There is a long hedge of a wild rose variety called Rosa Rugosa along the back of my garden. I planted them there a few years ago, chosen because they supposedly have the biggest rose hips of all the roses. I have been collecting the luscious hips each fall since then, but this year I was inspired by a couple of herbalists I admire, namely Elise Krohn, Olympia community herbalist and Kiva Rose, traditional herbalist in the SW, to use other parts of this beautiful plant to make medicine.
Wild roses have been used in herbal medicine for centuries and have a wide range of uses and benefits. Here is a list of some of the major properties of wild rose:
Astringent
Anti-inflammatory
Relaxant Nervine
Aphrodisiac
Anti-microbial
Anti-Oxidant
Cooling
Mood elevator
Blood mover
The petals of wild rose are so deliciously aromatic, that I decided to collect them this summer to make several different remedies. The first one I made was a Rose Petal Elixir.
Here’s how I did it:
I gathered petals on a dry mid-morning after the dew had evaporated.
I filled a clean glass jar loosely with the petals.
I then poured vodka over the petals to fill the jar 3/4 of the way.
The next step is to fill the jar the rest of the way with raw local honey, leaving about 1/2 inch of headroom.
At this point I like to cover the top of the jar with a layer of plastic if the lid is metal, otherwise, rose has a tendency to react with it. Put the lid on tight. Let the jar sit in a cool, dark place for 4-6 weeks and shake it often. When it is done, the petals can be strained out (or not).
And that’s it! It’s that easy!
This simple elixir can be used topically for just about any type of wound, burn, rash or bite, as well as for sore muscles. Internally, it can be used in any situation where a calming influence is needed – trauma, mental shock, fear or stress.
Have you used wild rose petals for medicine? What is your favorite way to use them?
1. Let food be thy medicine – Eat whole, real, unprocessed foods. As Micheal Pollan says “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” Eating as much of your foods in their raw, whole, unprocessed, organic state as possible is critical. If you are not able to obtain all your foods in an organic state, be sure at least, to only consume animal foods that are organic. Pesticides, antibiotics and artificial growth hormones bioaccumulate in animal fats, so it is crucial to avoid them.
2. Drink pure water….and lots of it – Since our bodies are made up of over 70% water, it is one of the most important aspects of our health. Did you know that experts believe that 90% of all headaches are caused by dehydration? A good way to keep your body hydrated is this: whenever you feel the least bit thirsty or hungry – drink a glass of water first! Also remember that city tap water contains many substances that are harmful to your body such as chlorine and fluoride. Make sure you either use a good filter or better yet, find a local source of spring water.
3. Breathe – fresh air, outside, in the sun, preferably in a forest, on a beach, or watching the sunset…It’s amazing how easy it is for us humans to forget to breathe. We have become a people who breathe shallowly with bodies deprived of oxygen. Take full, slow, breaths down into the depths of your lungs until you can’t take in any more and then slowly exhale, fully and completely until you feel all the breath gone from your body, Then do it again, and again.
4. Exercise – We all know that exercise is a vital part of health and well-being. Moving our bodies is what allows all the wonderful nutrients that we put into our bodies to circulate and what moves the blood and lymph throughout the body. Bernard Jensen says that “A body can become anemic with the best blood stream in the world if the blood does not circulate fast enough.” In order to live a long life, filled with exhuberent energy you must move your body… and do it often.
5. Sleep – In our fast-paced culture, most of us either do not get enough sleep, or when we do, we do not sleep well enough. One of the biggest blocks we have to getting good sleep is the acknowledgement that we need a good solid 8-9 hours of sleep each night to support our health. We want to believe we can get by on 6 hours a night so we can get back to our multi-tasking rat race. Once we realize how important sleep is to our well-being, we can begin to find ways to support it – breathing exercises, meditation and relaxing baths, are just a few of the many options.
6. Spend time in Nature – Nature, whether it be in the form of a soft furry animal, a sweet smelling flower, or the soothing feel of a summer breeze, has the innate ability to connect with the deepest part of us, that part that comes from nature itself. That fundamental connection is one of the integral elements of well-being. Many of us have lost that connection, and suffer the consequences on a daily basis. But it is easy to reconnect….just open your door and step outside…
7. “Follow your Bliss” – This is one of my favorite quotes, from the late mythologist/theologist Joseph Campbell. In our society, doing what we love is not valued very highly. Instead, we are taught to value what will bring us the most financial wealth and prestige. However, we need to look further at what really makes us happy in life. Doing the things we love on a daily basis, whether it be painting, dancing or skiing is one of the most important things to keep ourselves in a state of vibrant health.
