What a great weekend it’s been for getting some jobs done in the garden!! Clearing up the debris from the recent bad weather, has given me the opportunity, yet again, to marvel at Mother Nature’s fortitude and resilience. I have been privileged to be joined by bumble bees, ladybirds and I’ve had fleeting glances of some butterflies. I have been visited by a wonderful array of birds. A pair of Jackdaw’s building their nest in a neighbours chimney and were quite noisy during their construction work! In stark contrast a Robin serenaded me from the trees above where I was working. I believe he was frustrated that I was turning over lots of tasty bugs and he couldn’t get them while I was in the way! Even a (not so) shy Jay made an appearance at one point. I have a regular pair of visiting ducks who dropped in briefly on their way to the village pond and a coot who decided that there was too much activity in the garden for his liking. Blackbirds, sparrows, dunnocks, tits of various types, doves, pigeons, magpies, seagulls and some starlings were amongst others who passed by.
Not only do many of our plants offer so much in the way of nutrition for us and other species, they also possess astounding healing properties, many of which have, sadly, been forgotten or overlooked by mainstream allopathic medicine. Plants and trees have been used curatively by our forebears to great effect, both in their natural state or prepared into other forms, maybe as essential oils, tinctures or creams and, of course, they have been prepared for use homeopathically. It shouldn’t be forgotten that plants and trees also possess great spiritual healing powers, too.
The main focus of my commentary today is about the Homeopathic use of some of these plants. Whilst appreciating the wonderful abundance in my garden, (both planned and unplanned) I have been thinking about how some of the plants are used medicinally from a holistic homeopathic viewpoint. I don’t want to go into the actual process involved in making homeopathic remedies or explain in great detail how homeopathy works – that may be a topic for another day! I simply wish to highlight some of the healing properties of some of our more common garden plants that are contained in the Homeopathic Materia Medica.
I have some beautiful Hellebores plants in full flower. Hellebores (sometimes known as the Christmas or Lenten rose) are perennial garden plants that enjoy shady spots and flower in late winter and early spring.
Homeopathic preparations of this plant are made from its root and have been used effectively for a range of conditions, primarily affecting the brain. These include coma, concussion, meningitis, night-blindness, epilepsy, depression and headaches. I would not suggest that this is a ‘First Aid’ homeopathic remedy for home prescribing but under the guidance of a professional homeopath, it can be very effective in alleviating symptoms in these often serious and debilitating conditions.
As I surveyed the grass that was once a lawn and contemplated getting the lawn mower out, I marvelled at the numerous daisies and wild violets that were intermingled amongst the grass and moss. The vibrant display of colour and their almost palpable energy made it impossible for me the cut them down in their prime. The lawn mower stayed in the barn!!
The common Daisy, better known to homeopaths as the remedy Bellis Perennis, is a widely known and well used remedy with many, many healing properties. It is often regarded as a deeper acting Arnica and complementary to Calendula. The old name for the daisy is ‘Ground-wort’ or ‘Bruise-wort’. The daisy is a flower that is repeatedly trodden on but always comes up ‘smiling’!! Deep bruising is one of the most common reasons it is prescribed.
Bellis Perennis is very useful in helping with deep bruising to soft tissue, including damage caused from surgical interventions. The clinical uses include; aches perhaps from overworked muscles, sprains and strains, swellings, tumours and cysts, varicose veins, giddiness in elderly people, gout and boils.
The wild Violet, that is prolific at this time of year, also has some wonderful healing properties. It is part of the Viola family which, when homeopathically prepared, is used for a range of conditions including ear problems, headaches especially those caused from tension, worms in children, carpal tunnel of the wrists and rheumatism.
There are so many plants that I could mention, but for today, I will conclude with a comment about the majestic yet dazzling spring flower, the Daffodil which is known homeopathically as Narcissus Poeticus. The word comes from the Greek ‘Narkao’ – ‘to be numb’ and this plant has amazing narcotic properties. This remedy is particularly useful for chronic coughs, especially of a nervous origin. It is useful for bronchitis, convulsive whooping cough, headaches. Be warned that it is not advisable to eat this plant, particularly the bulbs, as they can be poisonous in their raw state and can cause a nasty reactions.
It has been fun to pick out a few garden plants and share a brief insight with you about their homeopathic uses. There are so many to explore and learn about but right now, it’s time to enjoy some more of the glorious sunshine. Adieu until next time.
