Homeopathy for the Holiday’s

Best wishes to you and your loved ones for a joyful holiday season.

If you’ve worked late and long like Santa or Mrs Claus to prepare and provide for loved ones joy, you might well be forgiven for feeling a little exhausted and vulnerable too.

If you are dreading the family visit or the lack of family to visit then perhaps you too might want to have a little solace from woe. Despite the subject of this email I’m not suggesting that Christmas is a grief filled time. However, should the efforts of it be a stress on you physically and emotionally below are five homeopathic remedies to support you.

5 Homeopathic Remedies for the Holidays

Aconitum napellus – Great anxiety with restlessness. Fright, recent or long past. Sudden exposure to cold. First stages of a fever.

Arsenicum album – Fearful, anguished, perfectionist and restless. Worse after midnight, worse being alone. Fear of illness and infection. Short, difficult breathing, weak, faint and exhausted and wanting cool air or sips of water. Diarrhea from spoiled food or a virus.

Ignatia amara – Secretly brooding over sorrows. Melancholy. Grief of long standing. Oversensitivity, vulnerability, worry, worse consolation, anticipatory anxiety, mood swings. Muscle cramps, spasm and neuralgias.

Pulsatilla nigricans – Mildness, crying easily, needs consolation and company. Changeable mood, gloomy and morose or nervous depression. Worse from heat, better in the open air. Overall worse in the evening and can’t stand being too warm.

Nux vomica – Grumpy. Digestive upset, constipation. Bad affects of over indulgence, mental or physical overexertion. Irritable with a headache or sinus head cold. Feels chilly.

Staphysagria – Complaints from suppression of anger, indignaion, fits of rage, throws things around. Depressed spirits and hiding an upset over past injustices. Head cold, toothache or stye.

NB. Using a homeopathic remedy for emotional concerns is not a replacement for any needed therapy. The above should be considered supportive, feel free to call about any question you might have. 

If you think you’re sensitive to gluten, think again, you may not be. Here’s why:

Foods that are high in gluten are also high in FODMAPs.

FODMAPs are forms of carbohydrate  sugars which are indigestable in the human digestive tract.  FODMAP stands for Fermentable, Oligo-saccharides, Di-saccharides, Mono-saccharides and Polyols.

A recent ‘double blind’ research paper showed that people were actually reacting to the FODMAP’s and not to the gluten when they experienced gastrointestinal discomfort.

So, if you thought you were sensitive to gluten and haven’t tested positive for celiac disease (wheat sensitivity), you might actually be sensitive to FODMAP’s.

Yes, grains do have high levels of gluten but they aslo have high FODMAP’s and so do many other food staples in our everyday diet.  Those include common foods such as onions, garlic, asparagus, cauliflower, most beans and many other surprises.

For a complete list of foods that are high in FODMAP’s see here.

As a physical therapist and homeopath treating patients with aggravating factors and chronic conditions, I will often look at a persons diet to uncover and remove likely obstacles to full recovery.

If you’re struggling with digestive issues and haven’t been able to pinpoint the source of the problem, schedule a visit and get the help you need.

The research, published in Gastroenterology Volume 154, Issue 3, February 2018  explored the question of why some people complain of Gluten intolerance and yet do not test positive for Celiac disease.  The double-blind research assessed the gastrointestinal symptoms of participants to high FODMAP food compared to high Gluten food and also a placebo.food. What was shown is that the greatest reactions were to the high FODMAP food.

It’s important to note that grains containing Gluten are also high in FODMAP’s but the very useful information is that there are many other foods than grains that are high FODMAP foods.

So,  if you are reacting to wheat and other grains it is likely you are also sensitive to FODMAP’s in those grains and most likely other high FODMAP foods too. These might include beans, cauliflower, cashews and goji berries.

Does Science Support Homeopathic Medicine?

As a long time homeopath I’ve been a firsthand witness to many wonderful outcomes using homeopathic medicines. Homeopathic medicines are often diluted and as such any effect comes from the reaction you have not the forceful effect of the drug itself. I’m often asked to justify these dilutions as if the very idea could not have any scientific validation. Well, I’m pleased to let you know that there is both scientific proof and plenty of it.

Slide from lecture

Recently research has shown the effects of high dilution medicines at the cellular level. Dr. Paolo Bellavite of the University of Verona in parallel and connection with the AR Khuda-Bukhsh team, have provided the proof that high dilutions have significant effects even at the level of gene expression. The team reported this exciting finding emerging from studies with homeopathic Gelsemium semperivens in neurocytes and with homeopathic Arnica montana in macrophages.

