Below are some of the most important remedies to know, along with the characteristic symptoms you will want to see to consider using each one, drawn from traditional homeopathic sources.

Aconitum napellus

Sudden illnesses, fright, and shock

Aconite is one of the first remedies to consider when symptoms come on suddenly and intensely, especially after exposure to cold, dry wind or a sudden chill.

Classic indications include:

• Sudden fever or cold symptoms
• Fear, panic or restlessness
• Shock after fright or injury
• Anxiety after nightmares or being away from home

The hallmark of this remedy is restlessness and anxiety with ailments coming on suddenly. This remedy is especially helpful for children struggling with fear or panic during sleep-away camp or travel.

Suggested use: One dose every few hours as needed. Often, only 1 to 2 doses are required.

Arnica montana

The premier remedy for injuries and trauma

Arnica is one of the most widely used first aid remedies in homeopathy and belongs in every travel kit.

Think of Arnica for:

• Falls and blunt injuries
• Bruises and sore muscles
• Sprains and strains
• Overexertion
• Injuries where the person says, “I’m fine,” even when clearly hurt

A classic symptom of this remedy is the sensation of being “sore and bruised, as if beaten.”

Many parents are amazed watching swelling and bruising improve quickly after a timely dose of Arnica.

Suggested use: One pellet 1 to 3 times daily for a day or two, depending on severity. Arnica cream or gel may also be used topically on unbroken skin.

Apis mellifica

Stings, bites, redness, and swelling

Apis is often the first remedy to consider for:

• Bee stings
• Wasp stings
• Mosquito bites
• Puffy allergic skin reactions
• Hot, swollen, itchy skin

Keynotes include:

• Burning and stinging pains
• Redness and swelling
• Symptoms that improve with cold applications
• Sensitivity to heat

Suggested use: One or two doses are often enough for mild reactions.

Arsenicum album

Traveler’s stomach issues and food poisoning

Arsenicum album is a valuable remedy for:

• Mild food poisoning
• Traveler’s diarrhea
• Upset stomach with anxiety
• Exhaustion after gastrointestinal illness

Classic features include:

• Burning pains
• Restlessness
• Anxiety
• Weakness
• Chilliness
• Thirst with small sips of water taken frequently
• Symptoms after eating spoiled food

Suggested use: 1 to 3 doses over the first 12 hours for mild cases.

Belladonna

Sudden fever and heat

Belladonna is often indicated at the very beginning of an acute illness when symptoms appear rapidly and intensely.

Think of:

• Sudden high fever
• Red, flushed face
• Hot skin
• Throbbing pain
• Heat and sensitivity

It can also be helpful in early sunburn when the skin is bright red, hot, and radiating heat.

Suggested use: One dose every hour for up to 3 doses in acute situations.

Calendula officinalis cream

Cuts, scrapes and skin healing

Calendula cream or ointment is a staple for:

• Scrapes
• Minor cuts
• Abrasions
• Skin healing support

Known traditionally as one of homeopathy’s best topical remedies for promoting healthy tissue repair.

Important: Always clean wounds thoroughly before applying.

Gelsemium sempervirens

Summer colds with fatigue and heaviness

Gelsemium is often useful when someone feels:

• Weak
• Chilly
• Heavy and exhausted
• Drowsy
• Thirstless

A classic Gelsemium picture is “dullness, dizziness, and drooping.”

This remedy is often helpful for vague symptoms when no clearer remedy picture stands out.

Suggested use: One dose every 12 hours for up to 3 doses.

Hypericum perforatum

Nerve injuries and crushed fingers or toes

Hypericum is one of the best remedies for nerve injuries.

Think of:

• Slammed fingers
• Stubbed toes
• Tailbone injuries
• Sharp, shooting pains
• Tingling or radiating pain

Suggested use: Depending on severity, repeat every few hours as needed.

Ignatia amara

Homesickness, grief and emotional upset

Ignatia is especially useful for emotional distress, such as:

• Homesickness
• Crying spells
• Disappointment
• Emotional sensitivity
• Sighing and lump-in-the-throat feelings

It is a wonderful remedy to pack for sleep-away camp.

Suggested use: One dose is often enough. Repeat only if symptoms return.

Ledum palustre

Puncture wounds, black eyes and cold-feeling bites

Ledum is a key remedy for:

• Puncture wounds
• Insect bites
• Black eyes
• Bruises that feel cold rather than hot

Unlike Apis, Ledum complaints are often relieved by cold and may actually feel cold to the touch.

Suggested use: One pellet 1 to 3 times daily for a day or two, depending on severity.

Rhus toxicodendron

Poison ivy and stiffness

Rhus tox is one of the classic remedies for:

• Poison ivy rashes
• Sprains and strains
• Stiffness on first movement
• Symptoms improving with continued motion

A classic symptom of this remedy: “Restlessness with relief from motion.”

This remedy is often used after Arnica when stiffness becomes the dominant complaint.

Suggested use: One pellet every 2 hours for several doses during acute flare-ups.

Ruta graveolens

Tendon and ligament injuries

Ruta is often confused with Rhus tox, but has a stronger affinity for:

• Tendons
• Ligaments
• Periosteum
• Overuse injuries

Consider Ruta when Rhus-tox has not fully helped or when the injury feels tendon-related.

