Homeopath and former Intensive Care Nurse, Ulrike Holzer shares her tips for those in the colder climates heading into the winter season:

Sneezing, sore throat, runny nose… we all know the first signs of a cold, probably the most common illness known. Colds and flu are infectious illnesses caused by viruses. There are many types and they vary from year to year.

The symptoms of common cold are the body’s way of responding to a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract. Through sneezing, nasal discharge, coughing and fever, the body expels and “burns out” the infecting viruses. Thus, these symptoms reveal the body’s efforts to re-establish health, and they should not be suppressed unless truly necessary. Homeopathic treatment can be used to improve the resistance to infection. Well selected remedies will speed up the healing process and reduce the development of catarrh, sinusitis and bronchitis.

Conventional medicines, such as nasal sprays, cough suppressants and fever suppressants may offer temporary relief from the symptoms of a cold, but they do so by hindering the body’s own defences. Nasal sprays and cold capsules slow down mucous production and therefore inhibit healing since mucous serves to cleanse the tissues of the virus and to protect them from further infection. Cough medicines block the body’s cough reflex, which can be problematic because coughing helps to clear breathing passages. Fever also is an important defence the body has against infection, and aspirin or paracetamol interferes with this protective response. Instead of relying on these suppressive medications, why not use homeopathy to help the body’s efforts to heal.

General Advice

• Sleep: Sleeping is incredibly important for the body to rebuild, restore, and keep the immune system healthy. Sleep at least 7-8 hours every night. 


• Eat light: Don’t overload your digestive system with heavy foods that not only give you stomach issues, but take a very long time to digest. Overeating is the culprit for many of us feeling lethargic and worn out an hour or two after meals, be sure you’re not burdening your digestive system with eating too much, too fast, with too many combinations. A healthy digestive system and gut is a healthy immune system! Make sure that you eat plenty of green vegetables – they are a good source of antioxidants, including vitamins C and E, beta-carotene. And don’t forget: garlic, onions, honey, coconut oil and oregano/oregano oil -they all contain beneficial properties like anti-microbials, anti-fungals, and anti-bacterial.


• Spices: Foods that are nutrient dense and may help fight inflammation and bacteria include: honey, raw garlic, coconut oil, blueberries, turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, mustard, green tea, cranberries, and chilli peppers/cayenne.


• Drink water: Drinking water can often go overlooked when the seasons become cooler as we are sweating less naturally, we are not as hot, and we are not eating as many seasonally fresh juicy fruit (with high water content), yet our bodies require it just as much.


• Exercise: Get moving daily, even if it’s for a walk around your neighbourhood or a good sweat session at the gym. Keeping your body moving will keep your immune system healthy amongst other things! Not to mention sweating through our skin, which is one of our largest detoxification organs, is beneficial.

Homeopathy for the Common Cold – Early Stages

• Aconite: Very first signs of a cold. Sudden chill. Shivering. Sudden onset of symptoms. Frequent sneezing. Nasal mucous membranes are dry. Watery eyes, especially after exposure to dry, cold wind.


• Allium cepa: Profusely running (watery and acrid – as when peeling onions) nose, causing very sore, raw nostrils and upper lip. Burning, smarting and watery eyes.


• Dulcamara: Stiff neck and pain in the throat, back and limbs. Eyes and nose streaming. Sneezing. Brought on by being chilled when hot, or drenched in cold, wet weather.


• Euphrasia: Eyes red and sore from burning discharge. Profuse sneezing. Profuse watery nasal discharge.


• Natrum muriaticum: Cold starts with sneezing. Watery discharge from eyes and nose. Nasal discharge is thin and watery. Suitable for the introverted person.


• Nux vomica: Sudden intense chill with shivering. Unable to get warm. Patient is irritable. Nose is dry and stuffed up.

Homeopathy for the Common Cold – Later Stages 

As a rule we tend to follow our own patterns in the way that a cold develops. Occasionally a particular type of infection will impose its own pattern on the patient. From the homeopathic point of view this does not matter – you choose the homeopathic remedy by matching the main symptoms of the patient and the remedy. Often there is a tendency of the watery discharge of the early cold to become secondarily infected. Thick, yellow or green catarrh develops at this point, and can be difficult to dislodge. The infection may spread to the chest, throat or ears.

• Gelsemium: ‘Flu-like’ cold. Heavy head, tired heavy eyes. Backache with shivers up and down. Arms and legs ache. Sore nose. Wants to lie down and sleep.


