The following is a list of various herbal and homeopathic remedies for the major side-effects of separation and divorce: depression, anxiety, insomnia, and repetitive thoughts.
PLEASE CONSULT WITH YOUR MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL BEFORE USING THESE OR ANY OTHER REMEDIES, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE ON PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION, AS HERBS CAN INTERACT WITH PHARMACEUTICALS.
I recommend buying herbs as tinctures, rather than capsules. Exceptions are: if you’re traveling and want something less fragile, or you are avoiding alcohol. Some tinctures are alcohol-free, but, once opened, they must be refrigerated.
[My notes are quite abbreviated, so if you want more information on any particular herb or remedy please search the web, and always err on the side of caution. Start with the smallest amount and see how you react to that.]
INSOMNIA:
Calms Forte
This homeopathic combination formula has been around for a century and is a great relaxant and sleep inducer. Start with one pill fifteen minutes before you retire. You may take two if one isn’t enough, but do not take more than two. If you do, you may find yourself feeling sleepy the next day.
Valerian
This ancient herb is a central nervous system depressant, just like Valium, Librium, Xanax, alcohol and ether. If using the tincture, read the directions and start with a lower dose. Sometimes, the label will say something like, “Take 5-50 drops.” Usually, one dropper full, about 25 drops, is a good place to start; but, if you weigh very little, or are sensitive start with less. Mix the herb with about an ounce of water.
Valerian is often added to stress reducing herbal combination remedies. Just be careful when taking it not to operate heavy machinery, as it may slow down your coordination and reaction times.
Melissa (Lemon Balm)
This herb is a calmative and can really stop repetitive thoughts. Take it fifteen minutes before bedtime, or if you wake in the middle of the night and find yourself unable to shut off your mind. It can also be used during the day, but not if you’re going to drive.
Lavender
As simple as this may sound it’s quite effective: put a few drops of essential oil of lavender on a tissue and place it about six inches from your pillow. Lavender will put you to sleep in no time.
Chamomile.
The easiest thing is to make chamomile tea. If one tea bag isn’t doing the trick, try making a stronger brew with two.
Rescue Remedy
This is a Bach combination remedy made from the essences of five different flowers.
Rock Rose – for terror and panic
Impatiens – for irritation and impatience
Clematis – for inattentiveness and to counteract faintness
Star of Bethlehem – for shock
Cherry Plum – for irrational thoughts and lack of self control
Rescue Remedy is remarkable. It’s safe, gentle, but strong enough to take the edge off what you’re feeling, whether it’s anger, anxiety, panic, or shock.
They sell something called Rescue Sleep but Rescue Remedy is just as good at half the price.
If you are avoiding alcohol try the pastilles. They come in two flavors in a handy little tin.
Rescue remedy is also great for children and pets.
The Bach Original Flower Remedies are a complete system of 38 flower remedies that can help us rediscover the positive side of ourselves. To find out more, please visitwww.bachremedies.co.uk .
PANIC:
Rock Rose
This Bach Flower Essence is a miracle worker for panic and panic attacks. It only comes in tincture form, so you can’t use it if you’re avoiding alcohol. Just put two drop in your mouth and situate them under your tongue. This way, the medicine goes directly into your bloodstream. You can also add two drops to a glass of water and sip it. Either way, you should feel more centered within about 15 seconds.
ANXIETY:
Passionflower
More gentle than Kava, passionflower quells anxiety. You can use it two to three times a day when in the throes of anxiety, or just take it once in the morning to keep anxiety at bay. Try 25 drops of the tincture in a little water. This is very safe and won’t stress your liver.
Kava
A great relaxer, but stronger than Passionflower. Anecdotally, I have found that men seem to like it more than women do. Try a smaller amount, at first, to see what effect that has. You can always take more. Do not use this daily for more than six months, as it can be challenging to the liver if you use it long-term.
Lavender
Use the essential oil by putting a few drops on a tissue and breathing in the scent. Also, wonderful anytime you are in pain or expect to be (like before some procedure at the dentist).
