Inflammation refers to swelling, redness, pain, and heat in the body part due to an infection or injury. When an infectious agent such as bacteria or viruses enters our body or an injury occurs, our immune system is activated. Inflammatory cells are released which begin to capture infectious agents and initiate the healing process. It results in signs and symptoms of inflammation, including pain, redness, swelling and heat in the affected areas. In addition to these symptoms, fever, muscle pain and fatigue may occur, depending on the cause of the inflammation. In addition to infection and injury, inflammation can also occur due to an autoimmune process (in an autoimmune process, the infection-fighting cells in the body begin to damage the body’s own healthy tissue due to a misdirected response), resulting in autoimmune immune diseases. Other factors that increase the risk of inflammation include drinking excessive alcohol, obesity, smoking, chronic stress and exposure to industrial chemicals. Inflammation can occur in any part of the body, from head to toe. Some of the inflammatory areas in the body are throat, tonsils, sinuses, eyes, ears, nose, joints, muscles, tendons, urinary tract, stomach, intestines, rectum, liver and skin.
Species
1. Acute inflammation – This type of inflammation occurs suddenly, for example as a result of an injury or a bacterial infection. It starts quickly and can last from a few hours to a few days.
2. Chronic inflammation – It is a long-term inflammation that develops gradually over a period of several months or even years. For example, arthritis (joint inflammation) may involve chronic inflammation.
Homeopathic treatment
Homeopathy is an excellent choice for a safe and effective treatment option for inflammation and pain. Homeopathic remedies work naturally to reduce inflammation and control pain, swelling, redness and heat. These give excellent clinical results in a large number of such cases. These firstly stop the further progression of inflammation and reduce the inflammation that has already occurred. There is a huge list of homeopathic medicines to control inflammation. From this list, the most suitable medicine is selected for each individual case, based on the body part involved and its characteristic symptoms. It should be noted that homeopathy is only recommended for mild to moderate cases. It is advised to always consult a homeopathic doctor before taking any of these medicines. A homeopathic doctor will assess the case and prescribe the most appropriate remedy. In case of severe intensity and also serious cause of inflammation that needs immediate medical attention, such as appendicitis (inflamed appendix), pneumonia (inflamed alveoli), encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), it is strictly recommended to use quick help through the conventional mode of treatment as homeopathy has limitations in treating such critical cases.
Homeopathic medicines for inflammation
1. Belladonna – Top remedy
Belladonna is the most recommended drug to control inflammation and pain. It works wonders in reducing inflammation in various parts of the body like throat, tonsils, ears, nose, sinuses, urinary bladder etc. In cases where this is necessary, there is obvious redness, heat, pain and swelling in the affected part. It is also a leading drug for the treatment of inflammatory fever, that is, fever that occurs due to inflammation.
2. Merc Sol – For strep throat (sore throat) and tonsillitis
Besides Belladonna, the top drug for treating sore throat and tonsillitis, Merc Sol is also a prominently used drug to treat this complaint. This medicine is used when there is a blue-red swelling in the throat, the tonsils look dark red and ulcers may also occur on the tonsils and throat. There is pain in the throat and tonsils, and the pain may extend to the ears, especially when swallowing. Pain is usually stabbing in nature. Salivation increases, together with the above complaints and a bad odor in the mouth.
3. Natrum Mur – For inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nose (rhinitis)
Natrum Mur is a very suitable medicine to treat rhinitis. It is indicated for thin watery discharge from the nose. This involves sneezing. Nasal congestion and loss of smell are other accompanying symptoms.
4. Kali Bichrome – For inflamed sinusitis
Kali Bichrome is a very effective medicine to treat sinus inflammation. The main symptom indicative of its use is PND: post-nasal discharge that indicates mucus dripping from the back of the nose into the throat. The next notable indication for its use is thick, sticky, viscous mucus discharge from the nose, which is yellow or green in color. The above complaints involve headache in the frontal area (forehead) of the head and pain at the root of the nose. A foul-smelling odor develops in the nose.
5. Pulsatilla – For ear infection and pain
Pulsatilla is a natural remedy for ear infections. It can control inflammation of both the middle and inner ear very well. In cases where this is necessary, there is earache, especially at night. There is discharge from the ear that is thick and yellow. It has a foul odor. Hearing becomes difficult.
6. Euphrasia – For conjunctival inflammation (conjunctivitis)
Euphrasia is the best choice of drug to treat inflammation of the conjunctiva (the thin membrane lining the eyelid and the white of the eye). It is used when there is redness in the eye, excessive tearing of the eye and a burning sensation in the eyes. Itching is also clearly visible in the eyes. A sensation of dust in the eyes is also felt.
7. Rhus Tox – For joint inflammation and pain
Rhus Tox is the best drug choice to treat joint inflammation. It can be used for inflammation in any joint in the body. It helps reduce joint inflammation and wonderfully manages pain, swelling and stiffness of joints. In cases where this is necessary, the joint pain becomes worse during the rest period and when the first movement begins. Pain gets better with continued exercise.
8. Bryonia – To treat inflamed muscles
This medicine is very helpful in controlling muscle inflammation. This medicine is useful for reducing muscle inflammation in any part of the body. In cases where this is necessary, there is marked muscle pain that worsens with the slightest movement. It gets better by lying still and resting.
9. Ruta – For tendonitis
Tendons are a band of strong fibrous tissue that connects muscles to bones. Ruta is a leading drug for treating cases of tendonitis. It works well in treating inflamed tendons anywhere in the body. It is very suitable in cases where the tendons become inflamed due to overload or when there is overuse of the tendons, such as with repetitive exertion or an injury. It helps reduce tendonitis and the associated aches and pains.
10. Arsenic Album – For Stomach Inflammation (Gastritis)
Arsenic Album is very helpful in controlling stomach inflammation. The main feature of using this medicine is burning pain in the stomach. It gets worse when you eat the least amount of food or drink liquid. It is mainly aggravated by drinking cold fluid, and gets better by drinking warm fluid.
11. Cantharis – For inflammation of the urinary bladder (cystitis) and (urethra)
To control inflammation of the urinary bladder (cystitis) and (urethra), Cantharis is the most recommended drug. It is indicated if there is a burning sensation or pain during urination or before and after urination. There is a frequent urge to urinate from the smallest amount of urine in the bladder. The urine may be scanty. Sometimes it can come out in droplets.
12. Merc Cor – For inflamed colon (colitis) or rectum (proctitis)
Merc Cor is an important medicine to control inflammation of the colon and rectum. It is necessary if there is mucus and blood in loose stools. A burning sensation in the rectum during the passage of stool may be felt. There is a marked tenesmus (frequent ineffective urge to pass stool even when the intestines are completely empty). Every time someone goes to relieve themselves, little stool is released and there is the feeling that the intestines are not empty.
13. Apis Mellifica – For skin inflammation
Apis Mellifica is a beneficial medicine to treat cases of skin inflammation. Those who need it have noticeably red, sore and sensitive skin. Burning and heat in the skin are felt. A stabbing pain can be felt on the skin.
14. Chelidonium – For Liver Inflammation (Hepatitis)
Chelidonium is the most valuable drug to help cases of liver inflammation. Those who need it have liver pain that can radiate to the back. The liver may be enlarged and painful to the touch. Jaundice may be present with dark stools and offensive urine.