Homeopathic First Aid for Travellers
Advice on which Homeopathic Remedies to Take Along on a Trip Abroad
Jul 10, 2008
It is possible to buy complete homeopathic travel kits from a number of homeopathic pharmacies. In the UK, both Ainsworths and Helios sell first rate kits, with full instructions. But for the traveller who cannot obtain these, or prefers to make up his or her own kit, the following lists of remedies and ailments may be useful.
Basic Kit Remedies for Likely Health Problems
Rhus tox 200c – Sprains, rashes, chilblains
Aconite 200c – Shock, anxiety, fear
Arnica 200c – Bruises and other soft tissue injuries, exhaustion, jet lag
Podophyllum 30c – Diarrhoea
Nux Vomica 30c – Indigestion and constipation
Ledum 30c – Bites and stings
Hypericum 30c – Animal bites, injury to nerve rich areas
Cocculus 30c – Travel sickness, jet lag
Coca 30c – Altitude sickness
Carbo Veg 200c – Collapse and exhaustion, diarrhoea, food poisoning
Bryonia 30c – Heat stroke, injury
Belladonna 200c – Sun headaches heat or sun stroke, earache
Arsenicum Album 30c – Diarrhoea, food poisoning
Tabacum 30c – Seasickness
Additional Remedies for Children
Chamomilla 30c – Toothache, teething and earache, colic, diarrhoea
Drosera 30c – Whooping cough
Pulsatilla 30c – Measles and chicken pox, toothache, teething and earache
How to Decide which Remedy to Take
It is clear that there are several possible remedies for some ailments. The best thing to do is start taking the remedy which seems to best fit the ailment, or which the patient feels might suit him or her best. Take half hourly, and expect at least some improvement after two or three doses. If there is no improvement, try another remedy. If the patient starts to feel better, carry on, but take the remedy less frequently, perhaps every two hours. Once the patient has recovered, he or she should stop taking the remedy. There is nothing to be gained by continuing to take homeopathic remedies after recovery.
Storing Remedies
It is best to keep homeopathic remedies away from strong sunlight, strong odours, and x-ray machines. However, this is not essential, and the detrimental effect of these, if there is one, seems to be cumulative rather than immediate. There are numerous anecdotes about homeopathic remedies working well despite non-ideal storage conditions, so the traveller should not worry too much.
Even if you are not an expert, homeopathic first aid can be very effective. However, if there is no improvement or the patient is very sick, do not hesitate to consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Further Reading
A Traveller’s Guide to Homeopathy, Amanda Marks, Traveller’s Press
Related Articles
Homeopathic Immunisations for Travellers
Homeopathic First Aid for Cats
