My purse is not large. It is just big enough to hold my phone, my credit card, my keys and a small bag of homeopathic remedies, of course!
What do I keep with me on my person whenever I leave the house? Here’s the complete list and how and why I use these remedies when I am out and about.
Please note, the use of these remedies is not daily. They are with me just in case.
Aconitum/Bryonia. This Banerji Protocol combination remedy is my absolute go-to for anything that is not quite right. At the first sign of feeling unwell, this is what I grab when I am not at home.
This remedy also came in handy following a golf cart traffic accident. (These carts are dangerous and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!) The driver of the cart broke their wrist and I messed up my knee and hip and cracked the windshield with my noggin.
Aconite for short, (rhymes with “fright”) is, the pre-eminent remedy for being in or witnessing a shocking event. "Suddenness and violence are the soul of Aconite" (Pareek and Pareek 2012, p. 104).
Bryonia is an excellent remedy for both sprains and broken bones, particularly the wrist (Morrison, M.D. 1998, p. 375) and for when pain is experienced with the slightest movement. Bryonia is major clinical remedy for neck injuries (Pareek and Pareek 2012, p. 60) which was a distinct possibility for me in this situation.
Both of these remedies came in very handy immediately following this crash.
Natrum phosphoricum 30c. For a while there, indigestion was troubling me and Nat phos would calm that unpleasant burning feeling right down. As is the case with most well selected homeopathic remedies, the appropriate remedy will both address the immediate situation as well as help your body heal itself moving forward.
I didn’t even realize I still had this remedy in my bag because I haven’t needed it in a such a long time.
Helios AAA. AAA is a combination of Ambra grisea, Anacardium and Argentum nitricum. This remedy was taught to me as a good remedy for people experiencing anxiety while traveling.
I first put it in my bag a few years ago when my young son was experiencing an unusual fear of flying before a trip. He is a seasoned traveler and his discomfort threw me for a loop. I gave him one dose of AAA and within an hour he had completely forgotten he even had any apprehension at all let alone the fact he was certain that death was imminent.
I keep it with me because it is just a really excellent remedy for severe anxiety.
Hypericum perforatum 200c. Hypericum is known as the “Arnica of the nerves.” I don’t remember why I put it in my bag originally, but it did come in handy after a fall on the ice rink. Hypericum is well known for its ability to address pain in nerve-rich areas and the tailbone most certainly is a nerve-rich area! And, an excellent remedy for puncture wounds.
Ferrum phosphoricum 3x. This cell salt is a really good first aid remedy for both halting sicknesses and fever (Morrison, M.D. 1998, p. 541) before they can take root as well as reducing inflammation following an injury. It has been used for my sons’ bleeding noses (it stops them quickly!) as well as for a very young dining companion who was feeling poorly (she was back to her old self before dinner was even served).
Petroleum 200c originally went in my bag a few winters ago when I had some cracked and sore hands (Morrison, M.D. 1998, p. 411). This homeopathic remedy is far superior to the goopy stuff with the same name that one might apply to their skin — I don’t recommend that at all! Strangely, homeopathic Petroleum is also good for motion sickness (Morrison, M.D. 1998, p. 214).
For the dry, cracked skin, take it once or twice daily until the skin is improved.
For travel sickness, take a dose every 15 minutes or so. (If there is no improvement after 4 or 5 doses, it’s not the right remedy and it's time to find another better indicated remedy).
Arnica 200c. Between the Arnica, the Hypericum, the Ferr phos, and the Aconite/Bryonia combination, I definitely have emergencies covered! Arnica is the first remedy to consider in an accident or injury (Morrison, M.D. 1998, p. 371). It not only addresses shock (similar to Aconite above), but it is also excellent for bruising, muscle soreness and general aches and pains.
Arnica & Hypericum are well indicated following any dental work, and that is reason enough to keep them in your purse!
Apis mellifica. Apis is the first remedy to grab when anaphylactic shock sets in, or is threatening to set in. Allergic reactions, bug bites and bee stings, (especially those that appear full of fluid) and throats threatening to swell shut! (This happened to my brother after eating shell fish when we were kids — I didn’t know about homeopathy then but I think this memory is why I keep it in my bag now, though Urtica urens would probably be a better choice for allergic reactions to shellfish in particular.) If you have someone in this frightening condition, administer the Apis (or Urtica urens) immediately and frequently while you are on the way to the hospital or waiting for the ambulance to arrive.
**Apis is one of the few remedies for which caution is advised when pregnant. That is not to say this remedy can’t be used during pregnancy, it is to say that it should be used cautiously and judiciously when pregnant.
Natrum muriaticum 30c. I usually keep 6x in my purse, but I ran out and forgot to replace it. I was traveling a few weeks ago and there was smoke from forest fires all around and the local shop didn’t have my usual 6x. The 30c definitely made breathing easier and helped with the burning/stinging eyes. Nat mur can put a stop to a hammering headache (Morrison, M.D. 1998, p. 11) before it has the chance to take proper hold and it is very helpful for dry, chapped lips as it helps to balance the fluids in your body.
Nux vomica 200c. Historically, this remedy is probably the most frequently used remedy in my family. Nux is amazing for when that restaurant meal didn’t settle too well. It’s good for cold and allergy symptoms and it’s very good for sneezing fits. Nux has come in handy for irritability and anger as well as headaches that accompany the crankiness. Nux vomica is an excellent remedy for too much… too much fatty food, too much candy, too much alcohol.
Nux vomica came in extremely handy after our dog had a minor surgery for something embedded in his paw. I didn’t know he was going to have this little procedure or I would have planned accordingly. But, because I had Nux in my purse, I was able to slip it in his cheek and this 130 pound beastie quickly awakened from his anesthesia (Pareek and Pareek 2012, p. 310) and was able to get into the car on his own steam. About an hour later, the stupor returned but another dose of Nux got him moving again.
One last thing I keep in my bag is a tube of Boiron’s Calendula cream.* Just today when we were at the zoo I used some for a little cut on my leg and a bug bite on my wrist which was irritated by my watch strap. I have used it as a face cream. I use it for dry skin. (Did I mention I live in a desert?) I have shared it with friend’s children when they have fallen and scraped their knee. I have used it following a sunburn. It’s by far the largest thing in my bag but it has earned its spot on the front lines.
This list sounds like I’m not telling the truth about the size of my purse. Honestly, you would never imagine the amount of healing this little bag could hold just by looking at it.
Julia Coyte, CHom
Classically Practical homeopath
#wellnessawaits