Optimal Health

LEAKY GUT SYNDROME, POOR ASSIMILATION, AND FATIGUE

The digestive tract is a very complex, multifaceted system that integrates the breakdown of the foods we eat into their molecular constituents so that our body can utilize them efficiently.  Disturbances in the integrity of the gastrointestinal mucosal lining may arise from a number of different causes.  If the integrity of the mucosal lining is intact, then digestion and assimilation will work well.

But due to a combination of factors, including stress, poor eating habits, environmental pollutants, or a weak digestive tract from childhood, we may not be able to absorb all the nutrients we need from the foods we eat.   The mucosal lining in the stomach and intestines acts like a barrier to protect the body.  But when the mucosal lining is weak, this will contribute to the development of chronic diseases because toxic substances from the foods we eat will accidentally get absorbed into our body.  When this happens, it’s called “leaky gut syndrome.”

Signs and symptoms of leaky gut syndrome include chronic gas, bloating, burping, burning, diarrhea, or alternating diarrhea with constipation.  Secondary signs include chronic fatigue, rheumatoid arthritis, other autoimmune conditions, skin problems such as psoriasis, frequent hives, herpes, or eczema, joint pain, and migraine headaches.

Treatment is aimed at rebuilding the digestive mucosal lining. This is done through acupuncture, dietary counseling, homeopathic remedies and specific dietary supplements. 

If you have this problem, it is essential to immediately stop ingesting any gluten containing products, including wheat, rye, oats, barley, kamut, malt, as well as cow’s dairy products.  Some of the supplements I’ve discovered to work best for this type of problem include the following:

Permeability Factors:  To rebuild the mucosal lining

Probiotics:  The stronger the better

Rice Detox Protein Meal Supplement:  An easy-to-digest protein supplement

Pan Plex 2:  Digestive Enzymes which will aid in the breakdown of your food;  this supplement includes the necessary enzymes for both the upper and lower digestive system, making it much more powerful and effective than other formulas

There are many other supplements I’ll use with specific people depending on their personal symptoms.   Treatment of leaky gut syndrome will take a while, and a patient should be prepared to stay on the diet and supplements for about six months before experimenting with other foods and supplements.

But this treatment really works, and with time you will regain your strength, energy, reduce your joint pains, headaches, and feel much better overall!

HOLISTIC ALLERGY TREATMENT AND RESEARCH

The following article summarizes the latest research into the use of homeopathic medicine for the treatment of allergies, asthma and other upper respiratory illness.

Scroll down near the end of the article to see a chart of the most common homeopathic remedies used for allergies.

Conclusion:  There are a much larger number of clinical, laboratory, and research studies than one might think.  They show that homeopathy works very effectively for hay fever, pollen allergies, asthma, and other respiratory allergies.   In some studies, patients were able to reduce their intake of Western pharmaceuticals when using homeopathy.  

(Note:  Please always consult your MD prior to discontinuing any prescription medications.)

Here is the Research Link in PDF:  (scroll down to #6 article in the link)

Homeopathy and Allergy Research PDF Article

Acupuncture for Chronic Prostate Problems

This research verifies what I have seen in my practice:  That acupuncture is extremely effective for prostate problems.  In fact, when combined with Chinese herbs, and the correct homeopathic remedy, I have had incredible success in curing prostate problems in men.  This includes chronic prostatitis, as well as sexual issues, including low sex drive, and low sperm counts.  There are also specific diets that will benefit and help cure prostate problems.   If the man in your life is having any uro-genital issues, send them on over.

Here is the link to the research article:

Chronic Prostatitis Research Article

Summer Holistic Weight Loss Help

by Dr. Randy Martin, OMD, LAc, PhD

By now you may have probably tried many diets.  Some have worked and some may not have.  The difference with this program is that it is holistic.  Holistic in this sense means:  body, mind and spirit.  Holistic also means that you take the primary responsibility for your weight loss and that we concern ourselves with your overall long-term health and not just in some crash diet fad.  The program we work out together will be an individual program you can live with and not just a short-term weight loss scheme.

