Homeopathy is a medical discipline that utilizes infinitesimal doses of natural substances to nudge the body into healing itself.  Too often allopathic (standard) medical care sees the symptoms as the problem to be cured – usually with suppressive drugs, while the symptoms are frequently the body’s solution to a deeper problem. 

Since not only the symptom but also all its modalities (how the symptom is affected by time of day, temperature, person’s emotions, etc) are necessary to define which remedy will correct this situation.  Of all the interventions we use here at the office Homeopathy is the most exciting and challenging because it requires a deep understanding of a person’s body, mind and spirit all of which it works to energetically rebalance.

X AN INTRODUCTION TO HOMEOPATHY

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Since most of us are familiar with allopathic (orthodox) medicine, the easiest way to explain homeopathy is by comparing them.  Allopathy tends to be suppressive, meaning that various toxic substances are utilized to suppress symptoms.  In homeopathy infinitesimal dosages of natural remedies are utilized to enhance the body’s defense mechanism.  Allopathy treats diseases; homeopathy assists individuals in healing themselves.

In homeopathy the symptoms that a person experiences are understood to be their body’s energetic reaction to unhealthy stimuli.  That is, the symptoms that a person displays are letting us know what their body is doing to throw off a particular harmful problem.

We, in homeopathy, look for a substance occurring in nature which, when given to a normal healthy person, will cause those exact symptoms.  By giving an infinitesimal dosage of that substance to the person who is suffering unhealthy symptoms, it assists the body in mounting a more effective defense – thus the body becomes cured.

By way of example, an allopathic physician treating a sore throat would believe that correct treatment would involve giving antibiotics to kill bacteria thought to cause the sore throat, painkillers to control the discomfort of the sore throat, antipyretics to control the fever, and so on.  The homeopathic physician would look for a remedy that was associated with the exact kind of sore throat – give only it, causing the body to then rebalance its defense mechanisms in a fashion that allows it to throw off the illness.

It is consistently observed that when people are treated homeopathically they end up coming through an illness stronger than they had been, whereas people who are treated allopathically are generally weakened by the process, thus having far longer recovery periods.

In working with a homeopathic physician, it’s important to pay very close attention to all the reactions of the body.  In relating information on a sore throat, as in the example above, it is important to note:

All of these seemingly minute details are critical in identifying the exact remedy for the specific sore throat.

INTRODUCTION TO HOMEOPATHY

Homeopathy is a natural healing process based on the Law of Similars.  It provides individualized therapy, which includes the careful study of patient symptoms by a skilled physician to prescribe the specific stimulants to assist the body in correcting an existing condition.  Homeopathic remedies are administered in infinitesimal (minute) doses to stimulate the natural defenses of the body and to create complete healing.

Homeopathic remedies are developed from all three kingdoms of nature: vegetable, animal and mineral.  They are carefully prepared in laboratories through a scientific technique developed in the early studies of homeopathy, which has remained virtually unchanged over the years.  Modern laboratories provide a clean room environment for the preparation of the remedies and the process is governed by the FDA – which assures consistent quality and correct dosage.

Homeopathy is generally used for two classes of illness.  The first are usually self-limited and brief known as acute diseases, they will generally run their course within a reasonable period of time (i.e. colds, flu or viruses).  Chronic diseases, when a patient suffers from repeated attacks of the same illness or the body presents a building set of symptoms, generally require study and diagnosis by a homeopathic physician to be resolved (i.e. asthma, migraines and stomach disorders).

 A HOMEOPATHIC CONSULTATION

 To prepare for a homeopathic consultation you need to become a careful observer of your body.  By noting its particular needs, ills, and/or symptoms, and being prepared to report them to the homeopathic physician in your own words, you will be providing your physician with the information he needs to prescribe the proper remedies for your particular illness.  All symptoms need to be addressed: physical, emotional and mental.  If you have a headache every afternoon that occurs at three, or need a nap after eating, or sleep with your feet out of the covers, be sure to report these symptoms – as they are all interrelated to homeopathic prescribing.  Don’t say what you think your doctor want s to hear – describe what is happening to you in your own words.

