If you’ve been diagnosed with a long-term health condition, the chances are that it has been coming on gradually for quite some time. Looking back, you may have had early warning signs that your body was not happy: tiredness, aching muscles and joints, poor concentration (foggy brain), recurrent infections, various minor health complaints that dragged on.
You did your best to keep going, doing your job or looking after your family, but all the while, you knew you were struggling. Eventually, your symptoms became strong enough to stop you in your tracks. Now that you have a diagnosis, your health has got your full attention. Why has this happened? And, more importantly, what can you do about it?
More Than One Factor as Cause
Based on what I see in my practice, there is usually more than one factor in the development of any long-term health condition and the trigger is often a gradual build-up rather than a sudden occurrence.
In the same way, when you set about restoring your health, you may need to approach the task from more than one angle.
A Constitutional Homeopathic Remedy
In classical homeopathy, the constitutional remedy is always a most important catalyst for healing.
The constitutional remedy treats the person rather than the disease. The remedy is chosen to suit you, in your unique entirety, mentally, emotionally and physically.
As well as focusing on specific physical symptoms, the constitutional remedy can address any underlying emotional symptoms, if these are part of the picture.
Patients frequently tell me that the benefits of their constitutional remedy include feeling calmer, less stressed, sleeping better and having more general energy.
All of these benefits leave your body in a better condition to self-regulate and heal.
Genetic Inheritance
A particular health condition may run in your family and, at some point in your life, conditions become right to switch that gene on in you. Your genetic inheritance is one of the factors a homeopath will take into account when choosing the most appropriate constitutional remedy for you.
Toxic Build-Up
On a purely physical level, a toxic build-up often has a part to play in the development of ill health. Allergies are one way the body shows that its toxic cup is starting to overflow. Chronic catarrh and recurrent sinus and upper respiratory infections are another.
In homeopathy, we have remedies traditionally used to support and strengthen the organs of elimination. These support remedies are used to help the bowels, kidneys and lymphatic system to eliminate waste products and function more efficiently. When indicated, these remedies are given over time as part of a programme of homeopathy.
Specific Toxic Exposures
Maybe you already know that a particular toxic exposure triggered your health problem. It could be a particular infectious illness or an environmental exposure or a medication side effect that proved to be the final straw for you. If that’s the case, you’ll be interested in the Homeopathic Detox Therapy aspect of my practice.
In Homeopathic Detox Therapy, greatly diluted homeopathic doses of the actual toxic exposure are given as a message to the body to do a clear-out of that substance and its effects. These detox or clearing remedies are called Isopathic remedies.
As well as Isopathy, the Homeopathic Detox Therapy method uses additional detox support in the form of organ support remedies, certain vitamins and a constitutional homeopathic remedy to suit the whole person. The complete detox programme is individually chosen to suit your case.
Emotional Stress
In the lead up to the development of many health conditions, a period of stress will have occurred, maybe even 6 months or a year before the onset of symptoms. It could be a big emotional stress or the burden could have been physical. It may have been gradual or sudden.
By addressing underlying emotional issues, constitutional homeopathy has been able to improve my patients’ peace of mind.
If you feel that your emotional state could be relevant to the onset of your health condition, I aim to provide a confidential, supportive and non-judgemental space for you. It often happens that, although circumstances cannot be changed, your perception can shift after an appropriate homeopathic remedy.
When painful emotions are resolved, much energy is freed up for healing on all levels.
Leaky Gut
Research shows that the variety and balance of gut bacteria is different in patients with chronic inflammatory conditions as compared with healthy individuals. This situation can be improved through a combination of diet, supplements and homeopathy.
As part of your treatment package, I often prescribe specific remedies to address yeasts and fungal overgrowth and to help heal the gut lining.
Your constitutional remedy also plays an important role in promoting the right conditions to support gut health because your constitutional remedy is the overall balancing remedy which is individually tailored for you.
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Inflammatory Foods
Although unlikely to be the total cause of your condition, some foods have an inflammatory effect in the body and reducing or eliminating these can be part of a holistic approach.
The main pro-inflammatory foods to avoid include sugar, products made with white flour, processed foods in general and foods containing artificial colours, flavourings and preservatives, oils high in Omega 6 (such as safflower, sunflower, corn and soya), trans fats (found especially in deep fried foods and foods containing partially hydrogenated vegetable oil), processed meats, non-fermented dairy products, alcohol and artificial food additives such as aspartame and MSG. Cutting out wheat and gluten can also make a big difference for some people.
Anti-inflammatory Diet
While it is important to avoid eating unhealthy and inflammatory foods, it is equally important to make sure that you're eating enough of the good stuff.
Plants need to play a big role in your daily diet. Include broccoli, cauliflower, celery, green leafy vegetables, fresh beetroot, avocado, sweet potato, apples, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, fresh pineapple. Drink green tea and lots of plain water. Eat omega 3 containing salmon, sardines, anchovies and mackerel. Use olive oil and coconut oil. Include fresh ginger and turmeric in your stir fries and other hot meals. Add chia seeds and milled flax seeds to smoothies and porridge.
Supplements such as fish oil, vitamin C, vitamin D (see your GP for blood test before supplementing) also have a role to play in helping to reduce inflammation and in supporting your immune system naturally.
Taking a Holistic Approach
A homeopath does not diagnose any condition and does not take the place of your medical physician. Always consult your doctor if you are feeling unwell. Once you know what you are dealing with, you may decide to take a holistic approach to complement your doctor's recommendations.