:To fight against Diabetes you should know what is Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder in which the body fails to convert sugars, starches and other foods into energy. Many of the foods you eat are normally converted into a type of sugar called glucose during digestion.
The bloodstream then carries glucose through the body. The hormone, insulin, then turns glucose into quick energy or is stored for further use.
In diabetic people, the body either does not make enough insulin or it cannot use the insulin correctly. This is why too much glucose builds in the bloodstream.
There are two major types of diabetes:
1. Type 1
This is popularly known as Juvenile Onset Diabetes.
Here, the body produces little or no insulin. It occurs most often in childhood or in the teens and could be inherited.
People with this type of diabetes need daily injections of insulin. They must balance their daily intake of food and activites carefully with their insulin shots to stay alive.
2. Type 2
Also known as Adult Onset Diabetes, this occurs around 35 to 40 years. The more common of the two types, it accounts for about 80 per cent of the diabetics. Here, though the pancreas produce adequate insulin, body cells show reduced sensitivity towards it.
Type 2 diabetes is usually triggered by obesity. The best way to fight it is by weight loss, exercise and dietary control.
~ Symptoms of diabetes
Here are a few:
• Extreme thirst and hunger
• Frequent urination
• Sores or bruises that heal slowly
• Dry, itchy skin
• Unexplained weight loss
• Unusual tiredness or drowsiness
• Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
Whether Type 1 or 2, diabetics need a balance of diet and exercise.
Here are some foods you can eat, and some foods you must avoid!
Foods you must avoid!
i. Salt
Salt is the greatest culprit for diabetics. You get enough salt from vegetables in inorganic form, so reduce the intake of inorganic salt.
ii. Sugar
Sucrose, a table sugar, provides nothing but calories and carbohydrates.
Also, you need calcium to digest sucrose. Insufficient sucrose intake might lead to
calcium being leached off the bones.
Substitute sucrose with natural sugar, like honey, jaggery (gur), etc.
iii. Fat
Excessive fat intake is definitely not a good habit.
Try and exclude fried items from your diet totally.
But, remember, you must have a small quantity of oil to absorb fat-soluble vitamins,
especially vitamin E.
iv. For non-vegetarians
Try and stop the intake of red meat completely.
Try to go in for a vegetarian diet. If you cannot, decrease the consumption of eggs and
poultry.
You can, however, eat lean fish two to three times a week.
v. Whole milk and products
Try to switch to low fat milk and its products like yogurt (curd).
Replace high fat cheese with low fat cottage cheese.
vi. Tea and coffee
Do not have than two cups of the conventional tea or decaffeinated coffee every day.
Try to switch to herbal teas.
vii. White flour and its products
Replace these with whole grains, whole wheat or soya breads and unpolished rice.
viii. Foods with a high glycemic index
Avoid white rice, potatoes, carrots, breads and banana -- they increase the blood-sugar
levels.
Special food for diabetics!
1.Bitter gourd (karela)
This vegetable contains a high dosage of 'plant insulin'. It lowers the blood-sugar levels effectively. Have the juice of three to four karelas early morning on an empty stomach. As a vegetable, too, it can be taken on a regular basis. Powder the seeds of karela (measuring 1 teaspoon), mix with water and drink it.
2. Fenugreek (methi}
It is the most common food used to control diabetes. Gulp a teaspoonful of these seeds with a glass of water daily. Soak the seeds overnight. Have the water in which the seeds were soaked.You can make a chutney with methi seeds. You can also eat them sprouted, dried and powdered, or mix them in wheat flour to make chapattis.
3. Indian blackberry (jamun)
This fruit is very effective in preventing and controlling diabetes. Powder the stone of the fruit and eat it -- it contains glucoside, which prevents theconversion of starch into sugars.
4. Garlic
This is used to lower blood-sugar levels. Garlic is rich in potassium and replaces the potassium which gets lost in urine. It also contains zinc and sulphur, which are components of insulin. Take about three to four flakes of freshly crushed garlic daily.
5. Onion
B ecause of its diuretic and digestive properties, onion works against diabetes. Raw onion is more useful.
6. Flaxseed
This is the richest source of Omega 3 fatty acids. It helps control diabetes because it maintains the sensitivity of the cell membrane,facilitates insulin, and thereby the uptake of glucose by the cells.
7. Fibre
Soluble fibre, found in apples, kidney beans, oatmeal, soyabean, etc, help control diabetes. These aid slow digestion and absorption of nutrients, resulting in a slow and steadyrelease of glucose. They soak up excess bile acids found in the intestinal tract, the same acids that are converted to blood cholesterol. They also help empty the stomach and trigger satiety that can help Type 2 diabetics to achieve weight loss goals.
8.Cinnamon solution
Water extracts of cinnamon have been found to promote glucose metabolism andreduce cholesterol. You can boil cinnamon sticks in water and drink this water..
SELECTED YOGASANAS FOR DIABETES
Shalabhasana: Lay down on the floor, your stomach down. Bring two hands together and clasp. Let thehands be close together and now take in full breath. Putting all the body weight on the wrists, lift both legs - not bending at the knees.
Urdhwa prasarita padasana: Easy to explain, but difficult to perform. Stretch hands upwards in laying down position. Take in the breath and lift both legs joined together and hold within your tolerance limit. Now, you feel worms crawling in the stomach. Come back to laying position and breath out. Repeat two more times. Now onwards, you can throw away your tele marketed pulsator belt. Some people lift the legs after breathing out. This will cause severe cramps in stomach and It is a wrong practice.
