Winter Vomiting Virus
Recently some of my elderly friends have succumbed to the winter vomiting virus. Not only have they had to deal with the frustrations of the cold weather but as soon as it improves, they find themselves ill with diarrhoea & vomiting for 48 hours. As they live alone it can be a long, lonely time.
The picture is of a Norovirus which often appears in the winter months. It is a tiny, highly contagious virus that causes sudden vomiting and diarrhoea. Like all viruses it mutates frequently, so you are unlikely to develop lasting immunity to it.
Symptoms
Sudden onset with nausea
Vomiting (which may be projectile)
Watery diarrhoea
Raised temperature & fever
Headache & aching limbs
Generally feeling miserable
Noroviruses are very contagious!
They spread easily from person to person, from hand–hand contact, droplets of vomit, contaminated surfaces (i.e. door handles, phones, keyboards, lift buttons, escalators, railings; anywhere where lots of people congregate & touch things).
Incubation period may be as short as 12 hours or as long as 24-72 hours. If you are taken ill don’t go to the doctors. It’s a virus, treatment is supportive only, and you could infect others by being out among them. Phone your GP, NHS direct or your Herbalist if you are worried.
Avoid becoming dehydrated
Young children and elderly people are most likely to become dehydrated. In babies you can check & see if the fontanelles (soft spot) are sunken, check that nappies are wet and that their mouth is not dry. Older children may have sunken eyes and be quite listless. In the elderly if you gently pinch the skin on their forearm or back of their hand, it may have lost its elasticity (the skin will stay standing up). Check to see that they are passing urine too.
It is important to get them to drink; little and often is best.
(Swedish research shows that keeping elderly people well hydrated reduces the number of falls significantly).
Simple recipes for self help treatment include:
- Clear lemonade (7up, Sprite) with a ½ teaspoon of sugar added to remove the gas. This helps give some calories along with trace amounts of minerals and salts
- A large glass of water to which 1 teaspoon of sugar and a pinch of salt have been added.
- 1 pint boiled water, a pinch of salt and 2 teaspoons of honey (Non Shaw)
- Ginger tea would also be useful or Ginger & Cinnamon tea.
- Oral rehydration salts from the chemist
The important thing is not to get dehydrated.
Babies & children can be given fluids using a cup & spoon; little & often.
Clean up well!
Vomit & diarrhoea will be loaded with the virus so clean up well using hot water & detergent. Use J cloths & throw them away after use.
Wash your hands well!
Use lots of hot water & soap; remember to include your thumbs & finger tips, as well as the back of your hands, for at least 20 seconds. If you want to know what 20 seconds feels like sing “Happy birthday” through twice!
Use essential oils to keep surfaces clean
Essential oils are very concentrated aromatic plant oils. Evidence shows that many of them are highly antiseptic, antibacterial & antiviral. You can use any of the following essential oils to help disinfect the bathroom or kitchen; lemon, bitter orange, grapefruit, cedar wood, petitgrain, lavender, eucalyptus and tea tree.
Kitchen Cleanser (Worwood)
- Lavender 8drops
- Lemon 10 drops
- Eucalyptus 5 drops
- Bois de rose 8 drops
- Palmarosa 3 drops
- Mix with 600 mls of water, store in a dark glass bottle in a cool dark place. Use solution to wipe kitchen, bathroom and bedroom surfaces but take care on polished wood.
Alternatively a recipe from Shirley Price
Place 2 ml of lemon or grapefruit and 1 ml petitgrain essential oils in a dropper bottle. Use 3-4 drops in a basin of water to wipe down surfaces.
Protect yourself and others
Wash your hands regularly; keep them away from your face. Wear gloves when out & wash hands before meals and after using the loo. Keep away from others at least 48 hours after recovery. Don’t prepare food for others. Wash fruit and veg before eating. Use a drop of lavender oil on a hanky to disinfect keyboards, phones, light switches etc.
Herbs
Some herbs which can be used to reduce the symptoms of winter vomiting virus include Chamomile, raspberry leaves, lime blossom (Tilia spp), catmint, yarrow, agrimony, fresh ginger root , cinnamon bark and elder flowers.
If your symptoms worsen or if you are worried about an elder or small child, phone your GP, NHS Direct or a fully qualified Medical Herbalist.