In a homeopathic practice it is not a question of killing bacteria, but of bringing the whole human organism into a state where it is impossible for bacteria to thrive – reducing the patients’ susceptibility.  Thus the homeopathic physician has to look far beyond the surface ‘symptoms’ and study the whole person.  All the organs of the body are the interrelated parts of but one organism and therefore influence each other mutually.  Symptoms are not the disease – they accompany a disease.  Treating symptoms, as in allopathic (orthodox) medicine is like killing the messenger for bringing bad news.  In fact, by treating individual symptoms, you are suppressing the body’s natural responses and inhibiting the healing process.  Symptoms represent the body’s best effort to heal itself.

Once the homeopathic physician has gathered all the information regarding the symptoms, he will generally consult one, or several of the books piled around the office.  The homeopathic theory is to find the medicine that most closely matches ALL the patient’s symptoms.  Allopathic medicine would treat each symptom as an individual problem, with individual drugs.

Only when the physician feels confident that the cure most closely matches the symptoms will he recommend a prescription.  He must find the individual combination of physical and psychological characteristics in order to prescribe the most accurate remedy.

The remedy will be carefully administered, following a prescribed schedule and monitored to determine whether the specific combination of symptoms has been addressed and the cure has been found.  Frequently the first selection will not work on all of the symptoms and another prescription will be selected.  When the symptoms have been resolved, the remedy is discontinued.

Sometimes the cure might seem to aggravate the symptoms – if the situation can be tolerated, it is generally the cure working its way through the body.  Cure takes place in due course, even in a chronic disease, when there is a precise correlation between the patient’s symptoms and the symptoms of the remedy administered.

It would be correct to say there is a lot of love and dedication on the part of the homeopathic practitioner.  In homeopathy there are no ready-made formulas.  Each case requires its own particular remedy and often many hours of careful study are spent in locating the right combination of symptoms to correct the patient’s particular needs.  Along with the proper homeopathic remedy, a recommended diet and exercise program will most likely be established.

 HISTORY OF HOMEOPATHY

 Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843) was the true founder of Homeopathy.  In 1790 he rediscovered the Law of Similars (“let like be cured with likes”) to describe substances that in small doses stimulate the organism to heal, and introduced its applications into widespread medical use.  He termed the medical system Homeopathy from the Greek words homioios for “similar” and pathos for “suffering” or “disease”.  His principle states that any substance, which can cause symptoms when given to healthy people, can help to heal those who are ill and experiencing similar symptoms.

The Law of Similars has been used throughout history.  In the forth century BC Hippocrates wrote “Through the like, disease is produced and through the application of the like is it cured.”  Paracelsus, a well known, fifteenth-century physician and alchemist, used the Law of Similars extensively in his practice.  He affirmed, “You there bring together the same anatomy of the herbs and the same anatomy of the illness into one order. This simile gives you an understanding of the way in which you shall heal.”

Hahnemann further realized that infinitesimal amounts of medications were all that were needed to promote healing.  It is more important to select the proper medicine than provide a large dose, in fact the smaller the dose the more positive the cure.  The proper medicine promotes the reaction of healing within the body.

In 1810 Hahnemann wrote “Organon of Medicine” this was the original introduction of homeopathy to the European medical community.  It was not received with across the board acceptance, but because of its dramatically curative results, homeopathy soon won widespread approval throughout Europe and the world. Soon students were flocking to study with Hahnemann from all corners of the world. 

Homeopathy was first introduced to the United States in the late 1820’s by Dr. Hans Burch Gram.  It enjoyed wide public acceptance and won increasing numbers of followers.  The first national medical association in the United States was the American Institute of Homeopathy, founded in 1844.

In the early 1970’s, a better educated and more health conscious public, interested in having a more active part in their own healing found a renewed interest in homeopathic healing.  Homeopathy provides safe, natural effective remedies and individualized therapy, which encourages a cooperative relationship between patient and doctor.

