I first wrote this as a Facebook note in 2007 when Florida and the Southeastern states were plunged into wildfires. I re-posted it in 2011 when they were raging again—this time in Arizona, New Mexico, California … and also Florida. And again in 2018 when they ravaged California. Then again in September of 2020 when the West Coast states were burning up on top of Covid-19 spreading its own wildfires.
The numbers of wildfires is vary from year to year. In 2023, the smoke from terrible wildfires in Canada wafted across the United States and caused a crisis of pollution. And then fires devastated California, Oregon, Colorado, and many other states although 2023 was not as bad as 2022. Now, in the Summer of 2024, wildfires have started up again so I’m posting this just in case you or someone you know is in need.
For more information about our world’s forests, visit https://www.globalforestwatch.org. Click on the Dashboard to view interactive charts and maps that summarize key statistics including deforestation and reforestation. And of course fires.
Strong winds carry smoke hundreds or even thousands of miles away, thereby affecting millions more people. The problem is obvious when you can see the smog or smoke but tiny particulates hang in the air even after the worst is over and these can cause health problems. Use an Air Quality checking tool to make sure your air is clear! This tool is pretty wonderful (after entering your zip scroll down for more info).
Smoke particles are irritating and can cause runny eyes and noses, sore or scratchy throats and eyes, inflamed sinuses, headaches, coughs, and difficulty breathing. Some people are more sensitive than others, especially the very young, the very old, and those with allergies or any kind of respiratory condition like bronchitis, asthma or COPD (emphysema).
Read more about the risks from fine and course particulate matter and other pollutants here.
If you can stay in your home here are some steps you can take if you can smell smoke in your neighborhood and you are sensitive to it:
During the wildfires in Florida, many people found relief from smoke inhalation symptoms by turning to one of the remedies below. If one of these remedies happens to be a good constitutional remedy for you, your loved ones, or your pets, then you may be more likely to need it during a “smoke attack” because of your susceptibility and the remedy’s ability to help this kind of problem. Depending on your symptoms, one of the following homeopathic remedies may prove useful for the effects of smoke:
For smoke exposure with anxiety.
For simple smoke exposure with irritation to eyes and possibly nose and no other symptoms.
For more serious smoke exposure with irritated sinuses and/or lungs.
Kali mur 6X (the cell salt) is a wonderful tonic for the mucus membranes and can be taken routinely to help strengthen the mucus membranes of the lungs, nose and sinuses.
Great sensitivity to smoke. Useful when the indicated remedies haven’t helped much or at all.
To help the body (especially the liver) clear out the effects of inhaled chemicals.
To help the body eject inhaled particles.
Silica 6X (the cell salt) will help the body to naturally ‘eject’ the find particulates. It is a brilliantly supportive remedy for the lungs and mucus membranes and it can be taken alongside Kali mur, typically in alternation.
Gentle, synergistic formula for congestion of nose, ears, sinuses and lungs
Keep Rescue Remedy at hand and use liberally at any time for anyone who is stressed out, anxious or fearful—including children and pets. A small squirt under the tongue or in a glass of water (or pet’s water bowl) to be sipped as needed.
For shock with trembling and fear. Something bad happened and people feel shook up and can’t calm down.
For emotional upsets especially for losses—again, whatever the reason. People feel sad but may have difficulty crying and/or they may have crying jags or even hysterical outbursts. /
Potency (strength): Take 6X, 6C, 12C, or 30C. Whatever potency you have on hand is always the best potency!
My favorite potencies are 6X for the cell salts (Kali mur or Silica) and 12C or 30C for everything else … 12C is a lovely potency that can be easily and safely repeated.
Remedies in 30c and 200c are available in kits here in my shop or as single remedies here.
The cell salts (Kali mur 6X and Silica 6X) can be purchased individually or in a kit from my shop. Natrum Arsenicosum is very hard to get hold of and is available for purchase from my shop also.
Dosage: In general homeopathic remedies should be taken 2-4 times a day (more often if symptoms are more bothersome). For more information on dosage and home prescriber support, see my Complete Homeopathy Handbook.
Repetitions: Stop on improvement and repeat as needed (i.e. if it helps and then same symptoms return).
If you’ve taken a remedy for 3-5 days and had no response, select a different remedy or call your homeopath.
If you are under constitutional homeopathic treatment, please check with your homeopath before taking one of these remedies to make sure it is the right remedy for you and that it has a good relationship with your constitutional remedy (i.e. it won’t inadvertently “counteract” your remedy/stop it from working).
Natural disasters like wildfires, floods, and hurricanes are wake-up calls for us to be prepared. If you were told you had a short time to evacuate your home, what would you take with you? Would you have to stop and think? Would worry and panic get in the way?
Having lived through numerous hurricane seasons in South Florida and chosen to evacuate several times, I can now answer these questions. Being prepared is definitely preferable to trying to decided what to take at the last minute.
I have two lists: one for if I only have 60 seconds (or less) to leave. The 2nd list is if I have an hour or more to leave and it includes items in the event I am unlikely to be able to return to my home. These are printed out and on the fridge so I don’t have to stop and think.
I have important papers (house deeds, passports, certificates, insurance papers, etc.) in a small case along with my homeopath travel kits and some other essentials (always packed near the front door) that I can pick up and fling in the car along with Ziggy and Jeter the dogs. We can pick up and go in literally 60 seconds if we have to. Having a system in place is reassuring. In the event of a real emergency, it can save precious time and the worry of important things left behind. And of course lives.
Of course I hope you are safe and out of the path of fires and smoke, and that you don’t need this information. You never know, though, when you or someone you know may be affected by the smoke from a wildfire (smoke travels long distances) or from any other type of fire. Unfortunately, a fire and attendant smoke inhalation can happen anywhere, so you might want to tuck this information away in a safe place, just in case.
Updated June 8th, 2023
