As with orthodox medicine there are many remedies that you can use on a first aid / self help basis to treat accidents and injuries i.e. shock, bruising, sprains, strains as well as coughs, colds, flu, sore throats, childhood and acute infections i.e. diarrhoea and vomiting. 

Acute conditions are those that are classified as being of short duration and will resolve fairly quickly. If you have a chronic i.e. long lasting complaint or an acute condition which does not resolve within a given time you should seek professional help from either a qualified homeopathic or medical practitioner. 

As with “over the counter” medical preparations homeopathic self help remedies should not be used to try and treat chronic, long lasting or ongoing ailments. Always seek professional help.

| Shock | Bruising | Sprains & Strains | Coughs | Colds | Flu |

Why use homoeopathic remedies?

Some examples of homeopathic self help remedies are given below.

Arnica Use after physical trauma (e.g. falls, bruising, fractures), operations and dental extraction. Particularly good if the person says they are well when it is perfectly obvious they are not. Person will not want to be touched or have you touch the affected area.

Ignatia Use after a mental or emotional shock or after particularly bad news where the person is in a state of shock and disbelief. There may be denial of what has happened and they may say “I don’t believe it” or “I don’t believe what has just happened”. It is the number remedy for bereavement and loss.

Aconite After a shock where the person is very frightened. Can be useful after trauma where the person is almost hysterical e.g. they may have a small cut and profess that they are going to die from the blood loss. Also useful where the person remains fearful especially after car accidents.

Arnica Best first aid remedy. Always use arnica immediately after any injury or trauma to the body e.g. bruising, blows, head injury, surgery, fractures, strains and sprains. Patients will complain of feeling sore and bruised and will not want you to touch the affected part. Reduce swelling Prevent or promote bruising Control pain Deal with the shock of the trauma As pills taken systemically or as a topical cream. Must never be applied to broken skin.

Ledum Useful if arnica seems to fail. Good remedy for black eyes and injuries from a blow to the eye. Wounds are better from cold compresses. Works well with men after vasectomy.

Bellis perennis Bruising in injuries to deeper tissues especially after hysterectomy and injuries to the breast. Patients will complain of intense muscular soreness.

Symphytum Bruising and pain resulting from a blow to the eyeball itself. Useful after arnica has reduced swelling but bruising and pain persist.

Hypericum Useful for injuries where nerve endings are involved e.g. crushed toes and fingers. Will accelerate the rate of nerve repair.

Rhus tox The “creaking gate”. After over exertion when muscles feel stiff and achy. Better for warmth, the pains feel worse from starting to move or from cold and damp weather. Once moving the pains feel better but get worse again if overused. Muscles, joints, tendon sheaths and ligaments can be affected.  Systemically or applied topically as a cream.

Ruta Grav Affinity to the covering of bone, inflammation of tendon sheaths, strains of ligaments and cartilage. Overstrain of the wrist and ankle joints. Repetitive strain injuries, carpal tunnel problems, tennis elbow.

Strontium carb Useful for old injuries to joints which cannot be used without pain. The joint is weak and stiff and better for warmth. Worse for starting to move, cold, touch and rubbing.

Aconite Sudden onset with high temperature. Dry, croupy coughs especially after midnight. Irritation of respiratory tract with runny nose and sneezing. Patient may complain of constriction and burning and tickling sensations. Condition may be brought on by exposure to cold, dry wind. Cough worse for eating, drinking, talking and becoming over heated. Feels better lying on the back.

Drosera Spasmodic, dry, irritating cough that can sound like whooping cough. Bouts of coughing follow each other rapidly and can result in retching. Barking like a dog. Tickling sensations in the throat can bring on the cough. Worse for talking, laughing and drinking. Especially worse for lying down at night.

Rumex Cough caused by incessant tickling in the throat and trachea (wind pipe). Lots of mucous discharges from the nose as well as coughing up lots of phlegm. Cough brought on from change of air i.e. warm to cold or cold to warm. Worse from talking, exposure to cold air and at night.

Aconite Sudden onset after exposure to dry, cold winds or from getting chilled. Can also be as a result of shock or trauma. Aconite given in the very early stages of a cold can reduce symptoms. Much sneezing with bursting, throbbing headache. Mucous membranes feel dry. Very thirsty for cold drinks.

Belladonna Like Aconite, belladonna also has sudden onset. Very high temperature but patient can feel chilled. Face looks red and flushed. Mucous membranes are dry but the patient is not thirsty. May only have thirst for lemonade. Head is throbbing and feels congested. Eyes are sensitive to light and patient may ask for curtains to be drawn. May be the result of getting chilled especially if the head was wet.

Nux Vomica Nose is stuffed up at night but runny in the day. Bouts of sneezing can alternate with blocked up nose or the blocked nose may alternate sides. Eyes are watery and the throat feels raw and rough. Can experience pain in the upper teeth with blocked nose. Craves and feels better for hot drinks. Generally feels chilly.

Gelsemium Slow onset with aching and heavy limbs. Shivering with chills running up and down the spine. Alternating hot and cold. Bursting headache and burning sore throat. Generally thirstless. Feels better for passing urine.

Bryonia Fever but feels chilly. Aches all over and the headache is worse for any movement. Hot and dry to the touch. Mucous membranes feel dry and there is great thirst for large quantities. Very irritable. Desires to be left alone in silence.

Nux Vomica Dry heat externally but chilly internally. Feels cold, even in bed. The least movement or exposure (even slightest movement of bedclothes) intensifies the cold. Worse for eating and drinking. Stomach may be upset.