A blog on homeopathy -- Ruminating on Remedies

Jack Frost is nipping

12/14/2021

It’s a cute song, The Christmas Song. But, when Jack Frost actually comes nipping, it’s no longer cute. It hurts. Sometimes it hurts even years later.

I grew up in frosty Minnesota. Now that I live in the desert southwest, I take it as a personal affront when it’s cold outside. (I left the cold. How did it find me?) My nose is my tenderest spot. The mercury doesn’t have to dip too far for my nose to feel it. Yesterday, it was about 45 degrees when we took the dog for a little walk. Within 5 minutes my nose was talking to me. Within 10 minutes my nose actively hurt. The answer to this problem is a true conundrum. Scarves and neck gators get in the way of breathing, plus they get wet from the breath and then the whole thing is worse. I did resort to a little nose warmer (like the one in the photo) for a short time, but that, too, gets wet and is quickly untenable.

I throw around the term "frostbite" quite willy-nilly when I'm talking about my nose, fingers and toes; but, actually, frostbite is a severe condition which requires medical attention.

Frostnip is the first rung on the cold skin ladder and can cause redness and possibly numbness but does not cause permanent damage to the skin.

Chillblains are the painful inflammation of small blood vessels as a response to repeated exposure to cold, not freezing air. Though they tend to clear up in warmer weather, seasonal recurrences may happen for years (AlMahameed and Pinto 2008; Mayo Clinic).

Frostbite is caused by the freezing of the skin and the underlying tissues. When skin temperature is 25 degrees Fahrenheit, ice crystals form in the blood (Knapic et al. 2020). (Yikes!) Exposed skin is (not surprisingly) most vulnerable, but frostbite can occur under gloves and clothing, too. And, of course, the colder it is, the faster frostbite can occur (Cleveland Clinic).

** Important! ** When re-warming your skin, do so gradually, but rapidly. (Confusing, I know.) The rewarming should occur quickly, but a gentle method should be employed. Don't submerse the cold limb in hot water or expose it to a hot heat source (Cleveland Clinic). Use tepid* water to begin (Golant et al. 2008). Strohecker and Parulski (1997) recommend 100-108 degrees Fahrenheit. Don't rewarm the skin unless the patient can remain in a warm environment. Repeated freeze/thaw cycles cause further injury (Knapic et al. 2020).

Conventional medicine uses calcium channel blockers (Tlougan et al. 2011) which relax the muscles of the heart and blood vessels (Drugs.com 2021) as well as rewarming therapies. (Yes, side effects are a definite possibility with these drugs.)

In addition to a gentle rewarming of the skin, homeopathically speaking, the answer to this problem is Hamamelis virginiana 200c mixed with Arnica montana 3c, twice daily for mild cases and every few hours for severe cases. This Banerji protocol works for any coldness to the extremities, including Raynaud's.

Why have the Banerjis chosen these remedies? They are both beautiful remedies for circulation and circulatory disorders.

Homeopathic Hamamelis' affinity is for the veins (Vermeulen 2004) and is primarily known as a hemorrhagic remedy including: blood vessels and veins, and phlebitis (inflammation of the walls of a vein). In the skin, it is known for prickling sensations and stinging pains (Murphy).

Homeopathic Arnica's affinity is for the blood, blood vessels and nerves (Vermeulen 2004) and is highly indicated in chilliness, coldness and shivering (even rigors) in the body. Arnica is also a remedy for bleeding, blood vessels and veins. It is one of only 10 remedies noted for chilblains (Murphy). Arnica is also indicated in complaints which should be painful but are not. (This brings to mind the numbness which may accompany the advanced stages of injuries resulting from the cold and in severe cases, the cold is no longer felt.)

Arnica is also noted for shock. A quick look on PubMed shows us that one form of shock is microcirculatory in nature (Kanoore Edul et al. 2015) resulting from decreased blood flow through an organ. The organ in the case frostbite being the skin (Zook et al. 2021).

Discoloration of hands, blueness in particular (think Raynaud's).

