Not only does your trusted physician say surgery is in your best interest, you’ve had two second opinions. Or perhaps you have been incapacitated by an accident and are in need of long-term rest. Remember that often our problems in life can be transformed into opportunities! Here are some ideas that promote healing so that you can come through the ordeal like a champion.
BEFORE SURGERY
Read about the procedure so you know what to expect. Discuss your fears and feelings with your doctor, family, and spiritual counselor. Get your personal affairs in order, including naming someone to have power of attorney in case it is needed. Let your doctor know about any herbs, drugs, or supplements you are currently taking at least 1 week before surgery. Consider making a donation of your own blood, so that if blood is needed, a safe, perfect-for-you type is available.
Do your best to be in good health before surgery. Cut out or minimize the use of health-robbing substances such as cigarettes, coffee, alcohol, and junk food. Lose or gain weight reasonably if appropriate. If you feel yourself getting nervous as surgery draws near or in dealing with the aftermath of an accident, Rescue Remedy can be an excellent ally.
DURING SURGERY
Music during the operation as well as during any recovery phase can reduce anxiety and blot out noise pollution that could be detrimental. Taking an mp3 to the hospital will assure that you hear what you need and want to hear.
HERBS THAT HELP YOUR BODY HEAL
The following herbs can be taken as tea, tincture, or capsules and can be used three times daily following surgery:
• Chinese ginseng and Eleuthero help the body acclimate to stress.
• Nettles are high in iron and minerals that aid in blood building if the patient has lost blood.
• Ginger can help allay some of the residual nausea from anesthesia.
• Turmeric helps reduce inflammation and reduce pain.
• Gotu kola promotes wound healing. Research shows that the triterpenoids in Gotu kola help prevent scar formation after surgery.
• Aloe vera also speeds wound healing time and stimulates new cell growth.
• Using astragalus, echinacea, and reishi mushrooms can help you be more resistant to infection.
VITAMINS AND SUPPLEMENTS FOR HEALING
Vitamin A (10,000 IU) works as an antioxidant and promotes the repair of epithelial tissue. Beta-carotene (10,000 IU), which is converted into beta-carotene in the body, has the same properties. Both help prevent post-surgical infections and normalize white blood cell counts.
Vitamin C (1,000 mg) helps promote wound healing and is needed for the syntheses of collagen. Zinc (915 mg) promotes tissue repair and improved immune function. These vitamins, including vitamin E (400 IU), are all helpful for one recovering from an accident.
Bromelain (250 to 500 mg) taken three times daily can reduce post surgical and traumatic swelling, inflammation, and pain. Calcium (1,000 mg) and magnesium (500 mg) can promote bone healing.
Consider daily doses of the above supplements following surgery and for at least a month afterwards.
BEST FOODS FOLLOWING SURGERY
After surgery or an accident, you may need to follow certain dietary guidelines for important reasons. Depending on your dietary guidelines, the following simple and nourishing foods will help aid in your recovery:
• Unsweetened applesauce is high in pectin, which helps to normalize bowel function.
• Miso soup and yogurt help replenish your system with friendly intestinal flora.
• Pureed vegetables and soups are a simple way of getting a variety of nutrients without having to consume many different dishes if you have a decreased appetite.
• Seaweeds help prevent the body from absorbing radiation from x-rays.
• Winter squashes and yams are filling and nutrient rich.
• Bioflavonoid-rich foods such as blueberries and rose hips have capillary strengthening abilities.
• A congee, which is a watery nourishing porridge that is easy to digest, can be prepared by cooking one part rice with seven parts water.
• Chi and blood tonics like ginseng root and dong quai are invigorating and can help you regain your energy.
GOOD TO KNOW!
After surgery, you can take vitamin E (400 IU) both internally and externally to help reduce scarring. You can also use it topically after sutures have been removed. If you have been given lots of drugs or anesthesia, use alterative herbs (which can help detoxify the body of drug residue) such as alfalfa leaf, burdock root, raw dandelion root, nettles, and red clover blossom. They can be taken as teas three times daily. If you have been on antibiotics, take probiotic capsules three times daily to prevent fungal overgrowth. You can also take homeopathic Arnica before and after surgery to reduce swelling and trauma. Put four pellets under the tongue three times daily.
If the hospital staff tries to give you chemical green electrolyte beverages, if you can, take an alternative from the health food store without dyes and artificial flavors. When friends come to visit, ask them to bring a fresh vegetable juice of carrot, beet, and celery, which can be diluted and enjoyed. Enjoy homemade meals and other healing gifts your friends know how to provide.
SOOTHING PRACTICES AFTER SURGERY
Would having your own colorful sheets brighten your spirits more than antiseptic white ones? Bring them. You may also prefer to have your own comfortable and familiar pajamas from home with you instead of hospital garb.
Allow healing sunlight and adequate fresh air into the room. Cleanliness and brightness will help inspire health and good cheer.
CDs with beautiful healing music (such as Bach, Mozart, and Vivaldi) and an aroma-therapy diffuser that is electric (candles are a fire hazard) can lift your spirits during a hospital stay. The smell of lavender essential oil is both uplifting and antiseptic.
Consider bringing an easel so you can display a piece of beautiful inspirational art with you to have in your hospital room. This will do a lot more for your psyche than white walls or generic hospital art! Bring oxygen-giving green plants into the recovery room. Invite a stuffed animal to share your bed.
GOOD TO KNOW!
A salve made of comfrey, calendula, and vitamin E can be used to heal bedsores should they occur. Apply topically using enough to cover the affected area.
Read some of the books you’ve always wanted to. Spend some time studying. Maybe there’s a subject you’ve always been interested in but never had the time to pursue? This may be the only time in your life you decide to read about a period of history or art that interest you. Check out books on tape if you are not up to reading.
Remember and enjoy the art of drawing and coloring. Learn to play some games.
Visualize placing your healing and consciousness into the parts of your body that need it. Send healing light and colors to all parts of your being. Take time to pray and give thanks for the things that are right in life.
This may be a good time to keep a journal. Tell the story of your life, illness, or your accident. Do it again in two weeks and see how it might be different. Or write the story of how you want your future to look. You can also use a journal to learn more about the meaning of dreams. Write poetry and short stories.
Sleep as much as you can. Use this time for healing, to regenerate and renew so that you emerge with new strength and vitality. Use this time to do anything that soothes you and promotes your healing.
When it is time to get back on your feet, do it gradually with care and moderation. Take care and revel in the taking time out for your own healing process
Skip This!
There are many herbs to avoid before surgery, including the following:
• Ephedra: Can elevate blood pressure.
• Feverfew: Can increase bleeding.
• Garlic: Can decrease blood platelet aggregation.
• Ginkgo: Can decrease blood platelet aggregation.
• Ginseng: Can increase bleeding in some people.
• Goldenseal: Might increase blood pressure.
• Kava: May increase the effects of some antiseizure medications.
• Licorice: May aggravate electrolyte imbalance and increase blood pressure.
• Valerian: Can increase the effects of some anesthesia or antiseizure medications.
Also a week before surgery, avoid aspirin, Motrin, Advil (anti-inflammatory nonsteroidal drugs), vitamin E, COQ10, selenium, ginger, white willow bark, hawthorn, and turmeric (okay in food) as they all have blood-thinning properties.
KEEP IN MIND
Emotions that are unexpected and sometimes irrational are likely to occur and can be part of the healing process. Screaming into a pillow for no more than ten minutes can be releasing and therapeutic if you feel a need for it during the recovery process.
This Healing Faster from Surgery and Accidents article is taken from :
The Country Almanac of Home Remedies - Brigitte Mars
