I’m in the middle of preparations for my summer holiday!So excited to be seeing my family soon and spend some time with them, and in a nice, hot, place near the beach too boot!
So I’m just making my list of things to take with me, and since many of you are probably going on holiday at some point in the next few weeks, I thought I’d share with you what I usually never leave home without on my travels.
Homeopathy First Aid Kit
Definitely never leave home without it!!!It contains all the main remedies you could need in any first aid situation, including Arnica for shock, bumps and bruises; Belladonna for fevers; Ledum for stings or puncture wounds; Nux Vomica for overindulgence and indigestion…
Here in the UK you can get one from Helios or Ainsworths homeopathic pharmacies.They are both excellent.
Helios has a choice of 18 or 36 remedy kits (you can only order the 36 remedy kit by phone), whilst Ainsworths is a 42 remedy kit – well worth it as it also comes with an excellent booklet to help you choose the most appropriate remedy.
Homeopathic Creams
There are 2 that I take with me without fail – Arnica cream for bumps and bruises, and Hypericum & Calendula cream for helping cuts and scrapes heal.Sometimes I also take Rhust Tox & Ruta cream to help with muscular pains.
Again these you can get from either Helios or Ainsworths pharmacies.
Travel Ease Essence from Alaskan Essences
This one travels with me in my handbag.This especially to help you with the negative effects of travel, especially air travel – the crowded and confined spaces, electromagnetic radiation, noise, vibration, and the jet lag.
I take this essence regularly before, during and after the flight, along with some Arnica to help with the jet lag.
You can get this essence from myself, or from Healthlines in the UK. You can also get it directly from Alaskan Essences in the USA.
Vitamin B1 and insect repellent
If you are like me and insects love to bite you, then I recommend taking Vitamin B1 with you.There are various brands out there, I like Viridian and Biocare, but am sure there are other good ones out there.
I also take a natural insect repellent, like Incognito.DEET is very toxic, so try to avoid anything with that ingredient.Look for a natural and, preferably, organic repellent option.
Sunscreen and after-sun care
There’s been a lot of controversy over sunscreen lately, whether it’s actually needed, whether it’s toxic and bad of the environment, etc.I’m not getting into this now, but have a look here for more information: EWG sunscreen report and Mercola’s sunscreen safety guide.
The thing is, the sun is actually good for us, but in moderation.The best way to get our much needed vitamin D is through the skin, so putting sunscreen on all the time will actually prevent us from our daily vitamin D dose (and most of us in her in the UK are very deficient!).
However, the amount of time you can be in the sun without damage depends on your unique skin.If you are fair skinned then it will obviously be less than if you have darker skin.
The main thing to go by is that once your skin gets a bit red, that’s it, it’s time to cover up or get out of the sun.
If you know you are going to be outside in the sun for a while, then do use some sunscreen, especially in your face. There are many safe options out there, some organic ones; avoid sunscreens with nano particles and spray on sunscreens.
My choice is a natural, organic sunscreen option, with zinc oxide (and perhaps also titanium dioxide).
For after sun care, Aloe Vera creams or gels are great.If you got too much sun, homeopathic Belladona will help, also Calendula for the skin.
I also use homeopathic Sol 30c or 200c for before and after sun to prevent skin damage.
This month I experienced one of the miracles of modern medicine – eyesight saving surgery. I’m still in awe about some of the things we can do nowadays – lifesaving emergency medicine, surgery, diagnostics – these are all amazing and great things that modern medicine can offer us, and I am sooo grateful for that.
Unfortunately, when it comes to most other health issues, in particular chronic disease, modern medicine seems to completely miss the mark. It is so frustrating that in this day and age, modern medicine focuses only on the physical aspect of disease, and as something that comes from outside to attack you and you are the victim.
What happened to searching for the root causes of disease? What happened to looking at the mind and spirit as inextricably linked to our physical body? It is no wonder modern medical treatments only work up to a point, or only temporarily.
The only thing on offer seems to be synthetic drugs and pills, which actually only cover up or suppress the symptoms. Too often, they even cause more harm than good!
