Just say no! Lock the door. Don’t invite them in.

As a Classical Homeopath, I feel compelled to remind my clients, friends and colleagues to listen to our [...]]]> During the winter when the nights are long,  flu and colds start knocking on every door as if to say: “Are you home? Will you host me?”

Just say no! Lock the door. Don’t invite them in.

As a Classical Homeopath, I feel compelled to remind my clients, friends and colleagues to listen to our body’s own wisdom as well as share a few ideas I use both personally and in my practice to keep illness away from your doorstep.

The goal of classical homeopathy is to build immunity and resistance, or to help your body’s own natural tendencies to fend off illness if it’s made it to your doorway at work, on public transit, in crowds where you spend time, or even delivered indirectly through your children’s school chums to your home.

Sleep when tired, Eat when hungry
In winter months as daytime wanes, the early nightfall induces melatonin production in our bodies. This is the hormone telling your body to get sleepy. Don’t fight it. Instead, try to get 2 hours of extra sleep. This is a great way to allow your body rests so it can focus on strength building.

Imagine it’s just like opening the door to an unwelcome viral guest if you allow yourself to get too tired and depleted.

What If You Already Have the Flu?
If that flu virus picked the lock to your home and wiggled into your body, you do not need to call your Homeopath. Instead, use this self-healing treatment: an acute homeopathic remedy called “Oscillococcinum” [pronounced: oxi-lo-co’-sinum] found in most health food stores.

This acute remedy is effective when taken as soon as you feel you’re coming down with something – getting tired, achy, unfocussed, feeling slightly out of balance, or similar. Don’t wait: Take the remedy immediately!

I suggest you have this occillococcinum remedy on hand so you can take it the minute you start feeling symptomatic. That’s when this remedy is most effective.

Do You Really Need a Flu Shot?
Most likely you won’t need a flu shot when this safe, homeopathic treatment can very effectively handle flu symptoms. In some cases, you can take this Oscillococcinum remedy even if you’ve had a flu shot. In addition, my clients are being offered homeopathic flu immunization option when appropriate. In some cases, I can offer a homeopathic flu immunization remedy for clients, depending on their overall constitution. This is an option we evaluate after a thorough homeopathic intake session. If you’re unsure if you’re a candidate for the flu shot or our safer homeopathic flu immunization, call our office for advice: 415-585-1940.

What is the Difference Between Acute & Constitutional Remedies?
Acute remedies in homeopathy treat immediate symptoms, while constitutional remedies are chosen to fit each client’s unique physical, emotional and even spiritual make-up on a deeper, preventative level. That’s what a Classical Homeopath is trained to evaluate and treat. For more explanation, visit our website.

More Self-Healing & Preventative Tips
Listen to your body and eat when you’re hungry, even if it doesn’t follow a regular routine on your clock. Drink extra fluids to compensate for dry weather conditions while helping your body flush out unwanted toxins.

Increase your vitamin and supplement intake in winter when you need additional support for immunity. I recommend taking 1000 mg of vitamin C for maintenance, if your digestive system can easily tolerate this amount. It’s most effective when broken into a dosage of 250 mg taken four times daily.

Other important foods to support your system in winter are seasonal harvested roots, red and dark green leafy vegetables. You may notice that most health food stores stock abundant supplies of locally grown, seasonal foods to clue you into those nutrients that support your health this time of year.

When to See Your Homeopath
With our stressful lives, we sometimes develop weakened immune systems over time. Working long days, having less time for exercise, exposure to more people with illness, or staying indoors during cold days rather than getting exposure to the sun all inhibit the strength of our constitutions. If you find that you’re developing any of these conditions, it’s a good time to see a Classical Homeopath for a qualified evaluation and treatment:

• When you find yourself often prone to colds, flu or allergies, especially in winter

• When your immune system has been compromised by illness, injury, or lack of self-care

• Or if you have any of these other conditions preventing optimal health

Client Experience, One Example
People under the care of a qualified Classical Homeopath are less likely to get sick due to a fortified immune system. For example, one of my clients was a triage nurse who worked in an acute care clinic. She contracted a severe flu every winter for most of her career, due to her exposure to sick patients on a constant basis.

For the past six winters, following constitutional homeopathic treatment, she has avoided the flu, even while attending to sick patients coughing on her day in and day out.

She took a stand for the flu not being welcomed to enter her door by using homeopathy to strengthen her immune system.

Ready to Get Support This Winter?
If you’re sick and tired of being sick and tired in winter contact me I’ll provide a deep level evaluation to determine a constitutional remedy to strengthen your system to help you kick that flu virus off your front porch now and over the long term.

Details on treatment and how homeopathy works are found on my website at www.vardahome.com. For appointments call to schedule: 415-585-1940. If you don’t get me in person, leave a few dates and times that are most convenient for you and get back to you confirming an appointment.

