Journal
Dryness Relief with Sea Buckthorn
You only have to look at the deep orange hue of Sea Buckthorn to know it must offer some amazing healing properties. But not just the berries, there is a huge range of bioactive chemicals in its leaves, roots and seeds. Traditional medicine has promoted the use of Sea Buckthorn for centuries. Documents detail Alexander the Great and his troops consumption of the berries in their diet. He noted that they promoted strength and vitality. The horses would nibble the berries and appeared to recover quickly from illnesses. They were noted for their shining manes. Referred to as the holy fruit of the Himalayas you don’t have to travel so far to find it. Native to the sand dunes along the east coast of England my father and I recently found it growing by the Thames in London. Its bright orange hue lighting up the pathway. Active components Rich in vitamins A, C, K, and E, the berries also contain healthy amounts of magnesium, potassium, zinc, copper and iron. The bioactive substances in various parts of sea buckthorn have a range of properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-proliferative activities. Benefits of Sea Buckthorn Its positive effect on bodily dryness is due to the unique omega 7 profile of Sea Buckthorn. In a study of 100 participants consuming Sea Buckthorn oil had positive effects on tear film osmolarity and symptoms of dry eye. Patients with Sjögren’s syndrome experienced alleviation of eye dryness. Studies have have also shown positive outcomes with patients suffering from vaginal dryness. Containing the rare Omega 7 Sea Buckthorn is said to stimulate the regeneration of vaginal mucosa, which directly increases vaginal secretion and hydrates the vaginal linings. Patients suffering from a dry mouth noted improvements after consuming the oil for 4 weeks. Mucosa quality in the mouth was better and patients had relief of symptoms.
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5 Ways to Regain Sense of Smell After Covid
Losing your sense of smell or taste can really impact daily life but there are treatments available to help regain these senses again! Anosmia is a challenging disease but finding treatment options may lead to resolving this condition. The natural ability to smell is taken for granted. Scents evoke memories and bring us joy and pleasure. They also alert us to danger. The inability to smell smoke or gas can put you at increased risk of danger. When this most important sense is lost quality of life is not only diminished but it can also lead to anxiety and depression. The recent 2 years have brought about more awareness around this health issue with a study from Italy showing 64% of 202 mildly symptomatic patients reported impaired olfaction after Covid-19. Conventionally glucocorticoids are used to treat olfactory dysfunction, but studies have shown of neural damage in the early phase of treatment. What Causes Anosmia? Anosmia can occur for various reasons. This condition increases with age. In fact losing your sense of smell is associated with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Loss of smell is commonly caused by polyps or rhinitis which lead to inflammation of the nasal passages. Most recently the corona virus has lead to a rise in anosmia with a number of sufferers experiencing long term loss of smell. This can be an upsetting and disturbing experience but studies are beginning to show ways to recover. 5 Ways to Regain Sense of Smell after Covid Zinc – a PubMed study reports that smell/taste alteration in COVID-19 may reflect zinc deficiency. It is useful to take a zinc test to evaluate deficiency. Zincatest is a simple non-invasive test, which gives an indication of zinc status and can also be taken as a zinc supplement. You can read more about zinc deficiency here. Smell training – using essential oils, especially rose, lemon, clove, eucalyptus. There are reports already showing that smell training using essential oils improves recovery from anosmia. Gingko biloba – In a study of 43 patients with post-viral olfactory loss those who were prescribed ginkgo led to more efficient treatment compared to those given steroid prednisolone and mometasone furoate (corticosteroid) nasal spray alone. Turmeric – is well-known for its anti-inflammatory properties but it may also be a little-known remedy for anosmia. Two interesting cases showed rapid improvement in taste and smell after taking a turmeric and black pepper supplement. Lavender syrup – A new study has shown lavender syrup to be an effective treatment COVID-19-induced anosmia. Twenty-three patients with post-viral loss of smell took 9ml of lavender syrup for three weeks. Make lavender syrup here.
