Life Journey Blend – Strength In Transition

When you are facing a challenge in your life journey, often it takes strength and will power to continue on that journey when those challenges occur.

A blend of essential oils that will enhance, support, and allow you to retain the focus on your life journey, regardless of the challenges you are facing is:

Black Pepper (Piper nigrum)

Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris, ct linalool)

Each of these oils has physical healing properties, as well as an emotional profile.  For this blend it was about the emotional profile.

Black Pepper

Physically this essential oil is well known for it’s warming properties, allowing for it’s use in the warming of muscles and joints to allow for more freedom of movement, it’s use in fevers (a homeopathic quality, like cures like) and for it’s ability to break up blockages and remove them, such as an expectorant, anticatarrhal and a digestive.

This ability to break up and remove blockages allows Black Pepper to stimulate the individual to see the blockages that are holding them back in their journey through life, to loosen those blockages and give you direction in your journey.  The warming properties also allow you to gather warm and confidence in yourself, and your ability to undertake the direction you have chosen on this journey.

Cypress

Physically this essential oil is well known for it’s calming and anti-spasmodic effects, allowing for it’s use in areas of respiratory conditions and nervous conditions.

This calming and anti-spasmodic effect allows for the individual who is jumping from one idea to another, rapidly going through change, to make the transition from one state to another, or from one path to another, with more calmness and ease. The Cypress in this blend protects and supports you on the rapid change that is unfolding in your Life Journey, allowing you to transition into the next area with ease and without a draining of energy that comes with rapid change and jumping from idea to idea.

Thyme

Physically this essential oil is well known for it’s anti-inflammatory effects, allowing for it’s use in many inflammatory conditions, including respiratory, urinary and skin related inflammations.

This anti-inflammatory aspect allows for the individual to remove the anger from their emotion, and dig into their own strength to follow their Life Journey.  Thyme encourages you to be balanced, courageous, calm and supportive while also ensuring there is focus and decisive action being undertaken.  This allows you to be strong in your decisions, to ensure you strengthen your will power to remain on your chosen path.

These essential oils combined allow you to transition into change, with ease, will power and strength, while remaining firmly focused on your chosen Life Journey.

Aromatherapy Blend

Strength In Transition

For more information on the use of essential oils, refer to my website, http://www.SandraVenables.com

Breathing – The Benefits!

I feel very privileged as a mentor to watch the development of my ex-students in their life within the field of natural therapies.

This article on Breathing Your Way To Better Health is beautifully written and researched by an ex-student of mine (and many other lecturers too).

I feel very grateful to know an individual who gives and shares in this way – enjoy reading about how you breathe can influence your health and your way of living.

Curcumin(turmeric) kills breast cancer cells.

I am always happy to provide evidence where nature supports our body. This study referenced in this blog, highlights some benefits of regular turmeric ingestion.  I do ensure that I also regularly take turmeric as it is appearing to be a great antioxidant that the body can easily utilise. Enjoy the read

Source: Curcumin(turmeric) kills breast cancer cells.

Three things I learned from my mentor, Dr. Wayne Dyer

Dr Wayne Dyer has influenced millions of lives, we all think differently once exposed to his style of thinking and writing. May you too get to experience the joys of his writings, and the wonderful results of opening up your mind to the wonders of the Universe. Enjoy

Pam Grout

“Have you lived 75 years? Or have you lived one year 75 times?”—Wayne Dyer

I will be forever grateful that I got to meet Wayne Dyer last April at the I Can Do It conference in Denver where we both were speaking. He has been my mentor since I was in college and meeting him was like meeting God.

In fact, had he not written about trying the experiments from E-Squared, I might not be where I am today. Dr. Dyer, I love you, and I am so grateful for everything you have given the world. Your light will continue to shine forever in our hearts and, as my friend Elizabeth said, we are all so lucky that we now have another teammate on the other side.

In honor of this remarkable man who has meant so much to so many of us, I’m re-running this post from a few…

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Statins Vs Garlic – which is better for your heart?

I always love reading about how natural products are used to treat different medical conditions.  This article on how aged garlic is of benefit to those with hardening arteries makes a good read.

It essentially challenges your understanding of the role cholesterol plays in heart conditions, and gives an alternative suggestion.  This alternative is then treated quite well using aged garlic.

 

Enjoy the read

 

Statins Vs Garlic – which is better for your heart?.

Aromatherapy And Colds

Aromatherapy and essential oils can play a big role in prevention of your colds over the windy and cold seasons.  They can also play a role in easing the symptoms once a cold has been contracted.

