Floods, wars, famines, accidents, earthquakes.

Hardly a day goes by without a disaster making headlines somewhere in the world – they are an inescapable part of life and whether natural or manmade have always been with us.

Most disasters are experienced from afar as media outlets beam distant stories into our homes and workplaces. We become transfixed by the chaos visited on others but for those caught up in the disaster it can mean injuries and sickness, destruction of property, loss of loved ones, starvation, and displacement. Long after the physical wounds have healed, emotional trauma remains.

Homoeopathy is frontline medicine at its best. It has much to offer the victims of disaster and those who rush to their aid. It can be safely used before other medical help arrives and then used beside it with no risk of interactive effects.

Over the next three articles we will look at how homeopathy can be used to reduce the impact of physical injuries, soften emotional trauma, and lessen the risk of epidemic disease. We will also show you how to compile an emergency homeopathy kit, teach you how to use it and explain how the remedies from it can be ‘stretched’ to also help others.

In this, our first article, learn which remedies are most commonly needed for the initial problems of shock, fear, hysteria, and injuries. Find out about the ‘corpse reviver’, how homeopathic opium is a fantastic treatment for shock, and why the London Police Force used gunpowder as a remedy. And, if you ever have the misfortune to be caught in a disaster situation, remember the ABCs of first aid – check and maintain the person’s Airway, Breathing and Circulation and certainly call for help.

First Response Remedies

Shock

Emotional shock is the body’s response to extreme fear, stress, pain, or helplessness. It is also known as acute stress reaction. Symptoms include: disorientation; confusion; agitation; restlessness; and feeling ‘dazed’.

Two key homeopathic remedies for this type of shock are Aconite and Opium.

Aconite napellus (Acon.): Aconite is used when the person is agitated, restless, fearful and anxious (or even in a state of terror) and convinced they will die. It is capable of relieving not only these mental-emotional symptoms but other symptoms that may be present at the same time such as chest pain from an impending heart attack (myocardial infarction) or convulsions.

Opium (Op.): The homeopathic remedy prepared from opium is more useful for emotional shock in which the person looks and acts like a ‘stunned mullet’. They are withdrawn, respond poorly to what is happening around them, and have a dazed, besotted expression. Be aware though that in some countries you will not be able to obtain homeopathic opium as regulators of these countries, unfamiliar with the extreme dilutions of homoeopathic remedies, confuse homeopathic opium with its crude source and so classify it as an illegal substance.

Guidelines: Either remedy can be given as often as every 15 seconds if the person’s symptoms are severe. Once symptoms start to settle only give another dose when improvement stops or symptoms start to return. If there is no improvement by 3 doses, stop, as this means the remedy is incorrect – choose another remedy that better matches the symptoms. As long as the person is improving with each dose, the remedy can be given as often as needed and for as long as is needed.

Hysteria and Panic

Following shock, panic and hysteria are the next most common reactions to emotional trauma. People may shriek, scream, have rapidly changing emotions, sob convulsively, hyperventilate, or frantically clutch at others for help. Two remedies to help reduce panic and hysteria are Aconite and Ignatia.

Aconite napellus (Acon.): Those needing Aconite, as already mentioned, will be extremely restless and agitated, fearing they are about to die. They are likely to have palpitations and will hyperventilate, producing symptoms of pins and needles and numbness throughout the body.

Ignatia amara (Ign.): Ignatia is used for rapidly changing moods and crying with sobbing. The person may hyperventilate, twitch, jerk, have cramps and display contradictory, unpredictable behaviour. They will pull away from comfort and reassurance and may sweat from the face.

Guidelines: Either remedy can be given as often as every 15 seconds if the person’s symptoms are severe. Once symptoms start to settle only give another dose when improvement stops or symptoms start to return. If there is no improvement by 3 doses, stop, as this means the remedy is incorrect – choose another remedy that better matches the symptoms. As long as the person is improving with each dose, the remedy can be given as often as needed and for as long as is needed.

Injuries, Wounds and Hazardous Effects

Allium cepa (All-c.): When eyes and nose are streaming from some sort of irritant. Burning discharge from the nose, bland discharge from the eyes. A good remedy to counter the effects of tear gas. (Also see Euphrasia.)

Arnica Montana (Arn.): For bruising and damage to soft tissues such as skin and muscles.  Slows bleeding, reduces swelling, promotes healing, helps with shock and reduces the risk of infection. Ideal as a first remedy for broken bones (fractures) that cause bleeding and swelling into the tissues (use Bryonia for fractured ribs or Symphytum after 24 hours when swelling and bleeding is no longer a problem). Do not use in herbal form if skin is broken as it will irritate; it is safe to use in homeopathic potencies.

