Patterns

 The Truth

Nature is full of patterns. Humans are subjected to that as well to a certain extent. I know that everybody is an individual but there are certain patterns in which people can be grouped together. While doing my training in childcare my attention was drawn to  certain types of children which I called the "Raphael angels". Having one of those myself I noticed that there is are certain types of children who look very much alike the little putti in Raphaels paintings. Not only that, they also displayed a similar behavior. They seemed to be more related to themselves than to the rest of their family from their looks and behavior.   

It is a curious thing trying to find patterns in people, but I think we all do that to a certain extent because we want to know quickly who we are facing. It might be crucial to our survival to know quickly who we are dealing with. As long as I can remember it was a thing which was done in my family. Some members relied on the signs of the zodiac to find common traits in people, my mother relied on her own observations and used to link me to everybody she recently came into contact with. This happened much to my annoyance because I was nothing like the people she linked me to and I wanted to be recognized by my mother for the person I actually WAS. Very often I wondered how she made the link in the first place and what she saw. She never could answer my questions about this satisfactorily, but even the signs of the zodiac didn't really make sense to me.

The first time I really saw common traits in groups of people was when I started to study Homoeopathy. Here I found my Raphael putti in the Homoeopathic remedy Calcarea carbonica. I even knew some pretty criers as described in the remedy picture of Pulsatilla. I know that I have been in a Lycopodium and Sepia state in my past and I also know that my life would have taken a different turn would I have had these remedies at the time. It would have saved me a lot of suffering. 

It was in Homoeopathy where I saw the truth about what puts people into groups. This was a real eye opener. The funny thing is that Homoeopathy is the only system I know of which puts the individual into the main focus. But nature is full of patterns and as humans are part of nature we also fall into patterns as we are individuals. I think it is a bit like snow. There is snow as a whole, a white sheet of crystalized water that covers the earth and everything which is on it. But there are different types of snow, the dry one, the wet one, the new one, but if you look at the individual snowflake, you will find that they are all different. There are no two snowflakes which are the same. 

           

Hanging on

Cling To It!

There is a little flower in my hedge in front of my kitchen window. Well, it is actually the flower of a plant I grew from a seed I found in a hedgerow. It has a big tuber in the ground and in spring little delicate stems come out of the soil to clamber up the surrounding greenery.  

It is still very young even though I grew it 10 years ago, and it still has to establish more tendrils. I'm always looking out for it and I'm very happy when the little, pale green stems appear. On top of that, it has little delicate greenish-white flowers which will develop into bright red berries. I'm fascinated by the way it catches a stem from another plant which also grows in the same hedge and curl its tendrils up to anchor itself firmly. The plant I'm talking about is called Bryonia alba. 

It is actually very poisonous, so don't even touch it without gloves, and therefore makes a very good Homoeopathic remedy. The fact that Homoeopathy only uses tiny amounts of an active ingredient is an advantage here because as you might know, the amount makes the poison.

As a Homoeopathic remedy it has the keynote "Worse for movement and better for rest". That means even the slightest movement might make the symptoms of the ill person worse. You can see that actually in the plant itself as it clings firmly to the other plants in the hedge. I always marvel how wonderful plants are and, of course, Homoeopathy. 

Photograph by Roger Giraud-Saunders.

Atishoo

 The Season For Sneezing

The sneezing season started again. I noticed that a lot of people let their grass and wild flowers grow for bees and insects so that might be part of it. 

No need to despair if you are a suffering from sneezes or watering eyes as soon as the pollen is out and about. Homoeopathy is here to help you cope with your problem. There are lot of homoeopathic remedies which could help you, depending on your symptoms and if you feel better indoors or outdoors. There are combination remedies available in some health food stores, and they seem to work fine because they cover a wide range of symptoms, so they would hit yours as well. The problem with combination remedies is that they might only work for one year and the next year, when you think that you might have found something which works for you, they don't do anything anymore.

The main homoeopathic remedies for treating the pollen problem are Sabadilla, Allium cepa, Dulcamara and Wyethia, where indicated. They are mainly used in acute attacks but there is also the possibility to get rid of it for good.

I want to explain a bit more about the long term treatment with Homoeopathy. Some people have lived with the pollen problem for quite a long time. The longer you have lived with it, the longer it will take to get rid of it. A constitutional approach would be required to do so. This means that treatment would continue after the acute symptoms had gone. Then I would match your personality with the most suitable homoeopathic medicine. This usually happens during the initial consultation but if you contacted me just to get rid of your acute symptoms we might have treated them first without going any deeper. This would now need to be the case throughout the winter. After the first constitutional prescription there would need to be a follow up in 4 weeks time to see how you are doing. There might be more follow ups needed but by the next spring your symptoms should be a lot less severe, and easy to treat with acute homoeopathic medicines. It might take some years to get rid of the symptoms completely so it would be necessary for you to continue the treatment till your symptoms are gone but that doesn't mean that you would need to see me every 4 weeks. 