Silicea

Splinters and foreign body expulsion

Silicea is traditionally used to help encourage the body to expel:

• Splinters
• Thorns
• Embedded debris

Suggested use: One pellet every 12 hours for up to 3 doses.

A Few Important Reminders

Homeopathy can be a wonderful addition to a summer first aid kit, but it is not a substitute for emergency medical care when needed. Allergic reactions, injuries, dehydration, difficulty breathing, or persistent symptoms should always be evaluated by a qualified healthcare professional.

When used appropriately, these remedies can provide gentle support for many common summer complaints and help keep adventures on track all season long.

About Dr. Lisa Samet:

Dr. Lisa Samet N.D. provides Washington Homeopathic Products with a regular column on using homeopathy for the family. She's a naturopathic physician who specializes in homeopathic medicine. Dr. Samet graduated from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in 1998 and has been practicing in Montreal since then. She was born and raised in New York.

Dr. Samet has chosen to focus on homeopathy because, in her experience, it is the deepest healing modality available, as it does not just soothe or palliate symptoms but actually stimulates the body to begin healing itself. Dr. Samet sees patients in her Montreal office as well as long-distance using Zoom, Skype, or FaceTime. Learn more here: Dr. Lisa Samet. You can follow her on Facebook as well. 

For many, the symptoms of a sinus problem include pain (facial and head), fever, weakness, fatigue, cough, and congestion. There may also be mucus drainage in the back of the throat, called postnasal drip.

Can homeopathy help?

Yes. What follows are a few homeopathic remedies to consider for an acute flare-up.

Homeopathy is governed by a law of nature – “like cures like.” As a result, remember - the key to choosing the correct/helpful remedy is ALWAYS the same. One must match the “characteristic symptoms” (ie, unusual or peculiar) of the person you are caring for (not the common ones like headache, sore throat, cough, fever, etc.) to a remedy capable of producing similar characteristic symptoms to have success. If you choose a remedy with characteristics most similar to the characteristic symptoms of your family member, you should have a happy outcome every time. If you don't select a remedy in this fashion, you or they will either feel no effect or one that is mildly positive at best. There is never a bad effect from choosing the “wrong” remedy.

Hepar sulphuris: A person needing this homeopathic remedy often experiences a copious mucus discharge from the nose with an almost constant need to blow the nose. The mucus discharged may be thick, yellow, or green and may even be offensive in odor. There can also be heat and burning in the nose, with the interior of the nose extremely sensitive to the passage of air, particularly cold air, and to touch. The nose is frequently stuffed up in the morning, and there may be itching in the nose that causes sneezing. There can also be head pain felt as an aching in the forehead or a boring pain at the root of the nose. Someone needing this remedy will often find themselves extremely sensitive to cold and cold, dry air, pain, and even minor discomfort. They may also feel worse when blowing their nose.  This picture often appears in individuals who feel irritable or overwhelmed by discomfort during illness. Overall, symptoms tend to worsen with cold exposure and improve with warmth and protection from the elements.

Kali bichromium: This homeopathic remedy is often considered when sinus symptoms are marked by thick, sticky, stringy mucus that is difficult to expel. The discharges from the nose and throat are tough, stringy, and adherent, forming long, ropy strands. The nose may be stuffed up, especially in the upper part, with difficulty detaching thick mucus, even though the mucus passes more easily post-nasally. If there is head pain, it is often felt in a very specific, localized spot, particularly over one or both eyes, and can at times be throbbing and quite intense. There may also be a sense of fullness or pressure at the root of the nose or within the sinuses. One may experience pain extending from the back of the head to the forehead when the nasal discharge ceases. In summary, a person needing this remedy typically has thick, tenacious mucus that is difficult to clear and symptoms that can feel stubborn and persistent. Symptoms are often worse in the morning and can be worse in warm, damp conditions.

Mercurius solubilis: This homeopathic remedy is often considered when sinus symptoms are marked by profuse, irritating discharges, frequent sneezing, and a general sensitivity to temperature changes. The acrid discharge from the nose can at times appear greenish and may have an offensive odor, sometimes described as smelling like old cheese. The discharge can be irritating to the surrounding tissues, and some of the mucus may trickle down post-nasally into the throat, causing hawking, hoarseness, and a dry, rough cough from continual tickling. There are often pressing or tearing pains in the forehead, cheeks, upper teeth, and ears, with significant congestion to the head. If a headache is present, it may feel as though the head would burst or is being held tightly in a vise. A distinguishing feature is the combination of excessive saliva with thirst. The breath is often markedly offensive during the illness. Symptoms tend to worsen in damp weather, at night, and from both cold and warm air, reflecting a heightened sensitivity to environmental changes. There may also be a sense of restlessness during the ailment.

