Homeopathic medicines can be effective and fast acting in a wide range of acute health conditions, especially if taken as soon as symptoms appear. They have no side effects. They do not interact with conventional medications or contraindicate pre-existing conditions.

Homeopathic travel kit

Here is a homeopathic travel kit that contains the most common homeopathic medicines you may need for your summer vacation. Some of them can be used for a variety of ailments:

• Aconitum
• Allium cepa
• Apis mellifica
• Argentum nitricum
• Arnica Montana
• Arsenicum album
• Belladonna
• Bryonia
• Cantharis
• Chelidonium majus
• Cocculus indicus
• Euphrasia
• Ferrum phosphoricum
• Gelsemium
• Hypericum
• Ignatia
• Ipeca
• Ledum palustre
• Mercurius solubilis
• Nux vomica
• Podophyllum
• Ruta graveolens
• Rhus tox
• Tabacum
• Urtica urens
• Arnicare cream
• Calendula cream

How to take a homeopathic medicine?

Homeopathic medicines are FDA-regulated. They can be purchased in different strengths, or potencies over the counter. The 30C potency is most commonly used. Depending on the severity of the ailment, place a few pellets (3 to 5) under the tongue to dissolve. Take the medicine every 2 to 4 hours. Increase the dosage interval as symptoms improve.

Summer ailments and their homeopathic treatment

Here is a short list of common summer ailments and their homeopathic treatment:

Constipation

• Nux vomica - vacation constipation due to overindulgence in food and alcohol

Cystitis

• Cantharis - burning pain before, during and after urination; frequent urges to urinate

Diarrhea

• Arsenicum album - symptoms of food poisoning
• Podophyllum - “ travellers` diarrhea with intestinal growling

Eye irritation

• Euphrasia - irritating eye discharge

Fever

• Aconitum - high fever of sudden onset with dry skin
• Belladonna - high fever of sudden onset with sweating
• Ferrum phosphoricum - mild fever; ear ache

Hay fever

• Allium cepa - sneezing and abundant watery rhinitis due to hay fever or a cold
• Euphrasia - hay fever with irritating eye discharge and bland rhinitis

Indigestion

• Nux vomica - heartburn and abdominal spasms due to overeating or drinking
• Chelidonium - gall bladder pain and/or pain under right shoulder blade

Injuries

• Arnica montana - injuries, bruises and muscle soreness
• Ruta graveolens - sprains (to be used together with Arnica)
• Hypericum - trauma with nerve pain
• Apply topically twice a day Arnicare Cream

Insect bites

• Apis mellifica- pinkish swelling from insect bites
• Ledum palustre - use it once daily for prevention of insect bites; it also relieves swelling and prevents infection of insect bites

Jetlag

• Cocculus indicus- dizziness with a need to lie down, insomnia
• Arnica montana - stiffness, muscle pain, insomnia due to muscle stiffness
• Nux vomica - drowsiness, indigestion

Joint pain

• Bryonia - muscle and joint pain by the slightest movement
• Rhus tox - joint pain improved by motion; morning joint stiffness

Motion sickness

• Cocculus indicus - motion sickness with a need to lie down
• Tabacum - motion sickness with cold sweat and a need for fresh air

Overexertion

• Arnica montana - muscle soreness from physical overexertion

Skin allergy

• Apis - a pink swelling due to allergies, improved by cold
• Urtica urens - skin rash due to food allergies (sea food)

Sore throat

• Belladonna - dryness and scratching in the throat, bright red tonsils
• Mercurius solubilis - sore throat with offensive breath; coated tongue

Stress

• Argentum nitricum - apprehension, hurriedness, stage fright with agitation; fear of flying
• Gelsemium - stage-fright, apprehension, headache
• Ignatia - hypersensitivity to everyday stress, spasms

Sun burns and sun allergy

• Apis - pink edema relieved by cold compresses
• Belladonna - red hot sunburn
• Cantharis - sunburn with blisters
• Apply topically twice daily Calendula cream

Vomiting

• Ipeca - nausea and vomiting with profuse salivation

Homeopathic medicines can be a fast and reliable solution for self-treatment for acute, non-serious pain or disorders. However, if symptoms continue, you must consult a physician for a precise diagnosis and a suitable course of treatment.