Napiers - Herb and Plant Remidies

April Promotion

Reflexology/Bowen/Kinesiology

The discounts on offer from the participating practitioners only:

Lucy Trend – Thai Foot and Reflexology – Introductory Offer of £5.00 off first treatment.

Caroline Madden – Bowen Technique – Introductory Offer of £5.00 off first treatment

Joanne Polding – Kinesiology – Offer of £38.00 for 1.5 hrs treatment instead of £50.00

At Napiers Clinics I see an increasing number of patients with digestive problems.   No matter how good your diet is, if the food you eat is not properly broken down and absorbed, your body will lack the building blocks it needs for the best health and vitality.

One of the digestive problems we now regularly encounter is Irritable Bowl Syndrome (IBS). IBS is a blanket term for a wide range of symptoms including abdominal cramping, alternating diarrhoea and constipation, wind and bloating. The most common triggers can be stress, anxiety and food intolerance and sensitivity. It is important to identify which are the triggers for your symptoms and then to avoid these where possible.

One of the major factors in many digestive orders is often stress. The release of adrenaline as part of the body’s response to stress causes a reduction in blood flow to the digestive organs, which can lead to digestive problems. If you think this may be an issue for you, I have put together a FREE information sheet on dealing with stress.

However there are a number of herbs which are traditionally used to relieve digestive problems and these include:

Peppermint – this is my herb of choice where there is spasm, wind or bloating. Traditionally used as an after dinner drink, Peppermint Tea is refreshing and also helps aids digestion.
Fennel also helps relieve colicky pain whilst supporting the digestive processes and combines well with the peppermint.
If there is discomfort or mild constipation try taking licorice. This helps to regulate bowel movements, and is also very soothing

Bloating and wind can be very uncomfortable and embarrassing side effects of digestive problems and Gentian Bitters can be taken to increase appetite, reduce flatulence, gurgling and bloating and promote good digestion.

Slippery Elm is used traditionally to treat any inflammation or irritation of the lining of the digestive tract.  It is a soothing nutritious powdered bark and is particularly useful for IBS and heartburn and can be taken as powder made into a warm drink.

Constipation is also a common problem. The bowel is one of the major routes for ridding the body of waste products and if blocked can contribute to major health problems and general lack of vitality.
Pysillium husks can be used as a bulking agent to help promote regular bowel movement.  Slippery Elm also combines well with Psyllium in Psyllium and Slippery Elm Powder which is used to tone the bowel and gently ease constipation and is often also used by herbalists for help with diverticular disease and mild constipation as well as IBS.

Causes of chronic constipation include a low fibre diet, lack of exercise, dehydration, stress and poor muscle tone.  It is very important to address these lifestyle issues as well.  Take regular exercise, drink plenty of water and take time out to let your body and mind relax!

The first few weeks of April normally signal the beginning of the hay fever and allergy season.  However, due to the very harsh winter, it is likely the plants will be flowering approximately 3 weeks late and the signs are that there will be an explosion of plants flowering all at the same time giving rise to high pollen levels.  Not good news for hayfever sufferers and I recommend preparing early to minimise the symptoms!

Every year I see more and more people, who have never had any allergy problem, suddenly develop symptoms. The usual symptoms are itchy eyes, runny nose, sneezing, even sore throats and headaches. More recently I have been seeing a big increase in skin related allergies developing in the spring. I have a lot of theories on why this is happening; on why our immune systems are being more challenged. Everything from our diet to the chemicals in our home, all challenge our immune system. When an already challenged immune system is faced by further hurdles, such as a high pollen count, there can be a breakdown and allergy symptoms develop, even to people who have never suffered from any allergy symptoms in the past.

The best way to get on top of the problem is to start treatment before the problem actually develops
Once an allergy situation has developed it can be difficult to treat and you are often left trying to manage the situation, rather than cure it. Allergy has a domino affect on the body. You often find that you start off sensitive to one thing and, before you know, it you are sensitive to a whole range of things. Over the last few years I have developed a three part allergy/hay fever battle plan that can reduce, if not stop your symptoms.

Stage1: Start a few weeks before your symptoms would usually develop
Plan to cut dairy products out of you diet. Dairy can make any allergy you suffer worse and will cause mucus production, making runny noses and blocked sinuses worse. Try and be very strict, cutting out all cows milk products and using goats and sheep’s cheese, soya milk and dairy free spreads instead. Remember that milk chocolate is a dairy product, and dark chocolate is dairy free!

Stage 2: Start taking a teaspoon of local honey each day
Honey, which is made from pollen, almost acts homoeopathically by helping your body to build up a resistance to pollens and grasses. Local honey will be specific to the pollens and grasses in your area.

Stage 3: Simple herbal remedies can be used to ease allergy symptom.
Nettle has anti-histamine like action and will cut down the body’s response to allergy, Chamomile will soothe mucus membranes and Sinus Rub can ease sinus pain and congestion. These herbs are available pre-blended as Napiers Nettle Blend or you can also buy the dried herbs and make up your own herbal tea.  Napiers Summertime Blend Herbal Tea is rich in the herbs traditionally used for their soothing and anti-allergy properties and contains eyebright, chamomile, liquorice, elderflowers and nettle. Drunk regularly these teas will help to control symptoms. For those sufferers who don’t like liquids, I use Napiers Nettle and Chamomile Capsules.  Napiers Sage and Garlic Catarrh Remedy can help relieve the symptoms of nasal and bronchial catarrh and any infections associated with allergies.  Red sage is an antiseptic and astringent and the Liquorice encourages expulsion of mucous. Echinacea and Elderflower can also help relieve symptoms. This traditional mixture containing anti-catarrhal and expectorant herbs has a stimulant effect on the immune system. If you are suffering hot, itchy eyes, you can also try using a cold chamomile tea bag as an eye compress.

Relief for summer skin allergies
If you suffer from skin allergies or heat rashes (also a form of allergy) try cutting dairy products out of your diet for a few months to see if it helps. A tea made out of dandelion leaf will ease heat rash and swollen ankles and reduce skin allergies. Make sure you only use unperfumed products on your skin and try moisturising with soothing Starflower Cream and our acclaimed Infant Starflower Cream for facial use.