Homeopathic therapy acts along the same lines as the reactions of the diseased organism, it works with them, it stimulates them to make them more efficient.  Allopathic medicine uses drugs, which act chemically to inhibit reactions.  Homeopathy is a therapeutic method that views man as a whole, an individual is considered a reactional unit – the goal is to get prompt, gentle and lasting improvement – to promote total health (physical, emotional and mental) and thus freedom from symptoms.

Homeopathy is a natural curative system favored by many health conscious people including England’s Royal Family, violinist Yehudi Menuhin, and rock singer Tina Turner.  Other well-known patrons included Harriet Beecher Stowe, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, John D. Rockefeller, Louisa May Alcott and Daniel Webster.

Mahatma Gandhi maintained that homeopathic medicine is the only scientific one because it is the only one based exclusively on human observation.  India has over 70,000 registered homeopathic practitioners (with a number of universities having six year programs), and it is well-known throughout the United Kingdom (the Royal Family has been under homeopathic care since the 1930’s) and in France over 6,000 physicians actively practice homeopathy – caring for approximately sixteen percent of the population.  There are homeopathic physicians in Russia as well as most Latin American countries.  There are two medical schools offering complete homeopathic curricula in Mexico. 

SPECIAL HANDLING OF REMEDIES 

Homeopathic remedies need a certain degree of special handling.  Rough handling with dirty fingers can potentially contaminate the remedies.  Likewise they should be kept away from airborne contaminants such as perfumes, aromatic oils and camphor.  Smoking and caffeine can affect the effectiveness of the medicines.  Mint is generally considered to neutralize or counteract the action of homeopathic remedies.  It is wise to not use any stimulants for two hours before and after taking homeopathic remedies, if possible.

ADMINISTERING REMEDIES

Remedies are dropped under the tongue where they are slowly absorbed into the body through the mucus membranes.  This provides for the slow steady absorption of the remedies into the body.  If you are taking more than one remedy at a time, you should allow at least fifteen minutes between each different remedy.

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X DR. BONNET SPEAKS OUT: PMS
        A nutritional and homeopathic approach

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A number of you have requested a newsletter devoted to premenstrual syndrome (PMS).  I had a couple of reservations.  The first was “Would something that could only affect women of child-bearing years be of interest to enough of our readers?”  I quickly realized between wives, mothers, daughters, sisters, co-workers, etc. that most of us deal with PMS in some way.

The second reservation was not as quickly dispelled.  I believe you must experience something to truly know it.  Unlike hypoglycemia, candidiasis, food allergies, chemical sensitivity or pyroluria my only experience was secondhand.  After considerable thought I realized that my lack of firsthand experience had not interfered with my ability to hear patients describe their bodies getting swollen or bloated, their becoming irritable or depressed the week to ten days before their monthly menstrual flow.  Nor had it interfered with my determination to offer effective treatment.  So why not a newsletter?

As a medical student, I wondered “What is this thing that causes nearly fifty percent of women during the child-bearing years to go through such suffering on a regularly recurring basis?”  When I asked the professor of gynecology, his answer shocked me and amused most of the class, “PMS is just the price of being a woman.” (In other words – nothing could be done, it was just ‘a faulty design.’)  I couldn’t believe this. A quick check in the medical school library however, revealed that outside the industrialized nations PMS was unknown.

How does our industrialized lifestyle create this vulnerability to PMS?  Two known factors that contribute are consuming too much sugar and too much sodium.  As a woman is coming to the end of her monthly menstrual cycle her hormones cause her to retain sodium and with it water.  Her breasts can swell and her abdomen can bloat, by their physical structure, both are elastic enough to allow for these changes.  But, her brain is in a closed container with no ability to expand so the pressure increases, causing the more serious problems of irritability, clumsiness and depression. 

When you stop to consider how sodium is so excessively added to processed foods, it is really not surprising we have such a problem.  Out modern palates have also been ‘trained’ to expect salt in most everything we eat.

The typical vegetable at harvest time has nine times as much potassium as it has sodium.  But by the time it is on the plate ready to be eaten, there is generally nine times the sodium as potassium (this is an 8100% increase.)  A low salt diet for at least the latter half of the menstrual cycle is a recommended first step in conquering PMS.

