Welcome to the Cph Newsletter!
Volume 10 - November / December 2007
Hi [FIRSTNAME],
This newsletter is never sent unsolicited. You are receiving this newsletter because you recently subscribed to the College of Practical Homeopathy Newsletter via this IP address [IP] on [DATE] using the following email ([EMAIL]) at - http://college-of-practical-homeopathy.com.
Welcome to the November /December newsletter written by Alex Christie. For those of you who are new to this newsletter, Alex writes one bi monthly for Cph on a different subject or subjects. You are welcome to write to her and suggest a topic, as she has several that she is gradually working through already!
I wonder how many of you have been experiencing change in your lives and challenges that have tested you to the limit over the last few months? Astrologists say it is because of the planetary positions, those on the spiritual path say it is because in the run up to 2012 when there will be a huge shift in consciousness, all that is hidden is coming to the surface, including old hurts and grievances in order for you to deal with it. To quote from www.2012.com.au “During the Apocalypse or the time "between worlds" many people will be going through many personal changes. The changes will be many and varied. It is all part of what we came here to learn or experience. Examples of change could be- relationships coming to an end, change of residence or location, change of job or work, shift in attitude or thinking etc.”
Well, whether or not you choose to believe this, for me it has been a hugely challenging time. No sooner had my stepmother died and we thought we would have more time to get on with our lives than we discovered that my stepfather was leaving my mother, his wife of 26 years, with minimal financial support and leaving his house, in which my mother had invested most of her estate, entirely to his children. We also discovered, at about the same time that my father’s stepchildren had been spending large amounts of my father’s money, having gained access to one of his savings accounts. So the hidden has certainly come to light in my family. Fortunately, I learned about it when I could still do something to right the situation. From a positive point of view it has thrown me together with the members of my family and we have worked together as a team in a way we never have before.
From a health point of view I wanted to give you alternatives to antibiotics. So often my clients start on the healing path and suddenly they are faced with a healing crisis, only to be told by the doctors that the only alternative is to take antibiotics. There are a very few cases where this is true, but mostly alternatives can be taken that don’t damage the gut flora and suppress the immune system in the same way that antibiotics do, so I wanted to share these with you.
Although there are times when pharmaceutical antibiotics are a necessity and can save lives, their use is associated with a number of problems. Apart from antibiotic allergy, their use can lead to the extermination of beneficial gut bacteria and the encouragement of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria. Moreover, a recent analysis of five studies with 27,167 children shows that antibiotic use in children under the age of one can double the incidence of asthma, and this risk increases with each successive course of the drugs. (More at http://tinyurl.com/yuzpo).
Fortunately there are natural alternatives to pharmaceutical antibiotics, the most prominent among which are detailed below.
Ionic Silver
While most antibiotic drugs are effective against only a few germs, silver has been reported to kill well over 600 different strains. Moreover, infections that can become resistant to pharmaceutical antibiotics cannot develop the same defence against silver.
In recent laboratory tests, scientists found ionic silver to be effective even against many of the more insidious organisms including Staphylococcus Aureus, Salmonella Typhi, and Candida Globata.
Ionic silver can be used in many ways. For example, ear infections can be treated using a dropper bottle (available from chemists), and sinus infections by spraying the solution into the nasal cavities three times each day. Any nasal spray can be pressed into service for this purpose by emptying the original contents, washing and then refilling with silver solution.
Ionic silver consists of ultra-fine silver particles suspended in purified water, and it is completely safe to use both internally and externally. The best results are obtained by using a product with the smallest possible particle size, such as that available at Metabolics, phone 01380 812 799.
Herbs
The following have all been recommended in herbal texts for their antibiotic effects: acacia, aloe, bearberry, blue flag root, burdock, cayenne, chaparral, cloves, cryptolepis, echinacea, eucalyptus, garlic, ginger, goldenseal, grapefruit seed extract, holy thistle, honey, horseradish, juniper, liquorice, lobelia, mullein, myrrh, nasturtium, oregano, poke root, red clover, sage, thyme, usnea, wild indigo, wild thyme and wormwood.
