Family & Natural Health

As a first time mother I had never heard of homeopathy, so I followed the only path I knew, when it came to my son’s health – conventional medicine. When the third bout of tonsillitis, in his first year, failed to respond to two courses of antibiotics and was progressing into an ear infection a friend sent us to a homeopath. He improved rapidly with homeopathic medicine and after two weeks was completely clear of the infection. What is more he has never had tonsillitis or an ear infection since.

Homeopathy is gaining in popularity and becoming widely available. Concern over antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria and general over-use of antibiotics has sent many people looking for alternative ways to keep their families healthy. Homeopathy focusses on supporting and stimulating the immune system so that the body can overcome infection more easily.

These days with three young children, I keep conventional medicine in reserve for any serious illnesses, go to our homeopath for constitutional treatment for ongoing conditions such as eczema and asthma and use a range of homeopathic and herbal remedies at home for all the small hurts and minor ailments that inevitably afflict families with children.

Here is a selection of homeopathic remedies that I always keep in the medicine cabinet at home.

Homeopathic First Aid Kit

Arnica pills – these homeopathic pills are a brilliant remedy for bumps and bruises. They are soft lactose pills that dissolve easily in even a baby’s mouth. Homeopathic remedies are totally safe for children and this one really works to minimise bruising and soothe tears and shock. Try it on yourself if you haven’t experienced homeopathic medicine before.
N.B. If you are unlucky enough to have a more serious fall or accident, these can be taken to help minimise bruising while waiting for medical help. The only time they shouldn’t be used is before a surgical operation – keep them for afterwards to speed healing.

Arnica cream to rub on localised bruises.

Hypercal for small cuts and grazes. Antiseptic and soothing.

Boiron Allergy Kit This contains homeopathic histaminum – which you can use when you would a conventional antihistamine. My daughter reacts badly to bee stings, her whole foot and ankle swelling up. To help dissuade the body from building up antibodies and thus increasing the allergic response next time, I treat her with homeopathic Apis 30c pills every half hour the first day, reducing to three times a day until the swelling goes down, then once a day for the next few weeks. If you have a history of serious allergies consult a homeopath to find the most suitable remedy for you.

Hylands Tissue Salts are biochemic remedies containing minute quantities of the trace minerals that the body needs for balanced well-being. (There are many other brands available – Boiron in the US and France, New Era in the UK, Natura in South Africa) Also known as cell salts or biochemic remedies they are completely safe, dissolve easily under the tongue and kids usually like taking them. I find them really useful for dealing with colds to support the immune system and avoid secondary infections. At the first sniffle or cough I give Ferrum Phos , add in Kali Mur when the white mucus stage sets in, Kali Sulph for green mucus and then Nat Mur for general runny nose and sneezing. (A Cell Salt Combination Remedy is available, which acts as a general system booster and can get you through coughs and colds without having to remember which one when) During colds I give the tissue salts to my kids three times a day or more often. They have the effect of boosting the immune system, giving the body what it needs to fight off the virus.

Nat Phos is an essential tissue salt in our house. This is an acidity regulator, so helps the digestive system. Its main attraction for mothers is that it has the effect of calming down sugar crazed monsters after birthday parties or other binges, eventually restoring the children you know and love.

Useful Homeopathic Remedies

Levisticum Radix by Weleda is another homeopathic remedy that I swear by. (I could only find this available on the net from Germany but check out your local Weleda stockist). This is to treat ear infections. I have used it to great effect when in over-anxious mother mode I have resorted to antibiotics, only to have a recalcitrant toddler refuse them so vigorously that they were emptied all over us, rather than into her. We put her onto Levisticum Radix drops, taken with a little water, which she accepted and when we returned to the GP a couple of days later to check on the ear infection he was amazed to find it improving substantially already. We continued with the drops for another few days and found we had done without the antibiotics altogether and cured the ear infection.

Euphrasia is a useful homeopathic remedy for sore, itchy eyes, watering or redness of eyes. My son is allergic to horses and gets red, weepy eyes when he has been around them. Bathing his eyes with drops containing Euphrasia or taking the pills both help soothe them.

Infludo Drops by Weleda is my first resort when flu threatens. A combination of homeopathic remedies that help the body cope with fever as it fights off the flu virus.

Homeopathic Remedies for Babies

All homeopathic remedies are safe for small children and babies but here are a couiple of useful ones .

This Teething Remedy can save your sanity when your baby is red faced, uncomfortable and screaming endlessly. Chamomilla soothes the pain, Ferrum Phos reduces inflammation and Belladonna calms fever, this preparation comes as drops. There are also these Teething Tablets blets, which dissolve instantly on the tongue. Look for any homeopathic preparation containing Chamomilla – there are lots of different ones out there.

Weleda Diaper Cream is the best cream I’ve found yet. It soothes and heals diaper rash with Calendula, is thick enough to act as a barrier without cutting out all the air to the skin. Even now my babies are too big for nappies I still keep it and use it for any sore rashes and red skin on them and myself.

As a basic guide homeopathic remedies and Tissue Salts should be taken three times a day, unless otherwise directed, in a clean mouth at least twenty minutes away from having had food or drink. They should be tipped into the cap of the bottle and thence into the mouth, without touching them with your hands, as some of the effective part could be lost on your fingers. I find in practise that children often do get their fingers on them and eat before twenty minutes is up and they still have a useful effect but those are the optimum conditions.