I've spent the summer playing and dreaming. It's been amazing to just give myself some space. To check in with me and remember what is true. I love to swim in the ocean. I love creating with my hands. I love colour. I love getting a good night's sleep. I love getting in sync with my body so it is strong, capable, and healthy for a good long time. I love hanging out with friends and family . . . playing games and just laughing. I love my tribe! There's more, but that's a good start. Part of the reason that I gave myself this space is because I knew I needed it. (remember I had to let Yoni Bliss go this past spring) I often talk about how a homeopathic remedy is succussed (or, a less official word, pounded), and then a drop of that mixture is put into another container with water, so it gets to spread out. Life can succuss, or "pound" us. Then we need time to spread out, or just be. We need time to allow the learnings to come, the next thing to happen, or for rest. We underestimate the value of all of those things. And those things are good. And good can come from them. So here is what I have come up with as good. And I would love your response. Please let me know what you think. What if . . .
You could clear some trauma with a tribe of women? This idea came to me this summer. As you may know, I have been using mega-potency remedies for the past number of years to clear trauma in the body. This work is based on Jill Turland's book "Getting Back On Track". I have done a series of remedies with a number of you as well as integrating them into my practice and using them with people as we deem it might be time for one. But I was thinking what if we chose some together? What if we took the remedy at the same time? And what if we came together as a group to share our experiences? This would provide a number of benefits. 1. The power of the group. The energy is always more potent in a group. 2. The power of a remedy. Being in the energy of one remedy at a time. Hearing about the remedy and then hearing about everyone's experiences of the same remedy. So much learning about homeopathy. 3. The power of listening to your body. It takes some time to listen and really hear our bodies. Sharing what it's like for someone else helps us listen a little deeper to our own bodies. And maybe there are benefits that I haven't thought of yet. Maybe you'll tell us what it was for you. Here's what I am thinking:
Cost: $450 and includes all remedies. Dates: TBA when we have the group we'll choose the dates
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A homeopathic approach to menopause is a brilliant approach if you understand that we are energetic beings. And as such, utilizing plants, minerals and animal substances in their energetic form and based on the principle of “like cures like” addresses that energetic body in some amazing ways.
Homeopathy can nudge the body in the right direction, allowing the body to take care of itself. And in menopausal terms, it simply means it allows the body to transition much more seamlessly to its next stage. Menopause is generally defined as occurring 12 months after your last period . . . the ceasing of menstruation. For most women that’s somewhere in their 40’s or 50’s. Mayo clinic says that for women in the United States that average is 51. I guess I’m average, because that’s pretty much exactly when I was done. I suspect I am one of the few women out there who mourned losing her “friend”. I must have intuitively known that the transition to this next stage was going to be a bit gruesome. And so it was. That doesn’t mean I didn’t get help. I know better! I got lot’s of help. Homeopathic remedies, supplements and nutrition have all been allies along the road. Every woman’s hormonal journey is different. A good comprehensive look at menopause can be found in Karen Reed's article. Some of the same elements may combine in different ways for each of us. Symptoms that we experience can be due to our chemical makeup, but also our sensitivities, our emotions or any stress or abuse we’ve experienced. Women are complicated. In this article I’m giving you an overview of only a handful of remedies that can be utilized to keep you moving through your own beautiful transition. If you are inspired to try one of these remedies go for it! (I’ll tell you how later) Or you may want to consult with a homeopathic practitioner. That’s okay too. It will be a great opportunity for someone to hear the whole story, to help you put the pieces of the puzzle together for you, and to give you a remedy that’s just right for you! We are each unique and nuanced beings, and that’s the beauty of addressing the hormonal shift of menopause with homeopathy because it recognizes that! Menopause causes fluctuating levels of estrogen and progesterone which can cause symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, headaches, depression, vaginal dryness, bladder problems, thinning hair, dry skin, breast pain, mood swings, memory problems and joint pain Are you ready to hear about some remedies that can help? Here’s a snippet from 8 good ones. Can you see yourself in any of these?
