Napiers - Herb and Plant Remidies

Napiers is celebrating its 150th Anniversary!

At Napiers we really do have something to celebrate this year! It is now 150 years since Duncan Napier opened our first shop and clinic, in Bristo Place Edinburgh on 25th May 1860.

We would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to all those who have supported us over many years, and have attended our clinics and consultations, by giving you a special anniversary discount offer. If you book a consultation with one of our therapists between 10th May and 10th June you are entitled to 10% off all Napiers tinctures recommended at that consultation.  Book now by contacting your local clinic – we’d love to see you soon!

Wishing you the best of natural health    Dee

Our Special Anniversary Present to You!

Just print out the coupon below and take it to with you to your next consultation between 10th May to 10th June

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

Therapy of the Month - Holistic Massage Therapy and Dr Hauschka Therapies.

We have various practitioners based in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Special Offers – March 2010
Nicola Crawford (Cresswell Street, Glasgow) is offering 30% on all her treatments on Wednesdays only excluding Hopi Ear Candling.
Jennifer Syme (Hamilton Place, Edinburgh) is offering £5.00 discount off treatments
Maika Sanz (Bristo Place, Edinburgh) is offering a 1hr treatment for £30.00
To book a treatment or find out more, please contact our clinic reception on 0131 225 5542

We hope you find our newsletters informative & helpful.  This month Medical Herbalist Dee Atkinson MCPP, MNIMH is sharing her thoughts on how traditional herbal remedies can help support slimming and weight loss.

Herbal Help for Slimming and Weight Loss

I am not a big fan of quick fix weight loss programmes and the frenzy of activity that surrounds losing weight. However the sad fact is that many of us do gradually put on weight as we get older, and for many, those extra few pounds gained over Christmas do stick around for the rest of the year.

The key is not to switch to eating simply grapefruit and salads (especially when it’s snowing outside!), but to switch to a sensible healthy diet, which you are likely to enjoy and stick to. One which is rich in whole foods, fresh fish, fruit and vegetables cutting out the high fat and high sugar and processed foods. My FREE 10 Day Detox Leaflet gives a few sample tasty menu suggestions to help you on your way and also provides a gentle regime of herbs, diet, and exercise will help you break unhealthy habits and form healthy new ones that you can sustain throughout the year, bringing you optimum health, greater energy, clearer skin, balanced mood, and easier weight management.

To help your body’s cleansing process and assist weight loss I recommend a combination of Cleavers and Seagreens Organic Kelp . Cleavers traditionally used to help the body make the transition from winter to spring. It helps support the liver and elimination of waste and works well when combined with Kelp. Cleavers has the added benefit of being a mild diuretic and a skin purifier and sometimes used for the treatment of eczema and acne. Dandelion Root can also help your body detox as it has mild laxative properties and also can be used for skin conditions.

The food that we eat and the nutrients we absorb from our foods are vital for our health. Many foods are processed or sprayed with chemical pesticides and fertilizers, and this can have a long-term effect on our health. I often feel that this continual challenge to our immune system, can contribute to long-term health problems. Try to eat organic where possible. Many areas have good value Box Delivery Schemes – this means you are eating locally as well as organic. If you can, make meals from scratch and avoid processed food. Cook a few extra portions and freeze them for another day. Be prepared – always have a healthy, tasty snack with you so that you’re not tempted by sweet, sugary snacks during the day. Handfuls of nuts and raisins, oat cakes  and seeds are all good snacks. If you can, invest in a juicer and have fun blending fruit and veg to make tasty combinations and it’s a great way to disguise cabbage! . Add psyllium husks , spirulina or green food powder to your juices for a superfood boost!

Although it is good to reduce your intake of alcohol, coffee and tea, itis very important to drink plenty of water (at least 2 litres a day, filtered or mineral water from glass bottles). I also recommend drinking Nettle Tea which has a cleansing and de-toxing action on the body. It is used to help relieve congestion in the body and helps to excrete toxins and can be useful for water retention problems, gout and sluggishness.

Foods to avoid or reduce in your diet include red meat and any meat products like sausages, burgers, and pate. Use organic chicken or turkey occasionally as a source of quality protein. Dairy products use olive oil or cold pressed vegetable oils instead of butter. Reduce your intake of bread, crisps, cakes, biscuits, crisps and savoury snacks including salted nuts, chocolate, sweets, jam and sugar. Processed foods often contain high levels of salt, sugar and fats so it is better to avoid these whenever possible. As your reward treat yourself to an aromatherapy or manual lymphatic drainage massage. This will help to eliminate toxins and break down cellulite and is a great way to relax. Dry skin brushing daily before a bath or shower stimulates the circulation and the lymphatic systems. Epsom salt baths are deeply relaxing and detoxifying – soak for at least 20 minutes before going to bed. If you are unable to use a bath, try an Epsom salt foot soak instead!

Awaken your senses with our new Organic Grapefruit Body Scrub fantastic detox body scrub. Himalayan salt crystals packed full of juniper essential oil, help with fluid retention and cellulite. Combined with detoxifying grapefruit this leaves your skin feeling smooth and uplifted. It is also important to remember to combine your diet with gentle exercise. You don’t need to join a gym to achieve this. Brisk walking is an ideal enjoyable way to stimulate the circulation and lymphatic systems and yoga, Pilates and tai chi also aid relaxation and increase wellbeing.

