Some help for when using Rhus Tox to de-sensitize the body to continual exposure to poison ivy:
“I cured my hypersensitivity to poison ivy!” Mary Lou Sullivan’s spirits fell the instant she spotted the rash peeking out from under her sleeve. Not again! Why can’t I control this poison ivy? She wondered, especially since she had cautiously covered every inch of her skin before working in the yard. Over the years, Mary Lou’s gardening hobby had become hazardous: Her body had developed a hypersensitivity to poison ivy, resulting in intense breakouts. The itch was unbearable, and the spreading would bring me to tears,” she admits. “I’d find one bump, then another and another…I always wondered how it would wind up on my butt or my breasts after gardening!” “I took harsh steroids for a decade.” Over-the-counter lotions only brought fleeting relief, so Mary Lou’s doctor prescribed steroids to treat her reactions. But after years of use Mary Lou grew increasingly concerned about the potential side effects. There has to be a better way, she thought. Mary Lou researched alternative therapies and came across homeopathic supplements called Rhus tox, made from the poison ivy plant. She was intrigued by the concept of “like cures like,” which holds that if a diluted form of poison ivy is introduced into her system, it will stimulate her body’s ability to heal. So Mary Lou tested the theory on her existing flare-up. Within days, she was amazed to find her rash hadn’t spread! “Finally, I can garden without the worry!” Now Mary Lou takes Rhus tox before she heads outside to prevent outbreaks. “It’s great to know that I can battle this without putting junk into my body!” she raves. Homeopathy’s healing effect Homeopathic medicine treats and prevents allergic reactions by exposing the body to a diluted dose of the offending substance. “The essence of poison ivy in Rhus tox stimulates the body’s defense mechanisms to speed healing,” explains Leonard J. Torak, M.D., President of the Ohio State Homeopathic Medical Society in Medina. In addition, taking the product regularly helps regulate the body’s immune response so it is better able to deal with the allergen if exposed to it in the future.
Also very important remedy for pain relief from arthritis, joint stiffness and lower back pain. Also useful for backache, flu with body aches, lumbago, rheumatism, sprains, muscle sprains. Rhus tox helps with joint pain that is better from motion.
Coughs from midnight until the morning
Research indicates that approximately 80% of all of us are presently suffering or have suffered from back pain. Reasons people see their doctor are #1 Back Pain; #2 Headaches. Whether the pain is from an old injury or not, consider Rhus tox. Lifting heavy loads that cause bruised and sprained pains. Over lifting, with the sudden "crick" in the back, with pain worse with raising arms above the head. Remember Rhus Tox for flu where there is a lot of body aches and pain. When itching or swelling do not reduce after taking Anacardium switch to Rhus Tox. Rhus tox for sprains & joint aches with stiff, painful restless feeling that is better with continued motion & heat. Mini Materia Medica. STIFFNESS
WORSE-- in the morning, yearly and weather change aggravation, cold and damp weather, overexertion. BETTER-- with movement, as the muscles start to warm up as one walks and does gentle exercises, warm, dry weather, rubbing the painful areas, change of position. Rhus tox people are restless since change of position improves their pain. Rhus tox nickname is "Rusty Hinge" and Rhus tox is often referred to as the "Rusty Gate Remedy". The back stiffens up after sitting still for awhile. This is also why mornings and initial motion are such an acute aggravations.
Rhus Tox is a homeopathic remedy from Poison Ivy. Therefore Rhus Tox is a wonderful remedy for skin ailments.
Indicated for
shingles
hives
fever blisters
chicken pox
poison ivy
skin rashes with a poison ivy type appearance. Skin has red spots, very itchy, with burning and swollen blisters.
Rhus tox is the remedy for poison ivy, poison oak. Keep in your first aid kit.
Customers have also had success with using Rhus tox prior to exposure with poison ivy, as a preventative to poison ivy reaction.
Rhus tox's Mini Materia Medica:
ARTHRITIS: Helpful for arthritis that is like "Rusty gate" syndrome; less painful when limbered up
BACK: Rhus tox is often the remedy in backache, body aches during flu, lumbago, rheumatism, sprains. Whether the pain is from an old injury or not, consider Rhus tox. Lifting heavy loads that cause bruised and sprained pains. Over lifting, with the sudden "crick" in the back, with pain worse with raising arms above the head. The back stiffens up after sitting still for awhile. This is also why mornings and initial motion are such an acute aggravation.
CHICKEN POX: Helpful for chicken pox that has intense itching and feeling of restlessness. Better from: Continued motion, Warm applications, Cold. Lying on something hard, Rubbing, Change of position, Warm. Dry weather, Walking, Stretching out limbs. Worse from: Beginning motion, During sleep or rest, Dampness, While sitting. After rain, Lying on back or right side
COLD SORE: Useful for cold sores that occur after cold or influenza. Tongue dry & red tipped
COUGH: Helpful for a dry, teasing cough, coughing from midnight until morning. Coughs after putting hands out of bed or during a chill
HIVES: Helpful for Hives that are red, swollen, itching
HOARSENESS: Useful for hoarseness from over straining voice
PAINS: Useful for pain & stiffness that occurs in small of back, nape of neck
SCIATICA: Helpful for sciatica that has tearing pains down thighs
SORE MUSCLES: Useful for sore muscles from overexertion
SPRAINS & STRAINS

Rhus tox is also known as Rhus Toxicodendron.
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