Homeopathy for the Festive Season... Newsletter Issue 6

Some great positive press.. old and new..

It seems like ages since I've been on here and my plan was to blog weekly especially with 'big school' starting for my gorgeous 4 year old! So my new resolve is to blog weekly from here in...

I've just excitedly headed off to the Post Office to send out calendars to celebs who use Homeopathy (I did have to take a picture of the labels on the envelope in my excitement (when else will I write to Orlando Bloom, Nadia and Julia Sawalha, Prince Charles and David Beckham, Richard Branson, Paul McCartney and more the same day?) hoping no one would spot me - of course they did so now hoping they don't think I'm too star-struck - I'm not!)

Talking of celebs and Homeopathy there's a great article out today about Judy Collins where she talks of using Homeopathy:

http://www.lvrj.com/neon/judy-collins-playing-sunset-station-still-believes-in-healing-power-of-music-133222413.html

and I'm just loving the Yeo Valley boys who've brightened up my Friday with their.... singing? well yes - that too!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTrG7mpb61U

So turn the volume up and enjoy - safe in the knowledge that their cows are well looked after with Homeopathy when needed!

And lastly if you haven't already got your Homeopathy for Health in Africa calendar (Yeo Valley have just been sent theirs...) then you can grab a copy at www.littlegreenkangaroo.co.uk.

Please find following an extra special newsletter and I would love you to forward it to friends and family - as many people as you can.  It's all about Homeopathy for Health in Africa which I think I've just worked out why I'm so passionate about (OK so maybe I've been a little slow..)!  I've always been keen to fundraise if I can and raise/change awareness about things that I feel strongly about, I've got a bit of a 'thing' about Africa and always have had, and I love Homeopathy!  This incredible organisation combines all of those so just does it for me!!

Homeopathy for Health in Africa (briefly as there's more in the newsletter) was set up by Jeremy Sherr who besides having practised Homeopathy all over the world for many years, runs Dynamis courses - a 2+ year Post Graduate Advanced Practitioner course which I'm currently doing.  It's his 33rd time of teaching Dynamis (he's great at it!) and after teaching the theory of epidemics, combined with having success of treating people who have HIV and AIDS in the West decided that it was time to go and put the theory into practice in a big way so moved to Tanzania with his family in 2008.  Funding for the project is limited to their savings and donations from friends, family, Homeopaths and others who are generous to give some either on a monthly basis or when they can, and currently they are working with a campaign to try and increase the amount of regular donations.  $5 a month (equates to about £3.16 or so) is really nothing but makes a big difference over there.  If you can donate $5 a month I know it would be greatly appreciated and it's so easy to set up just here - www.homeopathyforhealthinafrica.org/donate.php

I've produced a calendar as my project for my first year which has been a great experience and have loved doing.  The newsletter has several of the images from the calendar included so you do get a little taste of it!  It 's available from Studio Ilkley in Ilkley (thanks Amber), Craven Clinic in Skipton or very shortly (once I've sorted it this evening) from www.littlegreenkangaroo.co.uk.  I'm also happy to deliver any copies in Skipton/Embsay area to save on postage etc.  I'm selling them at £10 each and to tell you a little more.... the blurb from the website.

'The calendar is a collection of stunning images from Homoeopathy for Health in Africa's work, of Tanzania and it's people.  HHA is working with people who have HIV and AIDS and is making a difference to lives in Africa.  Created to raise awareness and funds for HHA, there is also plenty of room to write important events and dates.  A4 portrait, pages printed back to back to conserve paper, and to make lighter to post.  All proceeds from the sales of the calendar go to HHA and help the valuable work being carried out. 
Several of the images are taken by Lukas Gold who has spent many years working for the EU, UN and Middle East Peace Quartet in the Middle East, as well as photography by Camilla Sherr, Eric Pettigrew and Amy Rozen.'

Many, many thanks for reading and please get in touch if you'd like to have a calendar.

Best wishes,

Em

 

Surely I'd done a blog about Hayfever??

... but apparently it would seem not...  So, a little short on time (I've got playgroup pickup run starting in about 2 minutes, and also conscious that the hayfever season has started for some) so here's one from before...

 A "Magic Pill" for Hayfever and other Allergies.

Hayfever currently affects about a quarter of the UK population, one of the highest prevalence rates for hayfever in the world.  This is set to increase and it is predicted that up to 28 million people will have hayfever by 2040 due to severe pollen seasons caused by climate change.

