Best Herbs For Stress

TIP: Be sure your home accommodates your cat’s needs, by creating an environment that provides a natural lifestyle for your cat.

This involves learning to read your cat’s “body language” and requires consistency, lots of love and plenty of patience. For most cats, training is well worth the effort and helps prevent many behavioral problems from developing later in life.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

If you are lucky enough to start out with a kitten, teaching her good habits from day one is your best bet. The minute she walks through your door, by giving her a toy to play with, a post to scratch and a litter box to use, you are teaching her what is appropriate to play with and scratch and where it’s acceptable for her to do her business.

Using positive reinforcement helps achieve the best results. Observe your cat’s natural behaviors; figure out what she likes the most; a toy, treat, or love and use that to reward correct behavior.

If you see your kitten doing something dangerous use negative reinforcement to stop her right away so she doesn’t hurt herself. For example, if she’s chewing on a toxic plant immediately redirect her attention to an appropriate toy or activity. Your kitten must not associate you with the unpleasant stimulus or she might blame you or become afraid of you. This way, she’ll blame the item used i.e. the whistle or water.

Despite our best efforts, problems arise that can not be prevented and require treatment.

Medical conditions that may be responsible must be eliminated first by your vet. Generally a thorough physical exam with or without laboratory tests is required. Referral to a Behavioral Specialist is the next step. A written, detailed history is essential. An at home visit is best, but telephone consults are an option. Behavioral specialists try to pinpoint the exact problem and the stimulus (what triggers the bad behavior) then make recommendations accordingly.

Methods used for behavioral modification vary according to the specific problem. A variety are available but a combination of physical (termed behavioral redirection) and medical intervention work best to resolve most problems. Physical methods, used include positive (toy, treat, love) and negative (loud noise, bell, whistle) reinforcements and obnoxious stimuli. Obnoxious stimuli are strong odors, like perfume that cats dislike. They are used to get cats to avoid certain items, furniture and areas by making them smell bad.

COMPLEMENTARY THERAPY

Four types of medications may be prescribed depending on the specific problem.

1. Antianxiety i.e. Valium

2. Mood Altering i.e. Buspar

3. Antidepressants i.e. Clomicalm

4. Mood Elevators i.e. Prozac, Paxil

HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES

It is important to try to prevent the cause of the stress as much as possible; this is not always possible. If your cat is injured in a fight, then Arnica Montana 6c (leopard’s bane) can bring relief.

BACH FLOWER REMEDIES

Use the Bach Flower Rescue Remedy which is made of flowers: cherry plum, clematis, impatiens, rock rose and star of Bethlehem to help calm down a stressed cat. Dose: 2-3 drops in mouth or food two to three times a day or 4 drops in the water if you are not going to be home.

Bach Flower Rescue Remedy Behavioral, Modification, Training

A behaviour that is very common to many children with ADHD is a sense of fearlessness. I recall my first experience of a pupil running on to the 4th storey roof of a pupil referral unit I once worked at. Heart in mouth, I watched as he scaled window sills and roofs to perch himself on the top of the roof. I discovered in a very short time that many children presenting with this condition follow similar patterns of behaviour and very often run to the highest places and spaces.

Another familiar scenario is leaping out of bedroom windows to the ground below, without any consideration of consequences, running off and dashing across the road without looking and the list of fearless behaviours grows.

As I can vouch, this often leaves onlookers in a state of disbelief and anxiousness regarding their safety.

Why do these children exhibiting ADHD behavior do this? Well the whole concept of fear and not learning through previous experiences is very interesting. Fear is a lower brain emotion and as these incredible young people appear to have their brain wiring routed in other pathways, these normal fear reactions do not even equate in the level of choices they make.

There is of course the thrill factor which is coupled with the satisfaction of them often being unable to be reached. The entertainment values of watching those around them stand with heart in mouth as I did and a sense of them being in control. They are also in the position of higher ‘authority’ when in this position.

Of course, it also represents an opportunity to escape the situation and isolate them from what is going on and is a behaviour which is often triggered by a stress situation. It is however worrying and perplexing for those who can only stand and watch.

So how can such ADHD behaviours be addressed in a natural way?

I would personally start with the Bach Flower remedies to support the emotional state.

Chestnut bud works with failure to learn from previous experience, combined with Rescue Remedy to deal with the stress that it is prompting the fight or flight reaction, Cherry Plum for losing control, vine for defiance and control and impatiens for impulsive behaviour and crab apple for compulsive or obsessive behaviours.

