CHAPTER 2: FIRST AID

from ‘Basic Homeopathic Therapeutics’ by Karen Johnson

ARNICA
This is almost always the first remedy to administer for the general effects of an injury. It helps the person maintain their strength, promotes healing, and helps overcome shock. It is indicated for: Bruising, swelling. Injury to head and neck, so can be useful for treating black eyes and after face surgery, falls, car accidents. Shock of any sort e.g., an accident, visit to the dentist (also immediate treatment of shock of burns, follow with Cantharis, Urtica or Causticum). Overexertion of muscles, it relieves pain, swelling, stiffness and speeds healing. Useful for sprains and strains. Jet lag (take a dose of 30c or 200c every 3-4hrs of flying time plus 2 doses after arrival). The most characteristic symptom is that the patient insists they are all right and does not want the injury touched. The affected part feels very sore and tender. Headache with possible concussion. Better lying down (but complains bed feels hard!) or with head low.

APIS MEL.
For puncture or penetrating wounds e.g., stings and bites, or allergic reactions that present as hot, reddish, or purplish stinging sometimes itchy swellings that pit under pressure. Pains in joints with burning and swelling with pale bluish puffiness. Localised inflammation. Patient can be restless, anxious, or very confused. Worse from pressure, heat, but the symptoms are relieved by cold applications.

ARISTOLOCHIA
A great remedy for friction blisters. Relieves pain, reduces fluid, and promotes healing of affected area.

BELLADONNA
Inflammation with burning, throbbing and lots of heat. Useful if cuts get infected. Sudden onset. Sun headaches with severe throbbing, sensitivity to noise, light, touch and jarring. Symptoms after head has been exposed to cold or wet.

BELLIS PERENNIS
Very useful for muscle trauma after surgery especially pelvic, abdominal or breast areas particularly if the lymph glands remain swollen afterwards. Patient complains of bruised and sore sensations. They will want cold applications to area, but they will feel worse if they actually are cold.

BRYONIA
Good for severe tearing or stitching pains in fibrous tissues. Worse for any or slight motion. Patient is angry, irritable, very thirsty. Inflammation of tissues that comes on slowly. Joints are red and swollen. Pins and needles in feet.

CALENDULA
In potency can prevent infection, promote granulation of tissue, and minimise formation of scar tissue. In topical form it can be used to clean a wound and can promote granulation in some wounds. Also, may be useful in reducing risk of infection.

CARBO VEG.
Useful in situations where the patient has collapsed and looks deathly. Faint, weak, cold to touch although feels hot inside. They look blue in colour and want to be fanned or have lots of fresh air. Weak pulse and rapid breathing. Also useful in gastric problems with lots of flatulence, bloating and burning in the stomach.

CUPRUM
Useful for cramps in the thighs, calves, and soles. Jerking and twitching of muscles in extremities. Knotting of muscles.

CANTHARIS
Useful in the treatment of burns where there is rapid intense inflammation and stinging or burning pains. (See Cystitis.) (Causticum is also to be considered for the ill effects of burns.)

GLONOIN
A good sunstroke remedy. Waves of pounding, pulsating headaches as a result of too much Sun. Pulsating in neck, throbbing veins visible in the temples. Pain is worse putting the head back (opposite Belladonna). Also sensitive to motion. Often feel dizzy and may complain of vertigo. Patient is drowsy and may want to pass urine frequently. Better for fresh air and elevating head.

HYPERICUM
Especially indicated for injuries in areas rich in nerves, notably the spine and fingers, tongue e.g., crush injuries. Also indicated for puncture wounds or any wound that has shooting pains extending upwards. It can be alternated with Arnica in extremely painful injuries. (See Dentistry.)

LEDUM
Indicated for black eyes, penetrating puncture wounds e.g., dog bites; one of the major remedies for insect bites or stings or severe bruising that feels cold, looks purplish or bluish and is improved by bathing in cold water. There can also be redness, swelling, throbbing that feels cold to the touch and is better for ice cold applications.

PHOSPHORUS
Nose bleeds or other haemorrhages that are profuse and bright red. Generally worse touch, better open air.

RHUS TOX.
Indicated for muscle, ligament or tendon injuries and strains due to overexertion. It may be needed after Arnica to complete the recovery. The guiding symptoms are: Stiffness worse on resting and first motion, but better for gentle continued motion. Better for warmth and rubbing or hot bathing. Can be hot painful swelling of joints, soreness and aching, numbness, or prickling pains in limbs.

RUTA
This remedy has an affinity for tendons and the periosteum (covering of the bones). It is almost specific for Tennis elbow or Housemaid’s Knee. Consider Ruta if the tendons are involved but there is not a Rhus tox. picture or in situations such as these where Rhus tox. has failed. Tendons feel sore, pain is felt deep in the long bones and can persist for many months after the injury. Weakness of legs, knees give way, ankles can be swollen. Symptoms are better for warmth, motion and rubbing, but over exertion and especially going up and down steps aggravates. Useful in fractures where bone is near the surface of the skin e.g., shin.

SYMPHYTUM
This remedy is usually prescribed for breaks or fractures as it helps promote rapid knitting of the bones. The sequence of remedies is usually Arnica for several doses in the first 24hrs, then Symphytum AFTER the bone has been set as it acts very quickly. (Sometimes Eupatorium perf. can be given, this is most indicated if the main symptom is pain, but also helps minimise swelling and shock.) If the bone has been pinned or a plate inserted, care should be taken if Symphytum is given as the bone may heal so rapidly that it grows over the metal and complicate its removal. It can be very useful if the fracture is slow to mend and for fractures that are painful even after they have healed.