Carmarthen Homeopath ~ Petra Wood RSHom

Homeopathic e-Newsletter July 2012

In this edition:

• Homeopathy for Mother and Baby
• Homeopathy Evening Course

What a wet and miserable summer… For those going off to warmer climates: please check my e-Newsletter from last summer for travelling advice.

Homeopathy for Mother and Baby

I have been invited to talk on homeopathy during a midwives study day in Haverfordwest in August. So here I am, sharing some of the homeopathic therapeutics for pregancy, childbirth and post-natal period.

Please remember, whilst homeopathy is safe to use during pregnancy, labour and on newborn babies, it is a great idea to be in regular touch with a professional homeopath during these times, for general and emotional as well as therapeutic support. Some homeopaths (including myself) may be available to attend births too, allowing the mother-to-be and her partner to concentrate on the process with full support by the attending homeopath.

The following headings and remedies are just a few suggestions for some common problems and are by no means exclusive. A great self-help book on the subject is Miranda Castro’s “Homeopathy for Mother and Baby”: great homeopathic as well as common sense advice.

Pregnancy and childbirth are natural processes and a natural approach to health like homeopathy will support the mother throughout these potentially challenging months.

Morning sickness

Ipecacuanha
Constant nausea with or without vomiting, and not better after vomiting. Retching. Clean tongue despite the nausea. Appetite is capricious – they don’t really know what they fancy. Cough, asthma or shortness of breath might be an issue too.

Nux vomica
Nausea with desire to vomit which seems difficult but will ameliorate: “If only I could vomit I’d feel better.” Very irritable and impatient in character or even violent. Sensitive to noise and cold. Heartburn is often an issue.

Sepia
Nausea (and vomiting) from early in the pregnancy. Worse smell of food, but may well be better for eating. There is weariness, heaviness and sluggishness to the point of exhaustion, as well as possible emotional weariness or irritability with or indifference to their children and their husband. Varicose veins or piles might be an issue too.

Threatened miscarriage

Aconitum
If after fear, fright or shock. With fear of death. One of the first aid remedies every household should have!

Arnica
After accidents or injury, to deal with the trauma and help stop bleeding. They may say they are fine when they are obviously not. Another first aid remedy that belongs into every house!

If there is a history of miscarriage then it is strongly advised for the woman to begin treatment with a professional homeopath from the beginning of the pregnancy (or even before).

Slow labour / failure to progress

Arnica
Prolonged labour with exhaustion from hard work. Will feel bruised and sore and does not want to be touched.

Caulophyllum
Braxton Hicks contractions that may be going on for a long time then turning into ‘proper’ contractions without progress in dilation but exhausting the woman. When labour does not progress after waters have broken or if overdue.

Cimicifuga
Contraction stop when there is a change of scene (e.g. move to hospital) or when somebody new enters the room. The mother is very negative, gloomy or even depressed. She is chilly and there may be shuddering.

Kali carbonicum
Backache is the key feature. Often labour is not progressing after the waters broke and there may be a back-to-back presentation.

Post-partum

Antimonium tartaricum
Respiratory difficulty in the newborn possibly from inhalation of meconium. Rattling breathing but too weak to bring anything up; breathless and gasping.

Arnica
Should be considered a routine prescription: trauma and exhaustion from the delivery, bruising and/or bleeding. Especially for the baby after forceps or ventouse delivery.

Calendula
For any wounds like tears or cuts (episiotomy, Caesarean section). Use internally and can also be used as a diluted tincture for external tears.

Carbo vegetabilis
The “homeopathic corpse reviver”: exhaustion to the point of collapse (during or after labour). Great desire to be fanned. Shock from delivery in mother or baby (compare Aconitum). Grey, floppy appearance. Foetal distress from oxygen starvation during the birth.

Hypericum
For any wounds to nerve-rich parts, e.g. from episiotomy or Caesarean section. After epidural when there is (shooting) pain especially in the coccyx or up the spine.

Mastitis

Belladonna
Very red, hot inflamed breast possibly with high fever. Sudden onset and rapid progression.

Bryonia
Mastitis with stony hardness of the breast. Worse any movement but better for pressure. There may be fever and a great desire to be left in absolute peace. Commonly with great thirst for large amounts of cold water.

