Open Sky Field Medicinary

Posted by: danny on Tuesday, April 27th, 2010

Open Sky utilizes the finest quality holistic medicines for preventing and treating injury and illnesses in the field.  All field guides receive training in the application and use of each of these medications.  Open Sky is the industry’s only wilderness therapy program that incorporates full-time Naturopathic Doctors into the care and support of each student’s treatment.  As an integrative program, Open Sky also employs medical doctors and psychiatrists in the care of students with specific medical and psychological needs that benefit from their treatment.

Open Sky Field Medicinary

* denotes in the medication bag with field guides at all times

*Activated Charcoal: used with diarrhea to absorb toxins being admitted by the “bug” causing the diarrhea. It is best to use once the diarrhea starts and not with a reported stomach ache.

Aller-Leaf: our go to for seasonal allergies and chronic sinus infections. Don’t expect instant relief though some relief will come within 48 hours with most folks. If there is a sign of an sinus infection we would add herbal biotic as well.

Detox Formula (OS label): supports the liver and other organs of the body (kidneys, skin, lymph, lungs) through the detox process from not just drugs and alcohol but processed foods, caffeine, sugar…

Ear Oil: placed in the ear with ear pain. Only used when medical direction.

Eczema Cream: cream for dermatitis which is another word for eczema. The skin is the largest organ so expect lots of rashes with our students since they are “detoxing” from drugs, alcohol, processed foods, caffeine, stressful life style… Many toxins find their way out of the body through the skin which will cause a rash especially where folks sweat like armpits, inner thighs, underneath scrotum….

Evening Primrose Oil: essentially “fish oil” for vegetarians. An oil of this quality is great for skin, neurotransmitters, healthy WAGS, skin, and general cell to cell communication. All our cells have “oil” on the outside and need to be “lubed” in order to communicate with one another.

Fish Oil (OS label): an oil of this quality is great for depression, skin, neurotransmitters, healthy WAGS, skin, and general cell to cell communication. All our cells have “oil” on the outside and need to be “lubed” in order to communicate with one another.  OS’s fish oil is free of any heavy metals and not processed with petroleum. It is from clean fish in the North Atlantic Ocean.

Fruits and Greens Powder: a powder that provides wonderful sources of vitamins and minerals from an organic fruits and vegetables. Used when a student needs/wants another source of calories/nutrients to build their health or is unable to eat solid foods.

*Glutamine Powder: an amino acid used to restore intestinal integrity. Use during diarrhea or when a person is attempting to heal their gut from intestinal issues like Crohn’s, IBS, IBD, anxiety induced diarrhea.

Glycine Powder: an amino acid used to decrease anxiety and simply help one ground into their body and environment. Glycine is the simplest amino acid and it acts as a building block for most other amino acids as well.

Hawthorne Solid Extract: aids in “heart conditions” whether it being a grieving heart or high blood pressure. The extract is made from the berries and leaves of the tree. this is an excellent herb to take when someone has been built a wall around their heart due to any life circumstance or has slightly elevated blood pressure.

*Herbal Biotic: the “anti-biotic” of the herb world. Used with an infection of any type to prevent contamination. Can use with either a bacterial or viral infection which is impossible to tell when you are in the field. You must use this supplement everyday, several times a day to see any positive effect.

Immune Support: used when a person is known to have a compromised immune system or if they report getting sick all the time. Builds and increases the immune system to fight off any germs. Great to take if you know you will be around sick folks with the cold or flu.

Iron: only given if labs support an iron deficient anemia. Iron will increase stamina, energy, improve depression and shortness of breath.

Lentra: a formula used to decrease anxiety and simply help one ground into their body and environment. Often times used hand and hand with Prolent

Magnesium: used with high blood pressure or to help some get their wags going. Magnesium (or Vitamin C) is one of the easiest, safest, most affordable ways to assist someone with constipation, especially if it is chronic. The body uses magnesium in more bio-chemical pathways than any other mineral.

*Mannose Powder: used with urinary tract infections. Mannose does not allow the bacteria to adhere to the lining, it does not kill the bacteria that is why it is used with herbal biotic or urinary anti-septic tincture (both of these kill the bacteria) for the knock out punch.  A back country UTI can become an evacuation situation if it moves to the kidneys.  Let’s treat UTI s/sxs aggressively.

Melatonin: used to assist in a solid nights sleep. It can be used with or without sleep formula.

Multi-vitamin, synthetic (OS label): used for overall nutrition and to support all the pathways in the body. Most students/people are deficient in vitamins, minerals, co-factors from their daily diet even if eating a whole foods organic diet. A multi-vitamin supplements ones diet and add the extra punch for a healthier individual.

Mutli, whole foods: see above those this multi-vitamin is created from whole foods. example vitamin c in a whole foods multi would common from an orange where Vit C in a synthetic type would come from ascorbic acid. Some people can not stomach a synthetic type and can stomach a whole food multi.

Mycostat: used with yeast infections mostly of vaginal nature.

Methylmax: very specific supplement, used when nor-epinephrine (need lab results) is high and creating anxiety and/or panic attacks.

Nasosympatico Oil: not to be used orally. Used with a common cold especially when the lungs are involved. The patient would rub the oil under their nose, on their neck and chest to help open up their sinus cavities. It’s the herbal version of Vick’s vapor rub.

