Colic in Babies

Colic can be the scourge of the first few months of babyhood - really distressing both mother and infant! But there is so much can be done to give complete relief!

Here are three popular homeopathic remedies for colic to give the baby, whether the baby is being breast-fed or bottle-fed.  In fact, if the baby is being breast fed- the mother can take the remedy in order to pass it onto the baby. Alternatively, get hold of the remedy in granule form. The granules are very tiny- Mum can wet her finger, place a few granules on top and gently slip her finger with the granules into the baby's mouth. Another way is just to simply dissolve a few granules in a teaspoon of water and give directly into mouth or add to formula. (For busy Mums of very small babies who are not out and about shopping etc. yet, remember that many heath-food shops and homeopathic phaacies do mail-order and can send you help by post!)

1. Colocynthis 30c.  Give this if the baby is bending double and folding or curling up his/her knees against her tummy with the pain.

2. Dioscorea 30c - this is if the baby squirms around and keeps arching his/her back with the pain.

3. Chamomilla 30c - give for colic that is intensely painful causing the child to shriek and scream. A baby who is in a 'Chamomilla' state will want to be carried, but when you pick baby up - he will push you away. Nothing pleases and nothing you can do will soothe the baby.

Now. there are other fantastic remedies for colic but these would be the most commonly used ones. If none of these work, consult with your homeopath for an individual prescription.

Also, useful if you try New Era Tissue Salts Combination E. They are very tiny tablets that melt immediately in the mouth. Mum can also try drinking Fennel or Chamomile or Peppermint teas to relieve her own digestion and pass to a breast-fed baby.

All of the above-mentioned are safe, and effective and without any side-effects. Very gentle solutions - perfect for beloved babies.

Baby massage can also be very useful to learn as this may help with digestion and winding. Look up baby-massage classes in your area. You can also try massaging Rescue Remedy Cream onto the baby's belly to give some relief.

What causes Colic?

In my experience, many babies are sensitive to cow's milk. That is, if the breastfeeding mother is drinking and eating alot of dairy productswhile breastfeeding.  Some babies can be completely intolerant of Lactose - a milk-protein which may also be found in baby formula. If you are not sure whether this is the cause, then the simplest way to find out is to cut out dairy products in the diet of the breastfeeding mother and if the colic improves or stops then you know what has been happening. Do not worry - remember there are many other and even far betteer food sources of Calcium e.g. leafy greens (spinach, cabbage, salad leaves), sesame seeds (also Tahini - sesame seed paste), Calcium-enriched replacement-dairy Soya products, to mention a few. Alternatively, the mother can take a Lactase supplement - this is the digestive enzyme that helps to efficiently digest the milk protein. This can also be given to baby in small amounts.

Alternatively, switch baby formula. There is a wonderful alternative baby-formula on the market (UK & Ireland only) called Nanny Goat - it has all the nutrients necessary for the baby's health and growth only minus the milk-allergen as it is made from Goat's Milk. This is also useful to give babies with eczema who are allergic to milk.

It can be a very stressful time managing and looking after a new baby - so, try to remember there is much help on hand, and you have choices over what to give your darling. And try to keep in mind - this too will pass!

Nobel Prize winner reports...

Source: www.homeopathyeurope.org

Nobel Prize winner reports effects of homeopathic dilutions.

In a recent study Professor Luc Montagnier, a French virologist who co-discovered HIV and who won the Nobel Prize in 2008, and his team report the results of a series of rigorous experiments investigating the electromagnetic properties of highly-diluted biological samples.

The study demonstrates that some bacterial DNA sequences are able to induce electromagnetic waves at high aqueous dilutions.

To read this NEWS, log on to:
http://www.homeopathyeurope.org/nobel-prize-winner-reports-effects-of-homeopathic-dilutions

All the best,
Iman

Nappy Rash

Nappy rash in some babies can be pretty sore and look very inflamed and uncomfortable. If the skin becomes too excoriated then even doing a pee can also be uncomfortable and make your little one cry! Luckily, there are effective natural solutions to this: simple and gentle for baby!

Try a cream or ointment made from Calendula. Weleda do a great Nappy Rash Cream but there are also other good brands on the market. Nelsons Calendula Cream is another one. If the Nappy Rash is severe - try a water-based cream rather than a heavy oil-based one. Massage in when changing and hey presto! Better looking skin and quickly too. Calendula is a miracle skin healer. It reduces redness, inflammation and soreness. It heals and restores the skin.

Alternatively, you can add drops of Calendula Tincture to the baby's bath. It also comes in the form of a massage oil.

Sweet Almond Oil is a nice, light oil that can be rubbed in gently. You can then add some aromatherapy essential oils of your choice to this if you like. Such as Lavender which is soothing and antiseptic at the same time.

Avoid Vaseline (which may block airflow) and also Sudocreme. 

Another natural remedy you can use is Aloe Vera Gel. Be careful though as some brands can be ever so slightly drying. If you have your own plant at home, break off a leaf and squeeze onto your palm and rub gently in.

