Emergency Remedies

The following article was reprinted from the March 1995 issue of Natural Rearing Newsletter by permission of Ambrican Enterprises Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this article shall be reprinted without the express permission of Cyberpet.

As spring approaches, so increases the possibility of bee and wasp stings. So there are a few more remedies to include in our first aid kit.

A great remedy that should always be with you is Apis Mellifica (Bee venom). This is the premier remedy for swellings of any kind. It is particularly helpful for the swellings from insect stings and can be used in a higher potency for acute conditions.

Given frequently (i.e. every 5 to 10 minutes) you can literally see the swelling go down before your eyes. Once the swelling is beginning to subside, dosage can be less frequent (i.e. every hour) until [there is] full improvement.

A very convenient and effective form of Apis is put out by Heel of Germany, called Apis Homaccord. This remedy is outstanding for alleviating any oedema and excess fluid build up anywhere in the body.

I use Apis and Ledum (discussed in Jan/95 issue #2) for any insect stings, for myself or the animals. It helps to stop the pain quickly and alleviates the swelling.

You may want to consider giving Apis (one dose) at the beginning of the season to help immunize against bee stings. If animals are allergic, this will greatly diminish the chance of a sting being life threatening--even if a whole swarm of bees were to attack the animal!

In the event that you do have animals that are allergic, you should also carry BHI Allergy. This works far faster than Benedryl, as it is absorbed through the membranes in the mouth. Over the counter antihistamines need to be digested and often do not work quickly enough. Of course, using the homeopathic remedy, you are also free from the unwanted side effects. BHI Allergy can be used for any allergic type reactions.

Both Apis and BHI Allergy are great to use at the early stages of a skin rash or hives, that have come up suddenly. Usually this arises from contact through plants (such as stinging nettle) or may be of unknown origin. I would also add BHI Skin in this event.

Note: Please don't confuse the foregoing with chronic skin problems such as staph infections.

For those animals whose specific allergies are known, homeopathics work great for helping desensitization. Often allopathic allergy shots, containing the substance to which the body reacts, are prescribed to help desensitize. Aside from being relatively expensive, these injections, more often than not, simply don't work. They can also be dangerous! For example, if too much of the allergen is given you run the risk of overwhelming the body, sending it into a severe allergic reaction. This can result in shock or in extreme cases, even death.

When homeopathic allergens are administered, they are given orally and are completely safe and free of side effects. They are generally given 2 to 3 months before the effecting season. Gradually the body will need the homeopathic assistance less often until the allergies are gone.

Of course you need to address the underlying problem of why the allergies exist in the first place. This is often found to be a compromised immune system which would need to be supported (That's another discussion beyond the scope of this remedy section, that we'll get into another time).

Spring also means more time outside and in particular, outdoor shows and trials. Eyes are susceptible at this time of year, to increased debris floating in the air and seeds, etc., in the field. Owning Basset Hounds, it is amazing to me what can actually end up in the eye. From tiny flower petals that stick like glue to the eyeball, to tiny little insects that had the unfortunate timing of flying into my dogs' eye (the dog being totally oblivious to it all).

For general redness and irritation I use a homeopathic liquid combination called Eyewash. This is given direct into the eye. It is very soothing and actually can be used instead of an antibiotic. Eyewash consists of Calendula, Euphrasia, and Vitamin C, in a Saline solution.

If there is a further conjunctivitis problem then BHI Eye and Inflammation should be used. If the eye is red from Allergies, then BHI Allergy should be used--especially for 'itchy' eyes.