Phosphorus: This homeopathic remedy is often considered when sinus symptoms fluctuate, with periods of congestion alternating with profuse discharge, and are accompanied by marked dryness and a strong thirst for cold drinks. The mucus is typically profuse, greenish or yellow, and may be streaked with blood, with bleeding often occurring when blowing the nose. These symptoms are often accompanied by a sense of dullness in the head, along with a sore throat, and hoarseness that may follow. There may also be a loss of smell and taste during the illness. Pain is frequently described as dull or pressive, extending from the forehead to the root of the nose and into the upper eyelids, sometimes with a sensation of pressure behind the eyes or a headache above them. A distinguishing feature of this remedy is a pronounced thirst for cold drinks, even during illness

Pulsatilla: This homeopathic remedy is often considered when sinus symptoms are marked by thick, shifting discharges, a lack of thirst, and a strong sensitivity to warm environments. Someone needing this homeopathic remedy may complain of nasal congestion that is more obstructed at night and flows more easily in the morning. The morning discharge is typically yellow or yellow-green and may be offensive in odor. A key feature of this remedy is that symptoms tend to feel much worse in a warm room and significantly better in cool, open air, where congestion may ease. Head pain is usually frontal, often described as a heavy, bursting, or throbbing sensation, with tearing pains in the sinuses beneath the eyes and a sense of pressure across the face. The discomfort may at times be relieved by wrapping the head tightly. A distinguishing feature is a notable lack of thirst, even with dryness of the mouth, sometimes accompanied by a bad taste. Mentally, the individual may appear more emotional, weepy, or in need of reassurance during the illness.

If you or someone you know is experiencing sinus pain and their symptoms match those of one of the remedies in this article, dose with that remedy using either a 30C or 200C potency to start - placing one pellet under the tongue or one pellet in water, stirring vigorously and taking teaspoon doses as needed. Always cease dosing when relief begins and only re-dose if symptoms again worsen. As with any medical condition, consult with your physician if you have any concerns about the severity of your problem as it may first require medical diagnosis and/or intervention and monitoring.

About Dr. Lisa Samet:

Dr. Lisa Samet N.D. provides Washington Homeopathic Products with a regular column on using homeopathy for the family. She's a naturopathic physician who specializes in homeopathic medicine. Dr. Samet graduated from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in 1998 and has been practicing in Montreal since then. She was born and raised in New York.

Dr. Samet has chosen to focus on homeopathy because, in her experience, it is the deepest healing modality available, as it does not just soothe or palliate symptoms but actually stimulates the body to begin healing itself. Dr. Samet sees patients in her Montreal office as well as long-distance using Zoom, Skype, or FaceTime. Learn more here: Dr. Lisa Samet. You can follow her on Facebook as well. 

Why Treating the Disease Is Not the Same as Treating the Person

Homeopaths justifiably believe, as one of medicine’s greatest prescribers, Dr. Adolph Lippe, MD, so aptly put it, that “there are not two persons alike; they are similar, but not alike; not alike in their physical developments and mental conditions; and being so unlike, can it be presumed that disease, even if we know her function-disturbing power, would attack all persons (who are not alike) in exactly the same manner? There are differences of sexes and of ages, the prevailing climatic influences, the seasons, which change the form of disease frequently. The fact, well known, that even epidemic diseases continually change their character as epidemics, and affect different individuals very differently, even in the same locality, and more differently still in different localities, shows conclusively that the treatment of a specific disease…is an impossibility; and the persistent practice of the Allopathic School of Medicine, which School bases its therapeutics upon the untenable hypothesis of a disease, must forever be a failure… If we attempt to restore health to the sick, we (homeopaths) are bound to individualize; if we attempt to cure diseases, we must generalize.”

Individualization and the Law of Similars

Individualization is a central element in homeopathy. Each patient is considered unique; each symptom, as well as the factors that make that symptom, and the patient, better or worse, is carefully noted to identify the most characteristic symptoms/aspects of the individual. With this information, a well-trained homeopath takes advantage of a cornerstone of homeopathy—the law of similars (like cures like)—to choose a medicine most appropriate for the patient. Thanks to the work of hundreds of thousands of homeopaths over the last two hundred years, homeopaths know the effects of their medicines in great detail.  They have learned, as Lippe wrote, that “medicines, when taken in a state of health, create symptoms similar to a form of disease which they were also known to cure at times… (and will) in the future indicate the condition(s) under which this medicine might be administered for the cure of the disease presenting the same symptoms, with a certainty never known before."

The Generalized Model of Conventional Medicine

Conventional medicine takes a different approach—a more generalized approach.

Let’s consider a patient with a cough. In conventional medicine, general symptoms are noted (your physician asks for basic information. In the case of a cough, they may listen to your chest for a moment and ask you a few basic questions, such as "have you been running a fever and have you been bringing anything up with the cough?") and a diagnosis is made. One or more medications are prescribed, and the patient is sent home. The next patient with the same general disease state will frequently receive the same medications. In this system of medicine, one size (i.e., drug therapy) generally fits everyone with the same-named disease.

The Limits of One-Size-Fits-All Treatment

Does this approach of generalization make sense? Is it true that every patient with bronchitis expresses the disease in an identical fashion?

It's important to remember that with any named ailment, there is a set of symptoms routinely associated with it.

How the Same Illness Can Look Completely Different from One Person to the Next

Homeopaths long ago recognized that each person expresses ailments in ways that are idiosyncratic, or unique, to them. Take that cough again as an example... You, your husband, and a coworker may all have a cough. However, in your case, the cough is worse when talking, laughing, eating, lying on your left side, and when moving from a warm room into cold air. You are also very thirsty for cold drinks. Your husband’s cough is notably worse in a warm room, better in cool, open air, and worse in the evening and when lying down. He is also completely thirstless. Your coworker—well, she seems to be most troubled by her cough at 3:00 AM. She also complains of minor stitching pains in her chest when coughing and is most comfortable when leaning forward to cough.