Bryonia (Bry.): Fracturessuch as fractured ribs when the pain is worse for the slightest movement (breathing) and better for firm pressure or being supported.

Calendula (Calen.): Useful for superficial wounds, grazes and lacerated skin – promotes healing and reduces the risk of infection. Can be taken by mouth or applied topically (directly on the skin). To apply topically, place 10 drops of the herbal tincture or potentised remedy into a cup of water, cleanse the wound and then bind with a dressing moistened with the solution. Leave the dressing intact for as long as possible but keep it moist with the solution to speed healing and stop infection.

Cantharis (Canth.): A key remedy for 2^nd to 3^rd degree burns where there is severe pain and even blistering of the skin. (See Urtica urens for 1^st and 2^nd degree burns, Causticum for chemical burns, and Phosphorus for electrical burns.)

Causticum (Caust.): A useful remedy for deep burns and chemical burns. (See Urtica urens for 1^st and 2^nd degree burns, Cantharis for 2^nd and 3^rd degree burns, and Phosphorus for electrical burns.)

China officinalis (Chin.): Relieves exhaustion and debility that follows the loss of body fluids such as blood, sweat and diarrheoa.

Carbo vegetabilis (Carb-v.): This remedy has the reputation of being a ‘corpse reviver’ among homeopaths. It treats many near-death states with the following symptoms: faintness; collapse; exhaustion; chilliness; cold sweat; gasping for air; wanting to be fanned; flatulence and distension; heart failure; blue or mottled skin. (Also see Laurocerasus.)

Euphrasia (Euphr.): When eyes and nose are streaming from some sort of irritant. Bland discharge from the nose, burning discharge from the eyes. A good remedy to counter the effects of tear gas. (Also see Allium cepa.)

Gunpowder (Gunp.): Used in its crude form in the past by soldiers and the London Police Force (of all people) to fight infection, homeopathic gunpowder is still an excellent remedy today to prevent boils and abscesses developing in cuts and wounds.

Hypericum perforatum (Hyper.): For injuries to nerves and nerve rich areas such as finger tips and the spine.  Numbness and tingling. Pains shoot upwards along the nerve pathways. Also helpful forlacerations and puncture wounds where there is the risk of tetanus.

Laurocerasus (Laur.): A good remedy for lack of reaction when the heart and /or respiratory system is in failure. The person may: be in a state of collapse; have chilliness that is unhelped by warmth; be gasping for breath or suffocating; and be blue or mottled. (Also see Carbo vegetabilis.)

Ledum palustre (Led.): Main remedy for puncture wounds when there is a risk of tetanus. Useful forsprained and twisted joints.

Natrum sulphuricum (Nat-s): For concussion and head injuries that potentially involve brain damage or bleeding into the brain. Also useful for some types of spinal injury.

Phosphorus (Phos.): The main remedy for electrical burns or electroshock. (See Urtica urens for 1^stand 2^nd degree burns, Cantharis for 2^nd and 3^rd degree burns, and Causticum for chemical burns.)

Staphysagria (Staph.): Especially useful for cuts and incisions that have clean rather than jagged edges. Promotes healing and reduces the risk of infection. Also helps the person process emotions following violations such as rape.

Symphytum officinale (Symph.): Known as the ‘Arnica of the eye’. Helpful when the eyeball has been punctured, ruptured or damaged. Also used in the ongoing repair of fractures.

Urtica urens (Urt-u): Main remedy for 1^st and 2^nd degree burns that sting, burn and possibly itch. An unusual symptom is that the burn may feel worse for cold water. (See Cantharis for 2^nd and 3^rd degree burns, Causticum for chemical burns, and Phosphorus for electrical burns.)

X-ray: Minimises genetic damage following exposure to radiation.

Disaster has struck. Panic and shock are now subsiding. The immediate threat is over.

Those caught in the disaster are literally starting to pick up the pieces of their lives and possessions.

Moving on to the Next Stage

Anger, accusations, grief and ongoing fear grip many as raw emotions come to the surface but perhaps the most striking thing that outsiders witness is the compassion and support people give to each in the middle of what seems like an insurmountable tragedy.

Physical injuries that were not seen as severe at the height of the disaster now need attention and the spread of disease has to be prevented.

Even here, homoeopathy with its easy production and distribution of remedies should have a key role to play. Gangrene, sunstroke, boils and abscesses – they can all be helped by homeopathy. The following is a summary of  remedies  you could use to help yourself and others during the second stage of a disaster.

