An Introduction to Homeopathy & Herbal Medicine

Here is a little more information about my top five first aid remedies for mothers and babies as discussed at the talk at Constantiaberg Hospital yesterday morning

• Chamomilla (Matricaria recutita)

Chamomilla ...

• Irritable, grizzly, restless children and babies suffering from pain or fever or inflammation. Want to be carried and held. They often have one red cheek, greenish stools and rather angry crying. If there is the full picture, you can use Chamomilla 30cH homeopathic medicine in drop or granule form and administer it as often as necessary to bring relief.  If the full picture is not present and you simply want a calming and soothing, anti-inflammatory herb to help when your baby won't settle or sleep, has tummy problems or is irritable or fractious, then give the herbal infusion (tea). Chamomile can be used externally as a wash to soothe red, inflamed areas - it can be added to the bath or even dabbed on directly from a moistened teabag of chamomile.

• Catnip (Nepeta cataria)
• cooling, calming and soothing herbal tea for mild fevers and inflammation, sleeplessness, restlessness, over-excitability.  Soothes the digestive tract and helps cool baby in fevers. May be helpful in colic. It has anti-spasmodic and gas-dispelling effects on the digestive tract. Particularly good in overexcitable, overimpressionable, oversensitive states. It is gently sedating. Also good if mum's anxiety is affecting baby. Can be mixed in equal quantities with Chamomile.  

• Elderflower (Sambucus nigra - flowers)
• Elderflower infusions can be used as a gentle decongestant for the upper and lower airways. The baby that responds best to elderflower is usually mucousy and snuffly, with congested nose and sinused, and perhaps congested chest and cough.The baby often perspires more when they have these problems and this is a good guide to the use of this herb. Elderflower opens up the airways and frees breathing. It can be used to help in minor colds, sinusitis, catarrh, hayfever, allergies etc.  Difficulty breathing should always be assessed by a practitioner.

• Marigold (Calendula officinalis)
• Calendula is the best allround herb for the skin! It is a wound healer and very helpful for all types of cuts, scrapes and grazes, including carpet burn from crawling! It is mildly antiseptic and helps speed up skin healing. It is a great topical application for eczemas, cradle cap and many other skin conditions, including rashes (may be used with Chamomile). If in doubt - try Calendula! It also works very well with the following herb:

• St John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum)

• a great wound healing herb that can be used on its own or with Calendula. It is particularly good for injuries to nerve-rich regions such as the fingers, face or genitals (e.g. episiotomy). I combine it with Calendula and use it to prevent stretch marks and to treat cracked nipples. It is great to have a jar of 'Hypercal' cream around the house as you can use it on yourself and your baby for just about any topical skin problem. If you can't find a good hypericum and calendula cream at the pharmacies or health shops, then your homeopath should be able to provide one.

 Medicines for Teething

1. Chamomilla 6cH or 30cH - more grizzly, angry state
2. Pulsatilla 6cH or 30CH - irritable, but more sweet, clingy, thirstless
3. Chamomile and/or Catnip tea - multipurpose soother

How to Prepare a Herbal Infusion (Tea)

 Add 250ml freshly boiled water to 1 heaped teaspoon dried or 2-3 teaspoons fresh herb. Place a lid on the container to prevent essential oils from escaping (e.g. a saucer on your cup). Leave to stand until lukewarm. For infants, administer 1 teaspoon or warm or cool tea at a time. It is difficult to recommend a dose. See how much you can get in! It is difficult to give too much and if you are giving teaspoonful doses, giving it as often as baby will take it until it has its desired effect and then repeat as neccessary. For toddlers or older children a shotglass full of tea at a time can be given. It can be sweetened with honey or given in applejuice.