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.

Malaria Studies, With Homeopathy

Image courtesy of Moomsabuy at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Australia has been certified free from endemic malaria by WHO since 1981. However, the incidence of malaria is considered to be on the rise within Australia, according to the Victorian Govt Health site

Worldwide there are over 311 million new infections of malaria and over 900,000 deaths every year. These are large numbers to be considered.  How is malaria to be treated with so many affected?  Yes, there certainly are medications available, these need to be chosen based on the specific infection and the health of the person with malaria. However, it has been noted that these medications are becoming less and less effective.

Imagine a new approach!  There has been a paper released recently that highlights the benefits of utilising homeopathy in the role of treatment. This paper discusses a prospective study that has been undertaken in Kenya, across 3 clinics, where 86 patients were assessed and 69 completed their followups. Of those that were followed up, only one presented with the malaria parasite (all but one tested negative for the parasite on followup). Not all followed up, but it appears, understandably, that logistics were the issue with not returning for followup.

This year, a comparative study is also being undertaken between the effectiveness of homeopathy compared to the standard medication (Coartem). To date, 50 cases, from both groups, have tested negative. Truly an exciting development. Later this year, the paper is due to be published in peer reviewed journals.  I’m very excited about seeing what an inexpensive, non-patented treatment can do for the poor who suffer from malaria worldwide.  Imagine being able to reduce significantly, the impact of Malaria in today’s world!

Ref:

Brands M, Saio M, Berkel S.Malaria treatment compared for homeopathic medicines and Coartem in Homeopathic Clinics in Kenya–A multicentre, pragmatic randomized, double-blind double-dummy trial. Proceedings of the XXIX GIRI Meeting; 2015 June 3 – 5; Verona (Italy). Int J High Dilution Res. 2015; 14(2):21-22

Heat Rash and Homeopathy

As I’ve been watching the temperatures rise in the UK over the last couple of days a few of my friends have been commenting about their burns and their heat rashes.

Homeopathy can give relief where none can be felt in these situations.  Taking homeopathy is a gentle way of taking responsibility for your health and watching a gentle healing occur.

I’ve found a wonderful article on using homeopathy with heat rash, looking at using remedies such as Arsencium album, Apis mellifica, Belladonna and Urtica urens.

These remedies differ in their presentation, but this article shows the use of Belladonna, a remedy that has the keynotes of:

• dry, red, hot, burning skin
• sudden onset
• pale skin on areas not affected

allowed the recovery of this child within a 24 hour time frame.  I would also assume an increase in liquids to avoid dehydration along with some cooling measures, such as limit clothing, cool bathing aided this child.  Whenever there are concerns about the temperature of a child, don’t hestitate to obtain a medical opinion.

One of the other concerns that occurs when there is a heat wave, is that of sunburn and burns in general.  What to do when you have received a little too much of the sun’s love?

I would suggest looking at the following homeopathic remedies initially:

Aconite – where there is great pain and shock

Belladonna – where skin is hot, red, shiny and throbbing, worse for touch; face is flushed and the head is pounding

Cantharis – simple scalds, burns and sunburn; rawness and smarting; better for cold applications; large painful blisters with clear or bloody fluid

Glonoine – accompanied by violent, pulsating pains; can’t stand the heat; severe heat headaches, comes in waves, bursting; pale face with fixed eyes

Hypericum – sunburn with shooting pains.

Image courtesy of Stock Images at Free Digital Photos.net

Anxiety Sucks – Too True

Anxiety Sucks!

There is a video of a young man, Casey Throwaway (possibly not his real name!), doing the rounds on YouTube. Casey posted his first video more than a week ago now, and it’s had over 600,000 views when I saw it, here it is below:

Casey talks about wanting the world to know that anxiety and panic attacks are a real thing, and that just saying “man up” doesn’t work.

There are many associated videos that come up when you watch it in YouTube too. Anxiety is real, and it affects so many different people. Your best friend may very well experience it, but you wouldn’t know, as they can often hide it well from so many people.  Take Casey here, he’s in what looks like his bathroom. But, he’s taken the first step to getting some help and more support. He’s decided to document what he’s experiencing to reduce the stigmatism that is associated with anxiety.  Great work Casey!

Casey is on a mission to spread the word on anxiety and mental health issues. Take the time to spread the word too.  It takes incredible courage to show your weaknesses in our society.

Enjoy his thank you and subscribe to watch his videos.

