Articles Written
From the “Dear Jo” series of articles.
• Menopause
• Andropause
• Acne vulgaris
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Baby Colic and Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Herpes Simplex and Cold Sores
• Candida albicans
• Hayfever
• Depression and Anxiety
• Eczema
• Viral Attack and Post Viral Fatigue
Other Articles Written
• Hypoadrenia
• Staying Healthy Through the Cold Months of Winter
• Detoxification
• Spring Tonics
• A Natural Menopause
• Candida and M.E.
Menopause
Dear Jo
I am utterly exhausted due to the fact that I have not slept well for months. During the night I have drenching night sweats which means I even have to sleep on a towel, and then minutes later I feel freezing cold. During the day I have these embarrassing sweats and flushes. This has left me feeling tired and very irritable, and my poor husband is being very patient concerning my lack of joie de vive.
Sophie, Esher
Dear Sophie
Black cohosh and Red clover are well known to help with the menopausal flushes, however, every menopausal lady I treat also has a plethora of other problems, which I deal with in the herbal formulae making it impossible to suggest a formulae of herbs to suit all women. Certainly I have found herbs to be extremely beneficial in reducing those uncomfortable nights, and most women find that within weeks their flushes have reduced in severity and frequency, so that they are able to get a good night sleep and get on with their careers during the day. There are other herbs which are much appreciated by menopausal ladies such as vervaine and betony. We use vervaine for “love and comfort” as it helps us to feel comforted and calm the world. Betony is also relaxing and I tend combine with other herbs to help with the migraine and headaches so often associated with the menopause. Once you have had enough sleep your energy should improve, but it you still feel as if you are flagging then I might include one of the more calming adaptogenic herbs which help us to cope with all the demands made on a woman in these modern times. Of course, part of the consultation would include discussions regarding the issues of cholesterol, thyroid health, cardiac disease and osteoporosis.
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Andropause
Dear Jo
I am a 47 year old man and have lost my zest for life. I feel tired and irritable all the time, don’t have the energy to work out at the gym, have lost my libido and am generally feeling a bit sluggish. Can herbs help me?
Mark,
Dear Mark,
I believe that you are experiencing the Andropause – the male version of the Menopause where the testosterone levels start to decline, and you are feeling the effects. According to some sources, after the age of 30, testosterone declines by 10% with each decade, but the decline is gradual and the onset of the symptoms is insidious. The adrenal glands also produce a small amount of testosterone from DHEA, but if you are run down and suffering from adrenal fatigue – your body is really going to feel exhausted and your zest for life will certainly be hitting the bottom of the barrel.
At Botanica Medica, we make a special formula for men called MaleVital. It contains herbs which support testosterone production and the adrenal function. All of the herbs have been used for hundreds of years as aphrodisiac tonics, but bear in mind that those days, men worked very hard physically, and when they came home they were often too tired to think of anything else, so these herbs are as much about supporting testosterone as providing general stamina. In fact, one of the herbs called Ashwaganda which means “the strength of a horse” in India.
Amongst the documented effects of the herbs in this blend are that they calm nerves, relieve depression, decrease fatigue, improve memory, increase libido and erectile dysfunction, support adrenal glands. Men who have used it tell me that they can work out much longer and harder at the gym, their muscle bulk increases and their mood significantly improves, their energy increases dramatically and of course it has a rather pronounced aphrodisiac effect. One man told me that he felt 17 again! Another buys our FemaleVital so that his wife can keep up with him.
Acne vulgaris
Dear Jo
My teenage daughter is struggling with acne on her face and back. We do not want to use anti-biotic treatment nor retinols to treat her skin, but at the same time, we are concerned that she should not be left with scarring.
Jane, Esher
Dear Jane
Acne is caused by the increase in male hormones which all teenagers experience. These hormones encourage the secretion of oily sebum in the pores of the skin, and this results in the pores becoming swollen and blocked. A bacteria called Propionibacterium thrives in these swollen oily pores, producing the symptoms of inflammation and pus so associated with acne vulgaris.
It is easy to see why antibiotics are successful, but long term antibiotic use always disturbs the bowel flora and may lead to a nasty condition known as Candida. We have many herbs which successfully help to treat acne safely. At Botanica Medica we might use a herb such as Sage which reduces the sebum production and to controls the bacterial population on the skin. We also frequently include in the herbal mixture, red clover which gently detoxify the skin and help to balance the hormones, or burdock to reduce inflammation and clear liver congestion. It is important to make sure the bowel is flowing freely as this is one of the major routes of detoxification, and for this we use our Linseedlax which has gentle laxative powders and seeds to promote healthy bowel function.
Topically you might like to consider a blend of Witch-hazel and Rosewater topically to cool the inflammation and dry the excess sebum. We have a lovely healing salve containing tea tree, comfrey, gotu kola and vitamin E to promote healing and reduce scar tissue. I do recommend that you consider a private consultation as these herbs are powerful and need to be dosed carefully to suit each individual.
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Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Dear Jo
I have been diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and my doctor says there is nothing he can offer me besides anti-depressant medication. I don’t want anti-depressants – can herbs offer anything to help?
Martin, St Margarets
Dear Martin
No-one definitively knows the cause of this illness, however, over the years of treating chronic fatigue syndrome (M.E.), I have noticed a clear pattern in the onset of M.E., and believe that the treatment lies in healing the effect this pattern has on the body.
The pattern I have noticed is that for many years these people have struggled - perhaps working too hard, caring for others, a difficult relationship, or leading an extremely busy life. Then one-day either they develop a cold, or there is a physical or emotional shock. Being fighters - they soldier on, thinking they can beat this set-back. Then they catch another cold (a virus invades) and they do not recover.
Looking at this pattern, and linking it with other research, I have concluded that M.E. has a great deal to do with the nervous system affecting the adrenal glands. Over-stimulation of the adrenal glands leads to an imbalance in the immune system, with the anti-viral part being depressed and the inflammatory part being stimulated. And so you have the symptoms of ‘flu, along with body pains, swollen glands, exhaustion and fever. But the body is so exhausted from all those years of being pushed too far that it just cannot break the cycle to recover.
