How to Use Homeopathic Remedies

Because homeopathy is an energy medicine, it can be used safely with infants and children, the elderly, and even pets.

Many minor and self-limiting acute problems can be treated safely at home with a basic first-aid kit. However, for more serious long-term ailments, or if you feel out of your depth and really worried - especially if young children or old people are ill - seek help from your own homeopath or other medical practitioner. (2)

Basic remedies can be used safely in small doses by anyone looking for a way to relieve common ailments with little chance of an energetic reaction. Homeopathy does not have side effects because it is not a physical medicine - no physical material is present in the remedy - only an energetic signature. However, the body can have an energetic response to the energetic signature of the material the remedy is made from.

Occasionally a patient may exhibit some minor symptoms, such as a cough, runny nose or mild fever for 12-48 hours after a treatment. This is not a side effect, but rather the body adapting to the energetic imprint of the remedy. (3)

“The Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States (HPUS) defines the exact standards, tests and guidelines for each remedy.” (4) Decimal dilutions, X potencies, are diluted on a scale of 1:10. Centesimal dilution, C potencies, 1:100. (4) (5) The number in front of the letter represents how many times a remedy has been diluted and succussed at that specific ratio. So Arnica 30X is the arnica mother tincture, diluted by a ratio of 1:10, 30 times. The more dilute the remedy, the more potent it is. C remedies are more potent than X remedies, and higher numbers are more potent than lower numbers.

Less is more in homeopathy. Start with a lower potency, and move to a higher potency if needed for symptom relief. Taking a lower potency remedy is like casting a net over many symptoms. Using a higher potency is like catching one fish using your fishing pole - targeted and deep acting energetic healing. (4)

The 6th and 30th potencies are the most useful for home use in either X or C dilution ratios. “As a rough rule of thumb, use a 6 three or four times a day, or a 30 once or twice daily until symptoms improve.” (2) A dose is considered one or two pellets, and can be given at 15 minute intervals for acute conditions until the symptoms start to improve. When symptoms improve, remedies should be stopped. (2). The energy will continue to work with the body to heal itself.

What Remedies to Use

Homeopathic remedies are inexpensive and can be purchased through almost any source including drug stores, grocery stores and online retail markets. Hylands and Borion are two popular homeopathic pharmacies, and both produce easily accessible remedies for common first aid and health treatment. Most remedies cost less than $10 US for a bottle of 100+ tablets.

According to Robin Hayfield, a practicing homeopath and a graduate of the College of Homeopathy in London, your homeopathic first-aid kit should include (2):

• Arnica Cream - for bruises
• Calendula Cream - for cuts and sores
• Bach's Rescue Remedy Tincture - for major emergencies, shock, and emotional turmoil
• Echinacea Tincture - for the immune system

Plus these bottles of pills:

• Aconite - for fevers, coughs and colds
• Apis - for bites and stings
• Arnica - for bruising or shock following accidents
• Arsenicum - for digestive upsets, food poisoning
• Belladonna - for high fever, headache
• Bryonia - for dry coughs and fevers
• Chamomilla - for teething, colic
• Ferrum Phos - for colds and flu, anemia
• Gelsemium - for flu and anxiety
• Hepar Sulph - for sore throats, infected wounds
• Hypericum - for injuries
• Ignatia - for grief and emotional upsets
• Ledum - for puncture wounds, bites and stings
• Lycopodium - for anxiety, digestive problems
• Mercurius - for sepsis
• Nux Vomica - for hangovers, nausea, indigestion
• Phosphorus - for digestive problems, nosebleeds
• Pulsatilla - for ear infections, fevers, eye problems
• Rhus Tox - for sprains and strains, rashes
• Ruta - for injuries to tendons and bones

Notice how many of these remedies could potentially be used to treat the same discomfort or illness. This is where a good reference book or materia medica is very useful. For best results, it is important to try to find the best-match remedy using the whole symptom picture of the whole person, matched to the whole symptom picture of the remedy. Pre-made homeopathic first aid kits can be purchased, along with simple books about homeopathy. Concise materia medicas (see Part 1) can also be used for at-home symptom-matching and remedy selection for treatment.

The lower potency remedies that can be purchased at your local retailer have basic symptom descriptions printed on the labels along with clear dosage instructions. Truly, much of the guesswork in this modern era of homeopathy is removed, and the fear of side effects and overdose are eliminated. “Never worry about giving the wrong remedy: it will either work or it won’t. If it doesn’t, you will have done no harm.” (2)

Because homeopathy is energy medicine, a few precautions should be taken to maintain the potency of the remedies. Do not eat or drink anything 15 minutes before or after taking a remedy. Avoid strongly flavored or scented materials - including natural ones - for the duration of taking a remedy. Some notable things to avoid are peppermint flavored toothpaste, coffee, and perfumes or cleaning products with a strong scent. Remedies should also be stored in a cool, dry, dark place and away from strong odors. When administering a remedy, do not touch it with your hands. Dispense it into the cap, then tip it into your mouth, or into the mouth of the patient. If a remedy is touched or falls on the ground, do not put it back into the bottle, simply dispose of it. (3)

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