Prevention

Prevention begins in the air we breathe. By ensuring that essential oils are chosen in a room spray the air in your home can smell lovely, as well as be fighting the bacteria and viruses that are known to inhabit that air, and spread to your family members.

There are a few different essential oils that can be utilised to prevent infections, and my favourites are:

Immune system, essential oils, aromatherapy

Images courtesy of Suat Eman, Pakorn & Prozac1 from FreeDigitalPhotos

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

Antibacterial (Staph and Strep infections), antiseptic (influenza)

Lemon (Citrus limon)

Antibacterial (Staph and Strep infections), antiinfectious (respiratory system), antiseptic (air), immunostimulant, antiviral (colds)

Pine (Pinus sylvestris)

Antibacterial (Staph infections), antiinfectious (air, colds, influenza, respiratory system)

By making a blend in a bottle of springwater, this can be easily sprayed into the family and common areas in the morning, and again in the evening.  As well as an evening spray in the bedrooms, or on the linen when making the bed daily.  This will aid in boosting the immune system, as well as providing some antiseptic support for the air where bacteria and viruses ‘hang out’.

Cold Symptoms

Once a cold has established itself, then it’s time to support the body in quickly and efficiently breaking up the mucous, expectorating it out (coughing it out) and supporting the immune system to fight the cold itself.

Inhalation is a method of choice for delivery of the essential oils required when a cold is progressing.  Inhalation can be through different methods.

  • room spray
  • steamer
  • tissue

If you don’t own a steamer that can be used in conjunction with essential oils, then place the required amount of essential oil into a bowl of warm water, and breathe in the steam.  Care is to be taken if you are considering holding the bowl for another person, when someone is upset, the bowl can be unexpectedly pushed from your hands, making a bed or area of rest very wet indeed, as well as yourself!

Massage is another method of delivery for essential oils when a cold is progressing.  However, if the patient is not interested in undressing and being massaged, another great way to deliver the oils is to apply them, in a carrier oil, on the wrists, under the nose, or around the throat area.

Always ensure that essential oils are delivered in a diluted format, never place undiluted essential oils directly onto the skin!

Essential oils of choice for colds include:

Aromatherapy Gold Coast

Images courtesy of Warradmu, Sommai, FreeDigitalPhotos net and Sciencemag org

Frankincense (Boswellia carteri)

Expectorant, mucolytic, immunostimulant

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus smithii, Eucalyptus globulus, Eucalyptus radiata)

Expectorant, mucolytic

Peppermint (Mentha x piperita)

Expectorant, mucolytic, febrifuge (assists with fever)

For more information on using essential oils within your daily life, visit http://www.sandravenables.com

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this blog are those of the author and should not be taken to constitute medical advice or imply treatment of any disorder. For all health conditions you must visit an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

Spasmodic & Rattling Coughs

The cold reaches the second stage when the cough develops further and discharges are beginning to occur.

When there is much mucous and phlegm, so all of it is coming out, this is when the cold has entered the third stage. Either of these stages can be accompanied by a dry, spasmodic or rattling cough.

Spasmodic Coughs

When coughs come in a series, or in spasms, it’s described as a spasmodic cough. It can be dry or wet in nature.

The Drosera cough is a dry and barking cough, from a tickle, with prolonged periods of rapid, deep, barking, or even choking type of cough. It can take the breath away and may end in retching or vomiting, a nose bleed or a cold sweat. Often it’s worse at 2am.

Incessant and violent cough, with wheezing and choking that may trigger vomiting. The vomiting of phlegm occurs, though it doesn’t ameliorate the coughing.  The body can stiffen during the suffocative spasms of coughing, Ipecac.

Sudden onset at night of coughing, after being asleep, wakes with a suffocative cough, must sit up to cough, will be frigthened, grasping at their throat. Shortly after the coughing spasms, sweating on the head, face and neck will break out.  During the cough, the nails and lips will appear purple, Sambucus.

Regular episodes of violent tickling, racking cough, ending in vomiting or raising up of much clear ropy type of mucous, with a purple red coloured face and internal heat feeling. Coughing episodes can be brought on by brushing the teeth, rinsing the mouth with water, or trying to raise the phlegm.  Raising the mucous/phlegm, ameliorates the cough for 3 – 4 hours, before it begins again. Usually worse in the morning, on first waking or on first getting out of bed. Coughing does not stop until vomiting or raising of the mucous occurs, Coccus cacti.

There are many more remedies for spasmodic coughs that vary in symptoms from these mentioned too.

Rattling Coughs

Cough hacking, rattling, with sneezing and painless watering of the eyes. The nose runs like water also, Allium cepa.