Post-natal depression

Whilst “baby blues” is a natural and short-lived stage for many mothers, any prolonged weepiness or depression can be a sign of post-natal depression. Homeopathy can provide support for these mothers who struggle with their emotions.

For guidelines on how to take homeopathic remedies please check the Self Help page. Commonly during labour higher potencies (200c) are used. Helios Homoeopathic Pharmacy provides a Birth Kit with the most commonly used 18 remedies. Currently, due to a change in the law, these kits are only available by phone: 01892 537254. The more common homeopathic remedies are available in most health food stores and pharmacies, e.g. Aardvarks in Carmarthen.

Disclaimer: Nothing contained in this e-Newsletter should be taken as individual medical advice or as a substitute for consulting a professional homeopath or healthcare practitioner.

Homeopathy Evening Course

From September I will be running my 10-week introductory evening course. During this course we will be discussing the principles underlying homeopathy as well as spending time on a wider variety of remedies. The principles of case taking and of finding a remedy to match the symptoms are practised throughout, enabling participants to prescribe for themselves and their families in acute situations and for minor ailments. The book used for the course is Miranda Castro’s “The Complete Homeopathy Handbook”.

The course will be held on Thursday evenings, 7pm til 9pm, starting on the 20th September to the 6th December (not 1st and 8th November). We will be in the Welsh School of Homoeopathy, 17 Bridge Street, Carmarthen, SA31 3JS.

The course costs £50, which does not include the book. To book a place please contact me and I will send you a form.

A One-Day Introductory Course will take place at The Welsh School of Homoeopathy in Carmarthen on Saturday 1st September 2012. Linda Gwillim, one of the core teachers at the Welsh School of Homoeopathy, will facilitate this day.

The one-day course will run from 10 am to 5 pm. It costs £40, which includes refreshments but not lunch. The course will cover basic homoeopathic philosophy and first aid treatment of common ailments. It is meant as a stand-alone course for anybody interested in the philosophy and principles of homeopathy. It also provides a great taster for the four-year professional course.

If you would like any further details about this Introductory Course or about the Professional Practitioners Course then please feel free to contact me (I am the School Administrator) on 01267 237520.

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I hope you enjoyed this edition of the e-Newsletter. Please feel free to pass this e-Newsletter on to your friends or relatives.

With best wishes
Petra Wood

Homeopathic e-Newsletter September 2012

In this edition:

• Back to School
• Autumn Bugs

Back to School

September sees the return to routines after the long summer break. Return to school is a time of excitement for most – and worries for some. Starting school, changing school or even just changing classroom settings with new teachers can prove difficult for many youngsters. The stresses of long days and academic workload can lead to a lowered immune system, with coughs and colds starting to creep in (see below).

Anxiety about starting or changing school is normal, but for some children the stress can be overwhelming. For those starting for the first time, they will have to become more independent, sit still for long periods, take instructions given to the whole class and cope with what can be the frightening hustle and bustle of the playground.

Kids who struggle can develop a whole range of problems. These can be physical, like for example tummy aches or headaches, or behavioural, ranging from clinginess, problems with sleeping, to nightmares and aggression.

The obvious first measures are always to ensure the child has sufficient emotional support and eats healthy food. Young children may well need more sleep during the initial months, so early bedtime routines could be helpful.

Homeopathic remedies can be used at home to help youngsters through the difficult transition period. In selecting a remedy, individual characteristics are taken into consideration. Here are just a few remedies and their situations which might be useful.

Argentum nitricum: a child needing this remedy will be hurried, with lots of fears and anxieties, always asking “what if…” Physical symptoms include loud wind, twitching, diarrhoea and periodic weakness.

Arsenicum: this child is restless, fears failure, worries about burglars and their health, won’t be left alone, likes to plan and tidies up after themselves. Physical symptoms include: diarrhoea from anxiety, with thirst, has trouble swallowing food, and burning pains.

Lycopodium: this child will lack confidence and doesn’t like doing new things, but can be assertive and bossy at home. Physical symptoms include bloating, huge appetite, heartburn with sour burping and waking as if from a fright.