I suggest that if any of these resonate with you to go ahead and get a 30 C potency. Because these are diluted in water, we are talking more about energy than the actual substance, so remedies are safe to take even if they aren’t quite right. There are no side effects. Take 3 - 5 pellets once a week for about 3 - 4 weeks. Then check in with yourself to see if you are noticing any changes . . . any improvements. Remedies, again, are not designed to cure anything. They are meant to stimulate your vital force. Your body is smart. It has some amazing resources, and sometimes a push in the right direction is all that’s needed. Needing help from a practitioner? There are many to choose from. Just go to the North American Society of Homeopath’s website. I am also available for consult via video conference or phone. Schedule Here for a complimentary consult to see if this approach might be right for you. There are umpteen kinds of energy healing modalities or techniques in the world today. These modalities remove blocks or shift something in the body or energy field so that you are more in alignment with your true self. Healers come in all shapes, sizes and viewpoints. Some are clairvoyant, clairaudient, empathic, aura sensing, psychic, or have some combination of these gifts. Some of these gifts are native, and some are honed.
I consider myself empathic, and when I work with people I often get a picture or visual in my mind’s eye. Words also come that can clarify what I’m seeing, or explain what I “see” happening. That's native. My training in Homeopathy is honed. I started in school in 1995 and have studied with many teachers over the years. And besides the material about remedies, there is nothing better than asking the "right" question. So what are the energy modalities I practice most?
What Are The Benefits?
And Stop The Pain FastWe’ve all had a yeast infection at one time or another. Sometimes they are chronic, and a pain in the “you know where”. Vaginal yeast infections or Candida arrive when we are out of balance in some way. And you know the symptoms. Itching, burning, discharges. Yuck.
We all know it’s real, and it’s something we probably need help with from time to time.Yes, it helps to sit in apple cider vinegar sitz baths, and to insert yoghurt and garlic cloves up your vagina, and even to sit on cheese. (And yes, I have done all of these things!) But sometimes it’s easier and less messy to take a homeopathic remedy. And if you get the right one it’s pure brilliance! I’m here to share a few top notch potentials in the realm of yeast and your Yoni (sanskrit for vagina), and most of all how to choose the right one for you! First, let me tell you that homeopathy is based on the principle of “like cures like”. Which simply means that the remedy can produce in a body the same symptoms that it “cures”. Secondly a remedy is made from plants, minerals or animal substances, and is dilute to infinitesimal doses. It’s an energy medicine. I love that. Now down to business. (Warning. Graphic description of discharges.)
Don’t see your remedy here? It’s possible it’s one of another 10 or more. Find a homeopathic practitioner to help you. One day I was musing a bit about the power of things not seen, and Homeopathy definitely fits into this category. It's often ridiculed because how can something with no substance actually do anything at all. Experience tells me it does, and science may actually be catching up to this notion.
But let me go back and fill you in a bit. Samuel Hahnemann is the father of Homeopathy, a man…. a doctor who lived in Germany in the late 1700’s. He didn’t, however, practice medicine because for him its ways were barbaric as these were the days of bloodletting. So, he translated medical texts because he spoke several different languages. It was while translating that he came across a Robert Cullen's Materia Medica. He was translating it into German and became curious about Cullen’s assertion that Cinchona bark was a specific for malaria because it was a tonic for the stomach. He ended up taking a bit of the bark himself, observing that he produced the broad symptoms of Malaria. He reflected on all he knew about medicine and about Paracelsus’ and the old therapeutic maxim of “like cures like”. From there he went on to experiment with a following of students and to develop the practice of Homeopathy based on this overarching principle of “like cures like” or similia similibus curentur. He also discovered that the dosage was important. Many of the substances utilized were poisons. How do you reap the benefits without killing the patient? And thus, the principle