Remember that these pages are for information only and should not be considered as an alternative to a consultation with your Doctor or a fully qualified Medical Herbalist.
If we can help, please call 0784 670 6714
Happy New Year 2010!
As if to defy the weather forecasters predicting another warm damp, winter; the snow has fallen and fallen, creating a beautiful, serene landscape. If you enjoy ornithology it has brought some interesting visitors to the garden.
The fieldfares always arrive at the allotment to eat the windfalls but this year we have one in the back garden, eating the apples that didn’t quite get turned into cider vinegar or into the freezer. He’s a bit of a thug and chases off the blackbirds, who have just returned after a 2 year absence.
We also have a couple of country mice to keep us amused as the snow falls. They rival the sparrows in gathering up the seeds before the street pigeons get it all. Other visitors include greenfinches, goldfinches, collar doves, blue tits, coal tits, “Mabel” our constant street pigeon, robins, the occasional thrush and a wren.
Life in the freezer
During the cold spell I have lost all my Aloe plants in the green house but the ones in the house have plenty of babies for propagation in spring. Aloes are good to have on the kitchen window sill to treat minor burns, sunburn (snow burn?) and stings.
Over the winter months I have made wheat & lavender bags & hand warmers; these are so good for sore joints & muscles especially for all the falls & pulled muscles people have been experiencing these past few weeks. For those us who suffer from Raynaud's syndrome, the little hand warmers are ideal for popping in your pockets before you venture out. Keeping centrally warm is very important too, wearing lots of layers and warm foot wear helps. Ginger tea helps keep you centrally warm as does a warming oil containing ginger essential oils. I add a piece of root ginger to my stews as well. A pinch of chilli in your socks will help keep your feet warm too.
The last time we had such cold weather we were just heading off to Sudan. We left Central Station in the snow, flying out from a foggy London, to arrive a few days later into the warmth of Sudan.
Colds & Flu
Scroll down to find my winter recipes. Treat a cold as soon as it starts. I started to go down with one and started my Cold & Flu tea - my cold didn't last more than a couple of days.
New Look Web pages
My task for the New Year is to update my web pages so I can twitter & add more pictures. But like the wren above (Troglodytes aedon) I'm a bit of a troglodyte! As Eleanor Roosevelt said "do one thing everyday that scares you". I find random electrons scary.
Wishing all of you a very happy, healthy New year!
Update on the last article....
Many people signed the petitions both for and against regulating herbalists.We just have to wait the outcome... in an election year
Your Freedom to Choose Herbal Medicine Under Threat
Latest News - 10th October 2009
If we want to preserve access to medicines which have an unbroken history, going back thousands of years, we need to ACT NOW.
In spite of 10 years of negotiation and a 2008 Steering Group report which recommended that Statutory Regulation should go ahead, the Government has issued yet another unnecessary consultation document
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Liveconsultations/DH_103567
I am asking visitors to my site to write to the Department of Health immediately with a response to this Consultation Document. Replies must be received by the end of October to be valid. They should be sent to:
AHMTCM Consultation Team
Department of Health
Room 2N09
Quarry House
Quarry Hill
Leeds LS2 7UE
Alternatively you may wish to respond to the document directly online via the automated response system. When you click on the link above, you will see a link to this system at the very bottom of the page. Many of the questions you may find difficult or impossible to answer. That's fine - just say so. However, if you would prefer some guidance on how to complete the Consultation or on what to say to your MP, go to NIMH web site http://www.nimh.org.uk and click on the green square on the home page.
You will be able to download suggested answers to the Consultation questions as well as specimen MP letters. If you do not know who your MP is, you can find this by entering your postcode at http://findyourmp.parliament.uk/ This site also gives you an opportunity to email your MP - which may be a safer method with postal strikes.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!
Kitchen Cures for Winter Ailments
The birds are singing a different song, the air has changed and the hedgerows are filled with mellow fruitfulness. Autumn has arrived. This is the time for coughs, colds and ‘flu, winter vomiting or just feeling a little under par. Most of us spend our time cocooned in a warm environment. With the dark evenings approaching there is little incentive to get wrapped up and go out for a walk. The desire to hibernate until the spring arrives is quite strong!
