Depending on your preference and comfort level, the practitioner will place his or her hands just below your naval and the Reiki energy will begin to flow. If at any point you feel uncomfortable with hands-on therapy, you must voice this out immediately. Most Reiki practitioners have done the Second degree course which enables them to give distance healing. In addition, they will always seek permission from you before placing their hands on your body.

Reiki is intelligent and will work only towards your highest and greatest good. Reiki directs itself automatically to the part that requires the healing. For example, if you are having a bad bout of cold along with the menstrual cramps, the therapist will not consciously need to direct the Reiki to your nose and lungs.

The energy will stimulate your body’s own innate healing powers so that you can experience relief quickly and easily. Some individuals do report that after receiving Reiki, certain pent-up emotions, that they thought they had put behind them, resurfaced. It is likely that the pain was due to suppression of these very emotions. Hence, it is not possible to predict how Reiki will work for you and the course it will take. What is important to keep in mind is that Reiki will always work towards the outcome that is best for you.

If you are specifically seeking treatment for menstrual cramps, you may experience a more profuse flow of menstrual discharge in the same period or the next one, after receiving Reiki. Discharges are the body’s natural and most efficient way of eliminating toxins. Some individuals may also observe a change in the colour of their menses. These changes are part of the healing process. Hence, do not be alarmed by them. Always keep your Reiki practitioner well-informed about your progress and concerns.

Yes, modern life demands a lot from us. Work commitments, ferrying the kids around, managing the house – there is a constant struggle for time. Unfortunately, in this struggle, we are conveniently ignoring the message our body is trying to convey to us. Pain is not something to be palliated with medicines. In metaphysical terms, it is our body’s way of telling us that something is wrong in our thought process and the way we see ourselves.

Intense menstrual pain is a sign that we are not fully accepting our feminine energy and processes. Look around us, and we will see more and more women who are aggressive, competitive, driven – they are epitomising the qualities traditionally seen in men. It is as though the feminine energies encompassing nurturance, sensitivity are not allowed to express itself.

How many times have we met a woman and thought, “She is just like a man.” Or how many times have we looked at our women bosses at work and wondered, “I wonder how she behaves with her husband and kids at home?”

Ask one of these women, and chances are they will be having some disturbance in their reproductive organs, either in the form of intense menstrual pain, irregular menses, cysts, fibroids, infertility, etc.

Some of you may be wondering, at this point, whether I think women should not have a career mindset. Of course not! It is indeed important for us to harness our full potential and realise all our dreams, but we must strive towards this whilst staying in touch with our inner self. It is not required for us to embody male characteristics just to move ahead in life. Being attuned to our feminine side and success are not mutually exclusive.

All we need to do is take love, a nurturing nature and sensitivity to our work place, every day.

Perhaps this month, when you get intense cramps, just take a minute and think about how you see yourself as a woman. Get in touch with your feminine side. Simple awareness can take away some of the pain and discomfort.

In the next post, you can read about how reiki and homeopathy can help relieve menstrual pain.

Love, Mariya

Many times, we are conscious of these negative emotions but are unable to come out of its vicious grip. Although it is difficult, we must make an effort to overcome this negativity as our body is unable to cope with the stress it creates. Emotions such as anger, jealousy and hatred manifest physically as allergies, inflamed or burning skin eruptions (pimples, boils, allergies) and may even show as a violent fever. In the long run, such negativity takes its toll on the lymphatic system, thus impairing immunity.

A Bach Flower Remedy that is excellent in such situations is Holly. It helps to re-establish inner balance and harmony in a person who has been thrown off-balance due to rage. The remedy can be taken dropwise up to 4 times a day for about 3 weeks.

Holly is suitable for angry outbursts and outward display of bitterness. However, if a person bottles up the negativity and keeps everything inside, Willow is a more suitable remedy. It is very appropriate for situations where there is unspoken resentment which you would like to gently rid yourself of. Willow can be taken in the same dosage as Holly.