As you can see, this is a very complicated clinical picture, but one which I find very satisfying to treat. Although each person is always assessed individually, the one thing I always say to my M.E. patients is that you cannot fight this illness. You have to learn to be kind to yourself and to preserve energy. This is not a life sentence – I have seen many people recover.
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Baby Colic and Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Dear Jo
My 4 month old baby boy is so wracked with colic that he has started to refuse his milk, and this is making feeding times an absolute ordeal for both of us. He is arching his back in pain, screaming and not putting on enough weight. Can you give him anything to settle his stomach?
Jane, Twickenham
Dear Jane
As long as your doctor has checked that there is nothing further untoward, I can certainly recommend several very successful herbal remedies.
If you are breast feeding, I would actually give you a herbal tea of fennel and chamomile to drink. The anti-spasmodic effects come through the breast milk and very effectively soothe the colic. We also have a special range of glycerine herbal extracts such as Fennel and Catnip which settles the stomach and soothes irritability, whilst the Chamomile and Caraway Glycerite gently stimulates the appetite as well as calming gut spasms. Mothers often choose to have a blend of both extracts.
On the subject of irritable colons, many adults suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In the first instance it is worth while having a consultation to ascertain the probable cause of the IBS. Following this consultation I often recommend a food intolerance test. This highly accurate blood test measures immunoglobulins (IgE and IgG) for allergies and intolerances to 322 foods. If necessary, I may suggest a comprehensive stool analysis which checks for bowel parasites and yeasts, levels of friendly bacteria, the ability to digest and absorb food and for mucus, inflammatory markers and blood. These tests help me tremendously in being able to treat the specific cause of the disease.
Rarely, I have found IBS to be the result of a highly strung individual, and then herbs such as hops are marvelous at relaxing the mind and the involuntary muscles of the gut.
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Herpes simplex and Cold Sores
Dear Jo
A friend of mine recently came to see you because she has suffered attacks of cold sores, and is absolutely thrilled with the effects of your herbal treatment. I regularly have attacks of cold sores as well as genital herpes, and wondered whether you thought that herbs would be any more effective than Zovirax.
Jackie
Dear Jackie
Both cold sores and genital herpes are caused by the Herpes simplex virus, which once it has infected you, lies dormant in your nerve cells and can set off another attack at anytime. At the moment there is no cure for this virus, but doctors will prescribe acyclovir to reduce the pain and speed the healing of the blisters caused by this virus.
Herbalists take a slightly different approach. We spend time asking about your immune response, as I have often found that people tend to suffer more when they are under stress. Stress affects the adrenal glands, which in turn has a depressing effect on the immune system. It is well known in medical circles that those with poor immunity tend to suffer more from herpes outbreaks. One of the best herbs to use in this condition is liquorice. Liquorice is not only an anti-viral herb, but also helps to restore the adrenal glands, and so has an overall beneficial effect. I definitely include this in a herbal formulae with other anti-viral herbs and immune tonics. Botanica Medica also blends a crème called HerpEase, which is made from liquorice extract and powerful anti-viral essential oils.
People I have treated in this way have noticed a radical reduction in the number of outbreaks and if they do have an outbreak – it is markedly less severe.
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Candida albicans
Dear Jo
I have felt unwell for some time with bloating, foggy brain, constant thrush and exhaustion. A friend suggested that I may have Candida. Can this be treated?
Michelle S, London.
Dear Michelle
The symptoms you describe suggest Candida but do be aware that this condition can mimic other serious diseases, so it is essential to be checked by your doctor, and then use an accurate laboratory test to confirm a Candida overgrowth.
Candida is a yeast which lives in balance in our intestines with the friendly gut bacteria. However, many things such as antibiotics, a sugary diet, poor immunity can upset this balance, and allow the yeast population to overgrow. If you wish to have more detail about how this occurs, you might like to read my book “How to Cope Successfully with Candida” available at Botanica Medica and other stores.
To treat Candida, I initially recommend a specific sugar-free Candida diet and herbal medicines to weaken and kill the yeast. I also focus on strengthening the immune system, and using probiotics to re-establish the natural gut bacteria levels. You can start your own program by avoiding sugar and yeast, and eating plenty of raw garlic and live plain yoghurt. Finally, I use herbs to gently detox the body, clear the mind and restore energy.
Of course it is crucial to address the cause of the yeast overgrowth, and this may involve rebalancing hormones, improving immunity, correcting the diet, etc, and as this is a very complicated condition I strongly recommend consulting a qualified medical herbalist.
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Hayfever
Dear Jo
My 16 year old son suffers with terrible hay-fever during the summer. Could herbs help him?
Sarah, Richmond
Dear Sarah
Seasonal hay-fever is the result of an over-zealous immune response to pollen. The typical red eyes, congested sinuses and itchy streaming nose are cause by histamine which makes the blood vessels leaky. This leads to swelling and inflammation in the membranes eyes and nose.
There are several things you can do to help your son. You could desensitize his immune system with homeopathic Mixed Pollens or by getting him to eat local honey at least six weeks before his hay-fever is likely to begin.
At the same time it would be a good idea to support his immune system with certain herbs such as Reishi tablets or garlic.
If I were to make a herbal prescription for him, I would consider including herbs such as Plantain or Eyebright. These anti-inflammatory plants strengthen blood vessel walls and prevent inflammation of the tissues. Other herbs such as nettles or Ephedra sinicia help to reduce the actual histamine release from the immune system. Perhaps I might add a little liquorice, which tastes delicious and has significant anti-inflammatory and anti-histaminic effects.
For sore red eyes, the herbalists at Botanica Medica have found that our rose water soaked into a cotton wool pad and placed gently over the eyes gives wonderful relief.
We also have a refreshing tea made up of elderflowers, peppermint and eyebright which relieves sinus congestion.