Silica: this child is nervous, sensitive and excitable and lacks confidence, with a fear of new things. They can be obstinate, with fixed ideas. Physical symptoms include cracked dry skin, cutting abdominal pain with rumbling and headache which extends to forehead and settles over one eye.

If these remedies do not have the desired effect then a visit to a qualified homeopath may well provide the opportunity for the child to move through their problems and to begin to enjoy school more fully.

(Please see below for guidelines on how to take remedies and the disclaimer.)

Autumn Bugs

The weather is changing – cold nights and warm days are lovely but potentially a strain on the immune system. Kids returning to school are exposed to new germs and may well bring some home with them.

The remedies below are commonly used at this time of year. Please remember that it is advisable to seek the help of a professional homeopath if symptoms persist or if symptoms are linked to behavioural changes too.

As for flu and flu vaccination – please check out my e-Newsletter from November 2011.

Homeopathic remedies are chosen to match the totality of the patient’s symptoms and feelings, rather than being attributed to certain illnesses (e.g. “cough” or “cold”). The following remedies therefore may only give the essence of how this patient will be feeling, no matter what their specific physical complaint is.

Gelsemium: the number one “flu” remedy, with symptoms slow to come on, where there is much heaviness and drooping, fatigue, clammy skin, flushes of hot and cold, dizziness and congestion.

Belladonna: indicated where the symptoms have come on suddenly and there is heat, throbbing and pain, irritability, and symptoms worse from jarring.

Pulsatilla: has blocked painful sinuses, sticky mucus, feels better in the fresh air and has a changeable, clingy mood.

Bryonia: the symptoms are slow to come on, there is much dryness and pains are worse from even the slightest movement. Firm pressure on the affected area is helpful. They are irritable and want to be left alone.

Phosphorus: this is a hacking, tickling cough, often with sweating. The patient is worse at night and might ask for icy drinks or ice cream, which may be vomited up immediately. They may be hoarse, and want cuddles and massage.

Rhus tox: slow onset with high temperature and great restlessness, constantly changing position, with muscles stiff and painful. Any draft or cold air will aggravate. There is a feeling of heat inside, but skin is cold to the touch.

For guidelines on how to take homeopathic remedies please check the self help page

Homeopathic remedies are available in most health food stores and pharmacies. I stock the whole range of high-quality homeopathic remedies (individual and kits) and creams made by Helios Homoeopathic Pharmacy available for sale in Aardvark in Carmarthen. Other remedies will need to be ordered from a homoeopathic pharmacy directly, e.g. Helios .

Disclaimer: Nothing contained in this e-Newsletter should be taken as individual medical advice or as a substitute for consulting a professional homeopath or healthcare practitioner.

With warmest wishes
Petra Wood

Homeopathic e-Newsletter November 2012

Mental Illness or Mental Health?

Mental illness is a broad term that includes anything from anxiety, depression, mania/ADHD, bipolar disorder to psychosis and schizophrenia (and more). Mental illness accounts for 23% of the disease burden in England (1) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) expects it to become the second most common form of ill health by 2020 (2). According to the World Health Report 2001, one in four people in the world will be affected by mental or neurological disorders at some point in their lives (3).

This month, The Schizophrenia Commission published the Report of a yearlong inquiry into the treatment of mental health patients in the UK, revealing catastrophic and shameful failings (4). However, the Report also highlights that care needs to include cognitive therapy (as recommended by NICE yet often ignored in practice). The Report stresses the importance of giving patients hope and a listening ear:

Time and time again we heard of a transformation whereby an apparently downward course was reversed by a nurse, doctor, peer or therapist who took the time to listen and understand. (5)

Organisations and psychiatrists throughout the UK are calling for a different view on mental illness and the reality of treatments. Apart from long-term side effects like weight gain (with associated heart disease) and thyroid dysfunction etc., the effectiveness of psychiatric drugs has been questioned. Robert Whitaker in Anatomy of an Epidemic suggests that the use of psychiatric drugs may be to blame for the increase in mental illness. On his website (6), he offers links to research studies that make for shocking reading (all figures relate to the USA):

• Since the introduction of fluoxetine (Prozac) in 1988, the number of people diagnosed with mental illness has more than tripled.
• From the same time, the number of adolescents classed as mentally ill has increased by 34 times.
• The chances of developing bipolar disorder once treated with antidepressants for unipolar depression are three times higher than without antidepressants.
• Long-term disability from mental illness has become the norm, whereas it was the exception before the introduction of psychiatric drugs in the 1950s.

