Remedies for Crises

June 21, 2006

Trauma
If you are unfamiliar with homeopathy please read Intro to Homeopathy.
These are the leading remedies to consider and that every homeopath is familiar with:
Aconite for shock
Arnica for trauma, bruising, hemorrhage
Hypericum for injury to nerve centers and tissues (including areas rich in nerves such as the fingers)
Cantharis for burns
Ledum for puncture wounds
Staphysagria for incised wounds
Silicea for helping to extrude small foreign bodies

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

An extract from Homeopathic remedies for traumatic stress by Miranda Castro, FSHom, RSHom(NA), CCH. Full text.

Aconite, Stramonium, and Arnica The first two remedies to think of for the shock are Aconite and Arnica. Aconite is immediately recognizable because people who need it are visibly distressed. They look frightened. You can feel their fear. The symptoms that stand out are the trembling and the fear of death. This fear can surface immediately after a bad shock and/or surface at night after a bad dream. They can suffer from panic attacks if the acute shock isn't dealt with. A remedy with similar symptoms to Aconite is Stramonium. Those who need it experience and re-experience fear and terror after a bad shock. Aconite is more identifiably two-dimensional: shock and fear (of death) with trembling. Period. Stramonium can express a wider range of feelings (from hysteria with loud laughing to rage and feelings of unreality). While a fear of death may be present, the prominent fear that guides us to Stramonium is a fear of the dark. Children wake screaming in terror at night out of a nightmare unable to fully awake, and not knowing the parent who tries to comfort them. By sharp contrast, those who need Arnica might seem superficially to be OK. They say there's nothing wrong-even insist on it-especially during the daytime. But their unconscious betrays their deeper feelings in the form of bad dreams or nightmares that wake them at night. Images of the shocking stressor haunt them at night rather than during their waking hours.

Opium *, Gelsemium, and Phosphoric acid Homeopathically prepared Opium* is another remedy for shock with quite a different presentation. They aren't OK, but they aren't distressed. They look spaced-out. They don't complain or ask for anything. The images of what happened haunt them in their waking hours, and each time they think about what happened all the same feelings pour over them again. They have difficulty falling asleep because of this-in spite of an overpowering sleepiness. They are oddly sensitive to noise. People who need Gelsemium have a similar kind of feeling: people who need it look and feel dull and droopy. They have trouble opening their eyes. These people experience loss alongside the shock, but can't cry. They become numb and shaky and drowsy. Typically the shock comes in the form of bad news. How many of us watched the news that fateful Tuesday morning and were catapulted into the kind of reality that was unimaginable? Phosphoric acid is sometimes confused with Gelsemium for those who receive bad news, especially when it comes by phone or letter rather than by experiencing it firsthand. People who need Phosphoric acid sink into apathy and don't even want to talk. In spite of an immense apathy they are able to summon up energy to carry out physical activities if they have to. Those needing this remedy are thirsty especially for fruit juices and pop, whereas those needing Gelsemium are not thirsty at all.

*Homeopathically prepared Opium is available in the US only to DEA-licensed physicians.

Ignatia and Natrum muriaticum Ignatia is another remedy for people with loss who don't want to talk about it because they want to be alone to cry. They resist all comforting. They have a "lump" in their throats from the emotional tension of holding back their feelings. When they finally break down and cry, it is with great big sobs. They are haunted by feelings of guilt and regret. Natrum muriaticum is Ignatia's twin. They have so many similarities they can be hard to tell apart. Natrum muriaticum's depth of suffering and their bitterness set them apart from Ignatia. In addition, they have even more difficulty crying, even when alone, and if they do cry they are more likely to shed a few gentle tears rather than buckets.

