The Similarities between the Shamanic journey and Self-hypnosis

Both use deep relaxation techniques to allow the individual to connect with their own consciousness and focus the mind on an issue which needs healing.

Both access the minds ability to visualize and perceive on a different level to ‘normal’ consciousness.  They can help you let go of the past negative issues, understand yourself better, and help you to become a happier more successful person.

The Differences between the Shamanic journey and Self-hypnosis

In self-hypnosis we use suggestion therapy – telling yourself what you need to hear to encourage yourself – e.g. ‘I am confident and relaxed’ helps you to become confident and relaxed – rather than thinking ‘i am feeling nervous’.

In Shamanic Healing you use archetypal imagery to generate that same feeling: a journey to meet Mother Earth, to ask her to support you on your path so that you can feel strong and confident.  There is also ritual work you can indulge in with shamanic journeying.  I find it helps deepen the relaxation, and connect you to the power of intent.

With anxiety or low self esteem issues, it can help to feel you are Journeying outside yourself to hear these messages from an archetypal figure, as a message from within may be dismissed too easily.   I also think it fills a gap left by our parents to hear a Mother Earth figure is in support of us on our path in life.

Successful Visualization techniques.

One of the most successful techniques I use in teaching self-hypnosis is a visualization where we walk up a mountain path to meet a wise old man who can answer any question.  This wise old man is often appears with the face of an elder the client had much respect for. In Shamanic terms this would be analyzed as the spirit of the person talking directly to them. However, in Hypnotherapy terms we see this as a part of the client’s subconscious talking to them.  Whatever it is, this exercise always promotes change and healing on a deep level.

Which Do You Need for Your Personal Growth?

There is no right way – there are just ways which are right for you.  So how do you choose?

If you want to take control of your life, know what issues need attention, and are a non-spiritual person then Hypnotherapy is probably the best choice for you.

If you need to make a change in your life, perhaps feel a bit lost and do not feel you want to do this journey alone, I would invite you to try Shamanism. It has the added effect of connecting you spiritually to the world around you, providing guidance on which parts of you may need healing, whilst making you feel more whole as a part of the universe.

Hayfever is on the increase in cities particularly, with pollution being a major contributor. So what can we do to help ourselves deal with the distressing symptoms – itchy eyes, sore throat, stuffed up sinuses and other mild flu like symptoms?

Herbs can help to support your body through the hayfever season, it is always best to see a Medical Herbalist where the condition is chronic, complicated by other conditions or you are taking medications.  But if you want to try some practical self help then here are my 3 favourite herbs for hayfever.

My Top 3 Herbs For Hayfever

Elderflower: traditionally used to clear sinuses, and therefore alleviate the stuffy nose and associated headaches.  Cheap to buy as a dry herbal tea and can be wild harvested during May.

Peppermint: delicious, uplifting and easy to grow even for the novice gardener.  Traditionally used to clear sinuses, and alleviates the grumpy feeling hayfever sufferers get due to the large amount of histamines produced by the condition.

Nettle: this is a really good herbal antihistamine, useful for relieving the itching feeling in the eyes and throat.  Again easy to harvest wild – away from pollution, or can be bought as a dried tea.

The Perfect Hayfever Herbal Tea

A perfect tea would be equal parts of all 3 herbs, the taste of peppermint makes the elderflower and nettle much more edible, and you are more likely to drink it.  Use 2 teaspoons of the mix per cup and drink 3 to 6 cups a day for a good herbal dose.

Tinctures or Teas?

I use a combination of herbs when treating clients, all chosen for the individual presentation, as we are all unique.  I also often use herbal tinctures, a concentrated liquid extract of the herbs, rather than teas so the medicines are easier to take and less hassle than making 6 cups of tea a day. If you want to get some support from a Medical Herbalist, prefer the idea of a tincture to a tea, I would love to help you on the way to healing as soon as you are bored of feeling ill, ready yet?

