Author Archives: Danielle Abramov

Anxiety – Homeopathy Awareness week

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Homeopathy Awareness Week

We are currently overwhelmingly pre-occupied with Coronavirus. Coping with the psychological effects of physical distancing and self-isolation can be difficult. I would encourage you to do everything the government and health authorities are recommending to stay as well as you can. In addition, here are a few homeopathic remedies that could help.

If you are experiencing a lot of anxiety, are restless, getting fussier and worried about germs, ARSENICUM ALBUM would be a good remedy to take.

Are you very anxious about upcoming engagements or commitments and feel anxiety in the pit of your stomach, then ARGENTUM NITRICUM could allay those feelings.

If you are feeling shaky, weak and lethargic, you could try GELSEMIUM.

Whilst these particular remedies are likely to be helpful, it is best to have a homeopath work out the one that best suits your symptoms.

The amazing platforms of Skype, Zoom, FaceTime and WhatsApp facilitate my being able to hold online consultations. Do contact me for help with your symptoms.

Just a reminder that in homeopathy we treat the person, not the named disease. Homeopathy helps you to heal yourself.

Coughs – Homeopathy Awareness Week

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Coughs – Homeopathy Awareness Week

I would like to share a few useful homeopathic remedies to resolve coughs.
There are many cough remedies, however, these three seem to be quite helpful in the types of coughs people are currently experiencing.

BRYONIA is number 1 for a dry hacking cough, with a painful chest whilst coughing. The person is very irritable, feels worse for any movement or being disturbed, they want to be left alone. Lips and throat are dry.

Dosage: take 1 pill of Bryonia every 15 minutes and assess if there is any difference in the intensity or frequency of the cough or improvement in general wellbeing. If in doubt, contact your homeopath.

A couple of other remedies that are currently helping people are firstly ANTIMONIUM TART
for loose coughs with a chest that ‘rattles’ and difficulty bringing up the mucous. The person is exhausted, chilly and pale.

PHOSPHORUS is of use in those with a tight chest, where the cough is worse for talking or laughing; they are thirsty for gulps of cold drinks, prefer company and might be quite ill though not showing it.

Whilst these particular remedies are likely to be helpful, it is best to have a homeopath work out the one that best suits your symptoms.
Just a reminder that in homeopathy we treat the person, not the named disease. Homeopathy helps you to heal yourself.

Covid-19 natural help & homeopathy

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Covid-19 natural help & homeopathy

These are extremely challenging times; the uncertainty causes a cascade of feelings, such as confusion, fear, worry, frustration and powerlessness.

The not knowing – how long this will last, am I a carrier/infected, how will I provide for my family – is a major cause of stress. And prolonged stress in and of itself impacts negatively on our immune system.  Some tips to keep your immune system stable are listed below.

We all react to uncertainty and the feeling of helplessness in accordance with our personality. Those of us who are bossy, make plans and need to organise others,  stoical types take it in their strides and weather the situation, others worry themselves silly and  some are frightened thinking that something dreadful is going to happen.

If you feel that fear or anxiety are affecting your health, homeopathic remedies can help – consulting with a qualified homeopath will ensure you of the most accurate prescription and assistance.

Some tips to keep your immune system and your spirits strong:

Generally:   Stay Safe

                    Sleep and Rest

                     Control the amount of negative information you expose yourself to

                     Activities – fun/relaxing/ distracting -something daily

                     Food – as nourishing as possible

                    Exercise – produces the feel good mood endorphins

                     Avoid the news before bedtime

                    Keep in touch with friends/family and those in isolation

Health:       Take Vitamin C (preferably with zinc) and Vitamin D3 daily

Black Elderberry (Sambucus Nigra) 1 teaspoon daily, has been shown to boost the immune system

 

Wishing you continued good health.

Danielle 

I am available for online consultations on Skype or Facetime.

 

Homeopathy for Depression

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Homeopathy for Depression

Are you feeling low, even depressed? Let homeopathy lift your mood.