Rescue Remedy
See above listing under insomnia.
ENERGIZERS:
Rhodiola Rosea
This herb has been shown to energize people, help with depression, and (sometimes) lessen anxiety.
Royal Jelly, bee pollen, bee propolis, and honey.
All three will make you more alert and peppier. Royal jelly is the most expensive of the bunch, but people find it helps immensely. This is what the worker bees feed the Queen bee, and she’s quite a dynamo. You might want to experiment with honey and see if a teaspoon in the morning and evening isn’t enough of a boost. The added benefit of using honey, but only if it’s from bees within 50 miles of your home, is that it acts as an ersatz vaccination to help with seasonal allergies. I know it sounds ridiculously simple and easy, but it really works.
Peppermint
Another easily available herb. You can use a Tic Tac mint, or peppermint tea, or even as aromatherapy by putting some essential peppermint oil on a tissue and breathing it in. Peppermint has been shown to increase concentration and alertness.
DEPRESSION:
St. John’s Wort
The first “drug” of choice by psychiatrists in Germany when someone is moderately depressed. As always, I suggest the tincture, but the capsules work well, too. You may need to take this a week or two before you see results.
SAMe
This nutritional supplement has been shown to help depression and it’s safer than St. John’s Wort.
Fish Oil
There is mounting evidence that a diet high in fish oils is a great mood elevator. You can eat more fatty fish, like wild salmon, tuna, herring, or sardines; or, take a supplement.
Vitamin D
Fifteen minutes of sun a day would be just perfect, but you may not be able to attain that. You can safely take 800-1200 IUs of Vitamin D3 (please be sure the bottle actually says D3 on the front or back) daily.
Gotu Kola
Used to combat mental fatigue and depression. Gotu Kola also improves alertness and aids concentration by making one less sensitive to distractions.
5-HTP
Converts the amino acid tryptophan into serotonin and melatonin. Used for depression, insomnia, panic attacks, and anxiety. Some people find taking 35-50 mg. three times a day more effective than taking 100 mg once a day. Do not mix this with any other medications or alcohol. There is a long list of contraindications, so check with your pharmacist or doctor before trying this supplement.
FLU:
Oscillococcinum
A homeopathic flu remedy that works amazingly well. (If you go to oscillo.com you can get a coupon.)
Oscillococcinum has been shown in clinical trials to help reduce the severity and shorten the duration of flu symptoms. It works best when taken early.
Oscillococcinum works rapidly, with 63 percent of patients showing “complete resolution” or “clear improvement” at 48 hours. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, the recovery rate within 48 hours of treatment was significantly greater in the group that received the active drug than in the placebo group.
Unlike other flu medicines, Oscillococcinum does not cause side effects, such as drowsiness, and has no known or reported drug interactions. Oscillococcinum is regulated as a drug by the FDA and can be purchased at pharmacies, natural food stores and supermarkets.
ACID REFLUX:
Try a stomach enzyme formula with papain and bromelain. Different brands add other ingredients, like peppermint or lactobacillus, or ginger. A simple, less expensive, way to go is to get chewable papaya from any Walgreens. Even this formula has the papain and bromelain.
ARTHRITIS AND OTHER INFLAMMATORY CONDITIONS:
Adding turmeric to your food may decrease inflammation. Yogis find this very helpful in keeping themselves flexible and pain-free.
MIGRAINES:
Jamaican Style Ginger Ale, not too sweet, and pickled ginger (the one served with sushi, preferably not the dyed pink variety) can be very helpful in relieving migraines. There’s also GelStat Migraine that combines feverfew and ginger.
STRESS:
Hyland’s Nerve Tonic. A blend of five different phosphate salts, this homeopathic remedy was developed in the 19th century by Dr. Schuessler. The tablets dissolve almost instantly, and usually take effect in 10-15 minutes with no negative side effects. Calms the nervous system. A good alternative to Rescue Remedy (see above).