Bartram’s Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine by Thomas Bartram – a classic source of herbal knowledge – also recommends specific herbs for particular conditions, viz; wild thyme for chest infections, poke root for tonsillitis and glands; buchu for cystitis, juniper for pyelitis (kidney infection); Echinacea for otitis media (middle ear infection); myrrh for infective sore throats; blue flag root for skin and soft tissue infection; and goldenseal for conjunctivitis (pink eye).
Herbal products and advice about their use can be obtained from herbal suppliers such as Herbs of Grace 01638 712123 / 715715 (20 Merlin Park, Fred Dennatt Way, Mildenhall IP28 7RD) www.herbsofgrace.co.uk.
Local herbalists can be found via the National Institute of Medical Herbalists at 01392 426022 www.nimh.org.uk
Grapefruit seed extract
This exceptionally powerful broad spectrum bactericide (which is also a potent fungicide, antiviral and antiparasitic) is used commercially to sterilise equipment in hospitals and on farms, and to treat infections in animals as well as humans.
Take 5-15 drops in liquid three times daily, between meals with a proportional dose for children, up to a maximum of one drop per 10lbs (5kg) of body weight.
If using probiotics, these should be taken at a different time from the grapefruit seed extract, to avoid killing the beneficial bacteria.
Grapefruit seed extract can also be used, diluted, as a mouthwash, or as a douche for nasal and vaginal infections (5-15 drops in a glass of water). For skin, face and scalp care, use 5-15 drops in a tablespoon of water, or added to shampoo. A useful A-Z guide to a wide variety of applications is at http://tinyurl.com/2ukh54 01793 692016.
Grapefruit seed extract is available as ‘Citricidal’ from Higher Nature 0800 458 4747 www.highernature.co.uk
Echinacea (E purpurea and E augustifolio) is a well known and safe antibiotic and immune supporter. Take either 250mg powder or 3-15 drops liquid extract in water three times daily, or every two hours in the case of acute infection.
Some sources warn against taking Echinacea on a long-term basis, but others point to the absence of any studies showing that long-term use is harmful or that the herb loses its effectiveness, and long-term use throughout the winter months is common in other European countries. (More at http://tinyurl.com/3a2py5)
Goldenseal (Hydrastis Canadensis) is a broad-spectrum antibiotic, which also improves immune function. Take 500mg, or 30 drops tincture, three times a day until the infection improves – usually a week or so – but do not use goldenseal continuously for more than three weeks. (More at http://tinyurl.com/yvursp/)
Garlic is a remarkable antibiotic and anti-viral. Eat 2-6 raw garlic cloves or take 2-6 garlic capsules daily with meals. The oil from a pierced capsule can be squeezed into the ear or nose to treat infection topically. More at http://tinyurl.com271277
Bearberry (Uva ursi) is one of the best herbal antibiotics for urinary infections. Take 500mg in capsule form (10% to 20% arbutin) or 60 drops (1ml) of tincture four times daily – except in children under 12 and pregnant or breast feeding women. In these cases, or if needing to continue treatment for longer than two weeks, advice should be sought from a healthcare practitioner. (More at http://tinyurl.com/yty3dv )
Cranberry juice can also help to halt a mild urinary infection (450 ml pure unsweetened cranberry juice daily or buy capsules), although its main role is in the prevention rather than the treatment of infection.
E coli bacteria, which are responsible for many human illnesses, from urinary tract infections to gastroenteritis and tooth decay, are changed by compounds of cranberry juice in ways that render them unable to stick to body tissue and initiate an infection. Unfortunately, many proprietary cranberry juices also contain other ingredients, particularly sugar, so capsules are preferable and can be bought from health food shops. (For recent research, see http://tinyurl.com/rdm72)
Honey
Honey has been shown in studies to be as effective as commercial topical antibiotics but, unlike pharmaceutical antibiotics, honey is essentially immune to resistance because it fights bacteria in several different ways.
Honey’s acidic pH low water content (which effectively dehydrates bacteria), and the hydrogen peroxide secreted by its naturally occurring enzymes, all make it ideal for combating organisms that have developed resistance to standard antibiotics.
Honey can be applied to any kind of wound. Dip gauze strips in pure honey, apply to the affected area, bind and leave for 24 hours. The honey will envelop the bacteria and eventually kill them.
