Learn about remedies to stock in your homeopathic first aid kit this summer. These remedies are useful for a beach vacation, road trip, camping, boat & sailing trips, tropical vacations, summer sports, and other summer adventures.
Mosquito, Bug, and Tick Bites. Bee & Wasp Stings.
Ledum 30C is an essential homeopathic remedy to take to mitigate itching and swelling from mosquito and bug bites & stings. A few doses of Ledum 30C should also be given preventatively after a tick bite.
Apis 30C: If a dose or two of Ledum has not helped the symptoms or if there is a lot of heat, redness and swelling at the site of the bug bite or sting then use homeopathic Apis 30C instead of Ledum.
Dosage: Take 3 pellets of the indicated remedy every 1-3 hours. Discontinue use once there is substantial improvement and repeat the dosage only if improvement ceases.
Poison Oak, Poison Ivy & Poison Sumac Exposure
Croton tiglium 30C is the most commonly indicated remedy for contact dermatitis after poison oak, poison ivy & poison sumac exposure. This remedy is indicated when there is a lot of blistering, inflammation and itching.
Rhus Toxicodendron 30C should be used if there is a lot of burning along with the itching, and the rash is aggravated by scratching and open air, and is worse at night and from getting overheated in bed.
Anacardium 30C should be used if there are large blisters filled with yellow fluid.
Dosage: Take 3 pellets 2-3 times per day for a maximum of 3 days.
Sunburn & Sunstroke
For a first degree sunburn, apply urtica urens herbal ointment or cream to the affected area. 3 pellets of homeopathic Urtica Urens 6C can also be taken every 15 minutes for 5 or 6 doses.
For sunstroke (heatstroke) if there is a lot of agitation, the symptoms come on quickly, the face is red and hot and there is a severe, pounding headache try homeopathic Belladonna 30C. Give Belladonna 30C every 15 minutes for 5 or 6 doses.
Commonsense measures for sunburn and sunstroke: Use a hat and sunblock. Drink lots of water with added salt to balance electrolytes and prevent dehydration. Use cold compresses on the affected areas or on the forehead to lower the temperature in cases of sunstroke. Seek medical attention immediately in cases of serious sunstroke.
Heat Exhaustion from High Temperatures
During hot weather spells some people are susceptible to heat exhaustion. Common symptoms of heat exhaustion include tiredness, cold clammy skin, pale complexion, headache, nausea, dizziness, and muscle cramps. Give homeopathic Veratrum album 30C, once every 15-30 minutes for the first couple of hours, then give every hour, and discontinue after 12-24 hours.
Commonsense measures: Drink lots of water and avoid alcohol use. Lie in a cool dark room and elevate the legs. Apply cold cloths to the head and body, and use a fan. Seek medical attention if the condition worsens.
Motion Sickness during Road Trips and Boat Trips
Cocculus 30C is the most common homeopathic remedy for motion sickness. Someone who needs this remedy has severe nausea, vomiting and vertigo that feels worse at the smell or sight of food and feels better when lying down.
Try homeopathic Petroleum 30C if a few doses of Cocculus don’t help. Someone needing this remedy can look pale and faint and will break out into a cold sweat.
Nux Vomica 30C could also be helpful if this is the only remedy available or if Cocculus and Petroleum don’t seem to help. Someone who needs this remedy has a splitting headache, constant nausea and buzzing in the ears.
Tabacum 30C is a good specific remedy for sea sickness if the above remedies don’t seem indicated.
Dosage for motion sickness: Take 3 pellets of the indicated remedy every 15 minutes if nausea is severe. Repeat the dose only if the symptoms return. Try a new medicine if there is no relief 15 minutes after the 3rd dose.
Wildfire Smoke Inhalation
Unfortunately, wildfire smoke inhalation has become a common summer health concern in recent years.
Use homeopathic Arsenicum 30C for wildfire smoke inhalation if there is a lot of anxiety and restlessness, burning and streaming from the nose and eyes, and a dry cough that is worse at night. Another remedy to consider is Euphrasia 30C for streaming nose and eyes with no or little cough.
Dosage: Take the indicated remedy three times a day, stopping on improvement and repeating as needed (i.e., if your symptoms return). If you’ve taken a remedy for two days and had no response, select a different remedy or call your homeopath.
For a more in-depth discussion of recommendations, refer to the following article: Natural Treatments for Wildfire Smoke Inhalation
Worms & Parasites
Cina 30C is the most common homeopathic remedy for worms. Dosage: Take 3 pellets 3 times per day for one week. For a more detailed discussion about using homeopathy for parasites and worms, refer to this article: https://littlemountainhomeopathy.com/worms-parasites
Food Poisoning
For vomiting and diarrhea due to food poisoning, take homeopathic Arsenicum 200C every 15 minutes for up to 2 hours depending on the symptoms.
Swimming in Water Contaminated with E. Coli
Use Colibaccillinum 30C as a preventative from the negative side effects of swimming in water contaminated with e. coli. Take 3 doses spaced 8 hours apart after exposure.
Jet Lag
Arnica 30C works for most people to combat the side effects of jet lag. Take 1 dose before takeoff and 3 doses spaced 8 hours apart after landing. If there is marked weakness and dizziness after landing, try a few doses of Cocculus 30C spaced 3 hours apart. A few doses of Nux Vomica 30C after landing may be useful if you are having trouble adjusting to the time change.
Mild Sports Injuries
Arnica 30C is the first remedy to give for simple bumps and bruises. For muscle strains, give a few doses of Arnica 30C then switch to Rhus Toxicodendron 30C.
Dosage: Give the indicated remedy every 3 hours for the first 2 days after the injury then switch to twice per day after that. Stop as soon as there is significant improvement.
Travel Homeoprophylaxis
For hundreds of years homeopathic remedies have been used to mitigate disease. Refer to this article for more details: https://littlemountainhomeopathy.com/homeopathic-travel-vaccines
Traveling with Homeopathic Remedies
Store remedies in your checked suitcase or in a closed bag. Keep away from direct sunlight. Try to store in a separate bag from your cell phone, laptop, and other electronic devices. The occasional x-ray used by customs inspectors does not appear to affect remedies negatively.
Where to Buy Homeopathic Remedies
If you reside in Vancouver, BC or anywhere in Canada, this article is useful: https://littlemountainhomeopathy.com/buy-homeopathic-remedies
Those who reside in the USA can find remedies on Amazon. If you are looking for an unusual remedy or reside anywhere outside North America you will find this list useful: https://homeopathy247.com/homeopathic-pharmacies/
Make your own Homeopathic First Aid Kit
To learn about other remedies to have in your homeopathic first aid kit, refer to this article: https://littlemountainhomeopathy.com/homeopathic-first-aid-kit
References
Everybody’s Guide to Homeopathic Medicines by Stephen Cummings and Dana Ullman
Homeopathic Guide for Travelers by Ravi Roy and Carola Lage-Roy
Homeopathy for Children by Gabrielle Pinto and Murray Feldman
The Homeopathic Treatment of Lyme Disease by Peter Alex
Disclaimer: This article does not substitute for medical advice. Please see your doctor immediately in cases of medical emergencies. All homeopathic remedies should be taken under the guidance of a professional homeopath.