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Depression and Anxiety
Dear Jo
A few years ago I suffered from a series of traumatic events. These events have left me feeling depressed, very anxious and tired all the time. I feel I can barely function. Do you think St John’s Wort would be helpful?
Penny
Dear Penny
Certainly St John’s Wort (SJW) would help you. It is a wonderful herb and many studies have proven how helpful it is with mild to moderate depression, however, I do believe you need much more help that STW by itself can offer. First of all, if you are feeling anxious all the time, I would use one of our calming herbs like Scullcap, which will allow you to feel more relaxed and in control of your life. Herbalists refer to these herbs as nervous tropho-restorative, and we have noticed how these herbs actually help to restore the nervous system. The traumatic events would certainly have had an effect on your adrenal glands, and I strongly suggest adrenal restorative herbs like Liquorice and Ashwaghanda. Long term stress and anxiety cause the adrenal glands to pump out cortisol and adrenaline and these hormones depresses the immune system, leaving you feeling susceptible to illness and tired. When you feel ill all the time, you feel miserable – a vicious cycle. Herbs have a wonderful way of both improving your immunity as well as helping to rebuild your energy, stamina and zest for life. This treatment strategy will take several months, but I have treated many people for “depression”, when in fact they were just totally burn-out with life stress.
Recently I suggested this herbal regime to someone in South Africa and she has just told me that she does not think she has ever felt so good about life.
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Eczema
Dear Jo
My little boy has dry itchy eczema, which he might have inherited from me as I suffer from eczema periodically. My husband has psoriasis, and I noticed on your website that you make chickweed crème, which I have heard might help us.
Melanie, Oxshott
Dear Melanie
We do make our own chickweed crème with calming chamomile essential oil, and vitamin E. In most cases chickweed creme will relieve the eczema, but the skin reflects what is going on inside the body, so I focus the treatment internally. There are several causes for childhood eczema, such lack of correct fat ratio in the diet, reactions to chemicals in soaps, or an imbalance of bacteria in the gut. I usually suggest using our Calendula Oat Bath, instead of soap, to soothe and nourish the skin. After the bath you can apply the chickweed crème to relieve the itching and moisturise the skin. It would make sense to include our probiotics and omega supplements for infants in the treatment.
Adult eczema is an over-reaction of the immune system and it is important to try to work out why this is happening. This could be the result of intolerances to certain foods, and I can arrange for you to have a laboratory blood test to eliminate which foods. Eczema also flares when you are under stress, or if there are cellular toxins which need to be removed. All these options should be explored in an in-depth consultation. Psoriasis is caused by a different disorder in the immune system. In this case, T cells actually attack their own body tissues as if they were foreign invaders. The resulting inflammation reduces the skin cell life turnover from 28 days to 3 days, thus resulting in the thick scaly plaques of dead skin cells. Herbs can be used internally to rebalance this immune disorder, but we also make our own Lavender & Cade Psoriasis crème with plants which have been used traditionally to help psoriasis.
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Viral Attack and Post Viral Fatigue
Dear Jo
At the end of last year I caught a virus, and felt absolutely awful. Although I recovered, it keeps recurring and now I feel utterly exhausted. Can you help?
Sarah, Kew
Dear Sarah
There was a really nasty virus in December and January, which started with a sore throat and left you with a continual cough and prolonged weakness. The first thing I suggest is to reduce the viral load with our Anti-Viral Drops. They are extremely popular amongst our customers as they quickly kill the virus before it is able to take hold. It is worth remembering that, in order for the virus to really take hold, it needs your immune system to be too weak to fight it. Usually by the time December arrives, we have all had such a busy time finishing work before Christmas, end of school term, Christmas shopping and a long year behind us. Long term stress means the adrenal glands are constantly trying to help us cope and thus secreting higher than normal levels of cortisol, which suppresses the immune system. People are in such a rush these days that they often just swallow a few anti-biotics and keep racing. Bad mistake. It just makes one more depleted. So I always follow the Anti-Viral Drops with two weeks of immune and stamina strengthening herbs. In more severe cases, some people can go on to develop a post-viral fatigue syndrome, which needs close attention and strong herbal medicine to help the person recover, as it can so easily leave one feeling utterly exhausted for months.
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Hypoadrenia:
(Written for the Richmond & Kingston M.E. Association newsletter April 2009)
Over the years, I have treated many cases of ME/CFS, and I would say that almost bar none – the background to this disorder has been adrenal fatigue. The adrenal glands are our stress reactors – helping us to adapt to the changes in our normal daily lives. In the incredibly stressful world in which we live, life often throws up more challenges than we can physiologically cope with and even though we keep going with a will of steel, the adrenal glands become depleted. The term hypoadrenia describes this condition - Hypo (lowered) Adrenia (adrenal glands).
A typical case:
A very typical example would be that a person will tell me that they clearly remember when their ME began, usually related to a viral infection. However after close discussion, it becomes clear that the person has suffered on going and prolonged stress prior to this illness. This might have been in the form of marital disharmony, a long commute to work or a high pressure job, even high sports achievers. It might also be that they live very busy lives and a short sharp stressful event occurs like a minor car accident, or in one case it was falling off a horse is enough to “shock” the adrenals. With the stress in the background and the adrenal glands in a state of fatigue, the person falls ill, but continues to fight on because that is the type of person they are. They might even recover, but then another viral infection strikes, and that time the person cannot recover. This is the stage when the ME sufferer believes they “got ME”, but as you can see – the deterioration actually began months before.
The adrenal glands valiantly struggle to cope, but constant stress means and increase in the cortisol output, which depresses the immune system, making it impossible to effectively fight a viral infection. Once the adrenal glands are exhausted, they cannot secrete enough cortisol - our natural anti-inflammatory hormone. You can see a pattern as to why some people seem to “get the ME virus”, whilst others do not, and also why there is such a strong association with muscular inflammation and fibromyalgia.
It is also worth noting that up to 80% of people who have hypoadrenia also suffer from a sub-clinical hypothyroidism and a low blood pressure – both of which will manifest with symptoms of fatigue.
