homeopathic medicines

I come from a culture in which living with nature is important. From a very early age in Iceland you’re taught that taking special herbs and natural drinks is far more beneficial for your body than normal, doctored food and drinks. Taking advantage of nature is a common-sense approach to life. But in Britain, using natural cures and some off-the-wall remedies seems to make you some sort of hippy freak.

My mother is a homeopathic doctor, so I was brought up with what you call alternative medicine as a normal part of day-to-day life. It was never alternative to me, just natural. When I was a child, Mum refused to let doctors give me antibiotics because she said that, even though they might prevent disease in the short term, they help to break down your body’s natural immune system in the long run.

It’s so important to build up strength in the body, and chemicals aren’t the best way to do that. If you want to increase your energy so that it lasts for life, you have to use alternative medicine.

I learned those lessons and have tried to bring my child up in the same way. My son has never had antibiotics or vaccinations, only homeopathic remedies, especially at this time of year for hay feaver.

I’m not saying all alternative medicine works - I’m not sure about some of the stranger practices. But if I try something and I feel good, then I’ll stick with it.

Daily Mail, 16 june 1997