Article: Travel Well with Homeopathy

TRAVEL WELL WITH HOMEOPATHY

Vacations are meant for restoration and fun. Why waste deserved needed time dealing with motion sickness, jet lag, injuries or illness? Consider these additions to your homeopathic first aid kit and head for the road!

There are 1000’s of homeopathic remedies from which to choose. These are some for common travel concerns. If you have questions about remedies for specific travel needs such as giardia, malaria, yellow fever, and have trouble finding a remedy, contact Myra or Margo. We can help you find what you need. Homeopathic remedies, used as directed, are safe for all–infants to elders.

Aconite is a great all around remedy. It can be useful after a sudden shock or for extreme anguish, which keeps you in a tense fearful state. Think of Aconite when you or your child is afraid to fly, or is claustrophobic. Think of it for any sort of panic attack, which is accompanied by a rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, perspiration, and anxiety. You may experience a strong thirst for cold water. The Aconite state can come on quickly and violently. Aconite is the first remedy to think of when a cold or flu develops immediately after exposure to cold weather. Aconite is effective for sunstroke that comes on suddenly or with great intensity accompanied by a strong headache and photophobia.

Another remedy for anticipatory anxiety is Gelsemium, especially where there is exhaustion and weakness. You may need Gelsemium for flu symptoms that come on slowly and you experience weakness, fatigue, copious urination, with chills running up and down your spine. Should your child become weak and trembling after exposure to the sun, which can sometimes be accompanied by vertigo and dizziness, try Gelsemium.

Add Arsenicum to your kit; it is useful when you think you may have developed food poisoning. Arsenicum could be indicated for extreme restlessness with fears, burning pains, and severe abdominal cramping with nausea and vomiting. You might feel worse from 12AM to 2AM, desire frequent sips of cold water, and/or feel very chilly. Arsenicum can alleviate sleeplessness brought on by worry and anxiety.

Ipecacuanha might be needed for complaints that are accompanied by vomiting and nausea. A great indicator for Ipecacuanha is when vomiting just doesn’t relieve the nausea. You might also have a sinking sensation in your stomach and nausea from the smell of food.

Heartburn, burping, nausea, unproductive vomiting accompanied with irritability or impatience after overindulging in too rich or unfamiliar food, or too much alcohol, can indicate Nux vomica. You might also experience constipation. Nux vomica is also a great remedy for jet lag.

Nux vomica or Ipecacuanha can be used for motion sickness if your symptoms match the indications. Cocculus is another remedy for motion sickness when the world seems to spin, you cannot tolerate watching objects fly by, and you must lie down.

Cantharis can be taken internally for severe sunburn that is burning and raw with large blisters. Don’t forget to pack Calendula lotion for relief from mild sunburn. Look for a lotion or cream that does not contain alcohol.

Although a different potency might be needed, it is good to start with a 6C, 12C, or 30C potency dissolved in water. Try one dose (a dose consists of one teaspoonful). Take every 15 minutes, stirring five times before each dose, for a total of 8 doses. If not feeling better, stop and try a different remedy. If you start to feel relief, stop. Give another dose only if symptoms begin to return. For more information on basic first aid remedies for common injuries please see our previous article Remedies to the Rescue, Dec. 2007.

OTHER REMEDIES

ferrum phos 6x (6X potency – a cell salt) is to be considered at the first sign of any inflammation. This might come in the form of a sore throat, one that is dry, red, inflamed, with much pain and throbbing. You might notice thirst for cold water. All the pains of this remedy are aggravated by motion, excitement, and warmth, but feel better with slow motion and cold air. Take 3 pellets every 15 minutes until relief. One pellet for your infant or small child. Do not continue taking after 4 hours.

Rescue Remedy is helpful for apprehension that might accompany travel. Three drops under the tongue can sometimes abort anxiety. It can also help with jet lag. Rescue Remedy Sleep formula helps alleviate insomnia. Both enable you to relax when you are filled with the added stress of travel.

You need not have all the symptoms listed in order to be helped by the remedy best indicated. A reminder: In Homeopathy LESS IS BEST! When a remedy causes you to respond in a helpful way, STOP! More remedy does not help. The other rule in Homeopathy is only one remedy at one time. Let your body do what it knows best – regain its balance naturally with the least amount of remedy! Choose the remedy that best matches your condition. When you respond appropriately, expect rapid, gentle relief. If you are not responding quickly, seek care from a professional homeopath or your doctor. The use of Homeopathic remedies should not take the place of professional medical care.

SOURCE
Written by Myra Nissen & Margo Adams, published in Community Kids, April 2008, Volume 5, Issue 4.

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