For more on honey as an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory see FM June 07 or on the FM website at http://tinyurl.com/yo3bbs
HOMEOPATHY
This is always a wise choice for anyone who is hypersensitive, as adverse reactions to homeopathic remedies are extremely rare. Remedies are also available in several forms, so any issues with specific carriers can be avoided. Homeopathic tablets are usually 50% lactose and 50% sucrose. The liquid form (for use as drops) utilises a mixture of distilled water and approximately 20%-30% alcohol but, if alcohol is a problem, the drops can be added to a little water and left to stand briefly until the alcohol evaporates. (If only all medicines came in such a comprehensive range of options!)
To treat and prevent all bacterial infections, take the following remedies concurrently, but leave four-minute interval between each remedy, when two or three are taken at the same time;
Aconite 6x – three doses each day for three days;
Iodium 6x – three doses each day for five days;
Arsenicum album 6x – six doses each day for six days.
If this produces no response, a virus may be involved, in which case take;
Sulphur 6c or 30c -every six hours for six doses.
Homeopathic remedies, and advice about their use, can be obtained from homeopathic pharmacies such as Helios (www.helios.co.uk 01892 537254). For individualised treatment, a qualified homeopath should be consulted.
Recommended Reading
- Natural Alternatives to Antibiotics by Dr John McKenna, 1996
So You Feel You Are Coming Down With Flu or a Cold?
- Take up to 6000mg of Vitamin C daily. You will know if you have taken too much for your constitution because you will get diarrhoea. If this happens lower the dose until your digestion normalizes and stay on this dose until the symptoms go.
- Drink plenty of water, warm with honey and lemon / ginger if this helps.
- Neal’s Yard Remedies and Napiers do a great herbal tincture to boost the immune system with their combination of garlic, Echinacea and other herbs. I take one tablespoon three times a day with the vitamin C and usually this is enough to fight the bug.
- Eat little so you don’t use up energy with digestion. Vegetable soups or brown rice congee are great foods as they are easy to digest and hydrate your body at the same time. Congee is made with short-grain brown rice cooked in 5 x as much water as grain until the water has all been absorbed.
- Take oscillococcinum throughout the winter, the homeopathic flu preventative, to avoid getting flu. This is much better than getting the flu jab, which as you will have read in the papers does nothing to prevent you from getting flu, but does compromise your immune system at just the time you want it to be fighting fit.
- Help your body throw a fever by doing a hot bath, try to get your temperature up to 102 degrees, then wrap yourself up, head also, and go to bed. If you don’t have a bath tub then put your feet in a bowl of hot water and wrap yourself up in a blanket. Always keep your head cool with a damp towel soaked in cold water while doing these.
- Castor oil packs on the liver are great for boosting your immunity. NutriGold sell these. Drip castor oil over the cloth until it is moist, not dripping. Place the oil cloth over your liver, put a cotton T shirt on, then cover with clingfilm or plastic. Place a hot water bottle over this for 1 hour. You can sleep with the oil cloth on if you wish. This allows the liver to detox on a deep level. Next place the same oil cloth on the area that is troubling you i.e your chest with bronchitis, your head with headaches or migraines, your pelvic area with pains / period pains / endometriosis, or any part of your body that aches or where there are pains or strains. Always start with the liver first.
- Enemas really help the body to detox and can help you avoid coming down with flu or colds if you do this at the onset of symptoms.
- Coffee enemas are particularly good for detoxing the liver, however you need to be able to hold the coffee for at least 20 minutes for it to reach the liver. NutriGold sell enema kits and instructions on how to do these. They also sell organic ground coffee.
- If you suffer from cramping anywhere in the body or migraines then do a Magnesium citrate enema, dissolving 3 magnesium citrate capsules in the water.
- Flax oil (500mg) enemas can be held overnight, this is a great way of getting essential fatty acids into your body and people often feel an incredible state of calmness after doing this.
- Water enemas are great for constipation and for any bloating – in this case triple water enemas are the best, when you do three water enemas one after the other. Always start with a water enema to clear out the bowel before doing any of the other enemas, it will increase your success rate and make holding the enema much easier. Another good tip is to lie in a warm bath as this lessens the water pressure and makes retaining the fluid easier.