The signs of Adrenal Fatigue include:
• Waking un-refreshed in the morning even after a full night’s sleep
• Difficulty falling asleep, frequently with a sudden burst of energy from 11pm to 2pm.
• Constant fatigue – both physically and mentally
• Brain fog and poor memory
• Need to eat sweet or caffeinated food to drive your energy
• Copious urination and salt cravings
• An inability to cope with any stress, no matter how minor
• Irritability and increased Pre-menstrual symptoms
• Prolonged recovery time from illness or injury
• Dizziness when standing up
• A feeling of depression or a lack of love of life
• Hypoglycaemia
• Painful muscles and joints
• Frequent allergies
• Inability to lose weight even after extensive efforts.
How can you recover from Hypoadrenia?
The most important thing to realise is that you can recover, as I have seen so many people do, but the lesson of this illness is that you cannot fight your way out of it. You need to rest your way out of it. In fact you need to learn to be kind to yourself and allow others to be kind to you also.
Keep your blood sugar even: Bear in mind that hypoglycaemia produces a great stress on the adrenal glands, and so it is important to keep your blood sugar even by eating smallish but frequent meals which are of a low glycaemic index. In other words, high in protein, unrefined carbohydrates (oats) with good quality fats (nuts and oily fish) and lots of fresh vegetables.
Don’t use caffeine as a source of energy – it will further exhaust your adrenal gland. Do not use sugar as a source of energy – you can very easily develop Candida.
Rest and Recover: Make sure to rest before you need to, and be very careful not to spend all your energy when it starts to return.
Sleep well: It is common for hypoadrenia sufferers to wake in the early hours of the morning and not be able to get back to sleep. This may be caused by the blood sugar dropping through the night. To help you get a good night sleep, you can enjoy a cup of hot milk with a little honey and a sprig of fresh lavender, along with some avocado pear or peanut butter on wholegrain bread.
Maintain your sodium levels: If you have low blood pressure, feel dizzy when standing up, or notice that you urinate frequently, then you are probably low in sodium. Add ¼ tsp of seasalt to your food or to glass of water.
Support your adrenal glands and the thyroid gland by eating a teaspoon of kelp powder daily, and plenty of good quality liquorice.
Glandular support. Adrenal, hypothalamus and thyroid glandular supplements give the organs tiny doses of the appropriate hormones, supporting them until they are able to start secreting their natural hormone once again. I strongly suggest that you ask an experienced practitioner to prescribe – preferably after having taken an adrenal and thyroid screen.
Nutritional support: You need specific nutrition for the adrenal glands which include the B vitamins, magnesium, vitamin C amongst others, but this is best prescribed by a nutritionist.
Herbal medicine: Herbs have wonderful restorative actions for the adrenal glands. They are helpful in soothing the nervous system, rebalancing the immune system, and will act as anti-viral agents. There are so many herbs available to a professional medical herbalist, which can be used to heal both hypoadrenia and ME. A medical herbalist will make a prescription tailored for your particular needs.
One of the most commonly overlooked causes of adrenal fatigue is chronic or severe infection that gives rise to an inflammatory response. Whether ME/CFS is caused by adrenal fatigue or the adrenal fatigue is caused by a viral infection – the above suggests the importance of treating the adrenal glands if any recovery from ME is to be achieved.
As we approach the season of chills, colds and flu, it is prudent to bear in mind that last year Tom Jefferson wrote in the esteemed British Medical Journal that he found little evidence to support the flu jab's merit in treating this virus. This article discusses how you can successfully avoid the common cold using natural kitchen remedies.
The most important is not to become rundown, because at this stage, your immune system will falter and the first virus which floats into your nose will gain a foothold and make you ill. Organic porridge oats for breakfast is absolutely fantastic at nourishing both your nerves and giving a great stamina tonic for the day.
Garlic is a fabulously anti-viral/anti-bacterial food especially when eaten raw and on a daily basis. However, if you find garlic too unsociable, herbalists have noticed how Mother Nature provides us with the superbly anti-viral elderberries at exactly the time of year when we need them. If you are able to pick yourself a basket of elderberries, then slow cook them with sugar and lots of cinnamon, cloves and ginger – you will make a deliciously anti-viral winter cordial. This is absolutely wonderful when added to a cup of boiling water and sipped on a cold night.
Failing that – a good medical herbalist is able to provide you with an excellent immune tonic which should include herbs to boost the immune system, rev up your general stamina, and act as an anti-viral, anti-bacterial and lung tonic. Please be aware that popular herbs like Echinacea frequently are of a varying quality. A medical herbalist will always use the roots of Echinacea angustifolia or Echinacea purpurea. These are the most effective and most expensive parts of the plant. Companies who are only interested in sales will use the cheap and plentiful plant tops (like a bush of daisies) and sell their product as “Echinacea”. Of course they are selling Echinacea – but it will not do you any good. If you see a medical herbalist – you will get a blend of herbs prescribed especially for you and which will keep you hale and hearty through the winter months.
Elderberry Rob:
Raw Elderberries
1 Liter of water
500g sugar
½ small packet of cloves
1 small packet of cinnamon
A large ginger root
Add all ingredients into a large pot with just enough water to cover. Simmer gently for 1hour, slowly crushing the berries with a potato masher. Cool and strain into sterilized bottles. Take a good dram in a cup of boiling water each evening.
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Detoxification
(Written for Time and Leisure Magazine)
In times gone by, detoxification was the foundation of healing, and detox programmes were of heroic proportions. Purgatives which induced violent vomiting and purging of the bowels, ice water baths, enemas, bloodletting, and month-long fasts were prescribed. Fortunately we live in a gentler age and whilst a good detox can still be the foundation of restored health, the treatments are a little more user friendly.
We need to be aware that many treatments can be a little too light, and it will simply never be enough to just take some Milk Thistle. In order to effectively cleanse the body of its stored toxic load, you need to cleanse the very cells of the body.
