First Quick Aid

Words: Dr Barbara ETCOVITCH

Homeopathic remedies used in dilution have far-reaching and astounding results in mental, emotional, and physical conditions.

Homeopathic remedies used in mother tincture form are also of great value and though they may not target the deeper energetic planes, they do produce excellent results in a variety of external problems.

The following are a selection of remedies used in mother tincture form for external conditions.

Types Of External Preparations  

Creams

The mother tincture in a cream base. 

Eyebaths

The mother tincture in water. The solution is used to wash out the eye.

Preparation: Mix 2 drops of mother tincture with 1.5oz of boiled, cooled water, or place 2 drops of mother tincture in an eyebath container filled with boiled cooled water.

Lotions

A dilution of the mother tincture in water. 

Preparation

• Mild Solution: ½ teaspoon of mother tincture to 2oz of boiled cooled water
• Strong Solution: ½ teaspoon mother tincture to 1oz of boiled cooled water. 

Oils

The original plant crushed, macerated in oil, allowed to stand and then strained. 

Ointments

The mother tincture mixed with a lanolin base [This may cause an allergic reaction in sensitive individuals]. 

Tinctures Used in External Conditions 

Bed Sores 

Arnica montana [Leopard’s bane]: 1st Stage — ointment, cream, lotion. 

Bee stings/Wasp Stings

Urtica urens [Stinging nettle]: For bee stings use tincture. For wasp stings use Arnica tincture. 

Bruises

• Arnica [Leopard’s bane]: 1st stage without discoloration, use ointment, cream lotion
• Hamamelis virginica [Witch hazel]: Injuries with broken skin – ointment, cream, lotion
• Ruta graveolens [Rue bitterwort]: After Arnica to reduce swelling on bruised bones.

[Apply ointment 2-3 times a day]. 

Burns/scalds

• Calendula officinalis [Marigold]: 2nd degree and later stages after pain has passed — cream, lotion
• Cantharis [Spanish fly]: Burns before blistering; will prevent blistering

[Tincture – 1 drachm mother tincture to 1oz cold water. Keep part moist]

• Hypericum perforatum [St John’s wort]: 2nd stage with blistering – lotion. Soak gauze in lotion and keep damp
• Urtica urens [Stinging nettle]: Minor burns with redness, but no blistering — ointment, cream, lotion. Soak gauze in lotion.

Dr BARBARA ETCOVITCH is a Classical Homeopath, Interfaith Minister, freelance writer, and lecturer. She has a BA from Sir George Williams University, a MA in Literature from the University of Ottawa, Canada, and a Diploma in Classical Homeopathy from the School of Homeopathy, Devon, England. She was ordained by the All Faiths Seminary International in New York City in 2004. She has been in homeopathic practice for 30+ years treating human and animals alike, from her office in Montreal, Canada, and worldwide via Skype and WhatsApp.