8. Be Present – “…the foundation for greatness is honoring the small things of the present moment instead of pursuing the idea of greatness.” Ekhart Tolle. Living life in the present, instead of constantly reliving the past, or living for the future is essential to our happiness, which in turn is essential to stress reduction, which in turn is essential to health and wellness.
9. Use natural remedies – Our bodies respond to natural remedies very readily and efficiently. Natural remedies, like herbs, homeopathics, healing foods and body work function by working with your body to support the immune system, provide nutrients and detoxify the tissues. Conventional medical intervention has it’s place, but it is usually best used as a last resort.
10. Use your Brain – Never stop learning. We all were born with an innate desire to learn. For many, as we grew up, that desire was taught out of us. Rekindle that desire and make it a goal to learn something new every day!
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With the recent earthquake in Japan, resulting in the instability of several nuclear reactors, many people have been asking what they can do to protect themselves from radiation exposure or poisoning, or what they can do to naturally detoxify their system if they are exposed. The following is a compilation of the research I have been able to find on ways to naturally and safely prevent and/or detoxify your body from radiation exposure/poisoning. I will start out by listing the various protocols that have been shown to be effective, then I will expand on the details. .
1. Diet consisting mainly of brown rice, miso and seaweed
2. Other additions to the diet
· Spirulina, chlorella and the algaes (kelp, etc.)
· Brassica vegetables and high beta carotene vegetables
· Beans and lentils and other foods high in nucleotide content
· Potassium, magnesium, calcium and mineral rich foods
· cod liver oil and olive oil
· Avoid sugars and sweets and wheat
3. Clay, Sea salt and Baking Soda Baths
4. Homeopathic remedies
5. Schuessler’s Bioplasma
6. Radioprotective Herbs .
Diet of brown rice, seaweed and miso
At the time of the atomic bombing, Tatsuichiro Akizuki, M.D. was Director of the Department of Internal Medicine at St. Francis’s Hospital in Nagasaki and he fed his staff and patients a strict diet of brown rice, miso and tamari soy soup, wakame, kombu and other seaweed, Hokkaido pumpkin, and sea salt. He also prohibited the consumption of sugar and sweets since they suppress the immune system. ?By imposing this diet on his staff and patients, no one succumbed to radiation poisoning whereas the occupants of hospitals located much further away from the blast incident suffered severe radiation fatalities. Much of this positive result has to do with the fact that the sea vegetables contain substances that bind radioactive particles and escort them out of the body.(Tatsuichiro Akuziki, M.D. Nagasaki 1945, London Quarter books, 1981).
Seaweeds are very high in mineral content. Consuming natural iodine, such as in the seaweeds, helps prevent the uptake of iodine-131, while iron inhibits the absorption of plutonium-238 and plutonium-239. Vitamin B-12 inhibits cobalt-60 uptake. Zinc inhibits zinc-65 uptake and sulfur is preventative for sulfur-35 (a product of nuclear reactors) incorporation by the body.?Sea vegetables can prevent assimilation of different radionuclitides, heavy metals such as cadmium, and other environmental toxins.?“ An experiment conducted by J.F. Stara at the Environmental Protection Agency showed that sodium alginate significantly reduced the amount of radio active strontium in the bones of cats. Stara observed that radio active strontium in the bones is resecreted into the intestines where it is bound by alginate, neutralized then excreted in the stools.”
“There is no family of foods more protective against radiation and environmental pollutants than sea vegetables … sea vegetables can prevent assimilation of different radionuclitides, heavy metals such as cadmium, and other environmental toxins.” Steven Schecter, N.D . Other Additions to the diet
· Spirulina, chlorella and the algaes (kelp, etc.)
· Brassica vegetables and high beta carotene vegetables
· Beans and lentils and other foods high in nucleotide content
· Potassium, magnesium, calcium and mineral rich foods
· Fatty acids, such as cod liver oil and olive oil
· Avoid sugars and sweets and wheat . Spirulina – After the Chernobyl incident in 1986, the Institute of Radiation Medicine in Minsk proved that children experienced enhanced immune systems, T-cell counts and reduced radioactivity on this protocol: 5 grams of spirulina a day for 45 days. Spirulina can be found in most health food stores.
Chlorella – It is one of the most widely studied of the algaes and has been described as having the highest chlorophyll content. Animal studies indicate a chlorophyll rich diet increases the survival of experimental animals after lethal doses of radiation. Studies dating back to the 1950’s, including a US Army study, confirm these findings. According Roy Upton, director of the American Herbal Pharmacopeia, the use of chlorella was first developed by the Japanese as an antidote and treatment against atomic radiation. Chlorella and liquid chlorophyll can also be found in most health food stores.
