By Dr Catherine W Dunne MSc (Hon), Reiki Master, Master Acupressure, Practitioner of Reflexology, Aromatherapy, Deep Tissue/Myo-fascia Massages, Infrared Treatments, Vibrational Sound and Colour Therapist, Tissue Salt Advisor, Pendulum Healing Dowser, Chakra Practitioner , Tao Cosmic Healing Practitioner, Practitioner of Plant and Herb Medicine and Nurse.

When you live with fibromyalgia, you face daily challenges that many others don’t. Chronic muscle pain, nonstop fatigue, unrefreshing sleep, numbness or tingling in the hands and feet, and depression are all issues that can divide your life into ‘good days’ and ‘bad days.’

Fibromyalgia affects approximately one in 50 people – mostly women. There is currently no cure and no one knows what causes it- yet. Therefore, finding the best fibromyalgia pain relief is an ongoing process.

In this blog, we’ll examine seven herbs that can provide relief for your symptoms, along with three natural treatments that can make a big difference in how you feel.

1. St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)

While no studies have been done on the effect of St. John’s wort on fibromyalgia symptoms, it is often used to treat depression, which is commonly associated with fibromyalgia.

As a herbal therapy, it’s usually well-tolerated, although some people may experience an upset stomach or a skin rash.

According to this medically-reviewed article published on WebMD, an analysis of studies examining the effect of St. John’s wort on depression found that the herb was as safe and effective as selective SSRI antidepressants like Zoloft and Prozac. However, if you are currently taking antidepressants, speak to your healthcare practitioner, as mixing St. John’s wort with some medications may cause illness.

2. Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea)

Echinacea is often used to shorten the duration of the common cold and flu, and to reduce symptoms such as a sore throat, cough, and fever.

Herbalists also recommend echinacea to help the body fight infection.

Echinacea contains antioxidants such as flavonoids, cichoric acid, and rosmarinic acid, which may protect your body from the pain and stiffness associated with fibromyalgia. It can also activate chemicals in the body that reduce inflammation while strengthening your immune system.

3. Turmeric

Dried and ground turmeric roots have been used as a pain reliever and anti-inflammatory for centuries, particularly in India. More recently, turmeric’s active ingredient, curcumin, has been called the ‘herbal ibuprofen.’

One study found that curcumin was highly effective at reducing pain and swelling in arthritic joints. When taken as directed, it can deliver a similar benefit to those living with fibromyalgia, so if you already enjoy turmeric in your meals, here’s a good reason to keep indulging! Works best in combination of Black Pepper or Piperine.

4. Cayenne (Capsaicin)

Capsaicin has powerful pain-relieving properties when applied to the skin. It reduces the amount of substance P, a chemical that carries pain messages to the brain, in your body. When there is less substance P, the pain messages no longer reach the brain, and you feel relief.

https://www.mountsinai.org › herb

Cayenne Information | Mount Sinai – New York

What are the benefits of topically applying cayenne pepper?

Topical analgesic.

Studies show that applying 0.025% to 0.075% capsaicin cream topically may also aid in short-term pain relief. It eases pain from rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and psoriasis. It also relieves pain due to neuralgias. These include shingles and diabetic neuropathy.

https://www.urmc.rochester.edu › c…

Cayenne – Health Encyclopedia – University of Rochester Medical Center

5. Arnica (Arnica)

Arnica has been used for treating bruises, inflammations, and muscle pain since medieval times.

Today, many different topical remedies include it as a natural treatment for muscle pain, as these treatments tend to be well-tolerated and have few side effects.

Rubbing an arnica-based salve on sore joints and muscles can provide a measure of relief from the pain and stiffness associated with fibromyalgia and even improve joint function. Now available in the Apothecary!

Research has suggested that certain arnica gels work as well as ibuprofen in reducing hand pain associated with osteoarthritis.

6. Lavender (Lavandula)

Lavender oil and flowers are both used to create natural remedies for insomnia, stress, and anxiety. Since fibromyalgia patients often suffer from all three, taking lavender as a tea, tincture, or topical treatment can make it easier to sleep at night. One study concluded that lavender essential oil improved the sleep quality of patients in intensive care units (ICUs) who had trouble sleeping.

When applied as an oil, lavender has an added benefit of helping to reduce pain and improve blood circulation, rubbing a massage oil over sore joints and muscles may give you the pain relief you need.

STOP. Handle with caution!

Lavender is so dangerous….
In doing some of the research, though, I just had to laugh…. Because according to a Google search,

Lavender can cause:

blurred vision
difficulty breathing
burning pain in the throat
burns to the eye
confusion
decreased level of consciousness
diarrhea (watery and bloody)
stomach pain
vomiting
rash
skin irritation
allergic reactions such as hives
OKAY….OKAY….STOP!

