Homeopathy vol.2

Homeopathy vol.2

Feeling tired, blue and a bit anxious because it's cold, wet and dark outside? Your purse feels empty and all the parties have come to an end... A typical start to another year?

With the hecticness of the festive season over it feels like we’re finally getting back into the normal swing of things. The usual routines have come back for 2008. Having said that, though, many are experiencing the after effects of Christmas and the new year, which can cause feelings of sluggishness and low energy and can also leave some of us feeling a bit blue. This is very probably because your liver is feeling a bit neglected. You can maybe imagine that your liver has gone through a bit of a tough time dealing with all the food and drinks from all the parties you went to..?

With all the food additives, alcohol and other toxins that we absorb, our bodies are on a constant mission to eliminate these pollutants. It is the role of the liver to separate the good from the bad for the body, and it needs to be functioning well in order to fulfill its role.

If the liver is not on top form then this is when we feel tired, sluggish and not quite right. Maybe you're not sleeping very well or not waking up refreshed? Or you don't have that Get-Up-And-Go! feeling you hoped to have had for the beginning of the new year? Some of the common signs of a sluggish liver include lethargy, sleeplessness, low energy, headaches, constipation, irritability, and skin complaints and so on. These are some of the very common symptoms that are caused by toxic build-up in the liver and they can be helped by a liver cleanse with herbs and homeopathic remedies. It is always worth looking after your liver and giving it some TLC because a healthy liver will most definitely reflect on your wellbeing. So here are some pointers to getting you feeling awake, refreshed, and back on track and a little bit more.

REMEDY SUGGESTIONS

As explained in the first issue, Homeopathic remedies will not cause any nasty side effects so you can try out these remedies for a week to see if they work for you.

The following remedies can be taken as 1 tablet twice a day for up to 1 week to see if there is any improvement. You can stop taking the remedy with improvement and it can be taken again if the symptoms return. If there is no improvement stop as this means that it is not your indicated remedy.

NUX VOMICA

This is a remedy par excellence for the liver, which has gone through over indulgence, may it be from booze, food, drugs or whatever it may be. Nux Vomica is one of the prime remedies for the liver and it helps to support and detox the system eliminate toxic build- up. Some of the key symptoms which will benefit from taking Nux Vomica are: feelings of congestion, typically after eating, drinking and taking drugs (recreational and prescribed). This could be symptoms such as headaches and constipation, for example. People who need Nux Vomica tend to be irritable, short tempered and impatient and always craving stimulants such as coffee, alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, or even stimulating foods such as spicy food, all of which despite the craving make them feel worse.

LYCOPODIUM

Lycopodium is also another amazing remedy for the liver. The typical symptoms which will benefit from this remedy are for symptoms that primarily occur after eating. Digestion is therefore hugely helped by this remedy. If you need Lycopodium then symptoms such as bloatedness, gassiness, a noisy belly and unsatisfying bowel movements are not unusual. A lot of the time, people who benefit from this remedy tend to have a sweet tooth, though this can also add to their digestive problems. People who need this remedy can be a little anxious, suffer low self-esteem but also be irritable and short tempered.

HERBAL TONICS

Herbs are a great way to cleanse and support the organs. If you take a certain herb, or a combination of herbs, which relate to specific organs in the body, in this case the liver, it's like giving the liver its favorite food and nutrition. It focuses directly on the liver and helps it to cleanse, rebuild and re-energize. It basically cheers it up and it's ready to go again. This is why it is always a good idea to supplement with good herbs.

Dosage amounts vary, but, generally speaking you can take up to 10 drops in a little water morning and evening, but please ask your practitioner or pharmacist for exact dosage. The following herbs I have listed can be safely taken for 6 months continuously, after which time you can have a few weeks break if you decide to continue.

CARDUUS MARIANUS and CHELIDONIUM are 2 very potent herbs to support the liver. CARDUUS MARIANUS is an excellent remedy to support the liver after abuse of alcohol. CHELIDONIUM is a herb closely allied with Lycopodium, the Homeopathic remedy. So if you feel Lycopodium is a good remedy for you then you can support it by taking Chelidonium alongside it as well. As well as liver supports it is also an idea to look at the nervous system briefly because if you have over stimulated your system and are feeling a bit wired, it could be your adrenals needing a good check up.

PASSIFLORA and AVENA SATIVA are 2 great adrenal supports for symptoms relating to overindulgence of stimulants. It will help to calm the nervous system allowing the body to quieten and rest. Many people benefit from such herbs to help them get to sleep or to support them coming off addictive stimulants. They can be taken as a combination or singly. An effective immune and blood tonic would be ECHINACEA. It stimulates the immune system to help ward off infections such as colds, which are common in the winter.

BACH FLOWER ESSENCES

Flower Essences are easy to use, gentle and effective remedies, especially to help support emotional symptoms. They are similar to homeopathic remedies in that they work by stimulating the body to heal itself. Here are two essences, which I think may reflect some of the moods that may be experienced by some.

HORNBEAM, is great for procrastination. You feel like you just can't be bothered, or just don't have the energy to get on with it. That Monday morning feeling you get where you just feel everything is a chore. Hornbeam can help you regain that energy to get you back on track.

MUSTARD, is doom and gloom. There's no specific reason why you feel this way but you do. There's probably nothing wrong going on in your life, but still you feel hopeless and things look bleak. Mustard will dispel the clouds and bring happiness into your day.

WATER

Last but not least, drinking plenty of fresh water will always help you to eliminate toxins in the body. Remember, a large percentage of our body is water so by drinking water you are refreshing the body and cleansing it of old toxins.

Please note that Homeopathy, Herbs or Flower Essences should not replace appropriate diagnosis and/or emergency care without professional assistance. As with any health issues it is vital that one has professional support and individual responsibility is taken when choosing treatment.

Written by Aiko Dinan

Aiko Dinan moved from Japan to the UK in 1983. She grew up in Edinburgh, Scotland, and moved to London in 1993 to study Modern Languages at the University College London, as well as Cologne University in Germany. After graduating she went on to study Homeopathy for further 4 years at the Centre for Homeopathic Education, during which time she also completed a 2 year apprenticeship with a master Homeopath. Aiko also has a longstanding commitment in working in some of the most respected Homeopathic pharmacies in the UK, where she assists in making remedies as well as fulfilling the role as the in-house Homeopath.

Aiko is a member of The Alliance of Registered Homeopaths.