If you have to go out into the cold (I know, I know -- some people LOVE going out to play in the cold, I'm just not one of them anymore!), bundle up and keep a tube of Hamamelis + Arnica in your pocket to help keep that blood flowing. Or, there's certainly nothing wrong with enjoying a good book and a nice cup of bone broth by the fire.

Julia Coyte, CHom
Classically Practical homeopath

#wellnessawaits

* finding the actual temperature range of tepid, warm, Luke-warm, hot proved to be difficult. Here are the best sources I found: Peshin 2018, Leverette 2019 and Wash.com 2018.

I have no affiliation with this Etsy shop, but if you want to purchase a nose warmer, here's the link.

Reference list
AlMahameed, A. and Pinto, D. S., 2008. Pernio (Chilblains). Current Treatment Options in Cardiovascular Medicine [online], 10 (2), 128–135.

Cleveland Clinic Frostbite: Causes, Symptoms, Stages, Treatment & Prevention [online]. Cleveland Clinic.

Drugs.com, 2021. Nifedipine Uses, Dosage & Side Effects [online]. Drugs.com.

Fudge, J., 2016. Exercise in the Cold. Sports Health: A Multidisciplinary Approach [online], 8 (2), 133–139. ‌

Golant, A., Nord, R. M., Paksima, N., and Posner, M. A., 2008. Cold Exposure Injuries to the Extremities. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons [online], 16 (12), 704–715.

Kanoore Edul, V. S., Ince, C., and Dubin, A., 2015. What is microcirculatory shock? Current Opinion in Critical Care [online], 21 (3), 245–252.

Knapic, J., Reynolds, K., and Castellani, J., 2020. Frostbite: Pathophysiology, Epidemiology, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention. Journal of special operations medicine : a peer reviewed journal for SOF medical professionals [online], 20 (4).

Leverette, M. M., 2019. Hot, Warm, or Cold Water for Laundry? [online]. The Spruce. .

Mayo Clinic, 2018. Frostbite - Symptoms and causes [online]. Mayo Clinic.

Mayo Clinic, Chilblains - Symptoms and causes [online]. Mayo Clinic.

Mayo Clinic, 2021. Frostnip [online]. Mayo Clinic.

Murphy, R., 2015. Keynote Materia Medica. Blacksburg, Virginia: Lotus Health Institute.

Murphy, R., n.d. Homeopathic Remedy Guide. accessed through Radar Opus software.

Peshin, A., 2018. What Is Lukewarm Water? How Hot Is It? [online]. Science ABC.

Raducan, A. and Tiplica, G., n.d. Cold Injuries -Chilblains and Frostbite Е В Р О П Е Й С К А Д Е Р М А Т О Л О Г И Я [online].

Strohecker, B. and Parulski, C. J., 1997. Frostbite Injuries of the Hand. Plastic Surgical Nursing [online], 17 (4), 212–216.

Tlougan, B. E., Mancini, A. J., Mandell, J. A., Cohen, D. E., and Sanchez, M. R., 2011. Skin Conditions in Figure Skaters, Ice-Hockey Players and Speed Skaters. Sports Medicine [online], 41 (11), 967–984.
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Vermeulen, F., 2004. Prisma : the arcana of materia medica illuminated : similars and parallels between substance and remedy. Haarlem, Netherlands: Emryss.

Wash.com, 2018. Washer Water Temperature Guide | WASH [online]. Wash.com.

Zook, N., Hussmann, J., Brown, R., Russell, R., Kucan, J., Roth, A., and Suchy, H., 2021. Medscape: Medscape Access [online]. Medscape.com.
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Relief

11/21/2021

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T-Relief, that is. I was annoyed when the company changed the name of Traumeel to T-Relief. No reason, I guess I just liked the name Traumeel. But today, I think the name T-Relief is far superior.