Interestingly, homeopaths pioneered both the research on allergies and allergy treatment. In 1871, British homeopath C.H. Blackely suggested that seasonal sneezing and nasal discharge were the result of exposure to pollen. Later, American homeopath James Tyler Kent defined the practical principles of treating allergies with homeopathy. If someone develops an acute reaction to pollen (or another allergen), such as a running nose or itching, watery eyes, during the allergy season, this reaction is addressed first. After all, there is no need for anyone to suffer discomfort. Then, during the symptom-free season, a homeopath aims to find a so-called constitutional remedy that solves the problem on every level of a person's being. It can take a while for the full affects of a remedy like this to be felt. But in the end, many other complaints and conditions usually drop away along with the symptoms of allergy.

Today conventional allergists use a desensitisation process that resembles the homeopathic practice of "using like to cure like." They give their patients a bit of the allergen (for example, tree pollen) to stimulate a reaction that the body overcomes, thus making the body stronger. However, their injections do not feature homeopathically prepared solutions. It's a little known fact that a homeopath, Grant L. Selfridge, M.D., was the first president of the organization that is now called the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.

Desensitisation tends to work for the season the allergen is prescribed but the next season the process will need repeating.  Effective homeopathic treatment may be able to alleviate the hayfever entirely so decreasing or even stopping the need for anti-histamine treatments or desensitisation injections. 

How do you take homeopathic remedies? These specially prepared remedies are sold in health food stores and come in the form of small sweet pills. Buy remedies in concentration 30C. Place 1 pill under the tongue and let it dissolve. Repeat the dose in 15 minutes. If there is no improvement of symptoms at all in about 30 minutes after the second dose stop taking the remedy.  If the allergic reaction is severe always seek medical advice or go to A&E.

Constitutional treatment combined with palliation of symptoms whilst working with a qualified Homeopath would usually be the most effective way to treat hayfever, in the meantime though here are 6 remedies which may be helpful to make summer more fun!

Allium cepa (Red Onion):

Take Allium if you see the following signs. (Always compare these signs with the signs indicating a need for Euphrasia.)
· Irritating, caustic discharge from the nose that irritates the nose and the upper lip (opposite of Euphrasia)
· Bland discharge from the eyes (opposite of Euphrasia)
· Discharge from the nose and eyes in large amounts
· Nose eventually gets completely obstructed
· Frequently there is heaviness in the middle of the forehead and/or a headache that gets better when the nose drains freely
· Frequently the symptoms begin on the left side
· You feel worse: in the late afternoon and evening, and from being in a warm room
· You feel better: from open air, cold air

Apis mellifica (Honeybee):

More times than not this is the correct remedy to take for allergic reactions to beestings.  Be prepared to give it on the way to the A&E. Use it to relieve any severe allergic reaction that involves the following combination of key symptoms.
· Very significant swelling of the eyes. Sometimes eyes are literally bloodshot from swelling
· Heat and burning sensation of the face and the eyes
· Craves cold applications and is much improved by them

Arsenicum album (Arsenic Trioxide):
· Irritating watery discharge from the nose
· Dripping from the nose, which is completely obstructed
· Burning (eyes, nose, throat) that is better from hot drinks or hot applications
· Right side is mainly affected
· You feel better: from being in a warm room, warm drinks, and warm applications

· You feel worse: from anything cold

Euphrasia officinalis (Eyebright):
· Eyes feel irritated, burning and itching
· Tears are abundant and irritating, nasal discharge is bland (exactly opposite to Allium cepa)
· Worse: in the morning and from warm wind
· Better: upon lying down in bed at night

Sabadilla (Cevadilla seed):
· Remarkable fits of sneezing. Some people sound like an automatic weapon
· Every fit of sneezing provokes tears
· Constant itching inside of the nose and/or the palate
· Worse: from cold and open air
· Better: from heat, being in a warm room, and warm drinks

Urtica urens (Stinging Nettle):

This remedy is specifically used for allergic reactions to shellfish and stings by jellyfish. Look for:
· Itching hives with a prickling, burning sensation
· Hives that look like red, raised blotches with white centers

I did it - my clothes challenge!

Well it is now a year since I made a pact with myself that I would not buy new clothes (apart from underwear) for myself for a year.  I set it in a place when I hadn't lots of spare money, but also out of an ethical awareness and a desire to recycle or buy recycled clothes.  And also I guess, just out of interest to see if I could do it!

It turns out it was easier than planned, more fun and a whole lot cheaper than I thought.  It helps I've a generous (and somewhat shopaholic) sister - oh and the fact we're the same size apart from my gangly legs is useful too!  I did however get some lovely purchases from Oxfam and also from our fab swap box at work (for anyone who works in a place with other people it's a brilliant idea - just pop things in you don't want, take out the ones you do and when it's too full and the same things have been there for a while empty to a charity shop). 

