Circulation problems occur when the flow of blood through any of the veins and arter-ies is partially or completely impeded. This can be caused by heart problems; high or low blood pressure (e. g. during preg-nancy), hormonal changes (e. g. during the menopause), infectious diseases, and gen-eral weakness in the autonomic nervous system or blocked or imperfectly function-ing blood vessels. The latter is particularly important, for whilst the heart’s action con-tributes to the transportation of the blood, adequate elasticity, tension and cooperation of the muscular arteries are also essential for proper circulation The arteries transport blood pumped from the heart by the means of a circular contraction of their muscles (see also Blood Circulation)
Chinese medicine formulates the con-nection between the heart and circulation very clearly, as follows:
The heart is the emperor who provides the tone
The circulation is his first civil servant who does the work – and woe to the emperor whose civil servants are idle!
A thorough investigation of weak circu-lation will usually reveal specific phenom-ena such as such as deposits in the blood vessels and their walls, a narrowing or enlargement (varicose veins) and inflam-matory states – which are a consequence of tissues containing toxic deposits. Detoxi
-fication is therefore absolutely necessary in order to prevent circulatory problems (see Detoxification). A diet without animal pro-tein and general nutrition rich in vitamins (especially C and E), sufficient physical exercise, rest, sleep, and time for regenera-tion are all good preventative measures.
Circulation problems often occur as sud-den changes in blood pressure and pulse rate. This, in turn, causes inner unrest, tiredness, pallor, dizziness, fits of uncon-sciousness, cold sweats, shaking limbs and – in extreme cases – circulatory collapse. As immediate first aid, raise the feet above the head and apply cold water to revive the per-son; but professional medical advice or assistance should be sought in all cases, in order to identify the cause.
The problem can also often be caused emotionally by stress and difficult situa-tions. Obstacles or resistance to one’s inner wishes and intentions appear to be reflected in fluctuations of blood pressure. The feel-ing of failure, total overburdenfeel-ing and lack of energy often exist side-by-side with circu-latory problems, and are often caused by lack of enjoyment and enthusiasm. Thus, a change of direction is often needed, in order that personal aims and goals can be redis-covered – and with this an associated new enthusiasm for life, which is still the best medicine for the circulation!
Many crystals described elsewhere (see Blood Pressure; Heart Problems) can also be applied in order to stimulate or calm the
circulation. The following are therefore the crystals that really can stabilise the circu -lation and have a possible effect.
Garnet Pyrope is best for stabilising the circulation. It helps rapidly with circulatory problems, can prevent circulatory collapse (if applied in time), and, as a metabolism stimulating crystal, it can also further the cleansing of and improves the vitality of the blood vessels.
Emotionally it helps to overcome resis-tance, mobilises essential energy reserves and assists with perseverance.
Haematite and Tiger Iron help with weakness, dizziness and brief attacks of unconsciousness – especially if they occur in the morning, when one rises too quickly, or due to pregnancy.
Emotionally, both crystals help one to become dynamic and full of life. Especially Tiger Iron which rapidly removes tiredness and lack of strength.
Ruby stimulates the circulation and helps with tiredness, pallor, dizziness, cold sweats and shaking limbs. It also prevents circulatory collapse, if applied in time.
Emotionally, it enhances passion and enthusiasm – not just temporally, but also as long-lasting fervour.
For all of the of the crystals mentioned above, wear a necklace or a pendant above the hip in such a way, that at least one of the crystals is hanging over the pubic bone.
Garnet Pyrope, Ruby or tumbled stones of Haematite and Tiger Iron can also be
placed or stuck on (with sticking plaster) the pubic bone on a regular basis. It is also possible to take gem essence internally, but only in small quantities (2-4 drops, 2 times daily). The same goes for gem water (100 –200 ml taken in small sips during the course of the day.)
Colds
The so-called common cold manifest itself with the classic symptoms of a cough, head colds and hoarseness, all of which are often characterised as flu infections although they do not have much in common with genuine influenza.
See also: Flu; Head Colds
As the name indicates, a cold can, on occasion, be traced back to exposure to cold.
Such exposure can actually weaken the immune defence structures in the mucous membranes of the airways. On the other hand, it can only really spread throughout a body that has already been stressed (by toxins or waste etc).
In most cases however, a cold is a form of virus in which the tissues and cells are infected with waste substances that make the virus spread and thus hamper the activ-ity of the immune system. Colds can be pre-vented by generally “toughening up” the body. This includes regular exercise in fresh air (in all kinds of weather!), sleeping with an open window, ending one’s daily shower
with cold water, and with regular detoxifica-tion. In particular, dairy products should be abandoned as they increase the tendency to getting a cold, a sore throat, bronchitis, and sinusitis (see the relevant chapters).
Further protection can also obtained by rinsing the mouth and teeth with organic, cold-pressed sunflower oil for 10 to 20 min-utes every day. Do not swallow the oil under any circumstances; but spit it out afterwards and rinse the mouth thoroughly with tepid water! This oil absorbs toxic sub-stances and waste, and supports the healing of colds.
Direct cooling down of the airways (e. g.
if you breathe through your mouth), indi-rect cooling of the whole body (because of inadequate clothing) and cold feet can play a role in triggering the effects of a cold. Cold feet especially cause a reflex decrease in the blood circulation in the mucous mem-branes of the nose. Therefore, colds tend to occur particularly during cold and wet tran-sitional phases and, to a lesser degree, in a dry and cold winter. In summer, it is mainly cold drinks that have an internal cooling down effect and cold draughts which play an important role in so-called “summer colds”.