Did you know ‘feeling blue’ is not just an expression – the image of a depressed person’s brain scan is mainly blue as shown below in the right image.

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What is depression?

Depression can be a temporary passing experience or a deeply disturbing condition that may lead to suicide. Experiencing severe despondency and dejection, accompanied by feelings of hopelessness and inadequacy, as well as a condition of mental disturbance, typically with lack of energy and difficulty in maintaining concentration or interest in life

Except in cases of minor depressive states, professional attention is generally recommended to help a person go through this emotional experience in a conscious manner.

Symptoms of Depression:

Psychiatrists classify cases as Depression if they have been continually depressed for a period of at least two years and in addition display any three of the following symptoms:

  • Low self-esteem or lack of confidence
  • Pessimism, hopelessness or despair
  • Lack of interest in ordinary pleasures and activities
  • Withdrawal from social activities
  • Fatigue or Lethargy
  • Guilt or ruminating about the past
  • Irritability or excessive anger
  • Lessened productivity
  • Difficulty concentrating or making decisions

Whatever the reasons for suffering, such as not recovering from grief or loss, chemical imbalances, post-natal depression or SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), homeopathy can reduce the severity of the symptoms in conjunction with lifestyle and dietary changes.

Homeopaths, like modern-day physiologists, understand that symptoms of illness represent the body’s defences in its efforts to adapt to and respond against infection, environmental assault, or stress of some kind. As discomforting as symptoms can be, they still represent the living organism’s best efforts at the time to try to defend and heal him or herself. Such defences are an innate part of our evolutionary efforts to survive.

Why Homeopathy Makes Sense for Depression:

Homeopathic medicines are not prescribed based on the person’s diagnosed disease but on the unique way the person experiences his or her disease. In other words, homeopathic medicines are prescribed based on the totality of various physical and psychological symptoms, not just a single symptom or disease label. Although the selection of the correct homeopathic prescribing is more complex than the use of conventional drugs or even many herbal preparations, the system of prescribing that is individualized to the whole person is intellectually sound… and its results are often significant if not substantial.

Numerous studies have shown benefits in using the herb St. Johns’ wort to treat mild to moderate depression. However, homeopaths generally find that it is preferable to prescribe individualised homeopathic remedies to attain better long-term sustained results without having to take continual doses of any medicine. In fact, a recent study in a medical journal published by Oxford University Press found that individualized homeopathic treatment is as effective and is safer than Prozac in the treatment of people with moderate or severe depression. (Adler UC, Paiva NMP, Cesar AT, Adler MS, Molina A, Padula AE, Calil HM. Homeopathic individualized Q-potencies versus fluoxetine for moderate to severe depression: double-blind, randomized non-inferiority trial. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2009 Aug 17 ) http://ecam.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/nep114v1)

Testimonial:

“I am so thankful to Danielle and her homeopathic magic!  I was particularly skeptical about homeopathic remedies but after feeling particularly low and depressed for some time and at my wits end as to how to pull myself out of it I turned to Danielle to see if there is any way that she could help me.  Our first session was a tearful one but I was already feeling a little more optimistic after leaving her and waited patiently for my remedies.  It’s hard to pin point exactly when things began to improve but they certainly did and rapidly!  After our 3rd session I was feeling miles better and together we made the decision that I could try and stop taking the remedy and see if I could keep my mood and optimism high.  As much as it would have been lovely to see her regularly, there really was no need and I was back to my old self again.  For anyone that is skeptical like me I strongly advise just giving it a go as it could be the perfect natural solution.  I’ve heard of homeopathic remedies working for more physical symptoms such as hay fever but really wasn’t sure it could help with something such as depression but I was wrong!  Danielle is such a lovely lady and a wonderful homeopath to see especially if you are feeling very down.  Big thanks Danielle for getting me back smiling again! ;)” CC

A word or two of caution:

There are so many homeopathic med­icines that can be used to treat the numer­ous symptoms of depression and anxiety that it can be difficult to know where to start. It is important to make sure that your symptoms are not due to another illness such as an underactive thyroid or a stomach ulcer, so please talk to your GP first to make sure of the diagnosis before starting homeopathic treatment.