HAYFEVER SUFFERERS SEASONAL DISCOUNT

As Hayfever is a condition which lasts 1-2 seasons I want to offer anyone suffering a nice discount as you will need the herbs for up to half a year!  Clients of the Chamomile Clinic can block book  3 or 4 herbal consultations and receive a discount of 20%.  The herbal medicines cannot be discounted as they are already sold at cost price.  Further details below:

This year you can join Herbalists Sorrell Robbins &  Judit Kokai on the 17th and 24th of June.  They will explain history, traditional medicinal uses and the manufacturing processes involved with the production of medicines from the herbs you see growing wild in the parks and nature reserves you explore together.

The first herb walk will be an adventure through Mountsfield Park.  This park never fails to supply a bounty of wild herbs to discover from the huge Lime blossom trees to the small shrubby St. Johns wort.

And a new walk will take on a herbal adventure along the river bank from Catford Bridge to Lower Sydenham (by Sainsbury’s).  This is a new route, not covered by our Herbalists before, there has to be meadowsweet, comfrey or horsetail. We expect to find all all these and more plus a few surprises!

So if you want to see what hidden treasures are in your local park and river banks, come join us for a walk in June.

PARK WALK:

Mountsfield Park Walk:

Sunday 17th June 11am – 12.30pm

meeting place: The Park Entrance on Carswell Road

RIVER WALK

Catford Bridge to Lower Sydenham:

Sunday 24th June 2pm – 3.30pm

meeting place – entrance to the river walk opposite Wickes, Catford Hill near Catford & Catford Bridge Station

HOW TO BOOK YOUR PLACE…

Places are limited so please book your space by contacting us by email or phone.

Sorrell:  on 0208 333 2344 & mobile number  07814 430 690

or by email:  info@chamomileclinic.co.uk

There is no charge for these walks at present – they are run as a celebration of Herbal Medicine Week.

Please email us with your details: name, address, phone number; to let us know if you would like a place on the walks

Flower essences are the purest form of plant healing there is – perhaps best described as the spiritual healing power of the plant is transferred into pure water using sunlight so this can be bottled.  Using Brandy or another equally strong alcohol to preserve the water, and prevent degradation (making it taste rather yummy too).

What can they be used for?

There are thousands of Flower Essences, all with different healing energies.  I expect there is a flower essence for practically every type of emotional issue we have.

How to choose a remedy

There are a few different methods.  Dowsing is popular, for this you need a dowsing tool – a piece of crystal on a piece of cord works well.  Holding the cord with the crystal hanging over a collection of flower essences to see which ones make the crystal swing or turn.  Personally I prefer the intellectual option (I am a trained scientist after all – even if I have spiritual beliefs).  I have the collection of Australian Bush Flower Essences and I use the books about the essences to match my need for healing to a remedy.

How do you take them?

Each essence is different but an average is 5 drops twice a day for 2 weeks.  If its working but you feel there is more change to come take for another 2 weeks.  If its worked enough thats fine stop taking it.  If it hasn’t shifted anything emotionally then its probably not the right essence so try again – or try a different method of healing.  Perhaps the issue needs another form of healing to shift.

Making Your Own Flower Essences

The best way to shift emotional issues with Flower essences is to make them yourself from scratch.  This is very much like how a traditional Shamanic Healer would have found the correct plant remedy for someone.  By working in trance the plants can communicate with you about their healing gifts and from these plants you can make a Flower Essence to heal you deeply on a spiritual and emotional level.

Now for this is much easier than it sounds, and just takes a bit of time to practice the trance work to trust it is working for you.  But we can all do it – its just a type of relaxation or self-hypnosis that anyone can learn!

Myself and Andry Anastasiou are teaching the methods of making your own Flower Essences in a workshop on Saturday June 23rd.  If you would like to learn how to make them, to connect more deeply with nature, and enjoy a day in the Chamomile Clinic herb garden meditating and healing your soul please come join us.

No previous experience is necessary but if you are a practitioner you can use this course for CPD points.

Early Bird Booking Discount

If you book the course by the end of April we will give you a 10% discount.

Normal price £55.00 &  Early Bird discount price just £50.00

For more details see the course booking page

I hope to see you there!

