Sage: (salvia officinalis) acne and oily skin, cuts, dermatitis, dandruff, gingivitis, gum infections, sores, asthma, antiseptic, eczema, gastric disorders, constipation, depression, diuretic, menopause, vertigo, flatulence, stimulant, leucorrhea and rheumatism, relieves itching, reduces sweating. Caution: Oil should not be used with alcohol; avoid with high blood pressure, epilepsy, early stages of cancer and stops milk in breast feeding mothers.

Sandalwood: (santalum album) oily, dry and mature skin, cracked and damaged skin, dehydrated skin, itching and inflammation of the skin, stomach disorders, flatulence, dyspepsia, urinary antiseptic, minor

bleeding, cystitis, depression, tension, insomnia, staph, chronic bronchitis, sore throats and irritating coughs.

Caution: Oil is toxic in excess, not to be used in cases of kidney disorders.

Tea Tree: (melaleuca altemifolia) acne and for many skin treatments, disinfectant for Candida and fungi, strong antiseptic, respiratory problems, immuno stimulant, cold, influenza, cold sores, blisters, thrush, shingles, chickenpox, wart.

Caution: Take care when using pure oil, irritant to mucus membranes if % is too high.

Thyme: (thymus vulgaris) Affects respiration, is an antiseptic, digestive stimulant, pulmonary disinfectant, insomnia, rheumatism, raises low blood pressure.

Caution: Avoid oil with high blood pressure.

Ylang Ylang: (cananga odorata) combination skin, balancing for dry and oily skin, promotes healthy hair, relaxation, insomnia, anxiety, depression, circulation, regulates heart, aphrodisiac, impotence, frigidity, sedative.

Caution: Avoid with low blood pressure. Excessive use may cause headaches and nausea.

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Essential oils are the volatile or end product of the plant metabolism. They are generated and stored by the plant in special cells and are extracted by steam distillation, cold pressing or effleurage – a form of extraction using fats. Scent globules can be found in different parts of the plant and this will influence the method of extraction such as flowers-rose, jasmine, neroli, roots-angelica, vetiver, seeds-anise, coriander, caraway, leaves-sage, geranium, thyme, bark-cinnamon, fruit rind- citrus oils and resin-sandalwood, frankincense.

Essential oils have various properties – antiseptic, anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal.

Essential oils are highly concentrated and one should not think that a higher dosage means better success in treatment. Essential oils can have negative side effects if over dosed. For treatments it is therefore advisable to make a blend from herbs which are beneficial for the illness. Every herb works at a different level and when you mix, for example four or seven herbs in a blend to treat an illness, the benefits of all herbs are combined and possible negative side effects of a single herb are reduced or eliminated.

Essential oils are fat soluble – when applied via the skin, through massage the essential oils can reach organs to be treated through the connective and lymphatic tissues, also the circulatory system . The molecular structure of essential oils is very fine and as such is able to penetrate the cell walls of the skin. They work very quickly. For example, garlic oil rubbed on the soles of the feet will be expired out by the breath 10 minutes later.

Plant oils and essences interact with certain areas of the brain which stimulate, balance, or have a sedating affect. They have shown to have a similar effect on the energy field that surrounds all of us. When an odour is inhaled it goes directly to the left side of the brain. The sense of smell is the only sense that is not filtered through other organs but goes directly to the limbic system in the brain via the olfactory bulb along the olfactory tract.

The limbic structures influence our survival and sexual responses, creativity and intuition.

There are many methods of application, vaporising in water, baths, footbaths, sprays, inhalations and massage. All these various methods have been of assistance in the treatment of depression, sleep disorders and stress just to name a few.

Essential oils work well as an adjunct to other types of treatment and compliments Flower Essence Therapy such as Bach Flower and Australian Bush Flower Essences. They can greatly enhance the effectiveness of some medical procedures and in some cases have reduced the dosage of prescribed medication.

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Herbal Poultice

Poutices are an effective treatment, directly applied, for stubborn blackheads, boils, spots and wounds. Fresh herbs are best for a poultice. Crush the leaves and stems to a pulp on a wooden board with a rolling pin or in a blender. Spread the herbal pulp on a piece of linen, place on the affected area and then bind with a dry cloth. Fresh or dried herbs can be steamed and used as a poultice. Take the softened, warm herbs and put them onto a piece of woven cloth and place on the affected area. Then cover with a woollen cloth and fasten with other cloths so it is air tight. Poultices can be left on for a few hours or overnight.