What an absolutely beautiful morning! Crisp, clear and calm with wonderful blue skies and continuous sunshine. Whatever else is going on in the world or in my life, enjoying these incredible days is uplifting and inspiring. The camellia bushes in my garden are, at last, emerging from their winter sleep and are bursting open in a blaze of vibrant, energetic colour. Watching Mother Nature awaken and come to life once again, never fails to fill me with awe and a great sense of humility.
Whilst out walking my dog this morning, I was reflecting on the fact that it won’t be long before I can, once again, walk barefoot in the garden. Living in the UK makes this a bit uncomfortable during the winter months! Connecting with the Earth’s natural energy is such an important thing to do for our health and well-being and something that many of us may not do from one year to another. Generations ago, there was no such thing as synthetic floor coverings, man-made shoes and insulation. We used to walk barefoot or wear leather shoes, we slept on natural fibres on the floor. We were not bombarded with electromagnetic radiation (EMR) from all the modern gadgets and gizmo’s that we have all around us these days. These, apparently, everyday necessities come at a cost for most of us and I don’t mean in financial terms.
Walking barefoot and having direct contact with the Earth allows our bodies to ‘let go’ of the build up of this damaging electrical charge in a natural and energising way. Equally as important is that we are ‘recharged’ by the Earth’s natural, gentle negative charge that can flow into our body.
We are bio-electrical creatures who live on an electrical planet. Many of us ensure that our houses are ‘earthed’ and that electricity is safely discharged into the earth. We should also make sure that we do this for our own bodies too. How many of us sleep with our bed pushed up against the wall? Are there electrical sockets on either side of the bed? Is your head constantly positioned between these sockets? Do you sleep on a bed that stands off the floor and on a carpet that has a rubber underlay or other man-made floor covering?
There are a lot of studies that show that ‘earthing’ reduces all sorts of health complaints, including poor sleep, inflammatory conditions, chronic pain and fatigue, lack of energy.
I have slept on an ‘earthing’ sheet for about a year now and can honestly say that my sleep improved and my energy levels improved. I certainly miss my sheet if I have to sleep without it. I also have a couple of earthing mats that I put my feet on when sitting at my desk or relaxing watching the television. These products are a great substitute for connecting to the Earth directly and they do their job very well, but whenever possible it is great to walk barefoot on the Earth, preferably on a wonderful sandy beach or a lush green meadow – but just hanging out the washing in the garden gives me an opportunity the touch base with the Earth!
I am not sharing this to sell any products … I will leave it up to you to source the right products for you but I definitely advise that you look into the whole ‘earthing’ subject. I think you will find it interesting and worth some thought.
This article from Dr. Mercola’s website is very helpful and gives a short video trailer to an amazing film called The Grounded. Watch it if you can.
There are many different companies offering ‘earthing’ products and there are many videos on You Tube about the subject. Get informed – it just might make a difference to your health.
For those of you who have read a bit about me, you will know that I am a Holistic Practitioner using, amongst other therapies, Bio-Energetic health screening – this is a system that reads and assesses the energy in the body and detects imbalances and deficiencies. Have a look at my previous article about Asyra Health Screening to find out more and check out my webpage.
I’m sure many of us has been troubled by stress, anxiety or perhaps depression at some point in our lives. Maybe you feel you are in that place right now and don’t know how to change things or you know and care for someone who is stressed or anxious. I hope I can offer a little help in this blog. I speak from experience, not only as someone who knows what it feels like to be stressed and anxious but also, nowadays, as a therapist who has successfully helped many people deal with this condition. .
Anxiety or stress is a response triggered in the body as a reaction to a perceived or real threat – the threat can be physical, mental and / or emotional. Stress in certain situations is actually beneficial, as it gives the body the extra resources it needs to deal with the presenting problem. For example, feeling anxious about an upcoming interview or exam can actually heighten brain function and awareness and keep us alert and functioning at our best. However, if the response is out of balance with intensity of the situation, then our performance can actually be hindered. Getting the balance right is therefore important. If stress or anxiety becomes chronic, i.e. it becomes abnormally severe or prolonged and it impedes normal functioning, then finding some help is a good idea.
