The top 2: If I could only have 2 remedies, I would choose Arnica and Calendula.

Arnica (arnica montana): For pain, bruising and swelling after a blow or sprain. For shock and trauma after an injury. Speeds healing after surgery. After any type of injury, surgery, or painful dental procedure, use “Arnica first”, then other remedies or conventional care as indicated. Especially indicated if the person says “I’m OK” when they’re clearly hurt. If the bed feels too hard, they feel bruised, or they don’t want to be touched. Use orally; don’t use topical Arnica on open wounds or broken skin.

Calendula gel (calendula officinalis): This topical gel is a natural antiseptic. Use on any open wound, cut or scrape to prevent infection. Promotes rapid healing of the skin. Soothing for other skin conditions such as rashes, cracked nipples, diaper rash. Will ease itching, stinging, red, chapped or irritated skin.  For more serious wounds and burns, Calendula tincture, rather than the gel, can be applied to the dressing.

Don’t leave home without them: Here are 6 more remedies I take with me, especially if I’m traveling.

Rhus-tox (rhus toxicodendron): Most common remedy for poison oak, if the rash is weepy and feels better under super-hot water. Also for injured muscles that are achy, sore and stiff, but better after stretching and gentle movement. Use for joints that are stiff in the morning but better after being up and moving around. Use for back pain after over-lifting if the pain is better for hard pressure.

Nux vomica (nux vomica): The world’s best hang-over remedy. Use anytime that too much rich food and/or alcohol upsets your digestion resulting in nausea, gas, diarrhea or constipation. The person will be extremely irritable and chilly. Nux vomica can also be used for colds or flu when the same symptoms are seen.

Oscillo (oscillococcinum): I take this remedy at the first sign of a cold or flu. If taken in the first few hours of feeling a virus coming on, it may nip it in the bud.  To prepare for a possible avian flu pandemic, download and store the sound file remedies at www.birdfluhealing.com. Also useful preparedness information is available from the U.S. Government at www.pandemicflu.gov.

Gelsemium (gelsemium sempervirens): The number 1 flu remedy. The person will feel heavy, dull, exhausted and aching. Heat alternating with chills, sometimes with shivers running up and down the spine. They may have a headache or stiff neck. Sometimes people feel so much better after taking this remedy, they do too much too soon and relapse. Give yourself a convalescence period. Gelsemium can also be used for anxiety before giving a speech or performance.

Apis (apis mellifica): Bee and insect stings and bites, with swelling and burning, itching, stinging pain. Any swollen, burning, stinging condition that is worse from heat and better from cold applications. Allergic reactions such as elevated white wheals or nettle-type rash. Cystitis with burning pain. The person will appear busy, vital, fussy, and even fidgety or jealous.

Arsenicum (arsenicum album): Food poisoning or gastroenteritis with deathly nausea or vomiting and diarrhea with burning in the rectum. The person will feel deathly ill, chilly and exhausted, but restless. They will crave small sips of cold water, but will vomit it immediately, so give sips of warm drink. Also for upset stomach with belching of acid and bile from the stomach, resulting in heartburn.