Accidents and Injuries

Homoeopathy offers excellent remedies for the treatment of accidents and injuries which occur in everyday life. In acute traumatic situations the remedies may need to be repeated often until the crisis has resolved. The healing process is accelerated markedly by the prompt use of the indicated remedy regardless of whether the injury requires medical attention.

In severe injuries it is wise to continue the remedies for several days after the symptoms have reduced to ensure adequate healing. Extra Echinacea, Tissue Salts such as Silica and Calcium Fluoride and Vitamins A,C,E and Zinc support the healing process.

Abrasions and lacerations: Calendula tincture or cream applied topically promotes healthy granulation of tissue and rapid healing. Hypericum – reduces pain and addresses nerve damage, use often for sharp shooting pain. Staphysagria 30c – deep cuts and incised wounds. Hepar Sulph – acts as an antiseptic for local inflammation.

Bites and stings: Ledum – mosquito bites, white or purple, puffy and cold. Apis – bee or wasp stings, red, rosy, shiny and swelling. Hypericum – shooting pains. Bites on fingers and toes. Carbolic Acid 30c for allergic reactions.

Blisters: Calendula or Hypericum - as a cream, oil lotion or dilute tincture is excellent for healing blisters. It promotes rapid healing and prevents infection.

Bruises: First remedy Arnica and a cold pack. Also Arnica cream or oil applied externally providing there is no broken skin. Bellis – bruises to the breast. Hamamelis – bruises of varicose veins. Hypericum ­ – parts rich in nerves eg. Fingers and toes. Ruta Grav – bruises of bones and tendons.

Broken bones: The following remedies are especially helpful to support calcium metabolism, reduce pain and assist repair of the fractured bone. Arnica repeat regularly, as a general treatment. Rhus Tox and Bryonia – alternate 2 hourly to relieve pain. Ruta Grav – severe contusion. Hypericum – nerve damage. Symphytum – twice daily, to speed healing and for prickly pains on healing. Euphatorium – aching, throbbing pain in the bones. Ruta Grav and Rhus Tox – 4 hourly for non-union despite good management.

Burns and scalds: Cantharis – for simple burns, scalds, sunburn. Aconite­ – where there is acute pain and shock and/or Urtica Urens. Also Hypericum, Urtica, Aloe Vera or  Homoeopathic Burn Cream externally. Rescue Remedy internally or externally.

Concussion: Medical attention must be sought unless the recovery is rapid and complete. Arnica is the immediate first aid remedy. Nat Sulph should be considered for the remaining effects of concussion and to prevent oedema and memory loss, this situation may be best assessed by your Homoeopath as several remedies could be indicated. Rescue Remedy also assists with the initial shock.

Crushed fingers and toes: Hypericum has a selective action on injured nerve fibres and is complimented with Arnica. Repeat the Hypericum often for pain. Also use Rescue Remedy and Hyperica cream.

Eye injuries: Aconite – initially for injuries, it is often called “the Arnica of the eye”. Arnica – inflammation from injuries, black eye. Silica – inflammation persists after removal of foreign body. Symphytum and Hypericum as necessary for pain. Ledum – to resolve bruising.

Fright and shock: Rescue Remedy – needs repeating often after trauma or shock until the patient becomes calm. Aconite – after fright, with agitation, restlessness and fear of death. Arnica – after mental strain, shock, physical trauma. Ignatia – hysteria, loss of control, insomnia after grief or disappointed love. Seek help if these remedies do not alleviate the problem quickly.

Puncture wounds: Ledum – 3 times daily for three days or longer to prevent sepsis. Hypericum – if Ledum is unavailable or for long shooting pains. Also use Ledum cream or diluted tincture locally.

Sports medicine: Arnica – is the first medicine to think of and promotes rapid resolution of damage. Bellis Perennis – muscle injury, haematoma with sprains. Ledum – to dissolve blood collected at sprain sites. Rhus Tox – strained, sprained stiff muscles, with pain on initial movement, better from continuous movement. Ammon Mur – strained hamstrings. Ruta Grav – tennis elbow, strains to ligaments and tendons and injuries to the bone covering (periosteum). Mag Phos – cramps in calves and soles. Silica – small bone chips. Bryonia - fractured ribs.

Surgery: When accidents result in the need for surgical intervention remember that Homoeopathics are ideally suited to assist repair of the physical damage and residual emotional shock.