Band-aids, Neosporin, Tylenol, heating pad, etc. are the items you’ll find in a first aid kit. Well, if you have children, you’re going need a lot more than that!
This is where homeopathy comes into the picture.
As a Naturopathic Doctor, I consider homeopathy to be the best home remedy modality for acute (as opposed to chronic) situations, particularly with children. Homeopathic remedies can be found at most healthfood stores, they are inexpensive, and those tiny sweet pellets are extremely easy to administer to a child of any age, even newborns as they dissolve easily on the tongue.
So why aren’t these remedies in every home’s first aid kit? The reason is because most parents are intimidated by the plethora of different remedies out there so they don’t know where to start.
My goal in this article is to list the most important homeopathic remedies to have in your home first aid kit at all times to deal with acute situations and even more importantly, when to appropriately use them.
Before I begin identifying specific remedies you really need in your home first aid kit, a word on dosage: The ‘30C’ that you see next to many of these remedies below is what we call the potency, or strength of the remedy. 30C is known to be the most appropriate potency for self-limiting conditions, as opposed to chronic ones.
Dosing of the holistic first aid remedies listed below is usually 2-5 pellets, 2-4 times per day depending on the severity. The great news is that you can’t overdose.
Which holistic first aid remedy to choose? Being able to determine which is the right remedy for your child is like learning how to ride a bike. As your children get sick you will understand more on how they present when they’re sick and you’ll be much more efficient with selecting the right remedy.
The good news is, again, there is no overdosing and these holistic first aid remedies are not dangerous in any way.
* Print this list (mouse over the orange “share” button at the top of the article) and tuck it into your first aid kit with the remedies you choose to stock below so you have the descriptions of which remedies to use for what situations when you need it.
First Aid Kit Essential Remedies
Ferrum Phos 6X (Cell Salts)
I call this the “nip it in the butt” remedy because it is taken the moment you notice symptoms that indicate that you may be coming down with something. You take two tablets twice a day.
Once you’re sick then you really need to find the remedy that matches the symptoms.
Arnica 30C (source)
As my Homeopathy professor always said during Naturopathic medical school: “Emergency rooms should have bath tubs full of this remedy!”
If you’re going to only have one remedy in the house, then this is the one it is going to have to be. Use for any type of blunt trauma to the body, bruising, falls, after a surgical procedure (i.e. pulled molars), bumped head, finger stuck in closet or door, etc.
I’ve seen miracles with this remedy in my own children after accidents where the aftermath should have been way worse, but because we had Arnica handy the swelling and bruising was extremely minimal.
Phosphorus 30C (source)
Best used for respiratory conditions, such as asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, tightness in the chest, dry lingering coughs, and deep coughs. The child may seem well even when sick. Matches children who are very sociable, love performing, and love meeting new people.
Arsenicum 30C (source)
The nose is running like a faucet and the skin around the nostrils is raw from the acrid discharge. Extremely fatigued.
Gelsemium 30C (source)
So drained that you feel like you’ve been “run over by a truck.” Can barely open your eyes. Running a fever with chills. Excellent acute anxiety remedy for children nervous about going to the doctor, nervous about a big test, etc.
I personally took this remedy before taking my Naturopathic medical board exams.
Rhus Tox 30C (source)
This is the arthritis remedy. Specifically indicated for stiff joints that tend to get better with movement. Can also be used for sprained ankles, poison ivy, and even cold sores. Helps with coughs that give a tickle in the throat.
Nux Vomica 30C (source)
I call this the GI (Gastrointestinal Tract) remedy. Used for anything from heartburn to hemorrhoids. Can also be used for diarrhea or constipation. Best indicated for the typical stomach flu presentation. Well know for ameliorating hangovers.
Aconite 30C (source)
This is for the child who is running around outside in the cold and a wind comes and gives them a chill. They wake up in the middle of the night with strong flu symptoms. Also can help for any type of sudden fright, like being shaken up from almost getting in a car accident.
Pulsatilla 30C (source)
This is the universal childhood remedy. Great for tummy aches, headaches, and infections. They might have a mild fever, but not thirsty. Typical presentation is a child that is very clingy, a little teary, very sweet, wants to sit on lap or be held, and is easily consoled.
Kali Bich 30C (source)
Thick and sticky mucus that cannot get out of the nose or throat.
Apis 30C (source)
The bee sting remedy. Back of throat and uvula is all swollen, and looks like it is full of water. Desires ice cold drinks. Great for any type of water retention (like pre-menstrual swelling of fingers and can’t get ring on).
