The hidden costs of some drugs. This has happened before. A patient comes in with an array of disparate symptoms affecting several bodily systems. I am with students. When the patient is out of the room, we discuss differential diagnoses. Sarcoidosis is mentioned. Sjögrens is mentioned. One of the students comments on the patient’s drug […]
06
Jun
Jun
Herbs Might Be Your Best Friend… Have you suddenly developed that nagging shoulder pain that just won’t shift? Or maybe you have pain in your hips and sleeping is uncomfortable. Do you get pain in your knees from doing… well, nothing much? If you’re a woman in your 40s, 50s or beyond, and dealing with […]
30
May
May
Concerning pain and laundry… Some years ago I wrote an article about wanting to live ‘the good life’, where I would grow my own veg, have chickens, raise pigs… you know they sort of thing. I had read a self-sufficiency book, and to be fair it looked doable. I had a few chickens, but they […]
23
May
May
You may be surprised… There’s a persistent myth in both conventional and complementary circles that herbal medicine is slow medicine, something that works by nourishing the body, nudging metabolism into a healthier state, strengthening the structure and function of organs. Something gentle to turn to if you have time: time to brew, time to wait, […]
16
May
May
Do herbs have a place? I am not sure I know what is supposed to happen during Mental Health Awareness Week [12th-18th May], but a reference to it caught my eye. It said; ‘it the biggest opportunity for the whole of the UK to come together to focus on getting good mental health. The week […]
09
May
May
A deeper look at herbal medicine. Many people think of herbal medicine as an alternative type of medicine to orthodox, or as complementary to orthodox treatment; like you must choose according to what your value system is, or world view. But Dr Charbel Abi Chahine* said to a group of us ‘it’s not alternative, it’s […]
02
May
May
Dangerous; sunshine or sunblock… There is a heatwave coming and this can divide people right down the middle about the practise of slathering our skin with sunblock to avoid the risk of developing melanoma. The problem is that there are consequences to blocking certain rays from the sun on our skin, but the fear of […]
25
Apr
Apr
So much to do, so little time… I make stuff. It is something I have been trained to do, and something I enjoy. Not just blending tinctures or mixing teas – but other stuff too. Like: Wart drops [popular and effective] Herbal soaps Natural hand crème Magnesium lotion for better sleep and tense muscles Toothpaste […]
18
Apr
Apr
And how should it be done? When I and my fellow tutors catch the joy on a student’s face as they get more and more confident and competent understanding and using medicinal herbs, we feel very much part of a great and wonderful continuum that is keeping something very valuable alive. In the UK now […]
11
Apr
Apr
Now my husband is too… We saw the opportunity for a picnic by the Huntspill River on the Somerset Levels; there’s a small car park, a few fields, sheep, and of course, water. We took food, drink and Rummikub [travel version]. My husband had a book and a pair of binoculars, and I had a […]