Newsletter Archive
January 2010
Staying Fit in Winter – Hints and Tips from our Home Remedies booklet based on Anthroposophical Medicine
Prevention is better than cure – this traditional wisdom certainly applies to coughs and colds. Follow a few tips to stay healthy and keep your immune system strong through the winter cold. But if a cold should catch you unawares, there are many ways of restoring health quickly and naturally.
Body heat balance
“Keep warm” is the advice given by anthroposophical medicine – and this doesn’t just mean woolly socks. It is important to stimulate the body’s own warmth generation and to stabilise its heat balance, because this ensures a strong immune system. In this context, regular exercise in the fresh air such as jogging, brisk walking or just taking a stroll is beneficial, but if the weather is bad, curative eurythmy indoors offers a good alternative.
Another option is a body rub with WALA Solum Oel, an oil fragrant with lavender that will stimulate the body’s warmth organism because it contains peat extract which forms an invisible shield around the body and keeps outside influences such as wind and weather at bay.
Footbaths with increasing temperature
On cold days a footbath with increasingly hot water is especially pleasant and warms the organism right through. For this, take a sufficiently large bowl and fill with enough warm water (around 36 °C) to cover feet and legs up to the middle of the calf. Add a ready-to-use product such as Dr.Hauschka Sage Bath. Alternatively, WALA medicinal bath oils such as Rosmarinus, Oleum aethereum 10% (rosemary), Pinus pumilio, Oleum aethereum 10% (dwarf mountain pine) or Thymus, Oleum aethereum 5% (thyme) are also suitable. In this case, shake one tablespoon of oil with three tablespoons of cream in a closed container until a homogeneous emulsion is formed. This is then added to the water. Over a period of 10 to 15 minutes, gradually add enough hot water to this fragrant “oil and cream bath” to raise the temperature to around 40 °C, but don’t let it become unpleasantly hot. The rising steam also helps a footbath like this to warm the whole body very effectively. Then rinse the feet briefly with cold water and rub on WALA Kupfer Salbe rot to further stimulate the generation of warmth. The finely powdered copper oxide in this ointment stimulates the circulation from the subcutaneous tissue right down into the muscles, allowing a gently warming shield to form. Finally, to increase the effectiveness of the treatment lie down and rest for about 15 minutes, or at least as long as the time spent on the footbath.
Immune system
If you feel a cold coming on, give your immune system a little extra support with WALA Meteoreisen Globuli velati. These globules contain a metal and two mineral substances in homeopathically potentised form – iron from meteorites, phosphorus and quartz – which regulate the body heat balance, thus stimulating the immune system. They are useful for preventing and treating colds and are also suitable as follow-up treatment after such infections.
Treatment of infections
If the throat is affected, potentised deadly nightshade, found, for example, in WALA Apis Belladonna Globuli velati, has anti-inflammatory properties and can help alleviate mild inflammation. The practical WALA Echinacea Mund- und Rachenspray is a spray that can be applied directly to the affected areas of the throat to ease discomfort. Sage combats inflammation and calendula promotes healing, while echinacea strengthens the body’s immune system. Lemon neck compresses made by pouring a few drops of the medicinal oil WALA Citrus, Oleum aethereum 10% on to a cotton cloth and warming it have a beneficial effect if the throat is very sore and irritated. In addition, throat lozenges such as WALA Sage Pastilles soothe irritated mucous membranes.
If the cold has progressed to the nose, WALA Agropyron Globuli velati are called for. These globules contain the medicinal plants couch grass and dandelion, which regulate the fluid balance in the mucous membranes, and cinnabar which reduces inflammation of the upper airways. Inhaling hot steam can also bring relief. For this, add dried chamomile flowers to a bowl of hot water. The hot steam should be breathed in for a good 10 minutes, with a towel draped over the head and bowl so that the anti-inflammatory properties of the chamomile can take full effect.
Use WALA Nasenbalsam to rub on a sore nose. The barberry and blackthorn fruits contained in this balm have an astringent action due to their high concentration of fruit acids and tannins and can thus combat inflammatory processes. The natural essential oils of cajeput and eucalyptus loosen mucus and make it easier to breathe through the nose. Apply the nasal balm several times a day, especially in the evening, in and around the nostrils. WALA Nasenbalsam für Kinder is a similar balm for children, but does not contain essential oils, since the use of essential oils on or near the face is not recommended for children under two years of age. In infants and small children apply the cream only around the outside of the nostrils.
However, if the problem is a dry, tickly cough, WALA Archangelica comp., Globuli velati will help. These globules contain henbane and silver nitrate in potentised form and suppress the urge to cough. Other useful cough remedies, such as WALA Plantago Hustensaft, contain ribwort plantain. The composition of this medicine is rounded off with the addition of spruce, which has mucolytic properties, and butterbur, which is antispasmodic. The syrup contains no alcohol and is therefore particularly suitable for children. As an adjunct, the chest can be rubbed with WALA Plantago Bronchialbalsam, a balm containing larch resin and beeswax which forms a gentle, warming shield around the upper body. It aids expectoration (coughing up phlegm) and soothes irritated mucous membranes. A warm scarf wound around the chest over a cotton cloth reinforces this beneficial effect. If the sufferer does not have a temperature a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel and placed on the chest will help alleviate an aggravating cough.