Fear, Anxiety and Despair

Argentum nitricum (Arg-n): Anticipatory anxiety with strange fears or phobias. May become claustrophobic or agoraphobic. Wants company but anxious in a crowd. Fears losing control. Diarrhoea develops with anxiety.

Arsenicum album (Ars.): Anxious and afraid to be alone. Fear of death or disease. Restlessness leading to exhaustion. Controlling behaviour of others and circumstances. Anxiety worse after midnight.

Gelsemium (Gels.): Anxiety with weakness and trembling. Needs support when standing; knees shake. Heaviness of eyelids and drowsiness. Wants to be alone.

Stramonium (Stram.): Symptoms usually develop after a frightful experience. Violence towards others from fear of being attacked or hurt. May hit, scratch, kick or bite (children especially). Fear of the dark. Feel much better in company and light.

Comments: If shock, panic or hysteria is still present, refer back to Part 1 for helpful remedies.

Grief

Ignatia amara (Ign.): Main remedy for acute grief. Hysterical and changeable behaviour. Angry outbursts and recriminations. Crying when alone rather than in public. Convulsive sobbing. Brooding and sighing. Sensation of lump in the throat. Refusal to eat.

Phosphoric Acid (Ph-ac.):Indifferent, apathetic or physically weak with grief. Slow to answer. Silent suffering – want to be alone. Lack of energy. Exhausted.
Anger

Chamomilla (Cham.): Anger with contrariness. Discontented and dissatisfied no matter what is done – can’t be pleased. Hypersensitive and intolerant of pain, even from minor injuries.

 

Nux vomica (Nux): Angry, irritable, driven and impatient. Irritable when interrupted or obliged to answer. Intolerant of others especially if they are perceived as being too slow or doing inappropriate things. Overindulgence in stimulants or alcohol.

Staphysagria (Staph.): Suppressed anger and indignation following humiliation or insult. Often needed by rape victims during disaster or war.

Injuries and Wounds

Many of the first aid and emergency remedies suggested in Part 1 may still be useful during this ‘mopping up’ stage. For example:

Broken bones (fractures): See Arnica montana, Bryonia alba, or Symphytum. (Part 1)

Concussion or brain injury: See Natrum sulphuricum. (Part 1)

Bruising and damage to soft tissues: See Arnica Montana. (Part 1)

Superficial wounds, grazes and lacerated skin: See Calendula or Hypericum. (Part 1)

Cuts and incisional wounds: See Staphysagria.(Part 1)

Puncture wounds: See Hypericum or Ledum palustre. (Part 1)

Chemical, electrical or 1^st, 2^nd or 3^rd degree burns: See Urtica urens, Causticum, Cantharis or Phosphorus.(Part 1)

Sprained or twisted joints: See Ledum palustre.(Part 1).  Additional remedies include:

Bryonia alba (Bry.): Pain that is worse for the slightest movement. Better for firm strapping, pressure, or lying on the affected part.

Hypericum perforatum (Hyper.): Damaged nerves with shooting pains to travel up the limbs along nerve tracts.

Rhus toxicodendron (Rhus-t.): Pain and stiffness that is worse after rest and better for ongoing movement.

Ruta graveolens (Ruta.): For tendon injuries, especially of wrist and ankle. Pain worse after rest. Hard nodules from blows to shins.

Infected wounds, boils and abscesses.

See Gunpowder as a preventative for infection in Part 1 of this article. Additional remedies for treatment include:

Anthracinum (Anthr.): Intense burning pains. Offensive discharges. Black or blue blisters. Anxious with fear of death. Weakness with difficulty in swallowing even though very thirsty.

Arsenicum album (Ars.): Burning pain that is better for warmth. The person will be anxious, restless, chilly and thirsty for small sips.

Hepar sulphuris (Hep.): Sensitive wounds with splinter-like sticking pains. Lots of the pus. Sensitive to cold and drafts but better for warmth. Old cheese odour.

Pyrogenium (Pyrog.): Offensive wounds with foul smelling discharges. High fever with slow pulse or low fever with rapid pulse. Exhausted but restless. Bruised feeling.

Silicea (Sil.): Abscesses that drain but don’t heal. Splinterlike pains. Chilly and worse for cold.

Bites and Stings

In many disaster situations, animals and snakes are displaced just as much as humans. Once out of their natural habitat, bites and stings are much more likely. In these instances, the following remedies can help.

Aconite napellus (Acon.): Rapid, intense symptoms following bite or sting. Restlessness, anxiety and fear that they might die. Very thirsty.