These remedies are safe and simple with no side effects have an emotionally calming effect.

Bach Flower Rescue Remedy Adhd, Children, climb, Natural, Remedies, roofs, Support, This

The holiday season is a time to celebrate the joys of family and tradition, as well as deeper spiritual mysteries. It can be a mixed blessing, however, even a time of despair, for some people.

As individuals and families grow older, holiday traditions can fail to keep pace. The death of a family member during the year can be poignantly felt all over again at Christmas time. It may be difficult to let go of a loved one and work through the grief of their passage. Flowers such Bleeding Heart and Sturt Desert Pea can help release the pain of these separations, while Forget-Me-Not is useful in keeping their memory alive in a healthy manner.

While there are numerous essences appropriate to depression, several are worth highlighting. Gorse is for despair and resignation, a sense of deep hopelessness. It moves one towards a feeling of faith and optimism. Sweet Chestnut is for even darker states of mind, when it feels like one has reached the end of their endurance. Sunshine Wattle also produces a sunny outlook when things look bleak. If the person is suicidal, Cherry Plum or Waratah can get them through the crisis without harming themselves or others. Sometimes the inner pain is less profound, a kind of alienation from all the celebration, an inability to get into the “holiday spirit.” Tall Yellow Top or Sweet Pea may give you a sense of belonging, again. And if you keep a smiling face while suffering inside, Agrimony can bring your inner and outer worlds into better harmony.

No family on earth is perfect, but some definitely produce more anger and resentment than love and acceptance. Such a setting is hardly the place to relax and feel at home. Many essences address these harsh emotions and other “petty” issues, but Dagger Hakea tops my list. It resolves the tangled web of resentments towards loved ones, allowing forgiveness and concern to take its place. I would also recommend Impatiens, Fuchsia and Scarlet Monkeyflower for anger. Calendula and Snapdragon can soften those who dish out their abuse verbally, while Star Tulip makes you a better listener.

Willow is for resentments from feeling unfairly treated, a kind of “poor me” syndrome. Unloving relationships between parents and children can poison the family for life. Consider Baby Blue Eyes or Red Helmet Orchid when dad is involved, Mariposa Lily or Dog Rose (from the Bush remedies) for mom. And of course, Holly for everyone!

Bach Flower Rescue Remedy Blues, Essences, Flower, Help, Holiday

What is the essence of a flower? It has been called by many names in many cultures: chi, life force, Spirit, the inner nature of the plant. The neutral term “energy” can be used to describe what it feels like when working with essences. When you buy a bottle of flower remedy, there is no material trace of the plant in the bottle (unlike an herbal tincture). Much like a homeopathic remedy, all that is in the brandy and spring water that makes it an essence is a kind of “energetic signature”, a memory of the personality or aura of a medicinal flower. Thus, Flower Essences are vibrational remedies made by capturing the energy or auric impressions of medicinal flowers in water. (Gem Elixirs are similar, except that minerals or crystals are used instead of flowers.)

Flower Essences work by imparting their healing vibrations to the person’s aura, causing a vibrational shift in the person’s energy patterns. Since “stuck” energy patterns are usually experienced as emotional or psychological “blocks”, the shifts produced by an essence can assist the person in removing these emotional blockages. Essences also make excellent spiritual growth tools when used over an extended length of time, as they have an uncanny ability to teach us what it means to be fully human.

How It Works?

Let’s trace the life energy from the flower to the bottle to the person. The life force in a plant is intelligent: it equips the plant with all the wisdom it needs to grow, reproduce, and respond to its environment. Each species has its own type of genius that gives it a characteristic shape, color, life cycle, ability to thrive in certain environments (and not others), even its medical qualities. An easter lily looks the way it does because its energy pattern causes living matter to assume this shape; a different plant is responding to some other pattern. The flower, in particular, is the most vibrant expression of this energy, since the plant is putting all its energy here to complete the reproductive act and continue the cycle of life. When the flowers are placed in the water under the sun, this energy is baked into the liquid, preserving a memory of the flower’s personality, and becomes an essence.

When this bottled essence is taken into the human body, the energy is released into your own energy field (the aura) and causes it to change. Something new is added to your aura; old patterns in the aura are rearranged and released. Each essence is experienced, in human terms, as a psychological or emotional force, a new psychic “theme” to integrate.

Bach Flower Rescue Remedy Essences, Flower, They

How Much to Take?