It is important to allow the grieving process to take its course, but if it extends years and severely hampers one’s ability to carry on with life, help is required.

Many a times, people complain of long-standing aches and pain, chronic migraines, perpetual fears and anxieties for which they do not have a definite cause. It is almost as though they cannot remember a time without the pain. Upon further questioning, they finally come to realise that their complaints started after the death or parting of a loved one.

The inability to come to terms with loss is a very common cause of various ailments. In homeopathy, there some excellent remedies to balance a person’s vital force in such situations since it takes into account the whole person and not just the physical symptoms.

Please consult a qualified practitioner if you are considering homeopathic treatment . Do not attempt to self-medicate in this situation as a delicate handling of your constitution is required.  A homeopathic practitioner will not just prescribe on the sense of loss but will take into consideration your totality before prescribing a remedy.

If you are not yet ready to see a practitioner, you may want to consider Bach Flower remedies to aid you in your healing. Since flower remedies are selected simply based on current emotions and feelings, no prior medical knowledge is required. Hence, they are excellent for self-healing.

Some suitable Bach Flower Remedies:

Star of Bethlehem – This is the chief remedy for shock, trauma and grief. It is very effective when the trauma seems to overwhelm one’s existence and cannot be released. This is the first remedy to be given when one receives shocking news. This will give the person strength to absorb the shock and maintain equanimity.

Walnut - This is the remedy that helps with adjustment and change in life after any major event. It breaks any negative link with the past and allows a person to positively adapt to situations. This should be considered when a person is going through a transitional phase after experiencing a loss.

Honeysuckle – The key use of honeysuckle is to help one come out of a lost relationship. There is a lot of longing for past relationships or life situations and the person is unable to focus on the present. This is also a very effective remedy when one is distressed about the loss of youth, health and or beauty.

The above-mentioned remedies may be taken in combination for about 3 weeks. The recommended dosage is 3-4 drops, 4 times daily at regular intervals.

Part 4: Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea is a cause for confusion and concern to many parents. It is important to understand that diarrhoea in babies is a little different from that in younger children and adults. Normally, a person is said to be experiencing diarrhoea when there is a passage of loose, watery stools at least more than 3 times a day. However for babies, especially newborns, there is a tendency to have very frequent bowel movements, up to five times a day. Generally, babies who are breast-fed will pass stools more often than the babies on formula milk.

The trick is to note the appearance of the stools.  In diarrhoea, your baby’s stools will be watery, smelly and will contain mucus. This may be accompanied with a fever and your baby may also loose some weight.

The causes of diarrhoea in babies are varied. Your baby could simply be allergic to something in the diet. The most common is milk allergy. If you suspect that your baby could be allergic to formula milk, try opting for a lactose-free alternative. Also ensure that the formula milk is prepared in a clean environment as babies are particularly sensitive to germs. Other causes include the use of antibiotics – either given to the baby or taken by the mother who is breast-feeding. Generally, babies who are breast-fed are less likely to have diarrhoea as some components in mother’s milk keep the digestive track in optimum state.

In diarrhoea, the most important thing is to ensure that your baby continues receiving enough fluids. Do not stop breast-feeding or giving formula milk if it suits your baby.

If the diarrhoea lasts more than a few days or if your baby develops symptoms such as dry lips or decreased urine, consult your doctor immediately.

The anti-diarrhoeal medication for adults cannot be given to babies as it comes with side-effects.

Homeopathy presents several remedies that are specific for diarrhoea in babies. Once again, it is important to match your baby’s symptoms with that of the remedy.

Suggested remedies:

Chamomilla 30 – The stools are green, watery and sour smelling. The baby screams in pain and wants to be carried all the time.

Magnesia Carb 30 – The stools are green and frothy, like a frog pond’s scum. There is undigested milk in the stools. The diarrhoea occurs every three weeks.

Phytolacca 30 – This remedy is specific for diarrhoea during dentition. The baby bites the teeth and jaws are firmly clenched.

Now you may wonder what role Reiki plays in all of this.

