Travel Well with Homeopathy
Myra Nissen, CCH, & Margo Adams Homeopathic Consultants
Published: Community
Kids, April 2008, Volume 5, Issue 4
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 phosphoricum (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.
Myra Nissen, CCH, and Margo Adams are homeopathic consultants
with offices in Vallejo, Benicia, and Walnut Creek.