However, as stated earlier, a cold is actu-ally a viral disease. Viruses that are already in the mucous membranes, or that have been inhaled, exploit the actual weakness of the immune system and where they can propagate very suddenly. Typically, this
leads to catarrh, an inflammation of the mucous membranes.
As the immune system becomes even more burdened, there will often also be a subsequent influx of bacteria, which can lead to inflammation and the formation of pus. Fever, in connection with a cold, is an important part of the body’s defence me -chanism and should not be suppressed too early, in order to avoid complications. Any of the following parts of the body and ad -ditional symptoms can be regarded as a complication of a cold:
• the nose – head colds
• the throat– cough, hoarseness
• the bronchia – deep cough, breathing difficulties
• the lungs – weakness, lack of appetite, high fever, night sweats, breathlessness
• the heart – acute heart problems
• the sinuses – aching that is intensified by pressure and leaning forward
• the middle ear – earache, fever
• the meninges – headache, vomiting, suddenly rising fever, shivering, dis-turbed consciousness
A simple cold, cough or hoarseness can be treated quite easily with crystals. How-ever, if the symptoms persist and seem to progress to other parts of the body, e. g.
towards the sinuses or the bronchia, a doctor or an alternative practitioner should be consulted. Even here, though, crystals can be applied to complement the profes-sional approach, using safe monitoring and
treatment over the course of the illness and a successful cure. In most cases, however, a cure proceeds by reversing the process or direction of the original causes or origins
As with so many other ailments, it is just as important with a cold to consider any emotional background to the illness – personal relationships, ones lifestyle and en -vironment, grief or depression (especially in cases of bronchitis).
The same crystals that are used with cold symptoms can also be applied to deal with any associated emotional problems.
Heliotrope can be applied at the begin-ning of a cold, when the first sensations of feverishness, head cold or soreness in the throat are experienced.
It should be placed immediately on the thymus gland (between heart and throat), in the form of a tumbled stone or a thin sec-tion or taken in the form of gem essence (5-10 drops every hour); or take as gem water (100–300 ml taken in small sips over the course of the day. Necklaces or a pen-dant can also be effective.
Heliotrope works by initially backing up the body’s non-specific immune reaction that attacks all foreign bodies in the same way. This defence mechanism is normally successful in warding off infection and so forth – but where it fails, a disease will progress. Parallel to its physical effect, Heliotrope also increases the ability to defend oneself on an emotional level.
However, if the cold is in its full-blown
form, Heliotrope becomes ineffective as the body’s attempt at limiting infection has been overcome.
Sardonyx should be then be used if there are feverish symptoms.
Red Chalcedony is the alternative if there is no fever,
Both forms encourage the feverish high temperature, which the body needs natu-rally in order to hold the disease in check, at least, until it has been identified and neu-tralised by the specific immune defence. In fact, a high temperature should never be lowered too early when you have a cold, only if it reaches life-threatening levels of 41°C (105°F), or more, should you should intervene.
The crystals can also be applied until the illness has reached its climax and the fever drops again. (By the way, the crystals help one emotionally to confront unpleasant things and to overcome difficult situations).
A sign that the illness has been overcome is that the limbs, and the hands and feet in particular, suddenly become hot, after they have been cold, in spite of the high temper-ature. This indicates that the body is trying to get rid of the heat. In order to assist in lowering the fever, cold compresses can now be wrapped around the calves.
Blue Chalcedony, Moss Agate or Ocean Jasper can also be applied along with the cold compress as each of them stimulates the lymph flow. In this way the cleansing of the infected areas can be
completed. Emotionally, they are also use-ful for encouraging feelings of relief and for promoting general detoxification.
Blue Chalcedony can be applied if the fever falls rapidly, whilst Moss Agate or Ocean Jasper can be used if the temperature falls gradually. Occasionally, though, it may also rise again through the actual process of detoxification. The selected crystal should be applied until the temperature has fallen to a normal level of about 37°C (99 °F).
During this period, bed rest is advised in order to ensure a cure.
When the fever has subsided and a symptom-free state has been attained, apply Brown Chalcedony for another week or two in order to avoid a relapse or complications, as this crystal helps support the immune system over a longer period. Furthermore, emotionally, it heightens one’s powers of observation.
(As an aside, at the end of such an ill-ness. it always advisable to take one extra day off for full recovery before going back to business as usual. This “extra” day was once part of any doctor’s standard recom-mendation. However, in today’s ever-more complex world, it is usually ignored, as almost every one has major commitments.
Nevertheless skipping that extra day off is one of the most common causes of a relapse with complications, or even of a much more severe illness.)
Epidote and Zoisite can help if there still is a definite feeling of weakness after a
cold. These crystals are regenerative in effect and Epidote particularly can be combined with the Chalcedony already mentioned.
Hold a tumbled stone in the hand or place/fix it on the thymus gland (between the heart and the throat). It is just as effec-tive to wear a necklace or a pendant and to take gem essence (5-7 drops at least three times daily up to a maximum dose of once an hour depending on the intensity of the illness. Also, try gem water (200–500 ml) in small sips over the course of the day.