Brassica vegetables and high beta carotene vegetables – Cancer researchers have found that all the brassica family plants protect your cells from the damaging effects of radiation. Beta-carotene has also been researched and found to have radio-protective effects. A study conducted on over 700 children exposed to the Chernobyl radiation found that diets high in carotenes significantly reduced DNA damage in humans exposed to radiation. Natural beta- carotene protects against the lipid oxidation and acts as a fatty acid antioxidant radio-protector. Brassica vegetables include broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, swedes, turnips, broccoli raab, collards, cress, kale, kohlrabi, mustard, and bok choi. Beta-carotene can be found in concentrated amounts in foods such as sweet potatoes, carrots, kale, spinach, turnip greens, winter squash, collard greens, cilantro, fresh thyme, cantaloupe, romaine lettuce and broccoli.
Beans and lentils – These foods have high nucleotide concentrations. Nucleotides are the building blocks that make up RNA and DNA. Nucleotides also carry out several critical functions needed for cell replication, as well as neutralizing toxins, increasing cellular metabolism, improving the response and efficiency of the immune system, enhancing the effects of antioxidants and increase the body’s ability to heal and repair. Other foods high in nucleotides include spirulina, chlorella, algae, yeast, sardines, liver, anchovies and mackerel.
Potassium, magnesium, calcium and mineral rich foods – Cesium (one of the radioactive elements released from the nuclear reactor) will be treated by the body as if it were potassium, so a potassium deficiency would tend to make one more receptive to radioactive hazards posed by cesium, says Ingrid Naiman. Potassium regulation is affected by magnesium and magnesium and calcium need to be in proper balance. Calcium significantly decreases the amount of Strontium 90 absorbed by bone. Foods high in potassium include apricots, avocado, bananas, cantaloupe, honeydew, kiwi, lima beans, milk, oranges, potatoes, prunes, spinach, tomatoes and winter squash. Greens like spinach and swiss chard, nuts and seeds such as pumpkin, sunflower and sesame, and beans like black and navy, are good sources of dietary magnesium. Most of the foods above also contain calcium, especially the dark green leafy vegetables, along with cheese, fish and yogurt.
Fatty acids, such as cod liver oil and olive oil – Two studies from Spain (Ilbanez and Castellanos) showed that olive oil fully protected rats against increasing doses of damaging X-ray irradiation. Other research has shown that in terms of radiation, mice exposed to large doses of radiation survived 50-100% longer than normal if fed cod liver oil.
Avoid sugars, sweets and wheat – This one probably does not need much explanation, but I will summarize by saying that after radiation exposure, the last thing you want to do is eat foods that have been proven to lower your immune function.
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Sea salt, Baking Soda and Clay Baths
Naturopath and Chiropractor, Dr. Hazel Parcells (Live Better Longer) popularized therapeutic baths for radiation detoxification. Her suggested protocol was:
Dissolve 1 pound of sea salt or rock salt and 1 pound of baking?soda in a hot bath — as hot as can be tolerated — and soak into the?water until the bath becomes cool. This usually takes about 20-25 minutes. Afterwards, do not shower or rinse the salt off your body for 4-8 hours.
One of the keys to this protocol is making sure the water is hot to start out with, and that you stay in it until it cools down. It is the temperature change that helps to draw the toxins out of the body. Dr. Parcells stated that the best time for this type of bathing is at night when the body is naturally geared to detoxification. One bath per day was her recommendation for acute symptoms of radiation poisoning.
The idea behind clay baths is similar. Clay has incredible drawing, absorbing and adsorbing power. (Adsorption characterizes the process by which substances stick to the outside surface of the adsorbent medium. Absorption is a much more slow and involved process than adsorption. Here, the clay acts more like a sponge, drawing substances into its internal structure.)
Raymond Dextreit, the French naturopath who popularized the clay cure in his own country, says that clay “transcends its purely physical properties. Most of the poisons in the body,” Dextreit notes, “are positively charged, whereas clay has a negative electrical attraction. These toxins cannot resist being drawn toward the clay.”
“Russian scientists use bentonite to protect their bodies from radiation when working with nuclear material, by coating their hands and bodies with a hydrated bentonite “magma” before donning radiation suits. Bentonite adsorbs radiation so well, in fact, that it was the choice material used to dump into Cherynobyl after the nuclear meltdown in the former Soviet Union.”