Calcarea carbonica, Arsenicum, and Cocculus People experiencing anxiety after a traumatic stress may need Calcarea carbonica, Arsenicum, or Cocculus. Those needing Arsenicum worry about themselves. They look at what happened and are tortured by what would have happened had they been in one of those planes. Security is really important to them and so the loss of safety is literally unbearable. They become scared of death (like Aconite, but it isn't accompanied by the naked, visible fear). They fear for their own safety, especially at night and especially when they are alone. They become irritable (not generally present in those needing Aconite) and restless-typically tidying up their environments in an attempt to compensate for internal disorder by creating external order. Calcarea carbonica is for those who have been badly affected by all the sad and tragic stories because they have such active imaginations. They respond to this stress by becoming deeply anxious. They worry about the future, about bad things happening, especially to others close to them. This wears them out, causing them to become physically sluggish and emotionally depressed. Those needing Cocculus also worry compulsively about loved ones. Their worrying keeps them from sleeping at night. They become exhausted in a particular way. Their world slows down (they feel as if everything is slow) and nothing feels real, but time passes quickly especially at night when they try to sleep but can't. They become confused, anxious and dizzy with the exhaustion. Cocculus and Nitric acid are the two remedies to think of for those who are sleep-deprived as a result of worry, or because they are actively engaged in rescue efforts or nursing the sick.

Nitric acid and Aurum metallicum Those needing Nitric acid are exhausted and angry. Their anger is extreme. Their sensitive, compassionate nature cannot comprehend what happened and they react with hatred, fantasizing revenge against the "enemy," unable to sleep at night and becoming absolutely exhausted. Their anger eats away at them and bursts out uncontrollably, leading to depression. People who become seriously depressed after a traumatic stress may need Aurum metallicum. They fall into a deep, dark pit of despair after a brief period where feelings of anger surface and are then suppressed. They reflect on the nature of faith and typically turn to prayer and/or meditation in order to find solace, reconnecting maybe, with a neglected spiritual side. They find music soothing-but in a limited, melancholy way.

Anxiety

The Wall Street Journal on 10/12/01 reported that since September 11, sales of anti-depressants are up 16% from the same period last year, and sales of drugs for anxiety and insomnia are up 7%. Individual physicians cited a 1/3 increase in prescriptions for "coping" drugs - many to patients who never would have requested them previously. Clearly, many are in need of help at this time. Homeopathy has much to offer for these issues. Dr. Jonathan Davidson, professor of psychiatry at Duke University (Davidson JRT, Morrison RM, Davidson RT, Bedayn G, Homeopathic treatment of anxiety and depression, Alternative Therapies, 1997;1:46-49.) found a 58% response rate using conventional scales, in patients who had failed conventional therapy.

An extract from Homeopathic remedies for traumatic stress by Miranda Castro, FSHom, RSHom(NA), CCH. Full text

Pulsatilla and Causticum Those who need Pulsatilla cry easily and want comforting, feeling better for both the crying and the consolation. Their moods are changeable and curiously, any lowness of spirits lifts once they are out in the fresh air. These are the sensitive children who've been deeply affected by the pictures and responses of those around them, who become clingy and needy. Causticum is another remedy for those who suffer as a result of the suffering of others. Only much more deeply. They care tremendously about the injustice of what happened and may react by becoming active in organizations that are fighting for justice. (Those needing Pulsatilla care more about the people that are hurting.) Feelings of anxiety-always about others, never about themselves - and uncertainty create an all-pervasive feeling of gloom that something terrible is going to happen.

Fear of flying
Incredibly, planes fill the skies again and those who have flights booked may be wondering how they will cope with the actual flying experience itself. Especially those who have always been nervous or even scared of flying. Here are a few remedies to consider taking along for the ride.
Aconite. Panic attacks with fear of death especially if they feel hemmed in. Looks terrified. Cannot be calmed.
Gelsemium. Paralyzed with fear in anticipation of flying. Becomes dull and confused and trembly.
Argentum nitricum. Panic attacks with hyperventilating. Great restlessness and claustrophobia. A terrible fear of heights combined with claustrophobia.
Rescue Remedy. This little Bach Flower Remedy is not, strictly speaking, homeopathic, but its curative value in any worrying or scary situation is legendary. Take it if you take nothing else, and put a few drops in all your drinks.