We can assume that the mechanism of action from these high dilution medicines is that the high dilutions of medicines used touch only nodes having enhanced susceptibility. This explains why homeopathic medicines need to be selected for the individual expression of disease.

Below is a list of the top 20 conditions bowen therapy

ACONITUM NAPELLUS – ACON

For sudden onset of high fever, accompanied by a state of nervousness and anxiety.  Fear of flying.

• Location and Nature. – Circulation and bodily temperature and nervous system inducing a feverish, nervous restlessness, generally high temperature, also shivering chilliness.
• Objective. – Red, hot, shining swelling of skin; miliary rash; pulse, strong full, hard, over 100; burning, unquenchable thirst; dry, hoarse loud enough; dry, hot skin, rarely moist; anxious, vivid dreams, waking with a start.
• Causation. – Dry cold; fear, with indignation; anger; fright; chagrin; suppressed perspiration.
• General Characteristic. – Agonized tossing about; feverish nervous restlessness; fear of death; great anxiety of mind, or timidity.
• Aggravation. – Evening and night; warm room.
• Amelioration. – Open air.

BELLADONNA – BELL

For high fever, sudden onset, red flushed face, confused state.  Sunstroke.

• Location and Nature. – (illusions, hallucinations, mania, stupor, insomnia; senses intensely acute; throbbing headache; convulsions, iris dilated); (skin intensely red, hot, smooth, shining); (hard, full, bounding pulse; throbbing carotids; red face; high temperature).
• Objective. – Eyes protruding, sparkling, staring look; tongue dry, hot, red, cracked white center with red edges; retention of urine; voice husky and hoarse, dry, spasmodic cough; convulsions; high fever;
• General Characteristic. – Pains come and go suddenly; over – excitability of all senses; sudden appearance and disappearance of symptoms;
• Aggravation. After 3 PM and again after midnight.
• Amelioration. – Wrapped up in a warm room. Resting head.

ALLIUM CEPA – ALL-C

• Location and Nature. – Conjunctiva and respiratory mucous membrane, causing marked irritation like acute catarrh (copious watery acrid discharge from nose and eyes, with constant sneezing, especially on coming into warm room; hacking cough from inhaling cold air; violent catarrhal laryngitis; the hoarse cough seems to split and tear the larynx);
• Objective. – Excessive lachrymation with redness of eyeball; copious acrid coryza; constant sneezing; hacking cough; catarrhal hoarseness;
• Aggravation. – Evening and warm room;
• Amelioration. – Open air;

APIS MELLIFICA – APIS

For bug bites that cause redness,swelling, stinging or burning pain that are better cold applications.

• Location and Nature. – Swelling of both skin and mucous membranes; eruption on skin like urticaria (with stinging, burning pain); mucous membranes, irritation and mild inflammation (burning and stinging pain).
• Objective. – Urticaria like bee stings, or stings from other insects, with intolerable itching at night; nettle rash; large, elevated, white wales; carbuncles with burning stinging pains; eyelids much swollen, red; swelling of face; ulcers on tonsils and palate, breathing and swallowing difficult; legs and feet waxy pale and oedematous; skin unusually white, almost transparent; urine scanty, milky.
• General Characteristic. – Burning stinging pains like bee stings occurring occasionally; sopor interrupted by piercing shrieks; great desire to sleep, extreme sleepiness;
• Aggravation. – Warmth.
• Amelioration. – Cold water.

ARNICA MONTANA – ARN

For injuries; post-surgery; shock of accidents, even when no apparent injury.

• Location and Nature. – Muscular and cellular tissues and tendons, causing conditions similar to results of injuries. A bruised, sore feeling in affected part.
• Causal. – Mechanical trauma, injuries, blows, falls, strains, contusions.
• General Characteristic. – Bruised, sore, wants to lie down, but bed too hard; wishes not to be attended to.
• Aggravation. – Rest.
• Amelioration. – Gentle motion.

ARSENICUM ALBUM (METAL ALBUM) – ARS

For food poisoning, persistent diarrhea with weakness and chills, plus nausea and/or vomiting.

• Nature. – Great anxiety in mental or physical sphere.
• Objective. – Face pale, expressive of agony; evacuations excoriate anus; rapid emaciation; great dyspnoea, asthmatic; pulse quick, weak, small, and irregular; parchment – like dryness of skin; convulsions.
• Causal. – Poisoning by decayed or morbid food and water.
• General Characteristic. – Great fear and anguish; nervous restlessness; sudden sinking of strength; pains, burning (especially in inner organs) faint, anxious and weak early in morning.
• Aggravation. – Night, especially after midnight; cold drinks; cold in general;
• Amelioration. – Warmth; lying with head high; fresh air to head.

