Sunday 24 March 2024
Sunday 17 March 2024
The force of spring
Little Powerhouses
Even though it is still very cold, even frosty some mornings, green shoots are pushing through the soil. Nothing is stopping the little green powerhouses coming out of the soil. Spring is the time when all the herbs emerge again and while they are still small and young, they are packed with nutrients. So go out into the woods and garden and collect them for your smoothies and salads.
But there is a warning here: Please only collect when you know with certainty what you are collecting. Collecting in the woods might be a bit iffy as well because it might be contaminated with parasites, so cook and boil anything you collected in the woods before you eat it. Washing might not be enough.
I usually collect my herbs in my garden and I'm always amazed by what I find. Not only that I discover nettles in the most unusual places, I also discover that I have more edible herbs than I would have thought.
Recently I learned about the golden nettle which is plentiful in the garden and I was pulling it up to keep it under control. Now I'm putting it in my salad. That will sort it out. I already have enough leaves and herbs for a lunch so that I do not need to buy anything anymore. And now they are nice and tender and ever so delicious.
I'm always surprised that so many Homoeopathic remedies are made from herbs. But the remedy has sometimes different properties to the fresh or dried herb, and of course, the remedy is subtler in action.
Take dandelion for example. As a Homoeopathic remedy it is called Taraxacum officinale and has a strong affinity for the kidneys and the liver like the herb. But in Homoeopathy it is also used when there is irritability and impatience when indicated. This is the same with Urtica urens, the Homoeopathic remedy made out of the stinging nettle. This remedy has also an affinity for the kidneys and increases the milk flow of lactating women like the herb but is also used for stings and skin conditions where indicated. These are only small examples of Homoeopathic remedies made from herbs and they are not suitable for self prescribing. Please remember that Homoeopathy is a very individual medicine and that we treat the person and not the disease. So if you are interested in treatment give me a ring on 07813 195468 and book an appointment. Looking forward to hear from you.
Sunday 3 March 2024
The bright side of the moon
Light Of The Night
Last Saturday the moon was full. It also had a big halo so I knew that it was going to be a cold night. It was so beautiful that I had to take a picture of it. I'm always amazed at how bright the full moon is when the sky is clear. I reckon you can almost read by the light of it, but really only almost. It brings to mind howling wolves and cries of owls, and the creatures of the night. Think of werewolves, and -rabbits, roaming the earth during the full moon. Spooky, or what?
But jokes aside, the full moon can have an profound affect on the body. The force of the moon pulls the tides and the human body consists 75% of water, so it is bound to have an affect. Some people might not be able to sleep. I've heard that there are more incidents where the police have to be called out at nights when the moon is full.
Some people get up during on a night with a full moon and walk in their sleep. One of my sisters had problems with that, and very often my mother would find her knocking on the door on the night of a full moon when she just wanted to go for a pee and ended up on the road instead. I don't know if she had her pee but it was pretty scary.
There is actually a Homoeopathy remedy made out of the light of the full moon and it is called Luna. It is basically used for ailments from the full moon like sleepless nights or sleep walking. It is also used for people who are worse from the exposure to moon light, or worse before or after the full moon. There are other indications to when it can be used but in Homoeopathy we don't treat diseases, we treat people. So give me a ring on 07813 195468 if you are in a bad state before, during or after the full moon. Looking forward to seeing you.
Sunday 25 February 2024
Clear it out
Clear It Out
It is just this funny time of the year when you feel that spring is just waiting to spring. There are signs in Nature that it cannot be long before the flowers start to bloom again. Well, mind you, the daffodils are in the shops already and there are even one or two peeping out of the ground in the neighborhood, waving their little golden bells in the breeze. So it cannot be long before we get a proper spring in spite of the cold and the storms which have been forecast.
I don't know about you but I always feel like having a clear out at this time of the year. As soon as the first nettles are out of the ground, I'll have them on my plate. You also can see me walking around barefoot in my front garden, and there is the cold shower in the morning too. Another good way of detoxing the system is taking activated charcoal. It helps by trapping all the toxins in your body and expelling them in a safe manor.
I suggested a detox to person who is on a lot of medication and suffers from multiple allergies, but the person was very much against it because there was nothing more to eliminate in the diet. Detoxing is not about elimination, it is about clearing all the rubbish out of your system, everything the body doesn't need anymore. Eating healthily is part of it, particularly after all the food we had at Christmas, but eating healthily means something different for each person.
Another good way to detoxify your system is Homoeopathy. There are so many homoeopathic remedies to help eliminate the waste in your system and open up the channels again. If you want to know a bit more about Homoeopathy and how it can help you to become healthy again, contact me on 07813 195468.
Sunday 18 February 2024
In the churchyard
The Mystery
Last weekend we headed out to Alton Barnes. We've passed by this little village many times on our way to the garden center but never stopped to look at St. Marys' the Saxon church and to walk over the fields to Alton Priors to look at the other church, All Saints. Well, we did last week. It was absolutely beautiful. Not only were there two lovely old churches in close proximity, the sun was shining as well and there is a beautiful old yew tree in the church yard of All Saints' in Alton Priors. It is said to be 1700 years old.