Everything around us, from plants and animals to inanimate objects, has its own unique energy frequency. Just as it is possible to place our hands on an injury for the purpose of healing, it is also possible to send Reiki to our food in order to enhance its life-force energy and reduce the negativity present in it.

This is great, especially when eating fast food and indulging in some unhealthy food cravings. By flooding it with Reiki, we increase the nutritional value that is already present in the food. But… don’t use this as a convenient excuse to indulge in junk foods all the time!

Sending Reiki energy to our abdominal region after a meal enhances the digestive processes in our body. In this way, food is better assimilated.

Many practitioners also Reiki their food while cooking or preparing it. In this way, the ingredients are energised, thus enhancing the overall flavour in addition to the nutritional value of the dish.

It is also beneficial to energise your medicines with Reiki before taking them. Personally, I make it a point to send some Reiki energy to any remedy that I prescribe or take. Since homeopathic and Bach Flower remedies are energy based, sending some Reiki simply enhances the curative powers of the medicines. This also extends to the vitamin pills and western medication that we take.

These are just some of the creative uses of Reiki. To put it simply, it is a healing energy that can benefit every aspect of our lives.

At some point in time, all of us have doubted our own abilities and had sleepless nights tossing and turning, thinking about the next day’s exam or interview… despite being well prepared for the task and knowing “deep down” that everything is under control.

For those of you who have school-going children, you may  have noticed that your child suddenly develops colds, coughs or even diarrhoea just around the time of an important test or exam. Besides school-related tasks, children also tend to experience the same type of nervousness before a visit to the doctor or dentist. Even for adults, there is the common butterflies-in-the-stomach feeling that precedes a big event.

There are some very effective homeopathic remedies that can help calm your nerves, ease tension and help you in concentrating better on the tasks at hand so that you are able to harness your full potential rather than waste energy fretting and worrying about it.

Some suitable remedies for performance anxiety

Argentum Nitricum 30c – This remedy is very useful for fears and nervousness before a big event such as an interview, performance, speech or exam. The person feels as though time is passing very slowly. The memory becomes weak due to  nervousness.

Gelsemium 30c – This remedy is effective for cold, coughs, diarrhoea and other ailments that are due to emotional excitement, such as fear, nervousness or bad news. The person feels weak and may even tremble.

Kali Phos 6x – This is a nerve remedy that is very good for overworked individuals. It is excellent for sleeplessness before the big day.

Lycopodium 30c – The characteristic feature of Lycopodium is a lack of self confidence masked by an exterior of over-confidence. The person will have gastric or digestive disturbances stemming from the nervousness. Little things tend to annoy.

Part 3: Colic

Sleeping, drinking milk and…crying are all part of a baby’s daily routine, especially in the first three months. However, if your baby keeps crying for more than three hours a day, without any apparent reason, chances are that he or she could be experiencing colic. By definition, colic is a condition in which an otherwise healthy baby cries or screams frequently and for extended periods without any discernible reason. Scientists have suggested an immature digestive system, lactose intolerance or even anxiety in breastfeeding mothers as possible causes for colic in babies but there is no established reason for this.

Generally, gripe water is the preferred remedy for many parents. It is a natural remedy that contains herbs such as dil, fennel, chamomile and ginger. Before purchasing a bottle of gripe water, it is necessary to check the ingredients’ list for the absence of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) as this is not an ideal substance for your baby’s delicate system.

Baking soda is alkaline in nature and can upset the acid balance in your baby’s stomach in addition to producing other unwanted side effects. Thus, it is necessary to make an informed choice when selecting a suitable brand of gripe water for your baby.

There are several natural remedies that are excellent for your baby’s colic. The key to finding the right remedy is to match the symptoms of your baby with that of the remedy. If you are unsure, please seek the advice of a qualified homeopath.

Some suitable remedies for Colic

Mag Phos 30c – Abdominal pain that is relieved by massage, warm application and pressure. Your baby’s abdomen could be bloated.  There is release of gas but it does not relief the pain.