of the “minimum dose” was born. Oh, sure he experimented with it, and what he found was that the more minute the dose the more profound the results. In fact, he discovered that the best remedies were ones that went beyond Avogadro’s number, meaning the best remedies were the ones that had no substance left in them. Here we are in the realm of “things not seen”. Interesting. The other thing about homeopathy is that it is in the realm of things not done. I joke with my clients that the best remedies are the ones that seem as if they have done nothing. And that’s because symptoms go away, and you come back to yourself. I take good notes for this reason. "How are your headaches?", I ask. "Oh, did I tell you that I have headaches? Come to think of it I haven’t had any since the last time we talked." It becomes difficult to get any recognition as a homeopath because if I am doing my job right people’s symptoms go away and they forget a remedy may have helped. On the other hand, sometimes the changes are so dramatic that you can’t help but sit up and take notice. My first remedy was for a sinus infection. Something that I used to have quite chronically. This was my first encounter with a homeopath: She said, “take this remedy, and if your sinus infection isn’t gone in 24 hours take this other remedy.” I thought she was crazy. After all, I would often be on antibiotics for weeks for an infection to clear. Guess what? It was gone in 24 hours. It made me sit up and take notice. But what I most love about homeopathy is that it leaves no footprint. There are never any side effects because if it’s not the right remedy it most often just “misses you”. It’s not on the same wavelength or frequency. And the right remedy just brings you back to yourself. And who doesn’t want to be more of themselves? Any dis-ease tells us something about our state, or what might be going off track in the body. It can take some subtle awareness. Most often we don’t even pay attention until we are wacked on the backside of our heads (so to speak) and we are faced with pain, infection or inflammation. You may wonder about how homeopathy works for acutes epidemics and pandemics, perhaps novel viruses? Well, it does. There is evidence that those who used it in the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic survived far better than those who did not. I have a teacher in Africa using homeopathy in the Aids epidemic over there with great success. And me? I’ve seen some novel virus cases at the beginning of symptoms, and I have given remedies. What happened? Nothing. The body system reordered itself and all clients have gone on with their lives. I don’t know about you, but the turmoil that is out in the world these days seems to be heightening my awareness of the antagonism that I have within me.
My body is talking. Maybe yours is too. Are you having aches and pains that you just can’t shake? I am. And part of me just wants them to go away. And another part of me knows that there is a message there for me. So, I do what I do to shift the energy and often learn yet another level of self-love and compassion. Our bodies speak to us. But we live in a culture of suppression. It’s why we are where we are. You suppress a people for a while, but you must expect they will rise. You suppress pain with a pain killer for so long, but you expect the pain to return. Underlying causes must be addressed for the body to heal, or for a culture to heal. What is the antagonism that you hold within? Here are some questions to help you get started:
I’m not saying that it's an immediate change, though sometimes it is. It's more often subtle. More often a coming into oneself. More self-love and acceptance. More of a dropping away of the symptoms that nag. I took on my healing journey over 30 years ago, first walking into a therapist's office, and then walking into a Homeopath's office. There have been countless offices and classrooms since then. I am way more at home in my body. Heck . . . I am in my body. My life is one of peace and fun. My appreciation of myself and others has grown leaps and bounds. And ... in extraordinary times like these I can still feel the antagonist restlessness that asks me for a little more. To sink in a little deeper to all that is. To open my arms to the pain in others and walk down the road awhile with them and me. Hormones. These are chemical substances produced by glands or cells as part of the feedback system of the body in order to create balance or homeostasis. Hormones can sometimes take a while to get back into balance when the body is moving from baby making mode to non-baby making mode.