Apis mellifica (Apis.): The site of the sting will be puffy. Swelling will be warm and white or rosy pink in colour. Prickling, stinging pains that are improved by cold applications.

Lachesis muta (Lach.): Skin around bite or sting will be hot and look dark red or blue –purple. Often needed for tarantula bites.

Ledum palustre (Led.): Main remedy for puncture wounds, including the bites and stings of animals or insects. Wound swollen, cold, and discoloured. Pain improved by cold applications.

Cantharis (Canth.): Intense burning pain following insect bites such as those from a wasps.

Gangrene

Tissue gangrene occurs from infection, crush injuries, obstructed circulation or frostbite. The correct homeopathic remedy can minimise the damage and aid recovery.

Anthracinum (Anthr.): Intense burning pains with offensive discharges and blue-black blisters. Restlessness leading to exhaustion.

Arsenicum album (Ars.): Burning pains that feel better for warmth. Restless, anxious and chilly. Thirsty for small sips.

Cantharis (Canth.): Intense raw, burning pains. Blackish blisters. Delirium in which they might bite.

Carbo vegetabilis (Carb-v.): Bluish, ice-cold skin and extremeties yet person wants to be fanned – cannot get enough air. Frequent belching. Exhaustion and breathlessness.

Crotalus horridus (Crot-h.): Rapid spread with offensive odour. Swollen limb. Blackish blisters. Right side of body feels tender. Easy weeping.

Sunburn or Heat/Sun Stroke

Working in extreme temperatures or facing sun exposure after the destruction of shelter can leave both victims and helpers sunburnt or at risk of sun and heat stroke. The following remedies help the pain of simple sunburn plus the fever, vomiting, weakness, cramping, diarrhoea and delirium that may occur from sun or heat stroke.

Apis mellifica (Apis.): Swelling of the tissues (oedema) with stinging, prickly pain. Better for cold applications. Worse for warmth. Reduced urine output. Drowsiness or irritability.

Belladonna (Bell): Hot, red face. Throbbing headache that is worse from light, noise, lying down, or being jarred. Eyes red and bloodshot all glassy in appearance.

Cantharis (Canth.): One of the main remedies for painful and blistering sunburn. Smarting, burning pain relieved by cold applications. Restless and thirsty.

Glonoinum (Glon): Throbbing in head and body. Dark spots before the eyes. Clenching of jaws. Deathly feeling in the stomach.

Natrum carbonicum (Nat-c.): For the chronic effects of sunstroke. Weakness on exertion.

Urtica urens (Urt-u.): Simple sunburn with stinging, burning or itching pain. Better for lying down. Worse for touch and after sleep.

Exhaustion and Collapse

It’s not just those involved in the disaster who are affected. Those who rush to help often work themselves to a point of collapse. See Part 1 for details on remedies such as China officinalis, Carbo vegetabilis and Laurocerasus where exhaustion arises from physical injury or disease. Additional remedies to consider later on in the disaster are:

Arsenicum album (Ars.): Restlessness leading to exhaustion. Anxious and afraid to be alone. Fear of death or disease. Controlling behaviour of others and circumstances.

Calcarea carbonica (Calc.): Weakness from exertion. Sweets on the least exertion and during sleep. Confused and under-confident thinking. Can’t bear to see or hear of cruelties or horrible things.

Cocculus indicus (Cocc.): Symptoms such as numbness, twitching, dizziness, confusion and exhaustion following loss of sleep from caring for others.

Gelsemium (Gels.): Anxiety with weakness and trembling. Needs support when standing; knees shake. Heaviness of eyelids and drowsiness. Wants to be alone.

Kali phosphoricum (Kali-p): Nervous exhaustion from overwork or worry. Insomnia from nervous exhaustion. Tongue is coated yellow.

Phosphoric acid (Ph-ac.): Indifferent, apathetic or physically weak from grief or loss of body fluids. Slow to answer and unable to think of words. Silent suffering – want to be alone. Lack of energy. Exhausted.

Disease Prevention

Damaged infrastructure, polluted water, lack of sanitation, and decaying matter all encourage the spread of disease. Whether it be a simple diarrhoea or more serious epidemic diseases such as cholera, homeopathy can assist with prevention as well as treatment.

Nosodes (remedies made from the diseased tissue or discharge) are a simple preventative option and many can be obtained from homeopathic pharmacies or made on site by rapidly potentising the source material. (Remember to take all precautions until the remedy has been potentised so you don’t become infected yourself).