There are many types of clay that can be used in therapeutic baths for detoxification purposes. Bentonite, Calcium Montmorillonite, Jordan clay or French green clay are only a few of them.
Dr. Jensen, N.D., D.C., Ph.D., suggests using bentonite to absorb radiation from the bones. Bentonite is probably the most commonly used of the therapeutic clays, but there are around 200 different kinds of bentonite and many of them have a high aluminum content. I have found Pascalite (calcium bentonite) to be the most highly recommended of the bentonites, partly because of it’s low aluminum content. It is suggested to take clay baths no more often than one time per week.
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Homeopathic remedies
There are many hompathic remedies for acute radiation exposure and sickness – Radium Bromatum, Uranium Nitricum, Plutonium Nitricum, X-Ray – but these are beyond the scope of this article because they need to be chosen on the individual symptoms of each person who may have been in the immediate area and has had definite exposure. In that case, it would be wise to consult with a professional homeopath alongside any other treatment you are receiving. As a side note, Kalium Iodatum (Kali. Iod.) is the homeopathic form of Potassium Iodide. Again, it is not necessary if you are not at genuine risk of exposure, but if you are, it may be an option for you. .
However, there are also several remedies that may help with more general symptoms, especially mental/emotional symptoms, that people around the world may be experiencing at this difficult time. Here are a few: . Aconite napellus (Acon.): Aconite is the remedy for acute mental shock or fright. It is used when the person is agitated, restless, fearful and anxious (or even in a state of terror) and convinced they will die. . Arsenicum (Ars.) : This remedy is for serious anxiety and fear which can deteriorate into panic attacks. There is a fear of disease, particularly cancer, dying and extreme restlessness and irritability. . Ignatia (Ign.): This is one of the most common remedies for grief. Ignatia is used for rapidly changing moods with frequent weeping. The person may display contradictory, unpredictable behavior, involuntary sighing, sentimentality and homesickness. . Schuessler’s Bioplasma
Another form of natural remedies similar to homeopathy are the Schuessler cell salts (sometimes referred to as tissue remedies), invented in 1873 by W.H. Schuessler MD. These are commonly available in health food stores. They contain the dilute form of the minerals that are the building blocks necessary for healthy cell growth and replication. They are basically micro dose cell foods prepared by the homeopathic method. .
Dr. Schuessler found that when cells were deficient in these minerals, an abnormal, unbalanced (diseased) condition was produced, so he developed these homeopathic substances to help the body heal itself. .
All 12 of the biochemic cell salts are included in Schuessler’s Bioplasma. Taking a daily dose of Bioplasma for a week or two in times of great stress, is a good general practice for helping strengthen the body and immune response. .
You can also use any of the individual cell salts separately. One, in particular, is recommended by Homeopath Miranda Castro for consideration if you are concerned about the effects of radiation exposure on the thyroid gland. . Natrum muriaticum (Nat. Mur.): This biochemic cell salt will help protect and strengthen the thyroid and adrenals and can be taken twice daily.
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Radioprotective Herbs
These are herbs and medicinal foods that are either rich sources of chlorophyll and minerals, support detoxification and elimination, support the thyroid gland or neutralize free radicals.
Nettle
Gingko Biloba – while this herb has a history of being radioprotective, it is not appropriate for everyone as it has the ability to thin the blood. Nettles & Alfalfa – nettles has the highest concentration of land plant chlorophyll and is an excellent source of selenium; alfalfa is a very good source of chlorophyll also – and both these herbs are rich in a broad number of minerals. Pine Bark Extract, Green Tea Extract, Grape Seed Extract – increase expression of your glutathione system, which results in both metal detoxification and free radical neutralization. Triphala – studies have found that radiation induced mortality was reduced by 60% in mice fed with triphala. Tumeric – contains curcumin which is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory and may help protect against radiation-induced damage to the skin. Ashwaganda – supports the thyroid and adrenal glands. Ginseng – can decrease side effects of radiation exposure as well as helping the body to adapt to stress to aid in recovery. Siberian Ginseng – can help protect against the side effects of radiation exposure and contains selenium. Reishi – boosts the immune system after radiation exposure Astragalus – supports thyroid functioning. Asparagus – another great source of glutathione, known to assist in the reduction of heavy metals and other toxins from the body, including radiation. Selenium containing foods – like Brazil Nuts, Sunflower Seeds, Fish (such as Halibut and Salmon) , Eggs, Mushrooms (button, crimini, shiitake), Grains (wheat germ, barley, brown rice, oats) and Onions help protect DNA from radiation damage. Sulphur containing foods – such as Fish, Eggs, Beans and Peas, Brussels Sprouts, Onions, Cabbage, Garlic, Wheat Germ have been found to protect the body against radiation. . .