Have you ever wondered why there is always a yew tree in a church yard? My husband and I have talked about that many times, speculating. We thought it might have something to do with the pagans being there first and having a sacred place to worship. We thought that the Christians took over those sacred sites to built the churches. I know that the ancient Greeks used to built their temples near wells and that there was always a tree planted near the temple. The type of tree depended on the God the temple was dedicated to. So for Athene there would be an olive tree because that was sacred to her. So we thought it might be something like that and there are plenty of wells between Alton Barnes and Alton Priors. It is absolutely beautiful. So there was a lot of mystery about the presence of a yew tree in a church yard. Most of yew tress are very old.
Well, and then I read A book. I cannot remember exactly which one it was but it revealed the reason why there is always a yew tree in a church yard. You need to know, that yew trees are very poisonous. When I was a child I used to play at a play ground where a lot of yew trees stood. The female yew tree has wonderful red berries at the appropriate time of year and as children we gathered them and mashed them up because they were nice and slimy and we could used the as glue. Actually, the red, fleshy seed cover is the only bit of the yew tree that is not poisonous. My mother told me that every thing else, even the grass which grows under the yew tree, is poisonous. And that is the reason that they were planted in church yards.
Yew trees were used to build long bows, suitable branches providing sap wood and heart wood. Sap wood is at the belly of the bow and is strong in compression, heart wood is at the back of the bow and is strong in tension. So, the yew tree, although poisonous, is very valuable. Even the grass which grows underneath it is poisonous. So you have to plant it somewhere were live stock is not going to be and that is only in the church yard. It was quite a revelation after so many years of speculating. So no pagans, no ancient Greeks or fairies or other mysteries, just cows and sheep. And a very good and sound reason.
But, you see, yew trees are not only good for long bows, the bark of the tree is actually made into a Homoeopathic remedy. It can be used for pain in the knees, elbows and back, when indicated, trembling and an empty feeling in the stomach, if the digestion is very rapid. That is only a small part of the remedy picture but don't forget that we don't treat diseases in Homoeopathy, we treat the whole person. So no self medicating, please. I have studied for 5 years to find the right remedy for you, so give me a call on 07813 195468 to book an appointment.
The glorious yew tree in Alton Priors |
Sunday 11 February 2024
Valentines' day
Love Is In The Air?
Flowers and cards from secret ( or not so secret, admirers), chocolates, red roses and special meals next week. There should be plenty of that on Wednesday, because it will be Valentines' day. Happy Valentines' day. We will go out for a special lunch and it will be nice. But what about all the people who do not have a happy Valentines' day?
So what if there is nobody who will send you secret admirers cards or red roses? So what if there is no special meal? What about all those lonely people who do not feel the love or any affection from other people? Is it a sign of our times that more people become lonely? What does it say about your person if there is no such thing as a red rose or a card for you on Valentines' day? Are you a bad person? A failure? No, you are not. It just means that you didn't get any red roses or cards for what ever reason.
A card or some flowers do not make a better person out of you but you might still not get rid of the feeling that nobody loves you or cares for you. I can remember a story we heard during our English lessons while I was still at school where a father sent a Valentines' card to his daughter and changed her life. Well, she didn't know that it came from her father but it shows that the perception of yourself is important. Knowing that you are loved and desired can improve your self confidence hugely. It might increase your self worth.
One important step is actually to start loving yourself. How do you expect somebody to do something you are not happy to do yourself? Find it difficult to love yourself? Homoeopathy can help with that as well, it might take a bit longer than just a Valentines' card but it is more effective. Give it a go and let Homoeopathy be your alternative.
A red rose for you |
Sunday 4 February 2024
The water and the willows
Public Drowning
I went to a public drowning at the weekend. No, nobody got killed. It is not about the drowning of people but the watering of grass. It is the water meadows which get drowned. Water from the river is diverted via sluices and channels to let fresh, warmer water flow over the frosted grass early in the year. The water needs to flow and the "drowner" has to open gates and sluices to guide the water through the meadows.
This is a medieval practice to bring on the growth of grass a month early in the year so that winter feed can be saved. There was a public demonstration of that in the Harnham water meadows and we went along. Wearing wellies was advised, with good reason. It was a wee bit wet underfoot. We were lucky. By the time the demonstration started the sun came out and bathed the beautiful landscape in sunshine. And, of course, we had the wonderful view of the cathedral. Not only that, there were some beautiful old willow trees as well.
This wonderful tree is not only a beauty, you might know that Salicylic acid, the substance known to many of us as aspirin, originally came from the bark of this tree. There is a Homoeopathic remedy made from it as well.
In Homoeopathy we treat the whole person not just a disease. So I would only prescribe this remedy after taking YOUR case.