Burdock and nettles are the shovels of the herbal world, dredging out the toxins from the cells and depositing those poisons into the bloodstream. You need to flush the poisons from the bloodstream and lymphatic system by invigorating the circulatory system through aerobic exercise, massage with essential oils like rosemary, ginger and lime, skin brushing, and taking circulatory herbs such as Gingko and Ginger.
The blood will discharge your toxins into the kidneys or dump them in the liver, so both of these organs need to be encouraged to work at their optimal levels. Artichokes, lemons and oranges, ginger, chicory and dandelion root stimulate the liver to secrete bile. The bile flushes the toxins which are lodged in the liver cells into the intestine where it is bound into faecal matter and eliminated via the bowel. If the bowel is sluggish, approximately 2 tablespoons of linseeds a day will swell in the gut, gently stretching the large intestine, and stimulating a nice comfortable bowel movement!
Plenty of water is fundamental if you want your kidneys to flush out the toxins. Many people don’t enjoy water, but by simply adding a slice of lemon and fresh ginger, a sprig of mint or a herbal tea bag, you can turn a boring glass of water into a zingy experience. Salads made from celery, raw fennel, carrot, watercress and parsley have a good diuretic effect, promoting the removal of your toxic fluids.
The skin is less well known organ which is involved in cleansing the body. Hot saunas and steams, or salt baths have been used throughout the ages to encourage perspiration, and the ridding of foul body poisons. A modern and amazingly effective tool for a lazy persons detox is the Aqua Detox™ machine. Whilst you relax for half an hour with your feet in a bath of warm water, the gentle electrical current will stimulate your body cells to release their toxins, which dramatically come pouring out through the soles of your feet.
In America, studies have shown that the average adult dies with about 12 lbs of black tarry faecal matter impacted against the walls of their bowel, which is commonly the result of poor dietary habits. This very old debris holds toxic chemicals which for years leach back into the body system, leaving you feeling tired, grey skinned and listless. Aloe vera drinks, colonic irrigation and coffee enemas can help to dislodge this sticky matter, washing it out of the body and leaving you feeling energised.
Whilst focusing on what is coming out of your body, you need to be careful about what is going into your body. A detoxification program should really last between 3 to 4 weeks and during this time you should focus your diet on cleansing foods such as organic fruits, nuts, whole grains and seeds, lightly steamed vegetables, baked fish and avoid dairy products, sugar in all its forms, red meats and alcohol.
Finally, it is helps to know in advance that you will probably feel worse before you feel better. Detoxing releases into the circulation a large amount of toxic material and you can feel as if you are hungover. You may feel headachy, fatigued, nauseas, and even become quite spotty, but persist with the program, and you will soon start to feel amazing. You will feel energised, your skin will glow, you eyes will sparkle, you will probably lose weight and you will find a wonderful spring in your step.
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Spring Tonics:
In times gone by, when we didn’t have foods flown in from around the world and strawberries were not available for Christmas - The people had a very restricted diet over the winter. Without refrigeration, meat was either freshly caught or cured in salt to preserve it. The vegetables were mainly starchy root vegetables like potatoes, Swedes and carrots, and a little cabbage. Possibly some grains like oats and left over wrinkly apples or preserved fruits.
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A Natural Menopause
(Written February 2006)
Although a few lucky women sail through their menopause with the convenient cessation of their periods, for most, the menopause or “The Change of Life” represents years of sweaty sleepless nights, loss of vigour, embarrassing hot flushes, weight gain, thin dry skin and less lustrous hair.
In times gone by, women welcomed the passing of the child-bearing years, which were usually accompanied by another pregnancy and another mouth to feed. These days, many women bemoan the menopausal phase as a time of fading youth, and it could be said that we are fortunate to have the option of avoiding these symptoms thanks to a wonder drug known as HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy).
In 2002, the Women’s Health Initiative Study was abandoned early because the experimental results showed that HRT increases the risk of breast cancer by as much as 26%, raises the risk of stroke by 41%, and the risk of heart attack by 29%. Recently 20 – 30% of women have stopped collecting their HRT prescriptions due to media coverage of these risks, and many might wonder whether there is a safe and effective alternative?
To find the answer, we look towards the East, where it is well known that women experience far fewer menopausal symptoms than their Western sisters, although when these Oriental populations move to the West and start to live on a Western diet, they experience similar menopausal symptoms. Scientists have turned their eye towards a group of plant chemicals abundant in the Eastern diet, known as ‘phytoestrogens’ as an explanation of this phenomena. Phytoestrogens are weak oestrogen-like substances found in plants and foods such as soy, chickpeas and several medical plants. These compounds are thought to bind to the oestrogen receptors in the body, and initiate hormone-like actions. Plants such as Black Cohosh, Soy beans, and Red Clover are abundant in phyto-estrogens and have been scientifically proven to relieve the symptoms of menopause safely and very effectively.
The Hormonal Changes
Between the ages of 45 and 50, a woman may experience heavier periods or mid-cycle spotting with the odd flush, and these are referred to as peri-menopausal symptoms. The menopause typically begins around the age of 51 in Britain with the cessation of menstruation.
These symptoms are caused by changing levels of female hormones. During the menopause, the levels of oestrogen can be as low as one-tenth or less of what they had been during the menstruating years, and the other female hormones are either raised or no longer opposed by oestrogen. These changes are frequently accompanied by the unpleasant physical and emotional symptoms of the menopause such as tearfulness, flushes and vaginal atrophy.
Plant medicines may be used to rebalance the declining oestrogenic balance, but before using any herbal treatment, it makes sense to take a single-day female hormone saliva test which measures the levels and ratios of oestrogen to progesterone and the results are used to determine the best treatment procedure.
