Wengen
Mannlichen
Lager Chair
New Eigernordwand Chairlift
Top of Honegg
Friday, April 16, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
It's Cold
What a cold March we are having, minus 19 on Mannlichen yesterday, and minus 8 this morning. With a tiny dusting of snow too. The piste conditions continue to be perfect. This does make my life easier as teaching on ice and slush, which is usual for March, is not a wonderful experience.
My apologies for lack of communication here. I met a couple of Irish friends the other day who mentioned that they missed the regular updates. It's been a sad time for me as my mum died quite unexpectedly at Christmas, luckily I was at home then. I just haven't felt like doing anything since. Just getting myself out of bed and to work has been enough effort in itself, fending off the anxiety and the wish to pull the covers over my head and forget everything, an overpowering desire.
I still have plenty such moments but gradually I feel I am coming back to life.
My apologies for lack of communication here. I met a couple of Irish friends the other day who mentioned that they missed the regular updates. It's been a sad time for me as my mum died quite unexpectedly at Christmas, luckily I was at home then. I just haven't felt like doing anything since. Just getting myself out of bed and to work has been enough effort in itself, fending off the anxiety and the wish to pull the covers over my head and forget everything, an overpowering desire.
I still have plenty such moments but gradually I feel I am coming back to life.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
Autumn around Wengen
Just to get you folks excited, this is how it looked on Maennlichen last Sunday.
The trees are bursting with berries. The predictions therefore, are for a long, cold, snowy winter.
The "Start Hut" Bar on Lauberhorn has even organised a start of winter season party for15th November!
The colour of the trees has developed tremendously since this was taken 5 days ago. However, locals have commented that because it has been so dry, the colours have moved through to brown very quickly.
From my balcony, about 9am.And especially for my friends...
Me at the top of the Moench Tuesday 27th October 09.An amazing, fabulous day.
Many thanks to my guide Oskar Gertsch for getting me there and back safely.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Herbs and Health on Holiday
The Herbs and Health on Holiday week was very successful. The weather was perfect, we were able to go out and collect some of the plants we were talking and learning about.
We produced some of the recipes spoken of in the course.
And visited a Botanical Garden found at 2000m, Schynige Platte.
Next years course will be at the same time of year, Monday 6th September til Friday 10th 2010. Traditional Remedies of the Swiss Alps.
We produced some of the recipes spoken of in the course.
And visited a Botanical Garden found at 2000m, Schynige Platte.
Next years course will be at the same time of year, Monday 6th September til Friday 10th 2010. Traditional Remedies of the Swiss Alps.Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Schynige Platte
In September I am holding a residential herbal course here in Wengen. This years theme, Alpine Traditional Remedies. My guest speaker is Tina Stapely MCPP, Herbal Historian and Author. She has also, incidentally, appeared as a herbal expert on several television programmes the next appearance will be on Autumn Watch.
A trip to Schynige Platte is part of the course programme. So Yesterday, I hiked 1200m from Wilderswil to the top, a reconnaissance day to find my bearings in the Botanical Garden up there. We will be allowing the train to take the strain on the day.
A few pictures to whet your appetite.
For further information on the course contact me by e-mail 
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Migraine
On my last trip up to Maennlichen I got talking to the only other adventurer, a girl from Finland. As is quite common when people find out that you are a medical herbalist, I was asked " What herb can I take for.....?". Unfortunately its not as simple as that.
Medical science may say take Imigram. As herbalists we wish to get to the bottom of the problem, not just kill the symptom. A herbalist will look at the individual, no two people have the same migraine, the same history that led eventually to that symptom, the same causes, or the same cures.
The wonderful thing about herbs, apart from there being so many, is that they work synergistically. It is possible, and often advisable, to incorporate four or five herbs in one individual mix. For example, we could be supporting the liver, reducing inflammation, keeping the arteries nice and calm, and reducing muscle tension all at the same time.
An initial consultation with a herbalist lasts for usually one hour. In this time we can really get to know your medical, social and emotional history. We can advise on lifestyle changes to help you improve your condition and suggest suitable supplements. As a complimentary therapist, my position is to accompany you on your road to health, to identify and encourage you to make healthy decisions, you are in charge of your health.