Nevertheless, the Materia Medica on this remedy says that it can be used for piecing pain in the temples and a dullness of the head. It is also indicated for ringing and roaring in the ears, shifting pain in the joints and disorders following the suppression of foot sweat. This is only a small part of the whole remedy picture but quite an interesting one and it shows the diversity of the remedy. Most Homoeopathic remedies have a wide range of action on the mental/emotional and the physical sphere. To chose the right remedy for you is best left to a qualified Homoeopath so give me a ring on 07813 195468 and book an appointment.
Sunday 28 January 2024
Windy days
Blowing In The Wind
It was a bit breezy over the last week. I feel really sorry for the poor trees which got blown over but on the other hand: Is there a better way for a tree to go than be blown over by a mighty storm? It is just as well that the trees do not have any leaves at the moment because during a storm they would act as little sail and could contribute to the tree being blown over. I think it is definitely better being blown over by a mighty storm than just being cut down by humans.
I lost track of when one Storm started and another one stopped and wondered when we were at Jocelyn already or still at Isha. Apparently it is the 10th named storm of the season. I hope that your bin doesn't get done for speeding. We shoved ours into the hedge and it seemed fine.
Some people find storms exhilarating, the stormier the better. My husband didn't find storms at sea worrying but doesn't like them on land and I suppose that at sea you do not have to worry about getting a big branch or a roof tile on your head. Some people find storm very worrying and would like to hide under their duvet. You can definitely understand that if you live in the attics. I must admit that I'm a person who gets frightened by storms. The sheer force of them which can blow you over or to somewhere where you do not want to be, brings back how powerful nature can be. It also shows that nature is not at all concerned about you.
In Homoeopathy we use likings and dislikes like that to determine what might be the right remedy for you. So when you are frightened by storms you will get a different remedy then when you love storms and want to get out into them. A person who even loves thunderstorms will get something different than a person who wants to hide under the bed during a thunderstorm. We are all different in our little ways and Homoeopathy takes that into account. I do love that. So if you think that might be something for you as well then contact me on 07813 195468. In the meantime I hope that the storm will blow itself out and leave the poor trees alone.
Sunday 21 January 2024
Wintertime
Don't Let The Cold Get To You
It has been really frosty the last few days. It is January so no wonder and we shouldn't complain as we have to expect cold weather. Just do not let it get to you. As they say, there is no bad weather there are only the wrong clothes. So try and dress according to the weather but still do go out. I know, we all want to hibernate when it is cold out there but we do need the daylight even if the sun is not shining. So stay on top with some tips.
First I always recommend my cold water treatments. After you've had your shower, turn the tap to cold and rinse your legs, left one first from the toes upwards and then the right one. Do the same with the arms, left one first fingertips to shoulder, and then the right one. The last thing you give a cold rinse to should be your face. Eating lots of fresh fruit and vegetables can help to keep you healthy as well. Having a brisk stroll in the fresh air whatever the weather is also good for the immune system and helps to fend off the winter blues. My first aid remedy after getting wet and cold, is always having a hot bath. When everything else fails, there is always Homoeopathy to help.
I've already had some emergency calls and I'm glad to say that Homoeopathy was able to help. There are a few first aid remedies you can try before you give me a call. The remedy I would recommend after getting cold in a westerly wind is Aconite. Another good one after you have been getting cold in drafty rooms or streets, is Allium cepa. Arsenicum album is a good remedy to nip a cold in the bud when you got cold on a foggy, damp day. For light sniffles and colds which develop slowly, Gelsemium is perfect. Please don't forget that there are limitations for self treatment and that Homoeopathy is a very individual medicine. So please let me know when you don't get any better and need my help. Contact me on 07813 195468 for further information or to book an appointment. Looking forward to hear from you.
Photograph by Roger Giraud-Saunders |
Sunday 14 January 2024
Heros
Everyday Heroes
Christmas is over and the new year has begun. There was probably a lot of work involved with all the festivities. I know it is a lot nicer to have Christmas celebrations when children are around but it also means that it is a lot more work.
Children are a lot of work. Everybody who looks after children knows that. I know that, I had 5 to look after. Even though there are some fathers, guardians and grandparents who look after children, most of the time they are looked after and cared for by mothers. It is not only that mothers do the washing, shopping, cooking and cleaning, they also help with the health issues, school work and emotional issues of their children. On top of that some act as their children's best friends.
I can remember that life changed dramatically when I had my first child. There were no lazy Sunday mornings anymore. No just getting out to the shops to quickly pick up something that was forgotten or run out. All of a sudden life had to be organized to suit that little human being 24/7. Sometimes my needs had to wait, even though I was starving or needed the loo urgently. What you don't realize is that it never ends till the day you die. Once mother, always mother, you never stop worrying about your children.
Be prepared that nobody will even say "Thank you" but do not forget that nobody actually asked to be born.
So it is really important that the mother never forgets to look after herself and her needs. Other wise you might end up in a situation where you resent your children and family. Burnout can happen to mothers as well as any other person in a high powered job, particularly if you have another job as well. Homoeopathy can help to look after you and your needs. So do not wait till you are really exhausted, give me a ring on 07813 195468 and book an appointment now.
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