September 2010 : Volume 11 : Number 9

Welcome to the September Newsletter

Where has the year gone?! Winter is almost at an end in southern Tasmania and Christmas seems to be looming rather rapidly!

In Hobart the cherry blossom and daffodils are out, but a little further south in our valley we're still a couple of weeks behind. The flowering quince are bursting into brilliant red blossom and we have a few snowflakes, while the buds on the trees are just waiting to burst. We've had a couple of falls of snow, not much on the ground round the house, but certainly a good fall on our hill and Mt Wellington looks like a gloriously iced cake.

August was the month when we finally borrowed the rotivator again to turn over some new beds for crops of chickpeas, lentils, chook grains and a cut flower and unusual herb garden. Dean has also got very keen and started to dig another big pond for the ducks. We have a good base of clay so it should naturally hold water and with constant water running off the hill behind it is starting to fill quite rapidly. I've finally planted up the asparagus bed with plants I grew from seed and put up the posts for the raspberry canes. It's been a busy time, with the potato crop still to go in when the weather warms up. We're still eating last years crop, so we now know that we need about 30kg to get through a year!

Newsflash: Remember the ducklings we got in March? They have started to lay beautiful blue eggs in the last week. And one of the four new chooks has turned out to be a rooster and is getting in practise for a bit of early morning crowing!

Homeopathy for Digestive Problems

Last month I wrote about remedies for gut problems focussing on the bowel, so this month we are going to look at some acute stomach problems, ie the first part of the digestive system. I've also repeated some of what I said last month in relation to causation.

Some of the triggers for more chronic digestive problems are food allergies and intolerances - which are definitely becoming more of a problem - parasites, vaccination, bacterial infections like giardia and obviously inherited tendencies.

While naturopaths generally see gut health as the cause of many health problems, the homeopathic view is that if your gut is not working properly, it's not down to the gut itself. It's obviously important to manage the gut health with probiotics, supplements and by limiting suspect foods among other things, but poor gut health is a symptom in itself - not a cause. The cause is usually something more deep seated (such as anxiety, trauma, stress, grief, poor relationships, etc) that has allowed the immune system to become vulnerable to a negative reaction. Even very small children presenting with tummy aches usually turn out to be suffering stress perhaps from disharmony at home or school, or maybe because a pet has died or a friend has moved away. Sounds simplistic, but in fact fundamental and needs to be addressed!

If you suffer from chronic digestive problems, constitutional treatment can be very helpful, alongside some dietary changes, and homeopathy brings good results. Do be aware if thinking about this route that if you've had a problem for months or years, a single consultation is not going to "fix" the issue. It takes time to get well, just as it took time to become unwell.

Indigestion

Carbo Veg Stomach feels full of wind even after plain food. Belching gives some relief, craving for fresh air.

Nux Vomica Heartburn soon after eating brought on by too much food, alcohol or work! Often irritable.

Pulsatilla Indigestion after rich food with feeling of pressure under breastbone, pounding heart, bad taste in mouth, nausea with or without vomiting and often a bit weepy.

Bryonia Feels as if a heavy stone in the stomach, which comes on soon after food with heartburn, nausea and faintness. Worse for slight movement or pressure, but better lying on the back. Very thirsty but mouth fills with bitter tasting fluid.

Sepia Sudden empty feeling in stomach especially in the evening which feels better for eating. Sour taste in the mouth, lots of wind, may be nauseated by smell of food. Often craving for pickles and sour food. Great for morning sickness if the symptoms fit.

Lycopodium Heartburn, stomach feels bloated and full of gas. Stomach feels full quickly even when very hungry, mainly because food causes instant indigestion. Discomfort is not relieved by belching. Constipation often an accompanying symptom. A good remedy for unsettled, colicky, windy newborns.

Phosphorus Burning sensation in chest, craving for ice cold water which may be vomited up as soon as it warms in the stomach.

Nausea & Vomiting

Ipecac Persistent nausea with griping pains in the abdomen, headache and perspiration. Not better for vomiting. Symptoms worse in a car or looking at moving objects.