A dose of 4 to 7 drops should be placed on the tongue. Allow the essence to “dissolve” through the lining of the mouth — don’t swallow for 15-20 seconds.

How Often, How Long?

When using essences primarily for emotional or psychological growth purposes, you should repeat the dosage 2 to 4 times a day, spread out throughout the day. Taking the remedy morning and evening is an excellent rhythm. If the effect of the remedy is too intense, take the remedy less often (once or twice a day). This daily rhythm should be followed for 2 to 3 weeks. After 2 to 3 weeks, you can use the remedy on an “as needed” basis. Certain essences (e.g., Dandelion, Snapdragon, Ragweed) are used for more physical symptoms. Take the remedy to counteract the symptoms when you first notice them. Repeated doses may be needed in very acute situations, up to a dose every 15 minutes. Stop when the symptoms begin to subside and let your body handle it. Repeat only when symptoms appear, again.

Isn’t One Good Squirt Better Than A Few Drops?

No! More is not better with vibrational remedies. What is important is how often you repeat the dose, not how much you take.

Additional Tips:

If the remedy turns cloudy, it has probably been contaminated and should be discarded. With care, a remedy should last 3 years or more. Do not set the eyedropper down or touch it with your tongue, as this could cause contamination. Keep the bottle away from sunlight and hot temperatures. Do not open the bottle when perfumes, incense, or other strong odours are present. Avoid food, drink, smoking, or brushing your teeth for 15 minutes before and after taking the remedy (so your mouth is “clean”). This helps you absorb the essence easier. If the brandy used as a preservative is disagreeable, you can place 4 to 7 drops in a small glass of water or fruit juice. Sip this glass slowly, allowing the liquid to stay in your mouth awhile before swallowing.

Will An Essence Interfere With Other Remedies?

Generally speaking, essences are compatible with other herbs, drugs, or vibrational remedies. However, if you have a medical condition, it’s best to discuss using essences with a physician or flower essence consultant, as some remedies do have physical effects.

Bach Flower Rescue Remedy Essences, Flower, Them

Many people are helped with depression by medications and treatments, others are turned off by the medical approach. Fortunately, there are many alternatives available that can also have a positive healing effect. The ability of flower essences to cause shifts in people at the mental-emotional level makes them a natural choice for working with depression. However, the essences must be used wisely and carefully. There is no one “essence for depression”; each person’s situation is completely individual. Here are some impressions of various flowers that have been found to be helpful.

There are a number of flowers that directly address the emotional state of depression or deep resignation. The best known is Mustard, from the Bach Remedies. The emotional profile of deep gloom and lethargy, as though a dark cloud descended on the person, seems to fit many depression situations. Various degrees of hopelessness and despair are also covered by Gorse, Sweet Chestnut, and Wild Rose. If the person is suicidal or likely to “do something terrible”, I’d probably test out Cherry Plum (the “I’m out of control!” remedy) on them. States of panic or terror require other essences, such as Rock Rose (nicknamed “liquid Valium” for its soothing properties) or Grey Spider Orchid, to help the person regain their composure. Sometimes, Star of Bethlehem is called for (if they are “numbing out” or going into emotional shock), or Waratah (if this is an “emergency crisis” situation and you just want to pull them through the night). But dealing with the immediate emotions is only the first step.

In the wholistic approach, disease is always looked at as a message about what the person needs to be healthy and whole. This is especially the case with so-called psychological illnesses. It’s important to ask why the person is showing symptoms of depression. In many instances, the “blues” and lethargy of depression are hiding another emotion altogether, most frequently repressed anger. If there’s an underlying cause apparent, it makes more sense to remove the cause instead of “fighting” the symptoms that result. Many remedies are available to get at buried emotional states. The remedies Dagger Hakea, Mountain Devil, Fuchsia, and Scarlet Monkeyflower are high on the list of “anger formulas”.

The remedies Mariposa Lily, or Dog Rose may not make up for an unhappy childhood, but they can help the person to move on and learn to parent themselves. This level of self-acceptance is the gift of Pink Monkeyflower. There could be sexual overtones to the person’s emotional dilemma — Crab Apple, Easter Lily etc. would be options here. In short, almost anything could be an underlying cause, and practically any remedy could wind up being the “core” healing agent for the person.

The essences may not be the total answer for people with depression, but they can routinely produce much good. And that’s a beautiful gift to share with yourself. Sometimes, the turning point in depression is simply forgiving oneself for being human. Being human is not a sin, it’s simply the way we were born, so you might as well glory in it.

