Natural Cures For Dummies
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Homeopathy is based on the law of familiars or treating like with like — using a substance that causes certain symptoms in a healthy person to alleviate those same symptoms in someone who’s ill. For example, coffee keeps most people awake, but for some people who have trouble sleeping, a homeopathic preparation of coffee helps them sleep.

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The table lists many of the more common substances used as homeopathic remedies and the ailments those treatments are used for.

Common Homeopathic Treatments
Homeopathic Remedy Ailments It Treats
Aconitum napellus (aconite) Angina, anxiety, arrhythmia, asthma, heart failure, postoperative pain
Allium cepa Allergies, colds, cough, ear infection, hay fever, headache, laryngitis, sore throat
Antimonium tartaricum Acne, asthma, bronchitis, chicken pox, cold, cough, respiratory conditions
Apis mellifica Bee stings, hives, insect bites, urinary conditions
Arnica montana Arthritis, bruises, black eyes, muscle pain, physical trauma, pulled muscles or tendons, shin splits, shock from trauma, tinnitus following injury
Arsenicum album Anxiety; asthma; cold and flu; diarrhea; eye pain, burning, or itching; food poisoning; skin conditions, including eczema, psoriasis, dry skin, rashes; sore throat; indigestion
Belladonna Chicken pox and shingles; cold; colic; delirium; earache; eye pain, burning, or itching; dry, hot nose; fever; headache; measles and mumps; sore throat; stomachache with loss of appetite; tonsillitis; toothache
Bryonia alba Abdominal pain, arthritis, back spasms, colic, constipation, cough, diarrhea, fever with chills, flu, gas, headache, heartburn, indigestion, mood disorders, sciatica, sprains and strains
Calcarea carbonica Anxiety and phobias, bone and joint pain, chronic fatigue, dental problems, digestive disorders, headache, menstrual issues, muscle weakness, osteoarthritis, teething discomfort
Calcarea phosphorica Fractures that are slow to heal, growing pains, headache, joint pain, rheumatism, tooth decay, teething discomfort
Cantharis Acid reflux, attention deficit and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADD and ADHD), bladder infections, bleeding/hemorrhaging, burns, digestion issues, insect bites and stings, sunburn
Carbo vegetabilis Chronic, unexplained illness; cough; heartburn and other digestion conditions; tinnitus
Chamomilla Colic, diarrhea during teething, earache, fever, insomnia, toothache, irritability (especially in children), menstrual issues (including cramping and breast pain), swollen glands, teething discomfort
Cocculus indicus Dizziness, motion sickness, nausea, vertigo, menstrual issues
Coffea cruda Anxiety, depression, headaches, insomnia
Colocynthis Colic, neuralgia (nerve pain), sciatica
Euphrasia (eyebright) Eye conditions, including inflammation, injuries, irritation, conjunctivitis, and watery eyes; nasal allergies and excessive discharge
Ferrum phosphoricum Diarrhea with fever; fever; headache; earache that doesn’t respond to belladonna; hemorrhaging, especially nose bleeds; sore throat; cough that’s better at night; sleeplessness and restless dreams
Gelsemium Cold, flu, headache, heat exhaustion, anxiety, neuralgia, sore throat, vertigo
Hepar sulphuris Abscesses, acne, cold, ear infection, gingivitis, hay fever, cough, croup, hoarseness, sore throat, skin infection, night sweats
Hypericum (St. John’s wort) Anxiety, bee stings, dental pain related to dental procedures such as tooth extraction or root canal, depression, headache, insect bites, nerve injury, postoperative pain, puncture wounds (to prevent lockjaw), skin conditions including corns and varicose ulcers; splinters; tailbone injury Also useful as a topical treatment for all sorts of injuries and burns
Ignatia amara Emotional disorders, including depression, grief, and anxiety; headache; sore throat; cough; menstrual problems
Ipecacuanha (ipecac) Asthma, bronchitis, heavy bleeding (nasal or menstrual), headache, migraine, morning sickness, motion sickness, nausea, recurrent fevers, whooping cough
Kali bichromicum Bronchitis; cold with thick, gooey mucus; earache and ear infection; localized pain (especially with headache); migraines; nasal allergies and sinusitis; vaginitis
Kali carbonicum Asthma, backache, bronchitis, cold, congestion, pneumonia, respiratory infections
Lachesis Acne, circulatory problems (characterized by bluish, purplish, or blotchy skin), hemorrhoids, high blood pressure, migraines, painful periods, Raynaud’s syndrome, rosacea
Ledum Alcoholism, bee stings, black eyes, bruises, gout, insect bites, puncture wounds, rheumatism, sprains and strains
Lycopodium Anxiety; constipation; digestive issues related to the liver, gallbladder, urinary, and digestive tracts; flatulence; irritable bowel syndrome (IBS); nausea and vomiting; panic attacks
Magnesia phosphorica Abdominal and menstrual cramps, colic, muscle spasms
Mercurius vivus Bad breath, boils, colds, cystitis, earache, gingivitis, diarrhea, sore throat, sweating, tonsillitis, trembling, weakness
Natrum muriaticum Eye conditions, including dry eyes, itchy eyes, poor eyesight, and glaucoma; water imbalances that may cause sinusitis, hay fever, edema, puffy eyes, circles under eyes, water retention, and perspiration problems; fatigue
Nux vomica Digestion issues, including acid reflux, gas, heartburn, indigestion, nausea, and vomiting; constipation alternating with diarrhea; hemorrhoids; flu
Phosphorus Anxiety, bleeding, cold, constipation, cough, dark circles under eyes, diarrhea, flu, hoarseness, indigestion, nausea, pallor, vomiting
Podophyllum Diarrhea, heartburn, indigestion, IBS
Pulsatilla Bedwetting, chicken pox, cold with heavy yellow discharge, cough, cystitis, earache, fainting, indigestion, insomnia, menstrual problems, sties, varicose veins
Rhus toxicodendron Aches and pains, back pain, chicken pox, cold sores, cough, flu, hives, hoarseness, poison ivy, sore muscles, rheumatoid arthritis, sciatica, sprains and strains
Ruta graveolens Back pain, bone injuries, dental problems (dry socket), eye strain, headache, joint pain, sciatica, sprains and strains
Sepia Depression, exhaustion, female hormone imbalance, hair thinning, hot flashes, irritability, mood swings, seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
Silica Hair, skin, and nail issues; nutritional deficiencies
Spongia tosta Asthma, colds, cough, croup, exhaustion, goiter, hoarseness, laryngitis, sore throat, thyroid problems
Staphysagria Anxiety, bladder infection, cystitis, depression, emotional distress, menopause symptoms, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), urinary urgency
Sulfur Acne, cold, conjunctivitis, constipation, diarrhea, digestive disorders, eczema, hemorrhoids, nausea, shortness of breath, skin conditions, sties
Tabacum Anxiety, morning sickness, motion sickness, nausea, vomiting
Urtica urens (stinging nettle) Allergies, anemia, bee stings, burns, hives, insect bites, poison ivy, rheumatism, skin irritations
Veratrum album Cough, constipation, cramps, diarrhea, headache, heat exhaustion, menstrual disorders, nausea, vomiting

About This Article

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About the book authors:

Dr. Scott J. Banks has been in clinical practice for more than 30 years. In 2013, Banks joined an elite group Institute for Functional Medicine Certified Practitioners. He is uniquely trained in the Functional Medicine model to identify and treat the root causes of illness, disease, and chronic disorders.

Joe Kraynak has authored and co-authored numerous books.

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