Suffer the Little Children
When our kids are sick we all suffer! They can be well one moment and really unwell the next. Because everything in babies and children is so much smaller than in adults, inflammation, secretions and congestion can make infants & children really miserable. Children can also produce pretty spectacular temperatures as well. (If you are at all worried about a sick child or they are getting worse, with changes in consciousness, get medical help immediately.)
‘Flu Pandemic
The authorities are still predicting that many of us will get ‘flu this winter. It may be H1N1 or another strain but I think we know that it is hard to escape it. Let’s hope that the hard sell of medicines; that allow people to sit virtuously at their desks while spluttering over the rest of us is not repeated!
Know the Symptoms
Colds & ‘flu can present with a sore, scratchy throat, sore head, fever & chills, runny nose, muscle and joint pain, tiredness and generally feeling unwell. Herbal medicine may also be used to treat other respiratory illness or ear infections.
Herbal Remedies
Start treatment as soon as you feel unwell. Cold & ‘flu tea contains yarrow, elderflower and peppermint helping relieve nasal congestion, causing sweating to lower body temperature and soothe inflammation, helping to reduce aches and pains. Garlic & Onion syrup is both antiviral & antibacterial; really useful when a productive cough has developed. Raspberry vinegar helps ease coughs and colds and reduces fevers. Ginger and Cinnamon tea can help relieve headache and nausea as well as relieving cold & ‘flu symptoms. Essential oils such as lavender, tea tree, lemon, peppermint & eucalyptus can be used to clean the air and help clear nasal passages. Use in a vaporiser or dropped onto a tissue. Don’t use neat directly on the skin.
In the past my own home would have had several varieties of over-the-counter cold & flu cures. Today my first line treatement is herbs and essential oils.
The Recipes (again)
Garlic & Onion Syrup
2 large red or white onions
3 – 5 cloves of garlic
Granulated sugar
Clean jar with tight fitting lid
Put a layer of sugar into a clean jar
Finely chop onions and crushed garlic cloves
Add a layer of mixed onions & garlic
Alternate with layers of sugar finishing with a layer of sugar
Cover with lid and shake gently
Let stand for several hours until a clear syrup has formed
Strain through a small sieve into a clean jar.
Place in fridge
Dose Adult : 1 -2 tsps up to three times daily
Reduce dose for children under 12 years
Will keep 24 – 48 hours, make a new syrup when the garlic smell has gone
Cinnamon & Ginger Tea
Fresh ginger root ½ -1 inch (1 -2.5 cms)
½ cinnamon stick
Hot water –just off the boil
Mug or cup
peel & slice ginger root into small slivers
Add half a cinnamon stick
Place in a mug or infuser
Pour over fresh, boiled water
Cover & allow to stand for 5-10 minutes
Strain and sip slowly
Dose up to three times daily
Can be used to treat nausea & vomiting or the onset of coughs & colds
Ginger tea (without cinnamon) can be used to treat migraine headaches, travel sickness and dysmenorrhoea. Take at the first sign of symptoms
Raspberry Vinegar
Fruit vinegars are made with fresh fruit to preserve their vitamins & minerals so that they can be used in the cold, dark days of winter. They can be used to relieve coughs and colds, soften phlegm and help reduce fevers.
Dose: 1 tsp per cup of warm water or to taste
Summer Time!
Midsummer’s day passed in a blaze of glory. Around the country Medical Herbalists were involved in various events highlighting the herbs that share our space. My own event was a Herbal House Party. The guests were invited to identify the various herbs growing in my tiny urban garden. As I cleared away the savouries and put out dessert I realised that my “simple” quiz was taking a tad longer than expected. It was generally agreed that most of us know very little about Herbs and Herbal Medicine.
OR 
Both And….
A few years ago I attended my daughter’s school prize-giving where Liz Lochhead was the guest speaker. In her speech she stressed “Both And”, encouraging the kids not to settle for mediocrity. It was about then I started studying Herbal Medicine. As a trained nurse I understand the importance of pharmaceuticals. But having spent 7 years in Africa I also understand the need for and importance of natural remedies. I firmly believe in the benefit of Herbal Medicine, in the treatment of every day illness, without resorting to the “silver bullet” of orthodox medicine. As a complimentary therapy, Herbal Medicine supports patients on medication and may help them to maintain their prescribed medicines at lower dosage.
