Homeopathy for school children
School is a very important part of a child’s life; indeed they will spend most of their waking hours at school during term time. The influence of school is also a key-stone in the foundation of their future adult life and therefore it is important that children stay healthy and happy at school.
Homeopathy is a great tool in supporting children who may face minor injuries or illnesses whilst at school. Here are a few examples:
Cuts and bruises
Every mother will experience at some point (if not most days!) a child coming back home with a grazed knee, bruises or a head injury. In addition to the first aid administered by the school, homeopathy can help your child recover quickly.
– Arnica Montana: injuries
This is the most widely recognised homeopathic remedy in the world and comes from an alpine flower also known as “wolf’s bane”. It is very effective for any kind of shock and bruising and can be used in conjunction with other remedies. It can also be used in cases of bleeding, whether external or internal, as well as for head injuries or tired muscles after intense physical exercise. Arnica can also be used as a cream or gel to be applied onto bumps or massaged into tired limbs.
– Calendula: wounds
This remedy comes from the Marigold flower and promotes healthy and rapid healing. It can be used internally as a homeopathic remedy or externally as a cream, ointment or tincture. It is particularly useful when there is excessive pain, and also when the pain or wound is worse in damp weather and better for rest.
Head lice
– Staphysagria (made from the Delphinium flower pictured above)
Anyone can get head lice regardless of how often they wash or how short their hair is. It can also become a little debilitating as the scalp can feel terribly itchy. Several remedies and natural substances can help here but I will only mention the remedy Staphysagria.
This remedy, which has many other uses, can have very dramatic results in ridding lice from your child’s head. After taking one or two doses of this remedy, the lice will suddenly find that the warmth of the scalp is not appealing and will move away. My son has benefited from this remedy for headlice, and has remained free from headlice despite several bouts in his class.
It is also worth noting that olive oil is also powerful at killing the lice if massaged onto the hair and left overnight. Tea tree oil has repellent qualities and could be sprayed onto the hair every morning before school.
Headaches
Headaches can be the result of many variables. The child may be dehydrated, hungry, worried about a test or tired after a day of hard work to name but a few reasons. Here are a couple of remedies well indicated in school children’s headaches.
– Calcarea Phosphorica
This remedy works best for children who get the onset of a headache at around 4pm, as a result of fatigue of the day or over-study. The children’s complaints are better for a warm and dry atmosphere and for lying down.
This remedy also has an affinity to the bones and is used to help broken bones heal or at times of growth spurt to support bone growth and help with growing pains.
– Silica
The headache usually starts at the back of the head and extends to the forehead. It tends to come from mental exertion, but can also be brought on by cold air or a draught.
The children who will benefit the most from this remedy are easily exhausted and tend to be shy yet stubborn. They are very sensitive and delicate.
Recurring illnesses leading to regularly missing school
Often children will have a cold or an earache or an upset tummy, but for some it becomes so frequent that the child misses a lot of school, making it difficult for him/her to catch up. Homeopathy can aid children by supporting and strengthening their immune system. There are many remedies which I could describe here but I have selected three examples:
– Pulsatilla: cold and ear infections
Children needing this remedy have recurring colds with a yellowish-green discharge. Often ear infections follow the cold, and they are better for a cold compress. The symptoms are changeable but the child will often be thirstless and feel better for fresh air.
– Calcarea Carbonica: otitis media, coughs, colds, swollen glands
This remedy is one of the most used remedies in children. It has many uses and here it is indicated for recurrent otitis media. The children are susceptible to colds and develop catarrh and their illness lingers for a long time; this may be accompanied by a sore throat. They are also prone to swollen glands such as tonsils and their lymph nodes can feel hard or be painful.
– Tuberculinum: pulmonary problems, ear, nose and throat infections
This is another remedy frequently used when the immune system is depleted. There are recurrent colds and respiratory complaints mainly but also otitis media, tonsillitis, adenoiditis. The child feels chilly yet needs fresh air; he is thin despite a good appetite. He tends to be restless and irritable. There is also a great exhaustion.
For more information, please contact me at priscille@priscillehomeopathy.co.uk or on 07387 422 848, or via my contact page.
If you are interested in knowing how homeopathy can help school children with emotional issues such as anxiety, you may wish to read the following articles:
With best wishes for a stress-reduced life,
Priscille Francetti LCCH MARH
Homeopath
