Once again there have been reports of damage caused by ingredients in vaccines. The latest research comes from America and you can read more here at Fran Sheffield’s website. Please note however that most childhood vaccines no longer contain the ingredient thimerosol. However some vaccines such as Swine flu vaccine contain this ingredient. If you are concerned please check with your doctor before administration of a vaccine.

I was asked to make the Graduate Speech on behalf of all Graduates at Endeavour College of Natural Medicine in the Melbourne Town Hall recently. Part of the speech can be read here.

Ive just added an article called ASCENT OUT OF DARKNESS. It looks at ways to help during spiritual crisis which is becoming more common every day as people delve into religion and spiritual practices. This article is a follow on from DESCENT INTO DARKNESS that describes the process of unconscious material arising from exploring ones spirituality.

Great news!

As of July 1st - 2009, those coming for Homeopathic consultations who are members of Medibank Private with Extras coverage will receive a rebate. Homeopathy is therefore finally covered by ALL private health insurance companies where extras are used.

I attended two lectures last week by Rhea Dempsey in Kallista. It was organised by The Birth Week Association (www.birthweek.org.au) who each year gather together for five days to discuss and educate women about birth.

 According to Rhea, “..by exploring the emotional and psychological aspects of the birthing journey as well as developing physical resources, Birthing Wisdom allows space to create a meaningful birth experience for you, and a safe and loving welcome for your baby”.

Rhea offers lectures and workshops on various issues around pregnancy, birth and post birth and also runs support groups for different needs. You can read more about her work at www.birthingwisdom.com.au

Carol Boyce, filmmaker and homeopath is currently making a series of films on how homeopathy helps certain conditions. At present her focus is on Autism and you can click on the below link to watch a six minute clip.

Homeopathy and Autism

In the past few days I have had enquiries about Swine Flu. Today the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared a phase five alert (second highest level) and they believe a global outbreak of the disease is imminent.

The outbreak is due to a strain of influenza A virus subtype H1N1 that derives from a mix of human influenza, avian influenza and two separate strains of swine influenza.

 If you are suffering from flu like symptoms go to your doctor for diagnosis, however current influenza vaccines are believed ineffective to the new outbreak.

 Follow the link to read how homeopathy can help with flu like symptoms.

http://www.hpathy.com/diseases/Swine-flu-symptoms-treatment.asp

I recently attended a three day seminar in Brisbane on Autistic Spectrum Disorder from the perspecitve of homeopathic understanding and treatment. The seminar was run by Dr. Luc de Shepper (www.drluc.com), considered one of the foremost contemporary homeopaths in the world, who has a busy homeopathic practice in California. He has seen over 200,000 patients in his 29 years of practice and thus has gained extensive knowledge about what does and does not work!

Management methodology was a focus as well as understanding the causes of Learning and Behaviour disorders in children, from a Traditional Chinese Medicine and Homeopathic perspective.

Once again in true homeopathic fashion the importance was on characteristic symptoms of the child and not the common symptoms which are presented under each ‘disorder’. In Dr Lucs experience diet can make some changes but he found many diets were too difficult for families to cope with. The deepest healing in his experience however comes from energetic medicine such as Homeopathy which looks at the whole person and the possible causes behind their condition.

I came away excited about new knowledge gained and the ability to tackle challanging health issues presenting in my practice. Dr. Luc is to return next year to Australia and his seminars are highly recommended to all homeopaths.

Mastitis is the inflammation of the parenchyma of the mammary gland and is defined as peurperal mastitis when it occurs in lactating mothers. It is caused by blocked milk ducts or milk excess and is a very common occurance which homeopathy can help greatly in. Once again the characterisitc symptoms should be taken into account as symptoms vary from woman to woman.

Causes can be stress, sleep deprivation, improper breast feeding technique, cracked nipples and long periods of time between feeds. It is vital to have a proper breastfeeding technique to avoid such problems and groups such as La Leche League and The Australian Breastfeeding Association can help.

Early signs are redness and swelling of the breast with local pain. Later signs include fever, increased pain radiating out from the breast and flu like symptoms. Mastitis can occur and develop in a matter of hours and it is imperitive to be treated early.

Breastfeeding should continue and does not affect the baby and in fact can help remove the blockages. For some women however the mastitis occurs after weaning as the hormone levels have not reached pre pregnancy levels. Recurring mastitis in all women but espeically those who have weaned their babies are advised to see their doctor and get tests for possible hyperprolactinemia, thyroid disorders or lowered immune system.

