Whether we’re jetting off to warmer locations or staying local and crossing our fingers for some sunny weather, there are many ways in which homeopathy can help us keep healthy this summer. Whether it's jet lag, travel sickness, sunburn or sunstroke, this blog has advice on homeopathy that can help.
Summer heat
First things first: stay safe: Obvious yet easy to forget - always drink plenty of water during hot weather to cool down your body and to remain hydrated.
The summer sun gives us all that lovely natural Vitamin D, but over-exposure can cause a variety of issues such as:
Sunburn
If your skin gets sunburnt, take Cantharis up to three times an hour. It can also help to prevent blistering.
Prickly heat
Prickly heat is caused by inflammation of sweat gland ducts blocked by sebum. The top three homeopathic remedies for prickly heat are:
Apis: Skin feels hot with raised, red shiny eruptions that feel worse for the heat and better for cool bathing. The person may be “touchy”.
Rhus Tox: Burning or itching rash with restlessness and small blisters. Unlike Apis, the skin will feel worse for cold air and better for heat.
Urtica urens: The rash is red with raised blotches that sting, burn and itch – it will feel like a stinging nettle rash. Skin feels worse for cold bathing and better for rubbing
If prickly heat is a reoccurring and particularly bothersome problem you may need to seek constitutional treatment to from a qualified homeopath to treat it more permanently.
Sunstroke
Belladonna is an excellent remedy for sun stroke, dehydration, and headache cause by over-exposure to the sun; take every couple of hours.
Insect bites and stings
NB: Seek urgent medical attention if there are any symptoms of difficult breathing, wheezing, palpitations, if there is confusion or faintness or the sting is in the mouth or throat.
Ledum is one of the best homeopathic remedies when it comes to treating insect bites during summers. The indication for Ledum is a sharp, stabbing pain. As well as stings it’s the remedy to choose for thorns and any puncture wound.
Apis mellifica also works well for insect bites, particularly if there is redness or swelling; the affected area will be sore and sensitive. A cold application feels better.
Urtica Urens: Skin is itchy and blotchy and looks like nettle rash.
Cantharis: Rapid onset with intense and violent burning pains. Watery blisters may develop. Worse for touch and better for warmth
Travel Sickness
Also known as motion sickness this is an acute ailment with symptoms of dizziness, sweating, salivation, nausea and vomiting. Take the remedy before travelling and repeat hourly if needed.
Cocculus Indicus: Excessive fatigue yet you feel too tired to sleep. You may also feel weak, nauseous and dizzy and faint. Unusually you feel worse in the fresh air and worse for eating and drinking. You may need to lie down to prevent vomiting.
Petroleum: Nausea, dizziness, heavy headache, vomiting, with a cold sweat yet hungry – the hunger is eased by eating small amounts of food. You feel worse in the fresh air and better for lying with your head high.
Tabacum: This is for an intermittent violent nausea with vomiting where your face is pale and drawn with a sensation of a tight band around the head. You will feel worse for heat and the smell of tobacco and better in the fresh air.
If you start to feel nauseous before your journey starts, take Argentum Nitricum.
Fear of flying
So many of us have a fear of flying which can make us dread (or even avoid) trips abroad. Here are some remedies that can help:
Argentum-nitricum: Someone who suits this remedy will feel very anxious and restless, possibly with diarrhoea and will worry that the plane may crash. They will generally feel worse for heat and crowds and better for being in the open air.
Aconite: An Aconite person will feel complete terror and panic and will have a fear of death. Again, they feel better in the fresh air but worse for touch.
Arsenicum: You may benefit from Arsenicum if you feel restless and need constant reassurance that you will survive the flight. You don’t want to be alone and feel better for the company of others.
Gelsemium: If you tend to tremble with anxiety and panic and your muscles feel weak and heavy, Gelsemium is the remedy to try. You will also feel worse for exertion.
Nux Vomica: Excessive impatience and anger while being kept waiting. Worse for stimulants such as coffee and alcohol.
Jet Lag
Jet lag occurs when our biological clock finds it difficult to adapt to the new time zone. This can result in sleep disturbance, insomnia, excessive fatigue and difficulty in concentration as well as changes in the appetite and bowel movement patterns. It can take days to recover but homeopathic remedies can help to alleviate the symptoms and speed up recovery. Take the remedy just before boarding the plane and repeat hourly if required.
Arnica: Jet lag can be considered like a trauma to the body disturbing its natural rhythms and cycles. You feel weak, sore and bruised with the tiredness.
Cocculus Indicus: You will have excessive fatigue yet feel too tired to sleep. You may also feel weak, nauseous and dizzy and faint. Fresh air makes you feel worse, as does eating and drinking.
Gelsemium: Jet lag with a sense of paralysis.
Other holiday needs
If that pesky hay fever is still an issue see my separate blog on homeopathy for hay fever.
Euphrasia is a commonly used for eye-related problems that may come about due to sun exposure or excessive sweating.
Calendula is an all-purpose medicine for many kinds of skin damage; it can be used for wounds, infection and prolonged sun exposure. It is antiseptic and has rapid healing properties
Always keep a tube of Arnica cream at hand for any bruising or sore muscles.
For upset tummies related to unfamiliar foods or too much alcohol Nux vomica is the first remedy to reach for. For more serious cases of food poisoning with vomiting and diarrhoea, try Arsenicum album.
If you are suffering from longer term tiredness, headaches, or any other conditions which may be aggravated in the warmer months, consult a qualified homeopath who will look at your diet, mood, sleep and lifestyle as well as your physical symptoms and will prescribe a suitable homeopathic remedy for you. Or if you wish to discuss any other specific problems, book in for a free 15 minute call to see how homeopathy can help.
