learn about homeopathy

ARe you interested in learning more about homeopathy and how to prescribe for yourself?  come along to my 8 weeks course in Aberdeen starting January 16th.  It is a low cost course, includes a kit with 42 starter remedies and a book which you can refer to when looking for a remedy.  Homeopathic philosophy is also part of the learning to help you better understand what a fantastic form of medicine this is!  contact Sue by e-mail before Jan 10th to book your place.

a more healthy you for 2012

So there is all this hype about the government taking homeopathy out of the NHS because it is not scientifically "proven".  They say there is NO EVIDENCE and yet the farmers are using it on their animals,  women are giving remedies to their infants...and they help heal without any suppressive effects.  In fact they are finding the animals and babies are staying healthier.  Yes, there may be placebo effect on adults during a consultation with a homeopath, because the person has finally had a session in which they feel HEARD.  Many doctors will agree that when they have time to spare with their patients it is more beneficial than when there is only 3 minutes followed by yet another medication.  Sympathy, love, attentiveness are all integral parts of how we heal from the mind to the body.  But homeopathy also has a vibrational tool which acts to speed up the healing and remove the symptoms.  Did you know that the NHS  spends 4 million pounds on homeopathy, and 500 million on the side effects of their drugs!!!  Take away some of the drugs and you might have healthier people and less money being spent on many pharmaceutical medicines that ultimately make people sicker!  Homeopathic remedies cost a fraction of a fraction of allopathic medicines.  So , if you could stay healthier on homeopathy and NOT NEED THE ALLOPATHIC DRUGS WHICH MIGHT MAKE YOU SICKER then what would you choose?   Perhaps you would like to learn more about homeopathy this year, learn how to prescribe basic remedies for acute illness, accidents, surgery, dentist visits, and injuries.   Take healing into your own hands. Stop depending on the NHS to do it for you.  This is not about an exclusive form of medicine, it is about INTEGRATION of all things available.  It is about CHOICE for you, to stay healthy, to help your body TRULY HEAL, empowered by YOU.  For more information on courses available contact sue on her e-mail.  Next one starts on January 16th 2012 so SIGN UP NOW.

Welcome to the new year of 2011!   Along with positive changes in the world you can empower yourself to stay healthy this year.  Learn more about what illness means and how you can heal yourself through the use of homeopathic remedies.   This form of medicine is fully complementary to conventional medicine, meaning that the two can work side by side if necessary.  If what you really want is to not need any medicine to stay healthy then have a closer look at what homeopathy can do for you.  It encourages the body to heal itself which results in long lasting absence of illness!  And then you find you don't need any drugs to stay well either!  Why not really empower yourself this year and come along to my 8 week course.  It is guaranteed to inspire you to take your healing into your own hands.  You will not only be prescribing for yourself by the end but will feel confident to use remedies for your loved ones, pets and neighbors!  Minor ailments only of course, but this is where real healing starts.  Why suppress what the body needs to do to heal when you can just encourage the expression of dis-ease and then regain true health!

The society of homeopaths does not endorse homeopathic prophylactic programs, though many homeopaths use this for people who choose not to vaccinate.  There is no long term evidence that this method of protecting the body from various diseases is any more effective than medical vaccination.  However, many homeopaths do believe that everyone has the right to be fully informed about the risks of vaccination and shown both sides of the story.   If you choose to vaccinate there are homeopathic remedies which may help reduce the toxic effects of materials in the injection and the assault on the immune system.  Talk to your local homeopath and get more informed before you make the choice.  Talk to your doctor about the effectiveness of various vaccinations and make sure your vaccination is mercury (thimerosol) free.  The best thing you can do to create a strong immune system and be less susceptible to disease is to eat local and organic, reduce stress in your life, get enough sleep and exercise!  All the things we know are good for us!

HOMEOPATHY COURSE

HOMEOPATHY COURSE NOW BEING OFFERED TO THOSE OF YOU WHO WOULD LIKE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOMEOPATHY AND HOW TO PRESCRIBE FOR ACUTE SITUATIONS SUCH AS ACCIDENTS, INJURIES, COUGHS, FLU, FEVER, ETC. 

Have a look at the course section of this website for more details.

swine flu

hello everyone.  I have moved back from Norway and am living in Aberdeen again.  My dyce practice is currently being renovated and will be ready by end of october this year.  However, I am available for consultations Monday-Wednesday if you are needing homeopathic treatment.  See the appointment page for how to go about finding me.

There is alot of hype in the press regarding swine flu.  Scarey stuff if you read it all and believe it all.  Like any epidemic, it is really important that you keep yourself healthy on all levels right now so you won't be susceptible to this particular virus.  Eat healthy, get enough sleep, reduce your stress, find balance so you have some time for the things you really love, etc.  Easier said than done much of the time in this busy world eh?    I would also recommend you try not to feed into the fear that surrounds epidemics, this can make you susceptible. 

