Its Not Nice To Fool Mother Nature

I thought this blog was worth reposting given the current “crisis” of measles that is occurring.

Lotus Homeopathy: Health News You Can Use

In listening to all the latest on GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms) foods, I was reminded of a television commercial that I found pretty humorous when I was young.  It was an advertisement about Mother Nature who was fooled into believing that the food like substance known as margarine was actually butter.  She was not pleased and immediately created a natural disaster of some sort.

That commercial for Chiffon Margarine  reminds me of the current situation in our country of health care and our increasingly unrecognizable food supply.

Mad Cow Disease was a big scare a few years ago.  The source of it was traced to feeding animals foods that they were not naturally designed to eat.  Animal byproducts were fed to sheep and cattle, which are, by nature, vegetarians.  Why would anyone want to mess with the food chain? In hopes that the animals would gain weight more quickly.  What…

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Why Are So Many People Getting Shingles?

Terry Bradshaw hawking the Shingles vaccine.

With the NFL Season coming to a close, it could be a few months before you get to see Terry Bradshaw hawking the Shingles Vaccine.  But no worries, someone else will replace him, someone appropriate to whatever is on TV.

The Shingles Vaccine, also called ZostaVax, is manufactured by Merck.  It was not very successful early on.  There were production problems and they were also using their resources, pushing their Chicken Pox vaccine.  It is supposedly 51% effective in people 60 – 69 years of age and 70% effective in 50 – 59 years.  But only for 1.3 years.   No wonder that they aren’t recommending it for the 50 – 59 year age group.

To review, Shingles is caused by the same virus as Chicken Pox, the Herpes Zoster virus.  Once you get Chicken Pox, the virus stays in your body and remains dormant, that is, until some stressor comes along and causes the virus to reactivate. For example, many people will develop shingles if a spouse becomes sick, they themselves develop a difficult illness, or perhaps one of their children or grandchildren is having difficulties.

But why are so many people getting Shingles?  Does anyone in the 40 – 60 age group remember anyone, such as your parents or grandparents, getting shingles when you were young?  Probably not.  Since the Chicken Pox vaccine has reduced the number of wild chicken pox cases, adults are not getting exposed to the Herpes Zoster virus when their children and grandchildren.  It is believed that by being exposed to Chicken Pox, the immune system gets reactivated, thus the specific response to the potentially active virus in the body is stronger. But without the wild chicken pox virus, the strengthening of the immune system simply cannot happen.

Notice I am referring to the wild chicken pox virus.  Most people recognize that the Chicken Pox vaccine is not particularly effective.  Many children get chicken pox anyway, but it is a weakened case of it and they perhaps only get a few small pox.  Or what comes around does not last long enough to get much exposure.

I personally know many people who tried to give their children the chicken pox by exposing them to vaccinated cases of Chicken Pox and it just didn’t work.  So it makes sense that exposing an adult to a similar case would not have the same protective result either.

So, What To Do?  What To Do?

I remember sharing this explanation with a friend of my mother’s who had a bad case of shingles.  She felt like younger people were better able to handle chicken pox than elderly people were able to handle shingles.  She’s right.  But how can we get adults better exposure to the Zoster Virus?

Homeopathy has the answer, as usual.  

I have posted many times about using homeopathy to educate the immune system about a variety of potential illnesses, including childhood illnesses, influenza, etc.  Adults can gain exposure to the chicken pox virus through a homeopathic remedy called Zoster.  It is made from the chicken pox virus.  It is a much safer way to get exposure to the virus than the Shingles vaccine.  It is an energetic exposure, but the advantages are still available to the individual who takes the Zoster remedy series.

Here is what a past participant in a Shingles Clinic had to say:

I have had Shingles more than once.  Four out of five years I got them around Christmas time.  I was not looking forward to yet another outbreak, so in 2012, I contacted Kathryn at Lotus Homeopathy about Shingles prevention.  My son had not had chicken pox and I was hoping to get exposed to the virus.  I received two vials of the zoster remedy.  Over the course of four months, I took the indicated doses to get re-exposed to the virus.  In the last three years, I have not gotten Shingles.  I would also add that my husband, who did not take the HP remedies, did get Shingles in 2014. I love being Shingles Free!  –Deanna M, Prior Lake, MN

If you would like to participate in the Shingles Clinic, please click here to learn more.  Scroll to the bottom of the page.  .