The other equally effective option is just to choose one of the standard homeopathic remedies that best matches the symptoms of the disease to be prevented. Common prophylactics (preventatives) are listed below but many others exist for omitted diseases.

Amoebic dysentery: Arsenicum album (Ars.) or nosode.

Anthrax: Anthracinum (Anthr.).

Bubonic plague: Baptisia tinctoria (Bapt.) or nosode.

Chickenpox: Antimonium crudum (Ant-c.) or Pulsatilla pratensis (Puls.) or Rhus toxicodendron (Rhus-t.) or nosode.

Cholera: Cuprum metallicum (Cupr.) or Camphor(Camph.) or Veratrum album (Verat.) or nosode.

Diphtheria: Mercurius cyanatus (Merc-cy.) or nosode.

Hepatitis: Phosphorus (Phos.) or Chelidonium majus (Chel.) or nosode.

Hydrophobia: Belladonna (Bell.) or nosode.

Influenza: Gelsemium semervirens (Gels.) or Arsenicum album (Ars.) or Rhus toxicodendron (Rhus-t.) or Eupatorium perfoliatum (Eup-per.) or nosode.

Lyme disease: Ledum palustre or nosode.

Malaria: Cinchona (Cinch.) or Arsenicum album (Ars.) or Natrum muriaticum (Nat-m.) or nosode.

Measles: Pulsatilla pratensis (Puls.) or Aconite napellus (Acon.) or Arsenicum album (Ars.) or nosode.

Meningitis or Encephalitis: Belladonna (Bell.) or nosode.

Mumps: Mercurius vivus (Merc-v.) or Phytolacca decandra (Phyt.) or nosode.

Polio: Lathyrus sativa (Lath.) or Plumbum metallicum (Plb.) or nosode.

Puerperal fever: Pyrogenium (Pyr.) or nosode.

Scarlet fever: Belladonna (Bell.) or nosode.

Small pox: Malandrinum (Maland.) or nosode.

Tetanus: Ledum pulustre (Led.) or Hypericum perforatum (Hyper.) or Magnesium phosphoricum (Mag-p.) or nosode.

Typhus: Rhus toxicodendron (Rhus-t.) or Baptisia tinctoria (Bapt.) or nosode.

Tuberculosis: Drosera rotundifolia (Dros.) or nosode.

Typhoid: Baptisia tinctoria (Bapt.) or nosode.

Whooping cough: Drosera rotundifolia (Dros.) or Carbo vegetabilis (Carb-v.) or nosode.

Yellow fever: Crotalus horridus (Crot-h.) or Carbo vegetabilis (Carb-v.) or Arsenicum album (Ars.) or nosode.

Dosage Guidelines

Remedies can be used in any potency from 6C to 200C but remember, good results are more dependent on getting the remedy right rather than getting the potency right. If none of the above potencies are on hand, dose with whatever one you have available. Because homeopathy is an intrinsically safe system of medicine free of toxic effects, no harm will be done.

How often to dose will depend on the intensity of the person’s symptoms and how quickly they respond to the remedy. Initial doses may be needed as often as every 5 minutes or at intervals of several hours. To find out more about dosing, read: How Often Should I Take a Dose of My Remedy.

Post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD) may not be as obvious as piles of rubble or burnt houses yet survivors of disaster and emergency situations can struggle for years to come to terms with the emotional turmoil these events have created.

To conclude our series we will look at some of the remedies that bring emotional healing for the psychological trauma inflicted by disasters.

What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?

PTSD is an anxiety disorder caused by either seeing, or being involved in, an emotionally traumatic event. PSTD may occur immediately after the event or many months later.

Sufferers of PSDT often relive the event by going over and over it in their mind or through unwanted flashbacks and dreams. They may become emotionally numb, lose interest in daily activities and have a sense of hopelessness or extreme anxiety about the future. Concentration is difficult, sleep disorders are common and the person may be oversensitive or irritable to stimuli or people.

Sufferers can develop depression or anxiety-related symptoms such as agitation, dizziness, palpitations, sweatiness and dryness of mouth.  ‘Survivor guilt’ (feeling guilty about what happened) is common.

Not everyone who has lived through a disaster will experience PTSD – it depends on physical and psychological make-up, past experiences, the intensity of the trauma, and the amount of social support a person can call upon following the event.

General Treatment

Standard methods of helping people with PTSD include counselling, support groups, and anti-anxiety medications or sedatives. Some sufferers of PTSD turn to illicit drugs or alcohol as a way to self-medicate but all drugs, whether recreational, legal or illegal, have dangerous or addictive side-effects and so are less than helpful.

