Essential summertime remedies

Kindergarten graduation was this morning. A celebratory scoop at Sweetie Fry, followed by joyful tears and cake at eighth grade graduation. The day has been punctuated lovingly by sugar. Goodness girl, pace yourself. It's time to gear up for summer adventures, and camp starts next week.

Ah, camp. With opportunities for summer fun comes the increased possibility of injury and unusual stress on the body. I am concerned about my kinda-moody-and-sensitive-nearly-6-year-old-daughter's body. She does not do well with, how shall I say...discomfort, generally. To prepare, I will be bringing supplies home from the office this weekend. How to stay primed to deal with all the possible incarnations of summer bummers? Homeopathic remedies.

Homeopathy offers welcome natural relief for the most common ailments of the summer months. Household kits are widely available, and you can find remedies at a health food store, online or from a local homeopath. Hey, that's me!

HOMEOPATHY IN THE HEIGHTS

This may be news. It may also come as no surprise that there is a nice little underground of alternative health practitioners in the Heights...three in my building alone! Heights Family Health, my homeopathic clinic, opened in November...filling a joyful little space in the historic Heights Medical Building in the Cedar Fairmount neighborhood. I couldn't be happier with the great support from my neighbors and other local business owners. And the proximity to Luna.

So many people I talk to are curious about alternative health and homeopathy, but feel overwhelmed or flat out turned off after wading through all the conflicting data. A big piece of my mission includes an education angle...sorting it out in regular-people speak. I'll share some of that here on the Patch. Subscribe for the rest!

With summer buzzing eminently, like the mosquitos still to come, I wanted to share some tools for dealing with summer's most common bumps and bruises. Discomfort, as it were.

FALLS AND HEAD INJURIES

Arnica. Falls resulting in bruising and soreness. Concussions, blunt trauma to the eye. Effective when someone has never been well since a past head injury or trauma. Headed out on a hike or bike ride? A must!
Aconite. Great in conjunction with Arnica after a fall or accident with a terrible fright or shock. I hope you don't need it, but it can work wonders. Seriously. There's a reason it's an effective PTSD remedy.
Natrum sulphuricum. Head injuries or concussions with light sensitivity. Accompanied by diarrhea, craving for yogurt and, often, depression.
Helleborus. Dull stupor after a head injury. Answers slowly, can’t think, blank mind.

INSECT BITES AND STINGS

Apis mellifica. Stinging prickling pain. Cold brings relief, worse with heat.
Carbolic acid. If Apis does not work.

SKIN RASHES AND WOUNDS

Calendula. Anti-septic, anti-inflammatory healing for cuts, lesions, road rash, burns and abrasions. Pellets can be taken orally or dissolved in pure water and sprayed on affected areas.
Ledum. Deep black and blue bruises. Puncture wounds, as from an animal bite [please seek appropriate care!], bad bug bite or foreign object. Skin is cold to the touch but feels better with cold compresses or ice.
Rhus toxicondron. Great for poison ivy, burns or skin rashes with painful, tight swelling and burning. Warmth makes it feel better. Accompanied by restlessness and craving for movement.

BROKEN BONES AND SPRAINS

Symphytum. Great for fusing bones...after being properly set, of course.
Calcium phosphate. Good for complicated or stubborn, slow to heal breaks. Also great for growing pains, if your kids shoot up like mine!
Bryonia alba. Broken ribs that feel worse with the least motion, better when completely still. Accompanied by a great thirst and general dryness.
Rhus toxicondron. Painful joints and stiffness made better from heat and continued motion.
Ruta. Old or slow to heal sprains.

SUNSTROKE AND BURNS

Glonoinum. Sunstroke with a bursting headache and confusion. Also a great menopause remedy for hot flashes.
Belladonna. Sunstroke when hot and red, delirious and angry. Sudden onset.
Apis mellifica. Sunburn with stinging, prickling pains that feel better with cold applications.
Urtica urns. If Apis does not help.

MOTION SICKNESS

Cocculus. Vertigo, dizziness with a hollowness in the abdomen. Accompanied by hiccups and yawning. The classic go-to if a long car trip or a day on the lake is in your summer plans.
Tabacum. Sensation of a falling stomach. Spitting. Cool air makes it feel better.
Petroleum. Nausea with vertigo that is relieved when eating.
Nux vomica. Disordered stomach with ineffectual retching. Smell or thought of food nauseates. Cramping, spasms may accompany.

KNOW WHEN TO CALL

For minor injuries and acute illness, home care can work beautifully. If you have a serious or immediate condition, though, seek medical care. Questions about which remedy to use for a condition listed here? Please call.

PROFESSIONAL CHRONIC CARE

If you or a family member has a long-term condition, summer is also a great time to start chronic care. Summer break offers children freedom to explore new things...even natural health care! Best of all, it could mean a better back to school in the fall.

Consider again the concept of lovingly applied sugar. Critics presume that homeopathic remedies are no more than sugar pill placebos. For the less-skeptical, the aspect of sweetness should not be discounted. Often, children willingly take a homeopathic remedy, when other alcohol tinctures or strong tasting herbal supplements never pass their lips. Homeopathic remedies are simply enjoyable...as are the resulting improvements in health and well being.

I look forward to bringing natural health resources to this community. If there is something specific you would like to read or learn more about, let me know in the comments.