Nature has played (and continues to play) a pivotal and powerful healing role in my life. Based on the amazing ways in which I have been helped, I believe there is probably something in nature to cure every disease – physical, mental and/or emotional. Even though this is something I cannot prove, “I feel it in my bones”, so to speak.
Nature has helped me in two ways: firstly, through the remedies produced by its plant life, and secondly, by its physical presence…I will now explain what I mean…
Nature’s Remedies
At one point in my life, I had enough aromatherapy and Bach flower essence bottles to fill a medicine cabinet – they were my ‘medicines’ at the time as I had stopped using pharmaceuticals. I had a few guide books that I would refer to in order to help alleviate certain conditions, usually emotional ones. The main remedies are the following:
Lavender oil is great for insomnia, headaches, muscle tension and insect bites – it is safe enough to apply directly onto the skin.
Rose oil is quite expensive and it comes prepared in a carrier/massage oil. This has assisted me during times of profound grief when I applied it directly onto my heart. I have also used it on my wrists to help alleviate anxiety.
Peppermint oil is great for digestive upsets, nausea, sinus blockages and as a stimulant (i.e. to wake you up when you’re a bit foggy). It is quite strong so only a small amount is needed and should not be applied directly onto the skin. I carry this one with me everywhere and find that it works very fast when I smell it as the healing properties go straight to the part of the brain that requires it.
The Rescue Remedy is a Bach flower essence that has been a life-saver so many times over the last two decades, that if I had a dollar for every time that I’ve used it, I would be a millionaire by now! This is great for shock, anxiety attacks, stress and other negative emotions. I have often used it to pull me out of bouts of anger and grief when I had nothing else at hand. It has helped put me to sleep when I have woken after a nightmare.
Clematis was an essence I would take in conjunction with the rescue remedy during times in my life when I did not want to ‘be here.’ I wasn’t suicidal but I found it difficult to get out of bed in the morning due to whatever crisis I was enduring at the time. This combination of essences restored my motivation and got me through some very tough phases in life.
Star of Bethlehem is the essence for grief. I have taken this primarily with the rescue remedy as sometimes the grief would intensify before it would dissipate – this combination assisted in my staying balanced. Actually, many of these remedies can make you feel worse for a while as their purpose is to unearth that which must be healed – you know, the painful stuff that you try to avoid in day-to-day life.
Miscellaneous herbs, homeopathic treatments etc…for the most part, I have taken these remedies under professional instruction and supervision – the only exception being herbal teas such as peppermint, chamomile and so on. These remedies helped me stay emotionally stable during the years I was experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder.
Nature’s Physicality
Oceans, mountains, trees, flowers, lakes, rivers, ponds…simply looking at these creations makes me feel better and much closer to God.
Immersing myself in the ocean is healing. One day, I felt so emotionally fragmented that I could not concentrate, not even for a second. I had a strong urge to go to the beach, so when I finally reached the water’s edge, I allowed my feet to sink into the wet sand. Almost immediately, I felt calm, back in my body and happy to be on the planet once again.
Sitting on the ground, hugging a tree and running my toes and fingers through sand have always been able to make me feel better when I’m depressed or anxious. The earth itself emits positive ions which help to energize and clear away negative energies on any level of your being.
Happy Healing in Nature!
Helen
