Living in the Caribbean can sometimes feel like an endless summer. And as such, we have a lot of experience dealing with summer emergencies like insect bites and sunburns. When traveling to these beautiful islands, it is a great idea to bring along an emergency remedy kit along.
Insect Bites
The Caribbean is synonymous with mosquitos; especially in the summer months. As soon as dusk sets in, the tiny vampires come out of hiding in swarms, practically carrying you away. It’s lovely really. We avoid them by keeping the fans running so they can't land on us. However, as you can imagine, it doesn't always work so they do get us from time to time. The best remedy to use for mosquito bites (and ticks!) is Ledum palustre, a remedy made from a flowering shrub in the genus Rhododendron. Ledum palustre is an important remedy for puncture wounds caused by stings, bites, thorns or nails. It is most effective when the affected area is swollen, cold to the touch, and mottled or blue. Ledum is great to keep handy as it is also useful for ankle sprains and even helps reduce pain from a black eye!
If the culprit of the bite is not a mosquito but rather a wasp or a bee, the resulting welt may feel hot rather than cold. In these cases, the best suited remedy is Apis mellifica. Made from a honeybee, Apis mellifica is indicated when the sting is hot, red, itchy and angry and relieved by cold applications.
Insect bites are not the only summer bummer. A good sunburn can wreak havoc on a family vacation. You’ll be happy to know that Apis is also useful for minor sunburns that sting. Another great remedy for sunburns (besides prevention) is Belladonna. Belladonna works best for sunburns accompanied by red skin, a gradual onset of high fever, a flushed red face and hot, clammy skin. In addition to helping alleviate sunburned skin, Belladonna can also help reduce throbbing headaches and other symptoms associated with prolonged sun exposure. A third remedy for sunburns to keep around is Cantharis. Cantharis has proved useful for burns that blister and are sensitive to touch.
Scrapes, Cuts, and Bruises
With freedom from hovering parents, come cuts, scapes, and bruises. It is a good idea to carry a few remedies to help in these situations. If you have never heard of Arnica montana, it is one of the most useful remedies to have around. Arnica is likely the top selling homeopathic remedy around the world. Hailed as the homeopathic aspirin, Arnica is known for its success in reducing pain, swelling and bruising associated with surgery or falls.
Calendula Officinalis is another good remedy to keep as a cream or ointment in a summer emergency kit. It is useful for scrapes and minor cuts. Prepared from the marigold flower, homeopathic Calendula can help minimize the likelihood of infection, reduce bleeding, speed up healing, and soothe irritated skin. One great benefit of Calendula - it is useful to heal blisters resulting from uncomfortable shoes!
Indigestion
Sharing food with friends and family is one of my favorite pastimes. Sometimes, though, we eat (and drink) more than our share. When this happens, the remedy Nux-vomica can aid in bringing relief. Nux-vomica is known as the hangover cure. It helps reduce heartburn, upset stomach, nausea and even alleviates irritability associated with consumption of too much food or alcohol.
Lastly, we all love a good summer barbecue, and even though food poisoning can happen any time of year, it’s easy for food that has been sitting in the sun to turn. It’s also easy to not realize it until it is too late. Fortunately, the remedy Arsenicum Album can come to the rescue. Arsenicum album is indicated for diarrhea stemming from spoiled food. Those requiring this remedy will typically experience liquid stools, vomiting, exhaustion, restlessness, and anxiety.
Conclusion
Homeopathic remedies are safe, effective and easy to take anywhere. Adding a homeopathic remedy kit for summer emergencies to your packing list is a must when preparing for vacation. As useful as bandaids and sunblock, homeopathic remedies come in handy when treating bug bites, burns, indigestion and much more. So whether you’re camping or cruising or traveling overseas, you can feel secure that you have what you need for a healthy and smooth trip!
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