BRYONIA ALBA – BRY

Pains.  Any pain that is worse for the slightest motion.  Appendicitis

• Location and Nature. – Irritated lungs, (sharp, stitching pains; dry concussive cough; cannot bear to move nor take a deep breath); muscles and joints, rheumatic inflammation (sharp stitching pains); digestive (pressure in stomach after eating, as from a stone; desire for large quantities of water).
• Objective. – Slight jaundice; rash over whole body; tongue, thickly coated white; great dryness of mouth, lips and tongue; large, hard, dry stool; urine dark colored; joints red, swollen and stiff; red.
• Causal. – Warm weather after cold days; sour bread and beer; exposure to heat of fire.
• General Characteristic. – Inclined to anger; nausea on sitting up; strength seems to disappear on making least exertion; frontal pressive headache and more severely in occiput.
• Aggravation. – Motion; warm room.
• Amelioration. – Rest; cool air.

CANTHARIS – CANTH

For cystitis, bladder infections, burns and sunburns. Jelly fish stings

• Location and Nature. – Mucous membranes, especially of urinary tract, causing violent (constant urging to urinate, violent cutting, burning in bladder, at neck of bladder, and in urethra, before, during and after urination); skin (burns of any type).
• General Characteristic. – Anxious restlessness, rage; furious almost frenzied delirium; convulsions, with over sensitiveness of all parts;

CARBO VEGETABILIS – CARB-V

Indigestion, gas, heartburn, faintness.

• Objective. – Violent, almost constant eructations; abdomen greatly distended with gas, relieved by passing gas up or down; much offensive flatus; pulse intermittent, thready; lies as if dead; cold surface, especially below knees to feet; cold sweat in face; breath cool;
• Causal. – Putrid meat or fish or rancid fats; exhausting diseases.
• General Characteristic. – Vital forces nearly exhausted; contractive cramp extending into chest, with distention of abdomen.
• Aggravation. – Warm, damp weather; at noon.

CHAMOMILLA – CHAM

Temperemental children.  Teething children; nervous, excitable persons. Very sensitive to PAIN.

• 1. Location and Nature. – Irritable, impatient mood; peevish, whining restlessness; slight pain intolerable.
• 2. Objective. – One cheek red, the other pale; child wants things, but refuses when offered them; sour vomiting; lips crack and peel; dry or wheezing, rattling cough; green watery, hot stool, smelling like rotten eggs; child makes itself stiff and bends backwards;
• 3. Causal. – Anger; teething.
• 4. General Characteristic. – Excessive sensitiveness to pain; irritable, peevish; child cries, quiet only when carried.
• 5. Aggravation. – Anger; lying down.
• 6. Amelioration. – Motion.

COCCULUS INDICUS – COCC

Jet-lag and motion sickness

• Objective. – Dizziness and confusion unusual nausea and inclination to vomit while driving, flying or sailing     3. Objective. – Great distention of abdomen;
• Causal. – Motion of carriage, swing, or ship.
• Aggravation. – Any exertion; after sleep; cold air.

EUPHRASIA OFFICINALIS – EUPHR

Pinkeye, conjunctivitis.

Inflammation particularly of the eye and lids, catarrhal, mucus, which obscures vision, causing frequent closing and pressing of eyelids together; redness, burning and swelling of margins of lids; burning biting tearing.

• Objective. – Redness and swelling of margins of eyelids; profuse lachrymation, and coryza and hawking of mucus; frequent blinking, shutting eyelids tight together.
• Aggravation. – Evening; in – doors;.
• Amelioration. – Out – doors; after eating.

GLONOINE – GLON

Number 1 remedy for sunstroke

• Flush, congestion, surging of blood (to head).
• Bursting headache, throbbing: worse jar, heat, sun, motion.
• During headache wants pressure – holds head.
• Headache better bending head backwards.
• Averse hats (anything on head).
• Glowing red face.
• Burning between shoulders.
• Sunstroke.

HYPERICUM PERFORATUM – HYPER

Injuries to nerves; pain of nerves; shooting pains, extending pains.

• Fingers in car door, stubbed toe, cracked tooth and inuries to spine.

IPECAC – IP

Nausea and vomiting, there is no amelioration and often a general aggravation from vomiting.

• asthma (or asthmatic bronchitis).

LEDUM PALUSTRE – LED

Puncture wounds, splinters, thorns, scrapes to bare feet

NUX VOMICA – NUX-V

Indigestion from overeating/drinking, irritability, chilliness, constipation. Overly sensitive to: cold, noise.

RHUS TOXICODENDRON – RHUS-T

Sprains, stiffness from walking.  Muscle and joint pains are better moving.

• Skin rash, red itching better for bathing in hot water.