For many of you, losing weight means simply getting rid of that extra five pounds in order to fit into the latest fashions.  But for others, it is more a matter of heath and good nutrition.  Still for others, you may have 40-50 or more pounds you need to lose.

For everyone, the question arises:  Which diet is best for me?  Perhaps you have already tried vegetarianism, macrobiotics, the all-liquid protein diet, low carb diet, or an all fruit fast.  And perhaps you have wondered why your best friend is able to lose weight eating pastries and pasta, while you have only to “look” at sweets to gain an extra five pounds.

Or have you noticed that not everyone craves the same foods?  Have you considered the possibility that you have food allergies? Or have you wondered why weight loss has not miraculously occurred by diligently sticking to a low caloric or low carbohydrate diet?  The reality is that not all people lose weight on the same diet.

In other words, everyone needs a diet based on their own individual physiological and biological strengths and weaknesses, and on their brain chemistry imbalances and metabolic strengths and weaknesses.

 Scientists have discovered that different people have specific weaknesses in different glands in their body.  These biological differences are partly inherited and partly created through lifestyle and eating habits.  And these differences account for two important factors in weight loss.

 First, individual biological weaknesses are the cause for what foods we each individually crave.  And second, these differences also account for what part of our body tends to accumulate extra pounds. 

Doctors have shown that people with a weak pituitary gland, for example, tend to crave dairy products rather than sweets, and that they will more often than not accumulate “baby fat” all over their body.  In contrast, people with a weak thyroid will crave sugar, caffeine and carbohydrates and gain weight mostly in the stomach, upper arms and thighs.  People with weak adrenal glands crave salt, meat, potatoes and butter and tend to be stocky with big bones and a pot belly.  These types of people are usually very yang.  The type of person with an imbalance in their ovaries may crave fats and spicy foods and gain most of their weight around the hips and thighs.  To reverse these cravings and the accompanying weight gains, we must reverse the genetic imbalances and weaknesses.

 In the Orient, medical science has also identified these biological individualities and has a long history of effectively treating people in accordance with these differences. According to the Oriental theory of health, when our body energy, or Chi, becomes blocked or depleted, we experience ill health or dis-ease.

Herbs and acupuncture work to unblock the stagnant chi to allow for the return of free-flowing chi, and thereby allowing the body to achieve a healthy equilibrium.

The specific effect acupuncture has on weight loss is twofold:  First, it acts to relax the nervous system and lessen the anxiety and compulsiveness associated with overeating.  This is accomplished by stimulation of specific acupuncture points in the ears and on the body, which cause the release of endorphins.  Endorphins are the bodies own naturally occurring opiates, or “relaxers”.

Second, acupuncture acts to stimulate those organs and glands, which are the weak ones; this works to actually decrease the food cravings, which are so hard to control.  In terms of the Five Element Theory of Oriental Medicine, long-term obesity or weight problems are usually a sign of weakness in the earth element or fire element. 

The nine (9) aspects that go to make up an effective weight loss program are as follows:

1 - Food Journal:  time, day, food, reason, feelings, after effects both physically and emotionally;

2 - Identify Problem Foods (allergies, addictions, cravings, aversions);

     Identify Problem Situations (restaurants, social situations, etc.);

     Identity Problems in terms of time of day (biological clock);

3 - Develop strategies to cope with #2 above;

4 - Assess your weak glands and organs - correct through use of nutritional supplements, acupuncture and homeopathy;

5 - Utilize specific weight loss herbal formulas to help metabolism, strengthen the weak glands and organs in the body, work on the weak meridians and elements and to balance the nervous system and digestive organs of assimilation;

6 - Typical Acupuncture Treatment Schedule:

      2X/week for the first 4 weeks, followed by;

      1X/week for the next 4 weeks, followed by;

      2X/month for the next 2 months, followed by;

      1X/month for the remaining time you are on the program, followed by;

      Periodic maintenance, usually 1X per month.

7 - Exercise:  Some type of aerobic exercise to be determined with you doctor. This is important to increase the heartbeat and burn up calories and should be done 3X per week.  The other days of the week you will need to walk and do some simple stretching or yoga-type exercises.