• Hydrastis: Stringy, yellow, nasal discharge, sticky and difficult to shift. Post-nasal drip.


• Kali bichromicum: Thick, sticky, yellow or green nasal discharge. May be bloodstained, difficult to blow out. Thick, sticky crusts in nose.


• Kali iodatum: Pain over the eyes. Stinging, watery nasal discharge. Violent sneezing. Smarting, watering eyes.


• Mercury solublis: Thick, yellow, burning nasal discharge. Nostrils may be raw and ulcerated. Profuse sweating or chilled and shivering even in a hot room. Offensive breath.


• Pulsatilla: Thick, greenish-yellow catarrh. Stuffy nose at night and indoors. Generally better in fresh air.

Influenza (Flu)

Influenza is the name given to a very large number of viral infections. It can occur all year round, but it’s particularly common in the cold winter months. It is often found that one or two specific homeopathic remedies for the majority of cases in any particular outbreak. The symptoms vary with each type of viral infection. Usually they divide into those that affect the nose, throat and chest and those that affect the stomach and the bowels. Both groups have general complaints of headaches, muscular aches & pains and fevers. Some viruses can cause bleeding, such as nose bleeds, altered periods, or bruising of the skin.

Homeopathy for the Flu – First Signs and Early Stages

• Aconite: At the first signs of fever. Red, dry skin. Very thirsty for cold drinks. Anxious & agitated. Sudden chill, shivering. Violent and sudden onset of symptoms.


• Arsenicum album: Streaming eyes and nose. Chilliness and very great prostration. Restless & anxious.


• Baptisia: Very rapid prostration. High fever. Gastric symptoms. Stupor. Looks drugged, with dull red face. Patient complains of feeling “all in bits”.


• Belladonna: Sudden, very high fever. Very red face. Throbbing headache, may be delirious. The eyes are glassy and the pupils are dilated.  Hates noise and bright light. May sweat, but usually hot and dry skin.


• Ferrum phosphoricum: Gradual onset of mild fever. Sweaty skin, pallor and flushing face. May have nosebleeds, earache and painful tracheitis and cough, often going down into chest.


• Nux vomica: Sudden intense chill with shivering. Unable to get warm. Patient irritable. Nose dry and stuffed up.

Homeopathy for the Flu – Later Stages

• Bryonia: Sweating. Lies very still as every movement intensifies headache, aches & pains. Very dry mouth and throat. Very thirsty for large drinks of cold water.


• Eupatorium perfoliatum: Back is sore, stiff and aching. Pain in the eyeballs. Muscles and bone pain. Thirsty for cold drinks.


• Gelsemium: Red face and throbbing headache. Tired and drowsy. Shivers up and down the spine. Aches in back, joints and limbs. Not thirsty. Wants to lie down and sleep.


• Rhus toxicodendron: Aches, pains, and stiffness, helped by movement. Sweating in bed, shivering if uncovered. Cold areas of body in spite of fever. Very thirsty for cold drinks.  Cold sores in and around mouth (herpes simplex).

 



 

Please note: This article is for educational purposes only and not intended to replace the advice of your physician or health care provider. First aid situations may require medical or hospital care. Do not use this article as a means to diagnose a health condition. Speak to your doctor if you think that your condition may be serious, before discontinuing any medication that has been prescribed for you, or before starting any new treatment.

I hope this article helps you to select the correct homeopathic remedy when (if) you are coming down with a cold or the flu.

Ulrike Holzer  LSECH MSCH MARH Rhom

Gill Graham writes... It is a question that I am often asked. How does homeopathy differ from conventional medicine? The answer to this is often very complex as homeopathy is not easily understood and has its roots firmly grounded in a fundamentally different paradigm. For those that wish to understand in greater depth, please see earlier 'Homeopathy News' blog posts on the homeopathic principles. However, for ease of understanding, the essence is as follows:

The Homeopathic Approach

• Homeopathy is based on a ‘whole person’ approach. The method of treatment is by way of in-depth consultation to find the correct remedy to satisfy the totality of symptoms, in homeopathy known as the simillimum, which is unique to each patient.


• Etiology (causation.) By identifying a possible cause of the sickness, treatment can be initially focussed on this stage. Often a patient will say “I have never been well since X situation..’


• Modalities, what makes the condition better or worse? What is ‘characteristic’ to the patient.


• The vital energy of the diluted substance, which is encapsulated in the remedy.


• Dynamis, your own personal ‘Vital Force’ or energy.


• You are unique, the condition manifests in a way that is peculiar to just YOU. The approach is therefore highly individualised.