One of the things I do love about homeopathy, is that it was used a lot in the early years in regards to those patients deemed ‘unhelpable’ in the field of mental health. In the time of homeopathy’s early years, people such as Casey would have been put into an institution and left there, or treated poorly by those around them, as there was no  understanding of mental health and that people could be helped.

Within Homeopathy, we use symptoms to evaluate the overall person, and we take those symptoms and place them into ‘rubrics’. The rubric for anxiety is:

Mind, anxiety

It contains at least 690 different remedies. That implies to me there are at least 690 different ways to exhibit anxiety.

Some of those ways include:

Anxiety attacks at a certain time of the day:

• on waking
• in the morning
• in the afternoon
• in the evening
• in the night

Or they can be about health, their family or even about other people

• when alone
• family, about his
• future, about
• health, about
• others, for
• salvation, about

Or they can be about events or situations or emotions

• anticipation, from
• business, about
• conscience, anxiety of
• fear, with
• trifles, about

Or they can be accompanied by physical distress, or from physical discomfort

• beside oneself from anxiety, being
• pains, from
• respiration, with impeded

And these situations, circumstances, emotions, or physcial symptoms are just a part of the anxiety that is felt.  There are so many different ways a person can exhibit anxiety, and as we are all individuals, no one drug will suit all people, all of the time.  So this is where homeopathy can play a role, supporting the individual for their individual presentation of anxiety, and hopefully allowing the person to move forward with a stronger outlook and less attacks, if not, no attacks of anxiety.

That, to me, is the joy of homeopathy. Being able to support a person into a fuller, more beautiful life, without the stress of wondering when the next anxiety attack will  occur.  To find out more about anxiety and how homeopathy can be beneficial to you, contact me today.

Joint Discomfort And Relief

Arthritis is a very generalized term for severe joint pain. It has many names including gout, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. If you suffer from joint pain you are the only one who can describe it in great detail and the only one who truly understands how limiting the pain can be in your daily life.

Homœopathy looks at reducing the symptoms that you experience with the particular arthritis that you have and enables you to reduce the limitations that you experience within your daily life. In addressing your particular form of arthritis I am looking at what makes your expression of the pain different from others, it is in the specifics that I find your true simillimum! I will show you some of the specifics that occur in arthritis and you may recognize some of them, but not all (this is what makes you an individual!)

Pains:-

Occur when           weather changes, on becoming cold, on becoming warm, in damp weather, in spring, in winter, in summer

Are worse             during a thunderstorm, in a warm room, in the warmth of bed, when touched, after eating, after wine

Are better             when walking, in the warmth of bed, when pressed, when massaged, when drinking coffee

This is just an example of the different ways that the pain of arthritis can be expressed. Homœopathy looks at your specific pains and finds a remedy that may alleviate the symptoms to a degree that the limitations the arthritis places on your life are reduced.

An example of a specific remedy is:  Rhus-tox

Occurs in damp, wet weather; or when you first start moving the joint after a period of rest.

Are worse during the damp, wet weather, after you’ve been wet, in cloudy or overcast weather, or first thing in the morning, on rising from bed.

Are better for a heat sack, or similar, from a warm bath, from moving the joint (after the initial pain has subsided)

If you wish to discuss this with me, please call me at the clinic and we can arrange a homœopathic consultation

Image courtesy of ScottChan at Free Digital Photos.net

Secrets To Removing Cysts

I’ve been doing some research this week on a particular remedy and I came across the following story. It was too good not to share:

An elderly man was seeking help for the early stages of an abscess at the base of his thumb.  As an aside, he was also scheduled for surgery for a cyst of long standing on his back.  The surgeon wished to postpone his surgery until his abscess was resolved, merely as a precautionary measure.

In order to hasten the abscess along on it’s healing path, the elderly man was prescribed a remedy fondly as the ‘homeopathic surgeon’.  He took this remedy three times, once at the homeopath’s office and once that evening.

The next morning, as he was leaning over the bathroom sink to clean his teeth, he heard an explosive sound behind him. Turning around, he saw a large quantity of blood and pus discharged against the bathroom wall!!

The homeopathic remedy had indeed ripened the cyst as well as his abscess and his body ejected it without further ado!

Homeopathic Surgeon, image courtesy of Iosphere FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Story adapted from Portraits of Homoeopathic Medicines, Catherine Coulter

Wellbeing journey 6 weeks on

I can hardly believe where the time has gone since I started this journey of wellbing.  The days seem to move forward in every increasing regularlity – who would think??

