Seasonal Update - Summer
Summer is upon us and along with the sunshine comes the more unpleasant side of things – stings, bites, hayfever, heatstroke, sunburn.
Stings and bites respond very well to homoeopathy – there are several remedies to help soothe the skin and take away the itching or stinging. For example:
“Cantharis” is useful for inflamed stings, particularly gnat bites that are red and swollen. Pains are burning and very inflamed.
“Apis”, which is made from bee sting, is for bites and stings that cause smooth, red swelling with lots of burning and stinging. The pains are worse for any heat and benefit from cool applications
“Ledum” – this is a good remedy for stings and puncture wounds, such as horsefly bites or large insect bites. Ledum has a reputation for antidoting insect, bee and animal poisons, The area surrounding the sting feels cold and sensitive to touch. The patient gets relief from bathing the area with cold compresses.
Important – some people have severe reactions to insect bites and stings and may go into shock. This shock is often accompanied by difficulties in breathing and general swelling. This is a dangerous situation and professional medical help must be sought immediately.
Hayfever can bring misery to thousands of people during the summer months, some people only suffering at the beginning or the end of the summer, others struggling from May to September. There are several homeopathic remedies to help with this – ideally, we like to treat our patients “constitutionally” in the winter – building up their defences so that by the summer, the attacks are fewer and farther between, and less intense. These remedies are very specific to the individual. However, for “acute attacks”, and for those new to homoeopathy at the time of an attack, the following remedies can be invaluable:
“Allium Cepa” – a remedy indicated when the eyes burn and smart and there is profuse watering, whilst the nose runs like a tap with a discharge that can burn. This is all accompanied by frequent, violent sneezing and the patient is very sensitive to odours, particularly of flowers.
“Euphrasia” is indicated when the eyes are watery – swimming in tears. The tears can be profuse and hot or even burning and things are worse when the patient is in the open air. The nose runs with a clear, bland discharge and there may be a cough with a lot of expectoration.
“Sabadilla” is useful when there is persistent, violent sneezing. Itchy nose – a tickle that seems to spread. The nose may feel dry and there may be an acute sensitivity to the smell of garlic. The eyelids are red, burning and streaming and the condition is usually worse in the open air.
Nutritionally speaking, hayfever can be exacerbated by certain foods – the foods to avoid would be any to which you have an allergy or intolerance; common culprits are wheat, dairy, eggs and citrus fruits – particularly oranges. Dairy foods are mucous forming and can exacerbate the problem. I would also recommend you reduce salt, additives, caffeine and alcohol.
On the other hand, garlic and onions have properties which can help reduce the severity of allergic reactions (NB if you are using homoeopathy at the same time, garlic should not be taken). Nettle tea can ease the symptoms of allergic rhinities and certain fruits can protect the mucous membranes, particularly:
- Blueberries
- Strawberries
- Blackberries
- Kiwi fruit
Heatstroke and sunburn can be absolute misery – bringing on fever, headaches and nausea, digestive disturbances – even delirium.
The most commonly indicated remedy here is “Belladonna”, where the skin is bright red and glossy, dry and hot, there is a throbbing, hammering headache. The face is fiery red and hot and the eyes have dilated pupils and seem glassy.
This list is by no means exhaustive – but may give some ideas as to which remedies can help at this time of year. A visit or call to a homoeopath will confirm the remedy required together with the potency and frequency with which it should be taken.