to be provided, because she could not rest otherwise, cold, white, unconscious; just alive, because she was still giving the infrequent sharp gasps of the dying.

    Carbo veg. (I think 200) was quickly administered, while one of the doctors of wide experience exclaimed, “I’ll eat my hat if that child lives!” But before the ward round was finished she had regained warmth and consciousness — death had passed on!

    And, under Kali carb. (the complementary remedy, by the way!) she got well, so far as the damaged heart would permit.

    It is such experiences that have gained for Carbo veg. the name “corpse reviver.” (2)

    Some of the life-threatening conditions in which Carbo-v. earnt it’s fame – as long as the symptoms indicated its prescription – were:

    • yellow fever
    • typhus
    • typhoid fever
    • surgical shock
    • septic shock
    • heart failure

    The specific symptoms that indicated a need for Carbo-v. were:

    • weakness of the cardiovascular system
    • enlarged swollen veins
    • oozing of blood from mucus membranes or wounds
    • irregular, intermittent, frequent or faint pulse (sometimes a pounding pulse that shakes the body)
    • stagnation of blood that causes coldness and blueness, especially in the limbs – may lead to gangrene
    • state of collapse
    • air hunger – wanting to be fanned
    • cold sweat – may feel internally hot but cold to touch
    • distended abdomen, flatulence and burping – may have pronounced constipation.

    Today, nothing has changed – these life-threatening symptoms still respond to Carb-v.

    But it’s not all about ‘pulling people back from the brink’. Carbo-v. also treats minor complaints such as: hayfever; flatulence; dark or bluish ulcers that refuse to heal; and hoarseness or loss of voice – BUT only if other symptoms from the Carb-v. picture are present. It’s amazing how one little remedy can do so much more than just revive a corpse.

    References

    1. E.B. Nash. The Testimony of the Clinic. Case 65, Typhoid Fever .Philadelphia, Boericke & Tafel, 1911.
    2. M.L. Tyler. Homoeopathic Drug Pictures, CW Daniel, Saffron Walden, England. (1992)

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  • Tutorial 10 – Direction of Cure

    Tutorial 10 – Direction of Cure

    A crying baby suffering from eczema was treated homeopathically.

    Little Joshua developed eczema shortly after birth, which quickly spread from his elbows and knees to his neck. Every time he ate bread or fruit, the eczema flared around his mouth and across his cheeks, causing him to scratch until it bled.

    His desperate mother obtained a prescription for a cortisone-based cream from her doctor, and the eczema began to clear within hours. While Joshua’s mother was relieved, a homeopath might worry about potential future problems for him.

    Indeed, two months later, Joshua developed a persistent dry, wheezy cough, which was diagnosed as asthma, leading to costly medications.

    Joshua’s story is not unique: it raises questions about whether the eczema was truly cured and if the asthma could have been prevented. In a previous tutorial, we discussed palliation, suppression, and cure, emphasizing the importance of treating symptoms wisely. Now, we will explore the “direction of cure” and how to recognize it.

    The Direction of Cure: What Is It?

    Early homeopathic practitioners observed specific patterns in the healing process, which they compiled into a statement called “The Direction of Cure.” This statement outlines the progression of genuine healing, as opposed to mere palliation or suppression:

    1. From above down,
    2. From within out,
    3. From a more important organ to a less important organ,
    4. With symptoms disappearing in the reverse order of their appearance

    When symptoms follow this pattern, true healing is taking place. If symptoms move in the opposite direction, the person’s health is likely worsening.

    From Above Down

    If symptoms like skin rashes or joint pains move downward during treatment, healing is on the right track. Conversely, if symptoms improve upwards through the body, suppression may be occurring.

    From Within Out

    When symptoms move from deeper organs to more superficial ones during treatment (e.g., a liver infection transitioning to muscle pain, then skin itchiness), healing is underway. Symptoms moving inward suggest the person is becoming sicker.

    From a More Important Organ to a Less Important Organ

    A person whose high blood pressure and chest pains are replaced by sinus problems during treatment is heading towards better health, as symptoms have shifted from a more important organ to a less important one. However, if sinus symptoms are exchanged for heart problems after continual suppression by antibiotics and antihistamines, the person’s health is deteriorating.

    Symptoms Disappearing in the Reverse Order of Their Appearance

    For example, skin issues may progress to respiratory problems and then heart problems. If an unwell person is treated with medicines that match their symptoms, rather than suppress them, their vitality can be strengthened and the imbalance corrected. In this case, their symptoms will disappear in the reverse order of their appearance: first the heart problem, then the skin issue.

    Are All Observations Equally Important?

    While the Direction of Cure observations provide guidelines for determining health improvement or worsening, they do not all have equal value. The first three are less common, while the fourth is more frequently observed. In reality, a person’s symptoms may gradually improve during homeopathic treatment without strictly following any of the above observations. Their real value lies in accurately identifying worsening health when symptoms move opposite to these guidelines, which should raise concerns.

    What about Joshua?

    As we’ve learned in this and previous tutorials, our life force attempts to push disease towards the body’s surface to protect deeper, more vital organs. Consequently, infants like Joshua may develop skin conditions such as eczema and rashes during the initial stages of an energetic imbalance.

    If these skin problems are suppressed by creams or steroids, or if vitality weakens, the Vital Force can no longer alleviate the disease through the skin, so it uses deeper organs as an outlet to preserve life. This is precisely what happened to Joshua. His skin issue was suppressed by a cortisone cream, which led to the more life-threatening problem of asthma.

    If vitality weakens further or new symptoms are suppressed, the illness may progress to deeper organs such as the bowel, kidney, heart, or brain. This progression may occur rapidly or gradually over decades, as multiple suppressions worsen health and deepen chronic disease. Fortunately, Joshua’s mother sought a homeopathic consultation in time.