For more viewpoints on the Shingles vaccine, please view this post by Patti Bartsch, PhD, traditional naturopath.

If you do get shingles, homeopathy can help.

Kathryn

651-748-1556

www.lotushomeopathy.com

Top Ten Natural Care Products–Part 5

There are definitely more than 10 “can’t live without” Natural Care Products.

The list in this blog post is for times when you feel like you are coming down with something, or perhaps definitely came down with something. More often than not, I prefer to use homeopathy to help acute illnesses, but sometimes it is hard to get to a remedy, it is the middle of the night and you don’t know what to take or you don’t have the remedy on hand.

I would also add that going to a chiropractor when you are feeling you are getting sick is also on my must do list.  But it is hard to keep a chiropractor in your medicine cabinet….  Did you know your white blood cells become more active with each adjustment?

13.  Your Constitutional Remedy in a 30C

Your constitutional remedy is the remedy given to you by a professional classical homeopath to help heal your chronic

Your constitutional remedy may look like this, if you decide to pour it onto a leaf…

condition.  If you are feeling like you are coming down with something but don’t really have any specific symptoms, having your constitutional/chronic remedy in a 30C can be of great assistance.  You only know your constitutional remedy after having a series of appointments with a classical homeopath.  One of the nice things about a constitutional remedy is that you get sick less often.  But, nothing is perfect and people on homeopathy do get sick occasionally.  So a dose or two of your remedy in 30C for a couple of days may be the ticket to get you back on track.  If you don’t know your constitutional remedy, click here to schedule an appointment with a classical homeopath.  

14.  Zinc Lozenges

If you feel a sore throat coming on, and especially if you know strep is going around, reach for a Zinc Lozenge.  Zinc is bacteriostatic which means that it prevents bacteria from replicating.  It is a handy way to keep the bacteria at bay to give your body some time to kill off the bacteria that may be colonizing in the back of your throat.  You must suck on the lozenge.  Don’t chew it.  There are many brands and flavors of Zinc Lozenges, so read and follow the directions carefully.  It is possible to take too much zinc.  Know what is in your multi-vitamin.

There are also many sore throat remedies in the Homeopathic Materia Medica, so don’t stop there.  Call a Classical Homeopath to get additional help.  If sore throats or recurring strep are a problem for you click here to schedule an appointment with a classical homeopath to get a constitutional remedy.  

15.  Saccharomyces boulardii

Do you feel a bit of digestive distress coming on?  Perhaps you ate something that was a few days past its expiration date?

Get rid of intestinal critters with Sachharomyces boulardii

Or maybe you are traveling and you aren’t used to the local food and beverages?  Saccharomyces boulardii is a probiotic which helps rid the body of the little critters that may be inhabiting your GI tract.  It is available everywhere you can get vitamins and supplements.  It is extremely popular in the early part of the year as people are preparing to travel somewhere warm.  Take one capsule twice a day, weaning down to once a day until you feel you don’t need it anymore.  Of course, a good probiotic should be taken daily, and this one may appear in your daily probiotic.  Getting it as a single organism is great for those times when no matter how many times you wash your hands, you just can’t avoid the Norwalk virus.

A good homeopathic remedy, such as was described in Part one of this series, can also help and should be included in your get-well scheme.

For local folks, I have $5.00 off coupons for the Vitamin Shoppe if you wish to pick some of this up to have on hand. Call and then stop by.

Kathryn

651-748-1556

www.lotushomeopathy.com

The Top Ten Natural Care Products–Part 4

In this post, the Top Ten Natural Care Products will include useful tools in addition to homeopathy.  Specifically, the focus will be on burns.  But all of these items have many uses.

10.   Causticum 30C

In addition to healing burns, Causticum can help a certain type of cough.

Causticum is a homeopathic remedy that is made from a mix of minerals, including Potassium and Sulphur.  Take a 30C dose as soon as possible after a burn. This would be for burns such as accidentally touching a hot oven rack or a pan when cooking or baking.  It will also provides relief for burns to the inside of the mouth if you eat something that has not cooled sufficiently.  I remember a client calling me in a panic one day when her young son had done that. Causticum helped immediately.  It could also help sunburn, but see below for a better idea for sunburn.  The other items below are topical, so if you don’t want to put them in your mouth, Causticum is definitely the first choice.

