Plantago major - Homeopathy in Your Garden

Plantago major

The next time you step out of your house, keep an eye out for this plant. It is a very commonly seen plant. It grows just about everywhere as a weed, between the cracks in the sidewalk, in gravel, in grassy surfaces. It is Plantago major.

It is commonly called Plantain, and it has immense medicinal value. Poultices made from the leaves are used to promote wound healing, because the leaves contain anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial compounds. It also has astringent properties and it prevents loss of fluids from the body by contacting tissues. This makes it useful in diarrhea.

In homeopathy, the tincture of Plantago major is used to relieve toothache caused due to caries. The tincture, when applied with cotton wool, also relieves teeth that are sensitive to hot or cold. In other potencies, it is useful to relieve headache that is caused by toothache, diarrhea. It is especially useful for people with nicotine addiction by creating an aversion to tobacco, and by relieving the symptoms of insomnia and depression caused due to tobacco addiction.

Such a common little plant, and so many uses!

Photo credit: Frank Vincentz

Homeopathy in Your Garden - Calendula

Have you ever wondered about the sources of homeopathic remedies? What are they made of? Many homeopathic remedies are made from plants. Remedies are also made from animal, mineral, and other sources. 

The flower in the picture is calendula, commonly known as marigold. 

Calendula is one of the remedies used for injuries because it promotes wound healing. It contains flavonoids which have anti-septic and anti-inflammatory properties. 

Homeopathic Calendula has also been used in the treatment of various types of cancer, and the after-effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. 

Do you remember eating marigold flowers as a child? You might not have known its benefits then, but you do now!

I have also shared videos of how homeopathic remedies are made in a previous post. (You can find the videos by clicking on the highlighted text.)

Stay subscribed to learn more about the different kinds of plants that are used in homeopathy!

Homeopathy for mosquito bites

Ledum palustre or Marsh tea

If you're going to spend any time at all being outdoors this summer, you will need to watch out for mosquitoes and other blood-sucking insects. Two remedies that are extremely useful when dealing with insects are Staphysagria and Ledum.

To prevent being bitten, take 2 pills/pellets of Staphysagria 30C half an hour before you head outdoors. Take this dose only once every week. If you're still bitten, then your homeopath may be able to suggest a constitutional remedy for you.

Don't forget to take other precautions like wearing full-sleeved clothing. 

Some other natural things you can do to avoid being bitten:

• Plant oils like lemon eucalyptus, geranium, lemon balm, or citronella can keep mosquitoes away. Mix one or more with a carrier oil like coconut oil and apply to exposed skin.
• Use a DEET-free insect repellant. DEET-free repellants are less toxic than those that contain DEET. This is especially important for children who tend to keep their hands in their mouth. There is also the danger of DEET being absorbed through the skin into the blood stream and long-term use may cause adverse effects. Many DEET-free repellants are commercially available.
• Grow marigold, lemon balm, geranium or other insect repelling plants in your garden.

After being bitten, 2 pills/pellets of Ledum 30C should reduce the irritation from the bites a little; however, if a rash or fever develops within 72 hours, it is advisable to see a doctor.

Toothpaste works very well to reduce the intense itching from mosquito bites. Apply any old-fashioned all white toothpaste on the bites and let it dry. This is safe to use on little kids too; it'll help them forget about the itch long enough for the bites to heal without being scratched.

It's important not to scratch the bites because scratching can introduce infection through the broken skin, and scratching does not help the bites to heal any way.

Also read this post about the use of homeopathy in insect bites. 



Image courtesy: Sten/Wikimedia

Homeopathy for Insect Bites

Warm weather is here and many of us are going to be busy with outdoor activities. The new buds and blooms bring along with them bees and other insects that we need to be careful about while enjoying nature outdoors. Most often, minor insect bites do not need any special attention. Application of ice or aloe vera gel soothes the bites greatly and they are relieved of their own accord in due course of time. However, sometimes symptoms are agonizing, especially for little children. If you are looking for a non-drowsy (or non-stimulating, as the case may be) alternative to conventional anti-histamines, turn to homeopathy! 

Before using any remedy, it is important to perform basic first aid by washing the wound with water and then cleaning it with hydrogen peroxide. This helps to kill most bacteria that may cause infections around the area of the bite.