    To treat Joshua, I prescribed a homeopathic medicine that matched the physical, mental, and emotional symptoms of his imbalance. Within two weeks, his asthma had significantly improved, but the eczema began to return. Joshua’s mother, concerned, brought him back to me. I explained that this was not a setback but a sign of deep healing. I advised her to wait a little longer, confident that the asthma would clear, followed by the eczema – which is precisely what happened, except for one incident.

    One night, Joshua’s dad gave him a bath while his mother was out, adding bubble bath mixture to the water for fun. Within minutes, Joshua’s eczema flared and spread across his body. Distressed, his father applied the cortisone cream, which calmed the rash over the next few hours. The next day, however, Joshua’s asthma returned with a vengeance.

    Joshua’s mom called me in a panic, and I explained how the bubble bath irritated the eczema, which was then suppressed by the cream. Without a skin outlet, the disease was redirected into Joshua’s lungs, posing a more serious issue.

    I reassured his mother that the appropriate homeopathic remedy would once again strengthen Joshua’s vitality, resolving the asthma and returning the eczema to the skin. This happened over the following week.

    Joshua continued homeopathic treatment for another two months, during which his eczema cleared entirely. Now asthma-free and energetic, he keeps his parents on their toes.

    In Conclusion – Potentized Remedies Can Suppress!

    The last two tutorials have discussed suppression extensively. Hopefully, you’ve decided not to suppress your symptoms.

    However, suppression is not solely a concern with conventional medicine. While potentized remedies lack chemicals and the associated toxic side effects of traditional medicines, they can also “suppress” if not prescribed according to the Law of Similars. Our next tutorial will explore how to use the Direction of Cure to determine if your potentized remedy is genuinely leading you towards healing.

    Tutorials

    1. Homeopathy: an Introduction
    2. Tutorial 1 – The Law of Similars
    3. Tutorial 2 – Law of Similars Discovered
    4. Tutorial 3 – Potentisation
    5. Tutorial 4 – Three Scales of Potency
    6. Tutorial 5 – Benefits of Potentisation
    7. Tutorial 6 – Provings
    8. Tutorial 7 – The Vital Force
    9. Tutorial 8 – Potentised Remedies and the Vital Force
    10. Tutorial 9 – Palliation, Supression or Cure?
    11. Tutorial 10 – Direction of Cure
    12. Tutorial 11 – Return of Old Symptoms
    13. Tutorial 12 – Homeopathy and Other Medicinal Therapies
    14. Tutorial 13 – Finding a Good Homeopath
    15. Tutorial 14 – That First Appointment
    16. Tutorial 15 – What to Expect (Part A)
    17. Tutorial 16 – What to Expect (Part B)

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  • Tutorial 9 – Palliation, Suppression or Cure?

    Tutorial 9 – Palliation, Suppression or Cure?

    A pleasing image of a man standing up from his wheelchair for this tutorial on palliation, suppression and cure.

    The human body is naturally designed to heal itself. With proper nutrition, clean water, and a healthy environment, it usually does just that. We often resort to treatments or medications to speed up the healing process.

    When addressing symptoms, we can opt to palliate, suppress, or aim for a cure.

    Palliation

    Palliation provides temporary relief from symptoms without addressing the underlying issue. Symptoms return once the treatment stops.

    Derived from a Latin word meaning “to hide or disguise,” palliation conceals symptoms.

    For instance, pain from a twisted ankle can be temporarily alleviated with analgesics; constipation can be momentarily relieved with senna, fruit, or other laxatives; eczema can be mitigated with cortisone; and cold feet can be warmed with hot water.

    While palliative measures offer a quick fix, symptoms reappear once the treatment stops or the medication wears off.

    Suppression

    Like palliation, suppression relieves symptoms without addressing the root cause. However, it creates the illusion of permanently eliminating symptoms. Suppression does not correct the underlying issue; instead, it drives the problem deeper, leading to more severe symptoms.

    When we are unwell, our symptoms serve as a release valve for the underlying energetic imbalances that cause our illness. Suppressing symptoms blocks this release, forcing the body to find alternative ways to maintain life. The body must then release the imbalance through deeper and potentially more harmful areas.

    For example, when simple eczema is repeatedly treated with cortisone, it may lead to asthma. Continual palliation or suppression of asthma may then affect more critical organs, such as the heart. This is why it is said that the disease is “driven inward.”Cassie who is 7 months pregnant cured her indigestion with homeopathy.

    Patients and healthcare providers may not recognize the connection between earlier suppressions and deteriorating health. Constant suppression weakens the body’s ability to self-heal, accelerating the decline of vitality with age.

    True Healing

    To achieve genuine healing, obstacles to recovery (e.g., poor diet or damp, drafty living conditions) must be removed, and treatments should support rather than suppress the body’s healing efforts. Recognizing symptoms as indicators of the body’s healing attempts and using safe homeopathic remedies that mimic these symptoms can help.

    Hahnemann’s discovery of the Law of Similars, or “like treating like,” remains the foundation of homeopathic practice. Supporting rather than suppressing the body’s self-healing efforts is the most effective way to restore health and vitality.

    Cassie’s Story

    Seven months pregnant, Cassie experienced indigestion and loud burps, seemingly triggered by rich fatty foods, particularly ice cream. She took a Panadol before bed for pain relief, which allowed her to sleep but didn’t prevent the indigestion from returning the next day.

    Cassie then tried antacid tablets, which temporarily relieved her indigestion, but she needed increasing doses as their effectiveness decreased. Her symptoms worsened over a week, progressing from indigestion to diarrhea and exhaustion.

    Cassie consulted a homeopathy self-care book and chose Pulsatilla for her pregnancy-related indigestion. Initially, her symptoms intensified, but after 10 minutes, the indigestion and diarrhea stopped and did not return. Cassie believes she has cured herself.

    Homeopathic Comment

    Cassie’s story is a great illustration of how her indigestion issue was first palliated, then suppressed, and eventually cured when she used a remedy that mimicked her body’s natural healing process.

    Initially, Cassie did what most people do when faced with discomfort—she took a tablet (paracetamol) to alleviate the pain so she could sleep. However, paracetamol couldn’t truly cure her symptoms, only providing temporary relief.

