Homoeopathy for first aid

A Homoeopathic First Aid Kit can be used to speed healing following an accident or at the onset of an acute illness. Timely use of remedies can prevent or minimise traumatic, expensive visits to the doctor and the need for costly drugs with their sometimes unpleasant side effects. It is important to realise that homoeopathic first aid is not a substitute for calling a doctor or ambulance. In an emergency, call an ambulance before giving the remedy – hopefully you won’t need it, but it's there if you do. Some remedies found in the typical first aid kit are:

Arnica
Arnica grows on the high alpine mountain slopes and tradition has it that people discovered its healing qualities after animals would find it and eat it after an injury. It is our most important remedy in any trauma ranging from bruising, over-exertion and sprain, to severe injuries from shocking accidents. It reduces swelling after knocks and falls, helps or prevents muscle strain, reduces soft tissue swelling around fractures, hastens recovery from concussion and from any kind of shock – physical, mental or emotional.

Aconite
Aconite or monkshood is a deadly plant that has been used for centuries as a poison. Homoeopathic aconite is used for any condition that hits suddenly and is accompanied by terror and an intense fear of death. The aconite patient experiences restlessness, anxiety, thirst and violent symptoms. It is used to treat croup, violent pain, panic disorders, shock, heart attack, and the early phases of many acute illnesses such as fever, flu, tonsillitis, ear infections etc. Aconite symptoms can be triggered by exposure to a cold dry wind and are usually worse at midnight.

Belladonna
Belladonna or Deadly Nightshade grows on roadsides and in woods throughout Europe and has traditionally been used medicinally and as a hallucinogenic in spite of its poisonous qualities. Homoeopathic belladonna is used in the acute stages of inflammation – for high fevers, infection, childhood illness, febrile convulsions, appendicitis, mastitis, tonsillitis, sunburn, headaches etc. The belladonna patient experiences intense heat, redness, flushed face, throbbing, and can’t bear to move or be jarred. They are aggravated by exposure to excessive sun or heat, or by noise or bright lights. Belladonna complaints come on suddenly and symptoms are always intense and violent, often accompanied by fever or hallucinations.

Apis
Apis comes from the honeybee, and if you’ve ever seen a bee sting, you’ll know the keynote symptoms of Apis. Homoeopathically prepared, it is used to treat heat, redness, swelling, stinging, burning and later, itching. Apis is invaluable in allergic reactions - anaphylactic reactions where the whole body swells in response to an allergen and in localised reactions including hives and rashes. Apis conditions include bites and stings, conjunctivitis, pharyngitis, cystitis, and minor burns where the patient is worse for heat in any form and better for cold applications and cold drinks.