Causticum can also help a tickly cough that is worse lying down and better from drinking cold water.

11.   Calendula Ointment or Cream

Calendula is widely used in a variety of personal care products.  It is really soothing for the skin.  But did you know it can help burns?  Spread it on the burn as soon as possible.  Repeat as necessary.  Calendula ointment or creme is widely available in health food stores, coops, even everyday grocery stores, such as Byerly’s locally in the Twin Cities of MN.  It was one of the first remedies I ever used when I became interested in homeopathy.  I had “burned” my lip on a spoonful of ice cream.  It was amazing.  I try to stay away from Calendula Gel as it can sting, whereas the Ointment or Creme is more soothing.

Calendula ointment is great for small rashes of unknown origin, and other itchy spots.  If you have chronic skin conditions, it is okay to use temporarily, but seek constitutional homeopathic care from a professional homeopath to help heal the problem.

12.  Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender is a great help for burns.

Lavender is one of the few essential oils that are okay to apply directly to the skin.  Lavender is handy in a number of ways. If you are using a deodorant and it is an especially sweaty day, you may want to put some drops directly under your arms or on your feet.  You can also apply Lavender Essential Oil to a burn to help it heal faster and prevent blistering.  I would do this in combination with the Causticum, if topical use is indicated.

I hope this set of natural care products will find a home in your medicine chest.  Please read this past blog to learn more about treating burns with homeopathy.

Kathryn

651-748-1556

www.lotushomeopathy.com

The Top Ten Natural Care Products–Part 3

Today’s items could be called Lifestyle remedies.  You need them more often depending on the lifestyle you live.

7.    Nux Vomica 30C

Nux Vomica can help with overindulgence.

Nux Vomica is a homeopathic remedy made from a nut. It’s most useful for the after effects of over indulgence. This could include too much food or too much drink. Take a dose of 30C before you go to bed, if you can remember, but for sure when you wake up in the morning.  In hearing of others use of this remedy, they find they not only feel better if they take it, they sleep better too.  If you take it in the morning, you may find you are able to fall back asleep again. I feel like Nux Vomica is the ultimate homeopathic remedy.  In General, homeopathy could be described as the “hair of the dog that bit you.”  And Nux vomica is a specific remedy for the “Hair of the dog that bit you.”

If you feel compelled to over indulge frequently, please seek constitutional care from a professional homeopath.

8.    Ruta

This plant, when made into a homeopathic remedy, helps connective tissue.

Ruta Graveolens 30c is a useful remedy for athletes.  It is great for sprained ankles, tendinitis, and other injuries to the connective tissue.  It is also indispensable if you have an injury to the illiac crest.  This is called a hip pointer in the world of athletics. Please read this earlier post which has a success story on the use of Ruta.  The dental ligament, which is under your gums, can become injured from dental work.  Ruta can help heal the insult to the dental tissues quickly.

9.    Your Constitutional Remedy in a 30C

You only know your constitutional remedy after having a series of appointments with a classical homeopath.  One of the nice things about a constitutional remedy is that you get sick less often.  But, nothing is perfect and people on homeopathy do get sick occasionally.  If you feel you are getting sick, but have no specific symptoms, you can take a 30C dose or two for a couple of days of your constitutional remedy and it will help ward off whatever is coming.

If you are hoping that we are not done after the next post, you are correct!  There are definitely more than 10 essential natural health care products that are hard to live without.

Kathryn

651-748-1556

www.lotushomeopathy.com

The Top Ten Natural Care Products–Part 2

As we move through the list of the Top Ten Natural Care Products, it is important to make clear the difference between acute and chronic illness.  Acute illness is an illness that is self limiting.  You either get over it or you die from it.  Fortunately, if we are generally healthy, we live. For most people, having an acute illness actually makes your immune system stronger.  There is another option, which is that your body can’t quite shake it and you develop some type of chronic illness that is related to the acute illness.  For example, getting respiratory influenza and then developing asthma as an outcome. Fortunately, homeopathy can help prevent or mitigate that situation.  A chronic illness is one which goes on and on and on.  The experience of a chronic illness is not to make you stronger.  Rather, the outcome is the body gets weaker.