How to Make a Basic Cream

Bee’s wax 30 g, 120 ml vegetable oil, 30 ml herbal infusion, decoction or flower water, 6 drops essential oil. Melt beeswax in top of a double saucepan. Add oil slowly, beating constantly. Remove from heat, then slowly add herbal water beating constantly. Once mixed slow down to a steady stir until mixture has cooled before adding the essential oils. Basic moisturising lotion: bee’s wax 30 g, 90 ml vegetable oil, 60 ml herbal infusion, decoction or flower water, 6 drops essential oil. Melt beeswax in top of a double saucepan. Add oil slowly, then trickle in herbal infusion. Remove from heat, once mixture has cooled down to body temperature add essential oils. Stir until mixture is thoroughly blended then decant into bottles. Shake vigorously to prevent separation.

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“There are herbs to treat every illness” said Sebastian Kneipp, one of the best known herbalists in Europe. Using herbs to treat illness is as old as the existence of human beings. Even meat-consuming animals like cats and dogs cure themselves by eating grass. Herbal tinctures, infusions, decoction, vinegar’s and oil can be all used in skin and hair care preparations.

Herbal Tinctures

These are an alcoholic extract from herbs. Tinctures have a big advantage over dried herbs since they have a longer shelf life and are easy to take. Everyone can make their own tincture. The quality of your own tincture depends on the herbs you use. For best results use only fresh herbs. Tinctures are traditionally used as medicine, one teaspoon of tincture is equivalent to one cup of herbal infusion. They can be used externally in the bath, or as compresses, cosmetics, inhalations, facial steam, ointments, creams and for wound washes.

Method: herbs are cut and are placed in a glass jar, filling only three quarters. Add sufficient overproof alcohol, to cover the herbs. Shake it daily and keep it in a warm place for four to six weeks. Then strain the herbs and bottle your own tincture in smaller bottles or leave the herbs in the alcohol – whatever you wish.

Why not start today and make your first batch of tinctures from wild crafted herbs such as Hawthorn, Stinging Nettle, St Johns Wort and Yarrow which you can harvest throughout the year. When you take your own tincture take it as a medicine and not as an alcoholic drink even if your brew tastes like it. Drink some water after taking a tincture. N.B. Pure alcohol suitable for making tinctures is not readily available in Australia, however, you may use Smirnoff vodka or fruit alcohol’s. When using dry roots, seeds or bark, grind to a powder cover 30g (lOz) of herbs to 250 mis of alcohol.

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Anhydrous Lanolin

Pure lanolin is extracted from the wool of sheep. It is closely related to the oil produced in the sebaceous glands in human skin. Wool fat has been used to make cosmetics since the times of the ancient Greeks and Romans.

Apple has anti-wrinkle properties and is helpful for oily and blemished skin.

Apricot

Is beneficial for a sallow or oily skin. It enlivens a wan complexion and makes it less wrinkle prone.

Apricot oil: is colourless and odourless. It is a very light oil and emollient. Can be used for all skin types to protect the skin from dehydration.

Arrowroot

Is soothing to the skin particularly when made into a gel. It may also be applied as a powder to which essential oils can be added, also used as a facial mask.

Avocado

The Chorti women rubbed their hair and bodies with avocado oil to keep them soft and resilient. The oil is used to protect the skin from getting burnt by the sun and the rough elements such as wind and rain. Avocado is especially good for skin revitalisation and strengthens dehydrated, ageing and damaged skin.

Banana

Is a rich moisturising fruit and is good for dry and aged skins with under active sebaceous glands.

Bee’s wax

The use of bee’s wax in cosmetics goes back in time to the ancient Greek’s, when the first cold cream was invented. It is used as an emulsi-fier in cosmetic creams, ointments and lip salves. Bee’s wax is high in vitamins and minerals which benefits the skin. It is non toxic and doesn’t clog or block the pores of the skin from absorption of the essential oils and herbs. It creates a protective lining on the skin and prevents dehydration.

Buttermilk

Is a soothing, slightly acid, astringent which also has a bleaching effect. It is suitable for all skin types and great for the summer months, when the skin needs to be cooled. It has been used as a folk remedy for the skin for centuries. Compresses with buttermilk are beneficial in treating skin disorders such as eczema, psoriasis.

Cabbage

This is suitable for acne and pimples, and is beneficial for promoting the healing of fresh scars

Carrots

These stimulate cell reproduction, moisturises and are beneficial for sensitive, dehydrated ageing skin.

Castor Oil

Is soothing to the skin and promotes healthy hair. It has remarkable drawing power. Castor oil will draw carbuncles, tick heads, splinters as well as any infection from any part of the body you put a poultice or pack on

Cocoa Butter

Is a solid fat from the cocoa plant. It melts at skin temperature and is very emollient and lubricating.

Coconut Oil

Is a semisolid saturated fat used in cosmetics as a lubricant for the skin and hair.

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Work in pairs. Allow your partner to sit in the chair in the position that has been discussed, with closed eyes. Support their forehead and gently massage the scalp from the hair line to the back of the neck. If headaches are a problem, support their head on your chest and work with both hands, stroking their brow with the first fingers from the centre to the temples, using firm strokes.