The Cancer Issue:
Debate over the safety of plant-oestrogens in oestrogen-dependant cancers has raged back and forth for several years, and the most recent study seems to confirm that rather than stimulating the cancer, phyto-estrogens on soy actually appear to offer protection against oestrogen-dependant cancer in post-menopausal women. Similar results were found with Black Cohosh where the herb protected against flushes, loss of bone density and thinning of the vaginal wall, but without exerting negative effects on breast or uterine cancer. Most interestingly, the scientists noted that these results were caused by at least three different compounds within the plants which strongly suggests that whole plant extracts are better than standardised extracts.
One of the predictors of breast cancer is a test which measures the ratio between the protective 2-alpha-hydroxy derivative and the cancer promoting 16-alpha-hydroxyderivative. Foods such as broccoli and cabbage, and certain supplements contain high levels of a compound called DIM, which actually changes the ratio towards the favourable 2-alpha-hydroxy oestrogen. Recent studies show that these foods, when combined with tumeric are even more effective against cancer.
Osteoporosis:
Herbs are not only used to reduce the hot flushes, but also have beneficial effects on tissues such as bone. After the menopause, the density of female bone declines sharply, making women more and more vulnerable to osteoporosis and bone fractures. Liquorice root has components known as glabridin and glabrene which have been shown to have the same potential as oestrogen for protecting against osteoporosis.
Foods high in calcium such as low fat dairy products, kelp, almonds and figs are important mineral food supplements and contribute towards keeping the bones strong. A very interesting theory suggests that in the future, osteoporosis may be considered a metabolic disease. A high meat diet results in an acid constitution, and the body will draw the alkalizing mineral, calcium from the bones, to redress the alkaline/acid balance of the body. This theory strongly supports a diet which is higher in vegetables and fruit and lower in meat, and interestingly, I have noticed that the patients I treat for menopause tend to lose their taste for meat after the menstrual years and instinctively choose a mainly vegetarian diet instead.
Cardiac disease:
Post-menopausal women are also known to be more susceptible to heart attacks and stroke, and thus it makes sense to protect the cardiovascular system through diet and herbs. Plants commonly used to protect the cardiovascular system might be those which are rich in bioflavonoids such as Hawthorn berries which strengthen and dilate the coronary blood vessel walls. Fruits which are high in flavonoids such as black grapes, blueberries and blackberries can also be eaten to strengthen the walls of the blood vessels, thus guarding against strokes. Fenugreek, ginger and garlic have been known to reduce blood cholesterol levels, as has the Mediterranean diet high in olive oil, fish and garlic. High fibre grains, fruit and vegetables, and oily fish will help tremendously towards keeping the blood fats at a safe level. All in all, it seems that a Mediterranean diet, high in fruit and vegetables, with plenty of natural soy products may be the ideal diet for post-menopausal ladies.
The value of keeping on the move:
Not to be forgotten is the influence of exercise on the wellbeing of a woman. The weight bearing exercise will strengthen the bones, whilst aerobic exercise benefits the cardio-vascular system as well as releasing the feel-good endorphins. The regular exercise helps with weight control, enhances the skin by encouraging blood flow to the surface, and invigorates the mind. Unless one is extremely unlucky, there is no need to suffer during the menopause, nor to resort to high risk HRT. With the correct diet, an appropriate exercise program and a blend of herbs prescribed specifically for each individual, ladies over 50 can realistically expect to radiate good health and vigour for many years ahead.
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Candida and M.E.
(Written for InterAction Magazine 2005)
We all have the yeast Candida albicans inside us, but the question dividing health practitioners is: Can it spread out of control and cause symptoms of disease? No, say most doctors – at least not in M.E. Yes, says medical herbalist Jo Dunbar, author of How to Cope Successfully with Candida, who shares her perspective on tackling this controversial gut organism.
There lies between M.E. and candida a definite but sometimes confusing association. Many of the symptoms of candida overgrowth are alarmingly similar to M.E., and may include long-term debilitating fatigue, headaches, food intolerances or an irregular bowel habit, joint and muscle pain, and brain fog.
Other common symptoms which are much more specific to candida include hormonal symptoms such as severe PMS, mood swings (especially depression), pain behind the breast bone, intolerance to strong odours, dandruff, athletes foot, visual disturbances, oral or genital thrush, an itchy anus and a feeling of bloating or flatulence. I do not believe that everyone with M.E. has a candida problem, but I think it’s an issue for a significant proportion – particularly people who also have food intolerances, bloating, thrush, or an itchy anus.
Candida is a yeast which naturally lives in the human intestine, but under certain conditions the normally small candida population can explode with serious consequences to health. From my experience, I would suggest that a candida overgrowth may result from the immune breakdown in M.E., especially if the sufferer relies on sugar as an energy source (which ‘feeds’ the yeast) and/or coffee, which stimulates the release of blood sugars. However, although candida alone doesn’t cause M.E., it mimics the symptoms so closely that distinguishing between the two can sometimes be difficult .
Whereas the cause of M.E. still escapes us, the causes of candida problems are much clearer, which happily makes it easier to treat. Once it has been established that there is a candida overgrowth, I usually set about treating the candida, which then leaves a clearer clinical picture regarding what is need to treat M.E.
What causes candida?
It often surprises people to find out that candida lives in our gut naturally, alongside other microscopic bowel flora, without causing us any harm. It may even have the beneficial effect of helping to remove excess heavy metal toxins from our bodies. However, there are certain conditions which allow the yeast organisms to explode very quickly from a normally small population group into an enormous domineering fungal overgrowth. If you have ever seen fruit ferment into wine or bread rise, you get the picture of how quickly yeast can grow, given the right environment.
Once this happens, the yeast can actually change shape from a small non-invasive organism into its aggressive and invasive fungal form which develops root-like structures called mycelia, more of which later.
In my experience, the five major causes of candida overgrowth include:
1) Depletion of the gut’s friendly bacteria, sometimes caused by long-term antibiotic treatment or gastric infection
2) A breakdown in the immune system, as in the case of M.E., chemotherapy or HIV
3) Excess female hormones for example, as a result of multiple pregnancies, HRT, the Pill, during a pre-menstruation phase or the menopause
4) High blood sugar levels caused either by a high sugar diet, stress or diabetes
5) Drug therapy – mainly antibiotics, steroids, hormone therapies, or immuno-suppressive drugs
How does it affect the body?
