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Ways to Be Well
Home Care for the Flu | Salt Water Nose Wash | Mistletoe Therapy
This section provides more information about Anthroposophic medicine as well as a few practical handouts for home care.
If you are interested in pursuing the medicines on your own, I recommend contacting anthroposophic remedy pharmacies for their home care cataloges—these resources can be invaluable for home care, providing effective ease from the discomforts of many acute illnesses, and all three pharmacies have suggestions of how to put together a home remedy kit.
Pharmacies available in the US:
Weleda USA • 800 241-1030 • usa.weleda.com
Uriel Pharmacy • 866 642-2858 • www.urielpharmacy.com
True Botanica pharmacy • 800-315-8783 • www.truebotanica.com
To do some of your own research
go to the The Online Anthroposophic Medical Library • www.anthromed.org
Lillipoh Magazine gives an overview to anthroposophic living • www.lilipoh.com
Home Care for the Flu
Click Here to download a pdf of this cure | "All You Need is Love" Special Flu Handout
When fever, aches, headache, stomach upset, or cough happen on top of cold symptoms, we call this the flu. Usually flu is self-limiting and you get better no matter what you do. And, more comfort and possibly a shorter illness are possible with added care.
In general, children have many acute illnesses as they grow, providing a healing developmental process that provides a strong foundation throughout life. Adults become ill when stressed, and sometimes for no apparent “reason.” Then illness is an opportunity to regroup and refuel. Anthroposophic medicine supports a healing process, rather than masking symptoms that allow us to “go on” with regular life. Sometimes we must function and work, and then conventional medicines can be used judiciously (Tylenol, decongestants, etc.).
Occasionally our immune systems are not up to the challenge of an illness; then again, judicious use of antibiotics (for bacterial infections) or other conventional medications may be necessary. Please be sure to call your doctor if you have any concerns about your recovery from the flu or other illness.
Ultimately, after a renewal, remodel, and clearing out from the flu, we emerge with new strength in a healthy state. Here are suggestions for how to support healing.
All bodies respond well to the following—
• Stay warm—dress well, take baths, use hot water bottles
• Drink lots of fluids and limit heavy foods
• Make sure your body is naturally detoxifying by keeping your bowel movements regular
• Sleep lots—sleep is the best medicine. In fact, don’t wake someone up to give medicine.
Remedies from your kitchen—
Salt water nose and throat washes (see handout for explanation) for sinus and head congestion.
Mustard footbaths or mustard pack for chest symptoms (if chest is tight).
Onion compress. If any ear pain, hold onion compress against or just behind affected ear.
Lemon calf wrap, for fever with warm feet and restlessness. Wring light cloths in lemon water, and wrap around the lower legs.
--Additional handouts are available for these methods—
Anthroposophic remedies—
Many excellent remedies are available for further support in recovery from acute illnesses. Three pharmacies are in the US at this time, listed above
I am available also for phone consults during acute illnesses if you want help with how to choose and apply remedies, and to discern if you need to be seen in person.
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Salt Water Nose Washes
Click Here to download a pdf of this cure
Salt water washes can help people with sinusitis, allegies, and colds, as well as lung problems such as asthma (due to the post nasal drip coming from above). A salt water wash—
- Cleans mucus from the nose so medication is more effective
- Cleans allergens and irritants from the nose reducing their impact
- Removes bacteria and viruses from the nose reducing the frequency of infection
- Decreases swelling in the nose and increases air flow
- Feels good
How do I do this?
Make the salt water solution, using new solution each time.
- mix one-half teaspoon salt in an 8-ounce glass of warm water. Uniodized salt is preferred because iodized salt may be irritating when used over a long period of time. But if iodized salt is all you have on hand, go ahead and use it for the short-term. Some clinicians recommend adding a pinch of baking soda (not mandatory).
- If you are congested, use the entire 8 ounces of saltwater during the nasal wash; otherwise, 4 ounces should be enough.
- Lean far over the sink with your head down (point your nose to your toes). A small child may need to be held and assisted. One technique is to wrap your small child in a blanket or towel with arms down while holding him/her on your lap.
- Put your nose into the salt water and sniff the fluid in, until you sense fluid at the back of your throat. You will not drown, though that is the fear before you try it.
- Then blow out the fluid. Repeat at least 3 times.