Some babies suffer from pretty bad nappy rash and no amount of topical applications seem to get rid of it. If the rash is that severe, fiery red and stretches all around the bottom  and is associated with other skin ailments - cradle cap, a touch of eczema or other things - then you might want to try just 2 or 3 doses (1 tab/pill = 1 dose) of Sulphur 6c , once daily over 2-3 days. If this does not work, ask your homeopath for an individual recommendation to solve the problem.  Homeopathic remedies are safe and effective in the treatment of infants, babies and children without any adverse side-effects! However, any repeated dispensing of internal homeopathic medicine should be supervised and directed by a qualified professional homeopath.

How do you raise low blood pressure naturally?

High blood pressure is a hot topic but one does not hear overly much about low blood pressure. Some people do suffer low blood pressure and in general unless it is severe and associated with a specific illness such as heart complaints, it will remain untreated as it is not considered life-threatening. Low blood-pressure can be as a result of shock or injury or severe acute illness. It can be associated with low blood-sugar as occurs in people with diabetes. It also is associated with burn-out or adrenal-insufficiency. This state can arise in a person who has been 'stressed out' over a long period of time.  However, many people with untreated low blood pressure will have vague symptoms of unease and it may help to know that there are simple natural solutions which are effective and will help you manage it, radically improving how you feel on a day-to-day basis.

What are the signs and symptoms from low blood-pressure?

* Feeling generally fatigued, drained and washed out

* Sudden light-headedness and dizziness when rising from bed, getting up from a chair or any sudden movement - this is called "postural hypotension".  This can be in the morning time or after a sleep or rest.

* Or ongoing dizziness and lightheadedness

* Feeling close to fainting or actually fainting

* Anxiety or nausea and weakness in the body

* Clammy coldness

Do make sure to consult your G.P. if you have any of these symptoms but have not had it checked it out. Alternatively, you may want to consult your alternative healthcare practitioner to have this addressed.

What can you do?

1. If you have eliminated all salt from your diet and drink a large amount of water every day, you may find that your blood pressure drops. I always recommend that people improve their general level of hydration these days by drinking water, but am aware that many people are drinking too much water. ( They do this to improve their skin, suppress appetite and because they live in air-conditioned, centrally heated atmospheres which dry one out. But if done in excess, it can cause harm. Also, many people's diets are too low in food that has high water-content such as fruit). If your water/salt levels unbalance within the body, your blood pressure will drop. Increase the amount of salt you imbibe and reduce marginally the amount of water you drink (the latter refers to people who are drinking in excess of 1-1.5 litres of wtater a day). It is better if the salt is natural sea-salt, or salt crystals (for example, Maldon Salt. Herbamare is also a good brand.) rather than the refined table-salt you find in supermarkets. To this end, taking the Cell Salt of Nat-mur 6x will help sort out the imbalance and make a difference to your blood pressure.

2. I recommend you take Mistletoe (in supplement or tincture form) , the Latin name of which is Viscum Album, for a number of weeks to raise the B.P. You can also acquire it in 'x' potency in the form of tablets or pills from a homeopathic dispensary. It is very effective.

3. Take Ginseng and/or Liquorice Root combined with Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) to support the Adrenal Glands.Take these in a situation where you are contstantly running on adrenaline and pushing yourself to the limit.

4. Keep a careful watch over your blood sugars. This means do not  eat only 3xdaily but eat a small amount of protein  or complex carbohydrate (wholegrain only) or even a piece of fruit every couple of hours. You may need to eat 6-7 times a day to prevent a drop in your blood sugar. This will improve your Adrenal Gland function which will improve your blood pressure.

5. Take only gentle or moderate exercise with slower movements. Do not do any vigorous or high-impact exercise such as aerobics or jogging.

6. Avoid taking very hot baths and showers and extremes of temperature.

7. If your blood -pressure is very low, you may need to actually increase the intake of caffeine by drinking some coffee and tea which act as diuretics and lower the amout of fluid your body is carrying. I rarely recommend this however, as it is not a particularly healthy approach. Only a short-term approach. (This does not apply if you already are taking daily cups of tea or coffee).

8. Many people who have just undergone surgery, experience a huge and sudden drop in blood-pressure. This is because they may become over-hydrated from the application of a saline drip. It tends to heppen in people with a history of naturally low-blood pressure. In this situation, take the homeopathic remedy of Nat-mur 30c: 2-3 times over a period of about 12 hours. Nat-mur may also be taken by people who are not in this situation, but who do exsperience a sudden drop. Nat-mur is also indicated if the drop in blood pressure is due to emotional upset.

9. Find a way to de-stress. Just to BE, and not to do. Remember, you are a human be-ing not a human do-ing! Relaxation, moments of inner peace and contentment - these are the stuff of true presence, being and wellness. Try to turn inward and become quiet. Experience silence or you may want to just laugh! If you have been 'under pressure', get support and help. Take care of yourself - try not to live constantly  in 'crisis'. If you feel you have no control over circumstances, I understand, but remember there is help and loving kindness to avail of. Just Ask.