How the Same Illness Can Look Completely Different

In homeopathy, we use individualized treatments by recommending medicines selected to match the patient's characteristic (unique) symptoms. Individualized medicine…

Looking again at the cases cited above, each person uniquely expresses their ailment. Prescribing for the individual and not the disease name is simply logical. In homeopathy, the chosen medicine addresses the sick person and not the named disease.

Characteristic Symptoms as the Guide to Healing

To use homeopathy effectively, one needs to probe the patient deeply to better understand how each person uniquely expresses their ailment. It is those unique expressions of an ailment, particularly symptoms that are peculiar to the patient and intense, that are considered the characteristic symptoms of a case and that light the way to a helpful prescription.

To again quote Adolph Lippe, MD, “The law of the similars is a law of nature. The knowledge of its existence comes to us without resorting to deep abstractive reasoning; we find this law by soberly looking at everyday observations and experiences. It is the language of nature, ever friendly, leading us like a trusted guide through the labyrinths of life. She teaches us, in a language we all know, how the similar befriends the similar, how the similar spontaneously defines the similar, how the similar cures the similar…”

Individualization as a Contemporary Medical Insight

In an era increasingly aware of human complexity and variability, the enduring insight of homeopathy feels not antiquated but strikingly contemporary. By insisting that effective care begins with the individual rather than the diagnosis, homeopathy reminds medicine of a foundational truth: healing is not achieved by treating disease names, but by understanding people. Individualization is not a rejection of science or reason; it is an affirmation of careful observation, humility, and respect for the natural laws that govern health and illness. As medicine continues to search for more precise, humane, and effective approaches to care, homeopathy’s unwavering commitment to the individual stands as both a challenge and an invitation to rethink what it truly means to practice medicine in service of the whole person.

About Dr. Lisa Samet:

Dr. Lisa Samet N.D. provides Washington Homeopathic Products with a regular column on using homeopathy for the family. She's a naturopathic physician who specializes in homeopathic medicine. Dr. Samet graduated from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in 1998 and has been practicing in Montreal since then. She was born and raised in New York.

Dr. Samet has chosen to focus on homeopathy because, in her experience, it is the deepest healing modality available, as it does not just soothe or palliate symptoms but actually stimulates the body to begin healing itself. Dr. Samet sees patients in her Montreal office as well as long-distance using Zoom, Skype, or FaceTime. Learn more here: Dr. Lisa Samet. You can follow her on Facebook as well. 

Aconite

If your stress comes on suddenly and hits like a wave. Aconite might be the remedy to think about. This is often the picture after a sudden fright or shock—intense worry, great restlessness, and a sense that something terrible is about to happen. Even sudden pain can trigger this kind of state. It is also a remedy to consider for physical ailments following a frightening shock.

Gelsemium

Gelsemium is a good fit when stress shows up as dread—especially before some event you’re worried about. You might feel shaky, weak, or heavy in your limbs, almost as if your body wants to shut down (Nash called it the “trembling remedy”). Many people who need Gelsemium just want to lie down and be left alone. It’s also well known for helping when nerves bring on diarrhea. It’s the most common remedy for “Ailments from bad news.”

Coffea

Think of Coffea when everything feels “turned up.” All one’s senses are more acute – the mind overactive. According to E.B. Nash, MD, “Coffea is especially adapted to mental shocks, such as sudden surprises, especially joyful surprises, excessive laughter and playing, disappointed love, noises, strong smells, etc. It is also adapted to variable moods; first crying, then laughing, then crying again.” Sleep is often difficult because the mind just won’t stop racing, and even slight noises can wake you. Coffea is often very helpful to take at that time: awake in bed at night, mind racing.

Ignatia

Ignatia is often helpful when emotional shock causes mixed, changeable reactions. You might cry one moment and feel numb the next. Sighing a lot, a tight chest, or the feeling of a lump in the throat are common signs. Nash describes it this way: “It has in it a marked element of sadness, and disposition to silent grieving. Anyone suffering … with sighing, much sobbing, etc., and especially if inclined to smother or hide that grief from others, is just the subject for this remedy. She desires to be alone with her grief. Sighs much and seems so sad and weak. The weakness is felt right in the pit of the stomach. She feels weak, faint... Another equally characteristic state of mind is a changeable mood.”

Chamomilla

The stressed person needing Chamomilla is hard to miss. To quote Nash: “To "boil down" all the different ways in which the Chamomilla mind can be and is expressed: ‘The patient is cross, ugly, spiteful, snappish. (He or) she knows it, admits it, and so does everyone else. She will return mean, uncivil, spiteful answers to her best friends, and then confess her fault, to repeat it again and again, and stoutly affirms she cannot help it, she feels so.’ This state of mind is always present in the marked Chamomilla case, whether it be adult or child.”

Staphysagria

Staphysagria is the remedy to consider when someone feels intense anger from hurt, humiliation, or feeling wronged—but keeps all the emotion inside. Also great for ailments from disappointment. To quote Nash again: this person has "great indignation about things done by others or himself, grieving about the consequences, continual concern about the future. (They) throw things away indignantly (particularly when angry), or push them away on the table.” When upset and anger lead to throwing things, this remedy is worth considering.

Phosphoricum acidum (Phos ac)

Phos ac is suited to people who feel emotionally flattened after a shock—quiet, drained, and withdrawn. Concentration becomes difficult, and appetite often disappears. 

