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Winter 'flu' and spring hayfever

It's not too early to start preparing your body for the Spring and Summer months and in particular to guard against experiencing those limiting physical symptoms that are often put down to hay fever. Did you have a snuffly or streaming nose last year? Were your eyes sore, red and watery? Did the pollen affect your throat and your respiratory tract? There are a number of homeopathic remedies to address those symptoms, such as Pulsatilla, Arsenicum and Gelsemium. Even better would be to consult a qualified homeopath now, in February or March to work on cleansing your system to ensure that the pollen doesn't become the straw to break the camel's back. Paying attention to your immune defences now can mean a happy outdoor experience this Spring and Summer.

Is that too far in the future for you to even think about? Are you in the winter doldrums still, with cold and 'flu' symptoms wearing you down? Strangely enough it might be those very same remedies; Pulsatilla, Arsenicum or Gelsemium that can assist you to get back to full health quickly. Again in my opinion it is preferable for you to consult a qualified homeopath, however these remedies are available over the counter.

 PULSATILLA

Bursting sensation on sneezing from head colds; pain extending to eyes; worse at night, in warm room, and better from cold compresses and in open air. Colds, coughs and flu’s when person is better in the open air. Discharge is yellow-green and thick; and fullness on blowing nose. Catarrh on the chest. Too warm, yet thirstless. Patient feels tearful and sorry for self.

 ARSENICUM ALBUM 

Colds with thin, fluent, watery discharge, burning discharge (possibly blood streaked) causing sore and red nostrils and upper lip; violent and frequent sneezing spasms; chilly and thirsty for hot drinks; nose is blocked at night. Eyes are dry and burning; with headaches and sinusitis; Weakness: with sudden and rapid onset with great exhaustion and collapse. Worse from cold and better lying still.

Flu's that start to come on after a chill, change of temperature and exhaustion.Great concern and anxiety about their health and their symptoms, which causes even more stress. 

 GELSEMIUM 

Colds that are influenza-like, with aching; watery discharge makes nostrils sore; eyelids heavy; coated tongue; dull, heavy, achy, drowsy, sluggish, weak; limbs chilly, shivering, chills up and down spine; with sore throat and difficulty swallowing; sensation of lump in throat; no thirst; bursting headache; tickling tearing cough; frequent urinatio. Worse from change in weather, in the morning and better from open air, near a fire. Wants to be wrapped up. Shivering and chills especially up and down the back, overall weakness, paralyzing exhaustion.

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Homeopathy and Animals

Whilst it is illegal for me to treat animals as I am not a qualified vet, I can still point you in the right direction if you are interested in holistic health for animals. Legislation is about to change and you might like to have a look at this site. They are currently still offering a homeopathic kit for horses.

http://www.naturalhealth4animals.com/Equine/Horses/Horse-Homeopathic-Kit.aspx

In the meantime, enjoy the start to 2012 and have a think about what steps you are going to take on your personal health journey this year. 

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 Holistic help for the festive season

Over indulging in food and drink during the festive season is part of the fun – but it can take its toll on our bodies and leave us feeling bloated and unwell. Alongside the mince pies and yule logs I make sure my cupboard is well stocked with homeopathic medicines to help with the ailments of the season. 

A particular favourite with my patients is the homeopathic remedy Nux vomica, which many people use to help with the symptoms of a hangover. Different remedies help with different sets of symptoms. In homeopathy, we treat according to the individual symptoms of the patient and how if effects them, rather than based on the named condition. Patients usually come to a homeopath with a chronic illness, such as eczema, and because the treatment is individual, people with eczema are often prescribed entirely different remedies to each other. 

Minor complaints and acute illnesses are more superficial and more common remedies can be used at home with good results. Nux Vomica does help many people with hangover symptoms. While it’s important to lead a healthy lifestyle, it’s also good to let your hair down once in a while.

Here are just a few remedies which might help you through the ailments of the festive period:

Nux vomica:

This is known as “the hangover” remedy but can also be used for the general symptoms of over-indulgence. Symptoms include heartburn, indigestion, and nausea, a headache, sensitivity to noise and light, and irritability. Particularly suits “workaholics” who tend to burn the candle at both ends, keep going with coffee and feel the cold.

Arsenicum:

This remedy comes into play when the symptoms are like that of food poisoning, with vomiting and diarrhoea, a pale palour and anxiety. Symptoms are worse at night, with burning in the digestive tract and a desire to sip water. It suits restless people who worry, need to plan ahead and feel the cold.

Sulphur:

Symptoms include offensive diarrhoea which drives the patient from bed in the morning, excessive sweating, and burning feet. Suits stubborn proud people who are always hot, and crave sugar and spicy food. 

Lycopodium:

Symptoms include bloating with wind, a huge appetite, and waking as if from a fright. There is heartburn with sour burping. Suits fearful people lacking in confidence, especially in new things, but can be bragging and assertive at home. 

