First Aid with Homeopathic ‘Aconite Napellus’

Posted on 22nd December 2023

This short article considers first aid with homeopathic ‘Aconite Napellus’, usually just known as the remedy ‘Aconite’. This is a remedy commonly found in homeopathic first aid kits available from pharmacies such as Ainsworths and Helios

Please read my initial article in this series, if you have not already done so

Homeopathic Principles – a quick recap

Classical homeopathy prescribing follows the natural law of similars.  Which means that you select the remedy by matching its picture to the symptoms of the patient.

Every homeopathic remedy has both mental / emotional and physical characteristics. Remember that the patient will not exhibit every characteristic of the remedy.  Just capture the general theme.

Three Legged Stool

Try to establish three out of the following four:

• the underlying cause (e.g. trauma – emotional or physical; bad food; infection etc)
• the nature of the presenting symptoms (e.g. how does the patient feel)
• things that make the symptoms better or worse (e.g. better moving or being still; in fresh air or a warm room etc)
• any wider change in the symptoms of the patient, even if apparently unrelated (e.g. anything else that is different from the patient’s usual self e.g. uncharacterisically irritable or placid)

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Aconite Napellus Described

This remedy is of plant origin.  Its common name is Monkshood, in recognition of the shape of its flowers which resemble a monk’s hood.  It is a poisonous neurotoxic plant, but a very useful remedy for acute conditions when potentised homeopathically.

First Aid Uses of Homeopathic Aconite

the early stages (the first 24h) of feverish illnesses when the patient may be anxious though fear may not be present. 

It is also a remedy for someone who had had a sudden shock or fright (e.g. accident or heart attack or stoke).   

Homeopathic Aconite – the Picture

Causation and symptoms?

• any event with sudden and intense onset of symptoms
• a state of shock, fright and / or panic / anxiety with restlessness (a particular feature of the remedy)
• the state of fear may even include prediction of death
• sudden inflammatory conditions that follow within an hour or so after the cause (chill or fright)
• the acute illness is violent or even life-threatening
• the cough is dry
• the patient is thirsty, usually for cold drinks
• One cheek may be red the other pale
• bitter taste in the mouth

Better or worse?

• the patient is thirsty, usually for cold drinks
• better after a sweat which breaks the fever
• better lying – may faint on standing up (vertigo)

Reflection?

Main remedy in the early stages of croup and also sudden fever – but just in the first 24h and then look to other remedies (which will be described as the series progresses)