Arnica

Most people know Arnica for bruises and injuries, but it’s also a wonderful remedy for emotional shock—especially when someone insists they’re fine but clearly aren’t. This protective “I don’t need help” stance is a classic Arnica symptom. The remedy, at times, helps soften that emotional armor so healing can begin.

As with any medical condition, consult your physician if you have concerns about the severity of your illness, as it may initially require a medical diagnosis and/or intervention and monitoring.

About Dr. Lisa Samet:

Dr. Lisa Samet N.D. provides Washington Homeopathic Products with a regular column on using homeopathy for the family. She's a naturopathic physician who specializes in homeopathic medicine. Dr. Samet graduated from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in 1998 and has been practicing in Montreal since then. She was born and raised in New York.

Dr. Samet has chosen to focus on homeopathy because, in her experience, it is the deepest healing modality available, as it does not just soothe or palliate symptoms but actually stimulates the body to begin healing itself. Dr. Samet sees patients in her Montreal office as well as long-distance using Zoom, Skype, or FaceTime. Learn more here: Dr. Lisa Samet. You can follow her on Facebook as well. 

About Dr. Lisa Samet:

Dr. Lisa Samet N.D. provides Washington Homeopathic Products with a regular column on using homeopathy for the family. She's a naturopathic physician who specializes in homeopathic medicine. Dr. Samet graduated from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in 1998 and has been practicing in Montreal since then. She was born and raised in New York.

Dr. Samet has chosen to focus on homeopathy because in her experience it is the deepest healing modality available in that it does not just soothe or palliate symptoms but can actually stimulate the body to start to heal itself. Dr. Samet sees patients in her Montreal office as well as long distance using Zoom, Skype, or Facetime. Learn more here: Dr. Lisa Samet. You can follow her on Facebook as well. 

Runny nose and nasal congestion

Watery or itchy eyes

Sneezing

Cough

Itchy nose, roof of mouth or throat

Sinus pressure and facial pain

Swollen, blue-colored skin under the eyes (allergic shiners)

Decreased sense of smell or taste

Common triggers include pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds, as well as other allergens such as dust, mold, and pet dander. Allergies can be seasonal—or for some, a year-round problem.

Happily, as research has shown, homeopathy can really help!

Here are a number of homeopathic remedies to consider:

Allium Cepa: Individuals who require this remedy often experience a dull frontal headache in conjunction with their allergies. The dull frontal headache can worsen in the evening and in a warm room, but improve in the open air. Watery, irritating discharge drips from the nose (particularly the left nostril), reddening the lip and wings of the nose. A feeling of rawness in the nose is common. Sneezing of increasing frequency is also common. Eyes are typically watery and red and can burn a bit—giving the sensation of having smoke in one's eyes. Nasal symptoms may begin on the left side and go to the right. There can be a morning runny nose with violent sneezing. Those needing this remedy are generally sensitive to the odor of flowers and the skin of peaches. Symptoms can be worse rising from bed and handling peaches. A shortcut to understanding this remedy would be to think of how you feel when you peel and chop a red onion. If you experience similar symptoms with your allergies, Allium cepa may be a homeopathic remedy to consider. Remember the concept of “like cures like.”

Arsenicum alb: Those needing this remedy are often anxious, restless, and chilly. Eyes may feel as if they have sand in them. The nose may feel alternatingly stopped, followed by fluent discharge, or it may feel totally stuffed and yet flow like a faucet at the same time. There may be a burning sensation in the nose. Discharge from the nose burns a red streak over the upper lip and around the wings of the nose, accompanied by sneezing. Sneezing is often a prominent symptom and starts from tickling in one spot of the nose. Then, after sneezing, a tickling sensation in the nose persists, just as bad as before. The person needing this remedy may also be quite thirsty.

Arum triphyllum: The nose, particularly the left side, feels very stuffed, leaving the person to feel they must breathe through the mouth. They feel worse in the morning. A prickling sensation in the nose that cannot be left alone is present. The patient pinches, pricks, and bores his finger into the nostrils, however sore. The person needing this remedy often experiences sneezing that often worsens at night.

Dulcamara: Those needing Dulcamara will find their nostrils entirely filled up, preventing breathing through the nose, with constant sneezing and a profuse discharge of water from the nose and eyes. These symptoms worsen in the open air, upon waking in the morning, and in the evening, and improve in a closed room. The eyes can sometimes be swollen and full. It is not uncommon for the nose to be most affected, followed by the eyes feeling worse. People needing this remedy cannot bear to be near cut grass or newly mown hay but can feel better by the ocean. Those needing Dulcamara are uncomfortable in the cold and wet and worse from a chill when hot.

Euphrasia: Cases requiring this remedy often center on symptoms affecting the eyes. Profuse, acrid tearing is extremely common for those needing this remedy, with the eyes burning slightly and require frequent blinking. There is also a profuse, bland discharge from the nose, the opposite of what is seen with Allium Cepa. The eyelids may also itch and burn as well as swell a bit. The eyes feel worse in the open air and wind. A dull frontal headache is not uncommon.

Lachesis: Paroxysms of sneezing are worse after sleep even in the daytime. Headache extends into the nose, with frequent and violent paroxysms of sneezing. The mucous membrane in the nose is thickened with a dry, stuffed sensation through the head. The face can be red and puffed. The eyes seem almost pressed out. Red, sore nostrils and lips are present. Lachesis patients frequently wake up feeling worse; their throats are sensitive to touch or pressure.

