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.

Will we run out?

The Future

I was thinking a lot about what the future of our planet will be. Will we be able to stop destroying this planet in time for it to recover, is the big question. Might planting more trees be the answer to our problem or is it too late already? The fact is that nature doesn't need us, but we do need nature. Nature will recover after we are gone but for how much longer will we be able to go on like this?

We produce too much waste, there is no doubt about it. It fills the planet up with rubbish and depletes our resources. Waste also contaminates our waterways. Reuse and recycle might be an answer. One option is also to stop producing the waste in the first place. We have used plastic for such a long time that it is quite difficult to remember what life was like before the use of plastic. Some of you might be too young to remember that there WAS a life before plastic and how things were done in the past. One of my daughters recently told me that she bought and started to use washable sanitary towels. That was how it was done in the past. Girls were knitting or sewing their pads and they were washed after usage. No waste and no problems with the supply of it. It is a fact that we draw on the resources of the planet as well without giving something back. When I was in school many years ago, our teacher already told us that crude oil might not be available for very much longer. 

When I was using the apples I grow in my garden  I was thinking that at last I will give something back to the garden and the trees by composting the peel and the core and applying it to the soil when the compost is ready. I'm sure I still draw on the resources of the soil and that is why I use manure in the spring to put around the trees.

One thing that doesn't draw on resources very much is Homoeopathy. The substance used for a homoeopathic medicine, which is called remedy, is diluted to a high degree, which means that a small amounts goes a long way. Homoeopathy is also environmentally friendly because the production of homoeopathic remedies doesn't pollute the environment and doesn't create toxic waste. Fact is, that I even use Homoeopathy in my garden and for my trees. I'm still learning because I have been trained to treat humans and not trees and bushes but the same principles apply. My next move will be to apply Aurum to my fig tree so that he might have some figs next year. If you want to know more about Homoeopathy and how it can help you, please contact me on 07813 195468. I'm looking forward to hear from you.