belladonna Archives - Homeopathy at DrHomeo.com

Head injury broadly includes any injury that occurs on the scalp, skull or the brain. A head injury can vary from a mild bump on the scalp to a severe brain injury. A minor head injury may lead to confusion or a headache. On the other hand, a significant head injury may lead to memory loss, coma or death. Head injuries are broadly categorized into two types – closed head injury and open/penetrating head injury. In case of closed head injury, the skull does not break. Breaking of the skull by an object, and its entry into or on the brain is referred to as an open or penetrating head injury. Homeopathic medicine for head injury helps relieve pain and treats the associated problems following a head injury. Arnica, for example, is an excellent homeopathic first-aid remedy for head injuries.

Causes of Head Injuries

There are several causes of a head injury, which include: – accidents (on a roadside, at home, or at the workplace) – falling and hurting the head – physical assault (getting into a fight, domestic violence, childhood abuse, etc.) – sports injuries (as in skateboarding, soccer, football, hockey, etc. ) – Gunshot wounds

Types of Head Injuries

The different types of head injuries are: Intracranial Bleeding – It refers to bleeding in the skull. Lacerations to the scalp – Tearing of skin that results in an irregular wound. Subdural hematoma, epidural hematoma – Collection of blood outside the blood vessels is referred to as a hematoma. Bleeding below the dura mater (one of the three layers that cover the brain and spinal cord) is known as subdural hematoma while bleeding between dura mater and skull is known as an epidural hematoma. Concussions -Concussions arise from a blow to the head in which the brain gets shaken and hits against the wall of the skull. Cerebral contusions – Bruising of the brain tissue is known as a cerebral contusion. Skull fracture – A break in the skull bone is known as a skull fracture. It is further divided into four types – linear, depressed, diastatic and basilar skull fracture.

Symptoms of a Head Injury

The symptoms of a head injury can be felt immediately or develop slowly over a couple of hours or days. The intensity of symptoms depends upon the severity of the head injury. The signs of a minor head injury and a major head injury are different.

Symptoms: Minor Head Injury

The symptoms of a minor head injury include dizziness, feeling foggy in the brain, confusion, headache, nausea, ringing in the ears, sensitivity to light/noise, a bump or swollen area on the scalp ( a bruise) or a small superficial cut in the scalp.

Symptoms: Major Head Injury

The symptoms of major or serious head injury include:

loss of consciousness
vomiting
change in the size of pupils of eyes
leaking of clear fluid or blood from the nose, ears or mouth
problems in balance/ coordination
inability to move any of the limbs
slurred speech
stiff neck
blurred vision
impaired hearing/smell/taste
abnormal eye movements
loss of memory (amnesia)
difficulty walking
a severe headache
serious disorientation
low breathing rate
weakness in one side of the body
a deep cut in the scalp
behavioral changes (including irritability)

Homeopathy for Head Injury

Any head injury needs urgent medical attention. Homeopathic medicines can effectively treat acute head injuries as well as the long-term effects that develop due to an injury. However, it should be noted that in case of head injuries, conventional treatment should be taken along with homeopathic treatment. This is because the head injury can be severe and conventional medicines may be required for emergency care. Among the various homeopathic medicines for a head injury, the top ones include Arnica Montana, Natrum Sulph, and Cicuta Virosa. These are homeopathic medicines prepared from naturally occurring substances and treat head injuries in a very safe, gentle manner without any side effects.

Top three Homeopathic Medicines for Head Injury

Arnica Montana – Homeopathic Medicine for Head Injury

Arnica Montana is a top homeopathic medicine for a head injury. It has a high healing capacity and works in a very effective manner in case of a head injury from falls, blows, or those arising from blunt instruments. Hematomas, concussions, contusions are all treated well with Arnica Montana. It is also indicated for skull fractures. Arnica Montana should be used as a first aid homeopathic medicine in case of head injury. Soon after a head injury, a state of shock, confusion, drowsiness, stupor that appears can be dealt well with this homeopathic medicine. The extreme pain, soreness, tenderness of head following an injury, a burning / heated sensation in the head, meningitis following head injury can be treated with Arnica. In case of meningitis, a great stupor and an excessive inclination to vomit are indications to use this medicine.