I am riddled with osteoarthritis. It seems every time I have an x-ray done, I get confirmation as to why this or that place was stiff, sore or uncomfortable. My hands, wrists, knees, hips, ankles, feet — I’m sure there are more, but I haven’t had those black and white internal pictures yet. For the most part, my osteoarthritis is a non-issue. I credit bone broth and homeopathy (of course!) and exercise. If I don’t move regularly, my knees (right knee in particular) and hips get ornery. So, I make sure to walk frequently and for fairly long distances. Conversely, my hands and wrists can get sore if I use them too much. Go figure. (Actually, as I am thinking about it, perhaps that has to do with broken bones, as I broke a bunch of fingers and my wrist. Hmmm. I’ll have to noodle this further. I’ve never really given it any thought before.)

I take absolutely no medicines or painkillers of any kind, aside from homeopathy. It is important to note that I have arthritis in many places, but I need to acknowledge that my arthritis is considered mild to moderate. (If you are suffering with severe osteoarthritis, homeopathy can probably still help, but I would recommend a more targeted homeopathic approach in addition to T-Relief.)

Occasionally, I wake up with sore hands. Today was one of those days. I grabbed T-Relief and put a small amount of the cream on my hands. Within less than 2 minutes, I had relief. True relief. No remnants of stiffness or soreness. None. That’s the moment I decided I prefer the new name of this homeopathic combination. (A few years ago I watched an older woman with pretty advanced arthritis use Traumeel and she said, “it’s like I put on gloves and I have new hands.” Yes! I can now relate to that!

What’s in T-Relief and why does it help? Let’s take a look. Interestingly, this combination uses extremely low potencies: 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 6X and 10X. (For a refresher on homeopathic potencies, click here and here.) With these low potencies, the instructions of using it “2 to 3 times daily, or more often if necessary” make good sense*.

Aconitum napellus or Aconite for short. Numbness and tingling can result when the inflamed joints press on nerves. Raynaud’s disease occurs more frequently in arthritis patients and it, too, can be helped by Aconite. “Red, shining swelling, very sensitive joints” (Murphy 2020) are helped by Aconite as are weak and lax ligaments of joints and sharp joint pains. Hip joints and thighs that feel lame. Trembling can also be associated with osteoarthritis and Aconite can help with this, too.

Arnica montana. T-Relief takes, in my opinion, a scattershot approach (in a good way!) with their Arnica by including it in 1X, 3X and 10X potencies. One of these potencies is most likely going to provide some relief. Arnica is the go-to remedy for over-doing it, as well as experiencing a lame feeling. Limbs which ache as if they had been beaten. Aching as a result of exposure to cold and damp or muscular strain. Cramps, like writer’s cramp. Weakness in the hands, especially when grasping. Arnica is shown here and here and here to have anti-inflammatory effects.

Baptisia tinctoria is also excellent for aching, sore and bruised pains with great weakness. Wandering pains as well as stiffness and pain.

Belladonna is well known for any ailment which is red and hot. Swollen joints, cramping pains. Spasms and shifting pains and the cold limbs which can sometimes result from arthritis.

Bellis perennis, the common daisy, is amazing for aching pains, new or old. (If you are suffering from old injury pains, Bellis perennis may be your new best friend.) Sore joints as well as muscular soreness. A bruised, aching, sore pain. Tight wrists. Hip pains that are worse for exertion.

Calendula officinalis. Calendula has been shown to be anti-inflammatory (and here, too) as well as being useful in repairing damaged tissues and when we get right down to it, what is osteoarthritis? “Osteoarthritis is a joint disease in which the tissues in the joint break down over time” (NIAMS 2019) so it makes sense that Calendula would be helpful in repairing not just superficial wounds, but also the deeper tissues. Like Belladonna, Calendula can also help with cold hands and feet.

Chamomilla The Materia Medica does have some guidance regarding Chamomilla assisting when ankles give way, when there are pains in the hips and loins and numbness and stiffness of hands, particularly when grasping objects. However, I think Chamomilla’s biggest contribution to this combination remedy is its ability to soothe irritability and anger. Not being able to easily do, or do at all, what you want to do, inevitably leads to irritability. If Chamomilla can help soothe a teething toddler, it can help a grumpy old arthritic person!