8 – Take a urine/saliva test to determine which brain neurotransmitters are weak or too strong and take the appropriate supplements to correct this problem.   This will almost immediately help with emotional or binge eating.

9 – Take the appropriate homeopathic remedy for your imbalances and cravings.

If all nine of the above are hard for you, then just pick which you are most comfortable with, and we can personally design the program that is right for you!

But there is much more to the effective loss of weight that still needs to be considered: For people serious about a holistic approach to weight loss, a thorough examination of one’s reasons for over-eating and motivation for wanting to lose weight is essential.  Often, over or under eating is an old protection and defense mechanism that is being restimulated by current stress and emotional hurts or environmental or situational triggers.

In our culture, there tends to be an over-emphasis on the virtues of slenderness.  Anorexia nervosa (self imposed starvation) and bulimia (the binge-purge syndrome) are both occurring in alarming proportions.  In fact, many people are actually healthier - emotionally and physically - at a weight that is five to ten pounds greater than what our popular media presents as the ideal. 

On the other hand, some people are honestly confused and do not know what their optimum weight really is. For many, short-term psychological counseling may work well in conjunction with a weight loss program.  Therapy helps to help clarify weight loss goals and to provide emotional support for changes in eating and exercising habits.  Therapy also helps to adjust to what can be a personally and socially threatening change of self-image.

For others, the program of Overeaters Anonymous (OA) and the Curves Program have proven very effective in providing support and helping people adjust to the physical, psychological and social aspects that weight loss inevitably confronts.

Weight loss is possible even for those who have experienced past failures.  Identifying the causes of past failures, either spiritual, psychological or physiological, is the first step toward insuring greater success in the future.

It is important for an effective weight loss program to include recognition of biological individuality and the use of natural means to strengthen and rebuild those weak organs and glands in the body.  Treatment can include acupuncture, herbal medicine, nutritional counseling, homeopathy, psychological counseling, and exercise.

With an honest, gut level desire to change old behavior, weight loss can be achieved and the road to optimum health can be yours!

This is the story of an eight-year-old little boy who first came to me for treatment on June 1, 1993. His mother described him as “out of control.” Everything was a constant drama in the house, with the child craving constant attention. He mimicked others’ behavior to spite them and was angry and demanding almost all of the time.

He had been like this for years, but over the last year he had become increasingly unmanageable. His mother said he threw frequent temper tantrums, had to be -supervised 100% of the time and wouldn’t “accept no as an answer.”

When I saw him in my office, the first thing out of his mouth was a reaction to my computer. He came over to my desk, stood very close to me, and with a little malicious grin on his face said: “Your computer just quacked,” referring to the sound effects my Macintosh computer makes.

The child would hit the mother and other children and smile while he was doing it. The mother described him as enjoying others’ pain and hurt. Afterward, he usually showed guilt or remorse and felt momentarily sad for the pain inflicted. He was described as defying his mother, and using anything as an argument.

He loves to read, but his attention and behavior was unpredictable-one moment nice, sweet or excessively affectionate and the next moment being violent and uncontrollable. He refused to go to bed at night, had a huge appetite, had frequent stomach pains, took frequent cat naps, slept on his side, was very opinionated, craved ice, beef jerky, candy, chocolate, orange juice, tomatoes, tomato juice, and fruit (especially -bananas, pears, and peaches). He disliked salty foods.

He was diagnosed with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder and had been on Prozac for three months at the time of his first visit with me. His mother reported that his behavior was a little improved on the Prozac, but not significant enough to keep him under control. They had also tried psychological counseling with little improvement. The mother decided to take him off Prozac without discussing it with the doctor (not something I would recommend!).

I prescribed a homeopathic remedy called Medorrhinum. I recommended taking the remedy only three times, at a frequency of every other day. The mother called me ten days later and reported that there was at least a 50% improvement in behavior. The mother had accidentally given the remedy daily, rather than following my instructions. I told her to wait and to not give him any more of the remedy, since improvement often will take place once the remedy is stopped. Ten days later she called again and said there was a setback. I recommended one dose of Medorrhinum in a higher potency.