Tinnitus is a most distressing malady, affecting nearly five million people of all ages in the UK. The term comes from the Latin tinnire meaning ‘to ring’, because the most common complaint is ringing in the ears that can either come and go, or persist indefinitely. Sufferers also describe a roar, squeal, whine, buzz, click, hiss or hum. Often these noises are severe enough to interfere with daily activities; the disorder can be so distracting that people have problems hearing, working or even sleeping. Tinnitus can also make you more sensitive to everyday sounds, so that normal radio or TV volumes can cause discomfort.
Most cases of tinnitus result from damage to the microscopic endings of the auditory nerve in the inner ear, commonly from repeated exposure to loud noise. (Many people experience isolated episodes of ringing in the ears after going to loud concerts or being in other very noisy environments, but these usually abate by the next day.) With tinnitus you are stuck with the ringing. Other causes include chronic allergies, high or low blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid problems, a rare tumour of the auditory canal called an acoustic neuroma, or an injury to the head or neck. Be sure that you have a thorough medical examination to rule out such disorders. Several drugs can also cause tinnitus, including aspirin and other anti-inflammatories, some antibiotics, sedatives and antidepressants. If this is the case, changing drugs or lowering the dosage will often resolve the problem.
Recent research suggests that some forms of tinnitus – especially when only one ear is affected – may be initiated by abnormal brain activity rather than by auditory nerve dysfunction. Using positron-emission tomography (PET-scans). Researchers at the State University of New York, in Buffalo were able to detect changes in the auditory cortex (the part of the brain that processes sound) on the opposite side of the brain from the affected ear. Although the ear could be fine, the brain might be misinterpreting nerve signals from it.
If there is no obvious cause, finding a cure for tinnitus can be difficult. Some people find relief by simply understanding the problem and knowing that they do not have a serious underlying condition. With time, symptoms may become more intrusive and not so distracting. I often recommend trying the herbal remedy gingko, which may help by increasing blood circulation to the head and neck. Give it a two-month trial. Also, a good multiple vitamin-mineral supplement can supply the necessary B-vitamins, carotenoids, zinc, vitamin E and vitamin D, which – when deficient – have all been linked to hearing problems, including tinnitus. (Try Metabolics Multivitamins, they do several, for men and women and women over 40).
I also recommend trying a session or two of cranial osteopathy from an experienced practitioner (cranial.org.uk). This gentle manipulative technique can improve nerve function in the head. If blood pressure is high, getting it down to normal range can help, as can weight loss. There are plenty of homeopathic remedies, however you need a practitioner to look up what kind of noise you are hearing in order to select the appropriate ones.
In addition, try these self-help tips:
- Avoid exposure to loud sounds and noises
- Lower your salt intake (salt impairs blood circulation)
- Avoid stimulants such as coffee, tea, cola and tobacco
- Do 30 minutes of aerobic exercise daily
- Try therapeutic Iyengar yoga (for a qualified local practitioner, visit iyengaryoga.org).
- Use yogic breathing techniques when you are in a stressful situation
- Avoid getting overtired; get plenty of rest
- Play music softly at bedtime – choose anything you find soothing or try a white noise machine
- For support contact the British Tinnitus Association, tel. 0800 018 0527, tinnitus.org.uk
Christmas is a time of overindulgence. A few recommendations I can make are firstly, if you think you are going to have quite a lot of alcohol get some Alclear from Metabolics. These capsules contain a combination of herbs that help your liver metabolize the alcohol, and can prevent a hangover the day after. Remember if you are drinking heavily to also drink water, alcohol is very dehydrating and dehydration is why you get the hangover. If you can’t get Alclear then milkthistle is a good idea and easily found in health food shops. Homeopathic nux vomica is a great liver remedy to take and can help with hangovers the day after. Drink plenty and take nux vomica if you do end up with a sore head!
Wishing you all a wonderful festive season.
- John Scott, Foods Matter October Issue 2007
- Dr Andrew Weil, You Magazine June 2007
Suppliers
- www.vitalhomeopathics.com or phone: 01484 540925 for affordable sugar pills, homeopathic remedies and combination remedies. Tel: 01484 540925
- Metabolics 01380 812799 (high quality supplements) Alclear.
- NutriGold phone: 0845 603 5675 for enema kits and instructions, organic ground coffee for enemas, Castor Oil and cloth.
