REMEDIES FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON

The lead up to the festive period is a busy time for everyone and over indulgence in food and drink during the festive season is all part of the fun – but it can take its toll on our bodies and leave us feeling bloated and unwell.

 We need to look at the festive season and plan ahead.

 Alongside the mince pies and yule logs, I make sure my cupboard is well stocked with homeopathic medicines to help my family through the ailments of the season. 

 A particular favourite with patients, is the homeopathic remedy Nux vomica, which many people use to help with the symptoms of a hangover. 

 I often say: “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, 10 people with eczema would usually be prescribed different remedies.

 “Minor complaints and acute illnesses are more superficial and 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. 

 Arnica: this is a great remedy to help with bruising and that “battered” feeling you get after Christmas shopping or bargain hunting in the January sales.

If you would like further advice on when you can treat at home, and when you should seek professional

help please contact me:

07773 983739

helen@oxleecedar.fsnet.co.uk

helenleehomeopathy.com

Our Homeopath Helen Lee

Treatment for coughs and colds

In many families coughs, colds and occasional ‘flu

and other viral infections are regular occurrences,

especially in autumn with a new school term and

damp, colder weather. Homeopathy can be a great

help with these acute infections, typically

shortening the duration of symptoms,

and reducing coughing and discomfort.

There are many possible remedies to

ease acute coughs and colds. Below are

a few examples: the right remedy for you will be the

one that best matches the whole

symptom picture.

Our Homeopath - Helen Lee is now offering a family drop in clinic on the afternoon of the last Saturday of every month. You are all welcome to turn up, meet Helen and pick her brains about suitable treatments.  SEE YOU THERE!!

HELEN LEE

HOMEOPATHY

Alternative relief for hay fever sufferers

The hay fever season is well and truly upon us, but this is no reason to ignore the symptoms which can cause discomfort for so many. Homeopaths are busy helping hay fever sufferers who want an alternative to conventional medication to ease their symptoms. Between 15 and 20 per cent of the British population suffer from the often debilitating symptoms of pollen allergy, ranging from sneezing to itchy swollen eyes.

Some of those turn to homeopathy because they find that anti-histamines don’t work well or have side effects, and others want an alternative to conventional drugs or a longer term solution to tackling their symptoms.

Homeopathic remedies can not only tackle the symptoms when they happen, but by triggering the body’s own system of healing, can help to stop the symptoms occurring in the first place.

A number of research trials into the use of homeopathic remedies in the treatment of patients with hay fever, have shown significant improvement in symptoms.

It is recommended that a qualified and registered homeopath is consulted as each sufferer will be treated according to their own individual combination of symptoms and how it affects them. However, homeopathic medicines (known as remedies) can be used at home, once the symptoms start.  

Listed below are some common remedies and pointers to the symptoms that would indicate their use:

Euphrasia: eyes inflamed, with profuse watering which seems to burn. Can be a thick discharge from eyes and feeling of pressure. Nose streaming. Better in the open air.

Allium cepa: watery discharge from the nose, can drip, leaving nose sore and raw. Watery eyes. Violent sneezing. Better in the open air.

Arsenicum:  burning watery discharge from eyes and nose, with tickling building up to a sneeze. At its worst just after midnight. This patient will be restless and anxious.

Nux vom: sneezing fits, nose, eyes and face very irritated and hot. Itching extends to the larynx and trachea. Eyes light-sensitive. Irritated, impatient and snappy.

Lachesis: sneezing fits worse after sleep. Headache and dry stuffed sensation through the head, with red puffy face and sore nostrils and lips. The throat can also be sensitive, especially to pressure.

Homeopathy is a system of medicine which involves treating the individual with highly diluted substances, given mainly in tablet form, with the aim of triggering the body’s natural system of healing.