Once the yeast has changed into its aggressive fungal form, it penetrates the gut lining by secreting inflammatory chemicals which weaken the wall and allow the mycelia to pierce it, leading to a ‘leaky gut’. The leaky gut is like a hosepipe with large holes in it.
Normally the intestine breaks the food down into tiny particles which are then transported through little gateways in the gut wall into the bloodstream. However the leaky gut allows larger, undigested food particles to enter the blood stream. If the immune system doesn’t recognise these undigested food particles and assumes that they are a ‘foreign invader’, it immediately sets about forming anti-bodies to these foods, thus creating symptoms of food intolerance. Because the immune system is so busy fighting these food intolerances, it becomes hyper-reactive and disrupted. This alone can account for fatigue, allergic-type symptoms such as sinusitis or asthma, and brain-fog.
Furthermore, candida is known to secrete toxins called mycotoxins, which can suppress the immune system further, as well as causing liver toxicity, headaches, and muscle pain. Once candida has entered the blood stream, antibodies from the immune system combine with it to form antigen-antibody complexes, which when deposited in the joints, lungs or brain result in joint pain, asthma, depression and hormonal disruption.
Candida, being a yeast, thrives on dark, warm, wet and sugary environments. People with an overgrowth often have intense sugar cravings - this is the yeast demanding to be fed. In the warm moist gut, it ferments the sugars to produce symptoms such as flatulence and bloating, while the inflammatory chemicals released result in poor digestion and absorption, having the knock-on effect of further depleting the body as the sufferer is unable to benefit from nutritional nourishment.
Eight steps to a greater health
Clearly, gut imbalances leading to candida overgrowth is a complex problem which require a multi-faceted approach to treatment, ideally under professional supervision.
1) Get the correct diagnosis
There are several methods of testing for candida overgrowth, but the most accurate is the saliva or blood test. These measure your immune system’s antibody response to candida, and so are able to tell you how badly you have it. The only problem may be if your immune system is so exhausted that it cannot raise the antibodies to the candida, which will result in a false negative.
A stool analysis can also test for candida, but is less reliable, as sometimes the candida is so embedded in the gut wall that it does not come out in the stool and again, you might get a false negative. However, the advantage of a stool analysis is that it is also able to analyse your levels of beneficial gut flora (the ‘good’ bacteria), whether you also have a problem with parasites, if you have an inflamed intestine and how effectively you are able to digest and absorb your food. Unfortunately, in my experience the NHS is not interested in looking for candida overgrowth unless you’re on immune suppressant medication, so most people need to pay privately for tests.
2) Starve the candida
One of the best ways to start treating yeast overgrowth is by going onto the ‘candida diet’ for one month before you follow the rest of the program. In this way you starve and weaken the yeast, starting to kill it off gradually, and thus lessening the die-off effects.
By raising blood sugar levels, you are feeding the yeast, so you need to starve the yeast by completely avoiding foods with refined carbohydrates and sugar. In addition, people with a candida overgrowth often become intolerant to foods with yeast in, (finding that they provoke brain fog and tiredness) due to the antibody reaction mentioned earlier. Yeast-containing foods need to be avoided until you’re better, while your intake of protein, extra virgin olive oil, salads and vegetables, and complex carbohydrates should be increased. It can also help to avoid non-organic foods, as these often contain high levels of antibiotics, pesticides and hormones.
Many people understandably feel that the candida diet is an awful regime, but investing in a well-illustrated candida cookbook can make all the difference.
3) Take anti-fungal medications
Your doctor may prescribe anti-fungal drugs such as nystatin, although some may not feel this is justified if you don’t have the more obvious symptoms of ongoing thrush etc. However, you can use a wide range of very effective herbal and nutritional remedies such as oregano, pau D’arco, cinnamon, or caprylic acid. In treating candida, I usually use two or three ‘natural’ anti-fungals at once and frequently alternate them to maximise effectiveness.
4) Heal the leaky gut
Herbal teas such as calendula and chamomile can be drunk to stimulate the healing of the intestinal lining, whilst nutritional supplements such as L-glutamine and MSM provide the necessary building blocks for the healing process. The gut lining can take at least three months to repair. Given that food intolerances will slow down healing, a laboratory food intolerance test is also advisable.
5) Re-populate the gut with friendly bacteria
The two major probiotics or ‘friendly’ gut bacteria which help keep intestinal yeast in check are lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacterium. Don’t be tempted to use cheap probiotic drinks as found on supermarket shelves. These contain the minor gut bacteria and are usually in a very sugary liquid – perfect for encouraging fungal growth. Other cheap probiotic supplements have been shown to be made up of dead or ineffective bacteria. You really do get what you pay for in probiotics.
6) Boost the immune system
In candida, as with M.E., we have one part of the immune system which is overactive, resulting in inflammatory conditions such as muscle and joint pain and food intolerances, and the other side which is depressed, resulting in a poor response to the yeast challenge. Herbs such as echinacea, astragalus or sutherlandia are superb at boosting and rebalancing the immune system.
7) Detox the liver
Herbs such as burdock, dandelion root, ginger and lemon juice are very good at encouraging the flow of bile, which flushes toxins out of the liver to be released in the stool. Other foods such as celery, fennel, parsley and watercress encourage toxins to be eliminated via the kidneys. Hot Epsom salt baths also encourage the elimination of toxins via the skin, while therapeutic massage helps to shift toxins into the lymphatic system and the kidneys for elimination. Drinking lots of water is absolutely imperative to facilitating the detoxification process.
8) Aid the digestive process
Digestive enzyme supplements support the digestion and absorption of food, and in doing the work for the digestive system, give it the rest it needs for recovery. A sluggish bowel means that any toxins released are able to seep back into the system, thus prolonging the die-off effect as well as contributing to tiredness and headaches. To offset this problem, mix two tablespoons of linseeds (whole or crushed) daily with some live plain yoghurt (providing you are not dairy intolerant), to facilitate regular and easy evacuation of the stools.