Support groups and certain counselling approaches are much safer and surprisingly, can even have a homoeopathic effect on the problem as homeopathy is about much more than just remedies. A little-known fact is that homeopathy is not just about remedies but encompasses anything that produces similar feelings or effects to symptoms that are to be treated.

For example, when a person is encouraged to revisit a traumatic event during counselling or in a group, a therapeutic ‘like treats like’ or homeopathic effect takes place which is much more helpful than suppressing symptoms through medication or living in denial. Neither of the last two approaches bring deep healing, but often worsen health.

Homeopathic Help

Homoeopathy has numerous remedies that help with the symptoms of post-traumatic stress. Let’s look at some of them and the sorts of experiences in which they can be used.

Erica’s Story: Anxiety and Panic Attacks

Five years ago, Erica lost her home and everything she owned to a bushfire. She had always been a nervous person but since the trauma of that event her anxiety had intensified. She was unable to sleep through the night and would wander around the house at all hours, preparing for the day ahead. She also suffered burning pain in her stomach which certainly wasn’t conducive to a good night’s sleep. Her family said she had become a hypochondriac and neat-freak, and complained that she was overly critical. Erica just wanted everything to be right. She lived in fear of something happening to her family and of once again losing her possessions. Panic attacks began to plague her. The first was in the middle of the night when she was rushed to hospital with everyone thinking it was a heart attack. Since then, Erica’s family had been telling her that she must do more to relax; Erica felt like screaming at them.

If only Erica and her family had known about Arsenicum album (Ars.) earlier! It can be a fantastic remedy for post-traumatic stress disorder when the following symptoms are present:

Anxiety, restlessness, fussiness, irritability and discontentment. Feelings of insecurity. Anxiety about what may happen to them or famiy members.  Fear of being alone. Excessive dependence on others. Not easily reassured. Panic attacks and anxiety about health matters – real or imagined. Worries about finances or poverty. Highly fastidious – everything has to be neat and organised or anxiety becomes overwhelming. Symptoms worse between 12 midnight and 2am. Sleeplessness from anxiety. Chilliness. Physical complaints with burning pains – better for warmth. Common complaints- gastritis, stomach or duodenal ulcers, anorexia, asthma, Raynaud’s disease, and cancer.

With a single dose of Arsenicum album, Erica’s anxiety began to soften.  Appropriate follow-up doses resolved her symptoms further and Erica  returned to a more comfortable and satisfying life.

Michael’s Story: “They’d Be Better Off Without Me.”

Michael was the driver of a motor vehicle that crashed, killing his young son Ryan and two occupants of the other car. He still carries the grief of the event but throws himself into his work where he is valued and reliable employee. Only his wife Kelly knows that his seriousness and strong sense of responsibility mask depression and guilt that have dogged him since the accident. What she doesn’t know, though, is that Michael thinks everyone would be better off without him and has made tentative plans to take his own life.

A remedy that could help Michael is Aurum metallicum (Aur.). It is commonly used to treat the following symptoms:

Depression from grief, failure or shame. Deep depression. Joylessness. Suicidal depression – may think of jumping from a height, or driving into oncoming traffic. Often have strong religious convictions – desire for prayer or meditation. Imagine they have failed or neglected their duty. Thoughts of death are pleasant. Tendency to heart problems. Symptoms worse at night, especially pains in the bones. Moaning or crying out in sleep.

Note: Deep depression is a serious disorder. Should you suspect that a friend or family member is severely depressed, encourage them to seek the help and support of a trusted health professional as soon as possible.

Wei’s Story: Angered by Injustice

Wei arrived in this country seven years ago as a refugee. He had escaped corruption and persecution in his own country but not before his family home had been burnt to the ground and his parents beaten because of Wei’s involvement in a protest against the oppressive regime. He now received very little news from his parents and in recent times had become increasingly angry. He was well-known in his local community for his work with other refugees but his friends were concerned about his increasing belligerence about ‘stupid’ rules and regulations and to those in positions of authority. They wanted him to take a break from his work before he ended up in trouble again.

It is likely that Wei’s reaction to his past experiences would be helped with a remedy called Causticum(Caust). While several Causticum symptoms seem admirable at first glance, they can result in states of imbalance or excess. It is a remedy for those who are:

Idealistic and sympathetic. Intolerant of injustice – become worried, angry or anxious.  Fight for others and for causes. Defiant towards authority. Health complaints often involve stiffness, numbness, tingling or paralysis. Anxiety develops in the evening and with the dark. Craves smoked food. Feels better in rainy weather.

