We are facing a mental health crisis today due to the covid pandemic. Anxiety, stress & fear are all around: many of us have suffered panic attacks, grief, loss, separation and a sense of loneliness or despair over the past year. At such times it becomes very clear that we are social creatures and we feel isolated if we are not in human contact with others for prolonged periods of time. Children and young people especially have been denied the fun and playfulness of youth and the normal types of social interaction that later prepare them for becoming well-balanced adults. Yet change is inevitable - nothing lasts forever - not even covid! Now we need to find ways to see the light at the end of tunnel in order to survive and get through these dark times.

At the end of November 2020, I was involved in organising a series of lectures offering advice and help in dealing with the covid epidemic. Several international experts spoke about the current pandemic from different perspectives, but I think the most important aspect which was discussed and relevant to everyone from a naturopathic point of view, is what we can all do for ourselves in the way of prevention.

As a follow up to my blog on Naturopathic Ways of dealing with epidemics from the perspective of ‘prevention’, here is some advice on the use of spices in the context of Tibetan Medicine. The Tibetan medical approach has a great deal in common with aromatherapy, in that it traditionally employs herbs, spices and aromatic oils mainly in the form of aromatic baths and massage oils, together with a specific form of massage called Kyu Nye, alongside personalised dietary advice.