What causes your migraines? Are they linked to your menstrual cycle? Is it stress? What is this symptom trying to tell you? Is there anything that makes them worse? What brings relief?
The first port of call is to make a daily note of foods eaten, menstrual cycle, length of bleed, PMT, amount and quality of sleep, activities, stress, emotions and symptoms. This can easily be done on an A4 sheet, landscape, monthly, days of the month at the top, symptoms etc. down the side. Use a scale of 0 - 3 for severity, 0 = nothing, 3 = the worst possible. Contact me for an example via e-mail.
After a few months it may well be possible to see some connections. There could even be a simple cure such as avoiding chocolate pre-menstrually.
Further suggestions for self-help are certain supplements that have been shown to be beneficial and are available in all health food shops. Advisable is to buy the best you can afford, the good quality supplements such as Solgar, Quest, Natures Own. A good Health Food Shop will also be able to offer advice.
General daily supplements are:
Magnesium 300mg,
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) 400mg,
Multi-vitamin and mineral containing 50mg B-complex,
Fish Oils with EPA
Co-enzyme Q10 90mg
Keeping a detailed account of your symptoms while introducing supplements and or making lifestyle changes, all noted on your Observation Chart, can encourage you to keep up the good practices as you begin to see improvement. This may be in the form of reduced duration of pain, or an increase length between attacks, or pain that is now relieved by simple pain killers.
The other nice thing about herbs and supplements is that they can be used in conjunction with your normal migraine medicines.
For the Finnish girl I met last week, I hope this reminds you of what I said on our hike. The nearest herbalist I have found is unfortunately in Sweden, Skane, Christina Harvidsson, her website is http://www.jeppagarden.se/
Til next time
Kx
Medical science may say take Imigram. As herbalists we wish to get to the bottom of the problem, not just kill the symptom. A herbalist will look at the individual, no two people have the same migraine, the same history that led eventually to that symptom, the same causes, or the same cures.
The wonderful thing about herbs, apart from there being so many, is that they work synergistically. It is possible, and often advisable, to incorporate four or five herbs in one individual mix. For example, we could be supporting the liver, reducing inflammation, keeping the arteries nice and calm, and reducing muscle tension all at the same time.
An initial consultation with a herbalist lasts for usually one hour. In this time we can really get to know your medical, social and emotional history. We can advise on lifestyle changes to help you improve your condition and suggest suitable supplements. As a complimentary therapist, my position is to accompany you on your road to health, to identify and encourage you to make healthy decisions, you are in charge of your health.
What causes your migraines? Are they linked to your menstrual cycle? Is it stress? What is this symptom trying to tell you? Is there anything that makes them worse? What brings relief?
The first port of call is to make a daily note of foods eaten, menstrual cycle, length of bleed, PMT, amount and quality of sleep, activities, stress, emotions and symptoms. This can easily be done on an A4 sheet, landscape, monthly, days of the month at the top, symptoms etc. down the side. Use a scale of 0 - 3 for severity, 0 = nothing, 3 = the worst possible. Contact me for an example via e-mail.
After a few months it may well be possible to see some connections. There could even be a simple cure such as avoiding chocolate pre-menstrually.
Further suggestions for self-help are certain supplements that have been shown to be beneficial and are available in all health food shops. Advisable is to buy the best you can afford, the good quality supplements such as Solgar, Quest, Natures Own. A good Health Food Shop will also be able to offer advice.
General daily supplements are:
Magnesium 300mg,
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) 400mg,
Multi-vitamin and mineral containing 50mg B-complex,
Fish Oils with EPA
Co-enzyme Q10 90mg
Keeping a detailed account of your symptoms while introducing supplements and or making lifestyle changes, all noted on your Observation Chart, can encourage you to keep up the good practices as you begin to see improvement. This may be in the form of reduced duration of pain, or an increase length between attacks, or pain that is now relieved by simple pain killers.
The other nice thing about herbs and supplements is that they can be used in conjunction with your normal migraine medicines.
For the Finnish girl I met last week, I hope this reminds you of what I said on our hike. The nearest herbalist I have found is unfortunately in Sweden, Skane, Christina Harvidsson, her website is http://www.jeppagarden.se/
Til next time
Kx
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