Lachesis 30C (source)
A left-sided remedy. Purplish discoloration to face and affected areas, usually do to circulation issues. Can’t stand anything around the neck. Gets worse from hot drinks.
Lycopodium 30C (source)
This is a right-sided remedy. Desires warm drinks. Feels like there is a lump in the throat.
Mercurius 30C (source)
Drooling a lot. Sweat and breath smells bad. Sheets are drenched with sweat.
Kali Mur 6X (tissue salt)
Helps resorb ear fluids during an active ear infection.
Belladona 30C (source)
Fevers with a fast onset. Come on strong. Bright red face.
Chamomilla 30C (source)
The impossible kid. Usually when they’re teething or have a sore throat.
Now you’re ready to upgrade your first aid kit to include plenty of homeopathic remedies – holistic, safe, and effective!
Additional Information
Awesome!!!
Wonderful list, thank you for sharing. If you’re worried about some ingredients, please do research on the homeopathic principle first. It’s perfectly safe if instructions are followed – just like (or rather: even more so than) every other OTC/prescription medication out there.
Thanks for this posting!
Before following this list, I would suggest you get very knowledgeable about these products, proper application, benefits, and most importantly, dangers. Self medicating without proper education can be dangerous and deadly. Especially as one poster pointed out, Belladonna…
One could do a whole lot more damage by going to any pharmacy and taking OTC drugs! I have never seen a case of nor known anyone that was harmed by remedies. At worst it has cost people money because they used the wrong remedy or “killed” it by exposing it to conflicting electrical charges, ie phone masts, computers. Belladonna is my son’s constitutional remedy. Thuja saved my dog from a lifetime of seizures. How do you explain how energy medicine causes harm when yet so many people subject themselves to dangerous EMF almost constantly with phones and computers?
did you read the whole article. gee I’m even deathly allergic to bees yet I would not hasted to take apis for what ever. for a bee sting I would take apis 200c ever 5 min as i went to the scary H just incase. if Im fine when I get to the scary H then I would go home . as its not around the corner,I would know I was fine by then.
One could do a lot of damage by randomly taking any supplement or medication w/o understanding its mechanism of action and its potential side effects. This list is nice, but there is nowhere near enough info about how the supplements work to warrant taking them based on the odd, disjointed statements near the products in the list. Arnica works great overall, but I need more info on the rest. Links to detailed medical info, side effects, etc, would be great (vs just providing links to purchase the items)
Precisely Christine.
These are not supplements. These are medicinal. You can’t go wrong. If you take the wrong thing nothing happens. If you take the right remedy you’ll notice a difference as soon as 10 minutes after taking it. No side effects for any homeopathy remedies at all. You can always read more if you google homeopathy.
Yes, you can go wrong and side effects can happen.
I’ll give you 2 examples from my own experience: two months ago I was in pain (PMS) and I took Mag Phos 6x. Guess what… the pain didn’t go away (in fact, it got worse) and I felt something weird inside my right ear for weeks…! I felt as though I had water or wet cotton inside and I couldn’t hear well. It was such an unpleasant feeling. I told about this experience in a group devoted to natural cures and someone said to have felt exactly the same thing as me… only time made that go away (in the meantime I learnt a magic way of making that pain go away instantly by using reflexology).
Another example: I was coming down with a bad cold. I took 1 dose of Nat Mur 9CH. The cold went away instantly, it was amazing! My inner confidence sky rocketed in a way that I never experienced before – I was really stunned! However, I started feeling something weird on my right foot the following day… I saw that I had small fluid and blood-filled blisters (vesicles) on my finger. It was really unpleasant. Again, time made that go away.
I am a huge fan of Homeopathy but I know one has to be careful when dealing with it.
I was told that Belladonna should be carefully used in families where glaucoma exists.
Belladonna might make narrow angle glaucoma worse.
I have heard of a healing crisis where new symptoms appeared as an ailment ‘matured’, but never where a condition was made worse by homeopathy. By straight herbs, yes, but not homeopathy.
I’d like to read whatever source your found that made this connection.
Actually I found that by accident, when I read a doctor’s advice about Belladonna in a natural cures’ group. I thought that was strange as I had the idea that Homeopathy could not cause any harm. Well, I made some research about Belladonna and glaucoma and the doctor was correct:
“Belladonna (Atropa belladonna L. or its variety acuminata Royle ex Lindl)
(…)
Side Effects and Warnings
In smaller doses, belladonna is traditionally thought to be safe, but may cause frequent side effects such as dilated pupils, blushing of the skin, dry mouth, rapid heartbeat, confusion, nervousness, and hallucinations. Based on animal study, belladonna alkaloids may inhibit cognitive function and gastrointestinal motility. High doses can cause death.
