
Homoeopathic physicians often suggest that a remedy for prevention of bruising and bleeding be taken the night before an operation, and that specific remedies (indicated by the person’s symptoms and the type of surgery) be taken afterward. Homoeopathic remedies are safe to use and do not interfere with surgical procedures or other medications. Their use should be discussed with the physician in charge. Remedies for emotional states (see Homoeopathic Remedies for Anxiety) may also be helpful, taken days or weeks before the surgery.
For dosage information, please read the information at the end of this section. See also “Using Homoeopathy With Professional Guidance” in What Is Homoeopathy?
Aconitum apellus: This remedy is indicated when people anticipating surgery are extremely agitated or panicked, especially if they fear that they will die. Easy startling, a sensitivity to light and noise, dry mouth, and thirst are other indications for Aconitum.
Arnica: This remedy is useful for all new injuries, and can help reduce soreness, bruising, tissue damage, and bleeding related to surgical procedures. Arnica can be taken the night before an operation, and is also helpful for bruising, swelling, and soreness during recovery.
Bellis perennis: This remedy is useful when bruising and trauma occur to deep internal tissues after surgery involving the abdomen, breasts, or trunk—especially if a feeling of stiffness or coldness has developed in the area.
China (also called Cinchona officinalis): If a person feels faint with ringing in the ears after loss of blood and fluids due to surgery, this remedy may be helpful. It is also indicated for wind pains after an operation.
Ferrum phosphoricum: This remedy is helpful for early stages of any inflammation and may reduce the chance of soreness and infection after surgery.
Gelsemium: This remedy can be helpful to a person who feels nervous fear before an operation, with trembling, lethargy, and often diarrhoea or headache.
Hamamelis: This remedy can help with passive bleeding if a person’s veins are weak, and may also relieve discomfort after surgery on varicose veins and haemorrhoids.
Hypericum: This remedy is useful for injuries involving body parts that are rich with nerves. It can help reduce discomfort after surgeries that involve the spine, after dental surgery, and after amputation.
Ledum palustre: This remedy may help to relieve bruising and swelling around the eye after surgery. It is also useful for pain and swelling after surgery on varicose veins.
Phosphorus: This remedy may be helpful if a person has trouble recovering from the effects of anaesthesia. Symptoms can include disorientation, stupor, weakness, nausea and vomiting. The person may be thirsty but often vomits after drinking.
Rhus toxicodendron: This remedy is helpful for relief of stiffness, soreness, and restlessness after any surgery. It is often recommended after operations on tonsils and adenoids, appendectomy, and dental surgery.
Ruta graveolens: This remedy is often useful after surgeries involving tendons, connective tissue, cartilage, joints, and coverings of the bones. It can ease discomfort and promote recovery after surgery on knees, wrists, shoulders, elbows, ankles, hips, etc. It may also be soothing if deep stiffness is felt in joints and muscles after surgery.
Staphysagria: This remedy is useful when pain persists at the site of a surgical incision, or after procedures that involve the stretching of a sphincter muscle. It is also indicated after surgeries involving reproductive organs (prostate surgery, hysterectomy, C-section, episiotomy) or the abdomen, stomach, and rectum (including haemorrhoids). Staphysagria may also help after operations on traumatic injuries, such as stab or bullet wounds.
Select the remedy that most closely matches the symptoms. In conditions where self-treatment is appropriate, unless otherwise directed by a physician, a lower potency (6X, 6C, 12X, 12C, 30X, or 30C) should be used. In addition, instructions for use are usually printed on the label.
Many homoeopathic physicians suggest that remedies be used as follows: Take one dose and wait for a response. If improvement is seen, continue to wait and let the remedy work. If improvement lags significantly or has clearly stopped, another dose may be taken. The frequency of dosage varies with the condition and the individual. Sometimes a dose may be required a few times an hour; other times a dose may be indicated a few times a day; and in some situations, one dose per day (or less) can be sufficient.
If no response is seen within a reasonable amount of time, select a different remedy.
For more information, including references, see What is Homoeopathy? and Understanding Homoeopathic Potencies.
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The information presented in Healthnotes is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or chemist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires August 2007.