"The great omission in ...life is solitude, that zone of time and space, free from outside pressures, which is the incinerator of the spirit"   Marya Mannes

The Common Cold

Colds as you know are quite common! But they can be very uncomfortable and make it impossible to function normally for a few days. For some people, they turn nasty and travel downwards causing a sore throat and in vulnerable people, what began as a cold ends in a chest-infection.

A cold has a cleansing effect. It is when the immune system kicks into action throwing off bacteria, bugs, and viruses. It often happens when the seasons are changing. Summer to autumn, autumn to winter, winter to spring etc. So many people get a cold twice yearly, most usually in the spring or autumn. When this is the case, it can be likened to a preparation, the laying of a foundation the immunity needs to start defending itself against more serious illness. For this reason, the cold should be supported not suppressed. And handled naturally so that the immune system gets the boost it is looking for.

It is true that some colds, especially if experienced frequently, may not indicate heightened immunity but instead a lowered immunity from stress, poor nutrition, and becoming quite simply 'run down'. If you are getting them frequently, you need to look at your lifestyle alongside your overall health to solve the recurring problem. This might involve consulting an alternative medicine therapist for example including homeopaths.

So what can you do to beat it? Here are some tips for how to handle a cold.

* If your cold has come on from catching cold or becoming chilled from either being outside in cold weather with insufficient clothing or being exposed to a dry, cold wind or if the cold comes on suddenly out of the blue. Try the homeopathic remedy of Aconite 30c. This very often will stop it mid-track. In this situation, it is important to warm the whole body to get rid of the chill, and keep warm. It really is true that sometimes a 'hot toddy' does the trick -  a bit of brandy or whisky with hot water and a slice of lemon and a spoon of honey. Go to a warm bed and you may wake up the next day feeling alright.

* Beware, all Paracetomol-containing products and Aspirin too. My advice is NOT to take these. What happens here is that the Paracetomol does help to dry up symptoms of congestion and make you more comfortable. But it also suppresses your body's natural response-mechanism . The body produces mucus and makes you feel incapable of anything but rest - for a reason. The mucus builds up in order to surround and absorb bacteria, and it becomes so congested so that you have to blow your nose, spit up mucus and phlegm thus ridding the body of  the germs. If you dry up the mucus, then your body will have no protection (you will literally have disarmed it) and the bacteria can establish themselves more completely in your system. You will find that suppressing your head-cold will lead to sore throats, coughs, chest infections and a build up of mucus lower down your body. It moves from your head downwards.

* Instead, take things designed to help support your immune system in what it is doing.

Take Vitamin C - 1000mg once or twice a day. (Beware, juicing citrus fruits in order to get Vitamin C as they tend to cause acidity and will increase your mucus congestion)

Take Vitamin C and Zinc lozenges.

Drink plenty of water.

Take the herb Echinacea. This has natural anti-viral properties and fights infection. Echinacea is safe for children- you can buy specifically tailored children's Echinacea in the shops, which tend to be preserved with Glycerine as opposed to alochol and so taste less strong.

Another remedy for children is Sambucol (Elderberry Extract) . It is flavoured nicely and works very well.

You may also want to try Bee Propolis. A very strong substance that will fight infection. It comes in a liquid tincture or in a handy mouth spray. (The liquid does taste foul but you can add a little fruit juice to temper the taste)

Eat plenty of raw garlic. But if you cannot stand the smell - take a capsule or tablet instead.

Fill a bowl with hot steaming water, add some drops of Pine or Euclayptus Essential Oil to the bowl. Place your head over the water and inhale, and cover it with a towel. This will help to clear the airways. (Note that some essential oils may interfere or antidote homeopathic remedies. So do not do this at the same time as ingesting  remedies)

Try making up the following tea: Fill your teapot with boiling water. Grate some fresh ginger into it, add some slices of lemon, add 2-3 tablespoons of honey (MANUKA honey is the best). Drink regularly throughout the day.

* What homeopathic remedies can you try?

1. Nat-mur 30c. Take this remedy if the cold is accompanied by a cold sore. If your sinuses flare up with the cold and you have a bad headache. If you are very thirsty and worried about your health, weepy and fed -up. Take if the cold comes on at the beginning of your period. You will have clear,watery mucus and sneezing.

2. Try Allium Cepa 30c if your nose is running constantly like a tap and the end of your nose gets red and sore from blowing your nose. Your eyes may be watering and your head will have a stuffed feeling and you won't be able to concentrate.

Homeopathic remedies are very effective but there are many common-cold remedies. If you have tried Aconite, Nat-mur and Allium Cepa without success - you may need to ask  homeopath to decide for you and prescribe.

If you follow these guidelines, it would be unusual for you not to recover. In cases like this, you need extra support from a practitioner to prevent anti-biotic use and a more prolonged episode of being sick.