Alternatively Speaking: Naturally nurturing

Alternative medicine enthusiast Natalie Marx answers your questions: How can I relieve pain caused by breastfeeding?

A woman breastfeeding 370 (photo credit: Thinkstock/Imagebank)
A woman breastfeeding 370
(photo credit: Thinkstock/Imagebank)
It has always been of fundamental importance to me to involve my patients in their own healing process. My role is simply to help guide the patient and to create an environment for the body to initiate and support its own healing abilities.
Together we unravel and understand the obstacles that are preventing good health. Natural medicine focuses very much upon preventative practice through healthy living, underlining the concept that “'prevention is better than cure.” Since our bodies have the innate wisdom to heal themselves, my task is to understand how, where and why the body is out of balance. Healing can then occur through non-toxic natural means.
Q. Dear Natalie, I wonder if you have any suggestions for sore nipples after breastfeeding. I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl two months ago but the pain that comes with breastfeeding has become unbearable. I am seeing a lactation consultant next week. Thank You.
A. Applying Vitamin E oil can help soothe sore nipples. After feeding you can split open a vitamin E capsule and softly rub into the sore skin. It is important that you wipe away any remnants of the oil before your next feed.
I also recommend steeping chamomile tea bags in hot water and then applying the tea bags to the nipple areas. Just make sure you test the temperature of the tea bag on the back of your hand prior to placing it on the sensitive area. Chamomile has been used for centuries as a wonderful sedative for pain.
You can also try drinking one cup of chamomile tea every few hours until the pain subsides. As a poultice, Sweet Clover works well for inflammations on tender parts of the body. Cleavers can also be used externally for several skin conditions and especially sore nipples. Try making your own infusion for external use; 1/2 oz. chopped fresh plant mixed with 1 pint of warm water. Let it sit for two hours. Apply the juice gently to the sore nipple area for relief. A gentle and effective remedy for cracked and sore nipples is Calendula cream. Calendulas anti-inflammatory properties ensure your skin will heal and strengthen.
Q. I have just completed a course of anti-biotic for a throat infection. I have since had terrible diarrhea. Do you think it is connected and if so what can I take to bring my body back to balance?
A. It’s very common to experience mild antibiotic-associated diarrhea. It is recommended to drink herbal teas, particularly raspberry leaf tea, or teas containing tannins which have a binding effect on the mucous membranes lining the intestine. This will allow a better absorption of fluids present in the intestine. You will also be replacing lost fluids preventing dehydration. Try to supplement with the “healthy” bacterial acidophilus. This works to restore and balance the levels of the healthy bacteria which is usually present in the intestines and is often depleted after antibiotic use.
Psyllium husks also encourage the growth of healthy intestinal bacteria therefore regulating bowel movements. Although frequently used for constipation, psyllium can also be used to treat diarrhea since it’s a bulk-forming agent, making the stools firmer. The psyllium is capable of absorbing excess fluid in the intestinal region. I recommend taking one to three tbsp. of psyllium powder dissolved in a glass of water daily.
The three remedies mentioned are just a few of the many wonderful homeopathic remedies that are effective when treating diarrhea.
In the case of acute conditions you can take any of the following remedies which most match your symptoms in 30c potency every hour until you feel relief. The remedy Aloe is most indicated when there are rumbling and gurgling noises accompanied with watery stools. There may be a burning sensation in the anal region and the patient may also suffer from bleeding hemorrhoids. The patient will usually feel physically very weak and irritable.
When prescribing the homeopathic remedy Arsenicum album, the patient often has milder symptoms but will usually feel a burning sensation in the abdominal or anal region. There will be feelings of nausea and the feeling of needing to drink sips of water. As well as great feelings of exhaustion, the patient will feel very anxious and restless.
China is commonly prescribed during the homeopathic treatment for diarrhea. The presenting symptoms occur mostly at night with watery, semi-digested yellow stool. The patient has a very pale face and dark sunken eyes. There is also a great physical weakness with trembling and the patient dislikes being touched therefore prefers to wear loose clothing.
The homeopathic remedy Sulphur is best prescribed for violent and urgent diarrheal stools in the early hours of the morning. There is usually itching and/or burning sensation in the anal region. The smell of the stools is similar to the smell of rotten egg. The patient may feel hot with the desire to eat, although the consumption of food and drink may worsen their symptoms.
Finally I suggest you try to avoid using milk and dairy products until your symptoms improve. Include more high fiber foods especially bananas since they will also replenish any potassium lost.

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Someone Once Said: ‘Leave your drugs in the chemist’s pot if you can cure the patient with food’ -
Hippocrates, 420 BC