Since I started my journey there have been some real differences to how I’m living my life now, and it’s all very exciting!

I’ve been able to ‘drag’ myself out of bed on regular occasions and actually make it out walking or going to the gym – who would’ve thought this possible 6 weeks ago?? I know I certainly didn’t!!!

Yes, I signed up for the gym 3 weeks ago now, and I’ve been a regular visitor to Main Fitness since then.  One of the most surprisng outcomes of going to the gym has been my ability to quickly get back into doing weights, working on a cross trainer and bike, without walking like a cripple for days and days afterwards. My energy hasn’t been dipping at all either – this is truly a journey to wellness and lifestyle changes that have not been in my life for some time now.

As a scary thought, and an aside, my taste for wine is changing – now for those of you who know me well, this is indeed a scary thought!! I’ve been dis-interested in a glass of wine that has been poured for me – even really nice wine, not just the cheap and cheerful type. So amazing. This has to be the result of removing toxins from my body so that I am no longer craving these.  This is what I’ve not been missing 🙂

A wonderful wine that I’m happy to only have one glass of, instead of repeat offending!!

 

And, instead, I’ve been getting to see some beautiful sites around the mountain when I’ve been out walking – including jasmine, camelias, rhododendrons and magnolias (gosh, will I check my spelling, or leave it to chance??)

Local magnolia tree in full bloom, how old must it be?

Well, over the last week I’ve been looking at my physical progress and have been beautifully surprised – though I must admit, people are now beginning to notice the change to my face and overall appearance. I took to the scales earlier this week and I was very excited to see that they have dropped 5 kg (about 10lb) over the last 6 weeks (yes, I have been having a cheeky wine throughout this time), and my actual measurements around my chest and waist have both dropped 6cm (just over 2 inches). I’m so very excited and totally motivated to keep this lifestyle change as my routine.  It is truly amazing!!

I’ve always considered that I was holding onto toxins.  My reasons for this? Well, about 5 years ago, I broke a tooth, yes it had a mercury filling in it. At the time, it didn’t cause any pain, and I didn’t bother with getting it fixed straight away (oh, okay, so it took me a year and finally some pain to get motivated to get it sorted!!).  Since that time I’ve ‘developed’ hayfever type symptoms. Initially they were sporadic, but over the last year they had become continual and life disrupting.  Now they are back to sporadic, with the combination of this nutritional cleansing I’m undertaking and a course of homeopathic treatment before starting this. My belief is that this will continue to improve.

In homeopathy, Hahnemann (the founder)

Thuja, Sabina & Cedarwood

Remedies from the Cupressaceae family

I now also wish to look at Thuja and Sabina.  As these two remedies are also from the Cupressaceae family, I believe we will find more similarities than differences.

Thuja occidentalis

Also known as American Arbor-Vitae (tree of life), Eastern White Cedar, Yellow Cedar and Swamp Cedar, as well as other names.

Thuja – tree of life

The Thuja type is often described as having a low self-esteem, with a sense of ugliness inside, though they hide these feelings to the outer world and provide a picture of themselves that they believe others wish to see. This outer appearance is very important to them.

So, again, we see a lack of self-confidence, similar to the Cedarwood, however this time, the lack of self-confidence is derived from a sense of internal ugliness and worthlessness. The behaviour of the Thuja types is to present a pleasing picture, so we may not see the dominance of others around them, however in the early stages of their illness this can be seen when they portray themselves as confident and arrogant.  We do also see the dogmatic type of behaviour, this is portrayed as being a slave to duty, fanatic about their health and also religion, with a rigidity of ideas. The Thuja types are generally very closed, yet polite and mild mannered. They have an underlying feeling that if people really knew them, they would not like them, and they have the need to fit in, almost a desperation to fit in.  In early stages, the overbearing and dictatorial picture can be seen which relates to Cedarwood.  Cedarwood is utilized to improve a sense of self-worth and self-acceptance, which appears to fit well with the Thuja picture.

My internal ugliness means I must present what is acceptable, not who I am

Physically the sphere of action of Thuja is the mucous membranes, though of the genito-urinary region rather than the respiratory system, mind, nerves and skin.  The urinary sphere of action does fit with the Cedarwood physical picture also.