Biological Attack

The current rash of Anthrax letters has lots of people skittish. Start with a rational assessment of whether you are in a job situation that puts you at risk. Most of us are not at risk from this and should relax. At this time, you are still more likely to die from being struck by lightning than to die from anthrax. But, we should also follow the rules of good hygiene that work for colds and flu as well - DON'T PUT STUFF IN YOUR MOUTH, especially your hands or anything that you or anyone else touches with hands unless they're washed first. This means don't chew your fingernails, or the end of your pencil. Don't eat with your hands unless your have washed them or the food can be held in its wrapper. Homeopathy did a great deal for epidemics and infectious diseases, but good hygiene and sanitation did more and will help keep you from getting sick in the first place.

Prophylaxis and Nosodes

Industry Associations Warn Against "Natural" Anthrax Treatments.
Both the Silver Spring, Md.-based American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) and the Newport Beach, Calif.-based National Nutritional Foods Association (NNFA) have issued warnings about false claims that natural remedies exist for the treatment of the disease anthrax. NNFA has received inquiries from its members about products which are being marketed as alternative preventatives and treatments for anthrax and has issued a statement saying that no natural therapies have been approved for treating any form of anthrax infection. It is recommending that retailers refuse to stock or sell products claiming to treat the disease; to not promote the use of legally labeled dietary supplements as a cure or treatment; to advise customers who believe they are infected to seek medical attention and contact the local health department. In a statement, NNFA Executive Director David Seckman said, "Let's be very clear, no dietary supplement or other natural product has been approved for the treatment of anthrax. Even the most vague intimation that a product or combination of products will ward off or cure anthrax infection will be widely viewed as preying on the fears of a frightened public." AHPA has reminded manufacturers, marketers and retailers that federal regulations governing dietary supplements do not permit claims suggesting a supplement can "diagnose, mitigate, treat, cure or prevent" any disease. In an open letter to practitioners of complementary and alternative medicine, AHPA stated "There are not, however, any defined natural healing protocols for the treatment of any form of anthrax infection," and recommended that the practitioners contact the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control for information on anthrax . For more information contact AHPA's Director of Communications Robin Gellman at 301-588-1171, ext 107.

From articles by Eileen Nauman DHM (UK) with Catherine Creel. Full text.
ANTHRAX BIOLOGICAL WARFARE INFORMATION
The spores of B. anthracis can be produced and stored in a dry form and remain viable for decades in storage or after release. When released, the spores are easily dispersed in air for inhalation by unprotected troops (or civilians downwind) and may remain in soil for many years.

The following is an excerpt from the U.S. Navy Manual on Operational Medicine and Fleet Support, entitled Biological Warfare Defense Information Sheet. "The disease Anthrax is caused by the bacteria Bacillus anthracis. Anthrax is normally found in sheep, cattle and horses but can be transmitted to humans who contact infected animals or their products. Usually humans acquire the disease by skin contact with the bacteria or by inhaling the bacterial spores found in sheep wool. As an agent of biological warfare (BW), it is expected that a cloud of Anthrax spores would be released at a strategic location to be inhaled by the personnel under attack. As such, the symptoms of Anthrax encountered in BW would follow those expected for inhalation of spores, as opposed to those expected for skin contact or ingestion of the bacteria. These symptoms are discussed in the sections below."