Cases of bipolar, manic-depression, risk of suicide or schizophrenia, require long-term counselling/therapy and psychiatric referral with homeopathy as an adjunctive therapy.

Disclaimer:

As a homeopath I do not diagnose, treat or prescribe for any particular symptom, disease or condition. Instead, I work on increasing the general vitality and constitutional strength of those who seek my advice. I am a professional homeopath and not a medical doctor, and therefore those who work with me must retain the services of a primary care physician for appropriate evaluations and check-ups for themselves and/or their children.

Homeopathy and skin diseases

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Homeopathy and skin diseases

Your skin is your largest organ and plays a vital role in detecting hot and cold, regulating your body temperature and protecting your muscles, bones and internal organs from outside infection and disease. But there is so much more to your skin with some of the most interesting facts about your skin here below:

  • An average person’s skin covers an area of 2 square meters.
  • Skin accounts for about 15% of your body weight.
  • An average adult has approximately 21 square feet of skin, which weighs 9 lbs and contains more than 11 miles of blood vessels.
  • An average person has about 300 million skin cells. A single square inch of skin has about 19 million cells and up to 300 sweat glands.
  • Your skin is its thickest on your feet (1.4mm) and thinnest on your eyelids (0.2mm).
  • The skin renews itself every 28 days.
  • Your skin constantly sheds dead cells, about 30,000 to 40,000 cells every minute! That’s nearly 9 lbs. per year!
  • Some sources estimate that more than half of the dust in your home is actually dead skin.
  • Dead skin comprises about a billion tons of dust in the earth’s atmosphere.
  • Your skin is home to more than 1,000 species of bacteria.
  • Skin can form additional thickness and toughness — a callus — if exposed to repeated friction or pressure.
  • Some of the nerves in your skin are connected to muscles instead of the brain, sending signals (through the spinal cord) to react more quickly to heat, pain, etc.
  • Your skin has at least five different types of receptors that respond to pain and touch.
  • Skin that is severely damaged may try to heal itself by forming scar tissue, which is different from normal skin tissue because it lacks hair and sweat glands.
  • Changes in your skin can signal changes in your overall health.

Some of the more common skin issues are cradle cap, eczema, psoriasis, various forms of dermatitis, acne, urticaria and certain types of alopecia (hair loss)

Conventional treatment consists of

  • Avoidance of possible allergic triggers
  • Antihistamines
  • A wide variety of over the counter creams, serums and peels
  • Anti-biotics
  • Laser treatment
  • Light treatment
  • Topical steroids

Whereas these treatments can reduce or alleviate the symptoms, complications can occur, including hypersensitivity reactions, infections, and steroid side effects. Also, there is a high reoccurrence factor.

The ethos of homeopathy is work to heal gently and permanently, toxic-free and avoiding side effects.

Homeopathy is a holistic form of medicine, using individualised remedies to treat the entire person.

Contact me if you would like more information or to book a  consultation.

Research on the effect of homeopathic treatment of 60 Japanese patients with chronic skin disease: https://homeopathyplus.com/research-homeopathy-chronic-skin-diseases/

Holistic prevention

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Holistic prevention

Holistic prevention is better than repetitive cureHeadache

You want to avoid having colds all winter for sure

Whether your nose is constantly running or perennially blocked

A permanent cure can be helpfully unlocked

Coughs, shivers, aches, itchy eyes and nose

Am sure you would rather get rid of those

Those same symptoms arise in hay fever as well as the flu

Think of homeopathy when you are not sure what to do

Best time to come for treatment are in the autumn months

Before the cycle of illness repeats and you feel like a dunce

Refer me, contact me, do not delay

Get yourself better permanently and in a gentle way

Examples of 5 people suffering from a cold, treated with 5 remedies:

A is for Aconite: Rafe, a teenager, was at games on a very windy day. He hadn’t worn a coat and by the evening was flushed and not himself. At midnight he woke up with a high temperature, feeling anxious and restless. His skin was dry, his nose was running and just one of his cheeks was red.  His mother heard him call out, handed him a glass of water, which he drank quickly,  then gave him a dose of Aconite napellus. He soon calmed down and drifted off to sleep. By morning, he was still a bit tired from the interrupted sleep, but all his other symptoms had gone.