What about sugar?  The problem with sugar is tied to the problems with candida, a yeast-like fungus that plagues so many of us.  The symptoms from candida tend to be at their very worst a week to ten days before a woman begins her monthly menstrual flow.  This is so typical that I generally question the diagnosis of candidiasis if there is no increased difficulty premenstrually.  Since any refined carbohydrate can give candida a quick meal, causing it to multiply and produce toxins, eliminating simple sugars and refined carbohydrates from the diet helps relieve PMS symptoms.

The elimination of caffeine, at least three days before symptoms would be expected, is another recommendation.  I suggest that we all limit our caffeine intake to no more than one caffeinated beverage a day.  If you have been abusing caffeine, you must make your intake reduction gradual.  Don’t lower intake faster than 50% a week (if your cola, coffee, tea, hot chocolate intake averages eight servings a day, allow yourself a week to reduce it to four servings, a second week to reduce it to two, and so on).  If you rush the process, you are likely to get caffeine withdrawal headaches.

There is some evidence that elimination of red meat and dairy may help the PMS patient.  Drinking alcohol adds to the problem since it depletes the body’s vitamin B and minerals.  Alcohol is also toxic to the liver and can disrupt its ability to metabolize hormones.  It also makes the problem of candidiasis worse.

Nutritional supplements can be most helpful.  Vitamin B6 in a dosage of 100 to 500 mg taken after breakfast is usually sufficient to recall dreams and provide proper supplementation.  When taking B6 it is important to also have enough zinc, 30 mg as gluconate is fine.  Vitamin E 400 IU daily, magnesium 400mg daily, and evening primrose oil 500mg three times daily, have all proven helpful.

What else can be done to help with PMS?  I have found homeopathy to be very helpful.  Homeopathic remedies must “fit the person,” so generally it would be necessary to be fully evaluated to find the correct remedy; but, but because low potency homeopathic remedies are so safe I will offer a few suggestions.  While there are dozens of remedies that might be helpful for PMS, I’ll mention six of the most frequently used.  The first one, Lachesis, is so effective for helping problems that are relieved by discharges that anytime a symptom comes on premenstrually and improves dramatically with the start of flow Lachesis is worth trying.  I used to use a complicated system of different potencies, but I have found it is often good, and sometimes better just to use a 8x multiple dose, 3 pellets, 3 times a day, require a closer fit to the person.  See the chart at the end of this article.

One of the most important things to remember, there is help.  If not to completely eliminate the problem – at least to reduce it to a livable situation.  If you are suffering from any of the symptoms addressed and we have not discussed them in an office visit, please bring them to my attention at you next visit so we can begin your recovery.

What Can I Do To Get On The Road To Recovery?

One of the first suggestions is to keep a daily diary that includes: charting physical symptoms, recording diet, tracking exercise and noting emotional state.  Although this seems like an over-whelming task, it will provide you and Dr. Bonnet in identifying your problem and determining your personal program for recovery.

What Help Can Others Give To Women with PMS?

This is perhaps the most difficult question of all.  The answers vary as much as do any question of all.  The answers vary as much as do any group of individuals.  Understanding is one overall answer.  Knowing that the woman has a physical problem and that she is not trying to be difficult is important.  If a problem seems out of control, perhaps waiting until the symptoms subside to deal with important issues is also helpful.  At the same time don’t dismiss the woman’s feelings because she is premenstrual.

Helping might be as simple as a hug in some cases or taking a wide berth and steering clear of controversy for a few days in other cases.  If possible, encouraging the individual to visit the office to establish a personal recovery program and supporting her while she develops a healing routine is probably the biggest help.

FOOD FOR THE BODY

When dealing with PMS, diet and nutrition are critical.  In fact, for example, studies show that what a girl eats in childhood affects her early periods.  The importance of good nutrition in controlling PMS can not be stressed enough.  No medication or supplement program can overcome the effects of a poor diet.  Not only will diet play a critical role in recovery, but good nutrition will help the supplement program to really do its job.

Most people’s diet can stand a great deal of improvement, however like everything else, it is critical to remember that change isn’t going to happen overnight.  Bad eating habits might have existed for years, don’t beat yourself up for devouring a bag of potato chips or enjoying a hot fudge sundae – just slowly replace bad habits with good ones and surprisingly craving for unsavory foods will fade as the body cleanses itself.