There is no doubt that conventional medication for mental illness has its place. However, every case needs to be assessed in its individual way and every patient needs to be allowed to make an informed choice on what they want.

The Icarus Project (7) provides information and advice for patients to consider the choices they have and want to take.

The Ashton Manual (8) provides patients and healthcare professionals with advice on how to withdraw benzodiazepines (e.g. Valium).

Dr David Healy from the Psychology Department of the University in Bangor has written a Protocol for the Withdrawal of SSRI Antidepressants (e.g. Prozac) (9).

The Soteria Network are a network of people in the UK promoting the development of drug-free and minimum medication therapeutic environments for people experiencing 'psychosis' or extreme states. They acknowledge that severe mental states are times of acute personal crisis, commonly experienced after trauma, rather than states of biochemical imbalance (10).

Many people with mental health concerns, most specifically depression, seek homeopathic care (11). A 6-Year University Hospital Outpatient Observational Study at the homeopathic hospital in Bristol lists depression as one of the 10 most commonly referred diagnoses. Patients were referred by their GP or hospital specialist and most had tried conventional treatment first without success. Of the 201 patients who were treated for depression, 71% reported positive health changes, with 53% recording their improvements as better or much better (12).

The homeopathic consultation provides a highly valued and safe space for patients to discuss their mental and emotional states. Homeopaths approach any kind of illness or “dis-ease” in a non-judgemental way, acknowledging the importance for the patient to express and explore what their individual reality is like for them.

Homeopathic remedies are used in a highly individualised way. In cases of severe mental illness the self-prescription of homeopathic remedies is not advisable. For less severe states, and to get an idea of the different expressions of mental illness, please read this article by Robert Medhurst: Is there a Role for Homoeopathy in Depression? (13)

Disclaimer: Nothing contained in this e-Newsletter should be taken as individual medical advice or as a substitute for consulting a professional homeopath or healthcare practitioner.

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With warmest wishes
Petra

References:

1. The Schizophrenia Commission report page 9
2. Mental disorders affect one in four people - WHO
3. The world health report 2001 - Mental Health: New Understanding, New Hope
4. 'Catastrophic' failings in schizophrenia care revealed - Guardian 14/11/2012
5. The Schizophrenia Commission report page 4
6. Anatomy of an Epidemic - Robert Whitaker
7. The Icarus Project
8. Ashton Benzo Manual
9. Dependence on Antidepressants & Halting SSRIs
10. Soteria Network
11. K. Chatfield, Homeopathy National Knowledge Week 2007
12. Homeopathic Treatment for Chronic Disease - Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine
13. Is there a Role for Homoeopathy in Depression? - Hpathy.com

Homeopathic e-Newsletter January 2013

Welcome to the first homeopathic e-Newsletter of the New Year. For some this information might come a bit late, but I am sure it will still be useful for many others.

Treatment of Fever

Paracetamol (or calpol for children) and ibuprofen (and aspirin before the warnings about damage to the digestive tract) are the first reaction of most people when faced with a fever. “Get the temperature down, quickly” – either from fear of what a raised temperature might do, or because work commitments need to be fulfilled. And paracetamol or ibuprofen usually does the trick. However, it doesn’t support the immune system!

I would like to explain the purpose of a fever and why it is important not to step in too soon.

First of all, a normal body temperature is anything between 36.5°C and 37.5°C (97°F – 99°F). Normal body temperature varies between individuals and also at different times of the day (or days of the cycle for menstruating women). Anything above 37.5°C (99°F) can be classed as a fever, with temperatures of 40.5°C (105°F) and higher being critical.

Different style fever thermometers give different accuracy: in the armpit gives a lower reading than in the mouth; forehead thermometers are widely acknowledged to be unreliable. Modern in-the-ear thermometers tend to give a quick and reliable reading and are especially useful for babies and small children. But be aware that the temperature on the side a child has been lying on may be reading too high. We even had a high temperature reading of Teddy’s ear once – after he had been held tightly by my feverish daughter!

