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Surgery and Recovery Support

Homeopathic physicians often suggest that a remedy for prevention of bruising and bleeding be taken the night before an operation, and that specific remedies (indicated by the person’s symptoms and the type of surgery) be taken afterward. Homeopathic remedies are safe to use and do not interfere with surgical procedures or other medications. Their use should be discussed with the physician in charge. Remedies for emotional states (see Homeopathic Remedies for Anxiety) may also be helpful, taken days or weeks before the surgery.

For dosage information, please read the information at the end of this section. See also “Using Homeopathy With Professional Guidance” in What Is Homeopathy?

Aconitum napellus: This remedy is indicated when people anticipating surgery are extremely agitated or panicked, especially if they fear that they will die. Easy startling, a sensitivity to light and noise, dry mouth, and thirst are other indications for Aconitum.

Arnica: This remedy is useful for all new injuries, and can help reduce soreness, bruising, tissue damage, and bleeding related to surgical procedures. Arnica can be taken the night before an operation, and is also helpful for bruising, swelling, and soreness during recovery.

Bellis perennis: This remedy is useful when bruising and trauma occur to deep internal tissues after surgery involving the abdomen, breasts, or trunk—especially if a feeling of stiffness or coldness has developed in the area.

China (also called Cinchona officinalis): If a person feels faint with ringing in the ears after loss of blood and fluids due to surgery, this remedy may be helpful. It is also indicated for gas pains after an operation.

Ferrum phosphoricum: This remedy is helpful for early stages of any inflammation and may reduce the chance of soreness and infection after surgery.

Gelsemium: This remedy can be helpful to a person who feels nervous fear before an operation, with trembling, lethargy, and often diarrhea or headache.

Hamamelis: This remedy can help with passive bleeding if a person’s veins are weak, and may also relieve discomfort after surgery on varicose veins and hemorrhoids.

Hypericum: This remedy is useful for injuries involving body parts that are rich with nerves. It can help reduce discomfort after surgeries that involve the spine, after dental surgery, and after amputation.

Ledum palustre: This remedy may help to relieve bruising and swelling around the eye after surgery. It is also useful for pain and swelling after surgery on varicose veins.

Phosphorus: This remedy may be helpful if a person has trouble recovering from the effects of anesthesia. Symptoms can include disorientation, stupor, weakness, nausea and vomiting. The person may be thirsty but often vomits after drinking.

Rhus toxicodendron: This remedy is helpful for relief of stiffness, soreness, and restlessness after any surgery. It is often recommended after operations on tonsils and adenoids, appendectomy, and dental surgery.

Ruta graveolens: This remedy is often useful after surgeries involving tendons, connective tissue, cartilage, joints, and coverings of the bones. It can ease discomfort and promote recovery after surgery on knees, wrists, shoulders, elbows, ankles, hips, etc. It may also be soothing if deep stiffness is felt in joints and muscles after surgery.

Staphysagria: This remedy is useful when pain persists at the site of a surgical incision, or after procedures that involve the stretching of a sphincter muscle. It is also indicated after surgeries involving reproductive organs (prostate surgery, hysterectomy, C-section, episiotomy) or the abdomen, stomach, and rectum (including hemorrhoids). Staphysagria may also help after operations on traumatic injuries, such as stab or bullet wounds.

Homeopathy Dosage Directions Select the remedy that most closely matches the symptoms. In conditions where self-treatment is appropriate, unless otherwise directed by a physician, a lower potency (6X, 6C, 12X, 12C, 30X, or 30C) should be used. In addition, instructions for use are usually printed on the label. Many homeopathic physicians suggest that remedies be used as follows: Take one dose and wait for a response. If improvement is seen, continue to wait and let the remedy work. If improvement lags significantly or has clearly stopped, another dose may be taken. The frequency of dosage varies with the condition and the individual. Sometimes a dose may be required several times an hour; other times a dose may be indicated several times a day; and in some situations, one dose per day (or less) can be sufficient. If no response is seen within a reasonable amount of time, select a different remedy. For more information, including references, see What is Homeopathy? and Understanding Homeopathic Potencies. Copyright © 1999 Healthnotes, Inc. 1505 SE Gideon St., Suite 200, Portland, OR 97202 Authors of the best-selling book The Natural Pharmacy The information presented in Healthnotes Online is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over-the-counter medication is also available. Consult your physician, nutritionally oriented healthcare practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. © 2001 The Vitamin Shoppe  The products and the claims made about specific products on or through this site have not been evaluated by The Vitamin Shoppe or the United States Food and Drug Administration and are not approved to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging. You should not use the information on this site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment. You should consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem. Please view our full Terms of Use Agreement for more information and the terms and conditions governing your use of this site.