The PMS patient will want to concentrate on a diet, which includes:

·        Vegetables: leafy greens, beets, beans, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, carrots, garlic, onions, radishes, squash, yams, turnips and peas.

·        Whole grains: brown rice, millet, oatmeal, barley, rye, and wheat (unless you are allergic to it).

·        Seeds and nuts: almonds, walnuts, or peanuts, pumpkin, sunflower or sesame seeds.

·        Fruit: apples, berries, and pears.

·        Oils: olive, sesame, canola, and safflower.

·        Meats: poultry and fish.

It is also critical to maintain variety.  Experiment with herbs and spices to replace salt in the diet.  Eliminate processed foods as much as possible.  Explore sugar free treats from your health food store.  BEWARE OF SUGAR SUBSTITUTES (NutraSweet, saccharin), these are chemicals and present another set of problems.  Stevia, extracted from a South American herb, is a good alternative to chemical sweeteners.

IN STEP
Next to nutrition, exercise is the most critical step in PMS recovery.  Exercise will help to ease stress and improve operation of all body functions.  Exercise is also helpful in reducing stress, which frequently aggravates PMS symptoms.  Increasing your regular exercise routine as PMS symptoms develop often help to release some of the problems.  Most women note a deep sense of relaxation and peace after they exercise.  (A note for the women’s companion: perhaps suggesting a brisk walk, or joining an exercise class together would be a quick way to help.)  Remember not to go overboard with an exercise program.  Vigorous exercise can cause menstrual irregularity.  Practice moderation.

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X DR BONNET DISCUSSES A HOMEOPATHIC FIRST AID KIT

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In homeopathy, as many of you already know, it is important that the remedy chosen in a situation fit not only the symptoms but also the person.  However, in a number of instances a remedy will work on such a consistent basis for an acute problem that the remedy is thought of in that situation for most everyone.  Sometimes an injury may occur when or where it isn’t possible for the patient to contract the office to ask which remedy would be helpful.  Having a homeopathic first aid kit consisting of about a half dozen remedies can prove most helpful.  We explain below which remedies to have in your kit and how to use them.

MAKING AND USING YOUR OWN HOMEOPATHIC FIRST AID KIT

Recommended remedies: ARNICA MONTANA, CALENDULA, ARSENICUM ALBUM, LEDUM, APIS MELLIFICA, SYMPHTUM AND IGNATIA AMARA.

1. ARNICA MONTANA:
   Arnica is frequently used and extremely effective remedy.  It is useful after any physical trauma to the body including injuries, falls and blows.  It is used quite often as a gel applied topically to bruised, sore or injured areas.

2. CALENDULA: 
   When applied topically as a gel or ointment it promotes healing and inhibits infection of wounds and burns. It is good for most cuts, scrapes and skin irritations.  Calendula tincture (a solution made of plant juice and alcohol) can be diluted and used to irrigate dirty wounds or wounds.     

3. ARSENICUM ALBUM:
   It is very useful in cases of gastrointestinal problems especially food poisoning.  Keynote symptoms of Arsenicum Album include fear, restlessness, extreme thirst but drinking only small amounts at a time, and chilliness with the patient wanting to stay covered.  Pains are burning and made worse by cold drinks and food, and better by heat and by warm drinks.    

4. LEDUM:
   Ledum is antidotal to insect bites and is especially good for spider and tick bites.  Ledum is a leading remedy for puncture wounds and works well for very bad bruises.  When Ledum is needed, the affected area is cold but the patient doesn’t want the area covered or warmed.  The injured part is usually made better by cold applications.

5. APIS MELLIFICA:
   Apis is good for insect stings, hives, sunburn and other skin conditions where there is swelling, soreness and stinging pain.  Apis conditions are characterized by the fact that they are made better by cold and made worse from heat and being touched.   