Treating injuries is based on objective data, depending on the cause of injury or the sensation. For example, anyone stepping on a nail requires the same initial remedy. The knowledge and use of these remedies is important for anyone who wishes to utilize [...]]]> Homeopathy is specific to the each person, but treating injury is universal.

Treating injuries is based on objective data, depending on the cause of injury or the sensation. For example, anyone stepping on a nail requires the same initial remedy. The knowledge and use of these remedies is important for anyone who wishes to utilize homeopathy at home.

You will need the following:

You would want to familiarize yourself with a handful of remedies ~ Have an immediate access to a basic remedy kit at home ~ Additional guidance: As you practice using the remedies, ask a friendly homeopath when questions come up. It is the nature of homeopathy: The more we know the more questions we have, and that’s good. Feel free to contact me for further information.

Basic Remedy Kit for Injuries:

1. Arnica Montana

Arnica - the ambassador of homeopathy. Indications: ~ The 1^st Remedy to think of in case of any injury, especially bruises or sprain. Injury to muscles, head or limbs. Arnica is for the tissue between bone and skin. ~ Arnica helps control internal and external bleeding, help the state of shock, and enhance healing of the affected parts, therefore to relieve pain. ~ Blows and Contusions ~ In any form of injury, when not sure which homeopathic remedy to administer, use Arnica. In cases that require First Responders intervention, use Arnica while waiting for the ambulance. Dose: Arnica 30c, 3 pills to be used every half an hour for about 3 hours. Further dose depends on the severity and extent of injury.

2. Ledum

Ledum Indications: ~ Ledum prevents tetanus infection ~ Punctured wound: Stepping onto a nail or any wound that is more then skin deep. Any damage to tissue that is deeper then superficial scrap. Most deep wounds do not bleed heavily. While the bleeding ‘washes’ out the bacteria, a deep wound that does not bleed retain the ‘dirt’ pact in the wound. Keep it open with running water and squeezing out blood if possible. ~ Any puncture wounds as caused by sharp, pointed object; stepping on a nail, getting pocked by knife, scissors, staple or any sharp and pointed instrument, including insects and animal bites or animal claws. ~ Injury to eyes or soft tissues around eyes. Ledum is the Arnica of the eye, the first remedy to think of in case of bruise to the eye (black eye). ~ Animal bite or cat nail. Dose: Ledum Pal 30c, 3 pills to be used every half an hour for about 3 hours. Further dose depends on the severity and extent of injury.

3. Rhus Toxicodendron

Rhus Tox. Indications: ~ Stiffness and restlessness, better with continued motion ~ Muscle sprain, injury to muscles ~ Sprain of ankle, shoulder, knee and any other joint while playing strenuous sports, or fall. ~ Muscle cramp Dose: Rhus Tox 30c, 3 pills to be used every half an hour for about 3 hours. Further dose depends on the severity and extent of injury.

4. Apis

Apis Indications: ~ Insect bite, rat bite, stings by bee, wasp, jelly-fish, etc. where there is redness, swelling, burning and stinging pains. ~ Animal or insect bite that is red, swollen, feels worth with application of heat ~ Apis is 2^nd choice when  Ledum  does not provide relief after 3 hours ~ Sudden allergic rash such as hives ~ Any puncture wounds that feels warm, hot or stinging. ~ Any puncture wounds that feels hot and better with cold application Dose: Apis Mel 30c, 3 pills to be used every half an hour for about 3 hours. Further dose depends on the severity and extent of injury.

5. Cantharis

Cantharis Indications: ~ Any form of burns including hot water. ~ Burns due to handling of chemical ~ Second or third degree burn that produces blisters Dose: Cantharis 30c, 3 pills to be used every half an hour for about 3 hours. Further dose depends on the severity and extent of injury.

6. Hypericum

Hypericum Indications: Injury to hypersensitive areas of concentrated nerves or nerve ending. Any injuries that cause sharp, shooting pain ~ Fingers slammed in windows or car door. Any injury to fingertips and toes. ~ Injury to back, especially falling on the tailbone. ~ Following dental treatment involving nerves (root canal). ~ Deep cut that is painful and sensitive to touch ~ Puncture wound that cause sharp, shooting pain ~ Any injury to prevent infection Dose: Hypericum 30c, 3 pills to be used every half an hour for about 3 hours. Further dose depends on the severity and extent of injury.

7. Calendula

 Calendula Indications: All around ointment for all kinds of skin problems; wounds, cuts and scrapes ~ Use cream or ointment externally on superficial wounds

While Homeopathy is not commonly known for preventative care, it does offer an effective treatment to prevent the Flu. The homeopathic remedy Influenzinum, made from a flu vaccine every year, helps build resistance to flu viruses. Influenzinum has been used effectively and safely for over 150 years.

