Hot Castor oil packs help to stimulate deep circulation of blood and lymph, relieve discomfort and assist with the detoxification of the intestines, liver, spleen, lungs, reproductive organs and can be used on virtually any area of the body.* They can be applied over the abdomen for the treatment of constipation, or over the uterus […]
What is IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)? Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a functional disorder of the lower bowel that affects more women than men, usually between the ages of 20 – 40 years. It is called a syndrome because IBS can present a wide range of correlated symptoms, varying in severity from mild to debilitating, […]
BPH (enlarged prostate) Benign prostatic enlargement is also called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or benign prostatic hypertrophy. BPH commonly affects men over the age of 50 years. The prostate gland sits beneath the bladder and just above the rectum. It encircles the urethra, which empties urine from the bladder. When the prostate gland expands, it presses in on […]
Urtica dioica Most people know nettle by its sting. Nearby any clump of nettles you will usually find yellow dock growing. As children we would make a spit poultice of a dock leaf and rub it on the affected area for prompt relief. A plantain leaf works just as efficiently – if not more. Folklore […]
Himanthalia elongata Sea spaghetti has a mild sweet taste. It cooks up in minutes, tastes great and makes a healthy substitute for conventional pasta. Chop and add to salads, stir-fries, soups and stews, or serve it in place of a green vegetable. If you like a savoury chew try eating it raw, fresh or dried. […]
Why consult a medical herbalist? The short answer is: because herbal medicine works. So why are more people not seeing medical herbalists? —Because herbal medicine does not offer a quick fix. It requires the patient to become an active participant in their own healing and more often than not, to change their dietary and/or lifestyle […]
External use: Dandelion flower oil makes a nice massage oil for sore or tired muscles. You could add a few drops of essential oil, such as geranium or rosemary, for added healing benefits. It also makes a soothing emollient for tired eyes or to nourish dry skin. You can use the oil as a base […]
Healthy eating: general guidelines While there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ diet, there are some general guidelines you can keep in mind to help promote healthy eating habits. Eating mostly plant foods, such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains and legumes (beans, peas, lentils), while limiting highly refined foods, will help to reduce your intake of saturated or […]
Understanding Metabolism When we think about metabolism we generally think of it in terms of being fast or slow, or how efficiently we use up energy (counted as calories) from the food we eat. However, metabolism is not just about burning calories. It includes hundreds of biochemical processes that are essential to life, such as […]
What is your right weight? There are many mathematical equations that can tell you what your average weight should be. Cultural and societal influences and our own inner critic, may point to an idealised dress size or waistband. Rather than external dictates, I believe our own body lets us know when we have reached our ideal or right […]
