Article for The Autism File – an extract

Practical Homeopathic Prescribing for Parents with Children on the Autism Spectrum – Remedies for Constipation

For those of you reading The Autism File who have not yet considered homeopathy for your child’s health needs, this article is intended to introduce you to some useful remedies that you can confidently prescribe at home. Although seeking the help of a professional Homeopath will provide longer term support for your child’s needs, Homeopathic remedies can be safely given in the home, and kits are available to make this economical and practical for all.

Homeopathy is a system of medicine that uses minute doses of highly diluted natural substances to stimulate the body to heal itself. A well indicated homeopathic remedy brings the patient into balance, reducing the pain and discomfort of symptoms and restoring health.

In acute situations, homeopathic remedies can be a fast and effective approach to restoring the equilibrium of the sufferer, offering physical as well as emotional relief. Homeopathy can be a very useful first response for a parent and is a safe and gentle alternative to medication.

For a list of suggested remedies that have been homeopathically indicated for the relief of constipation please email Candice at candice@greendaisies.co.uk where a list of suggested remedies for parent’s to give safely and confidently to support loved ones through a distressing episode, will be sent:

Remedies come in various potencies. The potency which is found in many homeopathic first aid kits is 30c and is recommended for treating acute complaints. Give one pill as a dose every 15 minutes for 3 doses, and stop with improvement. Repeat as needed between three and five times daily. If there is no change or improvement, do not repeat remedy as a different one may be more suitable.

Homeopathic remedies can be given by parents the confidence. For those of you who are interested in finding out more there are many publications and guides to home prescribing available in bookshops, homeopathic pharmacies and health food outlets.

Homeopathic kits for the home prescriber are also available to buy and come with an instruction booklet. This is an economic way to acquire a good range of remedies. Kits can be obtained via the Green Daisies Shop.

I do hope the guide inspires you to try Homeopathy at home and provides support for your child’s first aid needs. For more in depth prescribing seek professional help by contacting a homeopath in your area.

Homeopathy for Stress

Stress can take hold in many ways. On the mental and emotional level prolonged stress can lead to fatigue, depression, mood swings and sleeplessness. For many stress may manifest in physical symptoms, like Irritable Bowel Syndrome, back pain, alpoecia or skin conditions like psoriasis. Dealing with stress can be tricky when there are maintaining causes for that stress or stress has been triggered by a traumatic experience; on-going financial worries and debt; unemployment; business instability; caring for loved ones etc. Homeopathy can provide support for people experiencing all from the short term exam nerves type of stress to prolonged stress undermining the health. The appropriate remedy can vary hugely from person to person. Where the stress is chronic in nature (experienced for 3 months or more) it would be of the greatest benefit to book a consultation with a qualified homeopath.

There are several suggested remedies and a guideline on their use for treatment of stress available by emailing candice@greendaisies.co.uk and requesting information on Stress:

Exam stress, panic attacks and phobias: For alleviating the stress of exam nerves and performance anxiety, especially for those who feel debilitated by overwork and who dislike appearing in public homeopathic remedies can be taken as needed up to 5 times in a day. For panic attacks, or after a fright, where there is severe anxiety and restlessness, and even the fear of death a reemdy can be taken as needed to speed recovery and settle nerves. For those experiencing lots of phobias around crowds, narrow spaces, air travel, heights or falling, another remedy may be taken as needed.

Work related stress: Homeopathic remedies may help with stress, anxiety over issues of responsibility, performance at work and fear of failure. Physical symptoms associated with stress can include bloated sensation, wind and symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, which may also be addressed through homeopathic treatment by treating the whole person rather than the specific complaint or symptom. Business anxiety, especially in very ambitious and driven people especially when there is lots of impatience and irritability, a desire for stimulants (coffee, cigarettes, alcohol, spicy foods), tendency to constipation or diarrhoea alternating with constipation may be helped with homeopathic approaches.

Emotional stress of caring for loved ones: The homeopathic remedy sometimes referred to as “the carer’s remedy” may be of support for those who may have become exhausted or depleted from night-watching loved ones, loss of sleep, and the emotional stress of nursing the sick. There may be a feeling of vertigo and unsteadiness in the legs on the physical plane when this remedy is indicated. One dose half an hour before bed and one the following morning to stimulate the body back into balance.

Visit The Princess Royal Trust for Carers website or follow this link to information and articles on managing stress for carer’s  http://www.carers.org/articles/managing-stress,62,CA.html

Sleeplessness: For those wanting to avoid going down the route of sleeping tablets, there are several remedies that may be useful for anyone who is kept awake at night. For some it may be sleeplessness because the mind is going over and over with anxious thoughts. To address sleeping issues it is always best to seek treatment with a homeopath so that individual symptoms can be addressed.

The rule of thumb with self-prescribing homeopathic remedies is to STOP taking the remedy the moment a reaction has been stimulated. This may be an emotional discharge or in the form of a physical reaction like a runny nose or diarrhoea. Once a reaction has been triggered, the remedy has done it’s job and the body comes back into balance. When a well indicated fails to act it may be that a deeper remedy needs to be prescribed. See a homeopath who can prescribe accordingly.