Anthrax symptoms have TWO PHASES. The first set of symptoms mirror non-specific flu-like symptoms.
* progressive fatigue
* possible fever
* chills
* general discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling (malaise)
* headache
* nausea and vomiting
* shortness of breath/breathing problems
* cough, dry * congestion of the nose and throat
* mild chest discomfort with a non-productive cough
* joint stiffness
* joint pain
* possible sore throat
* possible night sweats
* loss of Appetite

Homeopathic Remedies for Inhalational Anthrax
FEVER; HEAT in general (K1278) (205) : Acon., Alum., Apis, Arg-n., Ars., Ars-i.
CHILL; COLDNESS in general (K1259) (213) : Ant-t., Apis, Aran., Ars., Bism., Calc-f.
HEAD PAIN; GENERAL (K132) (305) : Anthr., Calc-s., Cedr., Chin., Chin-s., Cocc.
STOMACH; NAUSEA (K504) (326) : Ant-c., Ant-t., Arg-n., Ars., Bell., Carbn-s.
STOMACH; VOMITING; General (K531) (247) : Acon., Aeth., Ant-c., Ant-t., Apis, Apom.
COUGH; DRY (K786) (288) : Acon., Alum., Ars., Ars-i., Bell., Brom.
RESPIRATION; SUFFOCATIVE (Difficult) (107) : Acon., Acon-f., Am-c., Ant-t., Apis, Ars.
NOSE; CONGESTION to nose (11) : am-c., cham., cortico., cupr., hep., lith-c.
THROAT; FULLNESS (K452) (44) : apis, arg-n., bell., cinnb., con., eucal.
CHEST; CATARRH (K824) (95) : Ant-t., Ars., Bar-c., Bar-m., Bry., Cact.
EXTREMITIES; STIFFNESS (K1191) (133) : Ars., Asaf., Bry., Caust., Chel., Cocc.
EXTREMITY PAIN; GENERAL; influenza; during (K1045) (8) : Bry., Eup-per., acon., caust., chel., euph.
MIND; DISCOMFORT (SI 401)(Discontented)(Restlessness) (44) : camph., grat., sulph., agar., ammc., ars.
STOMACH; APPETITE; diminished (K476) (133) : Alum., Pic-ac., arg-n., aur., bar-m., cact.
EXTREMITIES; ANTHRAX (K952) (6) : anthr., ars., sec., echi., lach., ther.

1. Anthracinum (anthrax nosode)
2. Arsenicum album
3. Lachesis muta
4. Secale
5. Bryonia

Then, you will experience improvement, and the symptoms seem to abate for 1-3 days, and you feel better. The second phase will hit you hard, and usually, within 24-36 hours. This phase is one marked by high fever, dyspnea (shortness of breath), stridor (lungs filling with fluid), cyanosis (blue-colored skin, and you are not able to get sufficient oxygen into your body due to breathing problems), and shock, and then you die. * Breathing Problems/pneumonia * Shock * Swollen Lymph Glands * Profuse sweating * Cyanosis (skin turns blue)