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IBS – Symptoms, Diet and Solutions
IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) is one of the most common digestive complaints. Stress, poor diet, food intolerances, dysbiosis and pharmaceutical drugs all contribute to this growing health complaint. Defining IBS According to recent diagnostic criteria IBS can be diagnosed when a patient complains of recurrent abdominal pain associated with defecation and or change of stool appearance and change in toilet frequency. There are also three IBS subtypes – IBS-C; mostly constipation IBS-D: mostly diarrhoea IBS-M: a combination of both of the above A recent review revealed that IBS is one of the most common disorders of gut-brain interaction, effecting around 1 in 10 people around the world. Interestingly the prevalence of anxiety in patients with IBS was 44% and that of depression 84%. Therefore gut health and mental health are intimately connected and this can be explained more when you understand the workings of the amazing vagus nerve. Aetiological Factors In Medical Herbalist Kerry Bone’s book, Functional Herbal Therapy the aetiological factors involved in IBS are listed – Host factors altered gastrointestinal motility visceral hypersensitivity altered gut-brain interactions increased intestinal permeability gut mucosal immune activation psychosocial distress Luminal factors dysbiosis neuroendocrine mediators bile acids Environmental factors food medications supplements antibiotics enteric infection Remove Obstructions to Cure – Dietary Modifications The phrase “you are what you eat” was first mentioned a few centuries ago and science continues to show us that this is so true. But not just what we eat, but how we eat and the functionality of our digestion. For many sufferers following the FODMAP diet can be very beneficial. The main principle of the diet is to avoid foods high in specific short-chain carbohydrates that tend to be malabsorbed because they are indigestible or slowly absorbed from the small intestine. If this diet is too strict studies show that avoiding gluten improves symptoms. Consuming gluten was shown to alter gut barrier function in IBS patients experiencing diarrhoea. A gluten free diet has been shown to improve overall IBS symptom severity score. Keeping a food diary and tracking symptoms can be helpful when addressing gut irritants. Interestingly patients often report that stress combined with an irritating food can exacerbate symptoms. Functional Therapies for IBS Add soothing herbs to your diet to improve gastrointestinal motor function; chamomile, fennel, mint, ginger. These can be in the form of herbal teas. Support the nervous system with herbs like Lemon balm, Holy basil and Valerian. Improve overall digestion and gastric acid barrier with bitter herbs. Best taken 10 minutes before each meal. If symptoms seem exacerbated around the menstrual cycle support with Chaste tree tincture, the hormone balancer. Ensure regular bowel movements. This is a gentle formula to encourage natural peristalsis. Address inflammation issues and gut barrier weakness with herbs like Turmeric and consider the healing benefits of collagen. Slippery elm is a gentle demulcent herb for IBS with constipation and one of my favourite all round digestive herbs, soothing and anti-inflammatory. In fact it is the ideal IBS herb. If SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) is present Clove and Oregano capsules can be extremely beneficial. See study here. Probiotics for IBS IBS-D – Optibac Saccharomyces Boulardii IBS-C – OptiBac Probiotic ‘Bifidobacteria & fibre’ IBS-M – Optibac for Every Day Extra Strength With digestive supports IBS symptoms can be very much improved and eradicated.
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Slippery Elm – The Gut Healing Remedy
Slippery elm (Ulmus rubra) is a most valuable remedy. The bark of the tree is known as one of natures finest demulcents; a moistening herb that forms a soothes mucous membrane tissue. When the powdered inner bark is mixed with water it becomes mucilaginous. This mucilaginous quality soothes and protects irritated tissues, it is nourishing, anti-inflammatory and healing. Not only this, but Slippery elm causes reflux stimulation of nerve endings in the gastrointestinal tract leading to increased mucus secretion. This action protects the gastrointestinal tract from excess acidity and stomach ulcers. When convalescing and recovering from an illness it is a valuable tonic being highly nutritious, containing magnesium, manganese, calcium, iron, potassium, selenium, zinc, beta-carotene and vitamins B1, B2, B3 and C. It can be considered a prebiotic, having a restorative action on the microbiome.. During the American Revolution Slippery elm was used as a poultice for gun shot wounds; such are its anti-inflammatory and healing properties. From 1820 to 1960 it was included in the United States Pharmacopeia. Slippery elm is indicated for – Acid Reflux Gastritis Colitis Constipation Diarrhoea Stomach ulcers Wounds Coughs Cystitis IBS Coughs Boils Psoriosis Sore throat Laryngitis “Slippery elm bark is a very valuable remedial agent in mucous inflammations of the lungs, bowels, stomach, bladder, or kidneys. It is also highly