Positive Health Online

The holiday season brings a sense of anticipation, excitement and concern that accommodation arrangements will live up to their expectations, that the journey to and from the destination will run smoothly and that it will be free from any stomach or other upsets. For this article I have chosen a selection of ten homeopathic remedies that can be purchased from local health stores or homeopathic pharmacies such as Ainsworths or Helios that you can add to your first aid kit to help you overcome any little incidents that you may encounter during the holidays.

When selecting a remedy try not to handle the tablet and take two tablets for adults and one for a child. The remedy can be repeated every two hours in an acute situation for up to six doses, and then reduced to tablet twice a day until the symptoms subside. Homeopathic remedies are not known to interfere with any prescribed medication but it is always wise to consult your GP if in doubt or when symptoms continue.

Aconitum Napellus

To help calm someone who is anxious, restless, frightened of flying and with a strong sense of fear or panic. It can be given when the first stages of inflammation are present such as a soreness of the throat, headaches or ear pains that may come on after the person has been sitting in an air-conditioned room or plane, getting chilled after sitting in the sun or exposed to cold, dry winds. Symptoms tend to come on suddenly.

Apis Mellifica

To alleviate the pain and swelling associated with insect bites, stings or burns where the skin takes on a rosy pink discolouration. The throat feels constricted and sore and with a feeling that a fishbone is lodged in the throat with stabbing type pains. The person may not feel at all thirsty or they may crave milk. Their symptoms are worse for heat and they feel better when they are in the open air. Emotionally they can show signs of jealousy or be tearful and indifferent.

Arnica Montana

Even people with very little knowledge of homeopathy may have heard of this remedy and how it can be used to alleviate the pain and discomfort associated with bruises, shock and trauma. After the event can say “there is nothing wrong with me” even though they are in a state of shock.

Arsenicum Album

This remedy can be used to help someone who is feel very anxious and fearful of being alone. They dislike disorder or confusion and can appear a little selfish. The nasal discharge from a cold or hay fever symptoms is thin and watery and excoriates the skin on the upper lip. A remedy that is useful to have on hand in case of traveller’s diarrhoea and sickness from spoiled food. Symptoms are worse between midnight and 2am and during this time their anxiety is heightened and they can become more restless.

Belladonna

Headaches with throbbing and shooting pains that are worse for light and noise. The throat feels constricted and inflamed and the pains are worse for swallowing liquids and felt more on the right hand side. The face can look red and flushed. It is also useful for symptoms of congestion as in earaches. During sleep their limbs tend to jerk and it has been used to reduce the symptoms of fever or the effects of too much sun.

Cocculus Indica

A very useful remedy for people who suffer with headaches, nausea or sickness brought on by travel, motion. They tend to have a metallic taste in the mouth. It can also help when you feel out of sorts from loss of sleep.

Gelsemium

For ailments brought on by anticipation or excitement where there is the need to keep running to the bathroom and there is a sensation of butterflies in the tummy. It helps to alleviate flu-like symptoms where the person feels drowsy and dizzy and feels chills running up and down the spine. Where fright or motional upset results in diarrhoea this remedy can help and it is very useful when taken before an event such as public speaking, exam nerves, driving tests etc.

Ledum Palustre

Such a useful remedy to have in the first aid kit for insect bites where the area affected feels cold. Compare this to Apis Mellifica where the sting is hot and swollen with stinging pains.

Nux Vomica

This remedy can be given to reduce the ill effects of too much to eat or drink, the bowels become sluggish and there is a continual urge to pass a motion. The person can feel irritable, fault finding and spiteful in their manner. It is useful for people who have a tendency to be workaholics, desire coffee and cigarettes and find it difficult to relax.

Rhus Toxicodendron

This can be used when muscles ache from overuse or have been strained and for injuries where the pains are tearing, shooting or stitching. Stiffness is relieved by gentle motion.

Also useful when the eyes feel strained after working too long at the computer.

As a professional homeopath I would not suggest to anyone that they stop taking any prescribed medication, this must only be done with the support of a medically qualified doctor.

References

Murphy, Robin ND. Nature’s Materia Medica 3^rd Edition. 2006.

Murphy, Robin ND. Homeopathic Clinical Repertory, 3^rd Edition. 2005.