In February, at Cure By Nature we see many more people coughing and sneezing,
adult and children coming with sinusitis, rhinitis, sore throat etc.
Conventional medical doctor can prescribe Paracetamol for flu and cold,
antihistamine for allergies.
Homeopathy can provide sufferers with a good alternative: there are two very popular
homeopathic remedies for flu: Ocillococcinum and Mucococcinum; both are safe to
use with babies, young children and pregnant women.
For the common cold, Echinacea tincture, propolis, Manuka honey are very effective.
Allergies to tree pollen are now starting to cause runny nose and itchy throat, because
the pollen from the Birch Family (Betulaceae) which include birch, alder, hazel, are
all flowering in January and February.
Acupuncture and homeopathy are very successful for the treatment of these
conditions.
February this year is also a leap year:
Leap Year has been the traditional time that women can propose marriage. In many of
today's cultures, it is okay for a woman to propose marriage to a man. Society doesn't
look down on such women. However, that hasn't always been the case. When the
rules of courtship were stricter, women were only allowed to pop the question on one
day every four years. That day was February 29th.
Good luck ladies!

Finally, Valentine day is also upon us:
The first interpretation has this celebration originating as a pagan tradition in the third
century. During this time hordes of hungry wolves roamed outside of Rome where
shepherds kept their flocks. The God Lupercus, was said to watch over the shepherds
and their flocks and keep them from the wolves. Every February the Romans
celebrated a feast called Lupercalia to honour Lupercus so that no harm would come
to the shepherds and their flocks.
In 496 Pope Gelasius declared the day in honour of St. Valentine. Through the
centuries the Christian holiday became a time to exchange love messages and St.
Valentine became the patron saint of lovers. Lovers' quarrels come under his
jurisdiction and, naturally, he is the patron saint of engaged couples and of anyone
wishing to marry

An other traditional explanation is that on February 14th the Birds begin to mate.
The Europeans also believed that on February 14th the birds began to choose their
mates.
In fact Chaucer, in his "Parlement of Foules," wrote: "For this was Seynt Valentine's
Day when every foul cometh ther to choose his mate."

John Donne wrote:

Hail Bishop Valentine! whose day this is;
All the air is thy diocese,
And all the chirping choristers
And other birds are thy parishioners:
Thou marryest ever year
The lyric lark and the grave whispering dove;
The sparrow that neglects his life for love,
The household bird with the red stomarcher;
Celebrations
Thous mak'st the blackbird speed as soon,
As doth the goldfinch or the halcyon . . .
This day more cheerfully than ever shine,
This day which might inflame thyself, old Valentin

Happy Valentine!

PJ Cousin