The Exploding Stomach!
Many people suffer from IBS (Irritable Bowel Symptoms). Do you remember making volcanoes and rockets with soda bicarbonate? We do the same thing to our stomachs; grabbing snacks laden with fat, sugar & salt, washed down with liberal amounts of carbonated drinks. We do this sitting at the computer, so no time for that adrenalin that’s been building up all morning to get burnt off. To add to the mix, we quaff down a coffee, plus a few more. Results – Crabby guts! Herbal medicine can help relieve IBS related symptoms gently and the taste isn’t so bad either!
I hope you have enjoyed a relaxing, stress free holiday. Now that you are back at your desk and you feel yourself succumbing to stress related problems such as insomnia, upset stomach, colic, “nerves”, muscle pain & tension, hypertension, depression, headaches…
Call Us! We would be delighted to help or discuss your health needs.
Herbal Medicine Week 21st - 27th June
You have probably been under-whelmed by the lack of publicity surrounding this event! The National Institute of Medical Herbalists (NIMH) has encouraged the membership to get involved by arranging Herb Walks or other events which highlight herbs and their uses. (Check the press for details of events in your area or contact :// www.nimh.org.uk )
Midsummer's Day
This week includes the longest day (June 21st) and Midsummer’s Day (June 24th) also known as St John’s Day. Traditionally Herbalists gathered St John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) on Midsummer’s Eve.Look out for Herb Walks taking place on either of these days. Whether as a result of seasonal changes or just cool nights my herb is no where near harvesting – so no chance of seeing the faeries then!
St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum)
Summer is here - finally!
With the arrival of summer days and a chance to get out into the sun; our pallid winter skin is suddenly subjected to the full effect of the sun. I manage to burn a small area of my back while I garden. That’s when my herbal friends come in handy. Aloe vera is wonderful for cooling red skin, just split a leaf; scrape out the gel and smooth on to the affected area (take care as it will stain clothes). Organic cider vinegar will also cool and soothe sunburn, while Lavender essential oil is also a good standby. St John’s wort infused oil or cream will also be very effective in calming sunburn.
Aloe vera - Aloe barbadensis
Why not become Australian in your sun care regime and Slip, Slop, Slap! Slip on a T-shirt, Slop on the sun-cream and Slap on a hat!
Herbs are everywhere! - even in the city.
On my walk to the post office, I pass a tiny island of herbs crammed full of red clover (Trifolium pratense), useful in skin disorders.
Plantain (Plantago lanceolata); another skin and lung herb that recent research has shown to be highly anti-bacterial, reflecting it’s traditional use as a wound herb.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) previously called “soldier’s wound wort” as it helps stop bleeding.
One year I found a solitary Shepherd’s purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) but I didn’t manage to get the seed before “the weeds” were sprayed by the council.
Chickweed (Stellaria media) is also used for chronic skin conditions and is frequently seen growing on the pavements. (You probably wouldn't want to harvest the herbs because of the pollution and frequent contamination - but fun to identify with your kids - however young or old).
My front garden is filled with “weeds” gathered on my walks such as Yarrow, Figwort, White Dead Nettle, not only because they are useful herbs with pretty flowers but they attract bees into the garden. I have nothing against bedding plants but if it doesn’t smell, can’t be eaten or used medicinally – why grow it?
Figwort (Scrophularia nodosa) 
Dead white nettle (Lamium album)
Heartsease (Viola tricolor)
The garden is the poor man's apothecary.
German proverb
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Flu Epidemic
The news bulletins have been headlined by the Mexican (swine) flu epidemic. As we have been reduced to a global village the threat of a pandemic has been widely predicted. The media portray conflicting views and opinions which leave us all feeling a little confused and bewildered. Just as in the past our forefathers prepared for the winter or summer epidemics, we can take steps to protect ourselves. A quick trip to the supermarket can procure garlic, onions, ginger, honey and chillies to be kept on hand as part of our self-help “Kitchen Herbalism”. (Scroll down to the bottom of the page for recipes and advice on what to do when the first symptoms strike).
Can Herbal Medicine Help?