Professional Herbalist, Brigette Mars, has also drawn up a list of radioprotective herbs, some of which are featured here: .
“Aloe vera gel (Aloe vera) has been found to help heal radiation burns more quickly by its content of biogenic stimulators that encourage skin repair.
Burdock root (Arctium lappa) helps to neutralize and remove toxins from the body. During the Industrial Revolution, burdock was recommended as medicine to help people cope with the increased pollution.
Dandelion root (Taraxacum officinale) improves the function of our body’s organs elimination process. Consider how this plant has done a good job for itself adapting to environmental pollutants.
Eleuthero herb (Eleutherococcus senticosus) can help alleviate fatigue, ameliorate symptoms from chemical and radiation exposure and lessen the effects of stress.
Green and black tea leaves (Camellia sinensis) are antioxidant, immune stimulant, and contain radioprotective agents.
Milk thistle seed (Silybum marianum) helps protect the body from chemical exposure, environmental illness and liver damage.
Peppermint leaf (Mentha piperita) can reduce nausea from radiation exposure.
Red clover blossom (Trifolium pratense) improves health in general, helping all the organs of elimination function more optimally.
Yellow dock (Rumex crispus) improves the function of the kidneys, liver, lymphatic system, intestines and skin thus aiding the body’s natural cleansing process.” .
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High pectin foods – like carrots, sunflower seeds and apples have been shown to help keep pollutants from being assimilated.
According to Sayer Ji of GreenMedInfo.com: “Whereas most of the focus has been on Radioiodine 131 which poses an immediate health risk for 16 days, Cesium 137 remains radiotoxic for 60 years and accumulates at the top of the food chain where we (humans) find ourselves precariously perched. Apple pectin was shown after Chernobyl to accelerate clearance of Cesium 137 from the bodies of children, and should be considered for humanitarian aid to the Japanese.”
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It turns out that all of these protocols are common-sense, proactive things that we should all consider doing to support healthy immune functioning, cell regeneration and gentle detoxification on a regular basis. .
I hope this article has been helpful for those wanting natural, proactive and common-sense alternatives to the current crisis. However, I also hope that many of you will also be inspired to incorporate some of these health protocols into your daily, or weekly, routine to improve your general health and well-being, as well as to protect your body from the common everyday sources of radiation in our environment. .
Please post a comment mentioning the ideas you found most useful and which ones you will most likely utilize yourself and within your family.
For many decades now, our society has been a culture that discourages it’s people from taking responsibility for their own health. We are encouraged to enter into paid, contractual relationships with only those medical professionals who have a degree in medicine. We are convinced to think that only those who attend medical school can possibly know how to take care of our health. We are persuaded to believe that everything the doctor tells us is fact, and that if we disagree, it must only be because of our ignorance. We are taught to second guess our own intuition regarding what’s best for our health and that of our children.
This state of health care in industrialized nations like the US is actually quite new. We think of modern medicine as having a long history, but it has only been in the last 100 years that the vast array of drugs, such as antibiotics, anti-depressants, blood pressure medication, etc, that make up the trick of bags of most medical doctors these days, have been available. For hundreds, and even thousands of years before that, people relied on natural healing when they became ill.
In fact, most people had a basic, common knowledge of natural healing and kept and used many medicinal herbs, remedies and healing foods in their homes for those occasions when they might need them, or even for daily use to stay healthy in the first place. This common knowledge of wellness was passed down through the generations and provided the knowledge that most people needed to stay well and healthy. There were those times, of course, when a healer might need to be called in – whether it be a wise woman, medicine man, shaman or homeopath – but the common man and woman not only had a basic sense of how to heal common illnesses, but they were much more in touch with their intuition and innate sense of wellness.
Unfortunately, with the rise of the pharmaceutical industry, the AMA (which go hand in hand, in fact) as well as the processed food industry, much of our intuitive knowledge of healing has been suppressed. We have found ourselves in the position of not knowing how our own bodies work, not knowing how to keep them healthy and not knowing how to heal them.
However, natural healing, no matter how far it has been buried, is still with us, in all cultures, throughout the world. All we need to do is reconnect with our intuition, re-educate ourselves, school ourselves in the natural methods of healing that are available to each one of us. Natural healing is something that we can incorporate into our lives, everyday, every meal, every breath. It is not hard and it is not expensive. We need to re-lean what foods to eat (or in some cases, what food really is and is not!), what plants can heal and how to breath. We need to remember how to move our bodies and how we are all connected.
