Preparing to go off exploring Rule # 243

I would have thought that after my friend “J”'s adventures in Spain during the Volcanic Ash affair last year I should have known better than to travel without enough of my alternative/traditional supplies in hand.

J prepares well before going on holiday, he has noticed that other fellow travellers who have repeat prescriptions travel abroad without enough supplies, then spend time and effort trying to arrange the shipping of relevant documents for the non-Englsih speaking pharmacist to then stress over (or not) the arrangements. I am of that age now where Agnus Castus became a check list necessity as did Sun Cream, Calamine Lotion and plasters. The word Agnus Castus is the Latin name for a plant that has been used for centuries to help us girlies along (I won't go into his therapeutic benefits as those who are interested can google it). Living in a small confined space with my husband meant that I would need all the help that I can get to keep my hormone levels on an even and steady keel, pretty much like the boat. I tried it for the first time a few weeks before leaving and have found it to be a wonder drug. Its brilliant, so brilliant that I quickly ran out of it. Not a problem I thought, t”hey'll have it in France somewhere” I convinved myself......Nope

I have lived in Italy and loved going to their Pharmacies and Apothekes, France is very similar, they are dotted everywhere and sell weird soaps as well has alternative/traditional remedies. Well I have traipsed into every chemist I have come across in the past two weeks looking for Agnus Castus.

I have been interested in alternative/traditional medicines for years. Having suffered from hayfever and numerous bouts of bronchitis over the years it didn't take much convincing to move from my old GP practice to Dr Nickson, a GP who gave you the choice of synthetic researched on animlas stuff or Homeopathic medicine. Within a few weeks of various tinctures and a visit to an acupuncturist hay fever no longer a problem, and I was a true convert. Don't get me wrong, I would never diss modern medicine but sometimes other routes have to be considered. Book swap areas in marinas are common and I stumbled across John Diamond's Snake Oil. After two chapters I had to swap it for some Chick Lit, I am sure he was a fantastic journalist but I couldn't get on with his condemnation of anything that is not modern. Even my husband is using clove oil as I write for tooth ache, don't know how it works but it seems to help. Before leaving my dentist recommended packing Clove Oil and Zinc Oxide in order to make our own temporary fillings should the need arise. So fingers crossed, no fillings needed but given the minimum amount you can purchase of Zinc Oxide is 100g, I might try my hand at making suncream.

Well back to the Quest of the Agnus Castus ..... I must be enjoying the pastries too much as when trying to explain that I am in need of Agnus Castus, I mention the words femminin, or madame, or femme and I am directed to the “Minceur” shelf which has loads of remedies for cellulite and dramatic weight loss! I haven't put on that much weight.

Finally today walked into this massive Pharmacie and was helped by this fantastic lady who not only knew what I was asking, but gave me a choice of drops, tincture, granules etc. Got enough to keep me going until the Outlaws arrive and a supply from Holland and Barrett. Now where did I put the Rescue Remedy.??