Fever is a healthy reaction of the immune system, e.g. when faced with ‘invaders’ like bacteria or viruses. The rise in body temperature is unfavourable to most germs and it speeds up the production of white blood cells and mobilises them to get to the site of an ‘attack’ quickly. Usually pulse rate and breathing are increased; both help to provide more oxygen to the body quickly. It’s like the body has entered a competition of who is going to win this race!

Sometimes really healthy and robust individuals (most commonly children) throw the most dramatic fevers. This is usually a good sign – a sign that the body is in a really fit state to enter the competition and get rid of the ‘attackers’ fast and furiously, i.e. win the race. For the same reason we don’t often see hugely elevated temperatures in the elderly, because their overall constitutional state is often so weakened that their system can’t be challenged too much. You don’t see many 80-year-olds running in races!

Contrary to what is commonly advised, the premature usage of paracetamol and ibuprofen does not help in the immune system’s race! It’s like the immune system is losing its footing or its direction. Repeatedly suppressing a ‘healthy’ fever with these medicines may even lead to the immune system losing its ability to perform.

In most fever cases it is more important to check how the patient is coping than to worry about the actual temperature. In most healthy individuals (other than babies and very young children), a temperature of 40°C (104°F) can still be regarded as a ‘healthy’ reaction, provided that the patient is conscious, reasonably alert and not in distress.

Listlessness, excessive drowsiness, hallucinatory states, convulsions, obvious and distressing pain and respiratory difficulties are some of the key factors to indicate that the patient is not coping and needs treatment. This can be with a temperature of less than 39°C (102°F) or as high as 40.5°C (105°F)!

Until then, common sense practical measures provide much more support to the fighting immune system than medication:

• plenty of fluids (preferably water or watered down fruit juice)
• light clothing (for babies: remove disposable nappy for at least some time)
• reducing room temperature (18°C/65°F is fine)
• sponging down the patient (with tepid water, one limb at a time)
• light food, if desired – avoid sugar and artificial or junk food because it doesn’t provide nutrition to the body yet puts more stresses onto the system
• bed rest – maybe not as obvious any more in our modern, hectic lives!

It is common for a feverish patient to lose their appetite. Part of the immune system’s response is to shut down the digestive system in order to allow all energy to be directed towards fighting the ‘attackers’. Hence the saying: “Feed a cold and starve a fever.” Light food (fresh fruit, steamed vegetables etc.) is therefore all that is needed and, probably, wanted. Older babies who are still breastfed will probably only want breast for the duration of the illness – it gives them liquid, nutrition and great snuggle time!

Many cases of childhood fevers start with the child vomiting. This is not necessarily a sign of a stomach bug, but the body’s attempt to clear out the stomach so it doesn’t have to ‘waste’ any energy dealing with digestion. Vomiting can also occur later during the illness, when a feverish child has eaten a meal that was too rich or too much for the system.

A word about febrile convulsions – feared by all parents of young children: According to the NHS website (1), it is estimated that 1 in 20 children (5%) will have at least one febrile convulsion at some point, with most cases occurring between the ages of 6 months and 3 years. However, other websites state the risk as far lower, e.g. 3 in 100 children (3%) (2).

Most commonly, febrile convulsions occur as single incidents during any one illness or even the whole of childhood. Almost all children recover quickly from a febrile convulsion, though it is likely that the illness causing the fever in the first place might still need treatment. Febrile convulsions are extremely rare after the age of 5 or 6.

Febrile convulsions can look very similar to epilepsy, but they are not the same. There is no clear evidence that febrile convulsions lead to the development of epilepsy in later life (3) and there is no clear understanding why febrile convulsions develop in the first place. It appears not so much related to how high body temperature goes but maybe how quickly the temperature rises, because many children have high temperatures without ever getting febrile convulsions.

So, unless the patient is not coping or the fever is prolonged, no medication (not even homeopathic remedies!) might be needed at all! However, common sense and parents natural instincts should always be followed.

