There is a great and growing interest in herbal and homeopathic medicine today, and many people are searching for alternative, non-invasive health care. This is not because it is "trendy", but because people are looking for things that work, especially medicines that work without side effects.

Several issues ago, I ran a piece about natural therapy for gum diseases. Everyone loved having a source of easy-to-get herbs and homeopathic remedies to treat gum disease naturally. Many of you wrote or called me about that article and asked if I would write up a list of natural homeopathic remedies to have around the house and on hand for general needs.

Such a list appeared in the first issue of Alternative &
Complementary Therapies, re-written here for you:

NATURAL REMEDIES FOR CHILDREN 
Especially useful for treating colds and allergies, homeopathic remedies are generally safe and effective. Use potencies weaker than for adults; 12C and 30C are suggested. These remedies usually come in small sugar pellets.

Give 3 to 5 pellets under the tongue every 4 to 6 hours while awake and away from food. For infants, dilute 2 or 3 pellets in a little water and let them suck out of a baby bottle.

1. Aconitum napellus: colds of sudden onset, fever, chills, burning palms, restlessness, intense thirst, laryngitis, and acute fits of minor anxiety.
2. Apis mellifica: insect bites, sunburn, hives, inflammation, rashes, allergic reactions, swelling (edema), and sore throat.
3. Arnica montana: bruises, sprains, muscular pain, and muscular fatigue.
4. Belladonna: fevers, headaches, colds and flu, otitis,
   conjunctivitis, and head congestion. Note: NEVER GIVE A CHILD TINCTURE OF BELLADONNA OR HE OR SHE COULD EXPERIENCE TOXIC EFFECTS.
5. Chamomilla: teething pains, diarrhea due to teething, and nervousness and irritability.

NATURAL REMEDIES FOR ADULTS
Strength of remedies can be higher for adults than for children; use a 30C potency for acute situations, up to 200C for chronic conditions. Give 3 to 5 pellets under the tongue every 4 to 6 hours while awake, on an empty stomach.

1. Arnica montana: prevention of pre- and postoperative complications, such as swelling, pain and bruising, muscle ache and fatigue, painful healing fractures, and training for sports.
2. Belladonna: headaches, fever, colds and flu.
3. Ignatia amara: nervous conditions, sleeping disorders, irritability, apprehension and fear, migraines of nervous origin, and rheumatic symptoms brought on by nervousness.
4. Magnesia phosphorica: muscle spasms, abdominal pain or cramps, headaches, premenstrual syndrome, menstrual pain, dysmenorrhea, sciatica, and facial neuralgia.
5. Nux vomica: indigestion and uneasiness brought on by excessive drinking/hangovers, heavy meals, gastritis, constipation, hemorrhoids, insomnia, abuse of stimulants, and poor digestion. NOTE: Give 3 to 5 pellets under the tongue at bedtime if needed.

AND SOMETHING FOR SENIORS 
For older people, use 3 to 5 pellets under the tongue 3 or 4 times a day on an empty stomach. Use 30C potency for acute situations and 200C potency for chronic situations.

1. Calcarea fluorica: joint pains, varicose veins, poor tooth enamel and lumbago.
2. Lycopodium clavatum: chronic constipation, poor digestion, dry wrinkled skin, sallow complexion, hemorrhoides, gout, bloating, gas and heartburn.
3. Rhus toxicodendron: sprains, tendinitis, joint pain, lumbago, rheumatic pain, poison ivy, sciatica, hives, excess muscle fatigue and pain, and eczema. It is also used for flu-like symptoms with fever, diarrhea and generalized body pains.
4. Sepia: change of life, menstrual disorders, constipation, hemorrhoids, liver insufficiency, jaundice, impotency and frigidity.
5. Silicea: weakness, poor nutrition, pyorrhea, fistulas,
   constipation, anxiety before an event, suppuration, chronic bronchitis and sinusitis.

Homeopathic remedies in the strengths suggested will not interfere with anesthetics, prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, herbs, amino acids, and other substances you are taking.

Smoking and drinking caffeinated drinks interfere with natural remedies.

Hope you find this useful!!

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO NOW?

If you need dental care and would like help with a strong emphasis on natural remedies and non-invasive techniques, what you should do is call our office for an appointment.
I'd love to be your dentist!