- IWDL Test Laboratory 020 8336 7750, www.iwdl.net
- Aurora Teas (green tea selection at good prices) www.aurorashopping.com
Recommendations
- Metabolics (for the names of kinesiologists in your area)
Phone 01380 812 799.
- The British Institute for Allergy and Environmental Therapy (for the names of Allergy Therapists in your area who can test for allergies and prescribe the appropriate desensitizing remedies for you.)
Phone 01974 241 376
- Books: Your Healthy Child with Homeopathy by Tricia Allen, Metro Publishing (available from Amazon.co.uk). This book will enable you to treat the whole family for most common ailments and injuries.
- Helios Remedy Kits: Available from Helios Homeopathic Suppliers, 8 New Row, London, WC2N 4LJ . Phone 7379 7434, or from Neal’s Yard Remedies, or www.helios.co.uk.
- Vaccinations: Become Informed. The Informed Parent will let you know the dates and venues of talks on what vaccinations really do to your children. If you have or are going to have children and you want to find out how to safeguard their health this is an absolute must. Contact them before your child is born if possible as you will come under huge pressure to conform once your baby is born. Phone 01903 212 969.
- Spectrum Therapy Organisation for highly skilled person-centered psychotherapy 020 8341 2277
- Barnes Basal Temperature Chart can be obtained from this link: www.drrind.com/forms.asp#tempgraph
Trevor Gunn is holding a weekend dedicated to vaccinations, the whole story on December 8th and 9th. If you are not sure whether or not to vaccinate you need to be on this!
British School of Homoeopathy is holding two seminar days with Trevor Gunn
Day 1 - Epidemics, pandemics and vaccines
& Day 2 - the development, function and
dysfunction of the immune system
Saturday & Sunday 8/9 December 2007, 10am-5pm
Trevor Gunn, graduate in Medical Biochemistry, practising and registered Homeopath, Vice Principal of The Japanese College of Homeopathy London, author of “Mass Immunisation – A point in question” and “Comparing Natural Immunity with Vaccination”, lectures on homeopathy, pathology and immunisation abroad and in the UK, in colleges, on National TV and Radio.
SATURDAY
Foreign travel and vaccines –
- Understanding epidemics and pandemics
- Is it wise to accept the medical paradigm in these instances - to vaccinate or not?
- Where do our ‘belief systems’ come form, are we believing what we see or seeing what we believe?
- What about the legalities of border crossings?
- Are there alternatives that work?
SUNDAY
Immune development from childhood and immune dysfunction to the development of AIDS –
- Vaccines and their role in stimulating or suppressing?
- What does modern biology understand about the immune system, does it support the use of vaccines or a homeopathic approach?
- Could the results of orthodox research be of use to your homeopathy?
- Homeopathy and adjuncts in antidoting, treating and supporting the immune system.
- Optimal health where the immune system does not exist!
Cost : £50 and £55 per day respectively.
Bath Spa University is easily reached from the M4 and M5. For a booking form, map and/or further seminar details please contact Jane on 01458 253233 or email bshcpd@tiscali.co.uk
College of Practical Homeopathy - Student Clinics are held at CPH Campus Address in North Finchley, London, UK:
The College of Practical Homoeopathy
760 High Road
North Finchley,
London
N12 9QH
United Kingdom
Tel: (44) 0208-445-6123
• Find out more about Cph Student consultations
• Email Pauline for a Student Clinic booking
• Click here for directions and map to the above location.
CPH COURSE INFORMATION
• Find out more about Practical Homeopathy
• Find out more about becoming a Practical Homeopath
• Find out what our most recent Graduates have to say about CPH
• Download our Course Prosepctus
• Download our Application Form
• Contact Us about joining CPH
FREE GUIDES TO DOWNLOAD (You need adobe acrobat reader)
• If you would like some advice on choosing the best type of Homeopathic training available to you - why not download our two FREE Guides on ‘Choosing a career as a Homeopath’ and ‘Choosing the right Course?
• Guide 1 - Choosing a career as a Homeopath?
• Guide 2 - Choosing the right Course
FURTHER RESOURCES OF INTEREST
• Visit our web site for more information
• More Homeopathic Resources for you
Yours in health,
Alex Christie
on behalf of
the College of Practical Homeopathy
-------------------------------------------
• Click here to contact Cph via Email
• Our website is: www.college-of-practical-homeopathy.com