There are a number of homeopathic remedies that should be considered in cases of fever and can be used before or, if necessary, in conjunction with paracetamol or ibuprofen. Miranda Castro, author of The Handbook of Homeopathy and Homeopathy for Mother and Children, describes them on her website. You can compare the information with this website.

For all families with young children I recommend to purchase a remedy kit like the one from Helios pharmacy, so that remedies are at hand during night time and weekend emergencies. Remedy kits come with a little guidebook that helps you find the right remedy quickly.

Most homeopaths offer acute help for their patients. Having children myself I know that illnesses don’t happen between 9 and 5 on weekdays and I am mostly available for my patients in emergencies on any day and after hours. (Please note that I do not offer this service to non-patients.)

For those who are not receiving regular constitutional treatment of a homeopath, the Homeopathy Helpline offers telephone advice daily from 9am to midnight – a handy number to keep: 09065 343404. (Calls are charged at £1.53 per minute.)

Disclaimer: Nothing contained in this e-Newsletter should be taken as individual medical advice or as a substitute for consulting a professional homeopath or healthcare practitioner.

You can now access past and current editions of my eNewsletters on the News Archives page. Please feel free to forward details of this website to anybody who might be interested.

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With warmest wishes
Petra.

References

1. NHS Choices: Febrile seizures
2. Patient.co.uk: Febrile Seizures (Febrile Convulsions)
3. Ibid

Homeopathic e-Newsletter March 2013

In this edition:

• Antibiotic Resistance and Superbugs – and What Homeopathy Can Do
• Become Involved in Shaping the Future of Homeopathy in the UK

Antibiotic Resistance and Superbugs - and What Homeopathy Can Do

Bacteria, viruses and other microbes are becoming increasingly more resistant to conventional treatment. Earlier this month, Dame Sally Davies, the UK’s Chief Medical Officer, pointed out the potential of a medical crisis that could lead to “a health system not dissimilar from the early 19th century.”(1)

The dangers – from the conventional medical point of view – stem from a lack of development of new drugs whilst currently available antibiotics and antivirals are losing their effectiveness through overuse (overprescribing as well as standardised use in agriculture and fishing). With antibiotics becoming more and more present in our ‘natural’ environment, microbes have ample opportunity to develop resistance.

Antibiotics are becoming useless! The media is full of threats of diseases becoming less and less controllable: Tuberculosis (2), gonorrhoea (3) and swine flu (4) may all claim more and more victims in the not so far future.

The good news? Homeopathy has been around for well over 200 years as a scientific medical system that does not need to hunt for new medicines in order to cope with bacteria and viruses.

There may not be any proof that – in a petri dish in a laboratory setting – a homeopathic remedy will ‘kill’ bacteria, but there is plenty of evidence that homeopathic remedies are effective in acute illnesses caused by bacteria and viruses.(5)

And homeopathic remedies will remain just as effective as they have been for centuries! There is no development of resistance to homeopathic remedies, because it is not the remedy itself that ‘attacks’ the microbes – hence it doesn’t necessarily work in a petri dish. Rather, the strengthened immune system of the patient is encouraged to work at its optimum.

The immune system is hugely intricate and works in miraculous ways. It is far more than just white blood cells and antibodies. It responds to mental and emotional states as well as physical triggers. Many people know that they cannot ‘allow’ themselves to be ill when a deadline is coming up, yet they fall ill as soon as the deadline is over. Others know they become ill because there is a deadline is coming up! If these states can affect our resistance to pathogens, then, surely, the immune system is about our ‘whole’ being, not just what cells we have in our bloodstream! And if it is our ‘whole’ system that is involved in falling ill and in becoming healthy again, then a holistic form of medicine, like homeopathy, is more likely to work. Homeopathy has been used successfully in epidemics for a long time, before penicillin made it into the medicine chests of doctors. (6)

Here is a real-life story to give you an example of the power of homeopathy. Marc Wishengrad, a New York City filmmaker, who had been documenting various forms of medicine around the world, turned the camera on himself when he contacted the potentially lethal “Super Bug” or MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus).

No video above?

For less dramatic and less life-threatening situations, homeopathic remedies can be tried in self-help. There are some good first aid books available, and please also check the Self Help page or look at my previous e-Newsletters.

