Many witches (Wiccans and others that fall under the label of witch) often seek out natural healing methods for their ills. This can take the forms of herbalism, Reiki, Chakra meditation, hands-on healing, or any number of methods out there that do not require a medical doctor.
This is not to say witches should deny the advice of a doctor, but many healing practices work just fine hand-in-hand with more conventional healing practices. Reiki, for instance, won’t effect medication or chemo therapy.
Herbs, on the other hand, not only can conflict with modern medicine, many herbs offer their own side effects. Plants are the origin of medication anyway, so this stands to reason. Too much Willow bark (aspirin) for pain relief, can thin the blood and cause stomach problems. St. John’s Wort , used as an anti-depressant, can make you sensitive to sunlight. Even Chamomile, used for relaxation, can cause allergic reaction in some people.
Another warning with using herbs is buying in pill form means you have no idea to the process used in making the herb supplement. Medication in any form needs to have a dosage based on weight and height, so taking herbs without knowing what additives are in there, or how it was processed can effect potency.
With many ills, I find it helps to first look to diet and lifestyle. For instance, sugar sensitivity mimics many conditions such as fibromyalgia, allergies, and depression. Removing sugars and processed foods often alleviates symptoms, and certainly starts the path towards a healthier lifestyle.
I know many pagans with weight issues, which often aggravates conditions such as join problems, back issues, sleep apnea, diabetes, and other health issues. Find a healthy diet with exercise, and again, many of these problems go away or the symptoms are eased.
Even something simple as drinking lots of water can provide improved health. Slight dehydration causes fatigue and malaise.
I would never say to avoid modern medicine, but I think natural remedies can work hand-in-hand;
- Avoid sugar and processed foods.
- Keep a varied, well rounded diet.
- Eat smaller, more frequent meals. (I’ve eaten up to eight times a day and lost weight).
- Drink lots of water and tea. Avoid soda and coffee. Green tea provides antioxidants, and is known to cut the chances of cancer down considerably.
- Exercise regularly. This doesn’t mean you have to kill yourself, just get the heart rate up. Take walks (meditative walks does wonders for mood). This improves circulation, blood pressure, and promotes natural levels of Dopamine (the happy chemical in the brain)
- Meditation in its many forms also shows amazing results in lowering blood pressure, improving mood, and providing an overall general good sense of things.
Health and healing to all.
Moon and Shadow 