beneficial in diarrhoea, dysentery, coughs, pleurisy, strangury, and sore throat, in all of which it tends powerfully to allay the inflammation. A tablespoonful of the powder boiled in a pint of new milk, affords a nourishing diet for infants weaned from the breast, preventing the bowel complaints to which they are subject, and rendering them fat and healthy. Elm bark has likewise been successfully employed externally in cutaneous diseases, especially in obstinate cases of herpetic and syphilitic eruptions.” King’s Dispensatory How to Prepare Slippery Elm Although Slippery elm supplements are very effective I often favour making what I would call a gruel. I can only explain this as a “thick” mucilaginous drink, which I know doesn’t sound appealing! And yet when you do consume Slippery elm this way, it becomes clear how soothing it is on the digestive tract. Drink it Make a warm drink Place one heaped teaspoon of Slippery elm in to a cup Add one heaped teaspoon of runny honey and enough COLD water to make a ‘Bisto-like’ paste. Stir until smooth. Gradually pour over hot water, whisking as you go. Consume 2 – 3 times a day, according to your needs, but at least first and last thing. Make a smoothie In a blender add 1 banana Half a cup of milk Half a cup Greek yoghurt 2 teaspoons of Slippery elm powder Half a teaspoon of cardamom or cinnamon powder 1 -2 teaspoons of raw honey Blend until smooth. Consume first thing. Eat it – Slippery elm confectionary This is a really useful recipe for when on the move and traveling and very effective. To a small bowl add – 10g of Slippery elm powder 20g of liquid honey (raw if possible) Mix until combined On a board roll the mix in to a cylinder shape. Cut in to 10 equal pieces and roll in to little marble-sized balls. Roll each ball into cinnamon powder. These would not only be good for digestive symptoms but a sore throat too. Take a capsule Earnshaw’s Herbal Dispensary Slippery Elm Capsules Living Nutrition, The Fermentation Alchemists, Organic Fermented Your Flora Terrain with Aloe Vera and Slippery Elm
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Ray Peat’s Thyroid Boosting Carrot Salad
A raw carrot salad to support digestive, hormone and thyroid health “Endotoxin formed in the bowel can block respiration and cause hormone imbalances contributing to instability of the nerves, so it is helpful to optimize bowel flora, for example with a carrot salad; a dressing of vinegar, coconut oil and olive oil, carried into the intestine by the carrot fiber, suppresses bacterial growth while stimulating healing of the wall of the intestine. The carrot salad improves the ratio of progesterone to estrogen and cortisol, and so is as appropriate for epilepsy as for premenstrual syndrome, insomnia, or arthritis.” Ray Peat Why have a daily raw carrot salad (with coconut oil and vinegar dressing) – Carrot fibres lower endotoxin (intestinal bacteria) Supports bowel regularity Lower cortisol Improves progesterone/oestrogen balance Raw carrots contain natural antibiotics May help migraines Improves digestion and bowel health Aids weight loss through metabolic support Supports liver health Lower prolactin Helps prevent reabsorption of oestrogen in the bowel Coconut oil and vinegar are mild germicidals supporting gut cleansing By lowering intestinal bacteria with raw carrots you can help prevent an overload of toxins in the liver. Healthy liver function is important as it detoxifies estrogen and converts the storage thyroid hormone T4 to the active thyroid hormone T3. Fibres in the raw carrots bind to toxins and excess oestrogen and carry them out from the body through the digestive system. “When endotoxin enters the bloodstream during any stress, a host of problems can result because of endotoxin’s systemic toxicity. Raw carrot (along with a good daily bowel movement, saturated fats in place of unsaturated, sufficient non-inflammatory protein, fresh fruits and other digestible foods) can help reduce your endotoxin burden.” “Because some estrogen is secreted In the bile, adequate fiber in the diet (oats, potato. or raw carrots, for example) and regular bowel function help to prevent the build-up of estrogen, which inhibits the thyroid. (Estrogen which has been excreted in the bile can be reabsorbed from the intestIne if there is slow transit time and too little fiber.) A deficiency of B vitamins or protein is also known to prevent the liver from excreting estrogen. One of the ways in which starvatIon inhibits thyroid function is by damaging the liver function. Vegetarians are sometimes dangerously deficient in protein, and in that state the body is very resistant to thyroid hormone. Elevated serum calcium is probably one of the factors in creating a slate of thyroid-resistance during stress.” “One vegetable has a special place in a diet to balance the hormones, and that is the raw carrot. It is so nearly indigestible that, when it is well chewed or grated, it helps to stimulate the intestine and reduce the reabsorption of estrogen and the absorption of bacterial toxins. In these effects on the bowel, which improve hormonal balance, a carrot salad resembles antibiotic therapy, except that the carrot salad can be used every day for years without harmful side-effects. Many people find that daily use of the raw carrot eliminates their PMS, headaches, or allergies. The use of oil and vinegar as dressing intensifies the bowel-cleansing effect of the salad. Coconut oil is more germicidal and thyroid promoting than olive oil, but a mixture of coconut and olive oil improves the flavor. Lime juice. salt, cheese and meats can be used to vary the flavor.” Ray Peat Recipe 1 medium raw carrot grated or thinly sliced with vegetable peeler 1 – 2 teaspoons of coconut oil Half to 1 teaspoon of raw cider vinegar or white wine vinegar Pinch of sea salt Method Mix all the ingredients in a bowl. Best eaten on its own or as a snack. See Danny Roddy’s video here on how to make it –
