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LIVING & TRAVEL
by Steve Taormina August 22, 1996 Second in a series
Read about the history and principle of homeopathy in the first article in this series:
RESOURCES:
Homeopathic Educational Services
Bastyr University
Homeopathy Home Page
Limited Infinity Health
Health World
Usenet: misc.health.alternative |
I hope you never have to use any of the remedies below. I mean, I hope that each time you go camping you have a perfect, no misfortune, no bumbles, nothing but smiles trip. On the other hand, it would be great if you got to use homeopathy in nature, where it all begins. Homeopathic remedies are made from minute amounts of plant, mineral or animal substances. The plant used in the remedy is often the same plant that causes symptoms specific to that remedy. For instance, Coffea -- the homeopathic remedy made from tiny amounts of unroasted coffee beans -- is used for insomnia when there's great mental activity. Below are descriptions of remedies you might take with you camping, and the symptoms which indicate them. Homeopathic remedies come in many forms, including: sub-lingual pellets and drops; salves; ointments; and liquid preparations. Ask for help at your local natural foods store. Naturopathic doctors can "prescribe" remedies, but they are really just suggestions, as the remedies are non-prescription. (See the Resources to find a local naturopathic doctor.) Homeopathic remedies are becoming available in pharmacies as well, and big supermarkets tend to have 24-hour pharmacies. A bottle of pellets costs around $5-7 and lasts a long time. ACHES Bryonia alba (white bryonia): Bryonia is indicated if you're aching all over and it hurts even to move. Rhus toxicodendron (poison ivy): For when you feel OK going to sleep, but when you get up, you're stiff as a board (like after sleeping on the damp, hard ground all night).
ALLERGIES Allium cepa (onion): For allergy symptoms, specifically acrid, watery discharge from the nose along with a profuse but nonirritating discharge from the eyes, plus bunches of sneezes. Euphrasia (eyebright): For allergies when there's irritating or burning discharge from the eyes with nonirritating discharge from the nose (opposite of Allium cepa). Sabadilla (cevadilla seed): For allergies when you sneeze almost constantly and have a sense of nasal obstruction with itching of the nose and palate. BURNS/SUNBURN Cantharis (Spanish fly): For burns and sunburns, especially second and third degree. Causticum (potassium hydrate): For bad sunburn or second degree burns (blister develops in the burn site). Urtica urens (stinging nettle, large size): For first degree burns, helps reduce pain and speed healing. CUTS Calendula (marigold): The best remedy for minor cuts and scrapes. A salve or ointment made with calendula is handy and may also include comfrey and propolis for broader healing effects. Note: Calendula is for clean, shallow cuts. It speeds healing, so should not be used on deep wounds (it will close the wound too quickly). Hypericum perfoliatum (St. John's wort): For infected or deep cuts. It's used when there's damage to the nerves, eyes, fingertips or toes. External application with an ointment is useful for deeper cuts. Belladonna (deadly nightshade): For wounds that become infected. Belladonna is often used when the onset of complaints is sudden and severe. DIARRHEA Arsenicum album (arsenic trioxide): For diarrhea that may be caused by food poisoning. Stools are smelly and watery. Podophyllium (may apple): This diarrhea may alternate with other symptoms such as a headache or constipation. There is much rumbling and gurgling in the abdomen. Stools are usually painless and profuse. Veratrum album (white hellebore): For involuntary, copious, frequent stools. Hands and feet are cold, and the person may be extremely hungry. Note: Diarrhea when you're camping could possibly be caused by water-born bacteria such as giardia, which has no homeopathic remedy. Be sure to filter your water to guard against these bacteria. INSECT BITES Apis mellifica (honey bee): For insect bites when the skin is swollen and stretched tight like a blister, and the pain is eased with ice. Hypericum perfoliatum (St. John's wort): For bites or stings that cause shooting pains. Ledum palustre (marsh tea): For itching bites or stings, e.g. mosquitoes, bees, wasps and spiders. Also effective for puncture wounds from animals (e.g. rats). POISON IVY Anacardium (marking nut) Urtica urens (stinging nettle, large size) STRAINS/SPRAINS Arnica montana (leopard's bane): Tried-and-true remedy for strains and sprains or discomfort from overexertion. Helps keep down tissue swelling. Caution: Do not apply arnica gel to open wounds, as this may increase bleeding. Ruta graveolens (rue): If you've had shin splints, you know the pain. Ruta is indicated for shin splints. Also good for overstretching injuries or when a muscle, ligament or tendon is involved. Ruta is more specifically used when there's discomfort in the small joints or periosteal tissue (such as shin splints). Symphytum (comfrey): Useful when you've injured your eye or a bone. Indicated for pain from a fracture.
Thursday, August 29: Allergies
Steve Taormina is managing editor for Delicious! Magazine and Web editor for HealthCraze.com. This information is not medical advice. © 1996 Tripod, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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