PPP-LEASE….

In case you’re wondering…..

Now that artificial intelligence is in charge, the information is pulled from a variety of articles and is in an “experimental” stage at this time.

If you didn’t know all of this, what on earth would you think when you read all of these things? The list reads like a Big Pharma advertisement (risk section), doesn’t it?

Good GRIEF!

It’s becoming more and more evident that the powers that be (PTB) are truly, TRULY trying to crush use of natural, good-for-you plants for health. It’s ridiculous to be afraid of lavender, one of the safest, broad-use and beautiful of the medicinal herbs.

I love Lavender. Don’t you?

7. Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa)

Black cohosh, which was first used by Native Americans for medicinal purposes, became a popular treatment for women’s health issues in the mid-1950s.

Today, black cohosh is often used to ease the symptoms of menopause, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), acne, and osteoporosis.

Black cohosh root contains several chemicals that work to reduce pain in the body, making it a viable treatment for fibromyalgia symptoms. These chemicals can also have a similar effect to serotonin, which boosts the mood and can help reduce feelings of depression.

8. Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum)

Milk thistle is a flowering plant that is frequently used to treat various health conditions, mainly liver problems like cirrhosis, hepatitis, and jaundice.

In addition, it may lower cholesterol levels and help people manage type 2 diabetes.

Many people have found that milk thistle is highly effective in the treatment of painful conditions like fibromyalgia. In addition, it helps strengthen the digestive tract and aids in the healing of irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, and Crohn’s disease.

Additional Natural Therapies

The soothing and healing effects of the above herbs can be sustained and even improved with natural therapies that also target the stiffness and soreness caused by fibromyalgia. They include but are not limited to exercise massage and acupuncture.

1. Exercise

Fibromyalgia patients might find exercising difficult at first, but building up gradually and persevering can be beneficial. Over time, your pain and discomfort may decrease as muscle strength increases.

Exercises like swimming, walking, and cycling, are likely to improve health and the quality of life for people with fibromyalgia. A physical therapist can help you put together a program that works for you.

2. Massage

Massage may provide chronic pain relief when received regularly. There are different types available to help you cope with fibromyalgia-related stiffness and discomfort:

• Swedish massages use long strokes to target and relax the muscle’s superficial layers.
• A deep tissue massage uses direct pressure and slow strokes to affect the deeper layers of your muscles and relieve chronic tension.
• Myofascial release involves stretching and manipulating the connective tissues, making them more flexible and allowing you to move more freely.

Your massage therapist will work with you to determine the type of massage that will reduce your pain and improve your comfort the most.

3. Acupuncture/Acupressure

Acupuncture is part of traditional Chinese medicine, which treats a wide range of pain conditions. A core principle of traditional Chinese medicine is: “Where pain exists, Qi is blocked.” Qi (or Chi) is the name of the life force (energy) that permeates the human body. Practitioners believe that when your Qi is blocked, it can cause pain or illness

Acupuncture can relieve pain by facilitating a more efficient flow of Qi through the painful areas. During your treatment, which lasts anywhere from 20 to 45 minutes, the acupuncturist will insert several thin, sterilized needles in strategic locations to open up all of your Qi channels.

You may notice that your pain has improved following an acupuncture treatment session. It may have to do with the fact that acupuncture triggers endorphins, which are natural painkillers that can help decrease pain perception.

Conclusion

Managing uncomfortable fibromyalgia symptoms improves your quality of life. The remedies and treatments in this blog can all play an important role in controlling pain and depression and improving mobility. A consultation with your healthcare practitioner can result in a holistic treatment plan that improves your outlook and your wellbeing.

My fibromyalgia clients all love the Infrared Myofascial Massages and the Cayenne Balms. Some even go as hot as 350000 units heat on the Scoville chart.

Thank you for showing continued interests in my blogs.

Until next time,

Catherine

CWD 12 May 2024 Ireland

The human body has a storehouse for energy within the solar plexus, just as the sun stores energy for its planetary system. This energy is called Prana or Ki. It is the life force behind all things in our universe.

We can enervate more Ki to any depleted part of the body by using the mind, the nucleus of the body, to direct it to where it is needed. This activates the nucleus within the cells of the body in need of assistance.

Practise the Manipura self-healing method as follows:

lie down in a cornfortable position. Support any painful areas of your body with folded towels or pillows underneath. Repeat the words “ReiKi on” or “LeiKi on” 3 times and wish for your own healing to take place. Relax the feet, legs and lower trunk. Now feel the head. shoulders, aims, hands and upper trunk letting go.

