For many, the idyllic summer on the Northern Beaches of Sydney is all about sunshine, saltwater, and backyard cricket — the reality can be insect bites, sunburn, and dodgy prawns left in the sun. Add in the festive frenzy and the occasional allergy ambush, and it’s clear: this season comes with a bit of bite.

But that’s where a quiet little ally comes in, that can help take the edge off the chaos – your homeopathy first aid kit. Here’s how a few well-chosen remedies might just make the difference for acute first aid situations.

Sun burn remedies

Calendula can be used for rashes, wounds, burns, abrasions, eczema, cold sores. The first point taught about this remedy is that it’s from the daisy plant family Asteraceae so therefore it’s automatically known to be good for wounds. But not just any wound, it is for a person who has a reaction that seems to be overly sensitive or painful compared to the extent of the injury of the wound.

Arnica is usually the first remedy we think of for wounds and injuries because the initial shock, bruising, swelling, and soreness respond so well to it (or even just after a challenging session at the gym or in the garden). After injury, take Arnica every three or four hours throughout the day for 1 to 2 days. You should switch to another appropriate remedy once the swelling has subsided. (You should not use Arnica in an ointment if there are open cuts.) 

Heat Stroke

Overexposure to sun and lack of fluids can lead to symptoms of dizziness, exhaustion, headaches, cramping muscles, nausea, and vomiting. Belladonna can be considered for extreme situations. Especially if there is a headache, and dilated pupils.

Australia is experiencing hotter, longer and more frequent heat waves and that heat can be especially dangerous for kids and older people. The Climate Council has developed a guide with great tips to stay cool this summer, including:

• Keeping your home cooler and caring for pets in extreme heat
• How to spot heat-illness warning signs

Hay fever and homeopathy support

A four year study at the Centre for Integrated Medicine in Pitigliano, Italy, used a homeopathic protocol to treat 430 outpatients from 2011-2014. Outpatients were treated with both individual remedies and therapeutic complex remedies. At the first follow-up, after 2 months of treatment, 75% of patients with seasonal respiratory allergies showed a high level of improvement, with many patients experiencing complete resolution of their symptoms. These improvements were maintained throughout the 2 year follow-up period. 45% of patients with seasonal respiratory allergies showed similar levels of sustained improvement in their symptoms.

The therapeutic remedies most frequently used were: Arsenicum, Allium cepa, Euphrasia off., and Nux vomica. The individualised remedies prescribed according to the characteristics of the patient were most commonly: Lycopodium 30c, Arsenicum 30c, Silica 30c, and Pulsatilla 30c.

Insect bites and stings

The Harbord Homeopathic Clinic sells Itch Goes Bites and Stings roll-on, which is made by a homeopath in Australia. It’s for all ages and even our much loved pets. Itching, blisters, welts, heat, swelling, inflammation and scaly skin are common after our many varied insects who bite and sting. Mosquitoes, sand flies, march flies, leeches, ants, ticks, wasps, bees and mozzies being just a few. Itch goes is a roll-on homeopathic topical remedy, which should soothe and comfort.

Also Apis can be used for the sudden onset of symptoms after exposure to animal stings or an allergen. Especially if there is a swelling, wide-eyed appearance, and a sense of fear with restlessness.

Overcoming Jetlag

Travelling overseas and wanting to hit the ground running or returning back to work after an overseas holiday can be troublesome when jetlag strikes. Here are some homeopathy jetlag remedies that can help:

Arnica – taken 3 days before the flight 

Nux vomica to support the feeling of being oversensitive to noise and irritable

The Natural Medicine Guide For Travel & Home is a very useful book to have on hand

You can also try Jet Ease, a homeopathy remedy combination, which comes in a 32-tablet strip packet – sold at Harbord Homeopathic Clinic.

Food poisoning

Christmas often comes with a fully stocked fridge mixing cooked and raw ingredients, food left in the sun whilst continuing to nibble, or poorly sanitised water sources internationally.  If you experience a bout of food poisoning, its important to keep fluids up and stay hydrated.

Arsenicum can be taken for simple food poisoning. Especially when nausea is increased at the smell of food.

Nux vomica is especially used for cramping and violent vomiting, or simply that feeling that it was good at the time, but now your body is telling you that you’ve over indulged. 

Navigating Emotions During the Festive Season

The festive season can stir up a complex mix of emotions. It’s often associated with joy, celebration, and gratitude, but can also be a time when stress, anxiety, and even sadness can surface. These emotional ups and downs can be shaped by many factors – financial pressures, jam packed social calendars, family dynamics, or personal grief. It’s not uncommon to feel both happy and overwhelmed at the same time. Recognising these feelings is an important step in supporting your emotional well-being during this time of year.

Supporting your emotions can require a constitutional consultation and the practitioner will peel back the layers of personal history and behavioural patterns, however here are some acute go to’s for in the moment:

• Aconite: sudden onset panic attacks and a general state of shock, with a shortness of breath. This feeling may also revert back to a previous traumatic incident, even from a long time ago. 
• Arsenicum: this remedy is for very restless anxiety around safety and health, leading to being quite controlling.
• Calc-carb: for when preferring to stay home with a normal routine. Anything new creates anxiety. 
• Kali-phos: this is a homeopathic mineral remedy which the body needs when the nervous system has been under extreme stress and feels exhausted. Oversensitive, overwhelmed, overtired and feeling close to breaking down.  This is an important remedy to combine with other acute remedies for anxiety, you can see this one as a homeopathic supplement for the nerves. It can be used as a tissue salt.
• Lycopodium: for support at times of feeling weak in confidence, indecisive and inadequate – despite an external expression of bravery.
• Pulsatilla: To support that feeling of clingyness and not wanting to be alone. 

The right constitutional remedy, chosen for you as an individual by a practitioner, can help bring greater balance, boost your energy, and support your overall well-being on many levels. If you’d like to explore which remedy might be most supportive for you, consider visiting your homeopath for a personalised, constitutional consultation.

From Harbord Homeopathic Clinic

Wishing you a restful holiday season, filled with peace and happiness.​

Please note: Some wounds need more than home care.  If any of the  following occur, please seek further advice:

• Any infected wound or debris that you can’t remove.
• Large or jagged edges and will not stay closed (may require stitches).
• Resulted from a bite or an injury with a dirty or rusty object.
• Keeps bleeding, even after applying pressure.
• Helpful hint – you can use Arnica in the car on the way to medical help.