Homeopathy for Frost-Damaged Plants

Frost and snow are prolific at this time of year, as are the sudden changes in temperature which can occur in the shortest of time frames. 

The snow,while acting as a warming blanket and protecting plants from the extremes of frost, also makes any garden have a fairy-tale quality. 

Frost, on the other hand, hinders plant growth and kills tender plants, which are unable to take up water and therefore die from lack of moisture. Frost also causes water in plant cells to freeze resulting in damage to the cell walls. These problems are often made worse when tender plants face the early morning sun and the heat which causes them to defrost too quickly, rupturing their cell walls still further.

Distinguishing which plants have been frost-damaged is relatively easy as their growth becomes limp, blackened and distorted. Evergreen plants often turn brown and the leaves of tender plants appear translucent. 

Since prevention is always better than cure it is advisable to cover up susceptible plants with straw mats or cardboard on frosty nights. If, however, this is not possible, try watering your damaged plants with a homeopathic preparation of agricultural Magnesia Carbonica – Mag Carb 6X (available from www.homeopathyplus.com.au). 

Mix ten drops in one litre of water, shake vigorously for about a minute and then add a further twenty litres of water to the mix before spraying on your plants but please ensure this procedure is applied only once the frost has completely thawed. 

Information taken from the book "Homeopathy for Farm and Garden". Valunthanath das Kavaraj.

This article first appeared the Homeopathy Healthy Medicine newsletter in January 2010. The ARH offers this to all Homeopaths as a free newsletter.