The Welsh School of Homoeopathy in Carmarthen offers two One-Day Introductory Courses, 22nd June and 7th September, where participants have the opportunity to learn the underlying principles of homeopathy. I run an evening course in Carmarthen from September to December, where participants learn how to use homeopathy at home. I am also available for talks and workshops on homeopathy. Please get in touch if you would like more information.

Disclaimer: Nothing contained in this e-Newsletter should be taken as individual medical advice or as a substitute for consulting a professional homeopath or healthcare practitioner.

Become Involved in Shaping the Future of Homeopathy in the UK

The Society of Homeopaths, the largest group registering homeopaths in the UK, is introducing a new patient group. Here is the information:

Are you one of the many people who have benefited from homeopathy?

Would you like to be part of a new on-line homeopathy patient liaison group?

We are looking for volunteers to help shape the future of this popular and established holistic medicine.

The Society of Homeopaths is the largest membership organisation representing professional homeopaths in the UK. As part of our aim to promote high quality homeopathic health care for all, we are interested in hearing from patients about the various aspects of the service we provide.

Like to volunteer without having to leave your home?

Volunteers will be invited to participate in a national virtual (on-line) patient group. There will be opportunities to contribute to the development of the homeopathic profession in relation to patient services, expectation and satisfaction. There will also be the chance to become involved in the portrayal of homeopathy in communications to other patients and potential patients.

Volunteers will be invited to comment on information made available via a dedicated weblog and through on-line surveys. Members of the patient group may also be invited to participate in an occasional telephone meeting, in which case telephone expenses would be covered.

This is a great opportunity for you to get involved and help shape the future of homeopathy both in your local community and nationally.

To find out more about volunteering, please contact Pamela Stevens by email or telephone 01604 817890.

Please feel free to forward this e-Newsletter to anybody who might be interested.

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With warmest wishes
Petra

References:

1. The Independent, “Chief Medical Officer Dame Sally Davies: Resistance to antibiotics risks health 'catastrophe' to rank with terrorism and climate change”, 11/3/2013.
2. The Guardian, “Antibiotic resistance: why we must win the war against superbugs”, 17/3/2013.
3. The Independent, “Gonorrhea cases soar as STI gets more resistant to treatment”, 27/2/2013.
4. The Independent, “Virus responsible for swine flu pandemic becoming increasingly resistant to Tamiflu”, 18/3/2013.
5. Riley et al. “Homeopathic and conventional treatment for acute respiratory and ear complaints: A comparative study on outcome in the primary care setting”. accessed 20/3/2013.
6. Imam Navab. “Lives saved by Homeopathy in Epidemics and Pandemics”, 23/1/2013.

Homeopathic e-Newsletter March 2013

In this edition:

• Hay fever
• Introductory courses in homeopathy
• Homeopathy and Mental Health

Hay Fever

Whilst it seems that summer may still be a long way off, the start of the hay fever season is not far off.

Homeopathic remedies can provide speedy help without the side effects of ordinary antihistamines (drowsiness etc.). Below is a list of common remedies useful for hay fever. Remember that this is only a small choice and that as a professional homeopath I have more remedies available should the success with self help be limited.

The real beauty of homeopathy lies in the constitutional treatment though: Many patients find that they develop less and less hay fever symptoms once they attend a professional homeopath for constitutional treatment. This type of treatment will usually take place away from the actual hay fever season.

Allium cepa: The hay fever is characterised by a profuse watery discharge from both eyes and nose. Especially the nose seems to be dripping constantly ("like a faucet"). The nasal discharge is acrid and may make the nose and the upper lip raw and sore. Often there is a frontal headache accompanying the hay fever. There usually is violent sneezing too. All symptoms are much better in the open air and worse in warm rooms and in the evenings.

Arsenicum hay fever presents with a burning watery discharge from both eyes and nose, with tickling building up to a sneeze. The hay fever is worse in the night, typically just after midnight. The patient will be restless and anxious and can appear very fastidious and demanding.