Modern medicine definitely has it’s place and it can be a life saver in emergency situations. However, the time has come for everyday healing to be placed back into the hands of everyday people. We all need to take responsibility for our own health and trust the innate wisdom inside each of us that knows how to heal our own body, mind and spirit.
Out of the 3,000 or so homeopathic remedies available today, the one single remedy that is undoubtedly the most commonly used and well known among professionals and lay people alike is Arnica.
Arnica is well known for it’s affinity for bruised, swollen tissues and sore muscles. It is often referred to as “the sportsman’s remedy” because of its ability to bring relief to injuries, such as those that occur during sports activities.
Arnica montana
Arnica is almost specific for bruising. The keynotes of this remedy include physical injuries, trauma, strains and sprains. It is a fast acting remedy and the main emphasis of it’s features is physical trauma. It is also used for exhaustion stemming from physical exertion. It is indicated in neck stiffness from sudden movement or exertion, sprains – especially in wrists and ankles, from over-exertion. It is often prescribed topically in cream, gel or ointment form as well as orally, but it should not be applied to broken skin.
Although physical trauma is definitely the main reason arnica is usually prescribed, there are many other indications for its use as well. Arnica is highly indicated in cases of shock (physical or mental) especially when the lower part of the body is cold, but the head and upper part is hot. It is particularly beneficial for surgical shock when given before and after surgery.
It may also be indicated in cases of gout, rheumatism, constipation and indigestion (if it is due to shock). Inflammatory conditions of almost any nature, such as liver, kidney and lung (pneumonia) inflammation may respond to arnica if the whole picture fits. There is almost always a sore, bruised feeling over the whole body. There is often a fear of being touched – when you try to help them, they may pull back and say “I’m fine. I don’t need help”. People needing arnica often have a very sensitive body. The bed always feel too hard for them. Constitutional symptoms may include: those with a nervous, fearful disposition, especially in women; those with red, full faces, those who may have been affected by an injury of may years previous; those susceptible to cerebral congestion and those who dislike travel.
Far from being an acute remedy limited to bruising and swelling, as you can see, Arnica has a multitude of constitutional and chronic uses as well.
* The next Herbal Intensive on NW Medicinal Herbs will be held the weekend of June 2 & 3, 2012 in Mossyrock, WA. For more information please email me at vanessa@herbsofgrace.com.
* The next Herbal Intensive on NW Medicinal Herbs will be held the weekend of October 15 and 16, 2011 in Mossyrock, WA. For more information please email me at vanessa@herbsofgrace.com.
*I will be holding an Herbal Intensive on NW Medicinal Herbs over the weekend of June 4 and 5, 2011 in Mossyrock, WA . For more information please email me at vanessa@herbsofgrace.com.
*I will be giving a lecture on the history and philosophy of Homeopathy at the Roxy Theater in Morton, WA, Thursday, October 14 from 12pm to 1pm. This is part of the Lyceum Lecture Series for Centralia College East.
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*In honor of World Homeopathy Awareness Week, I will be giving a presentation Wednesday, April 14, at 7pm, at the Timberland Salkum Library in Salkum, WA.
A basic homeopathic kit kept in the home, or packed along when traveling, can save lots of time, discomfort and distress when those inevitable or unavoidable acute injuries and illnesses strike. No home should be with out one. There are many wonderful ready made kits available online, but it is sometimes more appropriate to put one together for yourself, since you are the one that knows your family’s susceptibilities the best.
Following are some of the most commonly indicated homeopathic remedies needed in minor acute emergencies and illnesses. Choosing the 6c or 30c potency is usually the best option for laypersons and those potencies are readily available. Dosage, in acute conditions, may be 1 or 2 pellets repeated every 1/2 to 1 hour if necessary, up to 3 doses. Dosage frequency can then be reduced to 3 times a day for a couple of days, if necessary.
Aconite – This remedy is considered the “A” in the ABC of Children’s Remedies. Aconite is indicated at the onset of chills and colds, especially those that begin after exposure to a cold wind. Symptoms can include frequent sneezing, hot clear liquid from the nose, fever and thirst. Aconite is also indicated for mental trauma, fear and shock – ranging from having an argument to witnessing a terrible accident. Irritability, restlessness and anxiety are often present.
Apis – This is a great remedy for stings and bites, especially those of wasps and other insects. It is particularly indicated in bites and stings which burn, itch, sting and swell with redness and heat and feel better with cool applications.