My recommendations for treating swine flu if you do contract it is to follow the advice most health centers are recommending.  STAY HOME!  Let your body go through what it needs to get better and you will develop immunity, in fact unless you are immuno-compromised in some way there is a very good chance your immune system will be stronger in the end.  If your doctor recommends you take the antiviral medicine and you feel ok about this then please follow her advice.  The symptoms of this flu are varied depending on what your weak points are in your body.  For instance, many people who have respiratory problems seem especially vulnerable to breathing difficulties.  You will probably be quite ill for 5-7days, and then may require some recovery time on top of that.  Most work places are asking people with any flu to stay home until they are completely better. and wear masks if you have to go out.  In my mind, this is the best advice.  Reduce your stress, put aside the work worries, rest, drink and listen to your body.  Avoid contact with other people, especially very young and elderly as they may be more vulnerable to dangerous symptoms.

As for remedies, have a look at the article I wrote on homeopathic treatment of flu.   There are some recommendations there for various flu remedies.  As with all homeopathic prescriptions, there is not just one remedy for one illness.  We all manifest our illnesses with different signs and symptoms.  It is very important that you try to match the picture of the remedy to the picture of the disease, otherwise you end up taking a remedy which will not help you heal.

Of course you can contact me if you are worried or want more information.  There will be some possible prophylactic advice in case your particular work place or town is affected by the epidemic.  In this case please contact me and I will be able to recommend what to take to either avoid the viral infection altogether or at least make the symptoms easier to bear.  Remember, disease is not necessary an evil thing.  Dis-ease is merely our body getting our attention and when we listen we often come out the other end stronger for it. 

Recession Depression

It looks like the financial crisis is a worldwide phenomenon, which probably doesn't surprise you.  It is part of the fact that we are such an interconnected world both physically and energetically.  I have noticed that so many people have so many different reactions to this new financial climate.  There is the underlying feeling of insecurity, the obvious one being "Will my money still be there when I need it?" or "Can I even get my money out of the bank?"  For those of us who have invested money in the market to save for the future, there will be a fear of the future, fear of poverty and basic fear for personal survival.  Not to mention a feeling of failure or disappointment that you have saved all that money and lost it anyway.   Of course that all sounds so dramatic, but it is a reality that many people are thinking about and worrying over.  These worries can lead to a frenzy of impulsive decisions about selling or moving money from bank to bank.  This gives a temporary relief to the panic, only to be reignited again when the papers and newscasts spell doom and gloom.  Occasionally I meet someone who is not worried in the least, just trusting that everything will work out.  If only we could all think this way!  Or is that just putting your head in the sand and hoping it will go away?  There needs to be a balance.

 It may seem crazy to suggest considering homeopathic treatment when your finances are feeling so insecure, but it could be money well spent.  Homeopathy really comes into it's own when there is a mental/emotional context on which to prescribe.  You probably know that physical symptoms can often be a manifestation of a mental worry or trauma, but sometimes this is not so obvious.  When we are worried, perhaps losing sleep because of it, there will be an underlying anxiety which takes its toll on the body, especially the adrenal glands.  Homeopathic remedies can help to bring things back into perspective and rebalance the energy in the body so you don't get ill. 

Let me give you an example.  Imagine a business man suffering from "stress" which manifests as anxiety  and acute depression.  He not only talks about feelings of hopelessness, but attributes this to his inability to control what is happening in his life.  This in turn makes him feel worthless, blaming himself for the position he is in now.  When pressed for details about what is going on in his life he reveals that he is worried his job may not continue for much longer.  This on top of the financial crisis in the world where he knows he has lost quite alot of his savings in the market.  (if he chooses to sell now)  This has created insecure feelings about the future which are preventing him from sleeping.  He feels weary but he cannot rest or if he does sleep it is filled with anxious dreams.  He says "it is as though the light has gone out of my life".  Of course, as the homeopath the alarm bells ring so he must be asked if he has considered anything as drastic as suicide.  He looks shocked, but then goes on to admit that the other day it did occur to him he could end his misery by jumping out the window of his tenth story office block.  The consultation continues and reveals other significant symptoms such as high blood pressure, rapid irregular pulse, bone pains with violent headaches caused by bone pain of the face, ulcerations in the nose and some incidences of vertigo.  All of these symptoms together with the mental picture point to one of our well known remedies called aurum.  This is potentised gold and is a constitutional remedy for people who are very motivated, high achievers.  These people do really well in life and are generally well liked, but they are very suseptible to depression if they have somehow "failed".

 Does that example give you an idea of what a homeopath might be looking for?  If you are feeling depressed and hopeless/despairing about what is going on in the world right now do consider seeing a professional homeopath.  Often a well chosen remedy will "bring the light back", change your perception of the situation, give you hope, relieve the physical symptoms and keep you off the antidepressants.