Homeopathic Remedies for Stage Two
FEVER; HEAT in general (K1278) (205) : Acon., Alum., Apis, Arg-n., Ars., Ars-i.
CHILL; COLDNESS in general (K1259) (213) : Ant-t., Apis, Aran., Ars., Bism., Calc-f.
HEAD PAIN; GENERAL (K132) (305) : Anthr., Calc-s., Cedr., Chin., Chin-s., Cocc.
STOMACH; NAUSEA (K504) (326) : Ant-c., Ant-t., Arg-n., Ars., Bell., Carbn-s.
STOMACH; VOMITING; General (K531) (247) : Acon., Aeth., Ant-c., Ant-t., Apis, Apom.
COUGH; DRY (K786) (288) : Acon., Alum., Ars., Ars-i., Bell., Brom.
RESPIRATION; SUFFOCATIVE (Difficult) (107) : Acon., Acon-f., Am-c., > > Ant-t., Apis, Ars.
NOSE; CONGESTION to nose (11) : am-c., cham., cortico., cupr., hep., lith-c.
THROAT; FULLNESS (K452) (44) : apis, arg-n., bell., cinnb., con., eucal.
CHEST; CATARRH (K824) (95) : Ant-t., Ars., Bar-c., Bar-m., Bry., Cact.
EXTREMITIES; STIFFNESS (K1191) (133) : Ars., Asaf., Bry., Caust., Chel., Cocc.
EXTREMITY PAIN; GENERAL; influenza; during (K1045) (8) : Bry., Eup-per., acon., caust., chel., euph.
MIND; DISCOMFORT (SI 401)(Discontented)(Restlessness) (44) : camph., grat., sulph., agar., ammc., ars.
STOMACH; APPETITE; diminished (K476) (133) : Alum., Pic-ac., arg-n., aur., bar-m., cact.
EXTREMITIES; ANTHRAX (K952) (6) : anthr., ars., sec., echi., lach., ther.
BACK; SWELLING of; Cervical region (4) : con., iod., nux-v., phos.
GENERALITIES; SHOCKS; agg. (SII 578) (25) : acon., acet-ac., am-c., arn., camph., cham.
PERSPIRATION; PERSPIRATION in general (K1293) (201) : Ant-t., Calc., Chin., Ferr., Hep., Ip.
RESPIRATION; DIFFICULT; pneumonia, in (6) : ANT-T., Chel., Kali-n., Kreos., Lyc., Phos.
GENERALITIES; CYANOSIS (K1356, SII 151)(RESPIRATION; Asphyxia) (109) : Camph., Carb-v., Cupr., Dig., Lach., Laur.

1. Arsenicum album
2. Phosphorus
3. Lachesis muta
4. Carbo veg.
5. Baptisia tinct.
6. Pyrogenium

CUTANEOUS SUMPTOMS OF ANTHRAX (Anthrax skin infection)
Skin infection begins as a raised itchy bump that resembles an insect bite but within 1-2 days develops into a vesicle and then a painless ulcer, usually 1-3 cm in diameter, with a characteristic black necrotic (dying) area in the center.
* a reddish brown sore that breaks open and forms a scab. Lymph glands in the adjacent area may swell. About 20% of untreated cases of cutaneous anthrax will result in death. Deaths are rare with appropriate antimicrobial therapy.
* Usually find a typical painless lesion (ulcer) at site of infection with a black, necrotic (dying tissue) eschar (scab).
* Local swelling is prominent
* Possible fatigue
* Possible chills

Homeopathic Remedies for Cutaneous Anthrax
SKIN; ANTHRAX (2) : ip., lob.
SKIN; ERUPTIONS; vesicular (K1322) (148) : Ars., Canth., Carb-ac., Caust., Clem., Croto-t.
SKIN; SWELLING; affected part, of (K1332) (57) : Bell., Kali-c., Merc., Puls., Rhus-t., Sep.
SKIN; DISCOLORATION; blackish (K1305) (19) : Ars., Plb., Sec., apis, arg-n., carb-v.
SKIN; ITCHING (K1327) (242) : Agar., Apis, Ars., Bov., Carb-v., Carbn-s.

1. Arsenicum album
2. Lachesis muta
3. Nitric acidum
4. Secale
5. Carbo veg.

GASTROINTESTINAL ANTHRAX (eating it)
The intestinal disease form of anthrax may follow the consumption of contaminated meat and is characterized by an acute inflammation of the intestinal tract. Initial signs of nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, fever are followed by abdominal pain, vomiting of blood, and severe diarrhea.
* Abdominal Pain
* Inflammation of the Intestinal Tract

Intestinal anthrax results in death in 25% to 60% of cases.

Homeopathic Remedies for Gastrointestinal Anthrax
STOMACH; APPETITE; wanting (K479) (284) : Ars., Asar., Calc., Cham., Chel., Chin.
STOMACH; VOMITING; General (K531) (247) : Acon., Aeth., Ant-c., Ant-t., Apis, Apom.
STOMACH; NAUSEA (K504) (326) : Ant-c., Ant-t., Arg-n., Ars., Bell., Carbn-s.
ABDOMEN; PAIN; general (K554) (397) : Ars., Bry., Canth., Cham., Cocc., Colch.
STOMACH; VOMITING; blood (K536) (131) : Arn., Cact., Carb-v., Chin., Crot-h., Ferr.
RECTUM; DIARRHEA (K609)(STOOL; Frequent) (285) : Agar., Aloe, Ant-c., Ant-t., Apis, Arg-n.