Bhujangasana
Suryanuloma: Breathing slowly through right nostril (pingala) only 10-20 times.
Bhastrika: Fast single time forceful breathing in through right nostril and expelling rapidly 6-8 times through the same nostril. Fast single time forceful breathing in through left nostril and expelling rapidly 6-8 times through same nostril. Finally, same procedure is done with both nostrils for 6-8 times (repeated 3-5 times).
Friday, January 28, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Kidney stones and its Homoeopathic Management
What is a kidney stone?
A kidney stone is a hard, crystalline mineral material formed within the kidney or urinary tract. Kidney stones are a common cause of blood in the urine (hematuria) and often severe pain in the abdomen, flank, or groin. Kidney stones are sometimes called renal calculi.
The condition of having kidney stones is termed nephrolithiasis. Having stones at any location in the urinary tract is referred to as urolithiasis, and the term ureterolithiasis is used to refer to stones located in the ureters.
Who is at risk for kidney stones?
Anyone may develop a kidney stone, but people with certain diseases and conditions (see below) or those who are taking certain medications are more susceptible to their development. It is estimated that one out of every 10 people in the U.S. will develop stones in the urinary tract at some point in their lives. Most urinary stones develop in people 20-49 years of age, and those who are prone to multiple attacks of kidney stones usually develop their first stones during the second or third decade of life.
In residents of industrialized countries, kidney stones are more common than stones in the bladder. The opposite is true for residents of developing areas of the world, where bladder stones are the most common. This difference is believed to be related to dietary factors. Urinary tract stones are about three times more common in males than in females. The prevalence of kidney stones begins to rise when men reach their 40s, and it continues to climb into their 70s. A Caucasian male has a one in eight chance of developing a kidney stone by age 70. People who have already had more than one kidney stone are prone to developing further stones.
A family history of kidney stones is also a risk factor for developing kidney stones. Kidney stones are more common in Asians and Caucasians than in Native Americans, Africans, or African Americans.
Uric acid kidney stones are more common in people with chronically elevated uric acid levels in their blood.
A small number of pregnant women (about one out of every 1,500-3,000 pregnancies) develop kidney stones, and there is some evidence that pregnancy-related changes may increase the risk of stone formation. Factors that may contribute to stone formation during pregnancy include a slowing of the passage of urine due to increased progesterone levels and diminished fluid intake due to a decreasing bladder capacity from the enlarging uterus. Healthy pregnant women also have a mild increase in their urinary calcium excretion. However, it remains unclear whether the changes of pregnancy are directly responsible for kidney stone formation or if these women have another underlying factor that predisposes them to kidney stone formation.
What causes kidney stones?
Kidney stones form when there is a decrease in urine volume and/or an excess of stone-forming substances in the urine. The most common type of kidney stone contains calcium in combination with either oxalate or phosphate. Other chemical compounds that can form stones in the urinary tract include uric acid and the amino acid cystine.
Dehydration from reduced fluid intake or strenuous exercise without adequate fluid replacement increases the risk of kidney stones. Obstruction to the flow of urine can also lead to stone formation. In this regard, climate may be a risk factor for kidney stone development, since residents of hot and dry areas are more likely to become dehydrated and susceptible to stone formation.
Kidney stones can also result from infection in the urinary tract; these are known as struvite or infection stones.
A number of different medical conditions can lead to an increased risk for developing kidney stones:
Gout results in chronically increased amount of uric acid in the blood and urine and can lead to the formation of uric acid stones.
Hypercalciuria (high calcium in the urine), another inherited condition, causes stones in more than half of cases. In this condition, too much calcium is absorbed from food and excreted into the urine, where it may form calcium phosphate or calcium oxalate stones.
Other conditions associated with an increased risk of kidney stones include hyperparathyroidism, kidney diseases such as renal tubular acidosis, and some inherited metabolic conditions, including cystinuria and hyperoxaluria. Chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure (hypertension) are also associated with an increased risk of developing kidney stones.
People with inflammatory bowel disease or who have had an intestinal bypass or ostomy surgery are also more likely to develop kidney stones.
Some medications also raise the risk of kidney stones. These medications include some diuretics, calcium-containing antacids, and the protease inhibitor indinavir (Crixivan), a drug used to treat HIV infection.
Dietary factors and practices may increase the risk of stone formation in susceptible individuals. In particular, inadequate fluid intake predisposes to dehydration, which is a major risk factor for stone formation. Other dietary practices that may increase an individual's risk of forming kidney stones include a high intake of animal protein, a high-salt diet, excessive sugar consumption, excessive vitamin D supplementation, and possible excessive intake of oxalate-containing foods such as spinach. Interestingly, low levels of dietary calcium intake may alter the calcium-oxalate balance and result in the increased excretion of oxalate and a propensity to form oxalate stones.
A kidney stone is a hard, crystalline mineral material formed within the kidney or urinary tract. Kidney stones are a common cause of blood in the urine (hematuria) and often severe pain in the abdomen, flank, or groin. Kidney stones are sometimes called renal calculi.