    When her indigestion returned, Cassie sought antacids for relief. While they allowed her to sleep well, they also suppressed her symptoms, leading to more severe issues like diarrhea and exhaustion.

    Cassie’s strong vitality was evident in her body’s resistance to suppression. If she had continued using antacids, her health could have worsened or become ineffective against her persistent indigestion. It’s important to note that Cassie’s unborn baby was also affected by her energetic imbalances, which could lead to health problems after birth.

    Fortunately, Cassie had some knowledge of homeopathy and used her home-use kit to find a remedy, Pulsatilla. This remedy matched her symptoms and, thanks to the Law of Similars, effectively treated her indigestion by replacing the original energetic imbalance with a similar one from the remedy. As the Pulsatilla wore off, Cassie’s vital force rebounded and restored her health.

    Cassie experienced an initial intensification of her symptoms, known as a homeopathic aggravation or “healing crisis,” because the remedy dose was slightly too strong. This is a non-toxic effect and a positive sign that the correct remedy has been chosen. To avoid this in the future, smaller and more diluted doses can be taken.

    Tutorials

    1. Homeopathy: an Introduction
    2. Tutorial 1 – The Law of Similars
    3. Tutorial 2 – Law of Similars Discovered
    4. Tutorial 3 – Potentisation
    5. Tutorial 4 – Three Scales of Potency
    6. Tutorial 5 – Benefits of Potentisation
    7. Tutorial 6 – Provings
    8. Tutorial 7 – The Vital Force
    9. Tutorial 8 – Potentised Remedies and the Vital Force
    10. Tutorial 9 – Palliation, Supression or Cure?
    11. Tutorial 10 – Direction of Cure
    12. Tutorial 11 – Return of Old Symptoms
    13. Tutorial 12 – Homeopathy and Other Medicinal Therapies
    14. Tutorial 13 – Finding a Good Homeopath
    15. Tutorial 14 – That First Appointment
    16. Tutorial 15 – What to Expect (Part A)
    17. Tutorial 16 – What to Expect (Part B)

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  • Homeopathy for Max’s ‘Gelsemium Flu’

    Homeopathy for Max’s ‘Gelsemium Flu’

    Max sleeping due to exhaustion and weakness with are classical symptoms of a gelsemium flu.

    Case Report: A Gelsemium Flu

    Max could hardly lift his head. He was unwell with the flu and exhausted.

    His eyelids were half-closed and his face was a flushed, dusky red.

    Max had started to feel unwell with a sore throat four days ago and had slowly deteriorated since then.

    He was now drowsy and weak and it was an effort for him to sit up, let alone stand. His arms and legs trembled with the effort.

    Max’s fever alternated with severe chills and rigors (shuddering). The back of his head ached and the pain radiated over the top to his forehead. The pain only lessened when he passed a large amount of urine.

    In spite of the fever, Max was generally thirstless. When examined, his tongue was thickly coated and yellow. Because of his exhaustion, Max spent most of his time sleeping.

    Following a prescription of homeopathic Gelsemium, Max made a gradual recovery. By the end of the day, his headache had resolved and his fever, while still present, was much lower. His energy levels improved and though he was still weak, he no longer trembled on trying to move.

    It took another two days before Max was completely well but his progression was faster than others – some of his friends who had also succumbed to the flu took weeks to fully recover.

    Symptoms that Respond to Gelsemium sempervirens

    A Gelsemium-type flu has the following symptoms:

    • Marked weakness, debility and sleepiness.
    • Trembling and heaviness of limbs and head.
    • Eyelids drooping or closed – unable to open fully.
    • Occipital headache radiating to the forehead.
    • Headaches relieved by passing a large amount of urine.
    • Chills running up and down the back.
    • Mental fogginess and dullness.

    Gelsemium was the chief remedy prescribed during the 1917 Spanish Flu pandemic in which up to 50 million people died. Records from that time show that those treated with homeopathy were far more likely to survive.

    Homeopathy for Flu-related Symptoms

    Those unfamiliar with homeopathy are often surprised at how quickly the correct homeopathic remedy relieves flu symptoms.

    In France, where homeopathy is well-known and prescribed by over 40% of French doctors, the leading flu medicine is a homeopathic remedy, Anas barbariae. Studies have shown it relieves the intensity and shortens the duration of flu symptoms – and without side-effects.

    While Anas barbariae has a broad action over a large variety of flu symptoms, it is not so effective in the elderly and has to be prescribed within the first 48 hours of symptom onset.

    For this reason, most homeopaths still prefer to treat the flu from a larger range of homeopathics as a homeopathic remedy that closely matches the symptoms of the individual sufferer often produces a better result regardless of age or flu duration.

    This approach was certainly seen with Max’s ‘Gelsemium flu’. It’s also demonstrated in three other types of flu cases in the links below.

    Other Types of Flu

    Many different sets of flu-related symptoms respond to homeopathy. The beneficial remedy has to match the symptom set. The following cases are just three among many potential remedy options.

    Homeopathy for Russell’s ‘Bryonia Flu’

    Homeopathy for Shilpa’s ‘Rhus toxicodendron Flu’

    Homeopathy for Angie’s ‘Belladonna Flu’

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  • Homeopathy Made Simple (Part 2): Treating ‘Family and Friend’ Ailments

    Homeopathy Made Simple (Part 2): Treating ‘Family and Friend’ Ailments

    12240234_1145352688827838_337532304111590932_oHomeopathy is fun to use and easy to learn – with just a handful of remedies even a beginner can make a big difference to everyday health problems.

    Part 1 of Homeopathy Made Simple discussed how minor first-aid injuries such as cuts, burns, and sprains are ideal complaints on which to first practise when learning homeopathy.

    If you missed it, read it at: Homeopathy Made Simple: First Steps to First Aid.

    Treatment is often easy with first-aid problems because most experience the same symptoms so only a handful of remedies need to be considered.