Herbalists have traditionally used a variety of herbs to treat the first symptoms of flu. Yarrow, elderflowers and peppermint are combined to make a synergistic herbal infusion.
Yarrow is one of those wayside herbs often over looked as a weed. Traditionally viewed as a “cure-all” because of its complex constituents; it helps reduce fever by inducing sweating and has an anti-inflammatory action (Barker, 2001).
The Elder tree was traditionally called “Nature’s Medicine Chest”, the bark, fruit, leaves and flowers have all been used in a variety of ways to treat a wide range of ailments. The flowers are used to reduce catarrh and as a decongestant to the upper respiratory system (Barker, 2001).
Peppermint is high in volatile oils; think how fragrant it is when you crush the leaves between your fingers. The volatile oils help reduce cough, relieve headache and muscle spasm (Mills et al, 2004).
My “Cold & Flu” tea is the first thing I reach for at the first inkling of a sore throat. When taken immediately it helps relieve the symptoms of flu and shortens the duration of the illness. (Contact us if you would like some).
Echinacea is a traditional North American herb which was widely used by the Eclectics in the 19th & early 20th century. Clinical trials have supported its use as a prophylactic in upper respiratory conditions and patients with reduced immunity (Mills et al, 2004).
Food as Medicine
Hippocrates was an advocate of food as medicine saying “Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food”. The traditional Jewish remedy of chicken soup is also cited by Michael van Straten in his book “Super duper Soups”. I use his “Alli-um-yum” recipe which combines onions, leeks, spring onions, garlic, ginger and lemon balm. The allium family help boost immunity and are antiinfective, lemon balm is useful in viral disease and a mild antidepressant. I also use his “Super Hot” drinks for health and vitality for ideas of foods and drinks for convalescence.
What else can we do to protect ourselves?
Essential oils are potent antiinfective agents and lavender is one of the safest essential oils. It can be used in a diffuser to purify the air or a 1-3 drops placed on a hanky and inhaled and then kept in your pocket. Eucalyptus globulus is another useful oil to keep on hand. (See Shirley Price or Valerie Ann Worwood for ideas on home use). If you dislike using proprietory antibacterial wipes you can use lavender essential oil, diluted in water, sprayed onto a cloth to disinfect door handles, phones, computer keyboards and its calming !
Who benefits from Herbal Medicine?
We can all benefit from herbal medicine. Herbalists have an array of herbs that can be used to support people who are particualry vulnerable to respiratory illness and others with lowered immunity. If you are concerned and would like to discuss your concerns please contact us for an appointment. To find a herbalist in your area contact NIMH at www.nimh.org.uk
We can do a lot to help ourselves by frequent handwashing; staying away from others while we are ill; using paper handkerchiefs and disposing of them properly. Don't cough and sneeze over others or spit! Rest and recuperate before going back to work. It's common sense really. (Scroll down to the bottm of the page for help and advice on what to do if you catch a cold or flu).
References
Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy, 2004, Mills Simon & Bone Kerry; Churchill Livingston,
The Medicinal Flora of Britain and Northwestern Europe, 2001, Barker Julian; Winter Press
Grow Your own Drugs!
You may have noticed on your forays to the supermarket that some odd ingredients have sold out. The herbal suppliers have also sold out of Hops and Lavender. That’s when you know you have been Wonged! It’s all thanks to BBC2s screening of James Wong’s programme showing viewers how to make simple, easy remedies for various ailments. It’s a great idea to restore the knowledge from our forebears to the current generation. As a child, my grandmother would wave her stick in the general direction of a plant and tell me what it had been used for. As a child, I thought all adults knew this!
I love herbs! Returning home one Sunday, I found the neighbours gathered at the front gate guessing just how many plants in my garden could be nibbled. It’s a great talking point as there is a mixture of herbs, some no longer used therapeutically, others considered weeds and some recognised as culinary and medicinal herbs. It’s great that Phytotherapy (plant medicine) has been given such a high profile. I revel in the fact that the very plants that have surrounded me all my life are now part of my therapeutic practice.
When I tried to buy my usual ginger root only one remained. I wasn’t planning to crystallise it or treat travel sickness but to make a ginger poultice to treat menstrual cramps. So with aforesaid root that’s just what I did; a simple drug free remedy to treat a common ailment.