My journey with hypnobirthing techniques started in 1996 when i qualified as a hypnotherapist.  I was in my mid twenties then, with no kids.  To be honest – I felt a bit of a fraud teaching women hypnobirthing techniques not having used them myself.  Whilst training we practised all the techniques really thoroughly, some things are easy to practise – everyone had a phobia to cure, but no-one had a chance to practise the hypnobrthing in a real situation whilst a student.

Now it’s my turn!

Then in my mid-thirties I got pregnant.  So the birth itself was planned as a natural home birth, using hypnobirthing, aromatherapy, massage and herbs, plus gas and air only if i wanted.  However, I got pre-eclampsia, a life threatening condition – and the only treatment is giving birth.  So induction was required, the drugs used cause very strong and consequently very painful contractions.  But because of the pre-eclampsia the Obstetrician insisted on epidural.  I was strapped to a bed with 9 wire coming in and out for hours and hours.  I wasn’t allowed to eat and I get hungry every few hours and I was starving!  But I used the hypnobirthing techniques to stay calm , focused, and in control.

Anaesthesia with a Smile

After a few hours the epidural stopped working, and as I was also on induction drugs the pain kicked in.  It was time to use my hypnobirthing techniques for the pain relief.  I used a bit of gas and air too but that was fine with the techniques as both are trance like experiences so work OK together.  The anesthesia technique worked to relieve the pain, how much I can’t quantify, but I tried some contractions without the techniques and it was unbearable.  With the technique I actually enjoyed each contraction, knowing that each one meant i was one step closer to meeting my baby.  After the birth, my partner reported how during each contraction I had a big grin on my face.  Most importantly I was able to stay calm, relaxed and in control at all times.

Keeping the Techniques Flexible

I have now adapted my techniques from my original training so they are even more flexible – so they can be used no matter what happens or where you have your baby.  And last week I had the opportunity to use them with a new client.  She is due anytime now.  I can’t wait to hear how she gets on – but I know she will be fine as she has all the hypnobirthing skills she needs to do what she needs to do, and enjoy the estactic experience childbirth can be.

When is Ideal to Start Learning and What are the Techniques?

If you are pregnant and want to learn hypnobirthing techniques you can start as early as you like.  An ideal time for most women is at 6 or 7 months so they are fully prepared by 8 months and have some time to enjoy the relaxation that hypnosis gives also before the birth.  It takes 3 sessions to learn these techniques and its a good idea to space each session 1 week apart so you get a chance to practice them and work through any problems you may come up against.  If you want to include a birth partner it takes an additional 1 session to teach them the techniques too and they only need attend 1 session.  As this is a short blog it is not suitable to explain all the techniques I can teach you or how they work, but please do get in touch if you are interested or have any questions.

What Else do I Get?

You will receive a set of 3 CDs or MP3 files to use at home.  These support the sessional work we do together, and the 3rd CD is a preparation for the birth itself which can also be listened to during the labour.

A Bit About Sorrell

Sorrell has over 15 years experience in natural health with professional qualifications in Herbal Medicine, Advanced Hypnotherapy, Clinical Aromatherapy, Therapeutic Massage, complimented by certificates in Shamanic healing and Advanced Rei-ki.

With over 15 years experience in practice and more than 20 years training, Sorrell has a lot of skills to share, to improve your health and happiness. She works with a strict code of confidentiality & ethics and will be happy to talk to you about any health issue you may be experiencing.

I hope this simple guide to my top four oils may inspire you to try out aromatherapy for your family.  Used correctly they are fun, effective and free from side effects.

Lemon – a safe decongestant that reduces that has been shown kill airbourne bacteria and viruses.  Useful in a sick room environment, best released into the atmosphere using a diffuser or an aromatherapy oil burner, use 3 drops, 3- 4 times a day.

A note on safety: as with all citrus oils – do not use on the skin when going into sunlight in the next 24 hours as it increases the risk of burning.

Mandarin – a mildly sedative oil with a reputation for aiding sleep in children.  It also has a reputation for making adults less serious and more playful.  Perhaps the perfect oil for a kids party – to keep the kids calm and the parents playful.