When we have a 100-calorie apple in one hand and a 100-calorie pack of cookies in the other, and we view them as being ‘the same’ because the calories are the same, it says [...]]]> David Kirchoff, president of Weight Watchers, the world’s largest diet company, recently said on their website: “Calorie counting has become unhelpful.

When we have a 100-calorie apple in one hand and a 100-calorie pack of cookies in the other, and we view them as being ‘the same’ because the calories are the same, it says everything that needs to be said about the limitations of just using calories in guiding food choices.”

Kirchoff and Weight Watchers have eliminated the company’s popular “Points” system, which encouraged dieters to lose weight by eating any foods as long as they kept the portions small. The new system tries to encourage dieters to consume more natural, less processed food.

According to Time Magazine:

“The radical overhaul, which is the first major alteration to the Points program, comes at a time when Weight Watchers is trying to revive its recession-battered business.”

SOURCE: Time Magazine February 19, 2011

 

came the cripples and the beggar. And seeing them …

he cried, ‘Great God, how is it

that a loving creator can see such things

and yet do nothing about them?’…

God said, ‘I did do something.

I made you.”

. – Sufi Teaching

~ § ~

Martin [...]]]>

“Past the seeker as he prayed

came the cripples and the beggar. And seeing them …

he cried, ‘Great God, how is it

that a loving creator can see such things

and yet do nothing about them?’…

God said, ‘I did do something.

I made you.”

. – Sufi Teaching

~ § ~

Martin Luther King Junior:

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”

~ § ~

Gandhi’s Seven Deadly Sins:

Mohandas Karamachand Gandhi, one of the most influential figures in modern social and political activism, considered these traits to be the most spiritually perilous to humanity.

- Wealth without Work

- Pleasure without Conscience

- Science without Humanity

- Knowledge without Character

- Politics without Principle

- Commerce without Morality

- Worship without Sacrifice

For many years I had a 16″ long braid stored at the bottom of my drawer.  I had no idea why I kept it until I [...]]]> I often see patients walking into my clinic wearing a wig; a temporary measure following chemotherapy. The wigs are hand crafted and loaned to people for the duration needed.

For many years I had a 16″ long braid stored at the bottom of my drawer.  I had no idea why I kept it until I realized the wigs I’ve seen are hand crafted using natural hair. Following a request for instructions, the braid was shipped to Locks of Love. This is their note of appreciation:

Dear Varda,

Thank you for your generous hair donation. Your selfless act of kindness will benefit a Locks of Love recipient and change their life for the better. Most of our recipients suffer from an autoimmune disease called alopecia areata, which has no known cause or cure. Other recipients are cancer survivors, victim of trauma such as burns and rare dermatological conditions that result in permanent hair loss. Your donation of hair will help return smiles to the many varied face of our children. On behalf of those children, their families and Board of Directors, Thank you – you made a difference!

Madonna Coffman

President

http://www.locksoflove.org/donate.html

Please pass this information to your friends.

It is through word of mouth that good causes become known.

How is homeopathy different from [...]]]> People who get homeopathic treatment generally find that their health and well-being improve. As the immune system gets stronger, there is better resistance to infection and a greater sense of stability. Following treatment, patients report they experience creative vitality and fortified sense of purpose. These are essential steps toward health.

How is homeopathy different from conventional medicine?

Homeopathy addresses the full attributes and characteristics of the patient — both physical and emotional. While homeopathy takes into account current symptoms, it emphasizes ways to prevent future illnesses. When used correctly, homeopathic medicines have no side effects and are cost effective. Homeopathy can be used during, or following, conventional medical procedures.

During the initial interview or meeting some of diagnostic questions that you might be asked:

• How you relate to your  environment: Do you like the wind in your face? Do you prefer cold or hot weather?
• How you relate to people: Do you get angry easily?  What makes you happy?
  • How  you vent your anger: Do you throw things, scream, yell? Or you shut yourself away?
  • What do you like to eat? What can’t you stand eating?

Those answers, coupled with others pertaining to your unique symptoms, provide a highly trained Classical Homeopath the complex knowledge to assess and offer treatment that deeply strengthens your immune system and constitution.

Is homeopathy “New-Age?”

New? Homeopathic medicines have been used for over 200 years to treat a wide variety of illnesses safely and effectively. Homeopathy relies on a systematic method to cure illnesses while providing comprehensive care and increasing immunity.

Who can benefit from Homeopathy?

Almost anyone. Homeopathy addresses acute and chronic conditions — from colds, flue, allergies, infections and skin conditions, to mental and physical trauma, insomnia, pain and chronic fatigue. Children respond well to homeopathy, as do animals.

What kinds of conditions are candidates for homeopathy?