Natrum Muriaticum: There is watery discharge from the eyes and nose. Discharge from the nose can resemble egg white. Discharge from the nose can be so severe that one has to lay a towel under the nose. “Woke with headache; after rising nasal discharge with violent and frequent sneezing.” Loss of taste and smell is common. There can be a cough from tickling in the throat pit. Tears are acrid and the corners of the eyes can be red and sore. The headache may be throbbing as if caused by little hammers. Someone needing this remedy will often feel worse in the sun, have a craving for salt, and experience relief at the seaside.

Nux Vomica: Distressing, prolonged periods of sneezing are common, as are excessive irritation in the nose, eyes, and face. There is heat in the face as if a hot iron plate were near it. Forehead may feel heavy and full. The nose often feels obstructed and dry—particularly at night—with fluent discharges during the day. The nose can also feel blocked when outdoors but runny when inside. Nux patients are irritable, sensitive to cold, and often have a great sensitivity to odors.

Pulsatilla: Loss of smell, thick yellow discharge, and the patient feels better in open air with this remedy. The discharge from the nose is bland and does not irritate the skin. There can be congestion of the nose at night and a copious flow in the morning. Also, free-flowing nasal discharge in the open air and a stuffed feeling in a closed room. This patient can be a bit weepy and crave sympathy. They also tend to be thirstless by nature.

Sabadilla: Spasmodic, sometimes violent sneezing with a runny nose is common. Nostrils can also be stuffed up and inspiration through nose labored. Itching inside the nose is common, as are severe frontal pains and red eyelids. Patients are very sensitive to smell of garlic.

Sticta Pulmonaria: For someone needing this homeopathic remedy, there is a constant need to blow the nose, but no discharge results due to the dryness. The nose is stuffed up (particularly at night); the secretion dries so rapidly that it cannot be discharged. There is almost constant sneezing with tingling on the right side of the nose. There is often fullness and pressure on the right side of the forehead, extending to the root of the nose, and excessive dryness of the soft palate. Tickling high up in the throat is common.

Wyethia: For individuals requiring this remedy, along with a runny nose and sneezing, there may be a peculiar itching on the roof of the mouth. For relief, the patient must draw the tongue back and forth over the soft palate.

The key to choosing the correct remedy is ALWAYS the same. Match the characteristic symptoms of the patient to the characteristic symptoms produced by our many remedies—and you will have a happy outcome every time. As with any medical condition, consult your physician if you have concerns about the severity of your illness, as it may initially require a medical diagnosis and/or intervention and monitoring.

About Dr. Lisa Samet:

Dr. Lisa Samet N.D. provides Washington Homeopathic Products with a regular column on using homeopathy for the family. She's a naturopathic physician who specializes in homeopathic medicine. Dr. Samet graduated from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in 1998 and has been practicing in Montreal since then. She was born and raised in New York.

Dr. Samet has chosen to focus on homeopathy because in her experience it is the deepest healing modality available in that it does not just soothe or palliate symptoms but can actually stimulate the body to start to heal itself. Dr. Samet sees patients in her Montreal office as well as long distance using Zoom, Skype, or Facetime. Learn more here: Dr. Lisa Samet. You can follow her on Facebook as well. 

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Here are a few examples. If you or your “patient” are not exhibiting the symptoms described under each remedy, chances are good that remedy will not be helpful in with your case.

• Aconite: Curious about whether this remedy might be needed for a family member you care for?

It's frequently thought of when a person is in a state of fear or worry with great restlessness. They may have a fever that comes on suddenly and are often very thirsty.

• Arsenicum album is a commonly used homeopathic medicine—often employed for stomach disorders, among other things.

One would want to see these symptoms to prescribe this remedy:

1. The patient is restless.

2. The patient is chilly, seeks the heat, wants to be covered, and feels better from warmth.

3. The patient is often thirsty but chooses to drink a little at a time.

4. The patient is typically worse after midnight.

• Hypericum perforatum is a frequently prescribed homeopathic medicine made from St. John's wort, a flowering shrub native to Europe.

It's commonly given to patients who have suffered an injury to nerve-rich areas of the body—such as a fingertip or a toe.

• Nux vomica is a remedy commonly prescribed for many things. When one has done a bit too much celebrating it can prove helpful to relieve indigestion and hangovers. It's made from the seeds of the Nux vomica tree.

The hallmark symptoms calling for Nux vomica are great irritability combined with chilliness. Nausea in the morning is common with this remedy, as are difficult stools.

• Rhus toxicodendron is a commonly prescribed homeopathic remedy. It's a medicine made with fresh leaves from the Eastern poison ivy plant.

Among its many uses, it's commonly selected to treat people with a poison ivy rash and for those with soreness (joints, muscles) on first motion who are better with continued motion. It is also often employed with patients who have a flu-like illness, with much restlessness.

One generally has to feel worse from cold, wet weather and at rest for the remedy to be prescribed for musculoskeletal discomfort.

The key to choosing the correct/helpful remedy is ALWAYS the same. One must match the characteristic symptoms of the patient to a remedy capable of producing similar characteristic symptoms to have success. If you choose a remedy with characteristics most similar to the characteristic symptoms of the patient, you will have a happy outcome with great frequency. If you don't, you (or your family member) will either feel no effect, or one that is mild at best.