A is also for Arsenicum:  60 year old Barbara came to see me with a runny nose and sore throat. Her sore throat felt better for sips of cold water. The watery mucous from her nose was burning and had made her nose and upper lip red and sore.

She was tired, anxious and irritable, not having slept well and worrying that the cold would deteriorate into something worse. Although the room was comfortably warm, she was wrapped in a cot and scarf, and still feeling chilly.  I gave her Arsenicum Album to take until her symptoms improved. By evening she no longer had a sore throat and felt much better by the next day.

G is for Gelsemium: 35 year old David had been down with a cold for a few days and was exhausted. He had a head ache which had settled over his eyes, and his head felt heavy, chills up and down his spine and shaky legs. He sat slumped with his eyes have closed and was slow to reply to my questions. His worry was that the cold would turn into bronchitis if not treated. A few doses of Gelsemium got him back to work in 3 days, with the chills and head ache reducing that same day.

M is for Mercury: As 8 year-old Sarah’s cold was getting worse, her mother called to ask which remedy to give her from her home homeopathy kit. What were her symptoms? Her neck glands were very swollen, also her throat was so painful she would now only sip water. Her swollen tonsils were dotted with little white ulcers. She had bad breath and had been dribbling. I prescribed Mercurius solubis. That evening she managed to eat a little and by the next evening she was practically back to her happy self.

P is for Pulsatilla: one of my daughters would have Pulsatilla symptoms with a cold. From happy to tearful, from independent to needing cuddling and carrying or sitting on my lap, a different child in illness. Physically, she would have a yellow-green nasal discharge that was better with fresh air though she would prefer to be indoors and she would not want to drink very much. Often the post-nasal drip would cause a cough that would wake her in the night. Pulsatilla pratensis would always dry up the discharge, make her less emotional and get her back to her healthy state.

If any of these homeopathic remedy pictures strike a chord with you, whether it is a cold, the flu or a chronic condition, homeopathy is a natural non-toxic way of improving your health.

Homeopathy for panic attacks and anxiety

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Homeopathy for panic attacks and anxiety

Do you tend to worry about what might happen in the future, shake or panic before or during a public engagement, or cancel plans at the last minute because you cannot face them?

Too many people are affected by anxiety or panic attacks at various stages in their life.

With the right homeopathic treatment, those living with nervousness, severe anxiety, phobias or panic disorders can attain relief and enjoy worry free lives.

Some common remedies to calm the mind are listed below, however, chronic anxiety disorders will need a supervised course of treatment, so for the best results, do make an appointment.

Aconite:

FearIs best known for its intensity of symptoms – fear or panic with a sudden onset, often following on from after seeing or experiencing a trauma or accident. The person is restless, fearful and think they are about to die. They might have a pounding heart, dry mouth and be thirsty.

Aconite can also treat symptoms from a past traumatic event.

Argenticum nit:

Apprehension when unsure of what is going to happen and the more they dwell on it, the worse they feel. They feel worse for heat and crowds and are nervous and hurried.

They crave sweets and sugar which give them digestive upsets. Anxiety will trigger diarrhoea and flatulence. Strange compulsions and ‘what if’ thoughts are typical of this remedy.

DepressedArsenicum Alb:

Arsenicums tend to worry about the future, financial security and safety, are worse at night and when alone. To cope with their anxiety, they become perfectionistic, overly fastidious and selfish and can develop OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder). They become controlling and critical of others. They are usually chilly and feel better for being warm.

Gelsemium:

Weakness and trembling from any exertion that is allied with anxiety, such as performance anxiety with weakness of the knees and muscles, trembling of the hands and shaking voice. At the same time they feel paralysed by fear as well as helpless, wanting to hide away but unable to move. Fear of open spaces and the flu have been helped with Gelsemium.