The condition of having kidney stones is termed nephrolithiasis. Having stones at any location in the urinary tract is referred to as urolithiasis, and the term ureterolithiasis is used to refer to stones located in the ureters.
Who is at risk for kidney stones?
Anyone may develop a kidney stone, but people with certain diseases and conditions (see below) or those who are taking certain medications are more susceptible to their development. It is estimated that one out of every 10 people in the U.S. will develop stones in the urinary tract at some point in their lives. Most urinary stones develop in people 20-49 years of age, and those who are prone to multiple attacks of kidney stones usually develop their first stones during the second or third decade of life.
In residents of industrialized countries, kidney stones are more common than stones in the bladder. The opposite is true for residents of developing areas of the world, where bladder stones are the most common. This difference is believed to be related to dietary factors. Urinary tract stones are about three times more common in males than in females. The prevalence of kidney stones begins to rise when men reach their 40s, and it continues to climb into their 70s. A Caucasian male has a one in eight chance of developing a kidney stone by age 70. People who have already had more than one kidney stone are prone to developing further stones.
A family history of kidney stones is also a risk factor for developing kidney stones. Kidney stones are more common in Asians and Caucasians than in Native Americans, Africans, or African Americans.
Uric acid kidney stones are more common in people with chronically elevated uric acid levels in their blood.
A small number of pregnant women (about one out of every 1,500-3,000 pregnancies) develop kidney stones, and there is some evidence that pregnancy-related changes may increase the risk of stone formation. Factors that may contribute to stone formation during pregnancy include a slowing of the passage of urine due to increased progesterone levels and diminished fluid intake due to a decreasing bladder capacity from the enlarging uterus. Healthy pregnant women also have a mild increase in their urinary calcium excretion. However, it remains unclear whether the changes of pregnancy are directly responsible for kidney stone formation or if these women have another underlying factor that predisposes them to kidney stone formation.
What causes kidney stones?
Kidney stones form when there is a decrease in urine volume and/or an excess of stone-forming substances in the urine. The most common type of kidney stone contains calcium in combination with either oxalate or phosphate. Other chemical compounds that can form stones in the urinary tract include uric acid and the amino acid cystine.
Dehydration from reduced fluid intake or strenuous exercise without adequate fluid replacement increases the risk of kidney stones. Obstruction to the flow of urine can also lead to stone formation. In this regard, climate may be a risk factor for kidney stone development, since residents of hot and dry areas are more likely to become dehydrated and susceptible to stone formation.
Kidney stones can also result from infection in the urinary tract; these are known as struvite or infection stones.
A number of different medical conditions can lead to an increased risk for developing kidney stones:
Gout results in chronically increased amount of uric acid in the blood and urine and can lead to the formation of uric acid stones.
Hypercalciuria (high calcium in the urine), another inherited condition, causes stones in more than half of cases. In this condition, too much calcium is absorbed from food and excreted into the urine, where it may form calcium phosphate or calcium oxalate stones.
Other conditions associated with an increased risk of kidney stones include hyperparathyroidism, kidney diseases such as renal tubular acidosis, and some inherited metabolic conditions, including cystinuria and hyperoxaluria. Chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure (hypertension) are also associated with an increased risk of developing kidney stones.
People with inflammatory bowel disease or who have had an intestinal bypass or ostomy surgery are also more likely to develop kidney stones.
Some medications also raise the risk of kidney stones. These medications include some diuretics, calcium-containing antacids, and the protease inhibitor indinavir (Crixivan), a drug used to treat HIV infection.
Dietary factors and practices may increase the risk of stone formation in susceptible individuals. In particular, inadequate fluid intake predisposes to dehydration, which is a major risk factor for stone formation. Other dietary practices that may increase an individual's risk of forming kidney stones include a high intake of animal protein, a high-salt diet, excessive sugar consumption, excessive vitamin D supplementation, and possible excessive intake of oxalate-containing foods such as spinach. Interestingly, low levels of dietary calcium intake may alter the calcium-oxalate balance and result in the increased excretion of oxalate and a propensity to form oxalate stones.
TYPES OF RENAL CALCULUS
OXALATE CALCULUS (CALCIUM OXALATE )The commonest type of stone, called as mulberry calculi. Irregular in shape, covered with sharp projections which tends to cause bleeding. Produces haematuria very early, resulting in deposition of blood over the stone giving a dark colour to it. Hard and single, occurs in infected urine. Can be visualized radiologically.
PHOSPHATE CALCULUS (usually CALCIUM PHOSPHATE or rarely as MAGNESIUM AMMONIUM PHOSPHATE or STRUVITE) Smooth, round, dirty white to yellow in colour. Commonly occurs in renal pelvis & tend to grow in alkaline urine especially when proteus organisms are present. As it enlarges in the pelvis, it grows & fills the major & minor calyces & slowly forms a STAG HORN CALCULUS. This produces recurrent urinary infections & haematuria. As they are large, they are usually easy to see on radiographs.
URIC ACID CALCULUS Multiple, small, hexagonal, multifaceted. Colour varies from yellow to reddish brown. Occur in acidic urine. Pure urate stones are radiolucent, unless contaminated with calcium salts.
CYSTINE CALCULUS They appear in the urinary tract of patients with a congenital error of metabolism that leads to cystinuria or due to decreased resorption of cystine from renal tubules. They are hexagonal, multiple, pink or yellow. Occur in acidic urine. Seen in young girls at puberty. They are radio opaque due to sulphur content.