Most people think there is nothing else they can do to feel better, even though they are fed up with treatments and medications that don’t really work or make them feel worse.
The modern medical system leads us to believe that there are no other valid options – anything else, especially if it’s natural, is quackery and pseudo-science (and especially homeopathy it seems nowadays!!!).
Wouldn’t it be such a different experience if modern medicine was open and integrated with natural and holistic approaches? Wouldn’t it be great if patients were given more than 10 minutes with a health practitioner to really explore and dig deeper into the root cause of their problems? If not only their physical ailments were taken into account, but also mental, emotional and spiritual health, past and present trauma, what actually makes them who they are today?
Because to truly heal yourself requires not just healing the physical body, but your whole self!
This is why I love homeopathy so much and why I became a homeopath! It truly does heal, at every level – body, mind, spirit. It is safe and effective. It gets to the root cause of the problem. Sometimes it needs a little help too, from nutrition, herbs, acupuncture, osteopathy….. sometimes even from modern medicine! But it truly is a complete medicine.
If you have been looking for an alternative, give homeopathy a try!
PMS, cramps, tender breasts, heavy periods, irregular periods… so many women seem to have at least one if not, several of these symptoms around their monthly cycles.
Homeopathy has many lovely remedies to help with menstrual issues, but I’m going to talk about what I think are the 3 most commonly used for this. These three remedies are available in any homeopathic first aid kit.
Lachesis (Lach)
This remedy is made from the venom of the Bushmaster snake. Women who may benefit from this remedy usually have the worst symptoms before their period; they have violent mood swings, insomnia, cramping pains, ovarian pains and headaches/migraines. Often these pains are left-sided or move from left to right. If they get too hot, or too cold they will feel worse, and they especially don’t like any tight clothing or feeling constricted.
Once their period starts, these symptoms get better. They also feel much better if they get fresh air and for movement. During their period, they can have heavy, dark menstrual bleeding or clotting.
In general, women who do well on this remedy can get over-excited or wound up over little things. They are usually quite talkative, and can be jealous or suspicious. And they really hate feeling constricted, especially around the neck.
Pulsatilla (Puls)
This remedy is made from the Pasque Flower. Women who may benefit from Pulsatilla during their period may feel very emotional and weepy, and need lots of support and reassurance. Before their period they may have nausea/vomiting and indigestion, headaches, and diarrhoea.
Their symptoms can be one-sided and/or changeable. Their cycles may be irregular and have changeable flow from month to month. They will feel worse if they are in stuffy hot room or if they get overheated, and especially if they feel neglected or abandoned. To feel better, fresh air, gentle exercise and crying will help, but especially attention and sympathy.
In general, women who need Pulsatilla will be shy but sociable, sometimes seem a bit clingy as they don’t want to be alone. They tend to get chilly and usually are not very thirsty. One-sided and changeable symptoms would point to this remedy.
Sepia
This remedy is made from the ink of the cuttlefish. Women who may need Sepia can be described as the worn out, fed up and irritable mother. Around their period, they are exhausted with moods alternative between violent screaming to weeping and emotional withdrawal. They usually get a bit down or depressed with PMT, and can have dragging or bearing down pains in the lower abdomen. Sometimes it feels as if all the genitals will fall out. Their periods can be irregular and heavy. Their symptoms will improve with eating, exercising or dancing.
In general women who need Sepia are so exhausted and irritable that they can be indifferent or lash out easily towards their loved ones, especially husband and children. They are not interested in sex, and prefer to be alone.
There are of course, many other remedies for menstrual problems, but these 3 should work for many women for acute menstrual problems. If you do have chronic issues with your cycle or any other hormonal problem, then please do see a professional homeopath or health practitioner. Feel free to get in touch with me to see if homeopathy can help. I offer a free 30-minute call where we can chat about how homeopathy can help you and see if we can work together.
It’s only November and I’ve already had my first cold (thanks to my lovely daughters!). I remember telling people I had a bit of a cold, and almost everyone would try to stay away from me, worried that they may catch it.
With our busy lives, it is not surprising that most of us want to avoid being run down with a cold, especially if we have children to look after.
