Arnica montana

Arnica montana is a sunflower-like plant from Europe. Historically, it has been used for its anti-inflammatory properties despite its moderate toxicity. Of course, with homeopathy, even the most poisonous of substances is safe once potentized.

I imagine that Arnica is the first remedy many of us learn to use. Injuries happen. Unlike many remedies, there is little room to misapply Arnica. Do you have a child learning to walk or ride a bike? When they fall, have Arnica at hand. Depending on the injury, Arnica may not be the end all be all remedy. But with most minor injuries of children, one dose of Arnica does the job. I personally have used Arnica on my kids and watched “goose eggs” shrink and blackening eyes un-blacken.

From Sue Meyer, “*Always give Arnica, in all cases of accident or injury, shock, is the great silent killer: 200c a.s.a.p. and again every 15 min. until outward symptoms subside. Even when unconscious, pellets given under the tongue or inside the cheek are safe. (Lyle W. Morgan Ph.D.,H.M.D.) (For shock, if patient says he is alright- give Arnica: if patient says he’s going to die- give Aconite.)”

See why I love Sue’s book? :-)

If someone says the bed is too hard, look to Arnica.

Soreness, bruises, sprains, blunt force injuries, surgeries, dental work, overwork of muscles, all kinds of hemorrhages- these all call for Arnica.

Worse from the least touch

Better from lying down or with head low

One caveat, don’t apply Arnica topically on broken skin. It will hurt.

Sources consulted were Homeopathic Materia Medica by William Boericke, M.D., Homeopathy for Mommies by Sue Meyer, and Wikipedia for source plant information.

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One caveat, don’t apply Arnica topically on broken skin. It will hurt.

Sources consulted were Homeopathic Materia Medica by William Boericke, M.D., Homeopathy for Mommies by Sue Meyer, and Wikipedia for source plant information.

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Apis Mellifica- The Honeybee

Apis Mellifica

Apis is a common remedy with an interesting history. According to Homeopathy Plus (https://homeopathyplus.com/know-your-remedies-apis-mellifica/), Apis was introduced into the pharmacopeia in 1847 right here in the U.S. New York physician, Dr. Marcy, saw dried, powdered honey bees cure a patient with severe swelling due to a kidney problem. The powdered honeybees were prescribed by a Native American medicine woman. As a result of this, Dr. Macy potentized and tested in provings this new remedy.

I suspect most of us know to reach for Apis when someone has been stung by a bee (or wasp or hornet or yellow jacket), but I was ignorant of its other uses. This is a great remedy all stings with a normal reaction- pain, swelling, stinging pain. [Incidentally, Sue Meyer states that for anaphylactic reactions to stings, reach for Carbolic ac first.]

Think of Apis when there is swelling, redness, and stinging pain, just like that bee sting.

Mentally, the Apis patient is anxious and restless. Patient wants to sleep but is too restless. If patient falls asleep, may wake screaming.

Pains are stinging. Watery swellings.

For any allergy symptom where there is swelling, puffy, dry, hot, shiny, skin affections. Red, puffy eyes with burning or stinging.

The Apis sore throat is swollen inside and out. Fiery red.

This remedy does have an affinity for kidney problems that result in swelling and dark colored, scanty urine. Burning bladder infections.

Worse from heat in any form, touch.

Better from cold and open air.

Sue Meyer does list one warning about Apis. Because of the action on the kidneys, Apis is not recommended in a lower potency than 30C during pregnancy.

Sources Homeopathy for Mommies by Sue Meyer, Homeopathic Materia Medica by William BOERICKE, M.D., and www.homeopathyplus.com

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(Yes, I am aware that those are bumblebees, not honeybees, but I didn't have a picture of a honeybee.)

Antimonium tart

Antimony Potassium Tartrate

This remedy is a compound derived by reacting tartaric acid with potash. The salt of tartaric acid is commonly known at cream of tartar. The name derives from pot ash, which refers to plant ashes soaked in water in a pot, the primary means of manufacturing the product before the industrial era. The word potassium is derived from potash. Antimony is a chemical element with symbol Sb (from Latin: stibium) and atomic number 51.

[Antimony is below Arsenic and above Bismuth on the periodic table of elements. This is interesting to me because Antimonium tart has been used as en emetic to induce vomiting since the middle ages. We know that Arsenicum album is used to treat stomach problems. Bismuth (in Pepto Bismol) is also used to treat stomach problems. I know this was a tangent, but I thought it was interesting.]

Though traditionally non-homeopathically this substance has been used to cause vomiting, homeopathically it is typically used for respiratory problems.

The face of an Antimonium tart patient will be pale and sickly with dark circles around the eyes.

The keynote of this remedy is rattling of mucus in the chest with little expectoration. Ipecac has a similar rattling of mucus, but with great expulsive power, where Ant tart has weakness which does not allow great expectoration.

Patient will have much drowsiness, debility, and sweat. Sometimes described as an irresistible inclination to sleep. Vertigo alternates with drowsiness. Fear of being alone. Children who need this remedy will not be touched without whining.

Nausea in waves. Nausea, retching, vomiting bitter and sour things.

Coldness, chilliness, and trembling are also symptoms.

Worse from evening and lying down

Better from sitting erect, belching, and coughing up mucus.

Information gleaned from William Boericke’s Materia Medica, Lectures on Homepathic Medicine by J. T. Kent, Materia Medica of Homeopathic Medicines but S.R. Phatak, and Homeopathy for Mommies by Sue Meyer.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antimony

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