XANTHINE CALCULUS Extremely rare. They are smooth and round, brick red in colour and show lamellation on cross section.CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH HYPERCALCIURIA High dietary intake of calcium, chronic pyelonephritis, hyperparathyroidism, vitamin D poisoning, sarcoidosis, cushing’s syndrome, myelomatosis, renal tubular acidosis, prolonged immobilization, idiopathic hypercalciuria – a) excessive absorption of calcium from gut. b) reduced renal tubular absorption of filtered calcium.
PHOSPHATE CALCULUS (usually CALCIUM PHOSPHATE or rarely as MAGNESIUM AMMONIUM PHOSPHATE or STRUVITE) Smooth, round, dirty white to yellow in colour. Commonly occurs in renal pelvis & tend to grow in alkaline urine especially when proteus organisms are present. As it enlarges in the pelvis, it grows & fills the major & minor calyces & slowly forms a STAG HORN CALCULUS. This produces recurrent urinary infections & haematuria. As they are large, they are usually easy to see on radiographs.
URIC ACID CALCULUS Multiple, small, hexagonal, multifaceted. Colour varies from yellow to reddish brown. Occur in acidic urine. Pure urate stones are radiolucent, unless contaminated with calcium salts.
CYSTINE CALCULUS They appear in the urinary tract of patients with a congenital error of metabolism that leads to cystinuria or due to decreased resorption of cystine from renal tubules. They are hexagonal, multiple, pink or yellow. Occur in acidic urine. Seen in young girls at puberty. They are radio opaque due to sulphur content.
XANTHINE CALCULUS Extremely rare. They are smooth and round, brick red in colour and show lamellation on cross section.CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH HYPERCALCIURIA High dietary intake of calcium, chronic pyelonephritis, hyperparathyroidism, vitamin D poisoning, sarcoidosis, cushing’s syndrome, myelomatosis, renal tubular acidosis, prolonged immobilization, idiopathic hypercalciuria – a) excessive absorption of calcium from gut. b) reduced renal tubular absorption of filtered calcium.
CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH HYPEROXALURIA
High dietary intake of oxalates – fruits, vegetables, strawberries, plums, spinach, rhubarb, asparagus, tomatoes etc. Increased absorption of oxalates from gut – a) ileal diseases b) low calcium diet
CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH HYPERURICOSURIA
Metabolic disorders like gout, myeloproliferative disorders, high dietary intake of urates – red meat, fish rich in purines, offal.
The leading symptoms in 75% of people include –
1) RENAL PAIN – located posteriorly in the renal angle or anteriorly in the hypochondrium in costal margin or in both. It may be worse on movement, particularly on climbing stairs. It is described as FIXED RENAL PAIN or COSTOVERTEBRAL PAIN.
) URETERIC COLIC – When the stone is impacted in the pelviureteric junction or anywhere in the ureter, it results in severe colicky pain radiating from the loin to the groin. It may also extend to the testicles, vulva & medial side of thigh. This may be associated with strangury, the painful passage of a few drops of urine, with pallor, sweating & vomiting & he groans in agony.
3) HAEMATURIA – is common with oxalate stones. The quantity of blood lost is small, but it is fresh blood.
4) URINARY TRACT INFECTION – fever with chills & rigors, pyuria, burning micturition & increased frequency of micturition may occur. In severe cases, even septicaemia can quickly develop.
5) RIGIDITY & GUARDING – abdominal examination during an attack reveals rigidity of the lateral abdominal muscles & of the rectus abdominis. Percussion over the kidney produces a stab of pain & there may be tenderness on gentle deep palpation.
COMPLICATIONS
CALCULOUS HYDRONEPHROSIS – occurs due to back pressure producing renal enlargement. Due to the stretching of the renal capsule, it results in pain in the loin & an associated palpable kidney mass suggests hydronephrosis.
CALCULOUS PYONEPHROSIS – The kidney is converted into a bag of pus when hydronephrosis becomes infected.
RENAL FAILURE – Bilateral staghorn calculi may be asymptomatic until they present with uraemia.
TREATMENT
GENERAL MANAGEMENT
DIETARY ADVICE – They should drink plenty to keep their urine dilute. Fluid intake should be therefore 3 litres per day, more if the climate or patient’s occupation causes much sweating. In persons with hypercalciuria, intake of milk, cheese & other dairy products should be avoided. Persons with oxalate stones should avoid spinach, rhubarb, strawberries, plums & asparagus. Persons with hyperuricaemia should avoid redmeats, offal & fish rich in purines. Eggs, meat & fish are high in sulphur containing proteins & should be restricted in those with cystinuria
Homoeopathic Management
Most people think that getting rid of an existing stone is the end of the problem but they are not aware that the stone formation can happen again, and again Homeopathy is useful in all stages of renal lithiasis. It can be used to speedily expel an existent stone, and is extremely helpful in preventing recurrence of the stones in those prone to getting repeated renal lithiasis. Homeopathy is also useful in treating secondary infections of the urinary tract arising after injury from the moving stone.Most commonly used medicines to help in renal calculi are.
Lycopodium- Renal colic, right sided. Pain shooting across lower abdomen from right to left. Pain in back relieved by urinating. Urine slow in coming, must strain. Retension. Polyuria during night. Red sand in urine. Uric acid diathesis. Child cries before urinating. Pains drawing, aching <> warm food & drinks.