Natrum Sulph – Homeopathic Medicine for Head Injury – Chronic Effects

Homeopathic medicine Natrum Sulph an effective treatment for the chronic effects of a head injury. It helps treat mental troubles arising from a head injury. Depression following head injury is a prominent feature to use this medicine. Here, the important indicating features to use this medicine are sadness, tearfulness, aversion to living and suicidal thoughts. In addition to that, a dislike to speak or be spoken to is present. Other symptoms include a low spirit, ill humor, irritability, and anxiety. It also helps treat epilepsy that may develop after a head injury. Natrum Sulph also works well to treat headaches that follow a head injury, along with pain at the back of the neck.

Cicuta Virosa – Homeopathic Medicine for Head Injury followed by Epilepsy

Cicuta Virosa is a homeopathic medicine for a head injury that is followed by epilepsy (seizures). Violent convulsions with distortions of limb, bending of the head, neck, and spine backward are the most prominent feature to use this medicine. Other significant symptoms include froth from the mouth, rolling of eyes up, and dilated pupils. Most of the times, a spasm begins in the head and travels down. Prolonged unconsciousness follows an episode of convulsions. Extreme weakness following the convulsions, convulsions triggered by noise, and visual disturbances as a result of head injuries are indicative of this medicine.

Other Important Homeopathic Medicines for Head Injury

Apart from these medicines, some other significant homeopathic medicines are used for treating a head injury and its effects. These include Helleborus Niger, Conium Maculatum, Hypericum Perforatum, Belladonna and Calendula Officinalis. The key indications for using these homeopathic medicines are as follows:

Helleborus Niger – Homeopathic medicine for Head Injury – Altered Mental Functioning

Helleborus Niger is a homeopathic medicine for a head injury that leads to altered mental functioning, with symptoms like confusion, slowness of perception, inattention, drowsiness, dullness and weakness/loss of memory. Unintelligible muttering, constant thoughtless staring at one spot, slowness in responding, indifferent behavior, anxiety, boring head in a pillow, rolling head from side to side, beating head with hands, picking of lips/clothes, and fixed dilated pupils are other symptoms that indicate the need for Helleborus Niger.

Conium Maculatum – Homeopathic Medicine for Head Injury – Vertigo

Conium Maculatum is a homeopathic medicine for head injury followed by vertigo. In such cases, vertigo gets worse when turning the head sideways. Lying down and turning in bed may worsen vertigo. In some cases, worsening of vertigo due to a noise or an eye movement is also noted. Vertigo with an inclination to fall sideways is also treated well with Conium.

Hypericum Perforatum – Homeopathic Medicine for Head Injury – Headaches

Hypericum Perforatum is a homeopathic medicine for a head injury that is followed by headaches. Soreness of eyes with a headache, a sensation of being lifted up high in the air are the main symptoms. Hypericum is also indicated for treating a fracture of the skull, and for open wounds with weakness due to blood loss.

Belladonna – Homeopathic Medicine for Head Injury followed by Brain Inflammation

Belladonna is a prominent homeopathic medicine for brain inflammation following a head injury. The symptoms to use this medicine include fever, severe headache, heat in the head, flushed face, frequent full pulse, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, boring head in a pillow, and convulsions.

Calendula Officinalis – Homeopathic Medicine for Lacerated Wounds of Scalp

Calendula Officinalis is a natural homeopathic medicine used to treat lacerated wounds of the scalp. It helps heal an injury that is attended by features like wounds on the scalp that are raw, inflamed and are highly painful, along with an occurrence of fever. This medicine helps in reducing pain, inflammation, promoting healthy granulation and preventing suppuration. Calendula Officinalis is also indicated for compound fractures of the skull.