I would be happy to utilise Cedarwood in a blend when using the homeopathic remedy of Thuja. Both appear to be supporting an individuals need to improve their self-worth, and self-acceptance, providing the person with a confidence and belief in themselves to move forward with the next obstacle in their journey, with a degree of self-belief.  Thuja types may also have a past experience that was abusive, and as with Cedarwood, there will be an element of healing this past experience.  On a physical level the urinary mucous membranes are covered in both Thuja and Cedarwood.  I believe that Thuja and Cedarwood are working in the same direction and would be beneficial to work together.

Sabina

There is little to be found on the mental and emotional picture of Sabina, as the emphasis is more on the physical aspects of the remedy.  The picture that does appear on the personality type of Sabina is mainly one of sadness and dejection, nerves irritable, specifically to music, and overall lowered vitality of personality with an enhanced sense of duty towards their family.  This is difficult to compare to the Cedarwood, as there are few specifics, though an overall protection of the family, the weak ones, would be similar.  From a remedy relationship point of view, Sabina is stated to be complementary to Thuja.

Physically Sabina has a sphere of action on the female pelvic organs, specifically the uterus. This does not relate well to the physical actions of Cedarwood, so I would not use Cedarwood with Sabina.  Though, when I look further at Juniper berry/wood, it may be more appropriate to use that essential oil instead.

In beginning this journey, I have discovered there are many different oils that may be beneficial to homeopathic treatment, used as either a supportive treatment or used in conjunction with the homeopathic remedy to support the direction of cure, to improve the secondary action where the body begins the healing process itself.  I have also begun to look at the oils and the remedies in a new light, always a beneficial thing J

Aitken, S, nd, http://www.finegardening.com/plantguide/thuja-occidentalis-emerald-american-arborvitae.aspx, viewed 15 July 2013

Bown, D, (1995), The Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Herbs & Their Uses, Dorling Kindersley Ltd, London

Caddy, R, (1997), Aromatherapy, Essential Oils in Colour, Amberwood Publishing Ltd, Surrey

Chevallier, A, (2001), Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants, Dorling Kindersley Ltd, Sydney

Davis, P, (1991), Subtle Aromatherapy, The CW Daniel Company Limited, London

Grandgeorge, D, (1998), The Spirit of Homeopathic Medicines, North Atlantic Books, California

Morrison, R, (1993), Desktop Guide to Keynotes and Confirmatory Symptoms, Hahnemann Clinic Publishing, California

Haynold, B, (2007), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lycopodium_clavatum_151207.jpg, viewed 28 June 2013

Price, L, Price, S, (Eds) (2007), Aromatherapy for Health Professionals, 3^rd Ed, Elsevier, USA

Price, S, (2000), Aromatherapy and Your Emotions, Thorsons, London

Sankaran, R, (2002), An Insight Into Plants Vol 1, 2^nd Ed, Homoeopathic Medical Publishers, Mumbai

Tigerente, (2004), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Veratrum_album_Dachstein.jpg, viewed 28 June 2013

Vermeulen, F, (2000), Concordant Materia Medica, Millenium Ed, Emryss bv Publishers, The Netherlands

Vermeulen, F, (2002), Prisma, 2^nd Ed, Emryss bv Publishers, The Netherlands

Vikoula5, (2012), Cèdre du Chélia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:C%C3%A8dre_du_Ch%C3%A9lia_15_%28Algeria%29.JPG#filelinks, viewed 26 June 2013

Worwood, V, (1990), The Fragrant Pharmacy, Bantam Books, London

Worwood, V, (1995), The Fragrant Mind, Bantam Books, London

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Veratrum album & Cedarwood

Veratrum album

 

Liliaceae family. Also known as White Hellebore, usually grown in the mountains in Central and Southern Europe.

The Veratrum type is often described as being dogmatic in their views, being over-mentalised and not connected to those around them, that they have a drive in their daily work to achieve.  Initially this can be seen to be similar to the Cedarwood personality type in that they too can be dogmatic in their views, selfish and dominating.  However, for the Veratrum’s this drive is due to an underlying fear about their position in society/work/family.  They can, and often do, lie or cheat in order to maintain this position, due to the fear of losing it. It’s not due to an underlying lack of courage or self-esteem, Veratrum’s have plenty of that.

The outward personality symptoms of Veratrum appear to be relevant to Cedarwood, however, the underlying reasons for those personality symptoms do not correlate well with Cedarwood and the underlying need for strength and courage.  Veratrum’s are more concerned with maintaining their current position, no matter what.

