Hydrolife Magazine August/September 2016 (Canadian Edition)

heal
Herbal
ASK A NURSE: APPETITE & ECZEMA
Q
Dear Nurse Jessica,
My mother is a cannabis patient and she is currently
undergoing chemotherapy. She loses her appetite
completely after treatment and says that her food
tastes “off” when she tries to eat. She also has
restless legs syndrome and bad eczema on her
hands and arms. Any suggestions?
Daughter
Dear Daughter,
Working in conjunction with your mother’s doctors
A
and holistic practitioners to support her process
is highly recommended. Please note that my
suggestions as a nurse are meant to be taken as
guidelines derived from my personal experiences
with patients and research. Enduring chemotherapy is exasperating,
not only for the patient but for the family and friends
connected. My heart goes out to your mother and your family
during this time of healing.
Appetite loss was designed for Mary Jane in my opinion.
Common strains for appetite stimulation that patients
gravitate to include White Widow, Jack Herer, Super Lemon
Haze, Girl Scout Cookies, Afgan Kush, Northern Light
Special and Lemon OG Kush.
Trying a cannabis tincture/oil to stimulate the palate and
activate the salivary glands may assist. The concentration
of the oil will provide longer cannabis relief as she rests and
allows herself to sleep and heal. Using affirmational healing
and meditation may also assist with your mother’s discomfort.
Louise Hay’s book You Can Heal Your Life is a personal
favourite, especially for positive motivation.
Eczema can be treated topically with a thick infused salve or
a light lotion. Both are used often by patients I see and seem to
clear up dryness and relieve pain. Hydration and water intake
are key. Internally, eczema often indicates that digestion is not
in a good place. She can find great herbal support here with
cannabis and with other readily available plant medicines.
Some other common herbs that might be used for digestive
issues include:
• Plantain: This herb is soothing and can help to heal scars
in the lining of the stomach. Great as a calming cup of tea.
• Lemon balm: A garden plant that’s easy to grow and widely
available at nurseries will help to ease tension in the digestive
system while acting to calm the nervous system.
The emotional aspect can be dealt with through the use of another
kind of herbal remedy called vibrational flower remedies.
Check these out. Edward Bach pioneered this work in the 1930s
and as a result his products and other flower remedies from
other sources are widely available in the marketplace today.
Restless legs syndrome can really benefit from baths in cannabis
infused salts, edibles and topicals that are applied all
over the legs with generosity. There have been a lot of positive
results with patients going for hands on bodywork from Cranial
Sacral Healers, Reiki Masters and acupuncture from doctors
of Chinese medicine. Energetic work is just as important to me
as nutrition and rest.
Jessica Ferneyhough, a registered practical nurse, brings a
unique approach to care, empowering patients as a medicinal
cannabis nurse and horses for healing advocate. Do you have a
question for Jessica? Email editor@myhydrolife.com.
36
grow. heal. live. enjoy.
myhydrolife.ca