Isn't it incredible that our bodies, when healthy, just knows how and when to get back into a new balance? And when it has trouble, it speaks to us in the form of symptoms. The symptoms that our body presents tell us a story about what is going on in there, and what might be needed. The trouble is that we sometimes don't hear, or don't listen. Menopause is one of those times when hormones fluctuate big time. And sometimes it's not so bad riding the wave to the new destination. Sometimes it's more difficult. Some lucky one's glide through these body changes with ease. With grace even. But most of us can expect symptoms that hale the arrival of what might turn out to be a whole new body. Here is a list of some of the changes that can happen as the changing of the hormonal guard takes place:
This is quite a list. You won’t have all of these symptoms. And you may have symptoms that aren’t on this list. But even having a few of these symptoms is enough to turn your world upside down. What is a woman to do? First, know that it’s time to take care of yourself. Women generally put themselves at the bottom of the list when it comes to self-care. And self-care really gives us some insight into ourselves and our preferences. And maybe that frozen shoulder is indicative of you picking up way too many pieces. Here’s a simple list for you to consider moving into menopause. Take care of yourself. This is not a trite statement. It’s real, and it’s about time. If you haven’t learned how to do this before now, you must now. Say no. Take baths. Move in a way that feels good to you. Ask for hugs. Eat better. Take that trip. If none of those resonate, make your own list about what that might mean. We all know inside what that might look like. And if it's still difficult ask for help. Menopause as a gift. It’s in the name. A time to pause. A time to reflect on this transformational transition and decide how you will now use all of the wisdom you’ve gained. There are other gifts. Be open to what they are for you. I see so many women whose lives opened up after menopause. They saw more clearly their purpose, or what made them excited and went for it. At some point we recognize that we still have time. Eat Well. Protein, Essential fatty acids, Green food, and water. This is a simplified list but there is lots of information about how good food supports us. And sometimes it's as simple as slowing down enough to just enjoy what we are putting into our mouths. Or enjoying the company we have as we eat. Herbs. There are many herbs that support hormone production because of their molecular structure, and therefore can help alleviate symptoms. Here are some to try: black cohosh, passionflower, chasteberry, wild yam and ashwagandha. Read the instructions or get some help from someone who knows how to take these herbs. Move your body. Moving increases endorphins, which elevates our mood, which helps us feel better. It may be as simple as a walk through the woods. Or turning on some music to dance in the kitchen. Or it may be taking on a weightlifting class, a tai chi class or some hot yoga. Nap If you aren't getting enough sleep at night, try getting a nap in during the day. Or maybe go to bed a 1/2 hour earlier just to give your body a chance to unwind and relax. Also, if you are partnered, consider sleeping in separate beds. Sleep and sexy time are two different things. And luckily there are Homeopathic remedies that help too. Here’s a short synopsis of five possible remedies. Remember, however, that having a homeopath help choose a remedy will likely give you better results. We don't see ourselves as well as someone else. And there are hundreds of remedies that could potentially help.
We can and do survive menopause. It’s what we do. Sometimes we arrive a little worse for wear. But we needn’t. On this side of the fence, opportunity abounds for more energy, creativity and thriving. Two and a half years in one can’t help but notice that a certain virus continues to be with us. I don’t know how you’ve managed it, but besides taking supplements that are Immune system strengthening, Homeopathy is my go-to. I have been lucky enough to escape the virus myself but have helped many others get through their symptoms faster and feel better sooner.
Homeopathy is not a one size fits all system, but it’s also not super complicated to differentiate and come up with a remedy that fits a person’s symptoms. Here is a case that I just took a week or so ago. Male 73 A client called on a Friday afternoon having tested positive for Covid. He had taken Aconite earlier in the day. I have instructed clients to take Aconite as soon as there is an inkling of any acute cold or flu. It is a beautiful remedy for the sudden onset of symptoms. And it has proven its benefit throughout the pandemic, mitigating symptoms and even staving off a deeper expression of the virus. He didn’t have many symptoms. He had some mucus in his throat and was coughing a bit. I told him to continue the aconite for another dose or two that evening and call the next day if things progressed. Saturday morning, I got a call. His symptoms had progressed. He told me that he slept poorly throughout the night. He kept waking up needing to urinate. Mucus was lodged in his throat which was difficult to clear out and he was coughing quite a bit. He woke up nauseous with some vertigo. He went to the kitchen to fix something to drink because he was also feeling dehydrated. But he began to feel even more nauseous so headed to the bathroom. On the way, he thinks he passed out from vertigo. He called while sitting on the bathroom floor. He was clammy, sweaty, and feeling warm. He thought he had a fever. The thought of putting something into his mouth to eat made him gag. But having a bit of cool water helped. He sounded hoarse. Lying down seemed to help. What follows is an analysis of his symptoms using Heiner Frei’s Polarity Analysis. The remedy that shows up as a number one choice is Scilla (or Squilla). Two years ago Hahnemann Labs put together a COVID kit with this remedy in it. I hadn’t seen it come up at all in any repertorizations. And here it is. The fact that he kept waking up at night to urinate, while not strictly conforming to what we normally think of for Scilla made me more confident in giving it a try. (The materia medica mostly talks about the cough being so violent as to cause incontinence) Here are the symptoms that I took that pointed most strongly to the remedy Scilla. ( < means worse > means better ) > lying position > warmly, from wrapping up < rising from bed, after getting up > lying down, after > resting (not moving) < physical effort thirst, absent appetite, absent urination, frequent < sleep, during He had the remedy in a 200C because he had the original Hahnemann kit. I advised him to take several doses throughout the day and get back to me either later or the next day. The following day I checked in on him because I hadn’t heard from him. He was about 80% better according to his assessment and only had a lingering cough. We decided that his body could likely take it the rest of the way and if he got stuck to call. One case. One remedy. Better in 24 hours. Homeopathy continues to amaze me. May is national masturbation month. I don't know how you feel about that. The word masturbation itself, I am sure, conjures up all sorts of feelings, thoughts, and possible judgments. I know it does for me.
