Encyclopedia of Homeopathy

FIRST AID• 271to immobilize the affected part to preventfurther damage and blood loss. Bandage anarm against the chest or one leg to the other,for example. Pad out the bandages aboveand below the fracture so that clothes andblankets do not exert pressure on it. If thefracture is open, apply padding to each sideof the bone, then cover the whole area with asterile dressing. Apply pressure to thepadding to help slow the bleeding. Call theemergency services or take the victim tohospital if the injury affects the upper limb.Arnica 30c every 10 minutes until the shock ofinjury wears off, then every 8 hours up to 4days. Symphytum 6c taken subsequently every8 hours up to 3 weeks will promote healing ofthe bone.ChokingThe airway may be obstructed by food, thetongue, vomit, or a foreign object, causingcoughing, crying, and breathing difficulties.Check the mouth and remove any obviousobstruction. Encourage the victim to cough.If the victim cannot cough, breathe, or speak,stand behind him and wrap your armsaround his waist, under his breastbone. Makea fist with one hand and hold it in your otherhand, Pull sharply upward and inward fivetimes. Repeat the slaps and pulls three timesand then call 911. If the victim stopsbreathing, be prepared to docardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).Aconite 30c every 10 minutes until the shockof this traumatic event wears off.DrowningThe priorities for a victim of drowning are tocall 911 and then start basic life support (seeAssessing serious conditions, opposite).Electric shockIf someone has suffered an electric shock, turnoff the circuit breaker or use a broom handleor dry clothing to separate the victim from thepower source. Keep them away from water,which conducts electricity. Call 911 and startbasic life support (see Assessing seriousconditions, opposite). Look for any wounds.Lay a conscious person on their back, raise thelegs slightly, and tilt the head to one side withthe chin up. Place an unconscious victim in asafe position (see opposite), and cover them.Aconite 30c every minute up to 10 doses ifthe victim is fearful or restless. If they areyawning, desperate for air, or turning blue,Carbo veg. 30c every minute up to 10 doses.Many homeopathic pharmacies sell basichomeopathic first-aid kits containingbetween 12 and 18 remedies. Theserepresent a good start, but check thecontents before buying one to ensure that itincludes the remedies that you need (seebelow). You may be able to exchange someremedies for others. For acute first-aidcomplaints, you will need remedies with a30c potency; for less acute ailments, 6cpotency. (Pregnant women should not takeApis of lower potency than 30c.)STORING A FIRST-AID KITAll first-aid items should be kept together,preferably in a sturdy box, and stored in acool, dry place. Kept like this, homeopathicremedies will retain their strength foryears. Every adult member of a householdshould know where the first-aid kit is kept,and have easy access to it, and it shouldalways be placed well beyond the reach ofyoung children.BASIC REMEDIESThese remedies for common minor injuriesand illnesses make a good start-upselection, which can be added to gradually.Dosages are suitable for adults, children,and babies.• Aconite 30c• Rhus tox. 6c• Apis 30c• Ruta 6c• Arnica 6c, 30c • Silica 6c• Bryonia 30c • Symphytum 6c• Cantharis 6c, 30c • Urtica urens 6c• Carbo veg. 30c• Euphrasia 6c• Hypericum 30c• Ledum 6c• Nux vomica 6c• Phosphorus 6cMOTHER TINCTURESTinctures are used in solution for cleaningaround wounds—usually 10 drops oftincture to 1¼ quarts (liters) cooled, boiledwater. Euphrasia in a saline solution—1 tspsalt to ¾ cup cooled, boiled water—is usedfor bathing eyes.• Arnica• Calendula• Euphrasia• HypericumASSEMBLING A FIRST-AID KITADMINISTERING REMEDIESHomeopathic remedies can be given in thesame way to babies, children, and adults.Placed under the tongue, tablets or pilulesdissolve quickly. For babies and smallchildren, however, remedies made up ongranules or powder may be preferable. Theydissolve almost instantly and cannot bespat out. Alternatively, pilules can becrushed between two spoons.The basic homeopathic remediesare easy and safe to take if a personis incapacitated by anxiety, fear, orrestlessness, and creams, ointments,and solutions are both soothing and nonabrasivewhen applied to open wounds.Homeopathic products can be used inconjunction with those of other medicinaltherapies, such as herbal tinctures andcreams. Aloe vera, for example, is verygood for sunburn, while Bach FlowerRemedies can be used to treat anxiety,fear, or restlessness.CREAMS & OINTMENTSHomeopathic creams and ointmentsprotect against infection, soothe pain,and promote healing. Creams areabsorbed more quickly and are lessgreasy than ointments. Arnica shouldnot be applied to broken skin; only sterilecreams and ointments should be appliedto skin that is broken.• Arnica cream• Calendula cream• Calendula ointment• Hypericum ointment• Urtica ointmentBASIC EQUIPMENTA first-aid kit should include a varietyof sizes and shapes of bandagesand adhesive dressings, dressingssuch as sterile pads and gauze,sterile eye pads, scissors, tweezers,and safety pins.• Sterile gauze and pads• Crepe roller bandage• Butterfly strips• Triangular bandage• Adhesive dressings• Scissors and tweezers• Safety pins