We have already seen the usefulness of homeopathic remedies in first aid in a previous post. Now let's look at how homeopathy can be used to relieve the symptoms of insect bites.

When insect bite is followed by extreme fear, Aconite is useful. It is often the first remedy to be given in any kind of mental shock. Many times little children are really afraid of having been bitten and Aconite will help when this is the most prominent symptom.

Apis is nearly specific to all kinds of insect bites, especially to those that are red and swollen. Swelling develops rapidly around the bite and there is a sharp stinging type of pain. The area of the bite is worse from heat and better from cold. Remember Apis in bee stings.

Cantharis is useful when blisters develop around the bite and there is an intense burning pain. Persons needing cantharis feel better from warmth.

Carbolic acid can be of use when anaphylactic symptoms have developed and there is difficulty in breathing, with a reddish face and paleness around the mouth. The insect bite itself develops into vesicles with burning pain. Emergency medical care is usually called for before the symptoms progress to this state. However, carbolic acid can be very useful if one is ever stuck in some place where medical care is not immediately available.

Hypericum can help if you develop sharp shooting pains after an insect bite. There may be numbness and tingling after the bite, or muscle spasms in severe conditions.

Ledum pal is the most commonly used remedy for all kinds of insect bites from spiders, scorpions, mosquitoes, bees, and wasps. The area of the bite is extremely itchy and is better by cold applications. Ledum is useful to the person who always wants ice on the bite.

When the insect bite feels better by rubbing the area, Urtica urens is useful. The area turns red with large itchy welts. It is also indicated for hives and any allergic reactions as a result of the bite.

These are the major remedies used for insect bites, other remedies may also be used depending on the symptoms of the person who is bitten. Homeopathy can be immensely helpful in acute conditions, as long as the correct remedy and dosage are used. Therefore, if you prefer to use homeopathy, please consult a homeopath for recommendations on the best remedy suited to you.

Seek immediate medical attention if:

- the insect bite has a bull's eye pattern around it (brown recluse spider or tick bite)
- symptoms are not relieved and fever develops in 24-48 hours
- evidence of more than 10 bee or wasp stings
- evidence of more than 15 fire ant bites in a child
- insect bite inside the mouth (risk of tongue swelling)
- unconsciousness after the bite¹


I hope you have a wonderful summer!


References

1. Homeopathy Clinic 

2. National Center for Homeopathy



Image courtesy Karen Roe/Flickr CC

Homeopathy for first aid

It is a common misconception that homeopathic remedies work slowly and therefore are good only to be used for chronic illnesses. However, this belief is just that - a misconception. Homeopathic remedies act as fast or as slow as their prescriber wants them to, because the expert homeopath is carefully able to adjust dosage according to the condition of the diseased person.

That was a short introduction to explain how homeopathy can be useful in first aid - including bumps and bruises, concussions, sprains, fractures, insect bites and stings, burns, poison ivy, etc. Let us now look at some remedies that can be used in some of these conditions.

Arnica is very popular and commonly used in many households as the first remedy after a fall or a bruise, especially when the skin is not broken and there is a blue-black blood clot under the skin. It is also useful in concussion of the brain, which is a common sports injury. Arnica is available as pills to take internally, as well as creams and gels, for external application.

Calendula is to be considered when the skin is broken and there is some bleeding. It is also available in the form pills and ointments. Calendula tincture can be used to clean wounds, as well as Echinacea tincture.

Ledum palustre is useful in punctured wounds where there is much bleeding, as from a needle or a nail. It is also the remedy for tetanus.

Cantharis is the first remedy for burns and scalds with blistered skin, and also in the case of sunburn. 

We will look at remedies for sprains in a separate post, but the main remedies to think of are Arnica, Bellis perennis, Ruta, and Rhus tox.

Insect bites and stings also needs a separate post in detail. Some remedies to consider are Apis, Carbolic acid, Urtica urens, and Hypericum.

Rhus tox is useful in hives produced by poison ivy, especially when the person feels the itching is better by bathing with hot water.

In the case of fractures, remedies like Calcarea phos, Calcarea flourica, Ruta, and Symphytum are useful. Calcarea phos 6x can be used routinely in fractures to promote rapid healing of bones.

As you can see, homeopathy can benefit many kinds of 'diseases', both acute as well as chronic ailments. It is always a good idea to consult a homeopath first before trying any kind of self-medication.