Holistic holiday first aid kit – part 1
I am off to Japan soon which inspired this blog article. So I wanted to share with you some ideas about a holiday first aid kit.
The first thing I pack is rescue remedy which relieves stress and anxiety – I basically pack this in case flights get cancelled, luggage gets lost etc.
The next thing I pack is Traumeel, in case I get a soft tissue injury i.e. sprain or strain.
Traumeel is a homeopathic combination preparation that reduces inflammation, swelling, and oozing. The pharmacology involved is not yet understood. Studies suggest the drug modifies the action of neutrophils and the release of inflammatory mediators. Injected locally, its analgesic effect is comparable to steroids but without the risks of tendon rupture or skin depigmentation. I personally take tablets or use a cream because I am whimp who doesn’t like the idea of injecting herself. Plus I don’t think its very practical to try and take an injection kit through an airport!
Traumeel has been available for eighty years and is suitable for frequent use, with the only contraindication being adverse allergic reaction. Among elite athletes its use is common and anecdotally it attracts very favorable reports. There is data to suggest comparable efficacy of both topical and injected Traumeel when compared with Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug therapy, with fewer side effects and greater patient satisfaction.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3085232/
Schneider, C, Klein, P et al (2005) ‘A homeopathic ointment preparation compared with 1% diclofenac gel for acute symptomatic treatment of tendinopathy’. Explore(NY); Nov;1(6):446-52.
Birnesser, H et al (2004) ‘The homeopathic preparation Traumeel S compared with NSAIDS for symptomatic treatment of epicondylitis’. Journal of Musculoskeletal Research, Vol. 8, Nos. 2 & 3 119 -128.
Related Posts

Smell the wellness
I had always assumed that its just tradition that you buy flowers for somebody that is ill. Speaking as a woman who loves flowers, its always nice to receive flowers but I had underestimated their power. Research completed by the American Society of Horticulture Science discovered that surgical patients exposed to flowers or plants in their recovery rooms have
- lower blood pressure
- lower heart rates
- less pain
- less anxiety
- less fatigue

Does massage help you if you have achilles tendinopathy
Achilles tendinopathy affects 150,000 pepole in the UK every year (Davies, 2019). Tendinopathy, also known as tendinitis or tendonitis, is a type of tendon disorder that results in pain, swelling, and impaired function. The pain is typically worse with movement. Given the achilles tendon connects the calf muscles to the foot at the heel - so impared function impacts your ability to walk and exercise. Scientists at the University of Iceland and University of Copehagen recruited 60 patients with Achilles Tendinopathy and assigned them to three groups:
- Eccentric exercise protocol (rehabilitation exercises)
- Pressure massage
- Eccentic exercise protocol and pressure massage

Reflexology may reduce the intensity of migraines
Migraines affect twice as many women as men and are experienced by one in seven people in the UK. (Migrane Action, 2018). Reflexology could be a beneficial treatment for people who are experiencing migraines a recent study suggest. A randomised control trial was conducted with 75 male subjects who all had a nitrogylcerine induced migraine-type headache. The subjectes were divided into three groups. The first group received 20 mins refleoxlogy while the second group received an ineffective foot massage (a placebo) and the third group no intervention. Three hours after the first treatment the subjects received a second treatment. Data on pain intensity was created before the first treatment and after the second treatment. The results showed a statistically significant reduction of headache intensity in the reflexology group when compared with both other groups after treatments. Reference https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30028477