You may be surprised to know, however, that getting a cold once or twice a year is not a bad thing, and is actually a sign that your immune system is functioning well.
Yes, it can be annoying, but it is actually giving you body a chance to rid itself of toxins, rest (if you let it!), and for your immune system an opportunity to strengthen itself – which then means you may be less likely to become ill with worse kinds of infections!
Many of the symptoms of cold and flu are quite similar; some people think they may have the flu, but actually that may not be the case. Flu symptoms are much more severe.
With a cold you will probably not get a fever (or very mildly if you do), whereas with flu there will almost always be a fever, usually high, which last a few days. Flu is also usually accompanied by body aches and exhaustion, sometimes quite severe, which means you will likely want to stay in bed for a few days.
If you are getting several colds a year, or if they take a long time to resolve, then your immune system may not be functioning optimally. This may be due to many factors, including stress, diet, and other chronic conditions. Do see your homeopath or health professional to get to the bottom of it and help you strengthen your immune system.
In the meantime, what can you do at home to prevent or minimise the symptoms of colds and flu in a more natural way?
Homeopathy:
There are many, many homeopathic remedies that can help lessen symptoms and get you through it quicker. Here are some of the main ones, most of them available in homeopathic first aid kits:
Aconite: this is the remedy to take when you are just starting to feel those first symptoms of cold or flu, especially if you have gotten chilled.
Arsenicum Album: if you are feeling very chilly, your eyes and nose are streaming with burning discharges and lots of sneezing, are very tired and anxious, and only want little sips of water.
Bellandona: Great remedy for high fevers, with a very red face and dilated pupils, throbbing headaches and the skin is hot to the touch.
Eupatorium Perfolatum: This is the one of the main remedies for flu, especially when there is a lot of bone pains, with lots of thirst, shivering, chills, aching and red eyes.
Gelsemium: Another main remedy for flu, where you feel extremely tired, heavy and sleepy, very chilly, shivery and achy, but not thirsty at all.
Kali Bich: Great remedy for very thick, sticky, stringy or dry yellow and green mucous that is difficult to get out.
Natrum Muriaticum: If you have lots of sneezing, with watery bland discharge that looks like raw egg white, this remedy may be for you.
Nux Vomica: This remedy is if you are feeling very chilly and can’t warm up, you are quite irritable, lots of sneezing, but your nose is stuffed up and it’s difficult to get the mucous all out.
Pulsatilla: Great remedy for children (or adults!) who are very clingy and teary, mucous is yellow or green, and symptoms are usually much improved with fresh air.
Homeobotanicals
These wonderful remedies made in New Zealand have some great options to support you through a cold or flu. I can make you a bespoke blend of these, depending on your particular symptoms and they can be used along homeopathy or any other treatment. Here are a few options that may help:
Hb C Cold and Catarrh: really helpful when there is lots of mucous and catarrh.
Hb I Immune: boosts the immune system and acts as an anti-microbial and anti-septic.
Hb R Respiratory: supports the whole respiratory system, including lungs, sinuses, and eustachian tubes.
Hb X Expectorant Coughing: soothes coughs and helps expel mucous.
First Aid: For the early, feverish stages of acute illnesses.
Promyr: Amazing anit-viral and anti-bacterial blend.
Nutrition and other general recommendations:
If you are trying to prevent colds and flu, make sure you eat well, lots of green vegetables and foods full of anti-oxidants. Anti-microbial foods, like ginger, honey and garlic, are also great for prevention and treatment. Also make sure you get plenty of exercise and fresh air.
If you have a cold or flu already, the most important thing to do is rest, rest, rest!!!
Also eat light, and ensure you get plenty of fluids into your body. Honey and lemon drinks are great for easing some symptoms like sore throats and coughs.
Supplementing with Vitamins C and D may help boost your immune system before and during a cold or flu.
I’m a registered Homeopath living in the small, beautiful rural county of Herefordshire in the UK. My passion is to help women balance their hormones in a natural, safe and effective way, so they can feel like themselves again.
Lachesis (Lach)
Pulsatilla (Puls)
Sepia
