Homeopathic Healthcare: More Homeopathic Articles
George Guess, MD
Solar Emergencies
The recent oppressive heat of summer has prompted me to revisit the homeopathic Pain Management of various “solar emergencies” — sunburn, heat prostration and heat stroke. Prevention is, of course, preferable. Light, loose clothing, hats, sunblock, liberal fluids, and common sense will spare many the ravages of an awful sunburn or heat exhaustion or worse. If the sun should get the upper hand, though, homeopathy can offer effective assistance for these maladies.
Sunburn
Topical Treatments
Apply aloe vera gel to the affected areas liberally; if badly burned, use a salve made of St. John's Wort (Hypericum) and Calendula. A compress of apple cider vinegar (2 parts) and olive oil (1 part) might provide relief, as can milk compresses. An external burn gel containing Calendula and Urtica urens or Urtica dioica can also help. An aromatherapy technique — spraying or rubbing the affected area with lavender and chamomille — is yet another soothing treatment.
Homeopathic Treatment
Minor or mild sunburn usually finds relief in Urtica urens (stinging nettle).
Severe sunburn, with intense redness and burning pain, calls for Cantharis (Spanish fly).
If sunburn causes blister formation and restlessness, try Causticum.
A 30C potency of the indicated remedy, taken every 3-4 hours as needed until improvement begins is recommended.
Heat Prostration
Heat prostration and heat stroke share several symptoms in common: weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea, blurred vision, irritability, and sometimes cramping muscles. In heat prostration the skin is cool and clammy, and the pulse is less than 100 and not bounding.
The following remedies often speed recovery from heat prostration. The indicated homeopathic remedy should be taken in the 30C potency every 15 to 30 minutes until symptoms begin to diminish. Persons suffering severe reactions to the heat should seek professional medical care in addition to taking the appropriate homeopathic medicine.
Veratrum album (white hellebore) is useful in most cases of heat exhaustion. There is prostration with clammy sweat, pallor, nausea, marked weakness, and sometimes rapid pulse.
Cuprum metallicum (copper) is indicated if significant cramping accompanies the above symptoms.
Carbo vegetabilis (vegetable charcoal) displays profound weakness; patients will be so exhausted they have trouble breathing and have air hunger; they may want to be fanned.
Heat Stroke
In heat stroke the skin is hot and dry, the pulse is rapid and bounding, and the body temperature is very high. The affected individual may vomit, convulse, and/or become delirious. While one awaits the emergency medical technicians, try either...
Belladonna (deadly nightshade), which corresponds to the following — burning, dry, flushed skin, dilated pupils, strong pulse; there may be a throbbing headache. The sense of heat is felt primarily in the head. The head symptoms may be relieved by bending the head backwards, uncovering, and sitting quietly.
or,
Glonoinum (nitroglycerine), which has symptoms similar to Belladonna plus an intense bursting headache; the patient is liable to hold his head with his hands. The sensations of pulsation are felt more diffusely in Glonoinum, all over the body, than in Belladonna, more in the head. The head may feel very large. Symptoms are aggravated by bending the head backwards and applying cold water; they are made better from uncovering and open air.
Quick Relief for Sore Throats
The most common microbial causes for the typical sore throat are, first, viruses and, second, the Streptococcus bacterium. Sore throats caused by either will be rapidly alleviated by the correct homeopathic remedy. Because of the potential, though rare, of serious side-effects from a specific type of Streptococcal throat inflammation, persons with serious sore throats should see their physician for diagnosis and possible treatment. If the sore throat is viral, conventional medicine has little to offer beyond mediocre palliative care. If the inflammation is due to a Streptococcal infection, antibiotics will be prescribed; consequent relief of symptoms, however, may take two or more days. Again, in either instance, the proper homeopathic medicine will effect rapid relief of both symptoms and inflammation.
Here’s a case to illustrate my point – a boy who had suffered with extreme nausea and vomiting all the preceding night presented in my office with a “ferocious” sore throat, worse when lying down. His other symptoms were: slight fever, pale and clammy face, profuse perspiration, chilliness, weakness, vomiting when drinking, dizziness on rising from bed and when walking. His right ear hurt when lying down, and was better from cold air and applications. It was hard to swallow because his throat felt swollen. His mouth felt dry, but his mouth salivated profusely on lying down. The remedy Belladonna 30C was prescribed. Within four to six hours there was significant improvement in his symptoms, and he felt completely well within twelve hours.
The following remedies are appropriate for most sore throats. Dosage: try one dose of a 30C potency of the indicated remedy every three to four hours for at least two to three doses; if there is no improvement, try a different remedy. Once improvement is quite apparent, stop the remedy, repeating only if symptoms begin to relapse.
Aconite (monkshood) – Sudden sore throats with high fever, especially if occurring after exposure to cold, dry wind. The throat is hot, red, dry, painful. Symptoms are associated with great anxiety and restlessness.
Belladonna (deadly nightshade) – Sudden sore throat with high fever. Bright red, hot, dry face. Right-sided severe throat pain, worse swallowing, with choking. The patient may desire lemons/lemonade. Thirsty, very, or thirstless.
Apis (honeybee) – Swelling of the throat (tonsils, uvula) is marked. Right-sided. Burning, stinging pain: better cold drinks, worse warm drinks. Thirstless despite fever.
Hepar sulphuris calcareum (calcium sulphide) – Very sensitive, painful throat, with splinter-like pains which radiate to ear on swallowing. Worse least draft of cold air. Purulent discharge on the tonsils. The throat may smell of old cheese. Symptoms are better from warmth. Irritable. Very chilly.
Lachesis (bushmaster snake venom) – Left-sided sore throats or painful sore throat proceeding from the left to right. Worse swallowing saliva. Choking, especially on falling asleep. Lump in throat sensation. Sensitive to collars and touching the external throat. Worse warm drinks, better cold.
Lycopodium (club moss) – Right-sided sore throats or from right to left side. Better from warm drinks; worse from cold. Worse in the late afternoon (4-8 pm). May be associated abdominal bloating, flatulence.
Mercurius (mercury) – Bad breath; metallic taste; increased salivation; constant desire to swallow; mucus in the throat. Systemic symptoms: alternating hot and cold chills; clammy; offensive sweat. More often cold drinks ameliorate the throat pain. Ulcerated throat. Worse at night. If with these symptoms the throat pain is distinctly right-sided, give Mercurius iodatus flavus; if left-sided, Mercurius iodatus ruber.
Phytolacca (pokeroot) – Dark red, bluish throat. Throat pain extends to ear on swallowing. Lump or ball sensation in the throat. Swollen cervical glands. Pain worse from hot drinks. Stiffness of neck. Muscle aches.
Dr. Guess, a family physician, has practiced classical homeopathic medicine for 25 years. He is the editor of the American Journal of Homeopathic Medicine. He practices in Charlottesville. 434-295-0362. Web page: www.doctorguess.com
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Dr. George Guess
2776 Hydraulic Rd, Suite 101
Charlottesville, VA 22901
office: 434-295-0362
fax: 434-295-0798
email: gguessmd@earthlink.net
website: http://www.doctorguess.com/
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