Ten days later the mother called to say there was immediate improvement, but that it didn’t last. I recommended one more dose of the remedy. I didn’t hear back from her so I assumed she and the child were doing well. I phoned a few times to check but my calls were never returned.

I was curious about this case. Since the behavioral problem was so severe and the improvement so quick and dramatic, I wanted to know if it was holding. I finally reached the mother nine months later and she reported complete and lasting improvement without any more doses of the remedy. He just “snapped out of it” and “never snapped back,” she reported.

This type of case is very gratifying for me as the doctor. This little boy’s entire life will be changed thanks to the power and magic of homeopathy. Note that there are about 50 homeopathic remedies for ADD. Do not try to treat this yourself. Also, nutrition plays a large role and in my treatment program, I select a specific and individualized nutritional regimen based on either the child’s blood, urine or hair lab tests.

Questions about Hyperactivity and Attention Deficit Disorder:

Q. What are the potential side effects of Ritalin therapy?
A. There are many, but the primary side effects are loss of appetite, insomnia, loss of creativity, apathy, depression, lethargy and allergic reactions.

Q. Is there a natural way to treat hyperactivity and ADD?
A. Yes! Using herbs, vitamin supplements, a change in diet, homeopathic medications and amino acids has a proven track record. More and more medical literature is now available showing the positive effects of these natural therapies.

Q. What are the causes of hyperactivity or ADD?
A. It can be a physiological imbalance, nutritional disorder, chemical imbalance, blood sugar disturbance, allergy to foods or artificial additives, or sensitivity to sugar or -caffeine.

Q. What are the most common foods that can cause problems?
A. Holistic doctors have performed a lot of research and determined that the most -common foods to cause problems are the following: milk, cheese, corn, chocolate, wheat, eggs, yeast, sugar, food coloring and artificial food additives.

Q. How do we determine if foods are a problem?
A. The best way is to eliminate all suspected foods for twenty-one days and then to add them back one at a time for forty-eight hours each, and see if there is any adverse -reaction. If your child shows a reaction, eliminate the food. After the body chemistry is brought into balance, you may be able to add the food back to the diet.

Q. What are typical food allergy reactions?
A. Typical reactions are as follows: fatigue or sleepiness, nervousness, mood swings, restlessness, irritability, inability to concentrate, nasal congestion, headaches, muscle aches, abdominal pains, bed-wetting, facial pallor or puffiness, and dark shadows under the eyes.

I am often asked by patients about the risks of long-term usage of the herb Echinacea.  Many authorities have told us of the health risks.  While I agree that the long-term use of any herbal product can potentially cause side-effects, I have never in my clinical practice seen that Echinacea in particular has been any more dangerous than any other herbal product taken over a long period of time.

Many of my patients have been taking Echinacea throughout the cold and flu season and done great.  In general, no herb should be taken more than 4 weeks, but everyone is an individual, and has individual responses to herbs.  Some people develop allergies to certain herbs after only a week or so, and other people can take herbs for a longer time with no negative side effects.

In general, and according to Chinese medical theory, it is always best not to take individual herbs.  Combination herbs are far superior and work better in all ways.  They also have less side-effects.  So if you take Echinacea, get it as a formula with other immune enhancing herbs.

In an article published in the Alternative Medicine Review, Volume 6, Number 4, 2001, numerous clinical studies of Echinacea were cited.  All of them found that in the numerous clinical studies cited, there was nothing to support any limitations on the longer term use of Echinacea.

The article states that Echinacea is good for colds, the flu, chronic autoimmune disorders, leukemia, allergies, MS and other chronic immune problems.

In general, I suggest getting on a good immune regimen during the cold and flu season.  This should include a wide variety of herbs and supplements.  My patients and I work out a variety of programs geared specifically to their individual health issues.

Food allergies can be sudden. Most patients who come to me complaining of allergies have never experienced them before. They come in disbelief, thinking it must be something more serious. But in reality, food allergies are one of the most common causes of many health problems.

