1. My moods have been a little erratic recently, can you recommend anything that will help?

St John’s Wort is a helpful herb that’s said to be very useful for those prone to mood swings. It’s also known to be helpful in relieving periods of mild depression. Can be especially good if your mood has been affected by the early dark evenings.

2. 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 help 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.

3. I have been having difficulty sleeping recently and a friend suggested drinking coffee may be causing the problem. Is this true and is there an alternative?

It is true that coffee contains caffeine a stimulant that will keep you awake. That is why it is so often used by students to see them through late night study sessions. Unfortunately Tea is also a source of caffeine and even chocolate contains a similar stimulant. There are alternatives however, one of the most popular being dandelion coffee, a caffeine free drink made from a concentrated extract from the root of the dandelion coffee. Like coffee it is available as an instant granules which is mixed with hot water and milk to taste.

4. What can I take to alleviate my persistant anxiety?

Stress-related disorders account for an estimated 70 to 80% of all visits to physicians. Chronic stress has a deleterious effect on all bodily systems, most notably the cardio-vascular system. However, it also has an adverse impact on digestion, immune system function, blood pressure, and even brain chemistry. The most effective herb for stress and nervous tension is Valerian; Chamomile, Passionflower and Skullcap are worthy agents against anxiety too.