For more information

on treating hay fever and other conditions contact:

Helen Lee DSH RSHom

07773983739

helen@oxleecedar.fsnet.co.uk

helenleehomeopathy.com

SHIATSU - WHAT IS IT AND WHY SHOULD I HAVE SOME?

Having recently practiced what I preach and had a shiatsu treatment it has reminded me of the different levels that this form of bodywork can reach. Yes my poor knees feel better and my back has been stretched out and my neck feels as if it's where it should be, but more than that I feel centered and balanced and peaceful.

It is so hard to put the experience into words, but the treatment was gentle and compassionate, dynamic and energizing. I hadn't noticed how sluggish and stagnant my body and energy had become until the following day when I enthusiastically jumped out of bed and realised that I hadn't done that for some time. And one week later not only am I still feeling the same, but I am motivated to do my own stretches and exercises to maintain this delicious feeling. Oh... and one last thing - I am eating less because my energy is balanced and abundant and I don't need to fuel myself the way I did before.

So if you are feeling tired, fatigued, heavy or unmotivated I would urge you to try a session.

You can contact me at The Well Being Clinic 01672 513583 or directly on 07977 863769

Thanks for reading this.

Emma Comfort
ITEC IPTI Dip Shiatsu

Habits – ditch the bad ones, grab the good ones - 

by Isla Baliszewska, Life and Performance Coach at the Wellbeing Clinic

 My foray into coaching began when someone told me that they had learned how to get out of their own way.  What they meant on a deeper level, was they were moving away from behaviours that did not suit their aspirations, they were effectively changing their habits.

On a neurological level habits are a 3 step loop, starting with a cue (hunger), moving on to a routine (eating), then finishing with a reward (satiation).  Once your habit is ingrained your brain becomes less engaged in the decision making process.  So unless you deliberately challenge and kick against a habit, you will revert to the established behaviours.  Although habits never disappear, understanding how they form gives you an edge in changing them.  

Our habits become so ingrained we lose awareness of the cues that trigger the routines.  Studies show that if we create a simple cue and a very clear reward, your brain starts anticipating that reward which affects your behaviours and pulls you towards that new habit.  Say you want to start an exercise regime but can’t get motivated.  Your simple cue could be to put your gym bag by the door every day.  Your reward might be to have a great coffee with a friend afterwards.

One of the biggest distractions to employees and business people is the ‘need’ to respond to emails and texts.   Simply turning off the buzz announcement for texts removes the cue that prompts your old habit of immediately responding.  The reward is implicit – you are more focused and productive! 

Changing habits isn’t easy and working with someone to make this happen and make the changes stick is a great way forward.  You can find out more about how to build new positive habits that work for you through coaching with NLP by contacting us at the Wellbeing Clinic on 01672 513583.

Sharing your worries

A Danish study of more than 180,000 patients found that having a general check-up with a doctor may cause undue stress and may be a waste of time.  Lasse Grogsboll of the research team said "...we do think that public healthcare initiatives that are systematically offering general health checks should be resisted"

The thinking is that the people who go for a general check-up with the GP are the 'worried well' and that they are less likely to be unwell.  The question here is how to get the people who are ill and do not want to go to their GP to open up and seek help.  Talking and sharing is undoubtedly one of the best ways to start dealing with an illness, be it physical, mental or emotional.

It is often the case that once people have taken the first step to talk to someone they are more able to find the right way towards healing. Jill Sudbury of the Welbeing Clinic gives an example; "I had a lady book for a reflexology appointment and when she came it was not long before she was talking about some deep seated issues associated with bereavement.  Once she had opened up and started to talk to about these things she was able to confront some difficult issues and start taking steps forward.  She subsequently attended some counselling sessions and the change in her was remarkable." 

The power of sharing your concerns or worries with the right person should not be underestimated.  It might be that the GP surgery is  the best port of call in the first instance, or it might be a friend or perhaps an alternative therapist or counsellor.  The important thing is not to let yourself become unwell  because you feel you should keep everything contained and manage alone.