HOmeopathic & Holistic First Aid Kit

What I absolutely love about homeopathy is how accessible it is to everyone.  Fair enough, to practice professionally you need to undertake a formal course of study (please do, the world needs more homeopaths!), but to treat yourself and your family you can get started with a basic kit and a good book.  And of course, if possible, a good homeopath to hold your hand in the early days.

I started with the encouragement of a wonderful homeopath in Belfast and a kit.  I began reading all I could get my hands on.  For beginners I highly recommend Colin Griffith's, The Practical Handbook of Homeopathy and Tricia Allen's, The Healthy Child Through Homeopathy.  These are both easy to read, jargon free books that will stand you in good stead.  They are well worth the investment and you will use them for years.  I promise!

I am often asked what remedies I use most or to recommend some for people to get.  There are a number of core remedies that no household should be without, especially if there are children (Arnica, I'm thinking of you).  However, there are also remedies that you can get in kits that you may use much less frequently.  That said, it's always useful to have them on hand as you really don't know what will crop up at any time.

People are often surprised to learn that I don't exclusively have homeopathic remedies in my first aid kit.  They certainly form the core, but I believe there are also other things out there that are beneficial to have in your home.

Here is a list of some of my top things.

Activated charcoal
You can get this loose (be careful when opening!) or in capsule form.  It's handy to have on hand in case of food poisoning, stomach bugs or in case of accidental ingestion of poison.  Be sure that if you suspect that a someone has ingested something harmful you go immediately to the hospital for appropriate care.

Essential oils
Lavender is my go-to oil.  it is so versatile and can be used for almost anything.  This also doesn't interfere with the efficacy of homeopathic remedies the way other oils can.
I also keep tea tree, peppermint and eucalyptus on hand.
(Please remember to do your own research regarding EO as some are not compatible with certain medical conditions).

Echinacea
I swear by this for helping to keep our home cold & flu free during the winter months.  I use a few drops in water or juice each day for a couple of weeks through the change in seasons.

And now to the main event; the remedies!

Arnica
Good for bruising, swelling and even jet-lag, Arnica is a must have remedy for all kits.  Useful for bumped knees, sports injuries etc.  Use in both cream and pillule form.  Side note, don't use the cream on broken skin, it will sting!

Calendula
Use for small cuts & scrapes or even to boost post-surgical healing and help reduce scar tissue formation.

Belladonna
For fevers and inflammation.

Hypericum
Injuries to nerve rich areas such as stubbed toes or cuts. 

Drosera
One of my go-to remedies for coughs, including croup and whooping cough.

Phosphorous
Good for certain coughs & colds and also an excellent nose-bleed remedy.

Chamomilla
Teething, Teething, Teething. As well as fevers, coughs & colds and ear infections.

Pulsatilla
Colds, ear infections, fevers.  It's also good for clingy, anxious children. 

Aconite
Great for any fears, anxieties and shocks.  An excellent one to have in case of an accident. You can also use this at the first sign of a cold or infection to boost your body and prevent it getting worse.

Apis
Bites & stings, sore throats and even cystitis.

Hepar Sulph
Useful for more developed ear infections, tonsillitis, chest infections etc.

Ferr Phos
I use this at the first sign of illness or inflammation.  Much like Aconite, this will help you to fight off infections.

Rhus Tox
This is a good all-rounder.  It is great for strains, sprains, colds and even chickenpox!

Sulphur
Can be good for infections, ear, throat, chest, skin.......the list is seemingly endless with this remedy. 

Arsenicum Album
This is the first remedy I reach for at the sign of a stomach bug or any kind of food poisoning.

Gelsemium
This is a brilliant flu remedy and also comes in handy if you have a little one who gets car sick.

Silica
No remedy is better at helping to body to push out nasty splinters than Silica.  Also great in ear, throat & chest infections.

Nux Vomica
Useful one to have for issues arising from 'over-indulgence!'

Ruta Grav
This remedy is a real complimentary remedy to Rhus Tox.  Also really useful for strains and sprains.

Ledum
For any kind of puncture wound: E.g. standing on a nail, animal bite, sting, painful injection site, use this in conjunction with Hypericum.  It's also very good for black eyes.

Well, there you have it.  This is a snapshot of my first aid kit.  If you would like to purchase a kit of your own, here is my 50 favourite remedies to have to hand.  Working out at just over £1 per remedy, it's an absolute bargain! Purchase Kit