You and your partner will soon get over the embarrassment of being touched when you realize how relaxing massage can be. Continue to support the forehead and with the other hand move the muscles of the neck on both sides of the spine in a circular movement. Switch off your intellect and let your hands do the work. Next place your hands over the shoulders with the fingers pointing towards the chest and the thumbs on the back. Use these to massage the muscles of the shoulders. Find out from your partner any areas that need particular attention. Continue by supporting your partner with your arm across the top of their chest, tipping them forward and working around both shoulder blades and down each side of the spine. Finish off by stroking lightly and rapidly from the head down the back. Place one hand on the upper and one on the underside of the arm and use the same stroking to the finger tips. Repeat with the other arm. Take at least fifteen minutes over the massage. The person in the chair might want to sit for few minutes, enjoying feeling more relaxed, before doing the same for you.

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Some of the action of the drugs is on the temporal lobe of the brain. During withdrawal, this area is trying to get back to normal. For a time this may result in temporal lobe symptoms. Perception difficulties are included. This means your senses (sight, sound, touch, taste and smell) may appear to be playing tricks on you. Your senses have been dulled by the drugs for so long that you have slowly become accustomed to altered perception. This may increase a little before it clears. Don’t be alarmed if things seem odd at first. You will realize that this is how the world looked before drugs. Lights and colours may seem so bright at first that you need sunglasses. Many people have forgotten the pleasure of colour and are thrilled by their gardens. One woman kept scrubbing her carpet thinking it looked dull. When she came off her drugs she said she felt as though the colours were leaping out at her they were so bright. Overbreathing also heightens perception. If you see a dirty mark on the wall as a beetle or a coat hanging behind the door as a person, these are perceptual disturbances. If there is no mark on the wall nor a coat behind the door, and yet you see these things, these could be hallucinations. Many people say that faces seem to change as they look at them, or heads appear larger than they should be when they watch television. Buildings can appear too tall and thin, or bent at the top. These are temporary disturbances and will go in time.

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If your attitude is ‘I will die, be sick, faint, wet my pants, etc., if I don’t fight this panic attack’, you will encourage more attacks. It will become a trigger for stimulating more hormones and more fear. If you teach your body to give the correct messages to your brain, you can break this chain reaction.

When an attack comes, breathe out long and hard, and pause before you breathe in. Dr Hibbert suggests putting a cold wet cloth on the cheeks. This acts on the diving reflex and slows down the breathing very effectively. If you slow down your breathing (by breathing from the abdomen) it will be impossible for symptoms to become worse. Abdominal breathing is allowing full lung expansion by raising the abdomen on the in-breath.

Cupping the hands or hold a paper (not plastic) bag over the nose and mouth whilst breathing normally will increase carbon dioxide levels and help to calm you within a few minutes.

Try not to be embarrassed about letting those around you know what is wrong. One young woman who shouts for help during attacks has learnt to explain that she is suffering from drug withdrawal symptoms, and that it will pass in a minute.

Dr Weekes’s book was not written for people coming off drugs, but the illness she describes, which many would think of as a nervous breakdown, is very similar—a chemical nervous breakdown if you like. Some people are afraid of the words ‘nervous breakdown’. It really means exhausted nerves. You will recover, no matter how long you have been ill, if you after your attitude from ‘I feel so bad I will never get better’ to ‘I know I will get better if I accept the illness, help my body to cope with it, and wait for time to heal’.

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If you are in the ‘Catch 22′ situation of feeling ill whilst you are taking the pills; worse when you stop; and have symptoms of increased anxiety and depression, panic attacks, sweating, insomnia—see your doctor.

You will need the doctor’s advice before reducing your pills. Tranquillizers are also used for conditions other than nervous illness. You may need an alternative prescription.

It may be that your doctor has a good knowledge of withdrawal procedure, and is sympathetic and willing to guide you through. If this is not the case, and he refuses to believe how ill you feel, or is hostile because he feels you are trying to tell him his job, seek help from a support group. These are run nation-wide, usually by ex-users who have a great deal of experience because of the enormous numbers of people coming for help. All you need is your doctor’s approval to come off, and then you can refer to your nearest group. They will help you to work out a slow withdrawal programme that can be carried out at home.

The Elderly and Tranquillizers or Sleeping Pills

Complete withdrawal in the elderly dependent person is often inadvisable, although it may be necessary to reduce the dose slowly until the side-effects (toxic confusion and loss of balance) are minimized.

Write to the following addresses for your nearest contact:

Middlesex HA3 7QX

or telephone your nearest MIND group.

RELEASE

169 Commercial Street

London El 3BW

Tel: 01 603 8654 (24 hours)

Remember: It is dangerous to stop your drugs abruptly, Acute withdrawal should only be carried out in hospital.

Tranx

17 Peel Road Harrow

MIND

22 Harley Street London Wl

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