Nux Vomica Vomiting 2-3 hours after eating with painful retching, especially after overindulging. May wake at 4am and not be able to get back to sleep. Hangovers!!

Pulsatilla Vomiting after rich fatty food. Wants to be in open air. Generally weepy.

Phosphorus Craving for cold water which is vomited as soon as it warms in the stomach.

Travel Sickness

Tabacum Nauseous, giddy, faint, pale, cold and sweaty with sensation of tight band around the head. Much worse for cigarette smoke.

Cocculus Sight of food causes nausea and sudden increase in saliva. Person is dizzy and worn out and wants to lie down.

Petroleum Feels hungry but feels full after a small amount. Sudden increase in saliva with dizziness worse for loud noise or by sitting up. Pain in back of head and neck.

Nux Vomica Feels queasy with headache at back of head or over one eye. Food, tobacco or coffee make symptoms worse. Painful gagging and retching, constipation, feels chilly.

Or try our Nausea Combination - available on request.

What's new on the Website

Yet more changes to TGA regulations both now and in the future have left myself and colleagues in the position of having to do more research and reading to ascertain the requirements in relation to retailing homeopathics. It would appear that the only products I will be unable to retain on the website are the combination remedies that many of you have benefitted from and love. However, those of you receiving this newsletter are on the whole already clients. In this situation, you are able to access whatever homeopathics you need/require via a consultation - which basically means you can just email or ring me, as many of you generally do.

In the meantime you may notice some of the old favourites are missing from the on-line shop, so if you want to buy them just drop me an email.

Home Remedy Kit Expansion Pack has recently expanded by 4 remedies to 18 remedies if you are thinking about updating your 28 remedy kit. Additional remedies are Eupatorium 30c, Kali Mur 30c, Symphytum 30c and Veratrum Album 30c and the price is $107.95.

A case; Buffy the black cat

I had an incident with my cat the other day that I think illustrates beautifully how helpful homeopathy can be and how easy it is to use once you get your head around it!

Buffy is generally a fussy, vocal, nervy cat with a little oriental blood in her! In the past she had had what we thought were bouts of cystitis but because the remedies worked so quickly and efficiently have never actually got her to the vet when she's been ill. I've found Cantharis and Berberis to work well acutely, and had put her on Causticum weekly as she is getting a little older and this is a good remedy for the aged!!

Last week she became particularly restless - wandering around, coming in and out and generally being a bit of a pain. Leaping onto Dean's lap as soon as he sat down, needing attention then not needing attention. It was evident she was cold as she hugged the fire and sat in the sun, and she was very fussy about her food (more than usual!!) and would only eat it from a fresh packet.

After some thought I decided that whatever was wrong with her she needed Arsenicum Album, so we gave her a dose. Literally five minutes later when I looked she had curled up on her bed in front of the fire and that was the last we heard!! We've given it several times since when she's become excessively restless again and each time it stops her in her tracks.

So . . . I didn't consider what was actually wrong with Buffy physically. I observed her behaviour, her neediness, and her likes and dislikes, and took into account her apparent coldness. Then I picked a remedy based on just these symptoms. Arsenicum has these symptoms as keynotes and seemed the best fit. The results were very quick showing that the remedy was well indicated.

Obviously if the remedy hadn't worked or doesn't "hold" she will have to see the vet for further help, but luckily for us our vet is a homeopath too so we can swap notes and we speak the same language!

Bits & Pieces

Winter Cough - There has been a really dreadful viral illness with cough doing the rounds of both the West and East coasts and I've treated more cases than I can count over the last month.

While a few cases did actually sound like they could be whooping cough, most have responded well to the usual cough remedies plus something to support the respiratory system. If you have a child (or adult) who is still struggling to get over this virus, I would recommend a consultation to deal with the underlying respiratory weakness.

Hayfever Time - If you suffer from hayfever, don't forget to organise a consult before the season really gets going. I've had a few patients starting with symptoms already and getting in early can make the difference between a good season and a really bad season. If you suffer with significant seasonal allergies annual treatment can bring annual improvement, with good long term outcomes.

Skype Consultations - our internet connection is working better than it has in the past and I am now able to offer skype consults again. This can be very useful for treating children and just for having a face to face chat. Let me know if you would prefer skype to a phone consult.