I aquired a lovely dress from Age Concern to which I added a black ribbon belt, trim around the top and a halterneck band which was probably my best buy over the time.  It's here:

and Isla's dress was bought from a friend so I think our entire combined outfit cost about £20 max.

One of the main bonuses has been the time it's saved - for a not so keen shopper hours saved browsing and wandering in shops (not that I do it that often but the time adds up) as well as saving pennies.  I enjoy the creativity it sparks and if I hadn't set myself the challenge I'd never have sat sewing ribbon on and got the satisfaction when my dress got lots of compliments!

I set my challenge for a year but I enjoyed it, loved fitting a bit of creativity in there amongst being a mum, growing a business, a social life (OK the odd night out or 2) so I think I may just carry on and see how it goes for another year.... Except possibly just to get some new jeans first - think mine are ready to make shorts for summer (time for the sewing machine I think now and Mick - stop rejoycing... he never did like the flowers I embroidered on them...). 

Isla and I have been chatting about making clothes so the next step may be to get back into making my own.  Maybe that'll be the challenge for this year - I'll update you in another 12 months!!

From cake to crude homeopathy

After the success of Bryonia which worked as a partial similimum for Mick's cough (or as he said - the golden syrup cake) - we came back to the caravan the next day for him to have the same (apparently allergic) reaction.

Bryonia had helped somewhat but looking closer at the new symptoms I thought we could do with some Allium Cepa (red onion) in a 30 or 200c potency. Mick's eyes were streaming, as was his nose. He was sneezing and starting to get wheezy. Great we'd decided on a remedy. Bad news was we didn't have any.

We did however have a red onion with us so I cut a slice of it. Result!! Breathing improved, sneezing stopped and his eyes and nose stopped steaming. It needed repeating regularly so probably a remedy in potency would have been more beneficial longer term but in a caravan in the middle of nowhere without the remedy I needed it was more than good enough for us!!

Allium Cepa is a well known remedy in hayfever (or other allergic reactions) where there is watering eyes, running nose with a burning feeling, excess sneezing and a tickling cough. Take the 30c potency and when symptoms improve stop taking until you need to repeat (on return of symptoms).

Homeopathy for Health in Africa

Hi

I'm not long back from my first session at Dynamis - a two and a half year course I've recently started.  I wanted to do the course for some time but as often can happen the 'time wasn't right', well at the moment the time's not perfect but with the course running for possibly the last time in the UK and definately the last time for quite some time in the UK it was time to bite the bullet and make the time right for me instead of waiting around.  And it turned out the time was perfect!  I had an amazing time away with some incredible people, not least Jeremy Sherr who was teaching us all inspirational Homeopathy, but fab people on the course, T'ai Chi on the lawns before lectures and an amazing house surrounded by beautiful woodland with delicious homecooked (often homegrown) food all cooked for us (a treat in itself!)  Add that to catching up with some brilliant people from uni, gorgeous girl having a great time at home with day trips and constant picnics (although I don't think they got around to breakfast on the lawn all other meals were covered) all was good!

I really wanted to blog briefly about the work Jeremy is doing in Africa which really is awe-inspiring and Homeopathy at it's best.  The Sherr family have relocated to Tanzania where Jeremy and his Homeopath wife Camilla are working with people who have the AIDS virus and are seeing some incredible results using Classical Homeopathy.  I've heard Jeremy talk about the project before and had this been a pre-child era I'd have been straight on a plane to see the work first hand.  As it is I am simply watching from afar at the moment and contributing when I can.

Have a look at the video here:
http://www.vimeo.com/6262783

to have a closer insight into the project.  If you'd like to contribute, the process is easy and the money goes through Homeopathy Action Trust which is a registered charity, you're able to Gift Aid your money and the funds go to making sure the project can continue with the fantastic start they've made. 

And check out the slideshow with rap:
http://www.youtube.com/jsherr1

The aim to make the project more sustainable has meant that 2 Homeopaths are training through the School of Homeopathy and another is funded to train in Kenya in Homeopathy.  There is food being grown, a creche set up and women who've been helped by Homeopathy are working with the Sherr's on the project.  Have a watch tho - the short film puts everything much better than I can!


http://www.vimeo.com/6262783

Long may this amazing work continue and become a norm all over Africa and indeed the world!

Cobblers wives and children coughing away...