How to take:
- Globuli velati (granules) should be allowed to dissolve slowly under the tongue 15 to 20 minutes before meals. After taking, do not eat or clean your teeth for at least a quarter of an hour, because the potentised preparations are absorbed through the mucous membrane of the mouth.
- The daily dose can also be stirred into half a glass of water which is then sipped over the course of the day. This alternative often has a greater effect on acute symptoms and has proved particularly effective for small children.
Prescribing information for the products cited (the indications are derived from the anthroposophical understanding of man and nature):
Agropyron Globuli velati
Indications: Respiratory infections in the region of the head such as common cold, sinusitis, tonsillitis and flu-like infections. Warning: This medicinal product contains sucrose and lactose.
Apis Belladonna Globuli velati
Indications: Incipient and chronically recurrent inflammatory conditions with or without fever, particularly those of the oronasopharynx and the skin, e.g. cellulitis involving the superficial layers of the skin (erysipelas), inflammation of the breast (mastitis), inflammation of the lymphatics (lymphangitis), inflammation of the middle ear (otitis media). Warning: This medicinal product contains sucrose and lactose.
Archangelica comp., Globuli velati
Indications: Inflammatory conditions of the airways, e.g. inflammation of the vocal cords (laryngitis), inflammation of the windpipe (tracheitis), dry tickly cough. Warning: This medicinal product contains sucrose and lactose.
Citrus, Oleum aethereum 10%
Active ingredient: Limonis aetheroleum 10 %. Indications: Stimulation of the toning and vitalising forces, e.g. in connective tissue weakness, prolapse, varicose veins, bronchial asthma.
Echinacea Mund- und Rachenspray (mouth and throat spray)
Indications: Harmonisation of the sensitivity organisation in the oropharyngeal region in acute and chronic inflammatory conditions of the mucous membranes and the tonsils and in patients with a lymphatic diathesis. Warning: Contains 18 % (v/v) alcohol.
Kupfer Salbe rot (red copper ointment)
Active ingredient: Cuprum oxydulatum rubrum. Indications: Harmonisation in conditions where there is disturbed integration of the warmth organism in the circulatory and metabolic-musculoskeletal system, e.g. in hypostatic disturbances of the peripheral venous system, spasms and cramps of the gastrointestinal tract, impaired renal function.
Meteoreisen Globuli velati
Indications: Flu-like infections, prolonged convalescence, general exhaustion. Warning: This medicinal product contains sucrose and lactose.
Nasenbalsam (nasal balm)
Indications: Harmonisation of the interaction of sensitivity organisation and life organisation in the region of the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx and the sinuses in conditions involving an impaired boundary formation and weakness of the life organisation, e.g. acute and chronic inflammation of the mucous membranes, tissue shrinking (atrophy), dryness and irritability. Warning: In rare cases wool fat can cause local skin reactions (e.g. contact dermatitis).
Nasenbalsam für Kinder (nasal balm for children)
Indications: Harmonisation of the interaction of sensitivity organisation and life organisation in the region of the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx and the sinuses in conditions involving an impaired boundary formation and weakness of the life organisation, e.g. acute and chronic inflammatory conditions, particularly in infants and children and in the case of particularly sensitive mucous membranes or a tendency to tissue shrinking (atrophy). Warning: In rare cases wool fat can cause local skin reactions (e.g. contact dermatitis).
Pinus pumilio, Oleum aethereum 10%
Active ingredient: Pinus pumilionis aetheroleum 10 %. Indications: Registered homeopathic drug for use in anthroposophical medicine, therefore without specification of a therapeutic indication.
Plantago Bronchialbalsam (bronchial balm)
Indications: Catarrhal, inflammatory disorders of the airways. Warning: Contains arachis (peanut) oil and wool fat. Wool fat can cause local skin reactions (e.g. contact dermatitis).
Plantago Hustensaft (cough mixture)
Indications: Harmonisation of respiratory and mucus-forming processes in catarrhal, inflammatory disorders of the airways and to promote coughing up of phlegm (expectoration), e.g. in bronchitis, pneumonia (bronchopneumonia), bronchial asthma. Warning: This medicinal product contains sucrose. If you are on a diabetes diet you must take the following into account: 1 tablespoonful (15 ml = 17.7g) of syrup is equivalent to 0.6 BE (= 7.1 g sugar). 1 teaspoonful (5 ml = 5.9 g) of syrup is equivalent to 0.2 BE (= 2.4 g sugar).
Rosmarinus, Oleum aethereum 10%
Active ingredient: Rosmarini aetheroleum 10 %. Indications: Stimulation of the warmth organism in metabolic weakness, disturbances of tissue nutrition and perfusion, rheumatic disorders, a general tendency to feel cold and to morning tiredness; toning of the circulation.
Solum Öl
Indications: Stimulation of the warmth organisation and harmonisation of the sensitivity organisation, e.g. in rheumatic diseases, sensitivity to changes in the weather, spinal syndromes and nerve pain (neuralgia). Warning: Cetyl stearyl alcohol and wool alcohols can cause local skin reactions (e.g. contact dermatitis).
Thymus, Oleum aethereum 5%
Active ingredient: Thymi aetheroleum 5 % Indications: Stimulation of the warmth organisation in acute respiratory infections and chronic hardening processes, e.g. acute and spastic bronchitis, adjunctive treatment of Sudeck's atrophy and rickets.
For information on risks and side-effects please read the pack insert and ask your doctor or pharmacist.
