Ledum, remedy of the week

Ledum Palustre –  also known as Marsh Tea or Wild Rosemary is a shrub that thrives in cold damp growing conditions.

It is certainly one of the Remedies you don’t want to miss,  in your First Aid Homeopathic remedy kit. It has affinity with the small Joints, Tendons, heels and ankles, eyes, skin and lungs. Ledum has many uses like all Homeopathic remedies do. It is particularly useful in insect stings, animal bites and some arthritic or rheumatic situations.

But to be able to choose Ledum as a remedy in a certain situation we must understand its characteristics first. So what is most striking in Ledum? Think ‘Purple, Puffy and Chilly‘. In any condition where you see this trio…..grab the Ledum. Let’s look a bit deeper into how we could recognise this in a person.

When to use Ledum?

Coldness. The person needing Ledum with his complaint is very chilly or (parts of him may be) very cold to the touch. But doesn’t perceive it that way himself. He feels better for cold applications, cold bathing or putting his feet in icy cold water. Despite his Chilliness he insists on remaining uncovered.  They may be chilly and sweating a lot at night; yet, still  don’t want to to have the blankets on. I Know this is unusual and peculiar and I am starting to shiver as I write this, brrrrr.

Should a person suffer from stiffness, due to arthritis. And you are surprised to find he’ll loosen up from cold bathing, this person is a prime candidate for a dose of Ledum, or two. That is totally opposite another remedy, we talked about earlier; Rhus Tox which feels better for hot bathing.

Ascending Pain/Symptoms.  Pain in Ledum may start in the extremities and travel or extend upwards. In Rheumatic conditions we may see pain in the lower extremities that over time travels up. Or; we may see pain starting at the site of a wound and travelling up from there towards the heart.

Puncture wounds, bites and stings.  In any form or shape.  Where there is little bleeding but swelling and inflammation. There may be much pain on touch, and the site of injury becomes cold, pale, blue or black or purple mottled and numb/paralyzed. We may see ascending pain and relief from cold application. We can think of examples like; stepping on a nail, injection sites, or splinter under the nail. But also; the skin punctured by the sting of an insect, or the tooth of a dog.

We may also think of Ledum in abscesses and septic conditions that are tender and relieved by cold. Often there is this characteristic blue or purple hue.

Ledum (as well as Hypericum) has been used to help in Tetanus; it may be considered in cases where this poses a risk. Some homeopaths advise a weekly dose in areas with high Tick prevalence, during the critical season as a deterrent or to aid resistence. Think of it also when you see negative local effects from vaccinations, such as; induration or hardening at the site of the injection.

Rheumatic conditions either acute or chronic. Especially if symptoms start at the periphery and travels upward and there is a relief from cold. For arthritic pain Ledum may help with functional pain, from arthritic nodosities in the fingers, feet and other joints or the pain of gout. The patient is cold, but he is aggravated from the heat of the bed and the pains are worse at night.

Tendency to sprain ankles, crush injuries to fingers and toes or ankle sprains with swelling, and painful soles of the feet, with the characteristic ascending pains or relief from cold, naturally.

Bruising  When there is long lasting discoloration after injuries and bruising just doesn’t want to clear up. Even after the use of Arnica. Bruising that is blue or black. It is said, that Ledum is better then Arnica to use for clearing up a black eye.

People needing Ledum may have a restless mind and desire to be alone. It is said they are inclined to be ill humored, angry and dissatisfied with a dislike for his fellow beings. Apart from feeling relief from cold applications or air, they are often worse from Motion, at night, from eggs and Wine.

So, you see that your gouty dad may be helped by Ledum or, your child after a vaccination. If your son received a hokey ball to the eye, here is your hero. Did your husband had a DYI mishap with hammer and nail? This may convince him of the use of remedies in a flash. I use it mostly for insect bites, midgets, sandflies, wasps and spiders alike. I’m one much loved by those critters, but I no longer suffer so long.

If your acute issues do not resolve with the use of Ledum or other remedy, do not be disheartened. It may be that you are overlooking a crucial symptom in order to match the remedy accurately to your situation, or perhaps there is more going on then meets the eye. Feel free to reach out and book a consult. I’m happy to help you out.

(Image copyright (C) – Kristian Peters)