Oil of Oregano: used with infections, especially good for lung conditions like a deep cough, bronchitis, wheezing… Do not expect results with toe fungus,  toe fungus can take months if not years to clear up and is simply a sign of something out of balance on the inside of the body.

Oscillococcinum: used with the flu. Best to be given when the first s/sxs of the flu appear. This is a homeopathic remedy that has been around for quite some time and has strong results though like anything else is not 100%. We will treat the flu aggressively with other means of treatment as well.

Pancreatic Enzymes: our go to digestive enzyme. Used with bloating, fullness, when food in the stool and/or any kind of digestive concerns. It is helpful at breaking down proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Need to take with food in order help with digestion. If taken away from food it will act more like pro-trauma and decrease inflammation in the body.

PhytoEstrogen: used with abnormal menstrual cycles. Helps bring the hormones back into balance and offer a painless more effortless cycle.

*Pro-biotics: used with any infection, past history of anti-biotic’s use and/or to help restore intestinal integrity. Most people can benefit from a round of pro-biotic’s with very few to no side effects.

Prolent: a formula used with depression. Helps increase the serotonin (the happy molecule) in the body as well lessen any anxiety.

Protein Powder: used when someone needs more calories or nutritional support. We are no longer using the Meta-clear which contained a lot of detox supplements. This protein powder is straight up protein so fewer side effects will be seen.

Pro-Trauma: a softer version of ibuprofen for pain and inflammation. It contains herbs that decrease pain and enzymes that decrease inflammation. Do not have to worry about stomach side effects like you do with ibuprofen. You must take throughout the day, 3-4x/d, to see the effects.

Serenity Formula: anxiety formula used to decrease anxiety and simply help one ground into their body and environment.  Contains calming herbs like Kava, valerian, hops….

Sleep Formula: used to assist in a solid night sleep. It can be used with or without sleep formula. This formula is a combination of herbs and amino acids (glycine and GABA).

Throat Spray: can be used for sore throats as often as needed either as a gargle or simply as a spray to the back of the throat.

Tyrosine + B vitamins: used for thyroid imbalance. Labs will indicate a thyroid deficiency and this formula can help rebuild the thyroid hormones to healthy levels. Thyroid dysfunction can mimic depression, bi-polar, mania….

Viracon: similar to herbal biotic though targeted for viruses over bacteria infections. It can be used with herbal biotic or by itself.

Vitamin C: one of the cheapest ways to treat a cold or chronic constipation. It helps build the immune system acutely, only want to take acutely and not every day for weeks or months. If you get loose stool while taking then simply back off the amount one is taking.

Tinctures (liquid extracts from herbs)

Bella Magic Stuff: the go to tincture for almost any ailment. Contains the herb

Osha (local plant that grows in the mountains around Durango) and will often be combined with another tincture that is more specific for the ailment.

Children’s Dry Cough: great for dry coughs that are usually un-productive (no phlegm).

Children’s Tummy Soother: used for upset stomachs with or without vomiting though it is best to use before vomiting begins.

Children’s Wet Cough: great for wet productive coughs.

*Echinacea: stimulates the immune system to work stronger.

Gentle Laxative: aids more aggressively than Smooth Move for constipation.

Lung Congestion Remedy: used with lung conditions especially with infections and/or cough.

Menstrual Cramp Formula: relaxes muscles in the vaginal area to decrease cramps during that time of the month. Taste can be strong for some.

Nervine Formula: a combination of herbs that assist in relaxing and lessening anxiety.

Restricted Respiration: used to help asthma, wheezing, or shortness of breath and it best if used throughout the day for weeks at a time. It also opens the airways for easier breathing.

Stop Smoking Assist: mostly a nervine formula with the herb Lobelia (used for centuries by the Native Americans) that tags the nicotine receptor to lessen nicotine with-draw. If you take too much you can feel nausea and or vomit.

Urinary Antiseptic: used with mannose powder when there is a possible urinary tract infection. This tincture will kill the germs while the mannose doesn’t allow the germ to adhere to the lining. Have to take throughout the day for several days like most antibiotics to get the results you want, especially in the back country where a serious UTI can lead to a kidney infection and an evac.

Homoeopathic Remedies

*Aconite: for “shock” (any acute injury, news from home…) and acute anxiety, student feels they are going to die even with a simple cold or slight injury, fever that spikes around midnight, anxiety gets worse at night

*Apis: bee stings or stings in general which cause a stinging, itching, swelling, and burning pain; better from cold application

*Arnica: anything with bruising; any head trauma; especially when patient reports they are fine and don’t want to be touched; sprains and strains

*Arsenicum: diarrhea, student will report pains or diarrhea is of a burning nature; student might report feeling very cold with alternating hot/cold flashes

*Belladonna: fever, usually red hot face, headache (usually right sided) sudden onset, worse from any motion, noise, touch or lying down at all

*Gloninum: think SUN headache, pounding arteries in the neck and head, likes to hold their head with their hands

*Ledum: puncture wound from a bite, sting or instrument. Appears to help some students with bug bites ex: extreme itching from no-see-ums.

Other homeopathic remedies are available at base camp when requested by someone on the medical team.