Head Injury: Complications

The major complications of head injury are: Meningitis Inflammation of the protective membranes (meninges) of the brain and spinal cord is known as meningitis. If not treated immediately it can cause permanent damage to the brain and may also prove to be fatal life-threatening. The symptoms of meningitis include a very high fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea/vomiting, skin rash, and seizures. Hydrocephalus An abnormal fluid buildup in the ventricles of the brain is referred to as hydrocephalus. Excess fluid puts pressure on the brain and damages it. To prevent permanent brain damage, quick treatment is required. The symptoms include a headache, neck pain, sleepiness, vomiting, blurred vision/double vision, confusion, eyes fixing downward, poor coordination, and seizures. Coma Coma is a state of an extended period of unconsciousness. The person in a coma doesn’t respond to the environment and cannot be awakened by any stimulation. Coma in head injury may arise from swelling in the brain or a brain hemorrhage. Seizures Seizures arise from abnormal electrical activity in the brain. The symptoms of seizures include uncontrollable shaking of the body, temporary confusion, unconsciousness and a staring spell. The symptoms tend to last for 30 seconds to 2 – 3 minutes. When a tendency of seizures develops, the condition is known as epilepsy.

Important Preventive Measures

Head injuries, whether minor or major, can lead to long-term problems. It is important to get timely treatment in case a head injury has occurred. Preventing head injuries is important, and the following measures can be taken to avoid traumatic brain injuries :

Always Wear helmets while driving bikes, bicycle, or while participating in sports activities like skating.
Do not drive after consuming alcohol.
Make it a habit of wearing a seat belt when sitting in a car.n

In winters, ailments like chilblains, cold, headache and fever usually catch us all of a sudden. In such situations, the right homoeopathic medicine, that too prescribed well in time, can be of great help. So, why do we not have our own first-aid homoeopathic kit at home? Here are three important medicines that can be used as first aid in winters when proper medical help is not possible.

Aconite the first choice

Well, if ever there can be a real antidote to the ill-effects of cold, aconite is the one.

After an exposure to cold, when the first symptoms show up, is the time to use aconite (runny nose, sneezing, itchiness in the throat or nose, shivering, etc). It is also very effective in controlling breathing difficulties after such a cause. Believe it or not, if you are quick enough to antidote your exposure within the first hour or so, aconite can abort the attack within no time.

Aconite is indicated after an exposure to dry cold weather, cold air, etc. It is also very useful when the symptoms are noticed due to perspiration having been checked by sudden exposure to cold. Remember that aconite is only indicated in the first few hours of exposure when the symptoms have just started occurring. Three doses of aconitum napelus 30c spaced at an interval of 10 minutes should serve as a proverbial stitch in time.

How to stay warm

The simple principle: Never go out without adequate clothing, however briefly. Avoid your clothing getting wet, through sweat or water. Dry it as soon as possible if this happens

Dress up in layers: Dressing up in several layers of clothes (preferably woollens) can significantly help in reducing the loss of heat. Remember that three light shirts are warmer than one thick one Double or triple your pair of socks if you suffer from cold feet.

Cover your nose: We lose one-thirds of our body heat by our head and 50 per cent of that is actually lost by the nose.

So cover your nose and you will really feel the difference. Don’t forget covering your head too.

Belladonna the surest bet

All those who have used or studied homoeopathy know how sure one is while using belladonna when symptoms of inflammation set in after an exposure.

Although its stage comes after aconite, it can be used directly if one hasn’t had the opportunity to use aconite. Belladonna is indicated when inflammation sets in. Cardinal symptoms of inflammation, as we are taught, are heat, redness, swelling and pain. For example, it is indicated in conditions such as fever after exposure, sore throat (congested, painful and red on examination), headache and all other inflammatory conditions that occur due to exposure. Three doses of 30c potency of belladonna repeated after an interval of every hour should suffice.

Agaricus for chilblains

Winters are a menace for those who suffer from chilblains. Chilblains are a painful abnormal reaction of the small blood vessels in the skin when exposed to cold temperatures. Chilblains appear as small itchy, red areas on the skin. These are common on the toes, but can also affect the fingers and the face (especially the nose and the ears). Three doses of agaricus 30c in a day for a period of four days should be sufficient to control the suffering.

If one finds limited or no relief after using the prescribed medicines, make sure that you consult a professional. The above mentioned first-aid medicines should be used only when actual medical help is not readily available

Top 3 Natural Homeopathic Remedies for Treating Head Injuries