If you face an operation, especially when hospital admission is unexpected or after an accident, calm nerves will be your best support. How to be calm may be your worst problem. Homeopathy can lower stress levels and address any shock registered. Reduce inflammation, bleeding and pain with a good remedy. By nurturing your mind and body, recover more swiftly and more comfortably.
The remedies below should serve you well before or enroute to the hospital and during convalescence.
Pre-surgery panic and fear: ACONITE the night before and the morning of the operation (see trembling)
Pre-surgery trauma: ARNICA To reduce bleeding and bruising and pain during surgery take this remedy just beforehand. Arnica can greatly diminish shock. If you can only take one remedy with you, this is it. Some patients on blood thinners prefer Bellis per to Arnica; most have no problem with Arnica.
Apprehension, weakness and trembling: GELSEMIUM If you are slowing down with the anxiety the night before and the morning of the operation (numb/ paralysed with fear. If instead you’re speeding up with anxiety take ARG. NIT instead.
to relieve vomiting after anaesthesia: PHOSPHORUS 6c. Great thirst but an inability to keep anything down confirm the need for this remedy. It can also be taken the night before. One dose may be enough.
to reduce bleeding and bruising and prevent infection post surgery: ARNICA
if pain continues and for signs of infection, try STAPHYSAGRIA after Arnica
Staphysagria heals lacerated tissues and addresses anger. It is especially indicated for episiotomy following labour. see Bellis perennis below)
Injuries to nerves and ends of fingers, toes. For puncture wounds. For nervous depression and shock: take HYPERICUM
to restore vitality and promote speedy wound healing take CALENDULA.
Injuries to deep tissue, after major surgery to reduce bruising: BELLIS PERENNIS 6c, three times daily Especially useful in abdominal, uterine and breast surgery. This often follows Arnica, which would be given in the first two days.
Clean wounds by bathing them with HYPERICUM and CALENDULA tincture
To dispell stubborn gas that remains in the torso (usually abdomen) post. surgery give Raphanus. This is a less common remedy: you could try Carbo veg first and go on to Raphanus afterwards. (Carbon dioxide gas is often infused through one of the trochars into the patient’s abdomen. This pushes the anterior abdominal wall upward, and makes room for the surgeon to work. A camera, inserted through one trochar, is linked to a video monitor.)
If scars form or endure, consider Narayani’s SCAR TISSUE MIX This combines Graphites, Hydrastis, Silica and Thiosinaminium. THIOSINAMINIUM in low potency can be taken for scars once or twice daily by adults. Helicrysum oil/cream can be applied topically to reduce scar tissue.
Keloid growth will often dissolve with SILICA 6c
Without doubt, a stronger strength of ARNICA – between 200c and 1M – will hasten healing. Take Arnica 200c potency hourly for up to five doses immediately after the operation.
SURGERY MIX combines Arnica, Hypericum, Calendula Staphysagria and Bellis Perennis. Take this combination 2 to 3 times daily for 7 -10 days after the procedure. See blood thinner comment above.
HOW TO TAKE homeopathy remedies:Twenty minutes away from food or drink. The dose (one tablet or pill) should be tipped into the cap of the vial and then transferred to the mouth, ideally under the tongue. It will dissolve without water. (One pill is enough per dose: frequency intensifies the effect, not the number of pills taken.)
If the patient cannot swallow tablets, crush one between two clean teaspoons, mix with a tiny bit of filtered water and pour under tongue.
Supplements to support surgery
To decrease anxiety and restore calm take three drops of BACH’S RESCUE REMEDY under the tongue or put three drops in a glass of water and sip as needed. If Rescue Remedy not available, try Arnica.
If taking antibiotics, restore healthy flora with a recommended probiotic.