Tabacccum - Renal colic, violent spasmodic pains along ureter, left side. With deathly nausea & vomiting. Vomiting violent, with cold sweat, on least motion, with faintness > open air. Nausea incessant as if seasick > in fresh cold air. Vertigo, death like pallor, on opening the eyes. Face pale, blue, pinched, sunken, collapsed. Terrible, faint, sinking feeling at the pit of stomach. Icy coldness of surfaces
Sarsaparilla- Passage of small calculi or gravel, renal colic, stone in the bladder. Excruciating pains from right kidney downwards. Severe almost unbearable pain at conclusion of urination. Urine bloody, scanty, slimy, flaky, sandy, copious, passed without sensation, deposits white sand. Painful distension & tenderness in bladder, urine dribbles while sitting, passes freely when standing. Air passes from urethra, child screams before & while passing urine
Cantharis.- Constant urging to urinate, passing but a few drops at a time, which is mixed with blood. Intolerable urging before, during & after urination. Violent paroxysms of cutting & burning in whole renal region. Violent tenesmus & strangury. Urine scalds him & is passed drop by drop. Membranous scales looking like bran in water. Urine jelly like, shredy. Pain raw, sore, burning in every part, internally & externally. Over sensitiveness of all parts. Drinking even small quantities of water increases pain in bladder.
Beberris.vulg - Renal colic < left side. Stitching, cutting pain from left kidney following course of ureter into bladder & urethra. Burning & soreness in region of kidneys. Pain in small of back, very sensitive to touch in renal region
HYDRANGEA - Renal calculi, gravel, profuse deposit of white amorphous salts in urine. Renal colic, sharp pain in loins, especially left. Burning in urethra & frequent desire. Urine hard to start. Bloody urine, heavy deposit of mucus. Great thirst with abdominal symptoms & enlarged prostate.
PAREIRA BRAVA - Renal colic, pain going down the thighs. Neuralgic pain in the anterior crural region. Constant urging, great straining. Can emit urine only when he goes on his knees, pressing head firmly against floor. Black, bloody, thick mucus urine. Dribbling after micturition. Urethritis, prostatitis
In my own experience I have given Hydrangea Q (mother tincture) for hard stones, it is a stone breaking medicine. If the stone is at the verge of coming out then give Silicea 30 1 hourly.
NATRUM PHOS 6X should be taken thrice daily after stone removal to avoid formation of stone again.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Homoeopathy and Psychic causes of illness
WHAT IS HOMOEOPATHY
Homoeopathy is a system of medicine founded by the celebrated physician Dr.
Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843) of Germany. It is based on the principle that
"like cures like". In practice, this means that a medicine capable of
producing certain effects when taken by a healthy human being is capable of
curing any illness that displays similar effects.
.
LIKE CURES LIKES
For example, if a healthy person takes a dose of Arsenic, he will develop
vomiting, diarrhoea of rice-water stools, a rapid pulse and prostration. His
skin will become cold and his expression anxious. In smaller doses or when
taken for a longer time, he will develop a running nose, heavy head, cough
and bronchial catarrh. Even later there will be specific disturbances of skin
and nerves. He will have burning all over which is relieved by warmth,
frequent thirst for sips of water, fear of death, restlessness and a
worsening of symptoms at noon and midnight.
According to the homeopathic law that "like cures like", countless patients
displaying such symptoms have been cured by Arsenicum, irrespective of the
name of the disease (cholera, colds, eczema, asthma, etc.). This principle
has also been mentioned by the ancient Indian poet Kavi-Kalidasa:.
Shruyate hi pura loke, vishaya visham aushadam.
Translated, this read: "It has been said of old time in the world that poison
is the remedy for poison." Hippocrates postulated this principle in the
words: "Similia similibus curentur" (likes are cured by likes).
THE HEALER WITHIN
The practice of Homoeopathy convinces the physician to regard the body as
more than a sum of its parts. Unlike a machine, it develops, carries on its
function and repairs itself independently. In this sense, everyone carries
within himself his own doctor. Ancient physicians were familiar with is
natural power of the organism to control disease and they invented for it a
beautiful expression: "Vis medicatrix naturae" (healing power of nature).
This healing power is a function of the life force itself. Hahnemann called
it the vital force. Disease is a disturbance of this force. Out of ten people
who get wet in the rain, only one gets pneumonia. Most bacteria can affect us
only when our own healing power or resistance is low. By removing the
bacteria (by antibiotics, etc.) we are doing nothing to correct this lack of
resistance. Homoeopathic medicine aims at correcting the disturbed vital
force and thus enhances the power of the body to heal itself. It does not aim
at removing the symptoms of the parts affected, but treats the cause and
restores health. According to Homoeopathy, symptoms are a reflection of the
disturbed vital force.
PSYCOSOMATIC CAUSES OF ILLNESS & THEIR BACH FLOWER TREATMENT
Physical health, closely bound up with psychological health, is greatest in
those having reached a high degree of maturity and realization of potentials,
a state also referred to as self-actualization. In his study of
psychologically healthy people, the psychologist Abraham Maslow determined
ten basic shared aspects that were characteristic of these people. These
aspects crystallize those attributes of the personality that signify
psychological health and represent a fully self-actualized personality.