It's complicated. We can often have a lot of shame and trauma associated with both our sexual experiences and masturbation. Even the idea of it. Sometimes we feel bad and wrong. And sometimes it's the only thing that does feel good. I get it. As you know, I am a proponent of the body. I am an advocate for the sensuality of our bodies. I am an enthusiastic supporter of presence in our bodies. And presence actually requires presence. Presence requires listening to our bodies. Presence requires touch. And maybe touching ourselves. Touching our beautiful bodies. (Please open yourself to the beauty of your body) Touching our bodies with Love. Maybe even touching our Yoni's with Love. I talk on my website about how Yoni Bliss can be used daily to help with water tissue balance, and pH balance, and general soothing. Our Yoni's (vagina, vulva area) can be tricky. They are sensitive. They are susceptible to being out of balance. Hormonal changes can shift the pH in our vaginas. Semen can shift the pH. Dryness can happen with hormonal shifts, with medications, with emotions. Yoni Bliss is a water-based, acidic lubricant. Your yoni in its natural state loves this. Yoni Bliss also has homeopathic ingredients to support the Yoni. Natrum Muriaticum is what I want to talk about today. Natrum Muriaticum is salt. Think about salt in the body. Too much, we retain water, not enough we are dehydrated. Using Yoni Bliss daily will help the body to navigate that balance in the vaginal, vulva area. It is one simple way to love your body every day and be wetter, and maybe more comfortable. Apply a little love to your Yoni for 21 days. It's my challenge to you. You can masturbate with it if you like. Or you can just enjoy the sensation of the application. Or perhaps you may not enjoy it too much until your yoni is back to its natural pH balance, (it can cause stinging if you are too alkaline), or if you feel shame or emotional discomfort. Be with that. See what comes up. Journal about it. Talk about it with someone. Know that there is always help available. What would it be like if you tried it for 21 days? Loving yourself. Loving your Yoni. Where is my second chakra?The second chakra is the energetic region of the lower belly and inner pelvis. It represents the eternal process of creation and regeneration. Our womb resides there, and in some traditions it is considered “one’s own abode” or my favorite, “Source”.
I love this! As women, it’s all about the second chakra. It holds creation, babies and fertile ideas. It keeps us grounded.How can I have second chakra alignment?There are many factors that can mess with second chakra energy, and one of the big ones is sexual abuse and trauma. Just ask any friend and I’m betting 3 out of 4 have experienced some form of trauma, and all of us know someone who has. It’s heartbreaking. And it’s something that we can heal from. First steps include recognizing and acknowledging the trauma. Accept that it doesn’t make us less whole or unloveable. And then move the energy through to free up space so that we can access our passionate creative selves. Joy, pleasure, enthusiasm and sensuality are luscious emotions and part of the yummy human experience that is super enjoyable. Why would you want to keep energy flowing through the second chakra? Because stagnant energy can make us sick. And if not sick, then uncomfortable or hurting in some way. Therefore, it's important to keep in mind. The Yoga Journal says: " When the sacral chakra is out of alignment, you may experience chronic low back pain, ovarian cysts and other reproductive issues, urinary tract infections, impotence, pain during intercourse, complications with the bladder and kidneys, and other pelvic–lower abdominal issues." That's a long list of possible misalignment. (Read: 5 Homeopathic Remedies For When It Hurts To Pee.) We can keep that second chakra aligned and moving. Here’s how it’s done:
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Michele BrookhausMusings and missives. Archives
May 2023
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