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Winter Solstice
Dear Friend,
The shortest day of the year is approaching, bringing in its wake the joys of the holiday season and a few potential problems as well. Thankfully, we can rely on homeopathy and common sense nutrition to see us through!
Love,
’Tis the Season for Overindulgence!
Here in the Northern Hemisphere, the shortest day of the year is upon us! For centuries, humans have combatted the dark days of the winter solstice with feasts, parties, bonfires and celebrations: the forerunners of our modern holiday extravaganzas.
Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza or Saturnalia, this time of year is rife with opportunities for overindulgence. Even those of us who are dedicated to healthy eating 11 months out of the year are lured off the straight and narrow path by holiday traditions seeped in childhood memories and emotional attachments.
If your family is anything like mine, there is always more for your eyes to feast on than what fits in your belly! Fortunately, our good friend homeopathy is there to help us! Simply have a few remedies on hand, and you and your loved ones can enjoy your holiday celebrations without skipping a beat.
In most cases, the recommended protocol is to take one dose (four pills) of your chosen remedy every 3-4 hours over a period of 1-2 days. If the symptoms are too extreme to wait for that second dose, then offer a dose every hour. Stop when you see improvement. Most people will experience improvement within a very short time.
1. Nux vomica 30 – When overeating causes nausea that you wish would just produce vomiting and get it over with, your remedy is Nux vomica. Nux is also a capital choice for the proverbial hangover and indigestion. It has a remarkable history of ending nausea and vomiting in relatively short order. Sometimes it even removes the desire for alcohol and overeating, not in an unpleasant way but rather by encouraging more rational thought and moderation.
Nux vomica can be used whenever we have overdone a good thing…too much cake, too many drinks on New Year’s Eve, too much candy on Halloween. It will antidote the symptoms of heartburn, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and even irritability. Often the person who will benefit from Nux vomica also complains of wakefulness, usually around 3:00 a.m., with the thoughts of the day dancing around in his or her head.
This gem of a remedy will address perhaps 90% (my educated guess) of overeating and drinking problems around the holidays. And it will not interfere with any meds someone might already be taking.
2. Nat phos 6x – For simple indigestion and over acidity, this handy little cell salt can be taken every hour in place of antacids. Toss it in your purse, brief case, diaper bag or glove compartment. Anytime indigestion hits, throw 3-4 pills directly in the mouth. If no relief is afforded within 15 minutes or so, continue in the same manner every hour. In most cases, the indigestion will be completely gone within short order. Oddly enough, the next episode of indigestion will often not be as severe, not last as long and will be fended off for a longer period of time. My father keeps this remedy in his car for after lunches with his musician friends. (They eat at those kinds of restaurants!)
3. Arsenicum album 30 -- For true food poisoning that causes chills, stomach pains, restlessness and anxiety, Arsenicum album is your best bet. This is best saved for when your turkey is tainted and not from overindulging, but it's perfect for when you're not sure which food caused the problem.
4. Pulsatilla 30 – Did you eat more fats than you're accustomed to eating? Say, too much skin on the turkey, potatoes overloaded with gravy, clam dip swimming in oils and a huge dollop of whipped cream on your pie? Then your remedy might likely be Pulsatilla. Other indicators for Pulsatilla include heartburn, heaviness after eating and a coated tongue. Cold drinks may temporarily relieve the symptoms.
5. One more tip for good measure! For simple indigestion, add a splash of vinegar to a glass of water and drink. It will bring soothing relief.
And What About the Winter Blues?
Overindulgence isn’t the only problem that is prevalent in these times of shorter days and cloudy skies. The “winter blues,” that feeling of mild depression, moodiness and a desire to hibernate from the world, is often caused by a deficiency of vitamin D, present in soluble fats.
How can we be certain that our families are getting enough vitamin D in their diet without relying on the so-called “fortified” cereals, milks and synthetic vitamins? I often suggest using lard in baking (like our grandmother’s pies!) and sautéing.
But one of the key defenses against the winter blues and an easy way to sustain your vitamin D levels is to take cod liver oil daily. Cod liver oil is packed with fat-soluble vitamin D, which helps promote bone and teeth growth as well as building immunity. It also supports healthy body weight and encourages brain development and lung function.
Many of us have experienced the “joy” of taking cod liver oil by spoon in our youth. Fortunately, today cod liver oil is available in easy-to-take capsules. Another helpful aid is desiccated beef liver, available from Radiant Life in both powder and capsules. Desiccated liver provides a convenient way to obtain all the legendary health and nutritional benefits of liver, and it can be sprinkled into soups and stews to serve to unsuspecting recipients!
If all the holiday preparations get you down, think about working cod liver oil and desiccated liver into your holiday routine!
The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only
and may not be construed as medical advice. The reader is encouraged to make
independent inquires and to seek the advice of a licensed healthcare
provider.
Interested
in finding out if homeopathy is a fit for you and your family's health
strategy?
Call 716-941-1045 or EMAIL us
to set up a brief introductory appointment with Joette.
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