Norovirus, winter vomiting bug

NOROVIRUS, THE WINTER VOMITING BUG

Many of you have either experienced this contagious virus already, or know someone who has.   The official figures published seem to indicate that 100,000 people in the UK are contracting this virus daily!  That's alot!  Many hospitals have had to turn people away for lack of bed space.   If you are not immuno-compromised then I would recommend you stay home anyway because many hospitals are just breeding grounds for more illnesses!  It is also being recommended that you stay home and not return to work for at least 48 hours once you are feeling better.  For some people that is up to a week off work.  In my mind I always think that is a good idea since our body gets ill when it is suseptible, and usually is an indication that you need some time off anyway.  Personally I would rather have time off on holiday than hugging the porcelain!

Homeopathic remedies can be a huge help with this virus.  When chosen properly the remedy will not only alleviate the suffering, reduce dehydration, but also speed up the healing process.  The following list of remedies with indications for use may be helpful when you are trying to decide which remedy to use.  Homeopathy is based on the principle of like cures like, so the remedy will only be effective if the picture of the remedy match the symptoms of the illness.

Arsenicum: alternating between vomiting and diarrhoea, with a burning pain after stool. Aggravated by sight, smell or even the thought of food. Exhaustion which can be sudden and extreme. There can be a faint feeling, with a fever alternating with chills. Very thirsty for sips of water. Worse after midnight. There might also be a restlessness anxiety not easily reassured.

Nux vomica: constant nausea with lots of saliva and inability to vomit, with retching. May feel faint, with headache. Maybe a bloated feeling with belching and heartburn. Chilly and irritable.

Gelsemium: a very popular flu remedy. Symptoms come on slowly, with intense weariness, aching in the muscles, chills up and down the spine, hot flushes, sticky skin, acute nasal discharge and sneezing. The patient wants to be left in peace, has a feeling of instability and feels better for sitting still with the head propped up. Nausea and burning in the stomach, with sour belching. Diarrhoea with wind.

Ipecac: violent and persistent nausea, worse at night. No relief from vomitingWorse for any movement, after eating and for smell of food. Hot or cold sweat. Chills, pains in bones as though torn to pieces. Often with a cough, but mucus difficult to get up.

Phosphorus: great thirst for water and ice cold drinks but vomits up shortly afterwards. Vomits even the smallest amount of food and drink. Diarrhoea gushes out painlessly. Wants sympathy and reassurance. Exhausted.

Try to get the remedy in 30c potency if possible.  Give one pillule every 2 hours for no more than 6 doses.  If the patient responds before the 6 doses then stop and wait.   You are merely trying to stimulate the body to heal itself, so less is more.   I often find with my children that they respond by the 3rd or 4th dose.  If there is no change after 6 doses then try another remedy. 

If the symptoms persist then go see your doctor or phone your local homeopath for professional advice.  Drink lots of water, don't worry about eating if the patient is not hungry.  It is the dehydration that you want to avoid.

You can buy these remedies at Boots or your local health food store.  If you are really interested in homeopathy in the home then why not consider buying a homeopathic kit with 42 remedies in it?  It also includes a handy booklet which will help guide you to which remedy you need for various common ailments and injuries.  You can buy these kits at Chelsea House Clinic for £30.  See web page for more phonen numbers. 

guardian article

homeopathy on the NHS

Once again folks homeopathic medicine is being opposed by the press in the ongoing campaign to disempower the people in the world who want to be involved in their own healing.  Check out the Society of Homeopaths website for the latest responses and updates to articles being written trying to convince the public that complementary medicines should not be offered on the NHS.  The statistics show that a huge number of people benefit every year from complementary therapies.  An even larger number of people suffer horrendous side effects of drugs prescribed by doctors wooed by the pharmaceutical industry.  Don't let yourself get trapped into believing that suppressive drugs will actually cure you!  The NHS spends vast amounts of money every year not only on drug prescriptions which are never used, or are misunderstood and then create deeper disease.  The NHS then spends millions treating people for the side effects of the drugs they prescribed in the first place.  Tell me, is this real healing or is there a money making industry out there who hopes we never heal? 

Homeopathy heals, as do many other complementary therapies.  It not only encourages the body to heal itself, but the whole process of a homeopathic consultation reveals the real meaning of the illness to the person so changes can be made and past truamas can be addressed and released.  Life is for living, we are all full of immense potential to be fully creative human beings.  Sometimes the challenges of life become too much and we get stuck...this is when we manifest symptoms.  Our body is a wise organism and will let us know when we have to step back and reassess things.  If we listen we then go on to heal and fully live our lives.  When we give the power over to another person or drug then we never truly move forward. 