6. SYMPHYTUM:
   This remedy aids broken bones to mend quickly.  It is to be taken ONLY after the bone has been set.

7. IGNATIA AMARA:
   Ignatia works well when there are reactions caused by exposure to chemicals.

The following first aid conditions can be treated with the homeopathic remedies included in the recommended first aid kit above. 

 CALLING THE OFFICE FOR A REMEDY

Above are the first aid situations that can be treated homeopathically in the same way for most everyone.  With other acute problems, like sore throats, colds, flus, etc…, a remedy needs to be chosen by the doctor that fits the individual person and their specific ailment.  Each person gets ill in a unique way.  One person’s sore throat is not exactly the same as another’s.  That is why it is essential to describe symptoms and the circumstances around their onset as specifically as possible to ensure that the correct remedy is chosen.  Being raised in a society that traditionally treats all colds with the same medication, all headaches with aspirin, etc…, we have not been trained to be acutely aware of our symptoms.  It may take some effort to learn to “listen” to our bodies and be aware of the nature of our symptoms.  Below are some ideas of what to think about when calling the office for a remedy

When calling the office for a remedy please be aware of, as much as possible, the following information:

1.      What brought on the condition?

1. Did the symptoms appear after being exposed to extreme weather such as rain, very hot, very cold, dry, windy, direct sunlight or perhaps a change in weather.
2. Did the symptoms appear after an emotional episode?  Emotional causes could range from anger, grief from a loss, receiving bad news, excessive joy, to fright.
3. Had you eaten anything different before symptoms began?

2.      What side are the symptoms on or started on?  For example: did the sore throat pain begin on the left?  Was the itchiness only on the right eye? Etc…

3.      Is there a time of day the symptoms are better or worse?  For example: do you wake up coughing in the morning?  Is it mostly in the evening?  Is it all day except between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.?

4.      Is there anything that makes it better or worse?  For example: is your pain relieved by warm applications?  Do you feel less nauseous after eating?  Is your headache better by applying pressure?  Is your dizziness worse by laying down?  Does open air aggravate the pressure in your ears?

5.      Any changes in appetite or thirst since the symptoms began?  Are you craving a certain food?  Are you wanting mostly hot food or drinks or only cold?  Do hot or cold food or drinks relieve or worsen symptoms?  Are you now more or less thirsty?

6.      Any changes in sleep? Are you sleeping more? Are your symptoms better or worse after sleep?  Are you having trouble falling to sleep?  Frequent waking?  Is your sleep refreshing?

7.      Be specific about discharges.  If you are bringing up mucus, what is the color, consistency, is there any taste or odor? Also be specific about stools, sweat, etc.

The above are just a few examples of being aware of your symptoms and any changes.  When asked by Dr. Bonnet or the office staff if there have been any changes since the symptoms started - we mean anything.

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X DR. BONNET SPEAKS OUT: Nutritional and homeopathic travel tips

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Recovery from chronic illness can seem analogous to a war!  When we are able, we make progress (feel better).  When it’s more difficult, we try to avoid backsliding (hold ground).  Applying this analogy to vacation decisions, it is obvious that we need to plan carefully to avoid stressful vacations that could cost progress.

How often do we hear “I need to recover from my vacation!?”  Sometimes we even say it ourselves.  While a break in routine can be very healing, we need to do some careful planning so a vacation doesn’t end up costing valuable recovery time rather than healing the mind and body as it should.

While vacation plans can vary as much can any group of individuals from staying at home to a trip to Southeast Asia – anyone who lives with allergies, must think before rashly carrying forth plans to “refinish the kitchen” and surround themselves with chemical fumes and dust, or research the drinking water and air quality conditions, etc. in Southeast Asia before booking flight reservations.

I have a patient who travels extensively with her job.  The first thing she does when she reaches her destination is purchase a gallon of drinking water (preferably a brand she knows is safe).  It’s become as automatic as checking her hotel upon arrival.  While on route she also carries her own water.

Today we also need to ask the question “How is the air?” My mother’s asthma and my father’s angina went wild visit my sister in polluted Denver.  One of my patients lost six months progress by spending a week in Mexico City.