Wishing you the best of natural health    Dee

(Posted Feb 2010)

Osteopathy:

Coltilde Chereau is offering 15 min free spinal checks on Saturdays from 12pm to 2pm and 20% off  next treatment when you refer a friend.She also gives £5.00 concession (student mainly).
Lynn Bennett is offering 15min free spinal check on her clinic days and a 25% reduction for new patients
Jessica Weatherall is offering 15 min free spinal check on her clinic days and 20% off next treatment when you refer a friend. She also gives £5.00 concession

Craniosacral:

Coltilde Chereau is offering 20% off next treatment when you refer a friend She also gives £5.00 concession (student mainly).
Lynn Bennett offering a 25% reduction for new patients
Jessica Weatherall is offering 20% off next treatment when you refer a friend

 Call our reception team on 0131 225 5542 to book appointments or find out more.

This month Medical Herbalist Dee Atkinson MCPP, MNIMH is sharing her thoughts on herbal first aid and coping with icy blasts of winter.

Herbal First Aid for Coping with Extreme Weather

Winter is most definitely upon us with a vengeance this year with temperatures almost on a par with the South Pole! But how can we keep ourselves well and fight the elements?

In extreme cold many people suffer from sinus headaches, nose bleeds, sore throats and dry irritated skin, and I would like to share with you a few really useful simple herbal hints and remedies to help you combat these problems.

Firstly, when you go out into the cold, make sure you wrap a warm scarf around your mouth and nostrils to heat the air up, as this aids normal breathing.  Put a few drops of Tea Tree Essential Oil or Chamomile Essential Oil on your scarf. These oils have broad spectrum antimicrobial and antibacterial actions and will act as a protective barrier to germs spread by droplets.

Catarrh and Sinus Problems are characterised by nasal congestion, excess mucus, headaches, runny nose, post-nasal drip, sore throats and ear problems. These problems are often associated with upper respiratory infections such as colds and flu. I usually recommend the traditional licensed medicine Sage and Garlic Catarrh Remedy which has been a firm favourite for decades. Garlic has good antibacterial actions and will help the body to fight infection. It combines well with Sage which has antimicrobial and antiseptic actions. Sage will also ease sore throats and reduce inflammation in the sinus area. One of the special features of the Sage and Garlic Catarrh Remedy is that is also contains Liquorice which is an adaptogen tonic, which supports the body’s energy store as well as having an immune support action. You can alternatively make your own herbal tea combining sage leaf, crushed garlic and liquorice root.

Echinacea is, of course, one of our key herbs for the immune system improving our resistance to bacteria and infection. Napiers Elixir of Echinacea is a highly concentrated, potent formulation, enhanced by the addition of Wild Indigo and Fumitory. It is also effective for catarrh and minor skin conditions.

Not surprisingly, there are many herbs traditionally used to support the body and aid recovery from sinus and chest problems. To ease sinus congestion, and to back up the actions of Sage and Garlic we recommend Napiers Sinus Rub. This traditional warming and decongesting cream, contains Myrrh, Lobelia, Myrica and Lavender Essential Oil.

Using a vapouriser with a blend of invigorating oils at home can help relieve symptoms and ease breathing. Vapour Ease Oil a blend of Eucalyptus, Lavender, Peppermint and Pine helps clear airways and has both antiseptic and antiviral properties. If you don’t have a vapouriser or humidifier, a saucer of water placed on a radiator will help to put moisture back in the air and relieve the drying effect that central heating can have on the airways and your skin.

Winter is also a time when we need to feed and nourish our skin. Extreme cold and the contrast between the cold outside and the central heating indoors can dry out your skin.  Drink plenty of water to help rehydrate and regularly moisturize your skin. The appearance of the skin can also change. It can become rough and easily flaky and sometimes itchy. To protect and nourish your body from the outside I regularly recommend Starflower Cream. This is a popular cream for dry and irritated skin and can be especially useful if you are an eczema sufferer. Starflower cream is made from Borage oil which has similar properties to Evening Primrose oil, and is combined with chamomile and chickweed oils. It is wonderfully moisturising and nourishing on the skin, helping the skin to retain moisture. If you have very  delicate or sensitive skin try using the milder Infant Starflower Cream.

One of my favourite winter oils is Frankincense Essential Oil. This oil has a long history of use in skin care. It has even been shown in a clinic trial done in Italy, (using women in their mid 40s), that a cream containing Frankincense was shown to significantly improve the skin’s texture and appearance of surface lines.  I have used this oil in our Herbal Skin Nutrition Nourish Night Cream – a deeply nourishing and restorative night cream. In addition, I have also recently created a range of lovely body balm and massage sticks rich in coconut oil and cocoa butter (that melts on contact with your skin), as well as antioxidant oils and therapeutic herbs.

Wrap up warm, wishing you the best of natural health       Dee

(posted Jan 2010)

Christmas is coming up fast and you need to be fighting fit!

Take time out now to look after yourself and take advantage of our many special offers on consultations.

Find out more…

Wednesday 28th October 6.30-8.30pm
Apex Hotel, Waterloo Place, Edinburgh
Making Babies Made Easy – The Natural Approach

Meet the practitioners from the Edinburgh Natural Fertility Clinic and learn more about the natural approach to improving fertility.

Find out more about how acupuncture, herbal medicine, nutrition, conception coaching, counselling and hypnotherapy can improve your chances of conceiving naturally and having a healthy pregnancy and baby.

Our expert practitioners will be available to advise you on which therapies might help you and to answer your fertility questions.
Tickets are £6 in advance, and places are limited – please contact us at info@edinburghfertility.co.uk or buy tickets online at www.edinburghfertilityclinic.co.uk