Well, ever the mother and Homeopath – I  took a look at the finger. Sure enough, the entire finger was black and blue, swollen and stiff – he could hardly bend it. And it was painful, although it took him a while to admit it. "I have something that will help, if you’re interested," I said.

He looked at me in disbelief, doubtful that homeopathic medicine could possibly help the pain and bruising. "What’s it going to do – work its homeopathic magic and fix my finger? If it does, I’ll be a convert to homeopathy forever!"  That’s what he said, and I have witnesses.

I gave him Arnica and let homeopathy do its magic. He was amazed at how quickly the swelling went down, the bruising all but disappeared, and he could move his finger normally without pain. He’s a believer now. That’s the magic of homeopathy – it heals gently and quickly, without drugs or side effects.

Arnica is a wonderful homeopathic remedy to have on hand or in your basic kit. Any time you have an injury from a sprain or blow from a blunt instrument (like a crowbar), and there is swelling, pain and discolouration – take Arnica. It’s great for sports injuries, including concussion.

Here are some guidelines for taking Arnica:

•    Homeopathic medicines come in difference strengths; for home prescribing, use 30C
•    Avoid touching the pellets; pour 1 or 2 pellets into the cap and toss into the mouth under the tongue
•    Let pellets dissolve under the tongue; don’t take with water or swallow the pellets
•    For babies, dissolve the pellets in 15 ml (3 tsp) of water and place a few drops on the tongue
•    Avoid eating or drinking for 15 minutes before and after taking the remedy
•    Repeat the remedy every 2-3 hrs; for more severe injury take it every 10 to 15 minutes until it feels better, then cut back
•    Keep taking the remedy until it’s 50% better, then increase the time between doses. Stop when it’s almost completely better.

Allergy season starts in the spring and goes until the first frost in the fall. More than one in six Canadians suffer from seasonal allergies. Depending on where you live and what you’re sensitive to, you can have symptoms from March to November. Sneezing, congestion, runny nose, red, watery eyes, itchy eyes, nose, ears and throat are common symptoms.

Homeopathy is very effective for allergies. Your symptoms will be alleviated and over time homeopathic treatment will help your body heal itself and eliminate the sensitivity that leads to the allergy symptoms. For best results, see your Homeopath well in advance of your allergy season.

In the midst of full blown hay fever season, you can use homeopathic medicines to treat the acute phase of your allergy for effective relief without side effects.

Here are some homeopathic remedies that might bring you some quick relief of your acute symptoms with no danger of side effects. Look for the description that best matches you and your symptoms.

Allium cepa: profuse, burning nasal discharge which is worse in a warm room and better outside, with non-burning, watery red eyes that you want to rub all the time; your nose feels raw with a tingling sensation and violent sneezing; you may have a congestive headache over the eyes

Ambrosia: when your hay fever comes from exposure to ragweed; itchy, watery eyes, irritated throat, nose and head feel stuffed up

Arsenicum album: burning tears and clear, watery nasal discharge, running like a faucet, often worse on the right side, worse between midnight and 2 am; tossing and turning in bed, restless, sometimes anxious during breathing difficulties; chilly and feel better a warm room; very thirsty but drink small sips at a time; sensitive to light, have violent sneezing, and may develop asthmatic breathing.

Euphrasia: burning watery eyes and a non-irritating nasal discharge; your eyes water so much you look like you’re brimming with tears, and your eyes feel worse outdoors. The whites of the eye and the cheeks are red from the burning tears; runny nose is worse at night, while lying down, and in windy weather.

Natrum muriaticum: watery eyes and nose; nasal discharge profuse and resembles raw egg white, with the nose blocking up at times; worse in hot weather and my be accompanied by cold sores around the mouth

Nux vomica:  irritable and chilly workaholic type, runny nose during the day and congestion at night, worse indoors and better in the open air; sensitive to the cold and to being uncovered; may have frequent sneezing

Pulsatilla: runny nose during the day and congestion at night, mild-tempered, clingy and weepy, tending to cling, wanting attention and sympathy; congestion is worse in a warm room, hot weather, or while lying down, and is relieved in cool rooms, open air, or with cool applications; may experience itching at the roof of the mouth at night; often not thirsty

Sabadilla: burning red eyelids, with tears flowing worse during sneezing, yawning and coughing; face and lips feel hot; sneezing spasms with watery runny nose, worse from the smell of flowers; nose feels dry and itchy;  feels worse in cold air; throat feels painful especially on empty swallowing, is better from hot drinks and the pain can go from left to right

Sulphur:  dry, itchy nose, frequent sneezing; burning itchy eyes, sensitive to light, and feel gritty. Eyelids are red and itchy, mostly in the daytime, and feel as though they are glued together in the morning; generally uncomfortable in the hot weather

Wyethia: irritable itching behind the nose and/or at the roof of the mouth;  tickling sensation and dry hacking cough; throat feels hot with a tendency to constant clearing even though dry; often the throat feels swollen with difficulty in swallowing