    Now, in Part 2, we progress to homeopathy for simple acute complaints such as coughs, colds, and headaches where more thought is needed. We have to become ‘super-sleuths’ if treatment is to be successful.

    Looking for Differences

    Acute complaints produce a two types of symptoms: common symptoms that everyone experiences, and unique or individualising symptoms that differ from person to person.

    When a homeopathic remedy covers the common symptoms but is specifically chosen to match the unique symptoms of the sufferer, a self-healing response is stimulated.

    Let’s look at the common cold as an example.

    Colds come in all shapes and sizes. Most produce a sore throat and a nasal discharge but these common symptoms are of little help in finding the correct remedy.

    We have to look at the unique symptoms of the sufferer – those symptoms that are different to what others experience with a cold.

    Unique symptoms show how the body is trying to overcome the cold in that person. They are the best guide to which homeopathic remedy will help.

    For example, the person who looks drowsy, feels weak, and has chills running up their back during a cold needs the homeopathic remedy Gelsemium as it best suits that combination of symptoms.

    Similarly, a person with restlessness, anxiety and an excoriating nasal discharge needs Arsenicum, and someone with a bland nasal discharge but watering eyes in which the tears burn and sting will do well with Euphrasia.

    So, rather than just looking at symptoms that are the same in all sufferers (the approach used by conventional medicine), those using homeopathy also look for different symptoms.

    When a remedy is then matched to common and unique symptoms, self-healing is stimulated and strengthened so that recovery is faster- often within hours for an acute complaint.

    Asking the Right Questions

    To find that correct remedy for an acute complaint, we have start asking questions and observe the symptoms. For example:

    • Was the condition triggered by an event, change in weather, loss of sleep, or an emotional upset?
    • Did the complaint have a rapid or slow onset?
    • Is the person flushed, pale or ashen, or are they restless, weak or tired?
    • Does their nasal discharge, breath or sweat have an unusual odour?
    • If there is pain, what is it like? Is it stabbing, throbbing, aching, burning, or some other type of sensation?
    • Have there been changes to appetite or thirst since the person became sick? Do they drink in sips or gulps? Do they want hot or cold food and drinks or any particular type of food or flavour?
    • Is there a discharge and, if so, what is it’s colour, thickness and quantity like?
    • What is the person’s mental-emotional state and how well are they coping with their illness? For example, are they active, alert, weak, irritable, dependent, unusually optimistic and happy, or wanting attention and affection?

    Many more questions could be asked but ones such as these uncover the distinctive and unusual symptoms for that person which lead to the best remedy.

    Remember, we are not looking just for symptoms that would be expected for all sufferers, but what is different and unique.

    Understanding Modalities

    In addition to symptoms, it is important to look for ‘modalities’ as these make it even easier to choose the correct remedy. Modalities are factors or situations that improve or worsen a symptom.

    For example, many remedies help a throbbing headache but homeopathic Belladonna is one of the few that cures when the headache is worse for lying down and better for sitting upright. Both of these modifying symptoms are distinctive Belladonna modalities.

    Nausea is also treated by many remedies but homeopathic Sepia is especially useful when the nausea is worsened by food odours.

    In another example, abdominal cramping relieved by firm pressure but worsened by irritation or anger responds to homeopathic Colocynth as these modalities belong to it.

    Modalities are valuable for finding the correct remedy or helping us decide between remedies when symptoms seem similar. Modalities should not be overlooked.

    How Often to Give the Remedies

    The frequency with which a remedy is given depends on the intensity of the complaint – the more intense the symptoms, the more frequent the dose.

    The golden rule of homeopathy is that once symptoms start to improve, stop taking the remedy. Only re-dose if improvement slows or symptoms start to return.

    This approach avoids too-frequent doses of the remedy which may cause an aggravation – a temporary intensification of symptoms.

    While aggravations are usually mild and not harmful, they are also unnecessary and show that the remedy was taken when not necessary.

    How Often Should I Take a Dose of My Remedy has information on when to repeat the remedy dose for first-aid or acute problems. Its instructions are suitable for any age and all remedy preparations – pills, liquids, creams, and even olfaction doses.

    Back to the Books

    In Part 1 of this article it was suggested that you put together a small kit of remedies, purchase a couple of home-use homeopathy books and practice with any minor injuries that arise.

    After reading this article, go back to those books and look at how different acute problems (cold sores, colic, earaches, hay fever, headaches, nausea, sciatica, sinusitis, and so on) are treated by an even larger range of remedies – depending on their symptoms.

    Obviously the treatment for acute complaints requires more thought than what was needed for the first-aid problems of Part 1 but the information in this article, combined with that already present in your books, will have you off to a good start.

    All that is left to do is to practice because … the more you practice, the more you learn, the better you become.

    The next article, Homeopathy Made Simple: How Would You Like Your Remedy? will simplify homeopathy further with information on the benefits and disadvantages of the different preparations of homeopathic remedies, and the best way to use them.

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  • Homeopathy Made Simple (Part 1) – First Steps to Homeopathy First Aid

    Homeopathy Made Simple (Part 1) – First Steps to Homeopathy First Aid

    First-aid homeopathy is simple to learn and easy to use.

    With a little practice and a handful of remedies, even complete beginners can make a big difference to everyday injuries and health niggles – from cuts, bruises, and burns to bites, stings and sprains.

    Homeopathic remedies are inexpensive, long-lasting, and safe for all ages – including babies, children, the elderly, and pregnant women. They’re also easy to obtain.

    You’ll find common and not-so-common ones in our online shop, while sometimes natural health stores, pharmacies and even supermarkets carry the more common ones.

    In this first part of our Homeopathy Made Simple series, you’ll discover exactly how to get started with homeopathy first aid: the 20 most useful remedies to keep on hand, a quick remedy finder for common conditions, and simple guidelines on how to take them. Let’s begin!