Symptoms can range from fuzzy thinking, fatigue, upset stomach, neck pain, headaches, pains in the stomach area, diarrhea, burning pains, skin rashes, eczema, asthma, difficult breathing and even fainting. Testing for food allergies can be expensive; many patients believe they have severe Candida, or parasites, which may in fact be the case. But the least expensive way of dealing with the problem is to choose to just eliminate the more common foods which can cause an allergy.

The most common foods which cause the symptoms are nuts, and especially peanuts, eggs, milk and milk products, shellfish, wheat, gluten containing products, soy, chocolate, and some fish.

Eliminating these foods for about 60 days and adding specific, targeted nutritional supplements, will often take care of the problems. Often the patient can eat the problem foods, once the allergy symptoms are gone. What we have found is that adding in the problem foods on a rotational basis will usually be fine, and not re-create the symptoms. But first you must eliminate the food completely, for about 60 days, in order to re-build your digestive and immune systems.

Some of the supplements which work well are herbal anti-histamines, digestive enzymes, pro-biotics, Chinese herbs to build and strengthen digestion, and other herbs and supplements targeted to increase overall health and energy.

We have found that it’s important for patients to ask questions when eating out, to determine the ingredients in the foods. Also it’s important to read food labels carefully, and to learn “code” words for certain ingredients, which may contain harmful derivatives of the problem food. In any case, it’s a great idea to start reading labels of the foods you eat, and to ask to see the packaging list of ingredients used in fast foods.

Testing is available for those who like the more scientific approach, including saliva tests, blood tests, and stool tests, but these are expensive and often unnecessary, if the patient is willing to just stop eating the problem foods without testing. But the good thing about testing is that you can really see, in black and white, the changes in the tests over time, as your body recovers.

Dear Friends,  The other day, I almost lost a close friend of mine.   She is someone I’ve been very close to for many years.  She decided to go off her medication for depression and she was having severe withdrawl symptoms and feeling very lethargic, impulsive, sad, weepy, depressed, and out of balance.  We talked and I shared with her that homeopathy would be very effective at helping her through this transitionary period.  She quickly snapped back at me that homeopathy might work for other people, but that it has never worked for her.   It made me think how hard it is to convince some people of the effectiveness of homeopathy, even those people I am close to.   I tried to tell her that the reason it didn’t work in the past was because she had never been to a good homeopath, but had only tried over the counter homeopathic remedies.   But she remained convinced in that it doesn’t work for her.  I have actually heard this a lot from people who don’t know much about homeopathy, or who confuse homeopathy with herbal medicine or nutritional supplements.   But in fact, I have never once seen homeopathy not work when it is prescribed correctly.  So I have written this article to explain why it doesn’t work, for those of you, who like my friend, have had unsuccessful experiences with it.   (Note:  Homeopathy is NOT herbs.  The word Homeopathy in this article only refers to the little white sugar pills that go under the tongue, first discovered by Samuel Hahneman in Germany about 200 years ago.  This article does not relate to any other types of supplements or herbs, nor any other natural types of treatments.)    

HERE ARE THE TOP 10 REASONS HOMEOPATHY DOES NOT WORK!!!  

1.  You were given the wrong homeopathic remedy - Many “homeopaths” have only taken a few weekend courses, and don’t really know how to select the right remedy.  

2.  You were given the right remedy in the wrong potency - There are many strengths, or potencies, of homeopathic remedies.  They range from 3X, 6X, 12X, 3C, 6C, 12C, and 30C on up to 200C, 1M, 10M, and 50M, CM, LM and beyond.  You may have taken a remedy that was right for you, but the potency was wrong.  In this case it wouldn’t work.  

3.  You stopped taking the remedy too soon or you took it too often - Just like in a chess game; you must have the patience to complete the game.  Many people stop the remedy too soon when they don’t see improvement.   Others, despite my instructions, repeat the remedy too frequently, not giving the body an opportunity to respond.  

4.  You didn’t communicate to your homeopath the changes that occurred when you took your remedy - Unlike Western doctors, most of the information a homeopath uses to prescribe your remedy, actually comes from you.   If you don’t communicate accurately all the little nuances of changes that are occurring while you take your remedy, the homeopath won’t have the data he needs to prescribe accurately.  