These aspects are:
1. Being-motivation and being-values
2. Awareness of inner nature
3. Acceptance of self and resolution of dichotomies
4. Self-expression and creativeness
5. Identification with human species and democratic character structure
6. Improved interpersonal relations
7. Heightened perception and experience of reality and the environment
8. Detachment and autonomy
9. Self-transcendence
10. Imperfections
These aspects can be grouped under Bach's seven groups of mental/ emotional
imbalances.
The remedies appearing in the different groups are then recognized as leading
to one or several aspects of psychological health. The aspects of
being-values and being-motivation, though most fittingly grouped under Bach's
group of UNCERTAINTY, underlie all major aspect of psychological health and
weave through all of Bach's groups. Being-values represent the true values of
existence in an ethical, experiential, and spiritual sense, while
being-motivation is the call to destiny, however humble, and is expressed in
the heartfelt motivation to enrich the world and its people. Maslow contrasts
being-values and being-motivation with deficiency-values and
deficiency-motivation. The disharmonious personality, seeking for
satisfaction of the self and neglecting devotion toward others, is motivated
by deficiencies and hence less engaged in activating deeper values,
aspirations, and inner potentials.
The aspect of imperfections points to the necessary imperfections we all
share, since a perfectly and continually well-balanced personality is hardly
encountered. Yet, self-actualized people were found to be aware of their
imperfections and able to rise above them, whereas deficiency-motivated
people were more prone to be subjected to them. Bach remedies further growth
in awareness and wholesome mastery of imperfections, while increasing
aspiration toward values and instilling motivation and devotion to service in
the world.
Specifically, Bach's seven groups of remedies heal the respective
mental/emotional imbalances that, when cleared, enable the self to grow
toward psychological health and the experience of the characteristic aspects
of self-actualization. The following list shows the aspects of
self-actualization that can unfold as the imbalances inherent in the seven
groups clear.
$$I1BACH'S GROUPS: - Aspects Of Self-Acutalization:$$B0
1. FOR THOSE WHO HAVE FEAR: - Self-transcendence.
2. FOR THOSE WHO SUFFER UNCERTAINTY: - Awareness of inner nature;
self-expression and creativeness; being-values and being-motivation.
3. NOT SUFFICIENT INTEREST IN PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES: - Heightened perception and experience of reality.
4. LONELINESS: - Improved interpersonal relations; identification with human
species and democratic character structure.
5. OVERSENSITIVITE TO INFLUENCES AND IDEAS: - Detachment and autonomy.
6. FOR DESPONDENCY OR DESPAIR: - Acceptance of self and resolution of
dichotomies.
7. OVERCARE FOR WELFARE OF OTHERS: - Improved interpersonal relations;
identification with human species and democratic character structure.
The different angles of imbalance within each one of Bach's groups, and how
each respective remedy paves the way to the aspired aspect of
self-actualization, are described as follows:
For Those Who Have Fear
Rock Rose helps to transcend terror and panic and overcomes nervous
sensitivity.
Mimulus treats everyday fears of concrete or known content and helps to
transcend shyness.
Cherry Plum raises the mind above dreaded impulses and compulsive thoughts
that threaten to overtake reason and inner calm.
Aspen transcends vague fears of unknown origin and heals a tendency to
superstitions and forebodings.
Red Chestnut transcends fears for another and helps to release the other to
destiny.
For Those Who Suffer Uncertainty
Cerato instills recognition of higher wisdom and values, furthers
self-assurance and awareness of one's inner nature, and empowers
the selfinto creative self-expression.
Scleranthus relieves a tendency to indecisiveness and vacillation between
options, while calming a mind overstimulated with details and impressions.
Gentian counteracts discouragement, gives faith in one's abilities, grants
perseverance and the grounding of creativity into actualized form.
Gorse removes hopelessness and uncertainty and reestablishes contact with
one's inner resources of incentive and creativity.
Hornbeam helps in lassitude and mental fatigue when the patient experiences
diminished strength and a lack of incentive to rise to the daily challenges.
Wild Oat helps to discover aspirational values and one's potentials,
stimulating movement into fully motivated and fulfilled self-expression.
Not Sufficient Interest In Present Circumstances
Clematis is for those dreaming of a bright, fulfilled future, while the
present is empty of incentive or joy.
Honeysuckle heals the tendency to dwell wistfully on former happiness, while
the present and future is believed to be barren of such joys.
Wild Rose helps to rise above apathy and helplessness so that one's happiness
can be forged again.
Olive renews strength in those persons deeply exhausted in mind, emotions,
and body. It restores the power of living fully in the present.
White Chestnut relieves a mind preoccupied and buried in worrisome thought
and removed from the reality of the present moment.
Mustard heals depression and withdrawal from reality and rekindles incentive
and joy.
Chestnut Bud helps a mind prone to impulsiveness and inattentiveness to gain
in focus and concentration on the present moment.
Loneliness
Water Violet is indicated for the proud, reserved individual who sets himself
above others and is reluctant to spontaneously mix with others.
Impatiens helps to be more patient and understanding of the individual pace
of others and be less tense and driven.
Heather heals the urge to overly engage in conversation about one's personal
problems, while disregarding the other's need to share.