Echinacea also addresses cold hands and feet as well as aching, weakness and pain in general.

Hamamelis virginiana is another good pain remedy. It is indicated in very sore muscles and joints and it is one of the most highly indicated remedies for varicose veins which have been found to be associated with osteoarthritis (Sisto et al. 1995).

Hypericum perforatum is another excellent nerve remedy as well as a good remedy for when the joints feel bruised. It is also a highly indicated remedy for pain in general, especially radiating or shooting pains.

Millefolium is a pain remedy, not terribly specific to arthritis with the exception of sprains and strains of joints. (Remember, T-Relief is not specifically formulated for arthritis, it is for pain, in general.)

Ruta graveleons is a big remedy for bruised pain, particularly in the bones and shows an affinity for joints, ankles and wrists. Cracking in joints. Knees which give way. Pains in the bones of feet and ankles. Pain and stiffness in wrists and hands.

Symphytum officinale is for bone pain and more importantly, complaints and pains of cartilage. Aching hip pain as well as joint pain, generally. See here and here for research on Comfrey, AKA Symphytum.)

As you can see, T-Relief is a beautiful combination of low potency homeopathic remedies to assist in the relieving of mild to moderate arthritis pain.

P.S. Don’t be surprised if you rub some T-Relief into your hands and find relief in your knee. Once the remedies are in your system (in this case via the skin), you will likely find relief all over, not just where it was applied.

Julia Coyte, CHom
Classically Practical homeopath

#wellnessawaits

* It’s always important to read the directions and use according to manufacturer’s recommendations.

REFERENCE LIST

Arthritis National Research Foundation, 2021. Does arthritis cause numbness or tingling? [online]. Arthritis Research | Arthritis National Research Foundation.

Carmona-Terés, V., Moix-Queraltó, J., Pujol-Ribera, E., Lumillo-Gutiérrez, I., Mas, X., Batlle-Gualda, E., Gobbo-Montoya, M., Jodar-Fernández, L., and Berenguera, A., 2017. Understanding knee osteoarthritis from the patients’ perspective: a qualitative study. BMC musculoskeletal disorders [online], 18 (1), 225.

Grube, B., Grünwald, J., Krug, L., and Staiger, C., 2007. Efficacy of a comfrey root (Symphyti offic. radix) extract ointment in the treatment of patients with painful osteoarthritis of the knee: Results of a double-blind, randomised, bicenter, placebo-controlled trial. Phytomedicine [online], 14 (1), 2–10.

Jurca, T., Józsa, L., Suciu, R., Pallag, A., Marian, E., Bácskay, I., Mureșan, M., Stan, R. L., Cevei, M., Cioară, F., Vicaș, L., and Fehér, P., 2020. Formulation of Topical Dosage Forms Containing Synthetic and Natural Anti-Inflammatory Agents for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Molecules [online], 26 (1).

Marzotto, M., Arruda-Silva, F., and Bellavite, P., 2020. Fibronectin Gene Up-regulation by Arnica montana in Human Macrophages: Validation by Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay. Homeopathy [online], 109 (03), 140–145.

Murphy, R., 2006. Nature’s materia medica : 1,400 homeopathic and herbal remedies. 3rd ed. Blackburg, Va.: Lotus Health Institute, November.

Murphy, R., 2020. Nature’s materia medica : 1,400 homeopathic and herbal remedies. 4th edition. Blackburg, Va.: Lotus Health Institute, November.

NIAMS, 2019. NIAMS Health Information on Osteoarthritis [online]. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.

Sisto, T., Reunanen, A., Laurikka, J., Impivaara, O., Heliövaara, M., Knekt, P., and Aromaa, A., 1995. Prevalence and risk factors of varicose veins in lower extremities: mini-Finland health survey. The European Journal of Surgery = Acta Chirurgica [online], 161 (6), 405–414.

Staiger, C., 2012. Comfrey: A Clinical Overview. Phytotherapy Research [online], 26 (10), n/a-n/a.
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Jack Frost is nipping

Relief

Julia Coyte, CHom

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