1. Every winter I suffer more than my fair share of colds and catarrh is there anything I can take?
Garlic is a well established prevenative and treatment. Use it regularly in cooking or if you are concerned about the odour look out for garlic capsules (known as perles) or tablets of garlic powder.
2. I suffer from a blocked nose which is preventing me sleeping at night.
Try using an extra pillow so that you are sleeping in a more upright position. It may also help to put blocks under the top legs of the bed to raise the head a little more. Before you go to bed place a few drops of Olbas Oil in a bowl of warm water, cover your head and breath in the vapour. Place a few drops on a tissue and tuck it inside the pillow case.
3. I have an exam coming up in a few weeks time is there anything that would help calm my nerves.
A herbal sedative such as Kalms is ideal in these circumstances. The tablets reduce anxiety and worry but do not leave you feeling drowsy during the day. Ideally you need to take the product for about two weeks leading up to the exam.
4. I suffer excessive sweating as a result of the menopause , can you suggest any treatment
There has been research done which suggests that the herb sage can be helpful in relieving this unpleasant symptom. There are a number of products both tinctures and tablets available from health food stores which contain sage and which you could try. Many people also find that the problem is made worse by stress and a natural sedative such as Kalms can be helpful.
5. Can you tell me what the main benefit of garlic is?
The traditional use of garlic is as a treatment for colds and catarrh. Taken regularly it can help reduce the incidence and severity of colds and has been used to treat whooping cough and bronchitis. Take capsules with cold water and immediately before food to avoid problems of odour. Avoid products claiming to be odour free as they are unlikely to contain the active components.
6. I suffer badly with catarrh, and sinus problems but I cannot take anything that might cause drowsiness. Is there a natural remedy you can recommend?
I would suggest you try Sinotar for the sinus condition you describe. Sinotar is a blend of herbs including echinacea, marshmallow and elderflower to soothe inflamed membranes. Sinotar won’t cause drowsiness so you can use it even when driving.
7. I have read about homoeopathic products and wondered how they differ from herbal remedies.
Homeopathic products are in fact very different from traditional herbal products. Homeopathic medicines follow the principle that herbs and other substances can produce side effects that are very similar to the symptoms of disease. By treating a disease with minute doses of a substance that mimics those symptoms a cure can be achieved. Research showed that the more these substances were diluted the more powerful they became, this led to the main principle of homeopathy that substances are measured by their degree of dilution and not by the quantity present. Traditional herbal products however formed the basis on which modern medicine was built. Based on documented evidence going back for thousands of years herbal remedies contain herbs, alone or in combination, in tablet or liquid form at levels shown to relieve particular symptoms. The quantity of herb used should be detailed on the label and often details of which part of the plant, root, leaves etc. will also be given.
8. I have started a new job that involves standing for long periods of time. I find that my feet are often sore and swollen by the end of the day. What do you suggest?
It is important to ensure that your shoes fit well and are comfortable. When you do get the opportunity to sit down try to raise your feet on a stool or box for maximum benefit. At the end of the day fill a bowl with warm water and add a few drops of tea tree oil to it. Let your feet gently soak in the water for 5-10 minutes.
9. During the summer I often suffer catarrh which causes headaches and often prevents me sleeping what is the best treatment?
This sounds like a form of hayfever caused by an allergy to a particular plant or group of plants. Hayfever can be very unpleasant but there are a number of herbal treatments that can bring relief. During the day Olbas pastilles can be sucked to relieve the congestion, whilst at night sprinkle a few drops of Olbas Oil on the sheet to give all night relief.
10. I suffer with piles and although my doctor has said they do not require treatment they do cause some discomfort. Are there any herbal remedies I could try?
This is a common complaint that many people suffer with. It is often made worse by constipation and I would recommend a gentle laxative to ensure regularity. Pileabs is a herbal tablet combining a herbal laxative with slippery elm bark to soothe and relieve irritation and discomfort. At the same time a soothing ointment should be applied to the affected area.
11. My 16 year old daughter suffers badly with spots. Is there any think that will help.
This is unfortunately a problem suffered by many teenagers and will improve as their hormone levels settle down. It is important to ensure the skin is kept scrupulously clean at all times so encourage your daughter to use a good cleanser regularly. The antiseptic qualities of tea tree have been found to be particularly helpful and can be applied directly to the skin.
12. I have recently started suffering from migraines which seem to be brought on by stress, I would prefer not to use drugs if I can avoid it, are there any herbal treatments?
The herb feverfew has been widely used to treat migraine attacks and is widely available in tabled form. Look for a product with a standardised parthenolide content as this is thought to be the main active component.
13. A friend recently recommended Echinacea and I wondered if you could give me any information about the benefits of this herb?
The herb echinacea is a well-established medicinal herb also known as the coneflower. It has been shown to have antiseptic and antiviral properties. It can be used to stimulate the immune system and is also used to treat a wide range of conditions including colds, flu and catarrh. Echinacea is widely available in tablet form either as a single herb or combined with other herbs with similar properties such as elderflower.
