News and Events

Almost daily I am asked about “What can I do about the Swine Flu?” There is an inundation of information for health care providers and consumers alike. How do we sort through it?

 
There are many layers one can look at. In the spiritual realm I see the Swine Flu represents the Dragon in the Time of Michaelmas. One author says as a collective culture we are waiting for an epidemic. In Anthroposophy one might say ‘Facing something like the Swine Flu is just the kind of work we as humans are meant to be doing.’

The dark forces of Kali Yuga cycling to Kali Satya, the materialism of the Mars energy transforming to the divinity of a new Mercury influence in the evolution of earth, or the end times of 2012 in the Mayan calendar amidst a country at war all stand at the back-drop of this affair.

The Swine Flu is nothing new…………….This piglet too has its recurring rhythm. And like the Earth whom historically has melted away her icecaps will too return to an ice-age. This is what happens on this planet. We are one giant petri dish. Somehow we all get to be together in this. The challenge is ‘How do we want to be with it?’ Do you and I want to be paranoid, in denial, swinging with our monkey-mind in the polarities of fear or rather stand in our personal collective power regardless of the outcome? It is well known in histories past that while clergy and healers amidst an epidemic who were immune to diseases as such, shared a belief of facing the fire with conviction, power, and positive intent.
The flu vaccine is not my personal preference. In the past I have resorted to saying perhaps it is good for the elderly and chronically ill, but then I think they are too weak to receive any vaccine. Some might think as a health care provider I am at increased risk too. I have been exposed to many harsh illnesses and it is rare that I get sick. I get sick when I become unbalanced. For instance if I’m forget to drink enough water the day before, or I feel an emotional stress, on top of seeing a patient with a virus or severe depression. When my terrain gets chaffed the dark forces come knocking.

I agree with many naturalists and allopathics alike that the Swine Flu Vaccine has been rushed and I am unsure of trusting the motives involved to bring it to the masses. Still I may have a patient who chooses these options. I hold no negative judgment. This is a choice and if so I often guide my patients to use Anthroposophic remedies to work with any harmful effects.

At this time of year or as with any shift toward illness in the larger community there are precautions I take for myself and family as well as taking the time to council patients.
1. Basic Nursing Care…….warmth, light, rhythm, and love. Rest is absolutely essential and natures best healer. REST at the first sign of illness, DON’T WAIT. Children under 7 need 10-12 hours of sleep each night. Akin to the guidance of our kindergarten teachers, 3 layers of clothing on top and 2 on the bottom. (Thank goodness for this Indian summer). If chilled take a bath. Epsom Salt, yellow mustard, baking soda or favorite oil (seek Anthroposophic Medicine provider for instructions about what may be in your kitchen for healing). Draw a leminscate in the water 7 times with a prayer each time to create a healing space. I also like sweating when possible in an Inipi Sweat Lodge or more commonly a sauna at home or in a gym would work. Make sure your home and environment can be ventilated and exposed to light. Our grandfather Sun has many more healing qualities than he gets credit for. Microbes don’t like this.
2. Prevention- Always use proper nutrition as your first medicine. I cannot emphasize this enough! I like the knowledge of the Weston Price Foundation and/or the cookbook Nourishing Tradition by Sally Fallon.
The following recommendations are basic and safe, yet not limited. For instance I often choose a different treatment plan from one person to the next. This does not preclude the advice of your health care provider. The joy of medicine for our patients is that there are so many great choices of providers for people to find a healer that prescribes to one’s liking and is a good fit respectively.

• Echinodoron tablets (Weleda pharmacy)
• Emergen-C packets. This is easy for children
• Mucococinnum or OTC oscillococcinum 1tab or vial per week in flu season.
• Higher doses of buffered Vitamin C. When the bowels are loose (metabolic system) it is difficult to maintain head (nerve-sense system) congestion. It helps flush our system. See health care provider for dosing.
• Travel remedy (Uriel pharmacy)/Airborne for flying or large public exposure.
• Cordiodoron (Weleda) 1-2 tabs twice daily to balance stress
• Lavender/moor oil (Hauschka) or Solum Aesculus Oil (Uriel pharmacy) for weather sensitivity and protection from unkind external forces.
• Vit D & antioxidants. Many reputable articles out there in support of this. See provider for dosing.
• Good probiotic. Studies have shown if the gut is well populated with good bacteria then the bad guys have a harder time setting up residence. Easiest is to ingest lacto-fermented foods such Kombucha, Kefir, or obtain good brand through your health care provider.
• Essential Fatty Acids- The good fats maintain a healthy circulation and nervous system. Coconut oil, flax seed, fish oils, etc. Good OTC is Nordic Naturals or from your health care provider.
• Sugar feeds bacteria and viruses. Natural Sugars only- agave, molasses, maple syrup, stevia, evaporated cane juice, honey if you must have sweets.
• Drink fresh filtered water ½ your weight in ounces each day.
• Eat a diet more alkaline based, like green veggies, green drinks, raw foods, wholesome soups. No white flour, processed foods.
• Osteopathic or Chiropractic care to maintain a healthy and oxygen-filled nervous system.
• Other body work to facilitate a balanced well being (Acupuncture, Massage, etc.)
• Live your life fully. Move and have fun. We all know that people with positive well-being weather adversity better.

3. Establish relationship with trusted health care provider. I like knowing my patients before something hits hard. In this way I can better assess the severity of a health change. Choose a provider who will take the time to address your questions and concerns. This is important to be better equipped to meet the unknown.

4. If you become sick: Consider using Ferrum phosphoricum (Weleda), Infludo (Weleda), Mucococcinum/Oscillococcinum. Liquid Echinacea or elderberry for children too (True Botanica or Seroyal pharmacies). For adults I have had good success with Bio-vegetarian (Priority One). Again, there are so many approaches and good products, if one is not working switch to invite the body to work with the remedy and illness. I look at a person’s constitution or tendencies for health and illness and provide treatment with Anthroposphic remedies. Actually it is a good idea to consult with your anthroposphic provider to obtain on-hand things that are good for you and your loved ones.

Above all, be sure your decision is born from a conscious place of centeredness, whatever decision you make. Make your decision out of a true and sincere vigilance instead of from denial or fear. It has been said the Earth has everything on her to heal whatever us humans encounter. Even so, my late Irish great-grandfather who lived through the swine flu in 1918 said those who died were the ones who went back to work too early or didn’t seek or receive proper nursing care.
With this in mind I suggest if you find yourself sick with the Swine Flu do not try to be a hero with yourself. If you think in the slightest you or a loved one is taking a turn for the worse seek your health care provider as soon as possible. It is quick and easy to assess a developing pneumonia or dehydration, which are the most common causes of death in an untreated flu.
I refuse to give into the majority response. I am neither laisser-faire. I feel concern about my children, especially my youngest who has a thin veneer. But it is to say I am aware and awake standing guard if it arrives.
Hopefully these reflections provide something of use for you and others.