1. Arsenicum album
2. Ipecac
3. Phosphorus
4. China
5. Veratrum album

HOMEOPATHIC INFORMATION YOU NEED
POTENCY and DOSAGE Potency ordered from a homeopathic pharmacy (or, if you buy a kit) should be a 30C. Take these white pellets UNDER your tongue and let them melt way. Do NOT take them with water. Take every 15 minutes until you can receive emergency medical help. If you cannot get to the hospital. Take every fifteen minutes until the symptoms go away. When they stop: STOP taking the remedy.

Prophylaxis - NCH Board

In the history of homeopathy, the remedy that has worked well for treatment of the illness, has also worked well for preventing infection among exposed individuals. In epidemics, the infection is usually so virulent that most people respond to it with similar symptoms. Thus, one or a very few remedies will work for most people, and the usual need for individualization of therapy is made much easier. The remedy for the epidemic becomes known as the genus epidemicus. However, the genus epidemicus may change with each epidemic even though it is the same disease just as a different flu vaccine is made each year in conventional medicine as the flu strain changes.

Another strategy has been to attempt prophylaxis with the nosode, the remedy made from actual diseased tissue. While this is attractive because it doesn't require finding the genus epidemicus, there is less evidence for its efficacy. Additionally, current information about the source material for some nosodes is lacking, the old nosodes may not fit the current strains of infection, and some nosodes are available only by prescription.

While prophylaxis with nosodes is not certain, we do have modern evidence of at least partial effectiveness in the animal model. Dr Wayne Jonas, former director of the Office of Alternative Medicine at NIH did a study with tularemia in the mouse model. (Jonas WB, Do homeopathic nosodes protect against infection? An experimental test, Alternative Therapies, 1999;5:36-40) Mice given tularemia nosode prior to infection with F tularensis had 22% greater survival than control mice given the infection without prior nosode treatment. However, mice given conventional vaccine had 100% survival. While it may not be appropriate to apply this limited information to humans and a different disease, we have to conclude that if a suitable vaccine is available, it would appear to be the safer course at this moment in time. However, if no suitable vaccine is available, nosode therapy is likely to be better than nothing.

In another article in the same issue, pig herds in Germany, particularly susceptible to infections due to their crowded growing conditions, were treated with a combination remedy (remedies chosen for the particular symptoms of infection and combined into one remedy), prophylactic doses of antibiotic or full doses of antibiotic. (Albrecht H, Schutt - Homeopathy versus antibiotics in metaphylaxis of infectious diseases: a clinical study in pig fattening and its significance to consumers, Alternative Therapies, 1999;5:64-68.) The pigs treated homeopathically faired as well as those given prophylactic antibiotics, though neither group did as well as those given full dose antibiotics.

There is much promise for homeopathic prophylaxis, particularly when the genus epidemicus has been determined. What is especially needed at this time is specific homeopathically oriented symptomatology (symptoms from the mental/emotional, general, and organ specific areas along with timing and modalities) from the course of disease in affected individuals in order to determine the genus epidemicus. And we need intense research in the application of both genus epidemicus and nosode therapy. We hope that governmental agencies and scientific investigators will pursue this much needed investigation expediently so that better informed recommendations and protocols for these cost effective and potentially extremely valuable strategies can be developed. We welcome your suggestions and personal contacts in furthering these goals.