Carmen’s Story: Indifference and Apathy

Carmen has lived through a home invasion. She had been watching TV with her husband and two children when three unknown men burst through the door waving knives and screaming obscenities. Carmen’s husband tried to stop them but was knocked to the ground and a knife placed at his throat. Carmen was terrified. She immediately told them where their money and valuables were kept. When they finally left, Carmen collapsed to the floor. Now, three months later and in spite of intensive counselling, Carmen is struggling to recover from the incident. While initially traumatised and anxious, she is now apathetic and indifferent. She finds it almost impossible to get out of bed in the morning and returns to it as soon as her husband and children have left for the day. She loves her children but finds them emotionally exhausting each day. She is frequently irritable and snappy. Her husband says he has lost the wife he once loved and their marriage is feeling the strain.

The impact of the home invasion has pushed Carmen into what homoeopaths call a ‘Sepia state’. Sepia(Sep.) can help when someone is:

Joyless and indifferent, even to loved ones. Drained of emotional and physical energy. While symptoms are often improved by vigorous activity in early stages, eventually everything becomes too much of an effort. Dread of being alone but also dislikes company. Snappy and irritable or silent and tearful. Dislikes being comforted. Craves chocolate and sour things such as lemons or vinegar. Feels energised by thunderstorms. Menstrual periods often painful or heavy.

Chris’s Story: One Disaster Too Many

Chris had been part of a recovery team sent from Australia to help in the aftermath of an earthquake. It was the sort of work he had done many times before but this time it was different. Now, back at home, he was struggling to return to a normal life. Whenever he looked at the happiness and relative security of his own family, images would flash before his eyes of the ruined lives he had left behind. Chris’s wife didn’t know what to do. Her husband was known for his caring attitude and strong sense of social responsibility but this time he wasn’t coping. Whenever she tried to discuss the situation with him he would just change the subject or leave the room. He was reluctant to go back to work and was becoming increasingly withdrawn and troubled.

Chris’s reaction to his latest assignment sounds similar to the Carcinosin (Carc.) symptom pattern.Carcinosin can help bring excesses back into balance when someone is:

Very sympathetic. Cares for others. Strong sense of responsibility – tends to take on too much. Sensitive to criticism and easily hurt. Feels guilty about his or her own troubles or sickness. Moved by sad stories. Depression from other people’s problems or prolonged fear and abuse. Loves chocolate, animals, thunderstorms, travel and being by the sea.

Self or Practitioner Treatment?

The immediate problems of injury, shock, panic, exposure and poisoning that follow a disaster can frequently be helped by anyone with a working knowledge of homeopathy. These are the situations discussed in Part 1 and Part 2 of this series.

Chronic emotional problems linked to post-traumatic stress disorders are better managed by a qualified homeopath as a course of treatment with changes in potencies and remedies is likely to be needed – something that is beyond the scope of a home-use kit.

Whether by self-treatment or qualified help, homeopathy has a lot to offer victims in the wake of a disaster. The following remedies are those we recommend for a basic emergency kit so that you too can be well prepared should disaster strike.

Top 20 Disaster Remedies

Note: Remedies, such as prophylactics can certainly be added to the following list. Refer to Part 1 andPart 2 of this article for more information on them and other suggestions.

1. Aconite napellus (Acon.)

For: Panic, fear and shock. Hyperventilation. Anaphylaxis. Measles.

2. Apis mellifica (Apis.)

For: Bites and stings with swelling. Anaphylaxis.

3. Arnica Montana (Arn.)

For: Bruising and damage to soft tissues. Fractures.

4. Arsenicum album (Ars.)

For: Anxiety states. Burning pains better for warmth. Food poisoning. Fractures. Pain that is worse for the slightest movement and better keeping still or firm pressure. Amoebic dysentery. Influenza. Malaria. Measles, Yellow fever.

5. Bryonia (Bry.)

For: Fractures. Pain that is worse for the slightest movement and better keeping still or firm pressure.

6. Carbo vegetabilis (Carb-v.)

For:  Near-death states with gasping and flatulence. The ‘corpse-reviver’.

7. Calendula (Calen.)

For:  Superficial wounds, grazes and lacerated skin. Infected wounds.

8. Cantharis (Canth.)

For:  2nd to 3rd degree burns, including sunburn. Wasp stings.

9. China officinalis (Chin.)

For: Exhaustion following  loss of body fluids such as blood, sweat and diarrheoa. Malaria.

10. Euphrasia (Euphr.)

For:  Irritated streaming eyes and nose. Effects of tear gas.