The Conventional Medical Approach

• Conventional (allopathic) medicine generally focuses on treating a patient’s physical symptoms, without also taking into consideration the presenting mental and emotional state.


• Each symptom will generally be treated with a different medication, which can cause side effects, often leading to further treatment and more medication. (Iatrogenic disease.)


• Many conventional drugs try to inhibit and suppress symptoms. Homeopathy does not seek to remove or suppress symptoms. Its goal is to recognise and remove the underlying cause of these symptoms. This is why a homeopath will work toward understanding the whole person, including their body, mind and emotional state before prescribing a remedy. In other words, a homeopath would prescribe on the ‘totality of symptoms’ as opposed to seeing each part of the body as separate to the rest.

In short, the above highlights the main differences between treatment approaches. I am a strong believer in there is a time and a place for both systems of medicine, but where we can minimize potentially dangerous chemical drugs and their side effects, it is surely in our interests to do so. Despite the differences in approach, homeopathic and conventional treatments can work very well in tandem and be complementary after surgery, for example, to support recovery as well as in other medical situations. In an ideal world we would recognize that the integration of the holistic and the conventional has to be for the greater good.

To conclude, a homeopathic acronym which helps to describe the essence of homeopathic treatment and maybe one to help you remember!

‘REMEDY’

Remedy- The totality of symptoms given as the simillimum in the homeopathic remedy.

Etiology -Causation

Modalities -What makes it better or worse, what is characteristic to the patient?

Energy-The vital energy of the diluted substance.

Dynamis –The patient’s’ unique vital force.

YOU- Treatment unique and personalised to you, the patient.

As ever, consult a homeopath should you wish to commence treatment:  www.findahomeopath.org.

Gill Graham, BSc (Hons) BA (Hons) RSHom, DHMHS.

Homeopath Gill Graham discusses remedies to help the carer supporting others in our modern world, and the victims in traumatic circumstances.

‘What you are the world is. And without your transformation, there can be no transformation of the world.’ ― Jiddu Krishnamurti

 It has been a long summer, where I had the privilege of taking the majority of August out of my regular working diary to go on holiday, concentrate on various upcoming projects, and reflect.

Much of this year has been taken up with horrendous humanitarian crises, most notably refugees, arriving homeless, devastated and bereft in various parts of Europe.  We cannot begin to understand their deep seated distress. Their traumas we cannot possibly identify with, hearts shattered and families broken. These are crimes inflicted by our fellow humans, many using their faith as a means of justifying unspeakable acts of terrorism, unimaginable in our civilised comfortable lives; witnessing the persistent, unremitting brutality of our fellow man. In addition, have any of us here, reading this ever been hungry, let alone starving? Have we ever been so thirsty we are forced to drink contaminated water or worse, give it to our children? Have we ever been without the most basic of clothes and human necessities? It is in the identification of these fundamental needs that we show our humanity and in our ability to actively help.

Many of my friends and colleagues are giving generously of their time and expertise to work in the camps in Calais and Dunkirk, feeling outraged at the lack of compassion and morality they are witnessing, but helping selflessly and unconditionally; ‘being there’ as much as they can, treating homeopathically, alongside conventional medics, and working in many other capacities, way beyond the normal remit of health professionals. Although I personally have not yet been, I and many of my peers have helped in other ways, through donations of clothes or money.  I remain full of admiration and pride for my friends who are physically able to be present to help.

It is in this spirit that this blog is written, to help those who spend much of their time devoting themselves to the needs of other people, and in the need to recognise that it is important to also care for oneself, on every level, emotionally, spiritually and physically.  Only in doing this are we capable of giving of our best in a healing capacity to others. For this reason, I have selected several homeopathic remedies that help to balance those who work in this sphere. Often feelings of exhaustion, disgust, indignation, inadequacy, total disillusionment, are experienced, together with abject fear, and permanent apprehension as to the future.

Several of the following remedies could apply to both the victims and the carers, in any situation that warrants healing.

Remedies

Aconite

Indicated when:

• Evidence of extreme fear, often with and inexplicable, vivid sense of imminent death, coupled with restlessness and agitation.


• Ailments from shock, the person looks scared and has very small pupils.


• Most helpful during the first hours after a traumatic event; it might also be called for many years later.

Arnica

Indicated when:

• As well as being the remedy par excellence for physical trauma, arnica is well indicated in the treatment of mental injuries, trauma, shock, grief, remorse and fright.