5.  You swallowed your remedy - Remember that for a homeopathic remedy to work, you must place it under your tongue and/or suck on it.  If you touch the pills or swallow them, there is a very good chance that they won’t work.  

6.  You didn’t wait a minimum of 20 minutes before and after your took the homeopathic remedy, without putting anything else in your mouth - Remember, that you must have nothing in your mouth for at least 20 minutes, for your remedy to work effectively — including water.  

7.  You were given a “combination” homeopathic remedy - some “homeopaths” use combination remedies with 3, 6, 8 or more homeopathic remedies in one pill.  This isn’t really the kind of homeopathy that will deeply heal you and your ills, and more often than not, it won’t work.  If the homeopath is not extensively trained in homeopathy, he or she might use combination remedies out of convenience.  But don’t judge its effectiveness based on a combination remedy.  Although it might bring some relief, it often will not.  

8.  You drink a lot of coffee, ate a lot of mints, used commercial mint toothpaste, or got dental work - Anything that affects your nervous system may lesson the effects of your homeopathic remedy.   Be sure to tell your homeopath so he or she can assess exactly what is going on.  

9.  You keep your homeopathic remedies next to your TV set, microwave, or near some other strong electrical device or electro-magnetic field - Remember that homeopathic remedies are made from very small amounts or either plant, animal or mineral substances, and can easily be ruined if subjected to long-standing, strong, energy fields.  

10.  You didn’t tell your homeopath everything going on with you - Remember that without all the information, a homeopath cannot be expected to select the right remedy.   This includes ALL your physical ailments, even if you only want one of them to be cured.   And also tell him or her about your emotions and psychological stresses.   The more detailed the information, the better.  If there is some little hidden fact you would much prefer NOT to share, then this IS the one thing you SHOULD share.   Remember, everything is interconnected in homeopathy.   The best thing to do is to bring in a long list for your homeopath of everything that you have ever had problems with in your ife, from childhood on up, including all physical and emotional trauma.   Conclusion:  Homeopathy is DEFINITELY not for everybody!!!!   Most people do not have the patience to report their symptoms accurately nor the self- awareness to know what is going on with themselves.  In these cases, just rely on acupuncture, vitamin supplements, and herbs.  But if you want to explore the deeper and most effective aspects of the healing spectrum, then you really owe it to yourself to give homeopathy a chance.   Otherwise, like my friend, you will be under the misconception that homeopathy just doesn’t work for you, while in reality you never really gave it a chance!  

Pregnancy, Childbirth and Pediatric Resources

1.  Homeopathy can be used to root out or partially erradicate some of the genetic predispositions that you would rather not transfer to your children.  The best time for this is about a year before you are planning to conceive.  Diet is also important both for the prospective father and mother, to detox and cleanse the body before conception. 

2.  Fertility:   I can help with fertility, either with or without Western Medical Interventions.  I have many fertility patients who are using Western approaches.   I can help with both your husband’s and your fertility issues.   I would use acupuncture, herbs, homeopathy and dietary suggestions and work closely with your Medical Doctor as a team. 

3.  Pregnancy - Treatment Stage — During pregnancy, you probably don’t want to use drugs for problems that arise.   We can use acupuncture, herbs orhomeopathy to help with headaches, constipation, aches or pains, immunity andmost other issues. 

4.  Pregnancy - Maintenance Stage:  There are actually some specific homeopathic remedies that can also be used during the first trimester to strengthen the pregnancy and baby, and also towards the end of the pregnancy to make the labor go more easily.  Acupuncture is also used during pregnancy every month or so to balance and relax you so that everything goes smoothly.

5.  Birthing Process:   We will use specific homoepathic remedies and acupuncture to assist in a fast and easy delivery.  Any problems that arise during thedelivery can be helped with homoepathy. But of course you must be at ahospital and working with a Medical Doctor that is comfortable with an acupuncturist and homeopath assisting during the pregnancy. This can all be written into your Birth Plan.  It’s also helpful to have a Doula or Nurse/Midwife, so that we can all work as a team.