If you want to know a bit more about how I can help you with Homoeopathy contact me on 07813 195468. I'm looking forward to hear from you.

Endless opportunities

The Whole World

Recently I was in London again. I love London and I think I would like to live there but I have not been living in a big city for 2 decades now, so I really don't know if I could cope with it any more. 

It is nice to have everything on your doorstep. No need to travel to somewhere to get an organic lemon or barley grass powder. It would also be nice just to have a Homoeopathic pharmacy in town instead of doing mail orders and then waiting and hoping for the post to arrive. So, yes, it would be great just to get into Covent Garden and get what I need immediately. And the Opera, I could live with that in town. BUT I do not live in London, so I have to go there every now and again. And preferably not when the London Marathon is on, even though it was very well organised. Actually, some of the runners looked as if they could do with some Homoeopathy. 

The other nice thing about London is that there is a hospital for integrated medicine, the "Royal London Hospital For Integrated Medicine". This was actually set up in 1849 as the "Royal London Homoeopathic Hospital". I must admit that I didn't know this hospital still existed and was still at Great Ormond Street. It is a shame so that it doesn't seem to offer any Homoeopathic treatments any more. So, sorry you still need to come to Devizes to see me because I still offer Homoeopathic treatment. Give me a call on 07813 195468 to book your appointment. 

After all, maybe it is better to live in the country, not only that it is quieter here and cheaper, the air is cleaner and you can get Homoeopathic treatment as well.

And the trees are nice in the country!

Easter

Arise

It is Easter, Lent is over, the time of suffering is over, now there can be a feast and happiness again. Easter is the time when Jesus Christ arose from the dead in Christian belief. It is the time of resurrection, the time of renewal. 

We all have dark times in our life, when we are suffering. In times like this it is important to remember that there will be an end to suffering, long illness and even war. Easter is about hope and joy. Sometimes there seem to be no joy, no hope. Coming out of the dark times would be like a resurrection. 

Homoeopathy can give you back the hope, the hope for health, the hope for the future. It helps you out of all those dark places and can ease the burden while you are still in it. 

In Homoeopathy we treat the whole person and that includes the mental and emotional state. There is nothing like " just a broken leg". People deal differently with disaster. Some people can be very cheerful in their shock, some are in a terrified state. The mental/emotional state of the suffering person decides the remedy. Homoeopathy is the medicine of the future and it has served us well in the past. It is up to you to receive this gift. Have a happy Easter.

Wishing you all a happy Easter. Photograph by Roger Giraud-Saunders.

The dangers of every day life

 Cut It Out!

Working in the garden can be pretty dangerous, let me tell you that for nothing. Think ladders to fall off when cutting trees, there are thorns to scratch you and not only ladders to fall off but compost heaps as well. And talking about cutting......, sometimes it is not trees and bushes and every now and again the grass, sometimes I cut myself as well. 

But it is not only the garden were accidents happen, there is danger in the house as well. As well as tripping over leads and carpets, falling down stairs, there is the KITCHEN. Somewhere I read that the most accidents actually happen in your own home. So the kitchen can be a dangerous place. Not only burns to be aware off but cutting yourself might happen here are well. 

This actually happened to my husband last week while making a curry. It was that not only lots of blood was flowing. As he was in the middle of cutting an onion, there was the sting as well. So there was some action to take and some help to supply but with a trained, fully qualitied Homoeopath (me) in the house that was not a problem. 

First I gave the Homoeopathic remedy Arnica for the shock and then the Homoeopathic remedy Staphysagria was administered because it was a cut. Sometimes the cut needs stitching, depending on the wound, so keep that in mind. But here it was enough to put a plaster on for the time being. 

Remember that wounds should get plenty of air but should be protected from dirt. I usually work it that way, that I put a plaster on while working with my hands and take it off as soon as my hands are washed and I have nothing to do.

If it is a deep wound you'd better go and see a health professional and you should also see somebody when you develop fever, discomfort or discoloration of the wound. Heat and throbbing of the wound are also signs that you need the help of a health professional. Self medication has its limits, remember that.

It is normal that the place of the cut will be sensitive for a while and you should take care. For me that meant doing the washing up for 3 days. But thanks to Homoeopathy he can do it again.  So if you require any help give me a ring on 07813 195468.

Thumbs up. Courtesy of Roger Giraud-Saunders

Everyday heroes

 The Hero In Of The Home

Mothers are heroes. 

Not only that they carry the babies and give birth to them, they also work hard day and night to bring them up. It is a tiring and exhausting business where you have to have many skills but get very little in return. 