It was a few days ago when a friend got in touch about an ongoing cough and after sitting, looking at the symptoms, the modalities (what makes it better or worse) I realised that was pretty much the same thing that my poor, long suffering partner was going through.  So finally, last of the queue, we had a breakthrough for his ongoing (driving me crazy) cough - and, so happily - after a few tablets of the remedy there were far less coughing fits, far less spitting out of mucus (eeeeewwwww - I do not like!) and one happy, non suffering partner!

Drosera was the remedy of choice here in both instances - one of the most popular remedies for whooping cough, which apparently is making a come back.  The drosera cough is a dry, spasmodic, barking cough - coming in bouts, as if the larynx is tickled, often causing wheezing respiration.  The symptoms are worse for warmth of bed, laughing, singing and in the evening (after midnight). 

There are lots of other remedies that can help in coughs - but if it sounds like I've described here it may be that drosera can help you to move through it.  Please seek advice from a Homeopath near to you and as ever, don't take anything in these posts as a substitute for medical attention.

Here's to a fantastically healthy spring!

Em

No Poo Shampooing...

I think it was back when I was at uni, and was on holiday in Sweden with a group of people from Winged Fellowship (charity providing respite care for physically disabled people) on one of their Discovery Holidays - similar to this if anyone is interested in this type of overseas break is the fantastic Makin Tracks run by Dave and Debbie Jepson... for more information http://www.makintracks.eu/index.htm.&npsp; Anyway we were with a lovely lady who had stopped washing her hair with shampoo years ago - it looked fantastic!! So as you do with these things I guess I stored that away (and forgot at some point) and did nothing with the information until we were in Australia last year and decided that surely nothing was worth the screams and shouts of a reluctant 3 year old to have their hair washed.

So began our first non-washing trial. It wasn't that great, and so it ended again, with reluctance but realising that we for whatever reason just weren't getting there.

With an interest in 'green' awareness, reluctance to use unnecessary chemicals and also whilst we were in a tightening of the belt time, I started to investigate again and found some brilliant blogs with more information than the 'just leave it and it'll have a greasy phase then be fine' approach.

So what I do now is to mix 2 tablespoons of Bicarbonate of Soda with 2 cups of water in a shampoo bottle. Mix well before use and simply use as required. At the moment I'm tending to find that I wash my hair about every 2 to 4 days which is a big change from my daily pourings of shampoo down the drain, plus conditioner so it was all lovely and silky smooth... About conditioner too - I've replaced that with a Cider Vinegar rinse - again I use 2 tablespoons to 2 cups, mix it in a bottle and use probably on alternate washes.

There's quite a few blogs out there about this - and it seems even more than when I started my 'no poo' journey so just have a browse through. A couple of my favourites were:

http://naturalpapa.com/health/go-no-poo-how-to-switch-to-no-shampoo-hair-care/

And Www.babyslimelivejournal.com/174054/HTML/why

I'm pleased with it, happy to be cutting my water usage, pollutants and shampoo costs down... Roll on the summer and a little lemon juice for those natural highlights! Oh and Mick to stop excitedly removing my (cream) horses hair from my head thinking I'm catching him up going grey!!

http://babyslime.livejournal.com/174054.html#why

http://naturalpapa.com/health/go-no-poo-how-to-switch-to-no-shampoo-hair-care/

Remedies for those coughs and colds of the season...

Everyone seems to have a cough or cold at the moment - we certainly do in our house, so I thought I would share some remedy information with you... any questions give me a shout...

Belladonna: indicated where the symptoms have come on suddenly and there is fever, throbbing and pain, with great irritability, and symptoms worse from jarring.

Bryonia:  the symptoms are slow to come on, there is much dryness and pains are worse from even the slightest movement. Children are irritable and may reject what they just asked for. The cough is dry, worse after eating or drinking. There is increased thirst.

Gelsemium: the number one flu remedy, with symptoms slow to come on, where there is much heaviness and drooping, fatigue, clammy skin, flushes of hot and cold, dizziness and congestion.

Pulsatilla: mucus is sticky and difficult to cough up. The child might be tearful and need constant cuddles. They are better in the fresh air, and thirstless despite having a dry mouth.  

Phosphorus: this is a hacking, tickling cough, often with sweating. The child is worse at night and might ask for icy drinks or ice cream, which may be vomited up immediately. They may be hoarse, and are better for affection and massage, and worse for cold air.

 

NB These tips are not intended as a substitute for medical advice and should not be taken as so - should you need to please consult a GP or medical practitioner.

International Women's Day

On International Women's Day I thought it would be good to have a story of an inspiring woman and what Homeopathy did to help her and her family...