 6.  After the Birth:  There are specific homeopathic remediesgiven to baby and mom to reduce whatever trauma occured during the labor andbirthing process.  Also, it is agood idea for mom to be taking some Chinese herbs for the first 3 months or so, to revitalize her Chi and Yin energy, since pregnancy tends to deplete the Chi and the Yin in the body.

7.  Baby and Toddler Care:   As a team with your pediatricianand Medical Doctors, baby should immediately be under the care of a homeopathto assist with healthy physical, behavioral and emotional health.   Most problems that occur, such ascolic, skin problems, constipation, ear infections, etc., can be helped verynicely with homeopathy. 

Tips for Recovery from a Cold or Flu
The recovery phase of a cold or flu can be as difficult and challenging, both emotionally and physically, as your battle with the early onset of the illness.  There is an important strategy to follow during this recuperation phase.  If you follow this strategy, your recovery may accelerate and you may also avoid the uncomfortable reoccurrence of symptoms that are so common.

Firstly, pace yourself.  R, was in his recovery phase after more than two weeks of having battled a bad flu with high fever.  His third week was improved, and he began to see light at the end of the tunnel.  He was back at work and on his full time schedule after having missed a number of days due to heavy sweating and low grade fevers.

But once back at work, he lost sight of what was required to rebuild his health and be rid of the flu once and for all.   A common mistake which we all can make, he believed he was 100% cured, when actually he was only about 80% there.That night after work, he felt fine.  Having spent so much time recuperating, he was ready to resume tasks around the house that required both mental and physical energy to complete.  An odd plumbing job, fixing an old leak, installing a screen door, fixing a light bulb socket, and a few other tasks seemed easy enough to him.  His frustration and impatience at not having gotten anything done around the house got the best of him, and that little voice inside was saying “stop being a baby, and get something done.”  This turned out to be a mistake.

He had spent the last three weeks getting to bed rather early, and his body wasn’t used to the extra exertion that was common when he was fully well.  He also thought that he was well enough to indulge in some cookies and ice cream, which he had stayed away from during his illness.

As a result of overexertion as well as sugary foods, as soon as his head hit the pillow, he started coughing violently from the tickle in his throat he thought was licked.  The next morning, he awoke with a sore throat yet again.   Basically, he set himself back a full week as a result of not taking his recovery seriously enough.