Oversensitive To Influences And Ideas
Agrimony heals heightened sensitivity to outside disturbances and
interruptions in peace. It releases the tendency to suppress and deny
conflicts for the sake of peace, those conflicts occurring in one's
environment or within oneself.
Centaury helps those overly seeking to serve and please others, while
neglecting their personal path in life.
Walnut lessens heightened impressionability of the mind to outside influences
such as trends or fads, and it safeguards authentic self-expression.
Holly shields from heightened sensitivity to vexation and easily aroused
emotional vehemence, especially in regard to hatred, envy, jealousy, or
suspicion.
For Despondency Or Despair
Larch overcomes the tendency to feel inferior to others and hampered in
self-esteem and capacity.
Pine heals excessive self-reproach and feelings of guilt.
Elm heals feelings of being overwhelmed and unable to master one's tasks.
Sweet Chestnut restores faith and a sense of meaning and purpose in a self
given to nihilistic despair.
Star of Bethlehem helps to integrate grief and trauma to a point of
resolution and new joy.
Willow helps to accept one's unfortunate fate, overcomes resentment and
blame, and instills forgiveness.
Oak helps those overly adhering to self-discipline, while being unable to
accept personal weakness, even in face of hardship.
Crab Apple is indicated in feelings of shame and self-disgust when one's self
cannot be accepted fully and one cannot rise above the despairing condition.
Homoeopathy is a system of medicine founded by the celebrated physician Dr.
Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843) of Germany. It is based on the principle that
"like cures like". In practice, this means that a medicine capable of
producing certain effects when taken by a healthy human being is capable of
curing any illness that displays similar effects.
.
LIKE CURES LIKES
For example, if a healthy person takes a dose of Arsenic, he will develop
vomiting, diarrhoea of rice-water stools, a rapid pulse and prostration. His
skin will become cold and his expression anxious. In smaller doses or when
taken for a longer time, he will develop a running nose, heavy head, cough
and bronchial catarrh. Even later there will be specific disturbances of skin
and nerves. He will have burning all over which is relieved by warmth,
frequent thirst for sips of water, fear of death, restlessness and a
worsening of symptoms at noon and midnight.
According to the homeopathic law that "like cures like", countless patients
displaying such symptoms have been cured by Arsenicum, irrespective of the
name of the disease (cholera, colds, eczema, asthma, etc.). This principle
has also been mentioned by the ancient Indian poet Kavi-Kalidasa:.
Shruyate hi pura loke, vishaya visham aushadam.
Translated, this read: "It has been said of old time in the world that poison
is the remedy for poison." Hippocrates postulated this principle in the
words: "Similia similibus curentur" (likes are cured by likes).
THE HEALER WITHIN
The practice of Homoeopathy convinces the physician to regard the body as
more than a sum of its parts. Unlike a machine, it develops, carries on its
function and repairs itself independently. In this sense, everyone carries
within himself his own doctor. Ancient physicians were familiar with is
natural power of the organism to control disease and they invented for it a
beautiful expression: "Vis medicatrix naturae" (healing power of nature).
This healing power is a function of the life force itself. Hahnemann called
it the vital force. Disease is a disturbance of this force. Out of ten people
who get wet in the rain, only one gets pneumonia. Most bacteria can affect us
only when our own healing power or resistance is low. By removing the
bacteria (by antibiotics, etc.) we are doing nothing to correct this lack of
resistance. Homoeopathic medicine aims at correcting the disturbed vital
force and thus enhances the power of the body to heal itself. It does not aim
at removing the symptoms of the parts affected, but treats the cause and
restores health. According to Homoeopathy, symptoms are a reflection of the
disturbed vital force.
PSYCOSOMATIC CAUSES OF ILLNESS & THEIR BACH FLOWER TREATMENT
Physical health, closely bound up with psychological health, is greatest in
those having reached a high degree of maturity and realization of potentials,
a state also referred to as self-actualization. In his study of
psychologically healthy people, the psychologist Abraham Maslow determined
ten basic shared aspects that were characteristic of these people. These
aspects crystallize those attributes of the personality that signify
psychological health and represent a fully self-actualized personality.
These aspects are:
1. Being-motivation and being-values
2. Awareness of inner nature
3. Acceptance of self and resolution of dichotomies
4. Self-expression and creativeness
5. Identification with human species and democratic character structure
6. Improved interpersonal relations
7. Heightened perception and experience of reality and the environment
8. Detachment and autonomy
9. Self-transcendence
10. Imperfections
These aspects can be grouped under Bach's seven groups of mental/ emotional
imbalances.
The remedies appearing in the different groups are then recognized as leading
to one or several aspects of psychological health. The aspects of
being-values and being-motivation, though most fittingly grouped under Bach's
group of UNCERTAINTY, underlie all major aspect of psychological health and
weave through all of Bach's groups. Being-values represent the true values of
existence in an ethical, experiential, and spiritual sense, while
being-motivation is the call to destiny, however humble, and is expressed in
the heartfelt motivation to enrich the world and its people. Maslow contrasts
being-values and being-motivation with deficiency-values and
deficiency-motivation. The disharmonious personality, seeking for
satisfaction of the self and neglecting devotion toward others, is motivated
by deficiencies and hence less engaged in activating deeper values,
aspirations, and inner potentials.
