Ointments are made from a petroleum base which doesn't allow the skin to breath as well, but they tend to work well because they are not easily washed or wiped off. Gels and sprays allow the skin the breath more, but they are more easily washed or wiped off. Gels are my personal favorite because they are not as easily washed off.
INDICATION MEDICINE DOSE
Shock and trauma of injury Arnica 6,12,30
30 preferred
Injury to the soft tissue/muscle Arnica 6,12,30
Arnica external
Formula external
Injury to nerves or parts of Hypericum
the body rich with nerves (feet, Hypericum external
fingers, back);
injuries with Formula external
shooting pains
6,12,30
Sprains/strains Arnica (immediately
after injury)
6,12,30
Rhus tox* 6,12,30
Bryonia** 6,12,30
Ledum (for easily
sprained ankles)
6,12,30
Arnica external Injury Formula external
Tendonitis Rhus tox* 6,12,30
Bryonia** 6,12,30
Arnica external
Injury Formula external
Severe sprains (wrenched tendons, Rhus tox* 12,30
split ligaments) Bryonia**
12,30
Ruta (if Rhus tox or Bryonia aren't effective) 12,30
Bellis perennis (when
cold applications cannot be tolerated)
12,30
Dislocation Arnica 12,30
Hypericum (if
shooting pains)
12,30
Injuries to periosteum (bone-covering) Ruta 6,12,30
Arnica external
Injury Formula external
Injuries to knee or elbow Ruta 6,12,30
(includes shin splints) Rhus tox* 6,12,30
Arnica external
Injury Formula external
Fracture Symphytum
(Take Arnica for shock of injury)
6,12,30
Arnica external
Injury Formula external
Head injury (immediately after injury) Arnica 12,30
Old head injury Natrum sulphicum 12,30
Slow repair of fractures Calcarea phos.
6,12
Bruises/Contusions Arnica 6,12,30
(no break in the skin) Arnica external
Injury Formula external
Bleeding Arnica 12,30
Nosebleeds Phosphorus
12,30
Blisters Calendula external
Cuts Calendula external
Lacerations (deep cuts) Hypericum external (1st)
Calendula external (after deep cut begins to heal)
Staphysagria 12,30
* Rhus tox is indicated when the person experiences the "rusty gate" syndrome: there is great pain upon initial motion but some relief on continued motion.
** Bryonia is indicated when the person experiences increased pain and discomfort the more motion they do.
Useful Books
Stephen Cummings, M.D., and Dana Ullman, M.P.H., Everybody's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine, Los Angeles: Jeremy Tarcher, 1991.
Steven Subotnick, D.P.M., Sports and Exercise Injuries: Conventional, Homeopathic and Alternative Treatments, Berkeley: North Atlantic, 1991.
Dana Ullman, M.P.H., Discovering Homeopathy, Berkeley: North Atlantic, 1991.