June's Top Remedies

Green Tea

Both green tea and black tea are derived from the same plant. Green tea [Buy Green tea online now] is produced by lightly steaming the fresh-cut leaf, while to produce black tea, the leaves are allowed to ferment. The gentler manufacturing process for producing green tea ensures its essential ingredients remain intact. These 'polyphenols' have outstanding therapeutic actions, which in the production of black tea are destroyed.

The polyphenols in green tea have potent antioxidant properties, helping to protect us against free radical damage, which leads to many age related diseases, such as arthritis and cancer.

Another benefit of green tea is its thermogenic action, which literally means it creates heat, helping us to burn off fat more quickly. It can therefore be taken on a daily basis, to assist with weight loss and reducing high cholesterol. Green tea makes a refreshing drink, and comes combined with many different herbs and spices, such as ginger, ginseng, ginkgo biloba and peppermint. It may also be taken as a supplement, but should be avoided by those sensitive to caffeine and during pregnancy.

Aloe Vera Complex & Psoriasis – the Greek itch!

Psora in Greek means itch, so there's no surprise in the name of this common skin disorder, where the skin erupts into red circular patches, covered with dry scales. Psoriasis is a common problem affecting 4% of the population. It is thought to be caused by a number of factors, including poor fat digestion, liver dysfunction (sometimes from alcohol consumption), bowel problems, nutritional deficiencies and stress.

Correcting abnormal liver function is of great benefit in the treatment of psoriasis, as an efficiently functioning liver is better able to filter toxins associated with triggering psoriasis.

Eliminating dairy products from the diet and avoiding animal fats and alcohol, can also help. Aim to incorporate more nutrient rich foods into the diet, such as fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grains, beans and cold pressed vegetable oils, such as olive, flax, hemp and pumpkin.

In addition, there are a number of supplements which may help, including essential fatty acids [buy essential fatty acids online now] (flax seed oil or fish oil), zinc and the herb milk thistle which is useful for liver detoxification. A daily intake of aloe vera juice will also reduce the inflammation of the skin and promote healing. Try Jan De Vries Aloe Vera Complex [Buy Jan De Vries Aloe Vera Complex online now] for lasting results.

Peony - Herbal help for Hot Flushes

Currently there are about 1.5 million women in the UK taking some form of HRT to ease symptoms such as hot flushes. Not all menopausal women suffer hot flushes, but those that do agree that they can ruin an otherwise healthy active life. Not only can they occur in the day, causing distress, discomfort and potential embarrassment, but they can occur at night leading to sleeplessness, exhaustion and physical deterioration.

Jenny Owen, a 57 year old shop worker had been suffering hot flushes for 6 months. They were occurring 4 or 5 times a day and also at night. Being aware of herbal alternatives to HRT, Jenny began a course of Red Clover and also tried Black Cohosh and Soya. These herbs helped but the flushes remained. Then she learned about a tincture of Peony. Peony has a reputation for the treatment of female problems that stretches back thousands of years in Chinese medicine. It was used extensively to treat conditions associated with what the Chinese call 'Hot Blood', where a person suffers increased body temperature and sweating. We can see then, that Peony is perfectly placed to treat the hot flushes that often accompany the menopause. After just 2 weeks Jenny noticed a dramatic reduction in her symptoms and said

'I have been taking the peony tincture for just a fortnight and it seemed to work straight away. Relief came so quickly. The flushes are now reduced in number and severity. I call the Peony tincture my 'miracle cure''!

It is important to say that Peony [Buy Peony online now] does not work by acting on the hormones or the hormone receptor sites in a woman's body. Instead, peony works by adjusting the body temperature control system in the brain. This makes peony perfect for all women, but particularly those worried about affecting hormone levels or those taking medication that affects hormone levels or hormone receptors.

Does peony have other uses?

Yes. Peony [Buy Peony online now] is also used to treat Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), PMS/PMT, period pains, fibroids, endometriosis and post natal depression. It is also the best herb for the treatment of epilepsy and can be taken alongside the drugs used to treat epilepsy. It also aids cooling of the skin in severe eczema and psoriasis.

Peony is supplied as a tincture (liquid extract) and 20 drops are taken 3 times daily added to a little cold water. It is a remarkably safe herb and can be taken alongside other medication for the menopause and the other conditions named above. It is also safe for children.

Pycnogenol - DVT & Motion Sickness

Dr John Scurr, one of the world's foremost experts on travel related DVT, says 1 in 10 long haul travellers is at risk of developing a small blood clot (quoted in The Lancet). A pine bark extract called Pycnogenol [Buy Pycnogenol online now] has been clinically shown to work like aspirin but without side effects like gastro-intestinal bleeding. Pycnogenol reduces platelet activity, relaxes artery constriction and improves circulation, thus improving pain, cramps, heaviness of legs and reduces swelling in the lower leg and ankle. Ginger [Buy Ginger online now] is widely and successfully used for motion sickness and to counteract tiredness.