Arnica – One of the most well known homeopathic remedies, Arnica is an excellent first aid treatment for physical trauma of any kind. Falls, bruises, strains, wounds, muscle soreness and swelling yield particularly well to Arnica. It is the first thing I reach for in just about any injury, from mild to severe.
Arsenicum – Arsenicum has many us, one of which is for vomiting and nausea due to food poisoning – particularly from bad meat. It is also an excellent remedy for colds with painful sneezing and thin, watery nasal discharge, where the person is very chilly and thirsty, but only for small sips of water.
Belladonna – This remedy is the “B” in the ABC’s of Children’s Remedies. It is indicated in conditions like fevers and headaches where there is sudden onset, throbbing pains, red, hot skin and dilated pupils. It can also be used for scalds or burns, if there is throbbing present and inflammation is starting.
Bryonia – This remedy is indicated in colds and flus where there is a delayed onset and the person wants to remain completely still because even the least movement makes the symptoms worse. There is a tendency for the condition to spread to the chest with a dry cough that is worse at night. There may also be a great thirst for cold water.
Calendula – Essential for open cuts and wounds, Calendula is an effective antiseptic and speeds healing. Use Calendula topically instead of Arnica on open wounds.
Carbo Veg – This remedy can be used for stomach upsets and food poisoning, especially when the source is bad fish.
Chamomile – Chamomile is the “C” in the ABC’s of Children’s Remedies. One of the symptoms that almost always indicates this remedy is that one cheek is hot and red, while the other is cold and pale. Useful for teething infants, pain and fever, especially in those who are very sensitive to pain. Other symptoms are intense irritability, restlessness, temper tantrums and children who only calm down when carried.
Hepar Sulph – This remedy is indicated when wounds, sores or boil show signs of infections, such as, redness, heat and swelling. Hepar Sulph is a great remedy for abscesses. It is also helpful in colds that have much sneezing and develop thick, yellow, offensive nasal discharge.
Hypericum – This remedy is extremely helpful in wounds and trauma that involve nerve endings, fingers, toes or spine or those injuries that cause intense pain. Things that come to mind are slamming fingers in the door or stubbing the toe.
Ledum – Ledum is the prime remedy to use in puncture wounds. It is also useful for bites and stings that feel cold (opposite of Apis, above).
Nux Vomica – This remedy is indicated in indigestion, nausea and vomiting which results from nervous strain, stress, overwork or overindulgence in food and drink – the hangover remedy. It is also useful in colds where the nose streams in a warm room, but is stuffed up at night. The person is extremely chilly, cannot warm up and is very irritable.
Pulsatilla – Pulsatilla also can be indicated in indigestion, but from rich or fatty foods. However, it is better known for conditions such as earaches, headaches and colds. In all cases there is usually thirstlessnes, amelioration from the open air and aggravation from warm, stuffy rooms.
Rhus Tox – Useful in cases of joint injuries, sprain, muscular stiffness after over-exertion or exposure to cold and wet conditions, Rhus Tox is also a great remedy for poison oak and chicken pox, as well as colds and coughs. Some of the main symptoms indicating this remedy are restlessness, feeling worse from beginning to move, but feeling better after continued motion, feeling worse at night and from uncovering, but better from warmth.
Ruta – Ruta is used when injuries have occurred to the tendons or cartilage, and especially, to the wrists and ankles.
Urtica Urens – This is an excellent remedy for first degree burns as well as sunburn and nettle stings, or other rashes from plant contact.
It wasn’t that long ago when every home had an herbal medicine kit to treat injuries or illnesses that family members might encounter. These days it is not so common and many people feel at a loss when they are faced with a feverish child at 2 am, the beginnings of a respiratory infection, or a finger burned from a kitchen mishap. Not only is it common sense to have an herbal medicine kit at home, but it is inexpensive to put together and quite empowering to realize that you have the ability to heal yourself and your family of just about any acute illness or injury that you may encounter.
Here is a brief summary of some of the items you may want to include in your herbal home medicine kit. They can be purchased ready made, but most of them you can make yourself very easily and inexpensively. A combination of any or all of the herbal items listed below would make a great addition to any home.
Aloe vera – Aloe has been used throughout a long portion of our history in treating and healing burns and other minor skin irritations. The best way to use aloe is directly from the plant itself. Break off a plump piece and slice it open. Apply the clear sap inside directly to the burned or irritated area. It is this sap that has been shown to have pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties.
Elderberry Elixir – This is an essential remedy to have on hand, especially during the cold and flu season. Here is my favorite recipe. Rich in vitamins A, B and C, elderberry supports immune system functioning and is one of the best remedies for viral infections. Useful for colds, flus, respiratory afflictions, fevers and upset stomachs.