The following is an excerpt of an official FDA correspondence to HPCUS in May 1997

"This letter is sent regarding our recent conversation concerning products claiming to be homeopathic nosodes that are intended to prevent various diseases through vaccination, including childhood diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, pertussis, diptheria, polio, tetanus, etc. It appears to us that such products cannot be defined as homeopathic when intended to prevent disease through vaccination. This position is based on the fact that such substances, again when used for preventing disease through vaccination, are not being administered for healing the sick, as the definition of homeopathy requires. The individual being treated is not sick at the time the drug is administered. Further, they are not in keeping with the basic tenet of homeopathy, that is 'similia similibus curentur', since they are not being offered to 'cure a like' but to prevent a disease."

This statement speaks for itself and makes abundantly clear FDA's position on the use of homeopathic medicines for prophylaxis.

Published in Homeopathy Today
Homeopathic Nosodes- Are they Useful for Bio-terrorism? by J.P. Borneman Full text

The attack on the United States on September 11, 2001 and subsequent reports of infection of a number of Americans by bacteria of the species Bacillus anthracis has raised the profile of homeopathic nosodes and their potential clinical utility in the event of a widespread outbreak of an infectious disease....

Nosodes included in the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States(HPCUS) include: Anthracinum (Anthrax), BCG, Candida Albicans, Candida Parapsilosis, Colibacillinum, Hippozaeninum, Influenzinum, Lyssin, Medorrhinum, Morbillinum, Pertussinum, Proteus, Psorinum, Pyrogenium, Sinusitisinum, Staphylococcinum, Streptococcinum, Syphylinum, Tuberculinum, Tuberculinum Bovinum, and Vaccinotoxinum, These medicines have well defined source materials in the literature as well as standardized methods of preparation.

Those nosodes that are available over the counter- including Anthracinum, have OTC indications in the literature.

How does one then approach the application of homeopathy to wide-ranging infectious disease? ...The best approach is the deliberate application of homeopathic case-taking to determine the well-chosen homeopathic medicine, and then the application of the well-chosen homeopathic medicine according to homeopathic principles.

What should you have at home? You probably already have it! "It" is a homeopathic kit that contains commonly prescribed polychrests - the medicines you use every day. If an outbreak occurs, carefully observe symptoms and with medical help, apply the correct medicine. Remember to communicate with others to determine their observations of other patients and look for the genus epidemicus to emerge. And remember, allopathic care may be indicated as well.

Chemical Attack - (in progress)

Nuclear Attack

Dr. Arthur Grimmer writing at the height of the cold war (The Homeopathic Recorder, Vol LXVI, no.9 March 1951, p. 262 in Currim AN Ed. The Collected Works of Arthur Hill Grimmer MD, Hahnemann International Institute for Homeopathic Documentation Norwalk CT. 1996 p.145.) recommended carrying arnica and phosphorus. He suggested they would be helpful to any survivor not too close to the center of an atomic explosion. Arnica should be taken for the immediate effects such as contusions. This, or any exposure to radiation, should be followed after half an hour by phosphorous which he states "meets the destructive effects produced on the capillary circulation and later on the blood elements as well. PHOS is a remedy for deep burns as well as for ulcerations of a serious nature."

Side Effects

If you do find yourself in an exposure situation, follow your public health official's recommendation. While homeopathy has a long history of success, we donÕt have enough current data to rely on it solely when other options known to be efficacious are available.

If you are advised to take an antibiotic, take the simplest one you can. E.g. in anthrax, penicillin and tetracycline, both available generically, are as effective as Cipro, readily available, and much less expensive. More importantly, penicillin has a much narrower spectrum of bacteria that it kills. This means that it knocks off fewer of the good bacteria needed for digestion and other bodily functions, and it is less likely to create bacteria that are resistant to Cipro if you ever need it for something else that is not sensitive to penicillin.

Any time you take an antibiotic, it's a good idea to eat live culture yogurt every day or to take a supplement of Acidophillus bifidus (available in the refrigerator section of your health food store). This helps to replenish the healthy bacteria in your gut that are incidentally being killed by the antibiotic, and diminishes the risk of developing diarrhea or other GI side effects.