• It is also a wonderful remedy for those suffering from a ‘broken heart’ as the result of a lost relationship, whatever the circumstances.

Arsenicum album

Indicated when:

• The patient is anxious, restless, and fidgety, often pacing up and down.


• They constantly call for help, need to be reassured, and crave company.


• They may become chilly and may feel much worse after midnight.


• They’re unable to sleep and may develop diarrhea from severe anxiety.


• This remedy is excellent for those who also have acute general anxiety about their health.

Aurum Metallicum

Indicated when:

• There is great despair and emptiness.


• Aurum also covers physical and emotional pain as well as the desire to commit suicide.


• They have a loathing of life and want to avoid other people


• They often have feelings of guilt


• The patient often suffers from wounded honour or pride (or both.)

Chamomilla

Indicated when:

• Particularly children are fractious and have experienced severe trauma, chamomilla brings a sense of calm


• They may become hyper-vigilant and hypersensitive.


• They may complain of stomach aches and be overly sensitive to noise and music.


• Whining and restlessness evident


• Being gently rocked often brings relief.


• Chamomilla is often indicated if the person suffering is driving YOU to distraction!

Ignatia Amara

Indicated when:

• Strongly indicated for those suffering from grief


• A wonderful remedy for disillusionment, particularly with people in general or with a loved one


• A feeling of betrayal with a broken heart, often accompanied by deep depression.


• An Ignatia patient may also have psychosomatic symptoms such as sighing, choking, a stiff neck, and a globus hystericus .


• They often weep for help and attention


• Very sensitive to reprimand/adnomition

Natrum Muriaticum

Indicated when:

• A more chronic grief, in general than ignatia


• Silent grief, never crying except perhaps when alone listening to classical music.


• These people are easily offended and find it hard to forgive and forget


• They dwell on a painful event, sometimes with great vindictiveness.


• Reserved, often numb, physically and emotionally

Staphysagria 

Indicated when:

• Nightmares after violence.


• People needing Staphysagria feel powerless and unable to defend themselves.


• Staphysagria is often given acutely for the physical effects of suppressed anger, which is often not even felt, as it is deeply suppressed.


• Often very dignified people who do not want to burden others with their distress..


• Great indignation about the things done by others or by himself, grieves about the consequences.

Stramonium

Indicated when:

• One of the main remedy’s for post traumatic stress disorder


• Subsequently, the patient can become obsessed with war and violence


• Person is affected by nightmares or night terrors, and is particularly afraid to be left alone in the dark.


• Helpful for anxiety disorders after experiencing violence; experiences anguish, fear, sleeplessness and imagines they are surrounded by danger.


• Some people develop violent behavior after a terrorizing experience, which can come in outbursts. They may become afraid of the dark, of dogs or other animals, and of water.


• Some children begin to stammer; others may exhibit various grimaces and twitches.

The world is upside down. Gross injustices and wars are occurring, in front of our eyes. It is easy to feel depleted, helpless and inadequate. For those, be it homeopath, doctor, nurse or carer who help others who are suffering as a result of being directly involved in the atrocities, or in fact, following any trauma, it can be an exhausting, thankless task, often deeply affecting their own emotional health.

It is therefore not self indulgent for the ‘carer’ in whatever capacity to take time out to attend to their own health, through consultation with a homeopath. By being balanced, unsuppressed, having voiced anger and outrage at the frequently absent lack of humanity in this world, we are stronger; more capable of loving and dispersing our love and care, hopefully which will have a ripple effect, and that divine goodness overcomes insidious hatred. In the spirit of love and care, please help in any way you can.

As ever, consult a registered homeopath: www.findahomeopath.org

For more information about helping and supporting some of the people mentioned above, have a look at www.homeopathssupport.com.

Gill Graham, BSc (Hons) BA (Hons) RSHom, DHMHS

The homeopathic community and homeopathy course providers in the UK have worked together to create a series of interviews with experienced homeopathic practitioners. In these short videos they share details of previous careers and what led them to train as homeopaths, as well as what they love about the role they now do.

There are case examples given by the practitioners and they offer an insight into what it is like to work as a homeopath.

The videos are all accessible from the Homeopathy Course Providers Forum website.

Homeopathy has a long history of being used successfully in veterinary practice for both domestic and farm animals. The EU recommends its use in its regulations on organic farms and is funding research into veterinary homeopathy as a way of reducing antibiotic use in livestock. It is nonsense to suggest that responsible pet owners and farmers are unable to distinguish between effective and ineffective medicines; they continue to use homeopathy because they see its benefits.