The remedies and other products included in my list are, in most cases, on the list due to their ability to handle acute situations. They may be injuries or it could be a contagious dis-ease.  Most also have a long term use as well, but those uses won’t be discussed in this series of blogs.

On to the next items:

4.     Bryonia 30C

Bryonia is a homeopathic remedy for pain when the pain is worse from motion and better from being stabilized with an ace bandage or a hand. You can imagine that Bryonia is an excellent remedy in the process of healing an injury. But it also is a good cough remedy, especially if you are experiencing pain with the cough, which is better when you lay on the sore spot, or put your hand on it.   A lot of people think that Arnica is the remedy for over doing it when exercising, but Bryonia frequently is a better choice. Bryonia is better from heat, which is a frequent modality for overuse injuries. It is also better from being alone.  The people who need it tend to be pretty irritable as well.  Fear of motion due to the anticipation of potential pain is also a symptom of Bryonia.

5.    Rhus Tox 30C

Poison Ivy, with the smooth leaves. Leaves of three, let it be.

Rhus Tox is a homeopathic dose of Poison Ivy.  It is for injuries and illnesses that are worse for first motion and better from continued motion. This is in contrast to Bryonia, which is worse from all motion, not just first motion. People who need Rhus Tox are also chilly and are better from heat, often hot water or hot compresses, as opposed to warmth.  It is also a potential remedy for poison ivy, but generally you need several remedies in succession when exposed to poison ivy.

6.    Ledum 30c

Ledum is a homeopathic remedy made from the plant Ledum Palustre.  Ledum is useful for a number of things, but most especially, it is useful for puncture wounds.  Common examples of puncture wounds include biting your tongue, Getting an insect bite (yes, an insect bite is considered a puncture wound in homeopathy!), stepping on something sharp.

Stay tuned for more….

Kathryn

www.lotushomeopathy.com

651-748-1556

Top Ten Natural Care Products To Keep In Your Medicine Kit and Travel Bag–Part 1

Many years ago I used to teach a class on this topic, because people used to ask what remedies I would recommend that people have over all others.  A big task given there are thousands of remedies.  Over the years, I have moved on from this topic.  But recently I was reminded of it via a post on a Facebook Group.  The final list, which has evolved over the years, has more than 10.  However, Top Ten still sounds best!

This list appears in alphabetical order.

1.    Apis 30C

Apis is a homeopathic dose of bees.  If you have any allergies and you have a sudden reaction to the allergen, Apis is a good remedy to have around.  Take a 30C dose once every 5 minutes after symptoms start to appear.  If you establish a relationship with a homeopath, 200C would be a better dose to have handy.  Carbolic Acid is another option.

2.    Arnica Montana 30C and 200C

Okay.  How many of you saw this remedy coming?

Arnica Montana for Trauma

Arnica Montana is probably the most popular and well-known homeopathic remedy.  More people have been convinced of the importance and usefulness of homeopathy by a few doses of Arnica than any other remedy.  That includes the homeopath at Lotus Homeopathy.  It is a premiere remedy for the effects of Trauma.  This could range from a bruise from bumping your hand accidentally on the edge of the kitchen table while walking by to a major car accident or a brain concussion.

Arnica montana is a mountain daisy. It hardly seems that such an innocent looking plant could possess such power. It has been used in Folk Medicine as an herbal preparation for many hundreds of years.  Like most herbs, it has a doctrine of signatures which helped our ancestors recognize how it might be useful.  Healers of earlier centuries recognized its affinity for trauma when it was observed that mountain goats and sheep would eat the Arnica plant after fighting or after falling off the rocks.  And you could use Arnica Montana 30c (or stronger) after a fight or a fall even today.

3.     Arsenicum 30C

Arsenicum is the number one remedy for food poisoning.  Not everyone needs it, but the symptoms to watch for are sick to stomach, vomiting and REALLY chilly.  If you eat out a lot, this is a remedy to have around.  The person who needs it may be worse after midnight and be anxious and restless.  It is also a good remedy for Montezuma’s revenge, which may or may not be food poisoning.

That’s all for this post.  Stay tuned for more in a day or two.

Kathryn
651-748-1556
www.lotushomeopathy.com