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 Homeopathic remedies offer “alternative” for flu sufferers  

This winter has seen an increase in cases of flu and respiratory infections, and homeopaths have been among those on the frontline, helping people who prefer an “alternative” approach. This system of medicine is suitable for all ages, including babies and the elderly, as it is non-toxic.” Flu is a viral infection that's most common during the winter months. It has a sudden onset of symptoms, which include fever, sore throat and muscle aches. 

Homeopathic medicines, known as remedies, can be used at home in acute conditions, but recurrent viral infections should been seen by a professional homeopath as there may be an underlying imbalance causing the problem. 

Remedies which might be helpful include:

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. 

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. Children may reject what they just asked for.

Belladonna:

Indicated where the symptoms have come on suddenly and there is heat, throbbing and pain, with great irritability, and symptoms worse from jarring.

Rhus tox:

Slow onset with high temperature and great restlessness, constantly changing position, 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. There is a desire to sip water.

Any ongoing health concerns should be discussed with a GP

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Homeopathy offers “alternative” in children’s winter ailments.

Help is at hand for parents in Lancaster looking for an alternative to paracetamol for their children’s winter bugs, following research suggesting a link between the drug and asthma.

Homeopathic remedies are non-toxic and safe for use in babies and children (1) and research has shown that homeopathic remedies can be effective in children with respiratory tract infections (2), Otitis media (build up of fluid in the ear which can lead to infection) (3) and sinusitis (4).

Homeopathy is a system of medicine which is based on treating the individual with highly diluted substances given in mainly tablet form, which triggers the body’s natural system of healing. In children, the most appropriate medicine is matched to the illness according to the symptoms and how the child is feeling in themselves.

Some parents are worried about giving their children paracetamol, which is the active ingredient of Calpol, following the publication of research in the Lancet in September, which found that babies given paracetamol were more likely to develop asthma, as were those in later childhood who were given it frequently. Use of the drug was also associated with a risk of eczema and rhino conjunctivitis (allergy-linked runny nose and watering eyes). (5)

Homeopathic remedies can be used at home in acute conditions, but recurrent coughs and infections should been seen by a qualified homeopath registered with the Society of Homeopaths.

And last year the Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) removed six cough medicines from sale following fears about possible overdose. (6)

There are many remedies available over the counter that could be useful in childhood winter ailments, each having its own specific characteristics.

1. Dantas F Rampes H, 2000. Do homeopathic medicines provoke adverse effects? A systematic review. BR Homeopathic Journal 89 (Supl): 535-8 2. de Lange de Klerk, ESM, Blommers, J, Kuik, DJ, et al., “Effect of Homoeopathic Medicines on Daily Burden of Symptoms in Children with Recurrent Upper Respiratory Tract Infections,” BMJ, November 19, 1994;309:1329-1332.; Steinsbekk, A, Fønnebø, V, Lewith, G, and Bentzen, N. Homeopathic care for the prevention of upper respiratory tract infections in children: A pragmatic, randomised, controlled trial comparing individualised homeopathic care and waiting-list controls. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, Volume 13, Issue 4 , December 2005, Pages 231-238. 3.Jacobs J, Springer DA, Crothers D. Homeopathic treatment of acute otitis media in children: a preliminary randomized placebo-controlled trial. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2001; 20: 177–183/ Frei H, Thurneysen A. Homeopathy in acute otitis media in children: treatment effect or spontaneous resolution? Br Homeopath J 2001; 90: 180–182/ Friese K-H, Kruse S, Ludtke R, Moeller H "Homeopathic treatment of otitis media in children: comparisons with conventional therapy". Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther. 1997; 35: 296-301. 4. Adler M. Efficacy, safety of a fixed-combination homeopathic therapy for sinusitis. Adv Ther 1999; 16: 103–111. 5. Beasley R, Clayton T, Crane J, von Mutius, E, Lai, CKW, Montefort, S, Stewart, A. Association between paracetamol use in infancy and childhood, and risk of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis, and eczema in children aged 6–7 years: analysis from Phase Three of the ISAAC programme. The Lancet2008;372:1039-1048 6. http://www.mhra.gov.uk/NewsCentre/Pressreleases/CON014446

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Dawn's practice covers the Lancaster and the Peak District, Derbyshire

Insurance Cover

As a Registered Member of the Society of Homeopaths, Dawn has full insurance indemnity, with all treatments and visits to the clinic fully covered.

What remedy will I get at the session?

At the end of the session you will leave with a homeopathic remedy in the form of small, soluble pills and instructions on how to take them.

How do I make appointments?

Phone or email Dawn to book your first session – contact details are shown below. Further appointments
are booked at the current session, usually for a period of between two-four weeks ahead.

How much will I pay?

There is a fixed fee for each consultation which covers all all prescriptions and contact between appointments.

Special rates for families, children and unwaged are available – please contact Dawn for details.

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