1. Every time I go abroad I find my holiday is spoilt by “holiday tummy”, can you help?

A change in diet combined with the potentially less scrupulous hygeine standards of some holiday destinations can lead to an imbalance in the delicate balance of natural bacteria in the digestive tract. Try taking a course of a prebiotic product such as inulin for the week leading up to your holiday and continue with the tablets whilst you are away. This will help your body produce extra quantities of the “good bacteria” and so offset any imbalance.

2. My doctor recently diagnosed me with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Are there any natural treatments that might be of help?

Slippery Elm Powder can be useful due to it’s high mucilage content which helps to soothe the digestive tract. It is available as a food which can be mixed with milk to provide a soothing drink.

Peppermint Oil Capsules have become very popular particularly in Europe they help to relieve excessive gas and inhibit gastrointestinal contraction.
Other herbs that have been used successfully include, ginger, camomile and valerian. These herbs have anti spasmodic properties and valerian will also help calm the system

3. What is best for me to take for my indigestion?

Indegestion / functional dyspepsia is normally due to an acidity imbalance of the stomach. Peppermint and Chamomile milk are excellent at stabilising an unsettled stomach.