    Prepping for Homeopathy First Aid

    Getting prepared for homeopathy first aid is quite straightforward.
    The best approach is to have a small selection of the most useful remedies available at home. Many people start with a ready-made First Aid Kit that contains the most commonly needed remedies for minor injuries and ailments.
    You can also build your own kit by purchasing individual remedies.

    The first thing to do is to put together a small home-use kit of common remedies – ten or so will do at the start.

    Add a couple of homeopathy books that explain how and when to use these remedies. Here’s our list of suggested books for those doing the Homeopathy in 30 Days course.

    Then, when the unexpected happens, you will have what you need at your fingertips to start making a difference rather than being caught short and unprepared.

    Taking Your First Steps – One Remedy at a Time

    When you first start using homeopathy it is best to practice with simple first-aid problems such as minor cuts, burns and bruises until you are familiar with how the remedies work.

    There is very little variation in the symptoms arising from first-aid injuries so, unlike acute or chronic problems that need more thought, it is easy to choose the correct remedy.

    A blow to the thumb from a hammer, for example, will produce the same set of symptoms no matter who you are, and so will respond to one or two symptom-matching remedies.

    For this reason it is best to rote-learn a small number of first-aid remedies or have a simple reference list to refer to when the need arises.

    We have included a list of the top 20 remedies for first-aid problems in this article, along with a simple remedy finder to help you along the way.

    You will only have to look at other remedies beyond this list if the presenting symptoms are unique or unusual for the situation.

    As your confidence grows with first-aid remedies, start practicing on acute conditions such as coughs, colds, and headaches where it is much more important to prescribe for the symptoms of the individual rather than the common ones of the condition.

    Colds, for example, are quite different from one season to the next and even between individual sufferers. Because of this, the remedies that treat them will differ and the home prescriber has to pay more attention to the unique rather than the common symptoms of the sufferer if a prescription is to be successful.

    How to do this will be explained in the next article of this series: Homeopathy Made Simple (Part 2): Treating ‘Family and Friends’ Ailments.

    The 20 Most Useful Remedies for Everyday First-Aid

    With a small investment in some common remedies you will be well-prepared for most first-aid situations – at least as far as homeopathy goes.

    The following remedies provide a good foundation for any first-aid kit. A ‘remedy finder’ that guides you on when to use them has been included at the bottom of the list.

    1. Aconite Napellus (Acon.) – The first remedy to think of for panic, fear and shock, especially if the person is agitated, restless, and hyperventilating. Also useful for anaphylaxis. (Learn more about Aconite.)
    2. Apis Mellifica (Apis) – Great for allergic reactions or hives and bites or stings with rapid swelling – the affected area will be puffy, white or rosy, feel hot, and improve with cold compresses. (Learn more about Apis.)
    3. Arnica Montana (Arn.) – A good remedy for recent or active bruising, soreness of muscles and joints, and after dental work. Also helps nosebleeds from injury or on lifting heavy objects, and the early stages of a black eye. Use in the first 24 hours following a fracture to control bleeding and swelling, and to promote healing. Shock with lack of awareness. (Learn more about Arnica.)
    4. Arsenicum Album (Ars.) – First remedy to think of for food poisoning, especially from spoiled meat. The vomiting and diarrhoea is accompanied by chills, exhaustion, and restless anxiety. (Learn more about Arsenicum.)
    5. Belladonna (Bell.) – Often suits heatstroke or exhaustion. The skin will be hot and red, the face flushed, eyes glassy, and the head will throb. (Learn more about Belladonna.)
    6. Calendula Officinalis (Calen.) – Wonderful for superficial wounds, grazes, and even lacerated skin. It promotes healing and reduces the risk of infection. (Learn more about Calendula.)
    7. Cantharis Vesicatoria (Canth.) – An excellent remedy for blistering burns or scalds, including sunburn, 2nd to 3rd degree burns, and wasp stings. The pain will be searing and soothed by cold compresses. (Learn more about Cantharis.)
    8. Cocculus Indicus (Cocc.) – A key remedy for motion sickness and faintness, especially if worsened by loss of sleep. (Learn more about Cocculus.)
    9. Euphrasia Officinalis (Euphr.) – Comes from the herb eyebright, and relieves irritated and streaming eyes and nose, or persistent pain following the removal of a foreign object. (Learn more about Euphrasia.)
    10. Glonoinum (Glon.) – Suits heat stroke with a congestive headache, surging of blood to head and heart, and pulsating pains. (Learn more about Glonoinum.)
    11. Hypericum Perforatum (Hyper.) The main remedy for injuries to nerves or nerve rich areas such as finger tips and the spine. Useful for wounds or dental work with shooting nerve pain, or painful lacerations and puncture wounds. (Learn more about Hypericum.)
    12. Ledum Palustre (Led.) – A good remedy for puncture wounds, bites and stings or twisted and sprained joints, especially ankles. Early stages of a black eye. Wounds and swellings may be cold and mottled, and the pain will be soothed by a cold compress. (Learn more about Ledum.)
    13. Nux Vomica (Nux-v.) – The main remedy for hangover or indigestion from over-indulgence. Also useful for food poisoning with constant retching or urging at the toilet. (Learn more about Nux vomica.)
    14. Phosphorus (Phos) – Treats many after-effects of electroshock. Also a remedy for nosebleeds when blowing the nose. (Learn more about Phosphorus.)
    15. Rhus Toxicodendron (Rhus-t.) – A good remedy for contact allergic reactions with red, swollen and itchy blisters such as may be caused by poison ivy. Also useful for sprains and strains that improve with motion. (Learn more about Rhus-tox.)
    16. Ruta Graveolens (Ruta.) – A wonderful remedy for sprains, strains and ganglions, especially of the wrists and ankles. Suitable for injuries to tendons or bone periosteum that may also arise from dental work. (Learn more about Ruta.)
    17. Silicea Terra (Sil.) – The ‘homeopathic scalpel’. Used to help the body expel embedded foreign substances such as splinters and glass shards. (Learn more about Silicea.)
    18. Symphytum Officinale (Symph.) – The main remedy for fracture repair once the bone has been set. Not to be used before setting (use Arnica instead at this time) as it stimulates rapid bone production that will be disturbed by the setting. Also useful for punctured or ruptured eyeballs. (Learn more about Symphytum.)
    19. Tabacum (Tabac.) – A good motion sickness remedy when nausea, dizziness, chills, and sweating are present. Symptoms are worsened by tobacco smoke. (Learn more about Tabacum.)
    20. Urtica Urens (Urt-u) – Useful for scalds or burns with continuous stinging or burning pain. (Learn more about Urtica.)

