[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Summer time, my favorite time of year. Longer days, warmer nights, days on the beach, vacation time! I remember counting down the last days of school; one day was like a year! Surprisingly, here in San Diego we are enjoying a wonderful June with little gloom, a first in many years. I spent my day yesterday lounging by our pool with my girls on a new raft I just purchased. Unfortunately, I managed to get a bit too much Vitamin D on my thighs. This morning I must admit, I am experiencing a bit of pain. We have all heard the expression, too much of a good thing, is too much of a good thing! Well, sometimes vacation time can be just that! I have put together a few remedies listed below to help us all through these summer months.

SUN BURN:Cantharis-Relieves the rawness, smarting and severe pain of burns, whether by the sun or pot of scalding water accidently poured on oneself. Better from cold applications. Patient may be restless, anxious even full of rage. I would also recommend Aloe Vera. Having a plant in your garden is a must have. The gel found inside the leaves of this plant is calming and soothing to cuts, scrapes wounds and burns. You can also keep a spray bottle of apple cider vinegar mixed with water, spray this on your sun burn, and it will relieve the sting.

HEAT STROKE:

Belladonna-I once gave this remedy to my chicken!!! Yes, this is a great remedy for your pets as well. Think of that poor pooch left in the car, maybe a cat that lounges a bit too long on the deck. Throbbing headache, sudden onset, red faced, feelings of constriction and flushes of heat, may experience vertigo. The keynote to this remedy is the sudden onset and redness. For your pets, look for them to be lethargic, not eating or drinking.

INSECT BITES/STINGS:

Apis-The main guiding symptom of this remedy is burning, stinging, redness, swelling and edema. May look like a balloon ready to burst. Better from cold applications. The patient may exhibit a nervous energy. Think of a bee.

SWIMMERS EAR

A very common summer time ailment for children, especially for those that attend camp where there is a public pool, or even coastal kids that spend a lot of time in the ocean. The simplest thing one can do is to make sure after each prolonged time in either the ocean or pool that the ear be dried out as much as possible. There is a product called Swimmers Ear, but this is a very expensive form of basic rubbing alcohol. A capful of rubbing alcohol will do the job and for much less. Pull the ear lobe down as you gently fill the ear canal, rub around a bit before tilting the head up straight. If ear pain develops or infection sets in, there are several homeopathic remedies available over the counter to help, however a homeopathic evaluation is necessary to prescribe for this.

OVER INDULGENCE:

Nux Vomica-Vacation time means fun time, and that can lead to a bit of over eating and over drinking. This is a must have in any medicine cabinet. This remedy is key to over indulging on any level. Too much food, too much drink, even too much exercise can be helped with this remedy. On the chronic side, think of the A-type personality who is extremely competitive, driven, and perhaps a bit of a work-aholic! This person over does things on many levels. On the acute side, this could be as simple as one too many beers, one too many burritos or hamburgers and you are left with an upset stomach that is nauseous and cramping with sharp pains, worse from tight clothing around the mid-section. The Nux patient is better from warm applications and warm drinks.

SUN SCREENS:

The skin is the largest organ of the body! What you put on your skin absorbs into your blood stream. Many sunscreens contain harsh chemicals and are carcinogenic. You want to make sure your sunscreens are PABA free, mineral oil free and petroleum free. I love Arbonnes Damage Control Water-Resistant Sunscreen-SPF 30. If you would like to place an order for this please contact me personally.

Potency for remedies listed above –

For these acute purposes, a 30c potency is a fine place to start. The remedies here can be purchased at your local health food stores, higher potencies will need to be ordered from a homeopathic pharmacy. Please contact your homeopath for further instructions or questions.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]