Visualise your solar plexus area, the Manipura Chakra, being generated with a bright, luminous yellow healing streaming down from the sun above. This energy is re-filling your own solar centre which is a ball of revolving energy radiation outwards.

Now, take your mind to the top of your head, feeling the scalp relax as the forehead smoothest out allow the relaxing energy to draw down your body to the solar plexus. Let the eyes sink back into the sockets and feel the eyelashes touching with the energy flowing downwards. Lips together, teeth apart and jaw hanging loose see the energy continue down through the neck. Allow the shoulders to drop down, relaxing, as the energy t1ows downwards through the chest and ribs into the solar plexus. From the top of the spine to the mid-hack and from the fingers up through the arms, feel energy moving down to the solar plexus Chakra.

Visualise and feel the Manipura – solar plexus Chakra radiating more brightly

Clearly see in your mind’s eye the toes and feet. Feel each foot falling outwards as you relax. Allow the energy in the feet to allow gently up to your solar plexus. Notice the calves loosening and thighs letting go. Draw the Ki energy upwards to the solar plexus area.

Feel the buttocks sinking down and the tummy releasing tension. Be aware of the energy moving upwards through those areas and the pelvis. From the hips up to the solar plexus. Through the spine to the mid-back.

Visualise and feel the Manipura – solar plexus Chakra radiating more brightly. Tune into your body and any part which is in pain or requires healing See and feel the solar plexus area full of ki energy which is a bright yellow colour.

Send the Manipura energy to relieve pain or to repair and heal any area of need. Visualise a stream of energy flowing tn that specific area and any dark spots filling with light from the solar plexus storehouse.

Keep pumping energy and light from the solar plexus to the weak parts of your body, until you feel it is sufficient

Now send the Ki energy from the Manipura Chakra back out to all parts of your body and be aware of a more balanced state.

Give thanks for your own healing which has taken place and thanks to the lei (God Love Energy) and Ki (Life Force Universal Energy).

Wriggle your fingers and toes. stretch your arms above your head and slowly move your body. Take deeper breaths in and out and come back up to surface.

You have connected your mind to the cell within and the universe without all of which has connected with the highest infinite light and love, described on planet earth in many ways.

BALANCING THE CHAKRAS

Below is information on where to place the hands for each particular Chakra.

Crown Chakra

Heart Chakra

Solar Plexus Chakra

Naval Chakra

Sacrum Chakra

CHAKRA HEALING CHART

Reiki Vs Taoism and Ho’oponopono – by Rev Dr C.W. Dunne D.D., RGN, WMA, RGMT, RMP, RHP, Healing Minister

Reiki was discovered in the 1920’s. Taoism is ca 2500 to 3000+ yrs old.

The Dao Monks studied the Human, done autopsies, studied the Universe and kind of invented/discovered Astrology and their findings and discoveries had been passed on to their students. Over the course of time, the connection was made, as they discovered that the Universe is the Macrocosm and we are the Microcosm. The whole of the Universe is within us, as we are the Universe. Cosmic dust “rained” onto our planet and life began in form of bacteria and those evolved as we know. We eat, breath and drink cosmic dust and when we die, we become cosmic dust once again. Dao Monks had also established the connection to our Higher Self through meditation. Our Higher Self is permanently connected to the Universe.

Ho’oponopono: the real “age” of Ho’oponopono is not very clear, but the Polynesian Islanders have been practicing for a very, very long time. But what exactly is Ho’oponopono? In a Nutshell? It is an ancient Hawaiian practice of reconciliation and forgiveness.

Traditional Practices: “Ho’oponopono” is defined in the Hawaiian Dictionary as “mental cleansing: family conferences in which relationships were set right through prayer, discussion, confession, repentance, and mutual restitution and forgiveness.” 

Literally, hoʻo is a particle used to make an actualizing verb from the following noun, as would “to” before a noun in English. Here, it creates a verb from the noun pono, which is defined as:

…goodness, uprightness, morality, moral qualities, correct or proper procedure, excellence, well-being, prosperity, welfare, benefit, true condition or nature, duty; moral, fitting, proper, righteous, right, upright, just, virtuous, fair, beneficial, successful, in perfect order, accurate, correct, eased, relieved; should, ought, must, necessary.

Ponopono is defined as “to put to rights; to put in order or shape, correct, revise, adjust, amend, regulate, arrange, rectify, tidy up, make orderly or neat”.

In other words: There are three states of Mind: Emptiness – Zero (Divinity), Inspiration and Memory.