Swine ‘Flu and 3 approaches for natural protection.

Homeopathy and swine flu

The Society of Homeopaths advises anyone concerned about Swine Flu to consult the NHS advice available at
www.nhs.uk/AlertsEmergencies/Pages/Pandemicflualert.aspx and to follow the symptom checker if necessary, contacting their GP or NHS Direct on 0845 4647 if they are still worried.

The single most effective way to stop or slow the spread of diseases such as swine ‘flu is to prevent the spread of germs by:

• washing your hands regularly with soap and water
• covering your mouth and nose if you cough or sneeze
• disposing of used tissues as soon as possible
• staying at home if you do become ill

Registered members of The Society of Homeopaths (RSHoms) regularly prescribe for patients suffering with common ailments such as colds and flu.

(reproduced by kind permission of The Society of Homeopaths)

Green Daisies Homeopathy suggests these natural approaches against Swine ‘flu:

1. Fortify your immune system: Stress, lack of sleep, poor diet, lack of exercise and unhealthy living, as well as underlying health conditions can all undermine your immune system. Vitamin D3 may be more effective than vaccines at preventing influenza infections because it supports immune system function during the winter when many people become deficient in this essential hormone due to lack of sunlight. The herbal tincture of Echinacea taken regularly is also linked to immune boosting. Nutritionally, garlic is said to be a natural antibiotic. A whole clove of garlic crushed and mixed with honey is said to help the body fight off infection. Early nights and uninterrupted sleep, whenever possible, will allow your body to rest and recover. For those of you living and working in towns, exercise needn’t be reserved for weekends or late night gym sessions. Get on your bike. Cycling to work is a fantastic way to frame a sedentary day at the office with immune, metabolism and general health boosting exercise.

2. Respiratory System protection: For those of you forced into crowded tubes or buses or plane travel with coughing and spluttering commuters a fantastic tip and first line of defence for the respiratory system is the use of Essential oils. Rosemary is an uplifting oil, ideal for the morning commute. Mix a drop or 2 in a teaspoon of almond or olive oil and dab around the nostrils. As long as you can smell the rosemary it will be acting as a antiseptic to any nasty antigens making their way into your respiratory system.  Lavender can be applied if you are after some shut eye, useful for long-haul flights, as it is a calming and sedentary oil. (Do not use Rosemary essential oil during pregnancy and Lavender essential should not be used during the first Trimester of pregnancy)

3. Homeopathic Remedies for ‘Flu symptoms:There is a homeopathic remedy that may help to nip a cold in the bud, if it is taken for the on-set of ‘flu like symptoms. One pillule or tablet can be taken once a hour for 3 hours or stop with improvement. If symptoms develop another remedy will be more suitable,  with remedies indicated that may address the sensation of heaviness; aches and pains in the joints or muscles; high fevers. Repeat a remedy as often as needed as long as it is helping, even every 15 minutes and stop with improvement. The fever is the bodies natural immune response to a virus. A fever is produced by the body to burn off the virus. To force the fever down when it is stable and not at a dangerous level is potentially going against the natural immune response. Homeopathic remedies may support this process and may help to stabilise the fever. Reach for a homeopathic remedy and apply a tepid sponge to the face. For gastric ‘flu symptoms with vomiting and diarrhoea there are homeopathic remedies that may help.

If you suspect you have Swine ‘Flu seek immediate medical advice. Contact NHS Direct (0845 4647) or The Homeopathic Help Line (09065 343 404. Calls are charged at £1.50 per minute)

Homeopathy and Autism Spectrum Disorders

Homeopathic treatment can be invaluable for physical as well as behavioural issues for children and adults who have been diagnosed with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). Homeopathic remedies are gentle and stimulate the body into balance, and can provide a vital boost to the system when needed, addressing repetitive behaviour, constipation, as well as hyperactivity and tendency towards isolation. Candice is the consultant homeopath with The Autism Clinic in Hampton, Middlesex. Homeopathic consultations are offered alongside nutritional approaches to help support children to fulfil their optimum level of health.

Homeopathy for Hayfever

There are many homeopathic remedies that may treat the specific symptoms of Hayfever, including remedies to address symptoms of red and watery eyes and tickling in the nose; violent sneezing and extreme sensitivity to flowers; or for those suffering with a burning and smarting sensation accompanied by profusely watery eyes. Homeopathic remedies may also address dryness of mouth, nose and throat and itching of the palate and back of nose, and there is even a remedy that may address hayfever symptoms accompanied by extreme irritability and impatience.

There are numerous homeopathic remedies that may address acute symptoms to help hayfever sufferers, however for more lasting treatment that addresses the underlying issue that causes the immune system to over react every Spring and Summer, it is recommended that “constitutional” ie deeper acting treatment begin during the winter months.