Herbal Medicine has many benefits. Herbs have a gentle action and can be used to treat a variety of ailments. Herbalists are not Ethnobotanists but we spend 4 years training and learning about the herbs, their active constituents, actions and uses as well as understanding illness and disease.
So before you grab the paracetamol to treat that dehydration headache, grab a bottle of water or some chamomile tea. Drink ginger tea or chew on your crystallised ginger when you get car sick and leave the “Stugeron” at home. (It made me sleep all the way from Juba to Nairobi!). I’m not against pharmaceuticals; as a trained nurse I appreciate their usefulness and life saving qualities. If you are on medication, always consult a fully trained Medical Herbalist before starting Herbal Medicine.
If you would like to know more about Herbs and Herbal Medicine then I’d love to come and talk to your group whether it be a Mother and Toddlers group, NTC, Guild, Club or Church group. For now – enjoy your kitchen pharmacy but if you don’t have the time Eglantine Herbs has the products and is happy to help!
Stress!
Does the very sound of the word cause you stress? You know, that sinking feeling in your stomach, dry mouth, fast pulse, the feeling that you are not really in control. The past year hasn't been a lot of fun, just when you think it can't get any worse; what do you know, it does! It may not help you to know that we are all in this together. (Well, maybe Fred is the exception!)
Are you sleeping or do you lie awake at night and worry?
Do you wake up feeling tired and exhausted when you know you need to be able to give your best? Or do you fall asleep immediately your head hits the pillow only to be awake 2 hours later to hear every news bulletin until you fall asleep, just before the alarm jars you awake? Sleep deprivation is a well known form of torture, it saps your strength, slows and confuses your thinking and leaves you feeling exhausted with no energy for anything.
Are you feeling anxious or depressed?
Lack of sleep, financial worries, work or family, unresolved stress can lead to high levels of anxiety or depression. If you are feeling completely overwhelmed and unable to cope please make an appointment to see your family doctor and do not struggle on alone. A problem shared is a problem halved (as the old adage goes).
How is your appetite?
Are you eating well, are you reaching for the comfort foods or have you stopped eating and have no real interest in food? When you eat, do you find you are struggling with tummy pain, constipation or even diarrhoea? Many people complain of Irritable Bowel symptoms and stress just adds to the problem.
Where are your shoulders?
Yea, I know, just below your neck! But are they or are they right up by your ears? Is your neck sore and tense, do your shoulders ache and crunch when you move? Are you getting frequent headaches and taking too many painkillers? Does your back ache and feel tense? Tension can affect any group of muscles causing pain and stiffness.
Stress does not come as a single arrow but as a battalion (apologies to Shakespeare). How you react to stress can be quite different to your collegues. It's an adrenaline thing. The stuff that makes you get up and perform, give a presentation or keep the household running smoothly is the same stuff that keeps you awake at night with thoughts whizzing around your head. There are many over the counter remedies available from the chemist but not all will be suited to you. We are all individuals and we all deserve individual treatment.
How's your Blood Pressure? Anxiety, muscle tension and pain can all contribute to a raised blood pressure. Learning to relax, take time out, exercise and cope with stress, combined with a healthy diet can help you reduce it. A very high blood pressure can lead to further health problems.
Some Suggestions for Stress Busting
- Breathe! Breathe in and out, slowly and deeply. Concentrate on your breathing and let the tension drift away.
- Relax! Shake the tension out of shoulders, neck, arms and back. If you are sitting at the computer stand up and stretch out. Gaze into the distance and give your eyes a rest too.
- Eat a breakfast consisting of complex carbs and protein that will see you through to lunch. Try scrambeld egg on wholemeal toast, toast and peanut butter, low sugar museli with natural yogurt and berries.
- Eat regularly, 3 meals with 2 planned snacks. Lots of fruit and vegetables, get something of every colour on your plate.Take time to enjoy it. Don't eat it at the computer or the TV. Give your food your full attention and it will give you its full nutrition. Eat slowly and deliberately; you will find you need less food too.
- Drink plenty of water
- Reduce the amount of caffeine by reducing the amount of tea, coffee or fizzy drinks (and chocolate) you consume.
- Go for a walk; if you feel a little SAD get out when the sun is at its strongest (between 11 am & 2pm).
