you will also notice how much (or how little) other authors use them and you can see what you like and what you don’t like.
Actually, this comment made me think of an author I loved as a child (and still do)- Lucy Maud Montgomery. I loved the way she described Prince Edward Island in Anne of Green Gables. I could feel I’m right there, seeing the sights, smelling the scents, hearing the voices.
And now for the post. I feel my writing style changing- even when writing the first draft. As if a red light goes on every time I see a flabby phrase on my screen. Editing is so much more effective now that I know what to look for! I’m sure there’s still a lot to work on, but I feel better already.
Adding sensory words was tricky this time- because I was writing about emotional issues. I wrote a sensory opening, and I think it’s quite loaded. Do you think I should add more?
Here it is:
How to relieve your child’s anxiety- with herbs you can find in the supermarket
[Just practicing :)]
Yes, he’s autistic.
His mood changes are something you’re used to.
They meet you at very specific places you’ve learned to avoid.
Sometimes it seems like they’re following you. Or hiding in the dark, waiting for a weak moment to take over your child.
He can be anxious, nervous, restless, irritable. He can have a meltdown, throwing himself on the floor in the middle of the street.
Nights are hard. You wish he could sleep well. You wish you could, too.
You keep your calm, to a certain point. But don’t these moods sometimes seep through to you?
Dealing with mood changes and sleeping problems is challenging, but many things can help. Herbal medicine does a terrific job, while being gentle.
But not every child needs to take a prescribed herbal medicine. Many children get along just by adding medicinal herbs to their nutrition.
In this post I teach you how to use herbs in your daily life. Herbs that are easy to find, simple to use, and effective.
Where to find these herbs?
You can find them in your supermarket. Essential oils could be found in whole foods stores.
If you have a yard or a planter and feel adventurous- you could find these plants in gardening supplies stores. Growing plants could be a wonderful activity with your child. But that’s a topic for another post.
So let’s get started.
Melissa
Melissa leaves relieve anxiety, depression and tension. They help improve your mood. If your child suffers from gas and stomach aches- melissa could help with them as well.
You can find melissa tea bags at the supermarket. I’ll explain the right way to brew them later.
Rosemary
Rosemary essential oil can help improve his mood. John Gerard was an English herbalist, who lived between 1545-1612. He wrote that rosemary plants “comfort the heart, and make it merry, quicken the spirits, and make them more lively”.
Now wouldn’t you want that?
Researches have shown a connection between smelling rosemary and improved mental function, mood and memory.
But pay close attention:
Rosemary is energising and awakening. It’s not the herb to use when you want to help your child fall asleep. A good choice for relaxation and restful sleep would be lavender oil.
How to use essential oils?
Essential oils can cause allergic reactions when they come in contact with the skin.
Lavender is usually safe, so you can use a few drops in a warm bath. Perfect before going to bed!
As for other oils- I use a diffuser that spreads them across the Snoezelen room. Burners are common but NOT recommended, because the heat can damage the oil.
I use pure essential oils in the Snoezelen clinic. They are more expensive, but worth it.
Would you want your child to inhale the questionable ingredients added to the impure oils?..
I thought not.
Basil
Basil leaves are also energizing and give you a better mood. You can add fresh leaves to your salad, or make pesto sauce.
Okay. I know your child might not want to eat pesto sauce, but I’m thinking about you, too. After all, couldn’t you use a little mood-boosting?
Here’s a vegan pesto recipe:
…
Camomile
Camomile tea is relaxing. It relieves anxiety and tension, and can help your child sleep better. It can also treat gas and stomach aches.
You can find camomile tea bags in every supermarket. Verbena is also calming, but isn’t as common as camomile.
How to brew herbal tea?
…
See? it’s simple.
But these methods have an extra benefit.
They don’t just help children with autism.
They don’t just help children.
They can help you, too.
To be more relaxed, or more energized, with little effort.
So go ahead- brew on and tell me how it goes.