FIGHTING FATIGUE THE NATURAL WAY

Characterised by tiredness, lack of enthusiasm and difficulty concentrating, fatigue can have many causes but is a complaint with no single, simple treatment.  We all have days when it is difficult to get out of bed but chronic fatigue can be frustrating, leaving sufferers unable to cope.  There are however several herbal remedies which can help fight fatigue, as well as various complementary therapies to help bring the body and mind back into balance.

 

Identifying Causes of Fatigue

 

Identifying the cause of your fatigue can help you choose the correct remedy.  Common causes include:-

 

Stress - Physical, mental, money or work related worries can keep you awake at night.

Emotional upset - Marital issues, divorce or bereavement can leave you feeling emotionally drained.

Insomnia - This is a medical condition that can be debilitating if left untreated.

Illness or infection - An underactive thyroid or the effort of fighting off illness can leave you feeling drained.

Food intolerance - Often difficult to identify but fatigue can be a major symptom of some food intolerances.

Blood sugar - Imbalance in blood sugar levels can lead to a serious lack of energy.

Depression - This condition can alter sleep patterns or prevent sleep altogether.

 

Herbal Remedies

 

Some herbs, called tonic or adaptogenic, can increase vitality and promote wellbeing.  They balance the body’s hormonal, digestive, cardiovascular, nervous and immune systems.  Alfalfa, ginseng and cordyceps improve strength and stamina.  Liquorice, which balances the adrenal glands, can help fatigue caused by weakened immunity.  Other herbs you can try include:-

 

Oats:  Rich in minerals and B vitamins, a daily bowl of porridge or a tincture of oat seeds raises energy levels and promotes sleep.  Oats combat exhaustion caused by stress, alcohol or drugs and are effective for mental or physical fatigue.

 

Sage:  Stimulates the nervous and digestive systems and is also a good all-round restorative. Try sage tea or a simple infusion of fresh sage leaves, or try a massage with clary sage essential oil. Avoid sage if you are epileptic or pregnant.

 

Astragalus:  Excellent for treating chronic fatigue, it stimulates the immune system and endurance.

 

Schisandra:  Improves digestion of fatty food, regulates sugar levels and the functioning of the liver and kidneys.

 

Complementary Therapies

 

Therapies can help with both the physical and mental/emotional causes of fatigue.  A course of treatment is usually recommended.

 

Reiki healing is an excellent all-round therapy for stress. It restores balance in the physical body (helping to balance the adrenals and nervous system) as well as strengthening mental/emotional energy.  Reflexology, which stimulates the reflex points on the soles of the feet, aims to bring the whole body back into a state of balance.  An excellent remedy for mental/emotional stress and fatigue is Meditation: this wonderful practice boosts mental alertness and focus and eases depression.

 

Lifestyle Changes

 

Changing your lifestyle can often relieve fatigue, especially if your lifestyle is contributing towards it! Regular exercise actually increases energy levels, while a new mind-stretching interest can stimulate the mind, leaving less time for lethargy. Being out in nature or taking a walk in the countryside can also boost your energy and wellbeing.

 

Recipe – Oaty Fruit Muffins

Delicious, low fat, and ideal for maintaining blood sugar levels.

 

225g plain flour

60g rolled oats

5ml baking powder

5ml bicarbonate of soda

4 medium bananas, mashed

120g caster sugar

90ml skimmed milk

90ml vegetable oil

1 egg

 

1. Preheat oven to 190C/Gas mark 5.
2. Mix dry ingredients together (flour, raising agents, sugar and oats) in a large bowl.
3. In a separate bowl, beat the egg and add milk and vegetable oil. Then add mashed bananas.
4. Add wet ingredients. Blend mixture with a metal spoon.
5. Spoon mixture into muffin cases, sprinkle with handful of oats and bake for 20 minutes until golden on top.

  

Notes:

 

1. Reiki, Reflexology and meditation workshops are available with Helen Shortland.
2. All herbal remedies are available from Little London Herbal Stores, 9 Kings Walk, Nottingham, NG1 2AE. Tel 0115 9472854 or visit www.all-ages-vitamins.co.uk.

