Many a time, while addressing small illnesses or for unavailability of healthcare facilities, we choose to self-medicate at home. India’s 52% population self-medicates by visiting the pharmacist for common healthcare issues like fever, diarrhoea, cough and cold. Reasons like financial issues, lack of affordable primary healthcare, lack of awareness, and many more reasons contribute to why people decide to self-medicate.
The basics of self-medication
I would stick my neck out and say that home remedies, and thereby, self-medication is a part of our culture. However, while we self-medicate, it is best to keep in mind the basics: a few precautions.
Knowing your medicines well can help you cure yourself with minimum medical supervision. However, don’t forget to check the seal, manufacturing details and expiry date on medicines when you purchase them from a homoeopathic pharmacy.
Identify your symptoms before treating them. If you have the slightest doubt, consult a physician.
If the symptoms continue after a maximum of three days of self-medication or if they aggravate, then do not continue; immediately consult a physician.
If new symptoms show with the existing ones, then discontinue your intake of medicines and consult a physician.
Do not consume too many medicines at a time as medicines tend to have reactions amongst them.
Following are a few homoeopathic medicines for a few common illnesses that you can consume safely.
Sprains
A sprain occurs when you stretch a ligament that connects a joint. Considering the fast-paced lives, we are bound to suffer from sprains and aches. For this, one can have 6 pills of Rhus-tox 30, three times a day and continue this for two days. For your child below the age of twelve years, the dose has to be Rhus-tox 200, 3-4 doses per day for two days. Along with medicine, don’t forget to use ice-packs on the affected area for the first 48 hours. Rest as much as possible, and elevate the limb while you take rest.
Diarrhoea
Loose watery bowel movement along with urgency can be dealt at home provided the person is kept well hydrated. For loose motions, Aloes 30CH can be the best medicine. One has to take six pills of Aloes 30CH after every two hours for four doses, and this will reduce the frequency of your loose motions.
Also remember that you can always go the old way of giving a solution of sugar, salt and water or coconut water at regular intervals as this will provide relief to the person. After self-medication and home remedies, if the person starts vomiting or looks dull then, you ought to go to the doctor.
Cold and stuffy nose
With changing seasons, it is very common to suffer from Coryza or stuffy nose; thin watery discharge which is not due to fever. At times we may suffer from a headache and body pain as well. For these issues, Allium Cepa is best suited for adults and children as well. The dose should be four pills of Allium Cepa 30 CH thrice a day for 4-5 days.
Also, it is mandatory to drink enough water; moreover, you are all set to enjoy all the soups and warm liquids. Do not forget to take steam inhalation as well.
Painful menstruation
A common symptom that most girls face during their menses is abdominal pain. Suffering from menstrual cramps for the first two days is normal but if it makes you miss your school days or office days, then you can consume six pills of Mag Phos 200CH four times a day on the first day of your menses and can continue till your pain releases. We all know how relieving those warm heating pads are, so using them will be a relaxing thing for you. It may also be a bit difficult to exercise, but regular exercise will help reduce the intensity of dysmenorrhoea or painful menstruation.
Acidity
The reason for acidity may be lack of sleep, consumption of oily and spicy food which you may not be quite used to. The complaints of acidity can range from burning sensation in the chest and abdomen, water brash, eructation and abdominal pain as well. For this, the person can have a dose of four tablets of Natrum Phos 6X. You can increase the dose to three times a day for three days in case the acidity continues. However, do not self medicate in case of frequent vomiting, this is when you need to visit the doctor.
Calcium deficiency
Calcium is necessary for the healthy growth of your bones and teeth; that’s why adults and children are prescribed calcium supplements if they suffer from calcium deficiency. Calacerea Phos 6X is the medicine that can replace your calcium supplements tablets. Calacera Phos 6X does not cause any GI disturbance and can be used in any age group from paediatric to geriatric, for a longer duration. The dose is four tablets twice a day and can be safely taken for three months.
Before I conclude; let me share the golden rule of self-medication: as a responsible self-medicating patient, know your boundaries and know precisely when you need to visit a physician.
References
- Australian Homoeopathic prescriber by Dr Issac Golden.
- Select Homoeopathic materia medica by Ajit Kulkarni and Ishwardas Tarkas.
- Concise Homoeopathic materia medica by Dr S R Phatak