Published June 28, 2003 in the North Island Weekender
Arnica is the most commonly used homeopathic remedy in the world and once you have tried it for the treatment of injuries you too will consider it a miracle remedy and want to keep it on hand. Its success is almost guaranteed and should be in everyone’s purse or glove compartment. Arnica is made from the plant called Monk’s hood and while hiking at higher elevations you will see it in bloom at this time of year. It was traditionally smeared on the aching muscles when hiking through the mountains. When it is made into a homeopathic remedy it becomes that much more effective. I recommend it for any kind of trauma whether accidental or intentional such as a result of surgery. It will reduce swelling dramatically as well as relieve pain and bruising. Surgeons will wonder why you don’t develop the usual bruising and require less pain medication. The success of Arnica is using it immediately and in high enough doses. In health stores you can find a 30X or C, the C being the higher potency. I provide much higher doses to my patients which results in more dramatic results. The lower potencies need to be taken more often to get the same effect. It can be taken at any age and can be combined with any drug with no side effects. In fact I recommend it for newborns and mothers to reduce the trauma of childbirth. After a sports injury it is best to continue taking it until the injury is well on its way to healing.
Arnica is also available in cream form to be applied to injuries that have not broken the skin as Arnica will irritate an open wound or cut. The cream, also sold as Traumeel cream, is rubbed into sore joints and muscles to relieve discomfort. Don, a 45 year old fisherman, keeps it on his boat and rubs it into his hands everyday to keep them limber and less sore.
For broken bones it is often felt that nothing more can be done than pain management and a cast or splint. However there are basic nutrients and homeopathic remedies that will reduce the pain as well as speed the healing of the bone. Initially use Arnica to reduce pain and swelling then use homeopathic Symphytum to aid healing of the bone and if there is deep bone pain then Eupatorium may be used. The symphytum is taken for several months along with homeopathic cell salts calc phos, calc fluor and minerals calcium citrate and magnesium citrate. These nutrients will stimulate the bones to unite.
For a tendonitis such as tennis elbow several homeopathic remedies may help depending on symptoms. These include Ruta, Rhus Tox or Bryonia. I often will also suggest medicines that contain natural anti-inflammatories such as bromelain, curcumin, and enzymes such as protease. These must be taken on an empty stomach to obtain the best benefit. Dina age 16 finds that after soccer practice taking such a combination in addition to arnica allows her to heal rapidly in time for her next game.
I am constantly amazed how a good quality calcium and magnesium supplement will also reduce the pain of joints and muscles due to injuries and prevent injuries so this needs to be taken on a regular basis.
Head injuries can result in residual symptoms for days, weeks or months after the injury and remedies including Arnica, Nat. Sulph and Hypericum should be considered. Injuries to the nervous system such as slamming a finger in a car door is greatly helped using homeopathic hypericium (St. John’s Wort) and in the homeopathic form is safe to combine with any medications. This remedy is also used after dental work where the nerves have been particularly damaged and also after incisions of any kind. Homeopathic remedies are not biochemical but more energetic in nature therefore they are very safe to administer under any circumstances.
It is prudent to have a small first aid kit with these few remedies in them on hand as they work the best when administered promptly. If you only have Arnica on hand you will be amazed by this simple remedy and your friends will want some too!
Dr. Pincott has been practicing naturopathic medicine since 1985 and is currently practicing in Campbell River. She can be reached at (250) 286-3655 or www.DrPincott.com