Chamomilla 30c – Your baby is extremely irritable and pacified only when carried about and petted constantly. The cheeks are red and there is hot perspiration. The stools are green.

Rescue Remedy is a combination of five Bach Flower remedies that is useful in any emergency situation when there is not enough time to select a specific remedy. If your baby is incessantly crying, take four drops of the stock solution and mix it in a bottle of water. Give this to your baby in sips until he or she is calmer.

Part 2: Diaper Rash

While changing your baby’s nappy or diaper, you may have come across redness and tenderness on the buttocks and the surrounding area. This irritation is commonly known as diaper rash. There are many reasons for this, with the most common ones being prolonged exposure to a soiled diaper and use of new products.

The diapers that we use nowadays have very good absorption power. Hence, you may not find it necessary to change your baby’s diaper frequently. However, no matter how dry your baby may feel, it is necessary to change the diaper at least six times a day as exposure to a soiled diaper causes irritation and discomfort.

The wipes, powders and lotions that you use on your baby must be safe and gentle. In addition, some babies are sensitive to the detergents that are used to wash their cloth diapers. Hence, it is necessary to be mindful of these things that we may generally deem as insignificant.

Dietary changes may also contribute to diaper rash. This could happen when you introduce solids to your baby’s diet or if you are breast-feeding, it could be a response to changes in your own diet.

You must be extra mindful if your baby has been given a course of antibiotics as this generally upsets the balance of the good bacteria in the body, thus causing diaper rash. This also applies if you have taken antibiotics when breastfeeding your baby.

An excellent homoeopathic remedy for diaper rash is Calendula Q. This is available in cream form and should be applied to the affected areas each time you change your baby’s diaper. The rash should disappear in a couple of days.

Part 1: Fever

A fever is our body’s natural way of coping with an infection. However, when a baby is down with a fever, there is a different level of fear and anxiety that pervades the home environment. As a concerned parent, you may fail to realise that although your baby may be in discomfort, a fever is the body’s way of combating an infection. Thus, it should be allowed to take its course. By giving your baby medicines to suppress the fever, you are actually not allowing your baby’s immune system to work for him or her.

As parents, it is necessary for you to consider carefully the therapies that you choose for your baby as the side-effects of some Western medication can leave a life-long impression on your child’s health and immunity.

Instead of turning to anti-fever medicines immediately, it is important to first determine the cause of the fever and monitor your baby’s temperature regularly. Be sure to seek the help of a doctor to ensure that your baby is going through a regular fever. Once you are sure of the diagnosis, it is best to be patient and choose therapies that can aid your baby’s immune system, rather than suppress it by resorting to a “quick fix”.

Homeopathic remedies work beautifully in boosting your baby’s immune system and gently bringing down the fever, without any element of suppression. These remedies work by restoring the balance in the vital force, thus enabling the baby’s own immune system to fight the infection. In identifying the correct homeopathic remedy, it is important to match your baby’s symptoms with that of the remedy.

Some Suitable Remedies for Fever

Aconite: Common name: Monkshood Homeopathic Remedy: Aconitum Napellus If your baby is down with a high fever that comes on suddenly, especially after exposure to cold, Aconite is a suitable remedy. This is accompanied with a flushed face, great restlessness and profuse sweat.  Your baby may also be very clingy. A very good remedy in the early stages of fever.	Aconite
Belladonna: Common name: Deadly Night-Shade Homeopathic Remedy: Atropa Belladonna Redness is the key characteristic in Belladonna fevers. The fevers are intense and your baby’s face will appear bright red and skin, hot and dry. The tongue will be strawberry red.	Belladonna
Chamomilla: Common name: Chamomile Homeopathic Remedy: Chamomilla This is also known as “The Children’s Remedy” in homeopathy. If your baby’s fever is due to diarrhoea, ear-aches or other infections, Chamomilla is the remedy of choice. Your child will feel better when carried around.	Chamomilla

In the next post, you can read about Natural Therapies for Diaper Rash.