Requests for Consultations - from time to time I receive long emails from people supplying me with lots of information on a particular health issue and requesting a consultation. I do love to get these emails from you, but sometimes don't have time to really get my teeth into them outside of a consultation. What is preferable is if you send me a short email outlining the problem so I can ascertain if homeopathy can help. I will then send you a questionnaire to get the relevant information, at which point you can send me the detail you feel is important.

Even if you send me a long email, I still need the questionnaire completed as it contains many of the "homeopathic questions" which give me the nitty gritty information that is helpful to the homeopath. Sometimes when I send back an email with a questionnaire attached I think people are a bit offended, but I really do feel this process gives you the best outcome for your complaint/money.

So don't stop asking for consults, just drop me a short email in the first instance. Many thanks.

On-line Education

I was asked back in January about doing some on-line education on using homeopathics. I have actually got as far as looking at webinar software and am now getting keen on the idea of doing some home prescriber workshops on line. I may add more advanced sessions to this later on.

My plan would be to break up my usual three hour workshop into two sessions of approximately two hours, so it's not an information overload.

Since many of you are in WA, I would plan to run these two sessions twice - once as an evening session and once during the day, so that as many people as possible have the opportunity to join in. There may also be the option of purchasing the recorded version of the webinar after the event.

I've put together a very basic form so you can indicate what would suit you and from there I can work out the logistics. Click here to download in MS Word . Complete and and return your form by email or just email me a yes or no!

Going Vegetarian

With so many children heading towards meat-less meals I do come across a lot of parents who are at their wits end about what to cook. I thought it might be good to share some of our tried and tested recipes with you. They aren't necessarily gluten, wheat or dairy free - just wholesome and tasty meals which children usually love! You can experiment with different ingredients once you have the basic recipes.

Cheese & Lentil Gratin

I've been cooking this recipe for over 20 years and it's still a family favourite!

Heat the oil in the pan, add the onion and fry until soft. Add the carrot, celery, lentils, water/stock and garlic. Cover, bring to the boil, then lower the heat and simmer gently for about 20 minutes until the water is absorbed. Keep an eye on this as it can burn quickly.

Add ¾ of the cheese, the breadcrumbs, parsley and egg to the lentil mix and stir thoroughly. Season to taste. Spoon into a greased, shallow ovenproof dish (about 1 litre). Sprinkle with sesame seeds and the remaining cheese.

Bake at 180c for 45 minutes until the topping is crisp and golden brown. Serve hot with a simple tomato sauce if desired, green vegetables or salad and potatoes. This gratin also tastes great cold.

Serves 6

Vaccination Issues

Homeoprophylaxis (HP or Homeopathic Immunisation) - Adding new babies to your program

If you have a new baby and want to use your homeopathic immunisation program for this child you need to complete a questionnaire and organise a phone consult, after which I will send you out a record card and offer the usual support. Your new baby will then be added to the register I hold in the clinic of all children who are currently using an HP program, which is at the request of the Australian Homeopathic Association.

And now a word on sharing HP kits between families or unregistered children!

People see homeopathy as being safe and effective - which it is when used according to the instructions. HP kits, while being similar in content are actually dispensed following a consultation to ascertain likely reactions to the program. Each child and each family is different, exhibiting different elements of the family medical history and having a different pregnancy/birth story.

Because homeopathics used in this instance are high potency and very specific, it is important to know what is likely to happen when the program is administered and to have support should things not go according to plan. There can be reactions to HP remedies and while generally mild and manageable, it is advisable to administer any such remedies following advice from a practitioner.

Homeopathy is great to share with your family and friends and there's no harm in giving out a few acute remedies. However, sharing your HP kit is like sharing medications from your doctor - it's a no-no!

Clinic Hours

I am now consulting in Hobart all day on both Tuesday and Friday. Saturday mornings are now by arrangement only. Consults (including phone consults) are available at Mountain River all day Wednesday and some Mondays if I have time.

Please remember to keep me updated if you change your email address as any changes to programs come out via email.

Until next time,
Warmest wishes

Melanie Creedy