If you or a member of your family is due to undergo a surgical procedure, it is worth remembering the power of homeopathy to support your recovery. There are a number of homeopathic remedies which are effective in post-operative recovery. The right remedy can significantly reduce pain, swelling and bruising, and prevent or heal infection in the wound.
The following five remedies are those recommended as a basic post-operative first aid kit. Choose the remedy or remedies that most closely correspond to your symptoms, and take a dose periodically until your recovery is well under way. For further advice and information about how to take the remedies, see my free e-book on first aid prescribing.
Arnica is the first remedy to take in any situation involving physical or emotional trauma. It can be taken routinely after any surgical procedure (including c-section childbirth) or dental work, and will boost your body’s ability to heal itself. Arnica has been shown to reduce bruising and swelling and prevent haemorrhage, and will reduce recovery time.
Bellis Perennis will be especially helpful following abdominal, pelvic or breast surgery. It is also indicated when swelling remains after a course of Arnica.
Calendula is effective in preventing post-operative infection in the surgical wound, and like Arnica can be used routinely. Calendula also promotes closure of surgical wounds (and because of this it is imperative they are kept scrupulously clean). In addition, Calendula is helpful in reducing pain in the wound, and will stop bleeding promptly after dental extraction (Arnica will also help here).
Chamomilla is a valuable remedy when there is intense pain after surgery. It is especially indicated where acute pain makes the individual angry and fretful, and is often accompanied by hot sweat and restlessness. It is one of our most important remedies for severe toothache, and can be used in dental treatment to reduce pain during a procedure.
Hypericum is also known as the ‘Arnica of the nerves’, and is a very useful remedy in surgical cases where there is acute nerve pain, especially following surgery (or injury) to parts which are rich in sensory nerves, for example, hands and feet, spine, brain or facial surgery. It will relieve the pain in injuries to the coccyx (eg in childbirth). It will help in cases where the site of the surgery is acutely sensitive and painful to touch. Its analgesic (pain relieving) properties also make it invaluable before and after painful dental treatment. The tincture of Hypericum can be used topically to swab the area when regular injections are required and the site becomes acutely painful.
There are many other remedies that are frequently used and effective in post operative recovery. Staphysagria is an important remedy which is very helpful for pain following invasive procedures (including colonoscopy or catheterisation), slow healing following deep surgical procedures, and where there is concern about peritonitis following abdominal surgery. Phosphorus is the main remedy for the bad effects of anaesthesia, with nausea and vomiting, or general difficulty in recovering from anaesthetics. It can also be useful in excessive bleeding following dental work. Millefolium (which is in the same botanical family as Arnica) has a special relationship to haemorrhage, and if there has been a previous history of surgical haemorrhage, it can be helpful to take Millefolium before any further procedures (including dental work).
For further information and advice about homeopathic treatment, please get in touch.
Hello, I’m Karen.
I am a homeopath based in Tavistock, Devon, UK and I also consult locally and worldwide via Skype. I am a lecturer and clinical supervisor at the School of Homeopathy in Stroud, and offer supervision for qualified homeopaths and for students.
Hi, I wondered if you could help me please. I am undergoing a total hip replacement at the weekend and wondered which remedies and at what dose I can to take that will help me post-op. as I am unable to take oral anti-inflammatory medication as it affects my stomach and kidneys. I have some Arnica but it went out of date at the end of 2015 is it still safe to use?
I would appreciate your advice
Regards Lynda Dean
Hi Lynda, thanks for getting in touch. The Arnica you have will be fine to take. There is a statutory requirement for ‘Use By’ labelling, but remedies do not lose their effectiveness after this date. Arnica can be used routinely post-op, but other remedies would need to be selected according to your individual circumstances. You are welcome to get in touch to discuss further. Good luck with your forthcoming surgery. With best wishes, Karen
Good evening – my partner us just back home following reconstruction to a blocked superior vena cava. Scar tissue has blocked it since birth. It has twice been attempted to break the scar tissue and stent the blocked area but failed. On this third occasion it has worked and there are now 4 stents. He is taking arnica and I wonder what emse might help.
Hi Patricia, thanks for getting in touch. I am pleased to hear that your partner’s recent surgery has been successful. Regarding additional homeopathic support, it is best to work with a homeopath in this situation, as it would need careful monitoring. Do you have someone local to you who you could consult? If you do not have anyone near you, I offer online consulting and would be happy to discuss further. I hope all continues well for your partner. Best wishes, Karen
Hi, my poor Mum is just home after large hernia repair & pancreas spleen & some intestine removed due to cancer. She spent 3 months in hospital. I’m going to look after her from Sunday & want to buy her some homepathiic remedies. She’s very fragile, crying lots feeling very vunverable & depressed. Her wound is still weeping. Please advise
Hi Joanne, I am sorry to hear about your mum’s situation, and I can understand your wish to help her with homeopathy. On an initial ‘first aid’ basis you might want to look up the remedies Bellis perennis and Calendula to see whether you feel they fit. Calendula is a natural ‘antiseptic’ and promotes healing post surgery, Bellis is often indicated in healing after abdominal surgery specifically. However in this situation I would really recommend you have a homeopath on board to offer more specific professional advice to aid your mum’s recovery. There will be other remedies that might help her. She will also of course be monitored by her surgical team, but homeopathy will be a good addition to her care. If you have a local homeopath you could get in touch with them, or if you would like to have a chat with me you can book a free 15 minute zoom call here: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=19077393 Good luck and best wishes to you both, Karen