    Simple Remedy Finder – What to Use When

    Scan the following list for the problem you want to treat, note the remedy (or remedies) indicated and then check the remedy list to see which one suits best.

    An instruction sheet on how often to give each remedy is available in a link at the bottom of this article.

    Allergic reactions or hives: Apis.

    Anaphylaxis: Acon; Apis.

    Bites and stings: Apis; Arn; Canth; Led.

    Black eye: Arn; Led.

    Blisters: Canth; Rhus-t.

    Bruises: Arn; Led.

    Burns and scalds: Canth; Urt-u.

    Crushed fingers or toes: Arn; Hyper.

    Cuts, scrapes and puncture wounds: Arn; Calend; Hyper; Led.

    Dental work: Arn; Hyper; Ruta.

    Electroshock: Phos.

    Eye injuries: Arn; Led; Euphr; Symph.

    Food poisoning: Ars; Nux-v.

    Fractures: Arn; Symph.

    Heat stroke or exhaustion: Bell; Glon.

    Hyperventilation: Acon.

    Motion sickness: Cocc; Tabac.

    Nosebleeds: Arn; Phos.

    Overindulgence and hangover: Nux-v

    Panic or Shock: Acon; Arn.

    Poison Ivy: Rhus-t.

    Splinters, thorns, glass shards: Sil.

    Sprains and strains: Arn; Hyper; Led; Rhus-t; Ruta.

    Tailbone (coccyx) injuries: Hyper.

    How Often Should You Take First Aid Remedies?

    The frequency with which a remedy is given for a first aid condition depends on the intensity of the situation – the more intense the symptoms, the more frequent the dose.

    The golden rule of homeopathy is that once symptoms improves, stop taking the remedy. Only re-dose if improvement slows or symptoms start to return.

    This approach avoids too-frequent dosing with the remedy that may cause an aggravation– a temporary intensification of symptoms. An aggravation usually means that the remedy has been taken too often.

    The following link provides a guide on how often to dose for the intensity of your first-aid or acute problem. Its instructions are suitable for any remedy preparation – pills, liquids, creams, and even olfaction doses: How Often Should I Take a Dose of My Remedy.

    Where to Next on Your Homeopathy Journey?

    Once you’re comfortable with these first aid basics, the next step is learning how to treat common family ailments with Part 2 of this series – Homeopathy Made Simple (Part 2): Treating ‘Family and Friends’ Ailments, where we simplify homeopathy further with more information on how to treat simple acute conditions such as coughs, colds and allergies, and why it is good to be ‘different’.
    You may also like to explore our Homeopathy in 30 Days course.

    For a small investment and a little planning, homeopathy can prepare you for most minor emergencies. All that remains is for you to practice – the more you practice, the faster you learn, and the better you become at homeopathic prescribing in first aid situations.

    While it is always important to seek medical advice for serious injuries and situations, don’t forget that even during an emergency, homeopathy can help. A few doses of the needed remedy while waiting for further help can make all the difference when every minute counts … and the remedies are so easy to give.

    What are you waiting for? Collect a few of the key remedies and start practising.

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  • Remedies For Disasters (Part 2)

    Remedies For Disasters (Part 2)

    Disaster has struck. Panic and shock are now subsiding. The immediate threat is over.

    Those caught in the disaster are literally starting to pick up the pieces of their lives and possessions.

    Homoeopathy is front-line medicine at its best. It has much to offer the victims of disaster and those who rush to their aid. It is inexpensive, easily distributed, able to be safely used before other medical help arrives, and can then used beside it without interactive effects.

    Over our three “First Response” articles we will look at remedies traditionally used in homeopathy to reduce the impact of physical injuries, soften emotional trauma, and lessen the risk of epidemic disease.

    We also show you how to compile an emergency homeopathy kit, teach you how to use it and explain how its remedies can be ‘stretched’ to not only help you but others, also.

     

    Moving on to the Next Stage

    Once the immediate threat is over, anger, accusations, grief and ongoing fear grip many and raw emotions may bubble to the surface.

    Perhaps the most striking thing that outsiders witness, though, is the compassion and support people give to each in the middle of what seems an insurmountable tragedy.

    Physical injuries that were not seen as severe at the height of the disaster now need attention and the spread of disease has to be prevented.

    Even here, homoeopathy, with its easy production and distribution of remedies should have a key role to play with problems as diverse as gangrene, sunstroke, boils and abscesses.

    The following is a summary of  remedies and their traditional indications for the symptoms and complaints seen in the second stage of a disaster.

    Fear, Anxiety and Despair

    Argentum nitricum (Arg-n): Anticipatory anxiety with strange fears or phobias. May become claustrophobic or agoraphobic. Wants company but anxious in a crowd. Fears losing control. Diarrhoea develops with anxiety.

    Arsenicum album (Ars.): Anxious and afraid to be alone. Fear of death or disease. Restlessness leading to exhaustion. Controlling behaviour of others and circumstances. Anxiety worse after midnight.

    Gelsemium (Gels.): Anxiety with weakness and trembling. Needs support when standing; knees shake. Heaviness of eyelids and drowsiness. Wants to be alone.

    Stramonium (Stram.): Symptoms usually develop after a frightful experience. Violence towards others from fear of being attacked or hurt. May hit, scratch, kick or bite (children especially). Fear of the dark. Feel much better in company and light.

    Comments: If shock, panic or hysteria are still present, refer back to Part 1 for helpful remedies.