Bach Flower Rescue Remedy Depression, Essences, Flower, Help, Overcome

Although many flower essences may be bought in stock bottles at a store, it is possible to make them from scratch in your own backyard or nearby environs. In fact, this was Dr. Bach’s original intent. The materials needed are simple and easily obtainable and it only takes a few hours time. Making a new essence is fun and rewarding.

When making an essence, care should be taken to identify the flower as to correct species. References (such as the Peterson Field Guides) are helpful in this. The most common technique for making flower essences is the “sun infusion” method. For this, you need the following in your essence making kit.

Your Essence Making Kit

* Warm, sunny weather (spring to late summer). You will need uninterrupted sunshine from early morning to early afternoon (about 3-5 hours, usually). You should pick a place that is protected and somewhat secluded (so the emotional environment is controlled). An occasional cloud is not a problem, but considerably cloudiness (or shadows from trees or buildings) can noticably weaken the remedy.

* A glass pan without designs or patterns. It doesn’t have to be very big.

* Water. Preferably spring water, especially if it’s allowed to “charge up” in the sunlight first. If from a natural spring, be sure it is pollution-free! Tap water is not acceptable.

* Brandy (about 80 proof) to use as a preservative.

* Plants with the appropriate flowers. They should be at the peak of their bloom. Use only healthy looking flowers; avoid any that “feel” wrong intuitively. Don’t take too many flowers from a single plant.

* Scissors to cut the flowers.

* Storage bottles for storing the essence. Should be dark colored to protect the remedy.

* A funnel (preferably glass) for pouring liquids.

* A big pan or pot for sterilizing all equipment in boiling water. Stainless steel or ceramic is excellent; avoid aluminum or plastic at all steps of the process. All equipment should be sterilized about 20 minutes and air-dried before starting to make the essence.

The Sun Infusion Method

To make the essence, find “your spot” on that sunny morning near the flowers you will work with. You should be started by 8 or 9 o’clock in the morning, at the latest. As the person’s state of mind is considered important to the process, you should make sure the setting is peaceful and protected; your own emotional state should be calm and receptive. Place the pan on the ground and pour in enough water to cover the bottom (it doesn’t take much). Quartz crystals may be placed around the pan to focus the energies, but should not be placed in the pan (the remedy would pick up the crystal’s energies as well as the flower’s).

Next, pick the flowers and add them to the glass pan of water. You should “tune into the plant” before cutting any flowers, to sense which ones should be used. Ideally, cut the flowers and let them drop right into the pan, without touching or handling them. If this is infeasible cut them and transfer the flowers immediately to the pan, with a minimum of handling or waiting (no more than a minute or two). Cut enough flowers to cover the bottom of the pan. Choose flowers from a number of plants. And make sure to thank the plants for their gifts afterwards!

Return the pan to its “spot” and let it sit in the sun for 3 to 5 hours. It’s best to stay with the flowers throughout this stage of the process — gardening in the backyard is a good way to pass the time and stay in tune with the flowers. Let sit until early afternoon or until the flowers “feel tired” or “ready to wilt.” Remove the flowers (preferably with a leaf from the same plant, so you don’t touch the flowers or the water) and set them aside. Pour the water from the pan into a storage bottle (using the funnel); add an equal portion of brandy, as a preservative. The bottle should be shaken between your hands for a minute or two to “fix” the remedy.

Mixing Stock Bottles

The mother essence is rarely used by itself, but is diluted to the stock potency or medicine (dosage) bottle potency. To make a stock bottle, you need:

* One ounce eyedropper bottles, preferably dark colored. Sterilize all bottles!

* A mixture of 1 part brandy, 3 parts water (spring or distilled) for the inert carrier substance.

* 2 to 7 drops of the mother essence.

Put an ounce of the brandy/water in the bottle and add 2 to 7 drops of the mother essence. The exact number of drops is not too important, though some people love to argue about it. The bottle should be shaken in your hands for a minute or two (or until it “feels” done) to potentize the stock bottle. This “dilute and shake” technique is more or less the standard method in homeopathy for potentizing a remedy.

Many gems, minerals, and crystals have healing energies. These energies can be captured and administered by exactly the same techniques as used for flower essences. In fact, the only big change is to substitute “crystal” for “flower” in the instructions for the Sun Infusion method.

Bach Flower Rescue Remedy Essences, Flower, Them