Mental health conditions have, in the past, been sensitive issues not always openly recognised or discussed. There used to be a stigma attached to owning up to depression and anxiety, but things, fortunately, are changing. Mental health and physical health are inextricably linked because our bodies work as a single interconnecting unit. Taking care of one is equally as important as taking care of the other. As a down side to the greater acknowledgement of the problems associated with stress and anxiety, is the increase in the number of people being prescribed anti-depressants, sleeping pills, sedatives and anti-histamines. These medications can affect some people adversely and cause problems in themselves. It is often difficult to stop taking these drugs.
Anxiety can show itself in a combination of any of these symptoms: Lack of energy and general apathy; Nervousness, fear and apprehension; Irritability; Nausea; Insomnia or disturbed sleep; Restlessness – mentally or physically; Lack of concentration; Over sensitivity; Increased perspiration; Palpitations; Loss of or increase in appetite; Diarrhoea; Faintness; Breathlessness; Loss of libido; Difficulty in swallowing; Numbness and tingling; Dizziness.
A holistic approach to dealing with Anxiety, Stress or Depression is the safest and most effective way of bringing the body back into balance and relieving the distressing symptoms. Homeopathy is one of the most popular holistic systems of medicine. The aim of homeopathy is not only to treat the anxiety or stress but to help the patient address the underlying causes. This might seem like an impossible task if you are the one actually suffering from the symptoms, but homeopathy can gently nudge your whole system back into balance and give you the energy, clarity and strength to tackle whatever it is that needs sorting out. I would advise seeking the help of qualified homeopath, who not only can work out an individualised treatment plan and appropriate remedies tailored to individual needs, but can also offer support and guidance throughout the whole process back to health.
There are many Homeopathic remedies that can be used to help the symptoms of Anxiety and Stress, some of which can be used for acute or emergency situations. I see no value in listing these remedies here but I am more than happy to advise or help with remedy selection. Just get in touch by any of my contact methods that best suits you.
In addition to Homeopathic treatment, some other beneficial therapies include Reflexology, Aromatherapy, Hydrotherapy, Relaxation therapy, Massage therapy, Acupressure, Psycho therapy and Yoga.
I would highly recommend Meditation, as it is a very calming and healing practice that can be simply learnt. Having a few minutes a day, in a state of quiet reflection helps to recharge the batteries and to give some insight into how to move forward. Guided visualisations can also offer this release and bring a sense of peace to an otherwise depleted energy. Even just setting aside a short time (longer if at all possible) to listen to some relaxing music can help you to ‘de-stress’.
A good healthy diet is essential. The food we eat is the fuel that out body runs on. Poor quality food results in poor performance and lack of energy. Try and eat as much raw food as possible – fruit, salads and vegetables. Source organically grown food where possible and avoid processed and refined foods. Limit sugary foods – they can fuel feelings of depression and anxiety. Try to drink plenty of water – filtered is the best option; if water isn’t your ‘thing’, try and drink herbal, fruit and/or green teas. Water helps the body to detox and eliminate unwanted substances. These increase and intensify during periods of stress and anxiety.
Maybe consider some supplements. I can only suggest things that I know have helped me and others I have worked with. Advice from a suitably qualified nutritionist is a good idea. Think about Vitamin B supplements, organic Virgin Coconut Oil, Probiotics, Ginseng, Ginkgo and Spirulina to name but a few. There are also many very useful essential oils that can help relaxation and sleep. My favourites include Frankincense, Lavender, Bergamot, Patchouli, Wild Orange and Sandalwood.
And last but not least – is exercise. I don’t mean you’ve got to go out running every day, not unless that is what you feel like doing. Getting out into the fresh air is very therapeutic, particularly is you can go to somewhere where there is some wildlife, some trees or grass, some water like a lake, a river or the sea. Go for a walk and appreciate nature wherever she appears. Perhaps try some Yoga, go swimming, a gentle cycle ride and some ‘rebounding’ (very good for circulating the lymph in the body). Whatever you choose to do will have an uplifting effect – try it and see!!
I hope that my thoughts and advice on this has given you some positive ideas about where to start to change things or how to help and encourage someone else to a better space.
What an absolutely beautiful morning! Crisp, clear and calm with wonderful blue skies and continuous sunshine. Whatever else is going on in the world or in my life, enjoying these incredible days is uplifting and inspiring. The camellia bushes in my garden are, at last, emerging from their winter sleep and are bursting open in a blaze of vibrant, energetic colour. Watching Mother Nature awaken and come to life once again, never fails to fill me with awe and a great sense of humility.
Donna Draper 