Homeopathy First-Aid Kit

Homeopathy is a complex therapeutic science, yet becomes amazingly straight forward, quick and relatively easy to use in acute situations. To give you some understanding, a very brief history of homeopathy would be interesting at this point. Greeks were the first to recognize the principle that "like cures like," yet it was not until the beginning of the nineteenth century, with the German practitioner Dr. Hahneman, that homeopathy was more fully developed. Dr. Hahneman was trained in the conventional medical art of his time, but found the limits of this science to be very frustrating. By studying pharmacopoeias, the books listing the healing effects of the medicines used in his day, he rediscovered the old Greek medical rule of "like cures like," which set him on the path of elaborating homeopathy into what we know today.

How does it work?

The principle of "Like cures Like" is at the core of the homeopathic approach; it matches the whole medical picture of the patient to the picture of a remedy. Let's look at a dog, for example, …who has an allergic reaction and his body 's response is to develop a swollen face, puffy eyes, discomfort (rubs his face on the carpet) and restlessness. These are similar symptoms to being bitten by a bee. We would then use the remedy Apis, which is derived from bee venom, and likely see the little dog improve within a few minutes.

What are the remedies?

The remedies are minerals, plants, or venoms known for their effects on the body and mind. They are then diluted in a very precise manner and shaken vigorously to "potentize" them. Potentize is the word used by homeopaths that describes the action of making available the healing effects of the remedies through dilutions and the vigorous shaking. The best potencies for use in an emergency are 6C and 30C.

How are the remedies administered?

Homeopathic remedies usually come as pellets, but also come in an alcohol based liquid form. Typically only 1-2 pellets or drops are necessary per treatment. A homeopathic remedy can be administered directly into the mouth- if using pellet form, you can crush them between two stainless steel spoons into a fine powder, or simply allow them to dissolve under the tongue or in distilled water. It is important not to touch a homeopathic remedy with your fingers or to mix to mix it in with food, as they are absorbed by the mucous membranes.

Classical homeopathy teaches us that remedies should not be repeated often. The repetition of the remedy depends on the severity of the disease process. The more active or virulent the situation, the more frequently the remedy must be repeated. If a symptom, such as vomiting, is very acute, one can repeat the remedy every 30 minutes until there is relief for the patient. Once the symptom subsides, it is important to wait until it comes back before you repeat the remedy again. This last point is very important to the classical homeopath, because if the dose is repeated too quickly, it can provoke a collapse of the patient. If your animal is not responding to the first homeopathic dose, wait six hours (if the animal's life is not threatened) before reassessing the case and change then change the remedy; all the while thoroughly collecting the symptoms exhibited by your pet.

Suggestions for Remedies for your First-Aid Box:

Aconite: At the beginning of an acute illness, with sudden onset. Best when you know your pet has been exposed to a virus and, although is not sick yet, he or she is feeling subdued. Also effects of fear, shock, fright.
Arnica: Bruises, shock, contusions, injuries, fear of being touched. Typical "hit by car" or overexertion that leaves the body sore.
Arsenicum: Nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, intense abdominal pain, stools smell is putrid, restless.
Apis: Insect bite.
Belladonna: Violent onsets, restlessness, dry mouth, large eyes and pupils, heat stroke.
Bryonia: Stitching pain, worse with motion, better with rest, irritability when disturbed.
Carbo vegetalis: Faint, weak, cold, blue color of the mucosa, collapse.
Causticum: Second degree burns.
Glonoine: Aggravation from heat, worse after exposure to sun, sunstroke.
Hypericum: Injuries to the toes, fingers, cuts or puncture wounds, soreness, shooting pain.
Ledum: Swollen, painful toes, bleeding under skin or nail, black toes, black eye, or puncture wound(s).
Nux vomica: Gastro-intestinal disturbances: cramps, vomiting or diarrhea, patient is irritable.
Phosphorus: Small wound oozing bright red blood for a prolonged period of time.
Rhus Toxicodendrom: Sprains and strains, restless due to pain. Improves with motion (like arthritic pain). Silicea: Abscess, situations where there is purulent infection.
Calendula tincture: Wound care, used as an antiseptic. Dissolve 10 drops of tincture in 1 cup of lukewarm water, used to clean the wound.
Calendula ointment/gel: Used to dress wounds and to prevent infection.

This article is not intended to replace proper medical assistance, but to provide basic information on homeopathy to first aider's in the hope they would find it useful in an emergency situation. Whenever the situation is outstanding, it can give you a chance to improve the survival rate of your pet on the way to a veterinary hospital.

Recommended reading: Homeopathy of First Aid by Dorothy Sheperd