How homeopathy has inspired Hummingway from day one, by Olivia and her mom, Dana Khoury
In support of World Homeopathy Awareness Week, co-founder Olivia catches up with her mom, Dana Khoury, to talk about Homeopathy and how you can approach healing your body using natural remedies.
Olivia recently caught up with her mom to ask questions the Regulars from our community were keen to get answers to.
My message of inspiration is this: How wonderful it is that all our solutions to good health are from the best mother in the world, Mother Nature - Dana Khoury
What is homeopathy and why is it more important than ever in our lives?
Homeopathy is the principle of “like can cure like”. An illness should be treated with a substance capable of producing similar symptoms to those being suffered by the patient. It is more important now than ever because we have learned there are alternatives to traditional medicine which do work. Holistic systems of medicine take into consideration more than just the physical ailment, delving into the emotional traits and lifestyles unique to each individual.
How did you choose to raise your children with a homeopathic approach?
I chose to raise my children with the most important tenet of homeopathy and that is prevention. If I could build up their immune systems with a good diet and exercise, then we could avoid most illnesses.
What is a homeopathic approach to menstrual pain?
Dealing with menstrual pain means taking care to avoid certain foods, like salty and fatty foods, tea and coffee. Cutting out dairy and carbohydrates will ease symptoms, too. Eating raw vegetables, and smaller meals will also help. Take Evening Primrose Oil, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin E, a multivitamin and minerals like Calcium and Selenium.
What are the best herbs to take at different times in your cycle?
This is a very specific question, one which a homeopathic caregiver must study and answer, but in general, here are some suggestions:
Sepia for back pain
China for angry outbursts
Cimic for sadness
A teaspoon of royal jelly if you are feeling exhausted
Valerian root for anxiety
Vaginal steaming, tell us about it!
Anytime you apply moist heat you are opening pores and cleansing your skin. But I defer to Olivia for this answer since she has tried it...!
How was it for you, Olivia?
Okay! I did vaginal steaming for the first time at a Korean Spa in LA right before my period and I swear I had the best period of my life after. So I decided to do a DIY one last month. Essentially, you sit or squat over a container of herbal infused steam.
I boiled some herbs on the stove. Most of these herbs might just be in your kitchen, they were in mine. Rosemary ( anti bacterial ) , Oregano ( anti septic ) Calendula (anti-inflammatory), Motherwort ( for cramps) and Mugwort ( amazing for everything! ).
Making sure it wasn't too hot, I poured the infusion in my toilet (lol !) and sat over it!
Make sure you have socks on and a sheet to cover you to keep warm and retain the steam in the relevant area! I sat for ~10 minutes and did it a few days in a row in the luteal phase of my menstrual cycle.
Why choose a natural approach over medicine?
I don’t think it has to be either/or. Educate yourself on all the remedies available to you, so you can be your best advocate. Dr. Albert Schweitzer said: “Within every patient, there resides a doctor, and we as physicians are at our best when we put our patients in touch with the doctor inside themselves.”
Any tips for irregular cycles?
Don’t panic, because this is a natural occurrence. Irregularity affects everyone differently, due to hormonal imbalance. So change your diet with less salt and sugar, exercise and try vitex and marjoram to help balance your hormones. The answer isn’t a rush to birth control, your body will adjust in time.
Any advice for Adenomyosis (a condition in which the inner lining of the uterus (the endometrium) breaks through the muscle wall of the uterus, causing menstrual cramps, lower abdominal pressure, and bloating - throughout the entire uterus or localized in one spot)? I was told the only answer is a hysterectomy.
This is a condition where the lining of the uterus breaks through the muscle wall and causes pain. A hysterectomy is a last resort, so first get an MRI or Transvaginal Ultrasound. It is caused by inflammation, so take turmeric and eliminate all sugar and salt which cause inflammation.
I have a vitamin D deficiency, what can I do to rectify this?
Get 15 minutes of sun every day you can and add a supplement of Vitamin D.
In 2019, Olivia was diagnosed with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD). In place of medication, Olivia looked to ways to manage the diagnosis holistically - through food, herbs, adaptogens, CBD, sleep hygiene, journaling, meditation and exercise.
As co-CEO and co-founder of Hummingway, Olivia oversees and leads everything from product development, marketing, packaging, manufacturing, website development, content platform, social media, and research.
Outside of work, Olivia enjoys growing her family of pothos, rescuing dogs and practising yoga. Olivia holds a Bachelor’s degree in Arts & Sciences from Rutgers University.