Travel for a chemically sensitive person goes far beyond the purpose of this newsletter – HEAL (609) 443-6389 can provide you with a list of safe houses for vacations away from home.  Each of you, however, needs to give consideration to minimizing exposure by exposure by requesting smoke-free rooms, being alert to moldy odors and speaking up in addressing your requirements.  Have the courage of your convictions, you’re paying for the space you’re staying in – you have every right to have it meet your standards and/or physical needs.  Many of these requests can be addressed when reservations are made.  These things also need to be considered when staying with friends.  Although one can’t demand another location in a friends home – it might be safer for your health to stay in a local motel and visit as your health permits rather than making everyone uncomfortable with you’re suffering unnecessary physical problems.  (If your allergic to cats – don’t plan to spend two weeks with your best friend who lives with seven furry creatures!)

Sun, although it is an everyday health consideration, generally requires extra concern on vacation.  A lazy day on the beach can have long term damaging effects without a few simple precautions (hats, sunscreens or blocks, increased vitamin intake and/or homeopathic remedies as needed [see chart below]). 

Having decided on a healing vacation in a safe environment, one of the first things to consider is a consultation with me.  We should discuss your vitamin program and any changes that should be made in consideration of your plans.  For instances:

·        Travel abroad and going through customs will require that you carry all vitamins in their original containers and have a signed treatment sheet with you.

·        If you are traveling for more than two weeks, we can probably restructure your program to reduce the number of nutritional supplements required. (Chromium, for example, is very helpful for carbohydrate metabolism, reducing sugar and alcohol craving, but it works slowly and stopping it for vacation should not be harmful to recovery as the body retains enough to cover that time period.)

·        Baggies provide the easiest method for carrying vitamins while traveling.  I generally set out each persons a.m. and p.m. vitamins a few days prior to leaving, putting a single dose in each bag.

Pack extra:

·        Vitamin C (500mg) taken hourly at the first sign of a cold or flu can generally nip it in the bud.  It will also relieve stuffed sinuses.

·        Beta Carotene (up to 6 a day or 25,000i.u.) for the same purpose as Vitamin C – however avoid high doses for long periods of time as your skin will take on a yellow color which can be disconcerting.

·        Vitamin E (oil base) for applying directly to scrapes and cuts.

·        Vitamin B6 (100 mg. per hour) for relief from sunburn and for stress.

These additional vitamins should protect you and your family and help to ensure a safe journey.  (You should also consult the homeopathic chart for further suggestions).  Remember; nip trouble in the bud.  This office is never further away than the nearest telephone!

TRAVELING WITH HEALTH PROBLEMS

As Dr. Bonnet has addressed, traveling with health problems requires some careful planning before embarking on a vacation.  When you are in the early stages of recovery, although you have been dealing with the stress of your illness for a period of time and feel the need to ‘get away’, it is frequently wise to stay close to the environment that has been developed as ‘safe’.  This does not mean you have to stay at home.  Vacation does not necessarily mean crossing the continent.  Usually you can find a healing respite within an hour or two from home.  This way you can have the security of remaining close to familiar medical help – should an unforeseen need arise, while getting away from your everyday environment and routine stresses.

EXAMPLE

Betty recently went on a weekend trip to visit friends in Boston.  Her friends enjoy eating out in ethnic restaurants.  She always felt that, because her numerous dietary restrictions, she put a wet blanket on the restaurant decision.  For this visit, since she was far into recovery, she decided she would forgo her dietary requirements and ‘go along with the plans’.  She enjoyed the ethnic foods and ignored the fact that she had mushrooms, cream sauces, wine with dinner and sugar-laden desserts at almost every meal.  It seemed like a fun filled carefree time.

Unfortunately, almost immediately, Betty began to notice the unpleasant physical problems she had worked so hard to overcome returning with rapid force (seemingly even worse than ever).  Betty spent the next two weeks in a constant battle with her body to overcome this weekend fling.

Betty realized that her dietary restrictions although they appeared to be a ‘wet blanket’ were real and had to be addressed.  Surely her friends didn’t want her to suffer, especially if they realized the serious consequences to Betty’s health.  Betty learned that she must carefully reviews menus when eating out and must refrain from giving in to whims in food selections.        