The need to lie to maintain their position

Physically Veratrum album has an affinity with the nerves, specifically those in the abdominal region, though also heart and blood vessels.  There is also an affinity for blood, respiratory and digestive systems.  We can see a correlation between Veratrum and Cedarwood in the area of respiratory and circulation, however, like Lycopodium, there is an affinity for the digestive system that is not reflected in Cedarwood.

Overall, I would not be as confident using Cedarwood in conjunction with a Veratrum remedy as the underlying nature of the personality type does not fit, and as such, the essential oil and the remedy would be working on different aspects, not supporting the underlying causation, though an external personality is similar.  Hahnemann discusses how we are to strengthen the vital force to ensure the secondary action of the body occurs, the movement in the direction of healing. In order to undertake this, both the essential oil and the remedy need to be supporting the vital force.  I’m sure there is another oil that will benefit the Veratrum types.

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Cedarwood and Lycopodium

Which Homeopathic Remedy Relates to Cedarwood?

Homeopathically several remedies came to my mind when studying the personality and emotional states of Cedarwood. After analysis of the main personality symptoms of Cedarwood, the remedies that I differentiated are:

Lycopodium, Veratrum, Thuja, Sabina

Of this list two were solely based on the personality type (Lycopodium, Veratrum), and two were from the same botanical family as Cedarwood (Thuja, Sabina) – Cupressaceae

It has been stated that Lycopodium was once a great tree in the forest, over millennia, it has diminished to it’s current moss state, as you can see from the photo (Haynold, 2007), it does have the appearance of a conifer

And Veratrum is a lily, from the Liliaceae family (Tigerente, 2004).

According to Sankaran (2002), the group containing Cupressaceae, is that of conifers.  This group also covers the firs and yews. I wanted to just look at the cypresses for this exercise, though will keep the information in my mind.

Although, in understanding that the Junipers are also of the Cupressaceae family, it has made me look at the essential oil Juniper, though more on that another day!

Interestingly, the compensation Sankaran (2002) discusses for the conifers is: “strength: you become strong and protective of others who are brittle and fragile”. I can see how this relates to the Cedarwood, as they are strong and protective of their immediate family. I’m sure we all look at our family as fragile in many differing circumstances.  The active reaction is “hard:rigid” this too, we can see in Cedarwood, where their behaviour can be dogmatic. The passive reaction is “indolence:fearful:weak” this too, can be seen in Cedarwood, where there are fears for facing the next obstacle.

Lycopodium

So, my first thoughts went to Lycopodium.  Mainly because of the courage and strength issue.

The Lycopodium type is often described as a coward, of having a lack of confidence or an inferiority that they are constantly trying to overcome.  They are also considered a bully and domineering, again due to their inferiority.

They wish to recover the power, strength and dignity that they have lost, however their lack of confidence in their own self stops this happening.  Usually they are intelligent, however with an element of stubbornness!

In order to grow, one must believe, have confidence

Now I can really see how Lycopodium and Cedarwood are shaping up to create the same outcome, one of a person that grows in their own self belief to have the strength and courage to face the next obstacles that come their way.  I would definitely consider using Cedarwood in support when I am treating someone with Lycopodium

As we can see, the mental symptoms appear to be correlating well, especially in the area of:

Problems with self-esteem and low confidence

Bullying, domineering, arrogant behaviour to family and those with less authority

Now, what about the physical symptoms of Lycopodium, and how do they relate to Cedarwood?

With Lycopodium, nearly always there is a urinary or digestive disturbance. Often there are catarrhal tendencies too. On the surface this appears to compare favourably with the indications for Cedarwood, which include antiseptic for urinary tract infections, mucolytic for catarrh in bronchitis, and a lymph tonic acting as a diuretic.  The Lycopodium cough can appear to be rattling with much mucous.

However, the digestive symptoms relevant to Lycopodium do not appear to be relevant to Cedarwood.  Cedarwood is not indicated for digestive disorders, more for circulatory disorders.  This may be an area that needs to be investigated further for Cedarwood?  Do we know if the ketones in Cedarwood are digestive, as some ketones can be.

Overall, Lycopodium and Cedarwood do appear to be working in the same direction for the client, predominately on the mental/emotional level, but also at some aspects on the physical level, so I would be happy to utilise Cedarwood in conjunction with Lycopodium.

Next time, I will look at ……. Veratrum album

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