The aspect of imperfections points to the necessary imperfections we all
share, since a perfectly and continually well-balanced personality is hardly
encountered. Yet, self-actualized people were found to be aware of their
imperfections and able to rise above them, whereas deficiency-motivated
people were more prone to be subjected to them. Bach remedies further growth
in awareness and wholesome mastery of imperfections, while increasing
aspiration toward values and instilling motivation and devotion to service in
the world.
Specifically, Bach's seven groups of remedies heal the respective
mental/emotional imbalances that, when cleared, enable the self to grow
toward psychological health and the experience of the characteristic aspects
of self-actualization. The following list shows the aspects of
self-actualization that can unfold as the imbalances inherent in the seven
groups clear.
$$I1BACH'S GROUPS: - Aspects Of Self-Acutalization:$$B0
1. FOR THOSE WHO HAVE FEAR: - Self-transcendence.
2. FOR THOSE WHO SUFFER UNCERTAINTY: - Awareness of inner nature;
self-expression and creativeness; being-values and being-motivation.
3. NOT SUFFICIENT INTEREST IN PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES: - Heightened perception and experience of reality.
4. LONELINESS: - Improved interpersonal relations; identification with human
species and democratic character structure.
5. OVERSENSITIVITE TO INFLUENCES AND IDEAS: - Detachment and autonomy.
6. FOR DESPONDENCY OR DESPAIR: - Acceptance of self and resolution of
dichotomies.
7. OVERCARE FOR WELFARE OF OTHERS: - Improved interpersonal relations;
identification with human species and democratic character structure.
The different angles of imbalance within each one of Bach's groups, and how
each respective remedy paves the way to the aspired aspect of
self-actualization, are described as follows:
For Those Who Have Fear
Rock Rose helps to transcend terror and panic and overcomes nervous
sensitivity.
Mimulus treats everyday fears of concrete or known content and helps to
transcend shyness.
Cherry Plum raises the mind above dreaded impulses and compulsive thoughts
that threaten to overtake reason and inner calm.
Aspen transcends vague fears of unknown origin and heals a tendency to
superstitions and forebodings.
Red Chestnut transcends fears for another and helps to release the other to
destiny.
For Those Who Suffer Uncertainty
Cerato instills recognition of higher wisdom and values, furthers
self-assurance and awareness of one's inner nature, and empowers
the selfinto creative self-expression.
Scleranthus relieves a tendency to indecisiveness and vacillation between
options, while calming a mind overstimulated with details and impressions.
Gentian counteracts discouragement, gives faith in one's abilities, grants
perseverance and the grounding of creativity into actualized form.
Gorse removes hopelessness and uncertainty and reestablishes contact with
one's inner resources of incentive and creativity.
Hornbeam helps in lassitude and mental fatigue when the patient experiences
diminished strength and a lack of incentive to rise to the daily challenges.
Wild Oat helps to discover aspirational values and one's potentials,
stimulating movement into fully motivated and fulfilled self-expression.
Not Sufficient Interest In Present Circumstances
Clematis is for those dreaming of a bright, fulfilled future, while the
present is empty of incentive or joy.
Honeysuckle heals the tendency to dwell wistfully on former happiness, while
the present and future is believed to be barren of such joys.
Wild Rose helps to rise above apathy and helplessness so that one's happiness
can be forged again.
Olive renews strength in those persons deeply exhausted in mind, emotions,
and body. It restores the power of living fully in the present.
White Chestnut relieves a mind preoccupied and buried in worrisome thought
and removed from the reality of the present moment.
Mustard heals depression and withdrawal from reality and rekindles incentive
and joy.
Chestnut Bud helps a mind prone to impulsiveness and inattentiveness to gain
in focus and concentration on the present moment.
Loneliness
Water Violet is indicated for the proud, reserved individual who sets himself
above others and is reluctant to spontaneously mix with others.
Impatiens helps to be more patient and understanding of the individual pace
of others and be less tense and driven.
Heather heals the urge to overly engage in conversation about one's personal
problems, while disregarding the other's need to share.
Oversensitive To Influences And Ideas
Agrimony heals heightened sensitivity to outside disturbances and
interruptions in peace. It releases the tendency to suppress and deny
conflicts for the sake of peace, those conflicts occurring in one's
environment or within oneself.
Centaury helps those overly seeking to serve and please others, while
neglecting their personal path in life.
Walnut lessens heightened impressionability of the mind to outside influences
such as trends or fads, and it safeguards authentic self-expression.
Holly shields from heightened sensitivity to vexation and easily aroused
emotional vehemence, especially in regard to hatred, envy, jealousy, or
suspicion.
For Despondency Or Despair
Larch overcomes the tendency to feel inferior to others and hampered in
self-esteem and capacity.
Pine heals excessive self-reproach and feelings of guilt.
Elm heals feelings of being overwhelmed and unable to master one's tasks.
Sweet Chestnut restores faith and a sense of meaning and purpose in a self
given to nihilistic despair.
Star of Bethlehem helps to integrate grief and trauma to a point of
resolution and new joy.
Willow helps to accept one's unfortunate fate, overcomes resentment and
blame, and instills forgiveness.
Oak helps those overly adhering to self-discipline, while being unable to
accept personal weakness, even in face of hardship.
Crab Apple is indicated in feelings of shame and self-disgust when one's self
cannot be accepted fully and one cannot rise above the despairing condition.
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