Capsicum annuum - Homeopathy in Your Garden!

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This is a fruit that is used the world over to add flavor to different cuisines. It is Capsicum annuum, commonly known as cayenne pepper. 

In homeopathy, it is used for people who are lethargic, averse to exercise, alcoholics. They have a tendency to reminisce about the past and are known to be couch potatoes. People who need homeopathic Capsicum have burning pains with a feeling of coldness, constrictive sensation in the chest with difficulty in breathing. They have frequent urinary infections, digestive troubles, and muscle aches and pains. They are worse from the cold and always better from heat. 

Many symptoms of homeopathic Capsicum are similar to those of a heart attack, making it one of the top remedies to be used in heart disease. Homeopathic dilutions of Capsicum may be used as a cardiotonic, or heart stimulant, when the symptoms match.

When it is eaten as part of your diet, capsicum decreases free radical damage which slows the degenerative ageing process and supports healthy functioning of the arteries and the whole cardiovascular system. Some research says that cayenne peppers regulate blood sugar levels, and increase the body's capacity to burn calories, thereby helping in weight loss. The capsaicin component of Capsicum is also a well-known pain-reliever. 

Many cultures around the world use cayenne peppers in their cuisines, and chilli sauce or chutney or pickle is a prized recipe in many cultures.

How do you like your chillies?

Homeopathy for Chikungunya

Aedes albopictus female mosquito

Chikungunya is a viral disease, transmitted by mosquitoes. Symptoms appear within 5-7 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Symptoms are weakness, fever, headache, skin rash, muscle pain, and joint pains are most severe. Most people feel better within 7-10 days, but incapacitating joint pains may linger for one month or longer, sometimes resulting in joint stiffness and restriction of mobility. Young people tend to recover easily. Newborns, adults over 40, and people with chronic diseases may experience the most severe form of the disease.

Conventional medicine does not offer any specific treatment for chikungunya, other than rest and OTC painkillers. Most people find it difficult to take painkillers for long periods of time because of their side effects and risks associated with long-term consumption.

There are many homeopathic remedies which can be used for chikungunya, the first of the line being Euphatorium perfoliatum (or Eup. per). Eup. per relieves the severe joint pains to a great extent and address the fever and weakness, reducing the intensity of the symptoms.

Other remedies that may be considered according to the person's symptoms are Belladonna, Bryonia, Cinchona, Gelsimium, Rhus tox, Pyrogenum, Polyporus pinicula.

It is advisable to take precautions to prevent mosquito bites by wearing long sleeved clothing and full pants when outdoors, keeping windows screened with a mesh, and using a natural mosquito repellent like oil of lemon eucalyptus. It is also important to keep surroundings clean and prevent any collection of water (including roof gutters, bird baths) where mosquitoes may breed.


Note: Please do not take any of the above remedies for chikungunya without consulting a Professional Homeopath.


Additional Reading:

1. PubMed - Homeopathy in Chikungunya Fever and Post-Chikungunya Arthritis

Image credit: James Gathany via Wikimedia Commons

Have You Found Your Alternative To Painkillers?

Painkillers are the most commonly used form of medication around the world. While they might help to manage pain to some extent, they also have numerous side effects, especially when used to manage chronic pain. It is important to find alternatives to treat and manage chronic pain rather than depend completely on painkillers. 

Low-impact exercise, physiotherapy (physical therapy), acupuncture, yoga, meditation, chiropractics, massage, dietary changes, and homeopathy are just a few of the many methods you can use to manage pain effectively without relying on prescription drugs. Finding alternatives will not only help your physical body, but will also help you connect to yourself and be more mindful of what you need to maintain a healthy balanced lifestyle.

If you have been using painkillers like NSAIDs since a long time, this info graphic may give you enough food for thought to help you make a switch to other methods of pain management and treatment.

Aconite, Chamomilla, and Coffea are just 3 out of 100s of homeopathic remedies that can be used to manage both acute and chronic pain. Contact your homeopath to find out which remedy is best suited for you!

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs may offer temporary relief for chronic pain, but this comes with a list of side effects ranging from gastrointestinal problems to cardiovascular problems and premature death. Learn the painful truth about these painkillers by checking out this infographic on NSAIDs. Use the embed code to share it on your website or visit our infographic page for the high-res version.

<img src="http://media.mercola.com/assets/images/infographic/nsaids.jpg" alt="NSAIDS " border="0" style="max-width:100%; min-width:300px; margin: 0 auto 20px auto; display:block;"><p style="max-width:800px; min-width:300px; margin:0 auto; text-align:center;">Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or <a href="http://www.mercola.com/infographics/nsaids.htm">NSAIDs</a> may offer temporary relief for chronic pain, but this comes with a list of side effects ranging from gastrointestinal problems to cardiovascular problems and premature death. Learn the painful truth about these painkillers by checking out this infographic on NSAIDs. Visit our infographic page for the high-res version.</p>

Homeopathy for Seasonal Affective Disorder

We're in the middle of winter, and even though Punxsutawney Phil has predicted an early spring, many of us are recovering from the effects of the recent snow storms. 

Cold weather, lack of light, and generally stressful conditions all contribute to a form of depression called Seasonal Affective Disorder. 

Symptoms of SAD are common in the months of January to March, in the peak of winter (and after all the festivities of the holiday season!). Symptoms vary in severity, and men, women, children, and pets are all affected.


The main symptoms of SAD are:

• Lethargy and fatigue, sometimes making it difficult to carry out normal routines

• Mood changes, irritability, restlessness, headaches.

• Cravings for sweet, salty, or 'comfort' food that is high in carbohydrates, leading to weight gain

• Feelings of despair and hopelessness, avoidance of social contact

The homeopathic treatment for SAD is through an individualized approach, by taking into consideration all the symptoms of the person at that point in time. This allows the practitioner to come up with a customized remedy which is more effective in providing relief than something that is all-purpose. There are thousands of remedies in homeopathy and any one of them may be the right fit for someone, but some remedies that are over-sensitive to cold weather are considered first. 

Remedies like Causticum, Phosphorus, Rhus tox, and Sepia are all worse from cold weather. While a Phosphorus person needs sunlight to feel lively and happy again, a Rhus tox faces rigidity at both physical and mental levels, leading to stiff joints and compulsive behavior.  Other remedies are Aurum metallicum, Phosphoric acid, Pulsatilla, etc. 

[The remedies described are just examples with some pointers, and they may or may not be the right ones for you. Do not attempt to use homeopathic remedies for chronic illnesses without the guidance of a homeopath.  A homeopath has the expertise to choose the correct remedy and dosage to suit your needs.]

Other ways to support healing from SAD are:

• Go for a walk in the middle of the day and get some sunlight. Open the curtains and blinds on your windows and let the sun come into your home.
• Exercise! If you can't go out of your home, exercise at home. Stretch, run, skip rope, dance - do whatever you enjoy to get your heart pumping a little harder. Exercise releases endorphins which are your body's natural mood enhancers.
• Bach flower essences are very useful for healing emotional issues. Mustard is used for depression.

Stay warm, and stay healthy!