 

Helen Shortland is a Reiki Master Teacher, Meditation Teacher and Holistic Therapist based at Little London Herbal Stores on Kings Walk in Nottingham city centre. Please ring her on 07748 591690 to book a treatment or visit her website http://helenshortland.com for further information.

 

HEALING WITH THE ANGELS

During my 12 years as a Reiki healer, and subsequent attunements in other healing modalities, I have noticed higher and higher vibration energies coming through and adding to the Reiki energy.  I have been guided by Archangel Raphael right from the beginning of my healing journey since he came to me in deep meditation after I called in the highest guide possible for me and my work.  Nowadays this angelic energy comes through whether I am giving a Reiki or an Angelic Reiki treatment and adds to both the Reiki and Angelic Reiki healing vibrations.  The clairvoyant readings I give often indicate which angelic energies a person needs but a healing treatment actually channels those energies into their energy field.

 

The Angelic Healing Energies

 

Each of these angelic colours relates to a particular archangel.  Archangels are the overseers of guardian angels and are extremely large, powerful and loving beings. Each archangel radiates a particular aura colour relating to their specific purpose.  Here is a list of the colours, their meanings and a note of which particular archangel they relate to:-

 

Creamy white (Azrael) – heals grief.

Pale green (Chamuel) – heals anxiety and brings peace.

Copper/orange (Gabriel) – heals issues around childbirth and fertility as well as creative projects.

Bluish white (Haniel) – heals female cycles.

Violet (Jeremiel) – heals emotions.

Dark pink (Jophiel) – heals negativity, trauma and chaos.

Green and pink stripes (Metatron) – heals childhood issues and learning disorders.

Purple (Michael) – heals fear and nervousness.

Royal blue (Michael) – brings courage and confidence.

Pale blue (Raguel) – heals personal and professional relationships.

Emerald green (Raphael) – heals physical problems.

Rainbow stripes (Raziel) – releases spiritual and psychic blocks, often connected to past lives.

Turquoise (Sandalphon) – heals aggressive tendencies.

Pale yellow (Uriel) – heals unforgiveness and resentment.

Dark blue (Zadkiel) – heals memory and mental functioning.

White (guardian angels) – raises vibration and lifts you above negativity.

Gold (Christ energy) – releases guilt and develops faith in self.

Pearlescent (Divine Feminine) – motherhood issues and issues with children/offspring.

 

Client Experiences

 

Many of my clients report seeing coloured light during their healing treatments. Many report seeing purple which helps them to release any fears they have been holding onto. Blue is another colour that is frequently seen during treatments: I often see it around a person’s shoulders bringing them courage to shoulder their responsibilities. A client with high cholesterol, who had suffered a minor stroke about a year previously, saw a bight emerald/lime green ball of light during his treatment.  He had suffered an on-going weakness in his right side following the stroke but during the treatment felt an incredible power and energy in his right arm as the healing energy focussed itself in that area.

 

Calling on the Archangels Yourself

 

Everyone is able to call upon the archangels and you can invoke them by your own intent. The easiest way is to just visualise the Archangel (with its coloured aura) with you or your loved one, saying or thinking their name silently or aloud and asking them to help you. You can also ask God to send the archangel to you or a loved one or pray to the archangel for their help. Archangels have unlimited energy, with no restrictions of space or time, so can be with many different people at once.  You can also visualise the archangel’s aura colour around a situation or person in need of healing. For example, for someone suffering with grief you would visualise creamy white light around that person, especially in the heart area. This calls forth the healing power of Archangel Azrael.

 

Once you start asking for help, the angels and archangels will be able to help you.  Practice this often and you will soon start to develop a stronger and closer relationship with these wonderful beings of love, light and healing.

 

 

Helen Shortland is a Reiki Master Teacher, Meditation Teacher and Holistic Therapist based at Little London Herbal Stores on Kings Walk in Nottingham city centre. She runs a range of spiritual themed workshops including Developing Intuition and Connecting to your Spirit Guide. Please ring her on 07748 591690 to book a treatment or visit her website http://helenshortland.com for further information.

 

Upcoming workshops:

Developing Intuition workshop  Sat 26^th April 2014, 2.30-5pm, £15.

Connecting to your Spirit Guide workshop  Sat 22^nd February 2014, 2.30pm-5pm, £15 (now fully booked).

Please email me at helenshortland@live.co.uk for further information/booking.