Kali phosphoricum:

A remedy for mental overwhelm, brain fog, they are overstressed and delicate. They have a fear of something bad happening or having a nervous breakdown.

Physical symptoms from overwork, excitement or worry.

Lycopodium:

AnxietySuffer from lack of confidence and has anticipation anxiety and stage fright, with flatulence and griping colic, though once they get going they relax and do well. Their anxiety occurs in new situations or with new people and they can overcompensate over talking and bravado. They crave sweets and have right sided physical complaints.

The above are only a small sample of remedies for anxiety and panic attacks, if none of them match your symptoms, contact me for assistance.

If you find that after several doses of one of the above remedies you have very little or no improvement, contact me for a more appropriate remedy.

For best results, recurring or chronic problems should be treated with the assistance of a professional homeopath.

Irritable bowel syndrome and homeopathy

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Irritable bowel syndrome and homeopathy

abdominal pain IBSIt’s ‘only’ IBS, ‘your tests are normal – can be your doctor’s response in finding out what is causing your ‘tummy aches’. As if the tummy aches, constipation and/or diarrhoea weren’t annoying enough. Although it is reassuring to find out that you do not have stomach ulcers, diverticulitis, or colon cancer.

However, Irritable Bowel Syndrome is not managed well or holistically with conventional treatment as it focusses on 1 symptom at a time. (Antispasmodics, anti-acids, dietary exclusion diet)

IBS is a cluster of symptoms; the triggers could be stress, after-effects of a stomach bug, food intolerance or a sudden change of diet.

‘Gut reactions’ are real; the bowel reacts to emotional states of anger or anxiety. These more likely affect people who find it difficult to express or share feelings, thus expressing mental distress through physical symptoms.

Other possible causes of IBS symptoms are food sensitivities (not allergy which occurs very swiftly and intensely after ingesting a small quantity of the allergen), consequences of antibiotic usage that has caused abnormal fermentation in the colon and candida.

It is a fairly common condition that can occur at any age, affecting as much as 20% of the population, with more sufferers in the 20-40 age group and more females than males affected.

It is essential to treat IBS by prescribing on the totality of the patient’s symptoms, including the emotional and mental as well as any other physical symptoms besides the bowel ones.

Some common symptoms of IBS;

  • Abdominal pain associated with defecation.
  • Irregular pattern of defecation for at least two days a week.
  • Three or more of the following: alteration in stool frequency, in form, change in straining or urgency, sense of incomplete evacuation, bloating or abdominal distension, mucous in the stools.

WARNING: Do not ignore the symptoms below; they need investigation:

  • Change in bowel habit.
  • Passing blood via the rectum.
  • Weight loss.
  • Constant abdominal pain.

Homeopathy can treat the root cause of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, resulting in gentle and permanent relief from painful and stressful symptoms.

Strains and Sprains

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Strains and Sprains

Some years ago I had torn a ligament in my right knee.  As I occasionally try to challenge myself with a new skill or knowledge,  I had joined a 0-5km running group. After a couple of weeks, to my great frustration, the pain in my knee returned. It was worse for the first movement, whether when getting out of bed in the morning, or when getting up from after sitting for a while. It would taper off with gentle walking but then worsen again. It definitely felt better for dry heat. I was restless yet stiff and my mood was deteriorating. All those symptoms pointed towards the remedy Rhus Toxicodendron.

In my frustration, I had penned the following poem,

There is something very wrong with my right  knee

I cannot get an early appointment with the GP

I wanted to run, I want to walk

But the pain is so bad I can hardly talk

The angrier I get, the worse my knee becomes

What is it about this connection I don’t get

Too painful to exercise so I eat and get stressed

But the less I do the more I get depressed

In desperation I take myself off

to consult my compassionate homeopath

She listens and explains the connections

between my pains and my emotions

Finally it all becomes clear

Of course it is not as bad as I fear

A bit of  Arnica and some doses of Rhus Tox

It really helps that she thinks outside the box

It’s not only her manner that is calm and reassuring

Those homeopathic remedies are the solution to my curing.