- Exercise! If all that adrenaline overdose is keeping you awake; burn it off with an enjoyable exercise but not too competitive.
- Find a trusted friend who will listen to your troubles and not try to fix them.
- Don't watch exciting films or play exciting games before bed. Do something relaxing like keeping a journal, reading a book or listening to relaxing music. Maybe a short walk would help too.
- Establish a bedtime routine with a regular bedtime. A routine tells the body that you are getting ready to sleep. A relaxing herbal tea such as a Night Time Tea or Chamomile can help you and become part of your winding down time.
If you have tried any of the above and still struggling to cope maybe its time you considered Herbal Medicine.
Herbal Medicine is a gentle, natural, complimentry therapy that uses whole plant remedies to help restore body, mind and spirit to a feeling of wellness.(Many OTC remedies are standardised extracts). Herbalists use a combination of herbs, each with a specific action but working together synergystically, to create a dynamic remedy. A detailed case history is taken to help your herbalist get a better understanding of who you are. She can then decide what herbs are most appropriate for you, together with advice on diet and lifestyle. Aromatic Medicine may also be offered to help relieve your stress and help you relax..
If you feel that you may benefit from Herbal Medicine, then please feel free to contact us for more information.
These pages are for information only and should not be considered as an alternative to a consultation with your Doctor or a fully qualified Medical Herbalist.
If you are suffering from unresolved stress please tell someone about it.
February 2009
January and February can be cold, bleak months. The Christmas feasting and celebrations are over, the decorations have been packed away and the weather is cold and grey.... Don't despair the longest night is over and the nights will be gradually drawing out.
Here a few tips for beating the bugs that seem to be doing the endless rounds.
- Look after your own health. Eat well, sleep well and take time to relax.
- Eat as much fresh fruit and vegetables as you can afford, Kiwi fruits contain higher amounts of vitamin C than oranges, simply cut in half and eat like a boiled egg. Roasted roots,carrots, parsnips, sweet potatoes, potatoes, onions and garlic with a few fresh herbs, such as thyme and rosemary provide a simple, nourishing supper
- Drink plenty of water. At this time of year it should be warm or at room temperature.
- If your digestion is sluggish add a slice of fresh lemon to warm water and drink before meals
- Drink more herbal teas
- Avoid people with colds, coughs and 'flu. You could use some pine and lavender essential oils in an oil burner to help purify the air. Most essential oils have antiviral and antibacterial properties.
- If you feel unwell, you could make (better still get a loved one to make) a garlic and onion syrup.
- Take a couple of large red or white onions and 3 or 4 cloves of garlic finely chopped, some granulated sugar (or honey) and a clean jar with a lid. Put a layer of sugar in the bottom of the jar, add a layer of chopped onion and garlic. Repeat until the jar is full; finishng with a layer of sugar. Put on the lid and shake gently, regularly over a few hours until a clear liquid is formed. Strain into another jar and take 1-2 teaspoons three times a day. It tastes so much better than it sounds!
- Garlic and onions have strong antibacterial and antiviral properties and are also immune modulating.
- For those of you who can't bear the pungency of the above try a tea made from fresh ginger root and cinnamon stick instead.
- Take a slice of fresh ginger, peel and slice into tiny sticks, add 1/2 a cinnamon stick to a mug, pour over some hot water just off the boil; cover and let infuse for 5-10 minutes. Drink 2-3 cups/mugs per day.
- If you are unfortunate to have the vomiting virus, you can use the same tea to settle you stomach. When I had a really bad inner ear infection, this was the only thing I could keep down and I have just delivered a flask of it to my poorly son ! The advice is to stay away from others for 3 days after the symptoms have stopped.
- If you must go back to work , stay away from others, be very careful of you own hand hygeine and use disposable tissues and Wash your hands!
- Get out into the sun when you can for a brisk walk especially if you are a little SAD. It helps boost the serotonin and endorphin levels.
These pages are @ jeni rankin and should not be reproduced without permission from the author.
These pages are for information only and should not be regarded as a suitable alternative to consulting a fully qualified Medical Herbalist or Doctor. If your symptoms persist or if your condition is worsening please see you healthcare provider as soon as possible
Last updated , January 2010