In children, death can be caused by a small amount of belladonna. Several reports of accidental belladonna overdose and death are reported. Belladonna overdose can also occur when it is applied to the skin. Belladonna overdose is highly dangerous and should be treated by qualified medical professionals. Because belladonna can slow the movement of food and drugs through the stomach and gut, the side effects may go on long after the belladonna is swallowed.
Belladonna may cause redness of the skin, flushing, dry skin, sun sensitivity, hives, and allergic rashes, even at dilute concentrations. A very serious, potentially life-threatening rash called Stevens-Johnson syndrome has been reported. Other side effects reported are headache, hyperactivity, nervousness, dizziness, lightheadedness, drowsiness or sedation, unsteady walking, confusion, slurred speech, exaggerated reflexes, or convulsions. The eyes may be sensitive to light and vision may be blurry. If pieces of belladonna are put into the eye, the pupils may be dilated permanently.
Cases report hyperventilation, coma with the loss of breathing, and severe high blood pressure. Others report abdominal fullness, difficult urination, decreased perspiration, slow release of breast milk while nursing, muscle cramps or spasms, and tremors. Belladonna should be avoided in those with difficulty passing urine, enlarged prostate, kidney stones, dry mouth, Sjögren syndrome, dry eyes, or glaucoma. Belladonna should be used cautiously with a fever. People with myasthenia gravis (a disorder of nerves and muscles) or Down’s syndrome may be especially sensitive to belladonna.
Older adults and children should avoid belladonna, as there are many reports of serious effects in these age groups. Belladonna should not be combined with prescribed anticholinergic agents. People with heart disease, who have had a heart attack, fluid in the lungs, high blood pressure, or abnormal heart rhythms, should avoid belladonna. Because belladonna can affect the activity of the stomach and intestines, people who have had ulcers, reflux, hiatal hernia, obstruction of the bowel, poor movement of the intestines, constipation, colitis, or an ileostomy or colostomy after surgery should avoid belladonna.”
You can read these words and more warnings about Belladonna here: http://www.thehealthylifestylestore.com/ns/DisplayMonograph.asp?DocID=bottomline-belladonna&storeID=007E4E1E1A5044B081EA9B1BB60D2D5A
I am not a doctor nor an expert, only a huge fan of Homeopathy and natural cures. I have been reading and researching about Homeopathy (and using it cautiously for my family and I) for over 7 years now.
My little experience says that one should be wise and use Homeopathy or any other supplement / tea / natural remedy with responsibility and care.
Are you sure those studies were using homeopathic Belladonna? That link combines all sorts of Belladonna info, including the herb straight [“A traditional dose of belladonna leaf powder is 50 to 100 milligrams taken by mouth . . . “] and trademarked products using Belladonna’s active ingredients [“Bellergal® (40 milligrams phenobarbital, 0.6 milligrams ergotamine tartrate, 0.2 milligrams levorotatory alkaloids of belladonna)”]. Some of the sources in the bibliography seem to be researching belladonna extracts/active ingredients or the whole herb, as opposed to the homeopathic preparation, so it’s unclear if the dangerous aspects of Belladonna are preserved in the homeopathic remedy . . .
Are you implying that the glaucoma is an inherited ailment and that the whole family avoid belladonna “just in case”?
Yes, that is one of the reasons. I am playing safe.
Besides, there are other remedies for fevers – tissue salt ferr phos comes to mind.
You can read other reasons on the post I wrote up there too.
just built my first aid kit thanks
printing this for wallet and bulletin board! awesome, Thank you. homeopathic has been a lifesaver for parenting.
Jenifer Jones helpful info.. Idk how these work w essential oils? Can use together?
There are views that certain essential oils have the ability to cancel out the remedy. I do not hold by that.
some essential oils ie. eucalyptus, peppermint, are very strong and I have been advised to not expose my remedies to oils that have these strong essences. Of course, one could separate by hours the application of them, remedies first so as to avoid the essence. When I use tea tree oil on my feet, I cover the feet with shoes and sox and wait an hour before taking remedies. I don’t notice a conflict.
Becareful with Belladonna
why?
You cant overdose on them, including belladonna, so you dont need to be overly cautious.
I think you can OD on belladonna that’s why teething tablets are under scrutiny. It is a traditional pain reliever, but it is toxic in large amounts. Google it.
Great resource. Thanks for posting!