Remember, as with any medical condition, consult with your physician if you have any concerns about the severity of your illness as it may first require medical diagnosis and/or intervention and monitoring.

About Dr. Lisa Samet:

Dr. Lisa Samet N.D. is an exceptional homeopath who provides Washington Homeopathic Products with frequent columns on using homeopathy for the family. She's a naturopathic physician who specializes in homeopathic medicine. Dr. Samet graduated from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in 1998 and has been practicing in Montreal since then. She was born and raised in New York.

Dr. Samet has chosen to focus on homeopathy because, in her experience, it is the deepest healing modality available in that it does not just soothe or palliate symptoms but can actually stimulate the body to start to heal itself. Dr. Samet sees patients in her Montreal office as well as long distance using tools like Skype, Zoom, and Facetime. Learn more here: Dr. Lisa Samet. You can follow her on Facebook as well. 

One of the biggest challenges I face is prescribing a remedy the parents or my patients don’t have.

So, my advice to everyone over the years has been to consider purchasing a homeopathic remedy kit containing a healthy collection of either 30C or 200C remedies or a kit with a combination of both.

Did you know that homeopathy first came to America in the 1800s?

In 1835, one of America’s first and very best homeopaths, Constantine Hering, MD, published a book called the Homeopathic Domestic Physician. The book was intended to be used by families without ready access to physicians—often those traveling west to start their lives anew. And it was very popular – with seven editions published in Hering’s lifetime.

There are words inscribed in The Homoeopathic Domestic Physician that read, "The greatest triumph of a science is when it becomes the common property of the people and thus contributes to the common weal."

Interestingly, the book was often sold with a homeopathic remedy kit, which was one of the first such kits ever made available to the general public. In many pioneer homes, the combination of the two was famously known as the Box and the Book. Frontier families swore by them.

It is those very early kits that laid the foundation for the kits we all use today.

What to Look For…

Any good kit should contain fifty or more homeopathic remedies that are helpful with coughs, sore throats, stomach bugs, flu-like symptoms, morning sickness, colic, menstrual pain, diarrhea, seasonal allergies, minor injuries, first aid, minor arthritic pains, various skin eruptions, and so much more.

My advice… if you don’t own one, get one (and get a homeopathic first aid book with it). The next time you or a little one wakes up at night with a bug, you will be happy you did.

About Dr. Lisa Samet:

Dr. Lisa Samet N.D. is an exceptional homeopath who provides Washington Homeopathic Products with frequent columns on using homeopathy for the family. She's a naturopathic physician who specializes in homeopathic medicine. Dr. Samet graduated from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in 1998 and has been practicing in Montreal since then. She was born and raised in New York.

Dr. Samet has chosen to focus on homeopathy because, in her experience, it is the deepest healing modality available in that it does not just soothe or palliate symptoms but can actually stimulate the body to start to heal itself. Dr. Samet sees patients in her Montreal office as well as long distance using Skype. Learn more here: Dr. Lisa Samet. You can follow her on Facebook as well. 

Hemorrhoids are swollen and inflamed veins in your anus and lower rectum that may be the result of straining during bowel movements or from the increased pressure on these veins during pregnancy or delivery, or from lifting heavy objects. There is a significant hereditary component to hemorrhoids, and people who have hemorrhoids are also more likely to suffer from varicose veins.

Some of the symptoms when hemorrhoids act up include itching, burning—and, in some cases, bleeding. The itching and the pain can sometimes be almost unbearable—making any activity unpleasant in the extreme.

The excellent news is that homeopathy can help bring rapid relief safely and gently. If you find yourself with this unpleasant and often painful problem, here are some homeopathic remedies to consider:

Aesculus hippocastanum: This homeopathic remedy is made from the Horse Chestnut tree. The rectum feels as if it is full of small sticks – and very painful. If visible – the hemorrhoids can be of a purplish hue. There is often burning, itching, and dryness. Some needing this remedy have described the pain in hemorrhoids as feeling like a knife sawing up and down - they could not sit, stand, or lie - the only possible comfortable position was kneeling. The stool is typically dry and hard and passed with difficulty, so these hemorrhoids are worse during periods of constipation. Pain can persist after a bowel movement. Additionally, there can be sharp, shooting pains up the back with the hemorrhoids.

Aloe: This homeopathic remedy is made from the Aloe plant. A person needing this remedy has hemorrhoids that protrude from the rectum like a bunch of grapes. They bleed and are tender and hot—relieved by cold water. There is often itching and burning that makes sleep a challenge. One of the strong characteristics of Aloe is that there is an urge to stool while urinating. Stools can leak out by just passing gas.

Arsenicum album: A person needing this homeopathic remedy often has hemorrhoids that burn and, oddly enough, are relieved by sitting in a hot bath or from a heating pad. There is frequently stitching pain when walking or sitting, but not when at stool. The hemorrhoids of this patient often bleed and protrude and are swollen. The burning pain can be particularly intense at night, preventing sleep.

Causticum: This homeopathic remedy best suits a patient with large, hard, and swollen hemorrhoids that can block the stool. The pain associated with these hemorrhoids is frequently of a stinging, stitching, burning variety… and the pain can be so intense that walking, standing, and sitting are very difficult, as is touching the area. In some cases – the pain is somewhat relieved after a stool. Oddly, for this patient, just thinking about the hemorrhoids can make them feel worse as well.