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Valentine’s Bay Panna Cotta with Cardamom Syrup
This easy to make Bay Panna Cotta with Cardamom Syrup is a delicious dessert for Valentine’s Day or any day in between. With a subtle aromatic taste and beautiful velveteen texture, it’s a sublime after-dinner treat. A wonderful digestive soother with the collagen, bay and cardamon. This is a great way to introduce collagen using the gelatin granules in this recipe. See all the benefits here of this unique protein, and why I like to incorporate in to my daily diet. Ingredients 125ml organic whole milk 375ml organic double cream 80g caster sugar ½ vanilla pod 4 bay leaves 2 teaspoons of gelatin a little mild olive oil to grease the ramekin or heart mold The Cardamom Syrup 60g granulated sugar 6 cardamom pods, crushed Method Add the milk, cream and sugar to a saucepan along with the half vanilla pod, seeds scraped out and added alongside. Add the bay leaves. Slowly bring the milk to a simmer, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Simmer gently for 5 minutes. Turn off the heat. Put a lid on top and leave to infuse for 1 hour. In the meantime add the 2 teaspoons of gelatin to a small bowl with 3 tablespoons of cold water. Stir and leave to ‘bloom’. This take about 10 minutes. Strain the infused milk through a sieve into another pan. On a low heat add the gelatin, stirring until dissolved. Pour in to desired mold, dividing equally. I ended up with 6 but in bigger ramekins you may just have 4. Place on a tray and put in to the fridge for at least 4 hours. To make syrup just crush the cardamom pods in a pestle and mortar. Place in to a small saucepan with the sugar and 60ml of water. Warm up gently until the sugar dissolves and leave to cool. Strain when ready to use. To serve I dip the bottom of the mold briefly in to hot water to ease turning out of the dessert. Put on a plate, decorate with rose petals and lemon zest with a little drizzle of cardamon syrup. (Original recipe Angela Clutton, slightly tweaked.) You might also like this Pineapple Panna Cotta.
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12 Signs You Might Have Parasites
Parasitic infections are more common than you might think. The thought of it can make you feel a bit queasy but as Ed Yong in his book ‘I Contain Multitudes states’, “Even when we are alone, we are never alone.” If you have a pet or are a lover of sushi, both can make you more susceptible to parasite infection. Parasites are all around us, in our food, water and the air we breathe. These microscopic organisms live in the gut alongside all the other bacteria, but can cause a multitude of health issues. Some eat the food we consume, leaving us hungry a lot of the time, others cause anaemia, feeding off red blood blood cells. Parasites like threadworms can cause anal itching, irritability and insomnia but there are other symptoms you might not link to a parasitic infection. Signs You Might have a Parasite Unexplained bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, foul smelling gas Teeth grinding at night Recently traveled abroad and experienced diarrhoea Food poisoning with ongoing gut issues Aching muscles and joints Fatigue and depression Apathy Not feeling satiated after food Allergies Coughing and wheezing Itching around the anus Skin irritation and rashes Common Parasites Threadworms Roundworms Tapeworms Scabies Parasite Risk Factors Consuming sushi Owning a pet Eating under cooked meat Unclean fruit or vegetables Not washing hands properly after going to the toilet Working with farm animals Walking bare foot as they can get in here! Eliminating Parasites The simplest way to check for parasites is to send a stool sample for testing. Unfortunately out of over 3000 species, only around 50 can be tested for. Untreated parasitic infection can cause havoc on the body, damaging intestines and organs and poisoning the body with the toxic waste products they release. It is advisable to take a herbal anti-parasitic like Viridian’s Clove and Oregano Complex once or twice a year. Cloves have been used for centuries as a treatment for worms and studies show it acts against various pathogenic parasites and microorganisms. Clove oil has also been shown to eradicate the eggs. It is anti-microbial, anti-fungal and antiviral. Several studies show Oregano essential oil to be antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and antiviral. Consuming raw garlic and pumpkin seeds is also useful as these are parasite repellent. Please contact us for more support and guidance.