Here are the rules I recommend my patients follow when recovering from a cold or flu:
1.  Keep your neck and throat covered and warm at all times.  When out, wear a scarf, even if it’s warm out.  Even the slightest breeze can set off a cold and sore throat when your immune system is still vulnerable.
2.  At night, rub castor oil on your neck, cover with a towel and apply a heating pad for at least 20-30 minutes before bed.  If your chest is also congested, also apply this remedy to the chest area.
3.  Take a warm Epsom salts bath before retiring.  This has not only the effect of calming and relaxing you, but it also draws out many toxins within the body, and opens the chest and sinus passages to help with breathing and alleviate problems with mucus buildup or coughing.
4.  Gargle with either salt water or with Hydrastis homeopathic tincture.  Place about 10-20 drops of the tincture in about 1/2 cup of hot distilled or bottled water and gargle five or six times before bed.
5.  Faithfully take all supplements recommended to you.  As you heal and the illness begins to subside, you may cut back on supplements.  But one of the biggest mistakes people make is to stop altogether.  Taper off slowly, and keep taking them for about one week after you are feeling better.
6.  It is very common for a cold or flu to change locations as you begin to feel better.  From the immune system, it may travel into the muscular-skeletal system.  This may take the form of various muscle aches or pains, neck and shoulder spasms and tightness or low back pain or sciatica.   It’s important not to ignore these or to misinterpret them as genuine structural problems.  Rather, treat them like a virus that has entered your muscle system.  Continue taking your anti-viral herbal and vitamin supplements and seek deep tissue body work to move the virus out of the muscles as quickly as possible.  Body work will also help move your lymph system along and quicken your healing time. Hot Epsom salt baths are recommended, as well.
7.  Eat only warming, cooked foods and drinks.  Never eat or drink anything cold; an occasional room temperature fruit or fruit juice is alright.  Hot foods help keep your meridians unblocked and your Chi flowing smoothly.  Cold causes blockage and constriction, resulting in a buildup of mucus or muscle pains.
8.  Go easy on yourself!  It’s normal to get sick and there is nothing wrong with you.  It’s also common to feel blue when sick, especially if healing isn’t quick.  For such cases, a full regimen of anti-depressant herbs and supplements, such as Glutamine, Glycine, Tyrosine, P5P, St. John’s Wart, are beneficial
9.  Be certain to change your homeopathic treatment as your symptoms change.  Often patients will be on one specific remedy for the cold or flu and then stay on it for the recovery period, or worse yet, discontinue it after they feel better.  But you need to consult with your Classical Homeopath, so that he may track your symptoms and adjust your homeopathic remedy as the symptoms are changing.  You often have to change homeopathic remedies every day or every other day to keep up matching the symptoms. 
10.  Even if you must resort to antibiotics or over the counter cold and flu medications, continue your herbal and homeopathic regime.  This is very important.  Using Western and homeopathics simultaneously is beneficial, not conflicting, but there is an art to mixing the two.  Your Homeopath can teach you how to use both optimally.  Often you can maximize the use of a prescription drug when you know which herbs or homeopathics to use, which may also enable you to heal quicker with fewer prescribed drugs.  Many such drugs can cause toxicity and sluggishness in the liver, making it that much harder to fight the virus or bacteria.  But never hesitate to take a Western medication when indicated!
11.  Receive an acupuncture treatment as quickly as possible during the recovery phase.  Acupuncture has been shown to lesson recovery time by improving the overall function of the immune system and helping the body detoxify. Follow these suggestions and I assure you a speedy, full recovery in as quick of time as is humanly possible. 

Protocols for Common Childhood Ailments:

1.  Acute Asthma:  Wheezing, tight chest, difficulty exhaling
*Begin with Open Air formula
*Add Chest Relief if needed
*Add Windbreaker if cathcing a cold
*Select the appropriate homeopathic, such as Aconite
*Assess for Acute emotional trauma:  Rescue Remedy might be indicated

2.  Chronic Asthma:  Wheezing on exertion, tight chest, difficulty inhaling
*Begin with Deep Breath for more chronic wheezing problems
*Add Chest Relief if also has cough or phlegm
*Add Grow and Thrive to support the system and strengthen immunity
*Select the appropriate homeopathic, such as Phosphorus, Kali Phos or Phosphoric Acid
*Check for allergies, food and airborne

3.  ADD/OCD or other Anxiety or Hyperactive Symptoms:
*Begin with Quiet Calm formula for sleep, hyperactivity and anxiety or phobia
*Add Grow and Thrive to strengthen the system
*Add Fish Oils
*Perform urine test to determine which neurotransmitters are out of balance
*Consider homeopathic Mag phos, Kali phos, Coffea Crude or Ignata
*Consider 5HTP or GABA

4.  ADD/ADHA - Inattentive type ADD - easily distracted and trouble with focus
*Use Quiet Calm to start
*Add Fish Oils and the correct constitutional homeopathic to help with focus
*Consider the Urine test to determine which neurotransmitters are off

5.  Allergies:  Sneezing, stuffy and runny nose, itchy eyes, scratchy throat
*Begin with Windbreaker
*Add Chest Relief for cough or phlegm
*Add Open Air for wheezing or acute cold
*Try homeopathic Wyethia, Sulphur, Aconite or Allium Cepa
*Often Fish Oils, Zinc, Vitamin C will boost the immune system and help with allergies

6.  Acute Cold or Flu
*Begin with Windbreaker and Phlogisticlean
*Use Phlogisticlean for ear infections
*Add Chest Relief for coughing
*Add Purge Heat for fever
*Use Chinese herbal ear drops
*Add homeopathic Belladona for high fever, or Aconite for sudden onset fever
*Supplement with Zinc and Vitamin C for immune balance