Homeopathy for Physical Injuries

Conventional medicine treats physical injuries with mechanical means, ranging from ice packs to surgery, and uses pharmaceutical drugs for pain. Homeopathy can add several other benefits without resorting to drugs, such as reducing pain, bruising, swelling and the risk of infection, while accelerating healing. It assists with the healing of scars, physical misalignments, and microscopic tissue damage or tension that otherwise might be left unattended. If left untreated, these issues can eventually lead to imbalances and progressive malfunction. The body’s cells remember the injuries and, years down the road, can continue to behave as if the injury still exists. On an emotional level, scarring can remain as well. Homeopaths believe their remedies can reach into these levels to bring deep healing.

What Homeopathic Remedies Work Best for Physical Injuries?

Serious physical injuries must be treated as emergencies in medical facilities. Homeopathic remedies, however, can be applied on the way to the emergency room to assist with pain relief and receptivity to healing, and can be used in conjunction with standard Western medicine.

• For blows and injuries, Arnica is popular. Some people keep it in an emergency kit for immediate use. Arnica is designed to reduce shock and pain, prevent swelling and absorb blood from broken blood vessels. Bellis Per also assists with deep trauma or infected wounds, especially when both nerves and blood vessels are injured and the patient experiences intense pain and bleeding.

• For persistent tendon pain, a homeopath might recommend Rhus Tox when the muscles feel stiff and achy, when pain is relieved with a hot bath and hot applications, when pain is worse when one first stands or walks, or when pain is worse from cold or damp weather. If the pain involves inflammation, bruised bones and strains on ligaments, cartilages and joints, the remedy of choice might be Ruta.

• For bone fractures, Arnica is best taken immediately to deal with shock, swelling, and bruising. Then the homeopath might suggest Symphytum each day for one week, and then Calcarea Phos weekly for three weeks, as long as the fractured bone is set in the correct position. These remedies are designed to accelerate the healing process. Symphytum helps facilitate the reunion and growth of bones, especially when the fracture has only affected the outer layer of the bone.

• For bone injuries, the remedy might be Ruta, especially when it involves injury to the forehead, chin, elbow or kneecap.

• For head injuries, start with Arnica. Follow with Natrum Sulfuricum if the patient experiences mental confusion, vertigo, personality changes, loss of enthusiasm and spontaneity, suicidal depression, inability to think or concentrate, or recurrent headaches. Hypericum can assist with nerve damage and ensuing headaches. Hamamelis is selected when there is the possibility of hemorrhage within the skull, and might best be alternated with Arnica.

• For a spine injury, whiplash or neck injury, again, start with Arnica. The homeopath then might introduce Hypericum for the nervous system and the injury. If the pain remains from a whiplash or other neck injuries after using Arnica and Hypericum, the remedy of choice is Mezereum.

• For muscle injuries, Bellis Perennis is suitable.

• For bruises, including black eyes, Ledum Palustre relieves swelling and the purple bruising. If there has been a blow to the eyeball or its surrounding bones, Symphytum after Arnica should reduce the pain and bruising.

• For crushed or stubbed fingers or toes, Hypericum is especially useful because it addresses the jangled nerves.

• For stings, bites and wounds created by pointed objects, the first remedy to take is Ledum. It relieves pricking, stinging pains, redness and swelling. Apis Mellifica reduces swelling, redness and heat, including from jellyfish stings, and might avert anaphylactic shocks after bee stings. Urtica Urens is useful for allergic reactions to bites and stings when the pain feels pricking and burning, but better when rubbed. Cedron provides an antidote to snake poison and scorpion stings. Lyssinum works on dog and other animal bites.

• For open cuts, abrasions, and burns, Calendula helps stop bleeding, reduces pain, acts as an antiseptic and promotes healing. It is the only homeopathic remedy that can be applied on ruptured skin. A hot sponge soaked in Calendula solution provides some comfort to the patient.

• For first-degree burns to the surface of the skin, Urtica Urens can be applied locally and given internally. Cantharis can help with more severe burns and scalds, even with severe blistering.

• For third-degree burns, when all three layers of the skin are burned, immediately immerse in cold water for at least 10 minutes, and then take the person to the hospital. Cantharis relieves the pain and prevents wounds if taken every five minutes, four times. Then use Causticum every five minutes, four times, especially if the burn is caused by chemicals or acids. Phosphorus is used when the burn is from electricity.

• For deeper cuts, Staphysagria accelerates healing and prevents infection and scarring.

Homeopathic Dosing for Physical Injuries

A homeopath probably will recommend a potency of 30CH. The more severe the condition, the more frequently the remedy is taken. For intense, new conditions, the remedy should be applied every 30 to 60 minutes, and the frequency should be reduced as the condition improves.

What to Expect When Meeting a Homeopath

In general, during the first session the homeopath will ask a series of questions that address the patient as a whole person, including lifelong health history, genetic heritage, psychological type, body type and current symptoms. Based on these criteria, the homeopath will select a highly individualized remedy.

What is Homeopathy?

Homeopathy is a complementary therapy that can be used alongside conventional Western medicine. Homeopathic remedies are created by taking a plant, mineral, chemical, or animal substance, diluting it in water and shaking it vigorously. The more it is diluted and shaken, the more potent the medicine becomes. Homeopathic remedies are believed to stimulate the body’s own healing processes.

Other Considerations

Homeopathy is not a substitute for appropriate and effective conventional medical treatment, especially for mechanical issues. Serious or life-threatening conditions or medical emergencies warrant immediate medical treatment. Healing, however, can be supported with homeopathy. A medical diagnosis can detect tissue damage and mechanical issues, both of which will assist a homeopath in selecting an appropriate remedy to speed recovery and assist in rebalancing the body.

Additional Resources

Basic information about homeopathy from the NHS

Homeopathic emergency and first aid remedies from Ingrid Schutt

National Center for Homeopathy

First Aid with Homeopathic Remedies by Mrs. Madhavi Kasam