REMEDIES YOU MUST HAVE IN YOUR MEDICINE CABINET
I often suggest acquiring and keeping an acute or emergency homeopathic remedy kit, if you have committed to using this wonderful modality for the daily or occasional scrapes of life, and especially to every parent with young children in my practice. Comes in handy at any time, at home or during travel including when those ails hit in the middle of the night. But, if you don’t want to invest in a kit, here are some guidelines for remedies that can feature in your natural medicine cabinet. The remedies, if stored properly in a cool, dark place away from heat, direct sunlight, and strong EMFs, will last forever.
ARNICA – The #1 “accident-remedy” for bruises, bumps and bleeding. Take immediately after injury or surgery. You will be amazed how quickly you heal! Also helps jet lag.
ACONITE – The “fright remedy” relieves states of shock and panic. Also used for colds or flu that come on suddenly after exposure to cold wind.
IGNATIA – The “grief remedy” soothes those suffering loss (e.g. death, divorce, relocation), especially if they sigh frequently.
NUX VOMICA – The “hangover remedy” for overindulgence in food or drink with irritability. Helps most acute digestive distress.
CHAMOMILLA – The “teething remedy” helps sick kids who are angry, demanding, inconsolable, and want to be carried. Soothes teething, colic, earaches.
REMEDIES THAT FIT MANY COLD AND FLU CASES
The most important consideration is recognizing the differences between cold and flu symptoms.
Cold: It’s all in the nose – A cold will often begin 1 to 5 days after being exposed to a virus or bacteria. Symptoms will mainly stay in the nose giving runny, stuffy nose, and sneezing symptoms. Some colds will bring on a fever.
Flu: You are sick all over – A flu will begin abruptly with hardly any notice. Generally, a high fever will be the first sign following a flushed face, body aches and lack of energy. After a few days, symptoms may travel down the respiratory system creating sore throats, coughs and bronchitis.
FERRUM PHOS – Usually given at early onset because there are no clear keynotes for any other remedy. They maybe better with touch and cold application. They feel worse when lying on right side.
BELLADONNA – Most people will present with a sudden, high fever, and a red face. Cold hands and feet with a very hot head, dry skin, and sensitivity to light and sound. Bad dreams, night terrors may also be present.
ACONITE – This is usually the first remedy given when a cold or flu is noted ( or when wanting to help prevent one). Especially if the person is fearful. Similar to Belladonna, the symptoms will come on rapidly with a high fever but usually due to exposure to cold, dry wind. They are very restless and have heavy throbbing head pain.
BRYONIA – The patient has a slow developing fever that creeps up over a few days. They also do not want to be touched due to body aches and feel worse with moving. They will crave cold drinks. Because of the above, they may be quite irritable! A good flu remedy.
GELSEMIUM – The flu will come on slowly especially after a change in the weather ( cold to warm or vice versa). There will be no thirst and the body will feel heavy – eyelids to limbs and weak. A fever will accompany moments of cold shiver running up and down their back.
CELL SALTS TO HAVE IN YOUR MEDICINE CABINET
Biochemic cell salts, also called tissue salts, stimulate the body’s natural healing mechanisms to satisfy mineral imbalances. These are great compliments to regular homeopathic remedies, especially if you are having a hard time figuring out the best matching remedy.
CALC PHOS 6x – General tonic. Ideal for teething, sore throats, general restlessness.
FERRUM PHOS 6x – Ideal for fevers and congestions, head colds, and first stages of a minor injury.
KALI MUR 6x – Ideal for colds, sore throats, runny nose. Take along with Calc Phos and Ferrum Phos to help the body adjust during a season change such as Spring, and Fall.
SILICEA 6x – Homeopathic lancet. Ideal for splinters and skin eruptions; brittle hair and nails.
BIOCHEMIC PHOSPHATES – A combination of all five phosphates, it can be used for relief of symptoms of nervousness, irritability and occasional sleeplessness. Also, great to use during convalescence after a flu or a long lasting acute illness.
Side Note: It is best to go to the ER or consult your primary care physician in case of an accident or injury or if you suspect any of these acute illnesses, for everyone but especially, for children under the age of 2.