Once being a mother, your life changes beyond recognition. Sometimes little things like needing a wee might have its challenges. And there are many dangers in being a mother, so CHILDREN be aware that you usually have only one mother. 

Today is your day in the UK to show your love and appreciation. Strictly speaking there should be Mothers Day every day but it would be good to have the appreciation of society as well. So next time you see a lady with a pram, why not hold the door open for her? 

Homoeopathy is also a very good way to care for mothers because it treats every mother and her problems individually. Think about it. Happy mothers day. 

 

Time in the garden

The Planting Season 

Now that the weather gets better and the sun shines every now and again, it is time to venture out into the garden again. There is a lot to do. Seed beds need to be prepared and, thanks to my husband, I have the raised beds so there is no backache. Horse manure is piled over the cardboard and newspaper and this year we will actually have some bokashi to dig into the soil. It is so exciting. 

Planting and sowing is going on and it is so nice to see the little seedlings peeping out of the soil. My front garden is full of spring flowers, not enough for my liking but I'm working on it.

My onions are in the soil but the thing I most need in my garden is salad. There is no better lunch than just salad out of the garden. I use wild herbs like dandelion and nettles as well and the lambs lettuce, which likes to grow all over front and back garden but never where I actually sowed it. It must be a free spirit. I cannot wait for my first fresh leaves of lettuce and radishes. Nothing tastes better than just freshly grown salad and nothing is just better for your health. 

Lettuce (which has the botanical name Lactuca sativa) is not only good for lunch on your plate, its wild cousin, Lactuca virosa, is made into a Homoeopathic remedy. This is a remedy which increases the milk in breast feeding mothers but it can do more. It can also help with headaches which are linked to respiratory disorders and with a constant tickling cough. It is also a good remedy for constipation and can act as a mild sedative. But, as always, this is no instruction for self medication. Contact me on 07813 195468 and let me know when you need any help.

Fear not

Nothing To Fear

Fear and anxiety are strong emotions. Every human being, and even animals, experience them in the same way, wherever they come from and whatever their background and education may be. Not everybody is as fearful or anxious as the next person but we all know the feeling. I know about that anxiety of having to go to the dentist or speak up in front of a crowd. Some people fear another day at work or school. Someone might be afraid of flying, some are anxious about getting behind the wheel. 

We know the feeling of fear before an exam or a driving test. Some people fear for the future, are afraid that something might happen to their loved ones or that they might lose their job. Some people are very good at hiding their fear, some people are absolutely terrified and you'll know it. 

Fear and Anxiety can be helpful in keeping you from doing things which are not good for you. They might even be a help but more often than not they get in the way of you living your life to the full. Fear might restrict your actions or keep you from being the person you want to be and doing the things you want to do.  

Whatever the reason why you are afraid and how you react to it, Homoeopathy has a solution. Afraid of the driving test? The Homoeopathic remedy Gelsemium might be the answer. Terrified of the dentist? A dose of  the Homoeopathic remedy Aconite might do the trick. But please, no self-medication. Homoeopathy is a very individual medicine. Give it a go and feel the benefit. 

Fear is a strong emotion, anxiety is even worse. You need them but don't let them dominate your life or actions. Use Homoeopathy. 

Spring is springing

The Spring In The Air

It is this time of year again, and spring is not only in the air. It seems to have arrived in my garden as well and my nettles are peeping out of the ground again, ready to be picked and put into my salad. Or into the freezer because now they are young and tender. They will also lose their sting in the freezer. 

The nettle is my absolute favorite plant. I know, I was talking about nettles before but they are such wonderful plants. It is not only that you can eat them hot in soups or as boiled vegetables or cold in salads or sandwiches, they were used to feed whole nations during and after the war. They are full of vitamins and minerals, too many to list here.

They are also suitable for many beauty treatments. You can wash your hair with very good results with a nettle tea made out of five whole plants, washed, cut into small pieces and steeped in 2 liters of boiling water for 20 minutes. Let it cool to your liking and wash your hair just with that. You do not need to wet your hair and no need to rinse it either, just rub it in and let it dry. Your hair will be wonderfully soft and manageable. 
And of course there are also health benefits in drinking nettle tea. It is very good for draining excess fluid from your body and cleansing the blood. It also help to produce milk in breast-feeding mothers. 

The humble nettle can be even more: As a homoeopathic remedy it can help with allergies and nettle rash where indicated. You would need some advice on when to use the homoeopathic remedy of the stinging nettle, called Urtica urens, so please no self medication. Call me on 07813 195468. 

I once saw a wonderful dinner plate in Windsor Castle with a stinging nettle on it and I would really like one but I have never managed to find one with any nettles on it. Well, I just carry on having them on my sandwich on my ordinary plate.

They are out again.