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Flourless Gluten-free Almond and Orange Cake
This delicious, moist and citrusy cake takes me straight back to Mallorca. It is often on display in the local cafes and is a welcome treat to enjoy as you watch the world go by. It is very easy to make, has a few simple ingredients and is a bonus for those who can’t or don’t tolerate gluten. Ingredients 2 medium sized oranges (I used blood) washed, roughly chopped, including the peel, but discarding the pips 5 eggs separated 1 cup of caster sugar 2 1/2 cups of ground almonds 2 or 3 tablespoons of flaked Almonds Icing sugar to decorate and a few gogi berries if you have them Method Place the chopped oranges in a saucepan with 1 tablespoon of water. Cover with a lid and simmer gently for 30 minutes until the oranges are soft and the water has evaporated. Turn off the heat and leave to cool. Preheat the oven to 170ºC. Line the sides and bottom of a 23cm springform cake tin with greaseproof paper. You can use a little butter oil to help it stick if need be. Blitz the oranges until finely chopped in a mini food processor. Place the 5 egg whites in a bowl and beat using an electric whisk until stiff peaks are formed. Then slowly add half the sugar, whisking for a minute. It should look lovely and silky. In another bowl whisk the 5 egg yolks and remaining sugar for about 3 minutes until it is pale and thickened. Add the oranges, whisk until combined well. Then fold in the ground almonds with a metal spoon. Gently fold in the egg whites to the mixture. Pour the mix in to the cake tin, sprinkle over the flaked almonds and bake for around 50-55 minutes. Check it is cooked by inserting a skewer into the centre. It should come out clean. If you are concerned it is browning too quickly you can place some foil over it. Remove from the oven and leave to cool in the tin. Carefully take the cake out of the tin, peel away the paper and place on a cake stand or plate. Sieve over icing sugar and sprinkle with gogi berries if you wish. Serve just warm with crème fraîche.
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Natural Remedies for Shingles
Shingles is a viral infection of the nerve fibres produced by the same virus that causes chickenpox. The virus is noted by the appearance of clusters of painful blisters. These often appear where the affected nerves end, usually showing up on one side of the body, often on the trunk or face. Shingles often signals a weakened immune system and a degree of debility. Symptoms Enlarged lymph nodes Feeling run down Tingling, burning, numbness, sensitive to touch Fever Headache Rash, blisters Fatigue Sensitivity to light Headache Gut disturbance Risk factors Recent illness Over the age of 50 Experiencing stress Trauma Herbs Indicated in the Treatment of Shingles Treating shingles naturally is centered around supporting the immune system and the nervous system. Proprietary Echinacea duo tincture – The Anti-viral – especially useful here where the condition is marked by debility. Around 48 hours after taking Echinacea, lymphocytes almost double. Lymphocytes are one arm of the immune system that is concerned with viruses. Lemon balm – The Nervine – Specific indications – nerve-calming, blisters, herpetic sores, burning, fevers, anxiety, cooling, sympathetic excess. Avena sativa – The Tonic – It is extremely beneficial in the recovery of shingles. High in minerals, Vitamin E, manganese, zinc and protein. It feeds and soothes the nervous system. It is especially useful where the nervous system is depleted by stress, depression and exhaustion. HZ Gel – The Pain Relieving Topical Gel – Containing Yellow jasmine this is a soothing, pain relieving gel for affected areas. Please call or pop in to purchase. Supplements to Support Immunity During Shingles Vitamin C – 1000mg, 3 x a day to support immune function and white blood cells B12 – for nerve pain reduction and faster recovery Zinc – supports immune function and has an anti-viral effect. Best taken at first sign of illness. As with all viruses treat at the first outset for better outcomes.
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