    Grief

    Ignatia amara (Ign.): Main remedy for acute grief. Hysterical and changeable behaviour. Angry outbursts and recriminations. Crying when alone rather than in public. Convulsive sobbing. Brooding and sighing. Sensation of lump in the throat. Refusal to eat.

    Phosphoric Acid (Ph-ac.): Indifferent, apathetic or physically weak with grief. Slow to answer. Silent suffering – want to be alone. Lack of energy. Exhausted.
    Anger

    Chamomilla (Cham.): Anger with contrariness. Discontented and dissatisfied no matter what is done – can’t be pleased. Hypersensitive and intolerant of pain, even from minor injuries.

    Nux vomica (Nux): Angry, irritable, driven and impatient. Irritable when interrupted or obliged to answer. Intolerant of others especially if they are perceived as being too slow or doing inappropriate things. Overindulgence in stimulants or alcohol.

    Staphysagria (Staph.): Suppressed anger and indignation following humiliation, insult or violation. also a key “go to” remedy for rape victims during disaster or war.

    Injuries and Wounds

    Many of the first aid and emergency remedies suggested in Part 1 may still be useful during this ‘mopping up’ stage. For example:

    Broken bones (fractures): See Arnica montana, Bryonia alba, or Symphytum. (Part 1)

    Concussion or brain injury: See Natrum sulphuricum. (Part 1)

    Bruising and damage to soft tissues: See Arnica Montana. (Part 1)

    Superficial wounds, grazes and lacerated skin: See Calendula or Hypericum. (Part 1)

    Cuts and incisional wounds: See Staphysagria. (Part 1)

    Puncture wounds: See Hypericum or Ledum palustre. (Part 1)

    Chemical, electrical or 1st, 2nd or 3rd degree burns: See Urtica urens, Causticum, Cantharis or Phosphorus. (Part 1)

    Sprained or twisted joints: See Ledum palustre. (Part 1).

    Additional helpful remedies are:

    Bryonia alba (Bry.): Pain that is worse for the slightest movement. Better for firm strapping, pressure, or lying on the affected part. Useful for fractures, especially fractured ribs.

    Hypericum perforatum (Hyper.): Damaged nerves with shooting pains that travel up the limbs, along nerve tracts.

    Rhus toxicodendron (Rhus-t.): Pain and stiffness that is worse after rest and better for ongoing movement.

    Ruta graveolens (Ruta.): For tendon injuries, especially of wrist and ankle. Pain worse after rest. Hard nodules from blows to shins.

    Infected wounds, boils and abscesses.

    See Gunpowder as a preventative for infection in Part 1 of this article. Additional remedies include:

    Anthracinum (Anthr.): Intense burning pains. Offensive discharges. Black or blue blisters. Anxious with fear of death. Weakness with difficulty in swallowing even though very thirsty.

    Arsenicum album (Ars.): Burning pain that is better for warmth. The person is anxious, restless, chilly and thirsty for small sips.

    Hepar sulphuris (Hep.): Sensitive wounds with splinter-like sticking pains. Lots of the pus. Sensitive to cold and drafts but better for warmth. Old cheese odour.

    Pyrogenium (Pyrog.): Offensive wounds with foul smelling discharges. High fever with slow pulse or low fever with rapid pulse. Exhausted but restless. Bruised feeling.

    Silicea (Sil.): Abscesses that drain but don’t heal. Splinter-like pains. Chilly and worse for cold.

    Bites and Stings

    In many disaster situations, animals and snakes are displaced just as much as humans. Once out of their natural habitat, bites and stings are more likely. When this happens, the following remedies should be considered.

    Aconite napellus (Acon.): Rapid, intense symptoms following bite or sting. Restlessness, anxiety and fear that they might die. Very thirsty.

    Apis mellifica (Apis.): The site of the sting will be puffy. Swelling will be warm and white or rosy pink in colour. Prickling, stinging pains that are improved by cold applications.

    Lachesis muta (Lach.): Skin around bite or sting will be hot and look dark red or blue–purple. Useful remedy for tarantula bites.

    Ledum palustre (Led.): Main remedy for puncture wounds, including the bites and stings of animals or insects. Wound swollen, cold, and discoloured. Pain improved by cold applications.

    Cantharis (Canth.): Intense burning pain following insect bites such as from wasps.

    Gangrene

    Tissue gangrene occurs from infection, crush injuries, obstructed circulation and frostbite. The correct homeopathic remedy minimises damage and aids recovery.

    Anthracinum (Anthr.): Intense burning pains with offensive discharges and blue-black blisters. Restlessness leading to exhaustion.

    Arsenicum album (Ars.): Burning pains that feel better for warmth. Restless, anxious and chilly. Thirsty for small sips.

    Cantharis (Canth.): Intense raw, burning pains. Blackish blisters. Delirium in which they might bite.

    Carbo vegetabilis (Carb-v.): Bluish, ice-cold skin and extremeties yet person wants to be fanned – cannot get enough air. Frequent belching. Exhaustion and breathlessness.

    Crotalus horridus (Crot-h.): Rapid spread with offensive odour. Swollen limb. Blackish blisters. Right side of body feels tender. Easy weeping.

    Sunburn or Heat/Sun Stroke

    Working in extreme temperatures or facing sun exposure after the destruction of shelter can leave both victims and helpers at risk of sunburn or sun and heat stroke.

    The following remedies can be considered for the pain of simple sunburn plus the fever, vomiting, weakness, cramping, diarrhoea and delirium of sun or heat stroke.

    Apis mellifica (Apis.): Swelling of the tissues (oedema) with stinging, prickly pain. Better for cold applications. Worse for warmth. Reduced urine output. Drowsiness or irritability.

    Belladonna (Bell): Hot, red face. Throbbing headache that is worse from light, noise, lying down, or being jarred. Eyes red and bloodshot all glassy in appearance.

    Cantharis (Canth.): One of the main remedies for painful and blistering sunburn. Smarting, burning pain relieved by cold applications. Restless and thirsty.