Avoiding fast food restaurants when traveling on the highways today can be difficult.  Having an itinerary planned well in advance allows time to contact local tourist commissions or the Chamber of Commerce to secure a list of safe eating establishments (AAA can also be a valuable resource for this information). When lodging reservations are made, request information on environmental conditions of the establishment. (Perhaps the motel or hotel across the street has rooms designated as non-smoking and have created a chemical free environment that would be safer for your health.)  Don’t be afraid to ask questions.  Restaurants and Innkeepers are in the business of keeping customers happy – they want you to return.

Most restaurants have responded to changes in consumer demands.  They are creating dishes lower in fat and sauces made with fresh vegetable purees rather than richer ingredients.  They are offering salad dressings on the side, the option of lemon, or plain salad.  The burden of decision has been shifted to the consumer in making wise meal choices.  (As a rule of thumb, the more expensive the restaurant, the more likely to find a safe menu – but always be open about your needs.)  With planning dietary restrictions can be maintained, even when traveling to foreign locations.

Perhaps you would find it easier to vacation where you can do your own cooking.  Although this is often a task we would rather avoid while away, preparing one or two meals a day (such as breakfast and lunch) can be streamlined for travel with again that important word planning.

When traveling by car you might, want to carry foods for your trip.  If this is not practical, have a list of stores where you will be staying where you can purchase the supplies you will need.  Kevin has a lactose intolerance.  Although he has no problem buying his milk in almost any grocery store at home, he knows when he goes to visit his parents, who live in a small town, he won’t find it in any dairy case.  He now plans ahead with tablets that solve the problem.  He also takes along ‘his cheese’ for a quick lunch time sandwich and his favorite munchies for between meal snacks.

Dr. Bonnet’s office can provide resources for ordering dietary provisions for everyday needs as well as supplements for travel.  Seeking local produce stands usually provides a fresher source of vegetables and fruits than grocery stores.  This is especially true in areas where you don’t know the local stores or the origin of their produce. Ask questions.

Sometimes vacations require a degree of compromise.  Although you always wanted to go hiking in the woods of Maine for two weeks of interrupted peace and quiet – if you have an intolerance to mold and are seriously allergic to insect stings – perhaps a compromise plan to a dryer location without the threat of Maine’s famous black flies would be a safer decision without completely forgoing your dream.

Homeopathic Vacation Remedies

Dosage: 7c, 3 pellets as needed

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Arnica Montana                  
Helps trauma.  Mostly used for physical injury (accidents, falls, etc).  Known to help everything from consequences of hard
physical labor top hoarseness in singers and public speakers.

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Apis Mellifica                     
Known as a homeopathic antihistamine.  Helpful for sunburn, hives, insect bites, boils, any skin condition that would have swelling with itching made worse by heat and better by cold.  Also helpful for any question that involves swelling made better by cold and fever without thirst (conjunctivitis, sore throat, vaginitis, pleurisy, and meningitis).

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Nux Vomica                         
Helpful if there is any possibility of over indulgence.  It will help you sleep if you’ve had too much caffeine, help you if you’ve eaten too much, and prevent hangovers if you drank too much.

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Ledum Palustre                  
Helpful for any puncture wound (rusty nail, thorn, and insect bite).  It helps bad bruises, especially black eyes.  If taken after a deer tick bite, it can prevent Lyme disease.

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Arsenicum Album              
Most often used for deep chronic conditions, asthma, eczema, and psoriasis – as well as anxiety and depression.  Good for any acute gastroenteritis such as food  poisoning caused by tainted meat, canned goods or shellfish.  Also helpful for acute burning skin infections, which are relieved by, heat, anything from boils to  erysipletaous.

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Anacardium                         
Used for anything form deep psychological problems to appetite suppression.  If you should get poison ivy, oak or sumac you’ll be glad you brought some along.  It won’t shorten the time for the rash, but it takes away the itch.

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The Healing Partnership web site is designed for educational purposes.  It is not intended to diagnose, treat or prescribe but rather to provide material to help the reader better cooperate with his or her doctor in the natural goal of building health.

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Last modified: 06/11/09.