Breaking up is hard to do...

This article has been sourced from Homeopathy Plus! and edited slightly.

Almost everyone is affected by a relationship ending at some time or another. When we are, it is normal to experience a rollercoaster of emotions such as weeping and sobbing, hysteria, irritability, anger or violence, seeking revenge, loss of confidence, feeling humilitated, needy or dependent, blame, wanting to be alone or experiencing the feeling of loneliness, sadness or depression...

Most of these emotions arise from feelings of grief, loss and disappointment. Some are less healthy than others but homeopathy can help bring perspective, enabling negative emotions to be processed in a healthier manner. The right homeopathic remedy will lead to faster recovery and reduce the risk of emotional trauma turning into a physical problem.

The following five are frequently used by homeopaths for numerous physical and mental-emotional symptoms, including those arising from a relationship breakup – and you can use them too. Just choose the one that best matches your symptoms. A link to instructions on how homeopathic remedies should be used for acute problems, including emotional distress, can be found at the end of the list.

Ignatia amara (Ign.) for Recent Breakups

Ignatia is the main remedy for acute grief or disappointment. Those who need Ignatia are emotionally sensitive, romantic, and idealistic. Grief or disappointment occurs when there is a mismatch between these idealistic expectations and reality. As a result, it is frequently needed by teenagers, especially girls, but it works equally well for males and those older when its symptoms are present. Behaviour can be hysterical or changeable. There may be indignation, anger, outbursts and recriminations. Crying in public will be avoided, preferring to wait until alone. Weeping can involve convulsive sobbing. There will be brooding and sighing and a lump may be felt in the throat. The heartbroken person may refuse to eat or threaten suicide if the relationship cannot be continued. Consider Ignation when there is indignation, anger, sighing, sobbing, wanting to be alone.

Natrum muriaticum (Nat-m.) for Old Breakups

Nat-mur is the main remedy for the chronic effects of old and hidden grief. It is for relationship breakups from which the person has never recovered. This type of person keeps the pain to themselves, preferring to build an emotional wall around their heart to stop it being hurt again. They easily feel rejected and humiliated, want to be alone and have the reputation of being a loner. As a result, they seem closed or unfriendly though in reality they are very sensitive to the suffering of others. When they cry they cry alone because they hate being comforted or consoled – it will even make them angry. Crying may lead to deep sobs. Cold sores can be a common physical complaint and there may be either a strong craving or dislike for salt. Consider Nat mur when the person is reserved or depressed, suffers in silence, wants to be alone, craves or dislikes salt.

Phosphoric Acid (Ph-ac.) for Weakness and Lethargy

Those who need Phos-ac. become indifferent, apathetic or physically weak following a relationship breakdown. They want to be alone, their emotions become ‘frozen’ and they suffer in silence. They also lack energy, feel exhausted, and are prone to physical problems triggered by their grief. Refreshing things such as juices and fruit may be craved. Considering Phos-ac when the person becomes physically and emotionally feeble, not wanting to talk or be with company.

Pulsatilla pratensis (Puls.) for Feeling Unloved and Abandoned

Those who need Pulsatilla following a breakup feel abandoned and forsaken. They crave love and sympathy and are much better for having a shoulder to cry on. They love being comforted or consoled and will cry openly, gently and sweetly. Hugs and cuddles are appreciated and they don’t mind being dependent in their time of need – they just want to be looked after. Moods may be changeable and they are prone to jealousy or irritability if they don’t get the comfort they crave. Consider Pulsatilla when the person cries openly, craves and feels better for sympathy and physical affection, and is dependent and needy.

Staphysagria (Staph.) for Suppressed Anger

Staphysagria can be used for a breakup when the relationship involved physical or mental-emotional abuse. The person is often gentle, selfless and romantic but overly compliant and yielding. As a result, feelings of humiliation, mortification, and indignation are likely. Anger is suppressed though there may be the occasional explosive outburst during which the person may throw things. Stammering or shaking with emotion (especially anger) is common and physical problems may include styes and urinary tract infections. Consider Staphysagria when the relationship has been abusive and humiliating, the person is gentle and yielding, and anger is suppressed.

Fish on the Menu?

Some "vegetarians" still occasionally eat fish. It is important to realise that fish do feel pain. Increased heart rate, increased breathing rate, adrenaline rush, writhing and gasping are all clear indications that they are under stress. They display similar signs to how a human would feel when threatened in a dangerous situation.

Fish feel pain out of a biological necessity. They have a brain, central nervous system and pain receptors all over their bodies. The ability to feel pain is a survival mechanism. They produce endorphins and enkephalins, which are known to counter pain in humans.

Scientific reports substantiate this information and underscore the cruelty and suffering related to catching and killing fish.

Ref. The Fish Business, Animal Aid UK

Hunger and Vegetarianism

It takes 7.27kg of grain to produce 454g of edible beef. Cattle in feedlots consume an amt of food equivalent to the calorie requirements of 8.7 billion ppl...

Ref. New Vegetarian and Natural Health mag, Winter 2005, pg. 43

Stopping Whaling and Environmental Hypocrisy

The meat industry is one of the most ecologically destructive industries on the planet. The raising and slaughtering of pigs, cows, sheep, turkeys, chickens and other animals not only ties up vast areas of land and uses vast quantities of water but is a greater contributor to greenhouse gas emissions than the automobile industry.