Echinacea Tincture – Echinacea is a wonderful immune boosting herb – anti-viral as well as anti-bacterial. Topically useful for stings and bites (it is a Native American snakebite remedy), as well as skin infections, echinacea is a staple for the home medicine kit. Just a few of the various conditions that have historically been treated with echinacea include: poisonous insect and snake bites, toothaches, sore throat, wounds, mumps, smallpox, and measles, upper respiratory infections, the common cold, sinusitis, influenza, herpes, lymphatic swelling and skin ulcers.
Oregon Grape Root Tincture – Oregon grape is an excellent alternative to Goldenseal, which is endangered, and can be used for many of the same ailments, including bacterial diarrhea, bladder infections, sinusitis, intestinal parasites, sore throat/laryngitis, and eye infections. It is also useful in chronic skin affections, such as psoriasis, and supporting the liver. It has anti-viral, anti-bacterial, as well as anti-fungal properties and recent studies have shown it may have anti-cancer properties as well.
Calendula cream or ointment – This is one of the most used items in our home medicine kit. It is the first thing we reach for whenever one of the children has a cut, scratch, scrape or rash. Historically, Calendula has been used in reducing inflammation, promoting wound healing, and as an antiseptic. It has been used to treat a variety of skin diseases including skin ulcerations and eczema.
Plantain/Comfrey/Self-Heal/Chickweed salve – All of these herbs have excellent wound healing properties and one or all of them alone, or in combination with the above mentioned Calendula and St John’s Wort, would make a great salve or ointment for most skin ailments you may encounter.
Essential oils – Essential oils are of great benefit in treating minor ailments at home. If you are unfamiliar with Aromatherapy, or the use of essential oils, please read my article before purchasing and using them. DO NOT use essential oils internally or undiluted or in the eye area. Some of the essential oils I find most useful are: Lavender, Chamomile, Tea Tree, Oregano, and Peppermint. Lavender is very relaxing, calming and can be employed for easing headaches, muscle strain and stress. Chamomile is anti-inflammatory as well as calming and analgesic. iIt is especially well suited for use with children’s complaints, such as colic and teething pain. Tea Tree is a very popular essential oil because of it’s strong antiseptic properties, useful in deep wound cleaning and treating infections. Oregano oil is getting a lot of press lately, mainly because of it’s virtually unmatched germicidal properties. It can be used when dealing with just about any kind of microbial infection. Peppermint is useful for a great many conditions; colds, flus and respiratory illnesses as well as digestive upsets and headaches are just a few of them.
Witch Hazel – This multi-purpose remedy is essential for treating blisters, burns, swelling, inflammation, bleeding, skin injuries, hemorrhoids, varicose veins and eczema. It is astringent and disinfectant as well as hemostatic.
Garlic – I have heard many people say that if they were stranded on a desert island and could have only one medicine with them – it would be garlic! It is a powerful broad spectrum antibiotic and has been used to ward off everything from the common cold to the Plague. Some of the ailments it has been used to treat include wounds, ulcers, skin infections, flu, athlete’s foot, some viruses, strep, worms, respiratory ailments, high blood pressure, blood thinning, cancer of the stomach, colic, colds, kidney problems, bladder problems, and ear aches. Incorporating garlic, especially raw, into your daily diet is a key part of keeping your body healthy and your immune system functioning at optimal levels.
Ginger – Ginger is an excellent anti-inflammatory herb as well as an important digestive remedy. It is useful for a broad range of ailments such as: nausea, motion sickness, diarrhea, colic, arthritis, rheumatism, colds flus, headaches, poor circulation and heart conditions. In Asia is it considered a longevity herb.
Yarrow – Yarrow is considered a common weed, but is an extremely useful one (as most weeds are). It is an antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, carminative, diaphoretic, digestive, emmenagogue, stimulant, tonic, vasodilator and vulnerary. It can be used for colds and flu, stomach ulcers, amenorrhea, abdominal cramps, abscesses, trauma and bleeding, and to reduce inflammation.
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I gathered petals on a dry mid-morning after the dew had evaporated.
I filled a clean glass jar loosely with the petals.
I then poured vodka over the petals to fill the jar 3/4 of the way.
The next step is to fill the jar the rest of the way with raw local honey, leaving about 1/2 inch of headroom.
At this point I like to cover the top of the jar with a layer of plastic if the lid is metal, otherwise, rose has a tendency to react with it. Put the lid on tight. Let the jar sit in a cool, dark place for 4-6 weeks and shake it often. When it is done, the petals can be strained out (or not).