Please use the link below to access Nadia Sawalha's story (it's a good one!)

http://www.britishhomeopathic.org/export/sites/bha_site/hh_article_bank/interviews/Nadia_Sawalha_may2010.pdf

Happy Women's Day Everyone!

Homeopathy for Bump, Baby and Beyond...

Our local NCT group is organising a Bump, Baby and Beyond Fair which promises to be a fantastic day out for all - we have activity trials, seminar sessions, talks, demonstrations, a Table Top Sale (great for bargains and sellers alike - just the right time to have a good old clear out and re-stock with some fab recycling of toys!), I'm facepainting for the day and we obviously have lots and lots of exhibitors (around 60 and counting) coming along to make it a day worth attending with everything you need from pregnancy to early school years...

I've decided that I'm going to circulate a copy of my newsletter there with tips for remedies, minor complaints and ideas for incorporating some complementary therapies into your pregnancy so on the theme of Homeopathy and little ones, here's some ideas of what you could help with at home and some remedy tips...

Teething - Chamomilla 30C give where the child is angry and inconsolable

Colic – Magnesium Phos 30C give when the baby is doubled over in pain

Nappy Rash – Calendula 30C and Calendula cream (soothing and antiseptic)

Earache – Pulsatilla 30C give when the child is clingy with a greenish discharge from their ear

Fever - Aconite 30C for sudden fevers after getting chilled; Belladonna 30C when they have a very high temperature with a red face; Gelsemium 30C for slow fevers with chills, bone pain and fatigue

Coughs and Colds – Bryonia 30C when they are miserable, irritable and better for keeping still; Pulsatilla 30C when there is plenty of yellow/green mucous, clingy and upset

Vomiting – Nux Vomica 30C for bilious and bad tempered states; Arsenicum Album 30C for after bad food, where there is diarrhoea and restlessness

Bumps and Bruises – Arnica 30C which is also great for shock and exhaustion

These indications are merely a guide and should not be used in place of medical intervention.  For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, please consult your doctor.

If you’ve given the remedy several times and there is no response it is likely that the remedy doesn’t fully match the symptom picture and a different remedy may be required. 

Here's to a healthy spring!

Happy Homeopathic Prescibing...

Em

PS The NCT Bump, Baby and Beyond Fair is on the 21st May 2011 at Skipton Auction Mart from 10-4... 

ABCs of Homeopathy

An informal session to discover more about Homeopathy and how to use it for your friends and family.  Find out more about the history of Homeopathy, ideas around it and first aid remedies to use in the home/out and about.

Homeopathy is very effective in acute situations - childhood illnesses, coughs and minor injuries, and with a little help and support anyone can discover how to start using remedies in everyday life.

Places are limited so please get in touch asap if you are interested in finding out more.

Tuesday 1st March 8pm-9.30pm
Craven Clinic, Skipton

More about me @ www.homeopathyskipton.co.uk
or get in touch @ em@homeopathyskipton.co.uk

My discovery of Homeopathy

My own journey into Homeopathy began in 1995 when my horse was diagnosed with an 'incurable' recurrent eye disease resulting from, we think, an injury.  Conventional treatment consisting of injections into her eyelid every 6 weeks meant she had to be sedated to do this wasn't a lot of fun for anyone involved. 

We began, or rather, at the time my mum, began to look at alternative options available to us - at this time conventional options were limited to the injections, and we'd also sourced a 'pirate hood' (adapted racing hood to have a full blinker on one side) which meant she could still go and play out instead of having to stay indoors until the atropine wore off if she was having an attack.

Several to many enquiries later we happened upon Towerwood Vets who are alternative practitioners - conventional vets who've then added Homeopathic training, Acupuncture etc to their work.  David Saxton one of their Homeopathic vets visited us and then sent remedies which Kara was to take for a week.

Conventionally we've been told that she's 'in remission' however to date having had no attacks of uveitis since I'm more than happy...

Homeopathic First Aid Kits

I've been noticing recently that I've been recommending to lots of people, parents in particular, to get a homeopathy first aid kit. 

For those local to Skipton, North Yorkshire; Craven Clinic sells them or lots are available online, probably the best known being from Helios or Ainsworth's pharmacies.  

A well chosen remedy works incredibly fast and can rapidly ease the discomfort of many things from teething to sickness, bruising and much, much more. 

The handy booklet that comes with it is invaluable for selecting a remedy and has clear, concise details on how to take the remedy that anyone can understand and work through, with or without prior knowledge of Homeopathy.

I've been helped out time and time again by this kit both for clients and with my family, on travels or at home.  For a while it also doubled as a great role play item with my daughter 'playing' the Homeopath and 'prescribing' for her teddy bears, dolls and us!