    Glonoinum (Glon): Throbbing in head and body. Dark spots before the eyes. Clenching of jaws. Deathly feeling in the stomach.

    Natrum carbonicum (Nat-c.): For the chronic effects of sunstroke. Weakness on exertion.

    Urtica urens (Urt-u.): Simple sunburn with stinging, burning or itching pain. Better for lying down. Worse for touch and after sleep.

    Exhaustion and Collapse

    It’s not just those involved in the disaster who are affected. Those who rush to help may work themselves to the point of collapse. See Part 1 for details on remedies such as China officinalis, Carbo vegetabilis and Laurocerasus for exhaustion arising from physical injury or disease.

    Additional remedies to consider are:

    Arsenicum album (Ars.): Restlessness leading to exhaustion. Anxious and afraid to be alone. Fear of death or disease. Controlling behaviour of others and circumstances.

    Calcarea carbonica (Calc.): Weakness from exertion. Sweats on the least exertion and during sleep. Confused and under-confident. Can’t bear to see or hear of cruelties or horrible things.

    Cocculus indicus (Cocc.): Symptoms such as numbness, twitching, dizziness, confusion and exhaustion especially following loss of sleep from caring for others.

    Gelsemium (Gels.): Anxiety with weakness and trembling. Needs support when standing; knees shake. Heaviness of eyelids and drowsiness. Wants to be alone.

    Kali phosphoricum (Kali-p): Nervous exhaustion from overwork or worry. Insomnia from nervous exhaustion. Tongue is coated yellow.

    Phosphoric acid (Ph-ac.): Indifferent, apathetic or physically weak from grief or loss of body fluids. Slow to answer and unable to think of words. Silent suffering – want to be alone. Lack of energy. Exhausted.

    Disease Prevention

    Damaged infrastructure, polluted water, lack of sanitation, and decaying matter all encourage the spread of disease. Whether it be a simple diarrhoea or a more serious epidemic disease such as cholera, homeopathy has a history of helping with prevention as well as treatment.

    Nosodes, for example – remedies made from the diseased tissue or discharge – are regularly used for prevention. Many can be obtained from homeopathic pharmacies or, if time is of the essence, can be made on site by rapidly potentising the source material. (If you have to resort to this, remember to take all precautions until the remedy has been fully potentised so you don’t become infected yourself).

    The other option is to choose the standard homeopathic remedy that best matches the symptoms of the disease for which prevention is sought.

    Both nosodes and standard remedies are listed below. Either can be used preventatively ahead of an outbreak but if an epidemic is already in progress, the “genus epidemicus” – the remedy that best matches the characteristic symptoms of the outbreak – will produce the best results. That remedy may be one of those listed or a different one altogether.

    Amoebic dysentery: Arsenicum album (Ars.) or nosode.

    Anthrax: Anthracinum (Anthr.).

    Bubonic plague: Baptisia tinctoria (Bapt.) or nosode.

    Chickenpox: Antimonium crudum (Ant-c.) or Pulsatilla pratensis (Puls.) or Rhus toxicodendron (Rhus-t.) or nosode.

    Cholera: Cuprum metallicum (Cupr.) or Camphor(Camph.) or Veratrum album (Verat.) or nosode.

    Diphtheria: Mercurius cyanatus (Merc-cy.) or nosode.

    Hepatitis: Phosphorus (Phos.) or Chelidonium majus (Chel.) or nosode.

    Hydrophobia: Belladonna (Bell.) or nosode.

    Influenza: Gelsemium semervirens (Gels.) or Arsenicum album (Ars.) or Rhus toxicodendron (Rhus-t.) or Eupatorium perfoliatum (Eup-per.) or nosode.

    Lyme disease: Ledum palustre or nosode.

    Malaria: Cinchona (Cinch.) or Arsenicum album (Ars.) or Natrum muriaticum (Nat-m.) or nosode.

    Measles: Pulsatilla pratensis (Puls.) or Aconite napellus (Acon.) or Arsenicum album (Ars.) or nosode.

    Meningitis or Encephalitis: Belladonna (Bell.) or nosode.

    Mumps: Mercurius vivus (Merc-v.) or Phytolacca decandra (Phyt.) or nosode.

    Polio: Lathyrus sativa (Lath.) or Plumbum metallicum (Plb.) or nosode.

    Puerperal fever: Pyrogenium (Pyr.) or nosode.

    Scarlet fever: Belladonna (Bell.) or nosode.

    Small pox: Malandrinum (Maland.) or nosode.

    Tetanus: Tetanus toxinum (Tetan.) or Cicuta virosa (Cic.) Hypericum perforatum (Hyper.) or Magnesium phosphoricum (Mag-p.).

    Typhus: Rhus toxicodendron (Rhus-t.) or Baptisia tinctoria (Bapt.) or nosode.

    Tuberculosis: Drosera rotundifolia (Dros.) or nosode.

    Typhoid: Baptisia tinctoria (Bapt.) or nosode.

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    Yellow fever: Crotalus horridus (Crot-h.) or Carbo vegetabilis (Carb-v.) or Arsenicum album (Ars.) or nosode.

    Dosage Guidelines

    Remedies can be used in any potency from 6C to 200C; good results are dependent on getting the remedy right more than using a certain potency.

    If none of the above potencies are on hand, dose with whatever is available knowing that homeopathy has an excellent safety record with non-addictive and non-toxic remedies.

    How often a dose of the chosen remedy should be given will depend on the intensity of the person’s symptoms and how quickly they respond. Initial doses may be needed as often as every 5 minutes or at intervals of several hours. To find out more about dosing, read: How Often Should I Take a Dose of My Remedy.

    Other Articles

    To read the articles that precede and follow this one, click on the links below.

    Part 1: First Response Homeopathy: Remedies to Use in a Disaster (Disaster Strikes)

    Part 3: First Response Homeopathy: Remedies to Use in a Disaster (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder & Disaster Kit Remedies)

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