Herbal Help for Chilblains
As a child I used to suffer terribly with chilblains, mainly on my toes but occasionally on fingers as well. I haven’t had any problems for years – since training to be a herbalist - I remember having them for the last time during my final year of training, so...
Genetics and the Diet Mentality
I’ve started working with a couple of clients who’ve had their DNA tested for the purpose of finding solutions to their weight loss dilemma. In my assessment of them, they both suffer from what I describe as having a ‘diet mentality’. That is, they try to ‘be good’...
A Look at the COMT Warrior/Worrier Gene and How to Manage it
Are you a worrier or a warrior? There’s a definite genetic component to how you respond to stress – in this article I’m looking at the COMT gene polymorphism. Each variant has both positive and negative aspects, so if you know your genetics and understand what they...
An Introduction to Brain and Mental Health
Who doesn't want their brain to function well - now and into old age? To ensure healthy brain and mental health, the first step is to understand your brain and how best to work with it. Let's start with a brief introduction to the brain, in particular the pre-frontal...
Basil for your Brain, Breast, and Belly
I have an abundant crop of basil in my garden this year. I put in a lot of plants because normally slugs and snails destroy some of the seedlings, or I neglect it and it goes to seed. But this year, I’ve managed to keep it growing well and now it’s at the perfect...
Manuka
Latin name Leptospermum scoparium Part Used Herb and essential oil Actions Antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, anxiolytic and sedative, astringent, diuretic, alterative, febrifuge and diaphoretic Indications Most widely used for its...
Time to Reflect
How often do you find yourself rushing through life, trying to get ‘on top of things’, smashing out goals and projects - always looking at the next thing on the list - without ever stopping to smell the roses? How often, when someone asks you how you’re doing, you...
Herbal Medicine as a Holistic Therapy
Herbal medicine is a branch of natural medicine similar to naturopathy. We primarily use herbs and food as our medicines, along with lifestyle suggestions to improve overall wellness. The holistic model I learnt is about treating the whole person, the underlying...
Folate – Why you Need to Eat your Greens
Folate is one of the B group vitamins, sometime referred to as B9. Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate that is often used in supplements or added to foods such as bread and cereals. Folate is found most abundantly in dark green leafy vegetables and legumes, and...
Sauerkraut
Sauerkraut is a nutritious addition to the diet that acts as both a food and a medicine. Sauerkraut is made from lacto-fermented cabbage, and is a rich source of lactobacilli and lactic acid, which are medicinal for the gut. The lactic acid inhibits growth of...