 As with all our remedies, Rhus Toxicondendron can be indicated in a wide range of conditions when the symptoms match.

Some characteristic symptoms:

  • Internal restlessness
  • Stiffness, both mental as well as physical
  • Feel worse for cold & damp weather, getting wet
  • Feel worse at first motion, better continued gentle motion
  • Apprehension, worse after midnight
  • Thirsty for cold drinks and feel better for hot drinks
  • Desire to stretch during sciatica, backache or rheumatic pains
  • Burning and itching herpetic eruptions that are better for heat, hot water

Your mental, emotional and physical symptoms are individual and as such the remedy will be chosen according to your characteristic symptoms.

The beauty of homeopathy is that it is holistic, non-toxic, not addictive and safe for anyone to use including in pregnancy.

Want to find out how homeopathy can help you?

A good night sleep with homeopathy

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A good night sleep with homeopathy

You’ve tried all the usual tips for sleeping soundly, yet sleep still eludes you, or you wake up un-refreshed or, even more frustrating, you are wide awake much too early and cannot get back to sleep.
Try a homeopathic remedy: Homeopathy is a form of holistic medicine that works on the principle of treating ‘like with like’ and is administered in minute doses. It is gentle, non-addictive, side effect free and can be used safely and effectively at any life stage.
Each human being is unique and homeopathic remedies are prescribed according to each individual’s symptoms.
Thus when treating chronic insomnia, it is recommended to treat the whole person, rather than just the specific symptom of sleeplessness. These are the most commonly used remedies and their indications:
 Arsenicum album (Ars): sleeplessness from worry and anxiety (especially about one’s health) with a fear of dying. Wakefulness after midnight, especially 1-2 A.M. Restless, gets out of bed. Can only sleep with head raised. Hard to fall asleep after waking.
Coffea cruda (Coff): Coffee is well known for producing sleeplessness but because of homeopathy’s ‘like treats like’ effect, it will relieve insomnia when given in crude, or especially homeopathic form. The types of symptoms it relieves are those produced by coffee. Wide eyed at 3 A.M. with overactive mind, excessive joy, feeling excited. Worse for suprises; strong emotions; narcotics.
Ignatia Amara (Ign): Sleeplessness from a recent disappointment or grief.  Waking easily from sleep. Waking from the jerking of a limb. Itching of arms with yawning. Child wakes from sleep with screaming and trembling after being reprimanded before bedtime. Worse for: Coffee.
Kali Phos (Kali p.): Sleepless after worry, excitement or from nervous causes. Constant dreaming of fire, robbers, ghosts, falling. Twitching of muscles on falling asleep. Awakens with a fright.
Nux Vomica (Nux-v): insomnia from worries about business, too much stress. Irritability from loss of sleep. Falling asleep before normal bedtime and then waking at 3–4am. Waking at 3-4am with alert and active mind and then falling asleep as daylight approaches only to then wake with difficulty, feeling tired, weak, and not wanting to get up. Worse for: stimulants and narcotics
Passiflora Incarnata (Pass): A very useful remedy for sleeplessness, but it should be given in mother tincture, i.e. 10 to 30 drops a dose. Restlessness, exhaustion, and sleeplessness.
Sulphur (Sulph): Waking between 2 – 5am and unable to go back to sleep. Difficulty in falling asleep from itchiness of skin or perspiration. Drowsy by day and sleepless at night. Worse for: becoming hot; atmospheric changes.
Method:  About 1 hour before going to bed, take 1 pill of the remedy in a 30c potency (strength) that most closely resembles your individual symptoms by letting it dissolve under the tongue. Homeopathic remedies are highly sensitive so avoid handling the pills and store them in a cool place and away from strong smelling substances.
If you are experiencing other (un)related symptoms and the remedy matching your particular symptoms does not alleviate your sleep problem, please consult a professional homeopath who will take your case history and treat you holistically.