Rattling cough, with a lot of thick, yellow or yellow/green mucous from the nose. Accompanied by a loss of appetite and no thirst, loss of taste and smell.  Often there is much mucous and phlegm during the day, and dry at night. Pulsatilla.

Antimonium tartaricum has much rattling mucous in the chest, however it is very difficult to cough it up. The chest seems full of mucous, yet it gets harder and harder to raise it.  Mucous can be thick and yellow. The cough can come on if you are angry, or have been eating. Often worse after midnight, and better for sitting up or for being carried upright.

Lots of yellowish mucous, with a thick, loose sounding cough, can be rattling and barking.  Often comes on after being in the cold air, or the cold winds. Usually accompanied by a sore throat that feels as if there is a splinter or fish bone in there, Hepar sulphuris.

A loose cough during the day, that is much better when lying down at night. A lot of watery discharge from the nose, and the eyes are red and sore from the burning tears, Euphrasia.

As for the spasmodic coughs, there are many more options for a rattling cough, symptoms dependant.

For the lingering or recurrent cough, do take the time to come for a consultation to consider an overall picture and discover the deeper acting remedy that is required to clear that cough and restore balance.

For further information on homeopathic remedies dosage, visit http://www.sandravenables.com

Coughs & Colds Homeopathy

Image courtesy of StockImages at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Disclaimer:
The opinions expressed within this blog are those of the author and should not be taken to constitute medical advice or imply treatment of any disorder. For all health conditions you must visit an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

Dry Coughs

For very early stages of any inflammatory process, either colds or flus, Ferrum phos may be useful, when the symptoms are vague, there’s a feeling of not being 100% or ther may be a short, dry cough, with no expectoration.  When the cough is dry, barking, comes on, or is worse, in the evening, especially after being out in the cold winds that day, Aconite.

When the dry, barking, repetitive, cough is accompanied by a fever and a flushed face, Belladonna.

A painful, dry cough, where any movement makes it worse, or it’s so sore to cough the chest or sternum has to be held, Bryonia.

A dry, tiring cough, usually accompanied by blocked nose overnight and runny nose during the day, Nux vomica.

When the dry cough is raspy and barking, like a seal, especially when it develops into this around midnight, consider Spongia.

A dry, yet barking cough, again holding the chest with their hands, coughing to retching or vomiting, often worse at night, Drosera.

The dry, teasing, continuous cough, from a tickle in the throat, especially worse for breathing in cool, or cold, air, or going from a warm to cold room, preventing sleep, Rumex.

Often the initial dry cough is considered to be the first stage of a cold.

For more information on homeopathy and dosing, visit http://www.sandravenables.com

Coughs & Colds Homeopathy

Image courtesy of StockImages at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this blog are those of the author and should not be taken to constitute medical advice or imply treatment of any disorder. For all health conditions you must visit an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

Temper Tantrums In Children

Gallicum Acidum

Aggression, Adulation, Abandoment
Gallicum acidum homeopathy

Gall Nuts

One of the joys of homeopathy is learning about ‘new’ remedies.  These remedies may either be new to the materia medica, that is, recently introduced worldwide, or they may be a remedy that is new to me.

The latter is the case for Gallcium acidum. It is a remedy that has been utilised in homeopathy for a long time, though it’s application has not been that obvious to me.

I was intrigued to be on a webinar describing Gallicum acidum, then the next day, when out walking, I found these two beautifully formed Gall nuts.  These are one such source of Gallicum acidum. It is also found in tea, red wine and sumac.  In the days of past, it was used to stop haemorrhaging.

The main mental symptom for Gall-ac that was originally published has lead to an interpretation, where it is useful for children that I may see in clinic today.

Original Mental Symptom

“wild delirium at night; very restless; jumps out of bed; sweats profusely; afraid to be alone; insists on constantly being watched; is exceedingly rude and abuses everyone, even his best friends; jealous of his nurse and curses every one who speaks to her”

When originally published, this was the only mental symptom.  After clinical use, the following symptoms are utilised in practice:

Typical Symptoms

  • Fear of being abandoned
  • Fear of being alone, worse when alone
  • Demanding of attention
  • Tense and angry
  • Destructive
  • Loss of control
  • Intense tantrums
  • Rude, abusive, cursing
  • Jealousy
  • Compulsive behaviour
  • Restless

A summary of this presentation can be the child who is constantly demanding your attention, always wanting to be watched when they are doing something, to be praised for the thing they have done.  When your attention is diverted from them, there is a jealousy of this, resulting in some different behaviours, tantrums (loss of control, destruction, cursing, swearing, rude behaviour) and manipulation of the situation to return the attention to themselves.