In a world that is fast losing resources of fresh water, it is sheer lunacy to have hundreds of millions of cows consuming over 3780 litres of water for every 0.45kg of beef produced.

Most people don't want to see where their meat comes from. They also don't want to know what impact their meat has on the ecology. They would rather just deny the whole thing and pretend that meat is something that comes in packages from the supermarket. But because there is this underlying guilt always present, it manifests as anger and ridicule towards people who live the most environmentally positive lifestyles on the planet, vegetarian lifestyles.

The truth is, you can't practise solid and constructive conservation work without promoting vegetarianism as something that is important in conserving resources.

For any human to describe themselves as a 'carnivore' is just plain ridiculous. Humans are not and never have been carnivores. A lion is a carnivore, as is a wolf, a tiger and a shark. Carnivores eat live animals. They stalk them, they run them down, they pounce, they kill, and they eat - blood dripping - meat at body temperature. Nature in the raw. I've never met a human who can do that. Yes, we've found ways to run down animals and kill them. In fact we've become quite efficient at it. But we can't eat it until we've cut it up and cooked it. A true carnivore does not thrive on cooked meat.

What is the point of taking shorter showers or not hosing the garden when you consume thousands of litres of water everytime you sit down to a steak? We see our contradictions only when it is convenient to do so, continuing to eat meat because it tastes good.

To be a conservationist and an environmentalist you must practice and promote vegetarianism or veganism. It is the lifestyle that leaves the shallowest ecological footprint - it uses fewer resources and produces less greenhouse gas emissions, is healthier and it means you're not a hypocrite. In fact a vegan person driving a hummer would be contributing less greenhouse gas carbon emissions than a meat-eating person riding a bicycle.

Extracts by Paul Watson, pg. 56-57, Natural Health and Vegetarian Life magazine, Summer 2007/08. Paul Watson is founder and President of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. His ships are all run as vegan vessels so not be hypocritical.

Caffeine

According to the Stash Tea Company, comparisons of caffeine containing products are as follow:

Ordinary coffee - 40 to 170mg in a small 150ml cup
A can of cola - 30 to 60mg
Black tea, one tea bag - 25 to 110mg
Green tea, one tea bag - 8 to 30mg
White tea, one tea bag - 6 to 25mg
Herbal tea - none

Studies show that tea's antioxidant benefits are only benefical when the tea is served milk free.

Benefits of Seeds

Flax seeds - contains high amounts of alpha-linolenic acid and benefits include lowering of total cholesterol, blood triglyceride and blood pressure. The seed is rich in lignan, one of the major classes of antioxidant phytoestrogens. Research suggests that lignan may play a role in cancer prevention, esp breast cancer. Studies show positive benefits of flax seed oil in irritable bowel disease and to help heal the inner lining of the inflammed intestines.

Pumpkin seeds - a good source of iron, zinc, essential fatty acids, potassium and magnesium. They may help promote good prostate health. Pumpkin seeds are also excellent for treating parasites.

Sesame seeds - are very good sources of manganese, copper, calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, vitamin B1, zinc and fibre. They also contain lignans, sesamin and sesamolin. Sesamin has been found to protect the liver from oxidative damage.

Sunflower seeds - are an excellent source of vitamin E and are rich in linoleic acid (an omega-6 fat).

By Mark Berriman, pg. 45, Natural Health and Vegetarian Life magazine, Spring 2007

Benefits of Nuts - part two

Almonds - approx 30g of almonds provide 85% of the recommended daily amt of vitamin E, a fat-soluble antioxidant.

Brazil nuts - rich in selenium, a vital antioxidant mineral which works well with vitamin E in helping to prevent heart disease. Two nuts per day provide most of your selenium needs. They also provide vitamin E and B.

Cashews - a source of magnesium needed for strong boness and 15 a day is adequate (if you can restrict yourself to only that many of this yummy nut!)

Chestnuts - contain about 50% water, are high in complex carbohydrates and contain high quality protein. Once cooked their creamy-white flesh is similar in texture to roast potate with a delicate sweet flavour.

Hazelnuts - contain significant amounts of B vitamins including folic acid and B6, and are the highest in fibre of all nuts. The average daily handful recommended is 20 hazelnuts.

Macadamia - contains a large amount of healthy monounsaturated fats. Do not feed them to dogs due to the risk of muscle weakness.

Pecans - contain a number of essential nutrients and a good number is 15.

Pine nuts - are edible seeds of the pine tree and are removed from the pine cones. They contain zinc, niacin (vitamin B3), manganese and arginine. An average serve is two tablespoons.

Pistachios - with their recognisable green colour the pistachio is the only edible nut that doesn't need to be shelled before roasting. Related to the almond, peach and nectarine family, pistachios are split down the middle. They are rich in protein and contain good levels of vitamin E. A good daily serve is 30g.

Walnuts - contain the most alpha-linolenic acid (a short chain omega-3 fat) of the nuts, vitamin E, potassium, iron and manganese. Walnuts are great for your heart and 10 whole walnuts is a good daily serve.

by Mark Berriman, pg. 45, Natural Health and Vegetarian Life magazine, Spring 2007