A word about die-off
The bad news is that as the yeast dies, it releases its toxins into the blood stream, which can leave you feeling like you have a bad hangover. This die-off period can last between three days and two weeks. However, if your liver and bowels are working at optimum, you will be able to get rid of the toxins more quickly, and with a careful treatment program, the die-off may even be avoided. This is one of the reasons why I always recommend seeking professional help if you want to tackle suspected candida problems.
Where do you go from here?
If you do suffer from both candida and M.E., treating the candida can in my experience help to reduce many M.E. symptoms. By clearing the toxic load on the body, relieving the immune system of the candida and food intolerance burden through anti-fungal medicines and diet, and boosting the immune system with herbs and probiotics, you will have gone quite some way towards helping the body to heal.
Realistically, getting candida under control takes between 3 and 18 months, depending on how severe it is. While you would need to stick to the diet for some time, most people can gradually re-introduce fruit and enjoy the occasional sweet treat as they start to feel better. Once the candida is under control (this may be confirmed through another Candida test), you can set about tackling the M.E. by continuing to treat the immune, endocrine and nervous systems, and by using adaptogenic herbs to build stamina.
Although there is no quick fix for either condition, people who aren’t sure whether candida is a problem for them and are low in funds might want to try out a sugar and yeast-free diet whilst including live yoghurt and natural anti-fungals in their diet (e.g. raw garlic) for a fortnight. If there’s no difference in your symptoms, candida may not be a factor in your illness, whilst a flare-up would suggest ‘die-off’, and an improvement in health would also be a good sign.
Although I strongly recommend professional treatment both for support as well as access to professional remedies, from a practitioners point of view, treating both candida and M.E. very definitely also requires the patient’s input in terms of sticking to the diet and making sure that you get the rest needed to recover - because if these two areas are not adhered to, even the best treatment programme will be sabotaged.
By the time spring came around – those who had survived the hard deprivations of winter were quite likely malnourished and certainly a bit sluggish. In most of the older cultures you will see that Spring Tonics formed a very important part of restoring the strength and vitality necessary for the hard work of the coming agricultural year ahead. The idea of a Spring Tonic was to “Make your blood rise like the sap of a tree.”
The herbs chosen would have been the herbs which were growing in abundance locally to the people. Herbal tonics increase the tone of the tissues of the body. They do this by bringing oxygen to the organs of the body, thereby strengthening the organs of detoxification. The tonics were often rich in molasses, which is rich in minerals. Now we have enough sugar in our diets, but we can link our modern understanding of detoxification with the tradition of nourishing the organs so that they produce optimal performance. Nettle for instance is very rich in many important minerals, especially iron.
Of course these days, we have an abundance of food available to us, but the food is usually of a very poor quality having been grown on fertilized fields, and flooded with insecticide sprays, injected with hormones, or water to plump it up, or irradiated so that my organic carrots are still wonderfully bright and firm after 6 weeks in the fridge. Then there is the pollution collected on the motorways as the food is transported over the miles to us, the chemicals from the packaging…and the list of toxins trudges on relentlessly. What about our water? The air we breathe, air conditioning, those poor diseased chickens we eat as “the healthy option in sandwiches”, what about the quality of bread? Other peoples bugs…And that is if we are cooking our own food. Think of the hard working middle classes who come home exhausted at the end of the day and give in to the easier option of a ready meal from the supermarket. We are fatter, more toxic and I suspect more poorly nourished than ever before. We are also more exhausted and less vital than at any other time in history. A tonic for our poor bodies is just what we need.
Now that herbs which we use to make a Spring Tonic is usually what we would call weeds. Herbalists love these plants and see them as wonderfully wild plants fully of vital strength. A wild plant has to struggle to survive. Because of this they tend to be smaller and more robust – hence fizzing with the vital strength which is need for it to survive. If you want to be a bit more romantic about it, you could say that the plant has chosen where it is going to live, and lives a happy and free life – the ultimate free-range medicine. These powerful natural helpers are all around you, and are safe and available for you to revitalise your body.
The organs which we need to focus on are the organs of elimination:
• The Skin
• The Liver
• The Kidneys
• The Lungs
But in order to make a complete Detox, you need to start higher up the chain. So when we make a Detox for our patients we will start with a herb which clears out the cells.
Cells – burdock
Blood – nettles and ginger, rosemary
Lymphatics – gallium
Kidneys – betula, dandelion leaf, parsley, celery
Liver – dandelion root, ginger
Bowel – dock, linseeds,
Lungs – ground ivy, plantain, thyme
Skin – nettles, red clover, burdock
If this seems a bit complicated for you, I am going to give you a simple tea which can be made. This tea is a natural detoxifier of the cells, stimulant of the circulation and liver, and because you will love it so much that you will drink gallons of it – it will encourage urination.
Make your own Detox tea:
1 sprig of Fresh Nettle
1 sprig of fresh rosemary
5 slices of ginger root
1 slice of lemon
Honey to taste.
Another classic Spring Tonic is Nettle Soup.
1 lb potatoes
½ lb young nettles
2 oz butter
1½ pts chicken or vegetable stock
sea salt & black pepper
4 tablespoons sour cream
Cook the peeled, chopped potatoes for 10 mins in salted water. Drain. Wash & chop coarsely the nettles (Only pick the new, young tops ,using gloves!) Melt the butter in a saucepan, add the nettles and stew gently for a few minutes. Add the potatoes and heated stock, bring to the boil and simmer for 10 minutes or until tender. When all is soft, cool slightly & purée in a blender, adding seasoning and the sour cream.
And finally, if you think that your circulation is a bit sluggish – you can follow the mighty Roman Army’s example by flogging your bare legs with fresh nettles to produce a lovely warming glow which lasts for hours!!
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Staying healthy through the cold months of winter
Andropause
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