Can be used in massage: 1 drop in 2 teaspoons of oil. Or use 3 drops in a burner. As with lemon avoid sunlight for 24 hours after application.

Roman Chamomile – this oil has a calming action, particularly indicated to calm angry outbursts, tummy aches and traditionally used to prevent children’s nightmares.

Apply to the skin diluted 1 drop per 2 teaspoons of oil, massaging into the belly if there is tummy ache in a clockwise direction.  Or burn in the room at night to aid sleep and prevent nightmares.

Lavender – this is the best oil for using on small cuts and burns (once cooled down!) to promote healing.  As a mild analgesic it can relieve headaches if applied to the temples, and also reduces inflammation caused by insect bites.  I always keep a bottle of this in the first aid kit for holidays.

On children’s skin it needs diluting, 1 drop in a teaspoon of oil is OK if used in a small area.  For massage use 1 drop in 2 teaspoons of oil.

A bit about Sorrell:

Sorrell has over 16 years experience in natural health with professional qualifications in Herbal Medicine, Advanced Hypnotherapy, Clinical Aromatherapy, Therapeutic Massage, complimented by certificates in Shamanic healing and Advanced Rei-ki.

Sorrell founded the Chamomile Clinic in 2007, a local therapy centre in Lewisham to provide complimentary medicine for clients of all ages.  The Chamomile Clinic also runs local events including Herb Walks around Lewisham and Workshops in making your own remedies.

Andry and Sorrell will be there from 12.30pm to 2.30pm with their flower remedies, and a demonstration on how to make them.

They are also offering individualised flower remedies for healing and happiness.  So if you want to learn more, or get your own personalised flower remedy come along and join us on the day.

Its free entry and flower remedies are free too.  However, if you would like to support their work, consider offering a donation to cover costs of around £1.50 – £2.00 per remedy.

We hope to see you there!

P.S. Please check out our Making Flower Essences Page for more info about the workshop itself.

Difficulty getting off to sleep

Passionflower is my favourite choice here.  It creates a feeling of doziness, where you can start looking forward to going to bed and resting.  Especially where insomnia has become a viscous circle – just the idea of trying to get some sleep stresses you out.  It blends nicely with Limeflower in a tea, but is available as tincture and fluid extract also from a Herbalist.

Waking up early and unable to get back to sleep

This is usually linked to anxiety – too many thoughts in the head.  Perhaps you wake up with a list of jobs to do.  Skullcap is traditionally used for calming the mind of excess thoughts.  I find it invaluable in my personal sleep mix.  It is now a restricted herb so you need to buy this direct from a herbalist – but it is worth the effort.

Not able to get comfortable physically to enable sleep

Wild Lettuce works as an antispasmodic to relax the muscles.  This was once used as a herbal alternative to opium.  It can cause dreaming to be more intense so avoid if you already have too many intense dreams, otherwise it is a wonderful herb.  This is a bit bitter to taste as a tea so nicer to take as a tincture or capsule, but can be mixed with peppermint for a better flavour.

Be aware of common herbal treatments and side effects

If you have tried anything herbal before for insomnia it has probably included Valerian or Hops.  Both great herbs but have side effects.  Valerian can make you feel a bit dopey in the morning, however you may like this effect.  And hops disagrees with some people, and should be avoided in cases of depression as it can make it worse.  However if these herbs work for you without side effects then keep using them!

When to get professional help

If the condition is long term, linked to another condition or you are pregnant or breastfeeding please do seek professional help before taking herbs.  You can find your local Herbalist on the NIMH website or get in touch with me at the Chamomile Clinic for more information.

Sweet dreams!

This week is National Endometriosis Awareness week. This illness affects 1 in 10 women in the UK and many women all over the world. It can be very debilitating. If you suspect you have endometriosis or if you want to learn more about this illness, how it affects women and how it can be managed, please visit http://www.endometriosis-uk.org/index.html  Various practitioners at our clinic have direct experience of working with endometriosis.  Contact us to find out more.