So, those of you who have used homeopathy and love it as a system of medicine and a medicine of the future, please respond to the press statements which lie and deceive the public.  You know it works, you are living proof.  Spread the word because that will be your gift to mankind.

spring and hayfever

It's spring finally and I suppose some of you, or your friends or family are suffering from hayfever symptoms?  Or dreading the start of hayfever season?  Why not go see a homeopath and see if there is a remedy you could take instead of the usual antihistamines?  There are several homeopathic remedies sold over the counter in health food stores or pharmacies which work for some people but not everyone.  The reason?  Probably because homeopathy is so good at treating your individual symptoms and not so good at treating just the symptoms common to any particular condition. 

You may find a remedy called allium cepa, which is potentised onion.  Think of it....your eyes and nose stream like a tap just like when you are peeling an onion!  You feel as though you are crying and the mucous coming from your nose burns.  Your throat might burn also and perhaps you are sneezing continually.  Sound familiar?  Well, most of the hayfever remedies have these symptoms too.  Euphrasia is another good remedy, only the eyes burn instead of the nose.  The eyes are often quite red, which is why many people find this remedy also useful for conjunctivitis.  There is another remedy called wyethia which is not very common but excellent for that feeling you get like the back of your throat itches, or the top of your mouth.  There is unrelieved dryness in the throat and a sensation like something is stuck in the nasal passages.  Arsenicum is a great remedy for seasonal hayfever which comes back every year at the same time.  There is burning, itching, sneezing, thin discharge from the nose which burns......you recognise it I'm sure.  As you can see they all seem to cover similar physical symptoms.  If you went to a homeopath he/she would ask you many, many questions in the effort to find a simillimum.  The simillimum is the picture which is presenting not only on the physical level, but also what you are like as a person, what makes your hayfever better or worse, what might be triggering it, etc. etc. etc.  The whole picture is taken into account.

 Sometimes I will have a patient taking a constitutional remedy which helps quite alot, but they also get acute allergic symptoms when out and about in the spring or summer, or mowing the lawn.  This is when I will suggest they take a remedy called mixed pollens which is potentised pollens from several plants.  This doesn't cure the hayfever, but will alleviate the symptoms so he/she doesn't have to dose up on antihistamines.  So, why not give homeopathy a try this year?  The sooner the better!

Flu Epidemic Hits Scotland

The remedy kali phos is fantastic to use when recovering from a long illness. It helps the energy return. Take it daily in a 6c potency for up to 2 weeks.

Don't forget to supplement with additional vitamin C (2000mg if you are quite ill) and live yogurt. These both boost the immune system, help it recover more quickly and encourage the gut to digest food more effectively. Drink alot of water, it helps flush the toxins out of the system which inevitably build up.

Go see your local homeopath if you are not recovering. Flu viruses can linger in the body for quite a long time, especially since we all have such busy lives and find it hard to take time out to truly rest.

Who wants to guess how many folks who got the flu this season were vaccinated? My guess is probably more than 75%. I don't think the vaccines are very effective since this virus mutates very quickly.

Hello to everyone, past, present and future homeopathy users!

I am still practicing from my clinic in Dyce and both Chelsea House Clinics in Peterculter and Inverurie. The clinic in Inverurie has just bought bigger premises and will be opening some time in early 2007. This building is just across the road from the old clinic and has a very large parking area. It looks like the reception area will be much more comfortable too, not to mention more rooms for more therapists. Please come and have a look around once it has opened.

It looks like I will remain in Norway until summer 2009. This will not affect my practice in Scotland since I plan to continue commuting monthly. I am not officially opening a practice in Norway so all my energy goes into working on the cases I see in Scotland. I have found over the past 14 months that this arrangement is working beautifully. Most of my patients are happy to correspond on e-mail which is very efficient. I do have a phone which connects into my computer and costs you national phone rate, but am not always available by phone the way I used to be in Scotland. I tend to use phone for emergencies or follow up consultations. What is happening for me, which is very exciting, is that I have more time to spend on case work. This means the attention you are getting as a patient is very high quality. With 3 weeks to study, research and explore all my cases I find I am having more and more success at prescribing. Working as a professional homeopath is truly satisfying, but a continual challenge. One never stops learning more.

I would like to draw your attention to my new website: www.townsendhom.com This includes information about homeopathy and also the various projects I am getting involved in. There is a blog which I am still learning how to use, but hope to have specific information on remedies for epidemics and responses to newspaper criticism, that sort of thing. The website also has a calender showing when I am available for consultations, how to contact me and what my fees are. Please give these details to anyone who might be interested. I now have several leaflets which are available: "Natural Fertility and Conception"; "Homeopathic Remedies For Birth"; "Homeopathy and Cancer"; and of course my own advertising leaflet. If you would like copies of any of these please contact me and I will send them out.

Hope your New Year 2007 is a healthy and joyful one. Stay in touch, feel free to send me an e-mail in response to this letter if you like.

Sue Townsend