Euphrasia is particularly helpful when the eyes are becoming inflamed. They seem to be watering the whole time with burning and a lot of blinking. The eyelids are swollen and may be glued together in the mornings. There is a profuse but bland, watery discharge from the nose. There may be a bursting, throbbing headache. All symptoms are worse in the evening and better for open air, but the patient will dislike any wind or even light breezes.

Gelsemium: This type of hay fever is accompanied by an overwhelming feeling of drowsiness and weakness, almost like flu. The sneezing causes exhaustion. The patient feels weak and heavy and the eyelids may be drooping with heaviness.

Lachesis: The sneezing fits are worse after sleep. There is a headache and a dry stuffed sensation through the head, with a red puffy face and sore nostrils and lips. The throat can be sore and sensitive and the patient will not want any pressure around the neck, typically wearing an open neck top.

A Nux vomica hay fever comes with sneezing fits and a lot of irritation in the nose, eyes and the whole face. The face feels hot. The itching extends down the throat to the larynx and trachea. The eyes are sensitive to light and the patient is very irritated, impatient and snappy. Nothing seems to go fast enough for them!

Pulsatilla: The discharges from the nose and eyes are bland and thick and often yellow or greenish. The eyes may be very itchy, which will be much relieved from cold applications. Although being chilly, the patient will feel much better for cold air, preferably from air conditioning, as it does not contain pollens.

Sabadilla is indicated when spasmodic, violent attacks of sneezing are the main symptoms of hay fever. The patient is extremely sensitive to odours and even thinking of the smell of flowers can set off a sneezing attack. The patient is very chilly and enjoys hot drinks. They are much worse being outside and like to wrap up in a warm room.

Wyethia is indicated in hay fever that comes with a marked dryness of the mouth and throat, causing tremendous itching, which may extend to the ears. The itching is so bad that the patient will try to scratch the palate by moving the tongue back and forth over it. They may bore with their fingers in their ears to relieve itching there.

Most homeopathic pharmacies also provide a mixture of pollen and/or grasses in potency which some patients find helpful. I would recommend a grasses and pollen mix when the symptoms cannot be sufficiently matched to a single remedy as mentioned above.

During the height of the hay fever season remedies might need to be taken daily. The general guide is always that remedies should only be taken as necessary, so it might be an idea to carry a bottle of tablets with you. For more information on how to take homeopathic remedies, please check the self help page.

Homeopathic remedies are available in most health food stores and pharmacies. I stock the whole range of high-quality homeopathic remedies (individual and kits) and creams made by Helios Homoeopathic Pharmacy available for sale in Aardvarks in Carmarthen. The mixed pollen and grasses remedy will need to be ordered from a homoeopathic pharmacy directly, e.g. Helios.

Disclaimer: Nothing contained in this e-Newsletter should be taken as individual medical advice or as a substitute for consulting a professional homeopath or healthcare practitioner.

Introductory Courses in Homeopathy

The Welsh School of Homoeopathy, 17 Bridge Street (just off Notts Square), Carmarthen SA31 3JS, is offering a one-day Introductory Course to be held on Saturday 22nd June. The day will be running from 10am to 5pm and costs £40 for the day (including refreshments but not lunch). Course facilitator will be Bill Rumble RSHom, one of the directors and core teachers at the Welsh School of Homoeopathy. This course will cover basic homoeopathic philosophy and first aid treatment of common ailments. It is meant as a stand-alone course for anybody interested in the philosophy and principles of homeopathy. It also provides a great taster for the four-year professional course.

More information and a booking form can be found on the website.

Starting in September I will be running a ten-week evening class in homeopathy. In this course we will explore the depth of homeopathic philosophy. We discuss the principles underlying homeopathy in great detail as well as spending a lot of time on a wide variety of remedies. The principles of taking the case and of finding a remedy to match the symptoms are practised throughout to allow participants to be able to prescribe for themselves and their families in acute situations and for minor ailments. I will send more information about this course nearer the time.

Homeopathy and Mental Health

I have recently had this opportunity to explain in an interview how homeopathy can help with patients who suffer with mental health.

No video above?

I wrote about mental health in my e-Newsletter November 2012.

That’s it for now. I hope you find the information useful and please pass it on to anybody else who you know and might benefit.

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With warmest wishes
Petra