There may be a constant “Mummy, Mummy (or Daddy), look at me, look at what I’m doing”, “I want to sit by Mummy/Daddy”, “Mummy, do you like what I’ve done?”. This desire for attention, to be watched and observed by their loved one appears to derive from an underlying fear of abandoment, a fear of being left alone.  Often this situation can occur when it’s time for the primary care giver to return to work, and the child is placed in daycare, or they begin schooling.  The separation feels like this abandonment they have been fearing will happen.  It may also occur after a family breakup, when the child is unsure which parent they’re to go with.

Often strangers will comment that they are such a sweet child, as they wish to be seen to be doing the best, so until the relationship is stronger, the tantrums will not show themselves.  Instead, the anger may be held in, resulting in a very tense body or a clenching of the jaw.

When tantrums occur, they are very intense, as well as sudden.  The intensity can be destructive, malicious, cursing, rude and inconsiderate of how it’s affecting those around them. Picture the situation in a shopping centre, when the parent is very embarrassed by the tantrum of the child where there is biting, cursing, kicking and screaming.  Once the attention is returned to them, the tantrum ceases.

There can be a restlessness in their sleep also, a tossing and/or moaning, or a rolling of the head, along with excess saliva or perspiration.

Compulsive touching, smelling or collecting (stealing) of things can be seen also.

Although they will do a ‘wrong’ thing, e.g., stealing, or bad behaviour, they will deny that it was them, as they want you to see them in a good light, so will lie or hide what they have done wrong.

This remedy compares closely to Stramonium, Belladonna, Hyoscymus and Tuberculinum.  Differentiating between them is the art of Homeopathy.

For more information on homeopathy, http://www.sandravenables.com

Science, Research & Health

….all had an increase in risk of adverse events, still safe to use combination vaccines…

I was reading through a newly published research article and read with disbelief the statement that resulted in my interpretation given above.  The actual statement was:

“……had an increased incidence of sepsis evaluations and increased respiratory support and intubation after routine immunization. Our findings provide no evidence to suggest that physicians should not use combination vaccines ….”

The research was recently published in the JAMA Pediatrics and was a study of  Extremely Low Birth Weight infants (or ELBW infants, I sometimes think shortening the words to just letters allows the reader to forget that this is a human being), and the affect routine immunisation had on various health issues for these infants.

The study itself was evaluating single vaccinations versus combination vaccinations, but it did surprise me when the study showed that these infants had a higher risk of an adverse event for either type of vaccination, then they stated that it was still safe to give the combination vaccines to them, as it was no different between single shot or combination vaccines.  An interesting conclusion to arrive at.

Thankfully they also conclude that further studies are needed to be undertaken on the timing of immunisations and the spacing of them on this vulnerable group.

Note that these infants were all generally born at 23 – 28 weeks gestation, and were generally immunised after at least 53 days postpartum.

The editorial in the same journal also discusses the study, to critique it, however mainly in the area of the measurement of the adverse events, e.g., how was the incidence of sepsis evaluated, were these children actually less at risk of adverse events because of the timing of the immunisation.  Ultimately, it was advocating that these children in the study were potentially stronger and more healthy than other children not included in the study.  I sometimes struggle to see the logic of the reasoning, I suppose more reading of research is needed!

While checking out these articles, I also found another article on the risk of administering measles containing vaccines in relation to febrile seizures (measles, mumps, rubella and varicella vaccines, MMRV, or as separate shots, MMR and V, these live ).  It was deemed that administering the MMRV or the MMR+/- V vaccines in a timely manner, i.e. when the children are 12 – 15 months of age, reduces the risk of increased febrile seizures.  While waiting until the second year of life actually increases the risk (16 – 23 months).  These febrile seizures were those measured in the 7 – 10 day period post immunisation, compared to the control interval.

What I find interesting, and worth thinking through more, is that the delay of immunisation creates a higher risk of fever and seizures (febrile seizures), would this be associated with the developing immune system? This was suggested by the authors also that it may be because of the stronger immune response in the older child.

I remember from my training, that the first two years of a child’s life, their immune system is continuing to develop.  Would the increased risk between 16 – 23 months merely be an indicator that the child’s immune system is fighting the introduced vaccine harder than when they are 12 – 15 months of age?

By looking through the references for this article, it is easy to see that the research into febrile seizures and the administration of a vaccine containing measles has been ongoing for over 20 years now (1991) and into febrile seizures for longer (1969), showing that they appeared to reach a peak in the second year of life.

The conclusions will always be difficult to arrive at, as we are treating individuals who respond to external stimulation in an individual manner. Why homeopathy excels in helping those who are individuals.