Hamamelis: This homeopathic remedy is made from Witch Hazel. The person needing this remedy will tend to have hemorrhoids that bleed readily and, at times, profusely—frequently at the time of a stool. There is also a feeling of burning soreness and rectal fullness. Pain can remain long after the stool is completed. The hemorrhoids commonly protrude from the rectum.

Nitric acidum: This homeopathic remedy is commonly thought of for patients whose hemorrhoids are constantly pressing out with burning, prickling, and sharp stitching pains, often after every bowel movement. Bowel movements can be exceedingly difficult, even when soft, and very painful – even to the point of making the patient feel nauseous or faint. There can be bleeding of the hemorrhoids, sometimes in bed at night, as well as great sensitivity of the anus along with itching. The person needing this remedy can feel worse from exercise and be irritable and anxious.

Nux vomica: This homeopathic remedy is also made from a plant—a deciduous tree bearing its name. The patient needing Nux vomica has hemorrhoids with burning and sticking pains in the rectum. The anus is particularly painful and feels as if it has been cut even some hours after a stool. There can be a copious discharge of bright blood with the urging to have a stool or after stool. The burning pains can become intolerable to the slightest touch. Often, a great deal of itching keeps the patient awake at night. Sitting in a tub of cold water will bring relief. Lying on the abdomen may also bring a degree of relief. Hemorrhoids are generally worse from being sedentary or from so-called high living and can be a problem during pregnancy or after childbirth. A patient needing Nux vomica tends to be a person who is very particular, careful, and zealous – those inclined to get angry or excited easily or who are of a spiteful, malicious disposition. They tend to be chilly patients. Constipation is also a frequent problem, where the urge to have a stool is there, but it is difficult to pass (i.e., “wants to but can’t”)

Sepia: This homeopathic remedy is made from the ink of a sea creature called the cuttlefish. A person needing Sepia tends to have hemorrhoids that are hot and burning, with swelling of the anus when the hemorrhoids do not protrude. Passing a stool can be excessively painful. There can also be a constant oozing of moisture from the anus as well as stitches and jerking pains from the anus upward into the rectum and abdomen. Additionally, there may be itching in the rectum and anus. Constipation is common with this remedy. As a rule – Sepia patients are chilly and sun worshippers. They love to be in the sun, and they love the heat of the sun.

Sulphur: A person needing this homeopathic remedy tends to have large, red, burning and itching hemorrhoids. The itching is often intolerable. The hemorrhoids can be so large and painful that even standing is difficult. Shooting pains in the anus are also common – and at times those pains travel upwards. The burning pain can be worse after sitting for a while and after soft stools in the evening. There is often a sense of fullness and pressing in the rectum during and after the stool. Sulphur patients are worse from warmth in general and warmth of the bed. They can also be worse from bathing.

Once you have chosen a remedy that appears to match your symptoms (remember, homeopathy is individualized medicine, and the remedy you need must match your symptom profile), dose with either a 30C or 200C potency to start - placing one pellet under the tongue or one pellet in water, stirring vigorously and taking teaspoon doses as needed. Always cease dosing when relief begins and only redose if symptoms again worsen. As with any medical condition, consult with your physician if you have any concerns about the severity of your problem, as it may first require medical diagnosis and/or intervention and monitoring.

About Dr. Lisa Samet:

Dr. Lisa Samet N.D. provides Washington Homeopathic Products with a regular column on using homeopathy for the family. She's a naturopathic physician who specializes in homeopathic medicine. Dr. Samet graduated from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in 1998 and has been practicing in Montreal since then. She was born and raised in New York.

Dr. Samet has chosen to focus on homeopathy because in her experience it is the deepest healing modality available in that it does not just soothe or palliate symptoms but can actually stimulate the body to start to heal itself. Dr. Samet sees patients in her Montreal office as well as long distance using Skype. Learn more here: Dr. Lisa Samet. You can follow her on Facebook as well.

Next time you get such an injury, reach for the homeopathic alternative. Did you know that a remedy made from the flowers of the garden marigold is remarkably effective for treating wounds?

Calendula officinalis (also known as pot marigold or garden marigold) has been used for centuries to heal wounds and skin irritations. Its certain properties make it useful for treating minor wounds, cuts, scrapes, chapped or chafed skin, diaper rashes, and other minor skin irritations.

Calendula is available in various convenient forms such as pellets, ointments, or topicals like WHP Be gone™ Lil' Cuts & Scrapes. In case of an injury, simply rinse the area with water and apply Calendula. Most formulations are pain-free and safe for all ages, making it a popular choice in my family!

As with any medical condition, consult with your physician if you have any concerns about the severity of an injury, as it may first require medical diagnosis and/or intervention and monitoring.

About Dr. Lisa Samet:

Dr. Lisa Samet N.D. provides Washington Homeopathic Products with a regular column on using homeopathy for the family. She's a naturopathic physician who specializes in homeopathic medicine. Dr. Samet graduated from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in 1998 and has been practicing in Montreal since then. She was born and raised in New York.

Dr. Samet has chosen to focus on homeopathy because in her experience it is the deepest healing modality available in that it does not just soothe or palliate symptoms but can actually stimulate the body to start to heal itself. Dr. Samet sees patients in her Montreal office as well as long distance using Skype. Learn more here: Dr. Lisa Samet. You can follow her on Facebook as well.