Treatment of mastitis is usually antibiotics. Breast abscess is a threat with untreated mastitis though it is uncommon. In severe cases breast feeding may need to be discontinued and lactation inhibiging medication used.

Homeopathy can help in preventing mastitis by boosting the womans vitality through her constitutional medicine. In cases of mastitis there are many homeopathic remedies which can help but the most common are Phytolacca, Bryonia and Belladonna. The aid of a homeopathic kit at home can mean treatment is quick and easy. If in doubt about what medicine to use always contact your local Homeopath.

Phytolacca is one of the best medicines for mastitis when the characteristic symptoms match. The breast is hard, hot and swollen often with a purplish colour. The breasts feel lumpy with pains radiating over the whole body especially when the child is feeding! The nipples are often cracked or fissured and the right breast is often more affected than the left. The pain is worse at night and better for pressure.

Bryonia is a great remedy for mastitis in general but especially when it occurs after weaning. This mastitis often comes on more slowly than the Belladonna mastitis. The breast is rock hard, hot to touch but pale in colour and worse for the slightest movement. Cold compresses and holding the breast help. The patient is irritable and thirsty and describes the pain as stitching.

Belladonna is for the first stages of mastitis when the breast is hot to the touch, red in collur and comes on suddenly. The pain is intense and often described as throbbing. Red streaks may be seen radiating out from the centre. The woman may have a fever with dilated pupils and flushed face and any movement of the breast causes tremendous pain.

I usually treat mastitis with the 200c potency but for home use 30c will suffice. Take 30c every 30 minutes for four doses, then one dose every two hours until 50 - 60% improvement. Stop the medicine at this stage as it will continue to do its work.

Often women need to look at their support systems around them and question are they getting enough nourishement and love as I’ve noticed mastitis is more common in women who feel alone, unsupported and exhausted.

Summer is the time when we all run outdoors to soak up the sun and partake in activities that leaves our skin under the glare of daylight for hours. Consequently sunburn and sunstroke are common results. Homeopathy is a great help with both conditions. Prevention however is always the best option, remembering to “slip, slap, slop” - wear clothing to cover your skin, slap on a hat and slop on some suncream!

Its always wise to have a First Aid kit that also contains essential homeopathic medicines. The most effective medicines for sunburn and sun stroke are Aconite, Belladonna, Cantharis, Causticum, Glonoine and Utrica Urens.

For shock the best medicine is Aconite. One dose of 30c can be given every fifteen minutes for an hour.

Mild burning with redness can be helped with Urtica urens 30c. One dose can  be given every fifteen minutes until pain reduces.

Severe burns with cracking skin and blistering can be helped by Causticum 30c or Cantharis 30c. Cantharis is generally more for second degree burns with intense pain which is smarting and raw. The pain is much relieved by cold water. Causticum is for more serious burns with the burn feeling like the “raw flesh of an open wound”. Cold water will not relieve the pain much and in fact dry cold air can make it worse so  best to turn off the air conditioning. Causticum is also the best remedy when a burn is not healing well. With both medicines, give 30c every 15 minutes until relief. Repeat when necessary.

However always remember a hat, a t-shirt, a bottle of water and factor 20+ suncream will prevent a need for homeopathic treatment

Please note the medicines above are also given for dry burns, chemical burns and scalds as long as the symptoms match.

Sunstroke can be avoided by keeping hydrated and not overheating. Symptoms can range from mild headaches and tiredness and irritability to more severe such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, collapse and delerium. It is essential to cool the person down by wrapping them in wet towels or spraying with cold water. Immersing in an ice cold bath however is contra indicated as it can aggravate shock. Give rehydrating salts (from chemist) or one cup of water with a half teaspoon of salt in it. The best medicines are Aconite for shock and possible convulsions. Belladonna is excellent for a throbbing headache with sensitivity to light and noise with hot, dry skin. If Belladonna does not work for the headache Glonoine will. The difference is that Belladonna headaches are better for bending the head backwards and Glonoine is worse for bending the head backwards.

Aloe vera gel is very soothing when applied to the skin. Hypercal tincture (from most health food stores) can be made into a sterile dressing to put on burns. Put 5ml (20 drops) of Hypercal in 200ml of cool water (that was previously boiled). Keep the dressing moist and change every 6 - 12 hours.