My personal conclusion is the following:

Dr Usui Sensei, as per history, studied many books. He had stumbled across references of ancient Chinese Text (about the Universe, Astrology, Anatomy, Health and Healing, including Meridians, Energy Centres (Chakras), Meditations in order to connect with the Universe as we are the Universe) from before a certain Emperor ordered their destruction; during the reign of this Emperor, these scrolls were hidden, brought out of China to Tibet and Thailand. Usui had travelled to China a lot it is said he had come across scrolls and tried to find more, but these were “lost goods”, many are still not found.

So with the knowledge he had up until that point, and he was a Monk now, he would practice frequent meditation.

Now I surmise the following:

I think the Enlightenment came with an INSPIRATIONAL thought…..and Reiki was born but not the Reiki as we know it today. Ho’oponopono: …once the mind is empty we wait for that INSPIRATIONAL thought to come through.

I can never prove this; it is and will always be a Theory but, like a jigsaw, one can visualise what had happened and put the pieces together…

Reiki Symbols: Usui only towards the end may have had only two.

Hayashi is the one who made more symbols and hand placements.

Takata, is the one who turned it into a business. But the bottom line remains still this:

This is why I believe that there is a connection between Reiki, Ho’oponopono and Daoism (Taoism)

Reiki being the youngest of them, the result of Ho and Dao perhaps… who knows?

Mikao Usui received and INSPIRATIONAL thought in other words. He was never attuned or initiated by any one person.

Thank you for reading my Reiki Blogs.

CWD 14 Dec 2022

Originally posted: by Rev Dr C.W. Dunne D.D., RGN, WMA, RGMT, RMP, RHP, Healing Minister 20/11/2016

Thank you for coming back to read more about my Reiki experience.

In my last Blog, I spoke about the history of our three Reiki Masters. I hope you enjoyed it.

We have learnt, that only after Madam Takata’s death, did Reiki develop into nearly a secret society, with secret language, with high membership fees – as high as $10.000 US. Despite such fees, people are joining the Reiki Wave, today even more so than ever before.

We have also learnt that Dr Usui sensei, had meditated and the Inspiration came to him.

And, after this occurred, from all those books he had studied, he started to build on those building blocks and “invented” Reiki. Dr Usui sensei, built the foundation of the Reiki we know today, or is it the same Reiki?

Ever since Reiki has been made available by Distant Learning, it has exploded. Everybody wants to become a Reiki Practitioner. So what is bad about this?

On the surface? Probably nothing. Except the World of Reiki are in two halves. Two halves, with two uneven weight distribution. Most Indemnity Insurance Companies will not insure those, taught by e-Learning, yet you can do a Law Degree and this is accepted.

Person to Person initiation Vs Distant learning with Distant Attunements.

Let us start by looking at the Distant Learning version first.

You can google the search engines for online Reiki courses and you will find plenty, including Facebook based schools. Apart from the price structure and offering MP3’s and video links, you read your way through the course. Right? Well…..in most cases, yes.

Peeps “frog-march” their way from Level one to Masters within a month. Just so that can be called Master. But do these fast track Masters have what it takes to be a sensei??

The majority of these courses work in this fashion.

And then there are online courses, that make you work and study and keep journals and give feedback and sit an exam – in other words: making to gain real experience. Can the Teacher/Master monitor this? NO. The Master relies on their student’s honesty.

Now how about those initiations/attunements? – I hear you ask. Good point.

How did Dr M. Usui Sensei get attuned or initiated to Reiki?

……by an INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT……. Okay, let’s just leave this statement sitting there.

Or can we? Inspirational thought…………. So this is distant attunement, is it?

How INSPIRATIONAL thought works, I shall explain in Part three.

So anyways, this inspirational thought led to somewhere. It led Dr Usui sensei to open up a school with beds and start practicing his inspiration and what he had read in books prior to the inspiration. He, in actual fact, combined healing modalities, like a little bit of good old fashioned cosmic healing. (More about this is a later blog).

A building with beds turned into a school of Reiki Teachings. Some of those who received healing, now were taught this skill (Person to Person schooling) – in part payment = a form of Energy Exchange with a donation as fee. This way Dr Usui sensei was passing on his knowledge. But does “passing on”, teaching, demonstrating….. Does this mean INITIATION?

If this was the case, then, when we all went to school, we all got initiated, but to what?????

As far as I am concerned, if Dr Mikao Usui sensei, a married man with 2 children and later a Monk, can receive a Divine Inspirational Thought (Ho’oponopono) and feel the energy move through his body, like a serpent (Kundalini) and draw this energy from the Universe (Daoism), and is now so charged, that when he places his hands on your head (causing the first “domino effect towards self-healing”) and four months later (after daily hands on treatment) you are healed, then DISTANT ATTUNEMENT must work!

CWD 13 Dec 2022