“Tracy's "acute" remedies have been especially invaluable to help our whole family through dental treatment and various injuries requiring trips to A&E.” — Claire
In first aid situations, the aim is to minimise the effects of any injury, to relieve pain and distress and to ask for medical help as soon as possible. Homeopathy can be a safe and effective addition to your own first aid knowledge in many situations.
First Aid courses and books are available from The British Red Cross and St John's Ambulance. The remedies given below are to be given in addition to any first aid procedures that may be necessary.
How to Give Remedies in First Aid Situations
Remedies are normally given under the tongue, and allowed to dissolve. However, they can also be added to a glass or bottle of water and sipped frequently. In a first aid situation, the remedy can be given repeatedly or until symptoms subside. Bach Flower Rescue Remedy or Australian Bush Emergency Essence can be given in the mouth, in water, or on pulse points to calm an anxious or shocked child. They are also good to give for panic and shock in bystanders or attendants.
Bumps, Bruises and Shock
The single most useful remedy in any first aid situation is Arnica as it relieves pain and shock. Arnica 30c is the number one remedy that everyone should have in the house, car, handbag, and bike pannier or in a desk drawer at work. It is great for any kind of accident.
Arnica can be taken as soon as possible, and repeated as needed; it alleviates shock, helps to stop bleeding, promotes the healing of soft tissue and is antiseptic. It is also good to take in any situation when the muscles are feeling achy and sore, maybe after overdoing it at the gym or in the garden. It also reduces swelling, heals bruises and starts to mend fractures and sprains.
Aconite is a good remedy to give when there is fear with any accident. Bryonia can be alternated with Arnica if any movement causes pain.
Stings and Bites
The best remedy for bee and wasp stings is Apis. It reduces heat, swelling, redness and stinging pain.
It is also good for jellyfish stings and mosquito bites where there is a lot of swelling. If the child is frightened and distressed, give Aconite first. For dog or other animal bites give Ledum alternated with Hypericum. Urtica Urens is for nettle stings.
Burns and Scalds
Give Cantharis every 5 minutes. If the child is very shocked, give Arnica too. For burns that continue to sting give Urtica Urens every half an hour. For chemical burns give Causticum every 5 minutes. Add a couple of drops of Hypercal tincture to lukewarm water for pouring over burns.
Poisoning
If your child swallows some pills (pharmaceutical) give Nux Vomica every 5 minutes along with any other first aid procedure. Contact with a plant that causes skin irritation give Rhus Tox or Urtica Urens.
Wounds
Arnica cream or gel is great for applying to a bruise, but not if the skin is broken or sore. Add a few drops of Hypercal tincture to any water that you wash wounds with to prevent sepis and promote healing. Give Ledum for puncture wounds. Give Calendula and Hypericum for deeper cuts to promote rapid healing and prevent sepsis.
If you have even the slightest doubt about the ability of homeopathy to prevent and cure infection, there is an amazing article, and photographic evidence entitled 'The Hand Man' at sheaf.org.uk.