Variations
My recommendation is to rinse with any technique that appeals to you. Many kits are available—neti pot, Sinus Rinse Kit, bulb syringe, Water Pik—all are effective if you use them. If you use your hand with salt water poured in, or a simple cup, that also works...
For those with the complication of a feeling of a dry nose or for minor nosebleeds, after a wash, rub a small amount of a mild salve (even olive oil works) in your nostrils.
Technique for Babies
- Use an eyedropper or syringe (without the needle) for doing a nasal wash with a baby.
- Place 10-20 drops of the saltwater in your baby's nostril.
- Use a bulb syringe to suction the mucus from your baby's nose.
- Repeat the procedure with the other nostril.
- Repeat up to once an hour as needed, when awake.
- Be sure to clean the bulb after every use.
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What is Mistletoe Therapy?
Click Here to download a pdf of this cure
Mistletoe (also known as viscum, Iscador or Iscar) is a plant that has been used by anthroposophic doctors to treat cancer and other sclerotic illnesses since the 1920’s. This medicine is currently under investigation by the NIH, and a myriad of research already exists in Europe, where some hospitals have specialized in this therapy for over 50 years. Use of this medicine is some of the most valuable work that I do.
Mistletoe grows in a way that helps to delineate why this medicine works so well for cancer treatment. First of all, mistletoe is a parasite, growing on trees instead of the ground—it does not have a life of its own. Mistletoe flowers in the winter (out of sync), and roots and stems grow every which way—leaves do not reach toward the light; roots do not grow into the earth. This likeness of cancer would be difficult to create in a plant—if you tried. A homeopathic approach to healing takes advantage of this growth pattern—that like will cure like; one’s body is inspired to heal from the inside out.
Mistletoe not only has direct impact by decreasing tumor growth, it also stimulates the immune system, creating inflammation to help one’s body heal. This is why mistletoe is not only a treatment for cancer, but also may be useful for autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. Mistletoe is also beneficial when used during or before conventional cancer treatments including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation—with fewer side effects and improved outcomes.
Different types of mistletoe are prescribed, depending on the type of cancer being treated. Types are determined by which tree the mistletoe grows on; apple, pine, and oak are some examples. Certain cancers respond better to certain types; for example, most skin cancer is treated with pini (pine). Breast cancer that develops prior to menopause is usually treated with mali (apple).
Most of the time, this medicine is given by injection. These occur on a schedule, usually with a series of shots every other day or 3 times a week. Then a pause in treatment occurs, providing a rhythm that increases the overall efficacy of mistletoe.
Many anthroposophic doctors also give adjunct remedies to support the person going through cancer treatment. These might include remedies for pain, for cardiac support, and for additional immune boosting, as well as constitutional support if appropriate.
Here are several websites for further introduction to mistletoe therapy.
www.iscador.com
www.paam.net
fourfoldhealing.com/2007/12/30/iscador/
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=15727163
Please contact me if you want further resources about mistletoe and treatment.
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Movement is my friend--
Movement is usually a good thing—the flow of a river, the movement of food through our system, a vigorous walk—these are a few examples of the natural flow of life that naturally detoxes and strengthens our bodies and the earth. Sometimes healing is entirely about getting things moving.Movement can be as simple as a walk around the block which can be a big “step” for someone who has had trouble getting off the couch. Helping those with chronic constipation, or hardened deposits in joints or blood vessels are two physiological examples of how movement is so very important to our health. And, working with our own biographies and life purpose is often the most critical part of healing for many patients. Someone may come to me for chronic allergies and find healing in changing a pattern of communication, getting a new job, or moving to a different house.
Movement Therapy resources:
Eurythmy Associaion of North America: www.eana.org/
If eurythmy is not available to you, any movement that has appeal is worth trying—taking a walk, bicycle ride, or cleaning windows can unleash surprising energy and self-awareness. Any sense of being stuck is important information that will be used in healing.
For those who have musculoskeletal problems that require physical therapy, I do make referrals if you are in the Portland area. For those of you without a PT option, I have learned about a very simple set of exercises that have helped many of my patients with shoulder, neck, and back pain, called the 5 Tibetan exercises. Here are web links; books are also available.
http://www.mkprojects.com/pf_TibetanRites.htm
http://www.lifeevents.org/5-tibetans-energy-rejuvenation-exercises.htm
You can always start with the succinct affirmation—movement is my friend.