11. Hepar sulphuris (Hep.)

For: Infected and sensitive wounds with splinter-like sticking pains and cheesy odour. Slow healing of wounds.

12. Hypericum perforatum (Hyper.)

For: injuries to nerves and nerve rich areas such as finger tips and the spine. Lacerations and puncture wounds, especially where there is the risk of tetanus.

13. Lachesis muta (Lach.)

For: Dark red or blue –purple infected tissues . Gangrene. Tarantula bites.

14. Ledum palustre (Led.):

For: Puncture wounds especially when there is a risk of tetanus. Sprained and twisted joints. Bites and stings. Lyme disease.

15. Pyrogenium (Pyrog.)

For: Offensive wounds with foul smelling discharges. High fevers from infections. Restless exhaustion and offensive discharges. Prevention of infection following wounds or childbirth.

16. Ruta graveolens (Ruta.):

For tendon or periostium injuries. Sprains and strains.

17. Silicea (Sil.):

Abscesses that drain but won’t heal. Embedded foreign bodies.

18. Staphysagria (Staph.)

For: Cuts and incisions. Violation and rape.

19. Symphytum officinale (Symph.)

For: Fractures.  Punctured or ruptured eyeball.

20. X-ray

For: Prevention of chromosomal damage from radiation exposure. Treatment of radiation burns and poisoning.

Dosage Guidelines

For acute problems, remedies can be used in any potency from 6C to 200C but remember, good results are more dependent on getting the remedy right rather than getting the potency right. If none of the above potencies are on hand, dose with whatever one you have available. Because homeopathy is an intrinsically safe system of medicine free of toxic effects, no harm will be done.

How often to dose will depend on the intensity of the person’s symptoms and how quickly they respond to the remedy. Initial doses may be needed as often as every 5 minutes or at intervals of several hours. To find out more about dosing, read: How Often Should I Take a Dose of My Remedy.

The following instructions are suitable for acute (short-lived) problems only. Chronic or recurring problems usually require less frequent doses and a different approach to dosing. For best results, recurring or chronic problems should be treated with the assistance of a professional homeopath. One dose equals one pilule (pill or pellet) or ¼ dropper (5-7 drops) of liquid applied to the mucous membranes (ie, of the mouth). It is not necessary for the remedy to be swallowed.Olfaction (taking a sniff of the remedy) works just as well.

Mild Situations (Conditions for which you would probably not seek professional help.)

Examples: A mildly sprained ankle, or a nuisance-value sore throat.

Dose: Every 4 hours until symptoms start to improve. With improvement, space the doses further apart, taking a dose only when symptoms start to return. If there is no improvement at all by 4 doses (after 16 hours) choose a more suitable remedy or contact your homeopath.

Moderate Situations (Conditions for which you might seek professional help.)

Examples: A painful and swollen sprained ankle that can tolerate some weight, or a troublesome sore throat.

Dose: Every 2 hours until symptoms start to improve. With improvement, space the doses further apart, taking a dose only when symptoms return. If there is no improvement at all by 4 doses (after 8 hours) choose a more suitable remedy or contact your homeopath.

Severe Situations (Conditions for which you would seek professional help.)

Examples: A painful and swollen ankle that you cannot place any weight on at all, or a sore and red throat that makes eating or drinking difficult.

Dose: Every ½ hour until symptoms start to improve. With improvement, space the doses further apart, taking a dose only when symptoms return. If there is no improvement at all by 4 doses (after 2 hours) choose a more suitable remedy or contact your homeopath.

Emergency Situations (Conditions for which you would phone urgently for an ambulance.)

Examples: An obviously broken ankle where the bone has pierced the skin and the person is in severe pain or shock, or a painful, swollen throat that is leading to suffocation.

Dose: Every 15 seconds to a minute while waiting for the ambulance. If the remedy is correct there should be a rapid improvement in symptoms. With improvement, space the doses further apart. If there is no improvement at all by four doses (after 1 – 4 minutes), change to another remedy.

Notes

An aggravation (a mild worsening of symptoms) can occasionally occur after the first dose of the liquid or pilule (pill or pellet) remedy as the body starts to rebalance. This is usually a positive response only seen with the first dose, and should soon be followed by an improvement in symptoms if the correct remedy has been chosen. Repeat the remedy when this improvement stalls or symptoms start to return.

A small percentage of sensitive people respond so strongly to homeopathic remedies that they have a mild aggravation after each dose. These people should take subsequent doses in a liquid rather than pilule form to reduce the likelihood of these aggravations. Instructions for turning pilules into liquid remedies can be found at:

 

Guidance on the amounts to given babies and children is available a