Food
Eating is a daily activity that embodies movement of all sorts—cooking, eating, digesting, for starters. I like to paraphrase Rudolf Steiner here and state the following: I do not tell anyone what to eat. As in my general practice, I work with the direction my patient wants to go in; if you come to me with a vegetarian, raw milk, fermented, macrobiotic, sulfur-rich, iron-rich, or one of the other many “diets” available to us, I provide medical knowledge if requested, pertinent to you. There are many ways to heal, and many ways to eat—what fosters well-being in you is the goal. That being said, in this handout I will not even list options, there are too many to list.
Soul Food
Many of us find creativity is an essential part of healing—words, clay, paint, gardening, whichever fits for the individual can become can become part of the prescription for health. Anthroposophic medicine encompasses various therapies, including art and music therapies. The following link provides an overview.
Anthroposophic therapies: www.artemisia.net/
If you do not have access to such resources in your area, any creative or introspective activity will be invaluable in your healing journey. If you want to review your needs and resources and live far from Portland, I can provide some help with a phone consult.
If words seem like a good place to start, I have a handout called 3 Questions that I provide here if you want a simple way to jump-start the process.
Be Well!
3 Questions--Adding Inner Wisdom to Healing
Many of my patients already have some sort of discernment or reflective activity in their lives. Here is a brief way to get started, or to perhaps add a different activity to what you already do. I often describe the benefit of this kind of activity as the following: your inner wisdom can then meet the medicines coming in to you and they can be more effective.
Any person’s health is improved with reflection; if you can do even a few minutes a day, your life patterns then have the potential to change.
3 Heart Questions
This first exercise if my favorite; I first learned this from Rachel Remen MD, in a workshop for physicians.
At a time of day easiest for you, write down brief responses to the following questions—
What surprised me today?
What touched my heart today?
What inspired me today?
After just a few weeks, many individuals find surprising patterns
and a tool for discernment.
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT
ANTHROPOSOPHIC MEDICINES
Anthroposophic medicines are often homeopathically prepared, though sometimes the actual substance is also part of a medicine. Most substances used in Anthroposophic medicines (AM) are biodynamically grown and prepared. The quality of substance and preparation are unsurpassed—this quality is partly what makes these medicines so effective.
Other homeopathic approaches often use higher potencies of substances. AM uses lower potencies, which usually requires daily dosing. One way to think of how these medicines work is that a low potency medicine invites one’s spirit to have a conversation about healing. This conversation continues over the days and weeks, and as the medicine works, the conversation changes, perhaps going to deeper levels. I often describe these medicines as “a nudge to one’s spirit towards healing.” Sometimes even a gentle nudge can elicit great change. For most patients, the change is subtle yet very real.
The restrictions of classical homeopathy generally are not required in AM. Common sense always prevails; if a patient is ingesting a lot of coffee, for example, that substance may interfere with the healing process. I have found no need to abstain from a person’s usual habits (mint in toothpaste, etc). If progress in healing is not occurring, usually other aspects of a person’s life need to be addressed.
How to Use
These medicines are most effective if taken prior to eating. But take them anyway if you forget, as they will still work.
By mouth: let pellets dissolve in mouth; liquids can be combined in a small amount of water for easier use, or can be used straight. A few medicines are swallowed with water, such as Bidor and aurum/olibanum/myrrh tablets.
Topical applications: these medicines can be very potent, and a brief consult about their most effective use may be helpful. Some medicines are used on as needed bases, others are used sparingly and only 1-2 times a day. Please contact me if you have questions about a particular medicine.
Injections: in general, a brief rest after injections increases effectiveness, but is not essential except for mistletoe. Frequency of injections depends on what is being treated and the individual’s response to the medicine, ranging from twice daily to once a month. Usually, I have given in-depth instruction on how to inject and a treatment plan for use of this form of medicine.
For acute illness, remedies are used more frequently and on an as-needed basis. Treatment for chronic conditions is usually daily or twice daily dosing, though dosing is sometimes even less frequent. Duration of treatment depends on the individual and what we are treating; in general, chronic conditions require 1-2 years, though intensity of treatment often lessens as improvement begins.
Some medicines are best when used in a rhythmical way, with breaks of up to a month built in to the treatment plan. Other medicines are used every day. Sometimes a remedy does not work and we switch right away. Every treatment plan is based on the individual.
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