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Join me and special guests on Monday nights between 8-9pm (UK) at www.whatreallyworks.co.uk/chat and in the meantime, if you want us to answer specific questions please send them in advance to editor@whatreallyworks.co.uk. Remember, our new chat room is open 24 hours a day, so you can log on any time of the day or night to talk about health issues with other What Really Works users and since I often drop in through the week, I might even be on line at the same time! Susan Clark susan@whatreallyworks.co.uk |
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What's hot! - Astragalus |
The
immune system makes two types of cells - B cells and T cells - to fight
off infection and disease, but at this time of the year, extra stress
- like coping with storms and no electricity for three days and facing
the run-up to Christmas - can seriously impair this function. The little
known Chinese herb astragalus (also called Huang Chi) increases the production
of both types of immune cells - and, as well as boosting immunity, can
restore libido too!
Solgar makes a good quality Astragalus supplement that costs £14.99 for 100 tablets. For local stockists, call 01442-890355 and take as directed on the bottle. *Do not use this herb if you have an auto-immune condition such as ME
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What’s not! - Melatonin restrictions |
For anyone suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) the natural solution is Melatonin supplements. This the body relies on to regulate the body clock and while you can buy it over the counter in the US, unfortunately, in the UK, it is only available on prescription.
Susan's Top Tip
Get around this problem by taking a clever step back in the biochemistry
of the brain and using supplements which increase the production of other
chemicals that the brain uses to produce melatonin - such as serotonin
which is available in health stores as a supplement called 5-HTP. As well
as controlling sleep patterns, body temperature and even your sex drive,
serotonin works in the body to ward off depression.
Say Again?
This is the section where you get clarification of dosages and further
detail of remedies I have recommended elsewhere throughout the month.
Menoherb and Woman essence
Q: I have read your recommendations regarding menopause and perimenopause,
which seems straightforward. However what do you do after 3 months of
taking the alternatives, given the symptoms last for years?
Jane Johnstone
A: What I was saying was that you must give herbal remedies three months to kick in. For perimenopause and menopause, you carry on taking a daily dose of these remedies which together, get impressive results.
ME
Q: Some time ago (early this year), my husband found an article
with information on a supplement/drug from Africa that could help ME sufferers,
which I have since lost. I have tried various treatments that have not
helped, and would now like to try the above - I contracted the illness
in Africa, so this supplement could be very helpful. Can you help me please?
Stephanie Rutherford
A: I suspect the supplement you read about was the immune-boosting African Potato which is on sale at the NutriCentre in the UK (0800-587 2290).
This potato, is not a potato at all but an African plant called Hypoxis rooperi. Its common name is the African potato because it has a bulbous, potato-shaped root which has been shown to modulate the immune system.
The active agents in this plant are the sterols and sterolins which are, in effect, plant fats. These have now been studied by immunologists at the University of Stellenbosch whose theory that they can be used to help alleviate a range of auto-immune diseases, including AIDS and Lupus, was published in a report in the International Journal of Immunopharmacology.
Theanine / kava kava
Q: Have you any information relating to a product called Theanine?
It is suggested as an alternative to kava kava.
Suzanne Davies
A: Clinical trials have shown that taking a theanine supplement
increases alpha brainwave activity, which is precisely what happens during
meditation and relaxation. Zen is a supplement that contains theanine,
and is designed to boost levels of one of the brain's biggest feel-good
chemicals, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Theanine (glutamic acid, gamma-ethylamide)
is also one of the more soothing and calming active ingredients found
in a nice cup of antioxidant green tea. Zen costs £16.10 for 60
tablets and is available from the Nutricentre
on 0800-587 2290. Kava Kava is a member of the pepper family and contains
kavalactones - which relax muscles and have a calming effect on the whole
body and the mind but as you know, this has been voluntarily withdrawn
in the UK following scare-mongering reports of potential liver toxicity.
Another excellent alternative is Relora, made from Magnolia extract, which
is available from Victoria Health (0800 413596).
Candida
Q: I read with interest in The Sunday Times recently, your reply
to a letter regarding candida. In your reply you mentioned Pau d'arco
and also stated that it can 'help rid the body of the herpes virus.' Do
you mean rid the body of the dreaded virus completely, or does it only
help once the symptoms are present.
by email
A: As you probably know, there are lots of different strains of the herpes virus which can cause a range of conditions from cold sores to shingles so the remedy you need to use will depend on the symptoms you have.
Pau D'Arco is an anti viral Brazilian herb which will destroy the dormant virus and alleviate the symptoms. It is also sold as Lapacho and, since it is not uncommon to find products containing very little of the active ingredient, it is important to take care about where you source it from. In a Canadian survey of 12 different Lapacho products, for example, only one contained any Lapachol - the anticancer agent - at all and even then, the dosage was so low it would have had no therapeutic effect.
The nutrient that is effective against a herpes infection is Lysine which is one of the eight essential amino acids that the body cannot make. It is present in meat, fish, milk and cheese but not at high enough doses to do battle with the herpes virus. A daily dose of between 500mg and 1,000mg will though inhibit the herpes simplex-1 virus which, as cold sore sufferers can testify, can lie dormant for years before triggering an outbreak. Lysine supplements claim the added benefit of keeping your skin looking and feeling younger too.
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Stay slim over Christmas by drinking Yerba Mate tea |
Yerba Mate is an energising tea from South America that has both nutritional
and slimming properties. In Scandinavian trials, researchers showed you
can use this remedy to normalise appetite and thus help maintain optimum
weight levels without making major dietary changes.
If you don't like the taste of planty teas, it is also available in capsules.
Yerba mate is available from Rio
Health (01273-570987 for mail order). The teabags cost £5.99
for 40, the capsules are £10.99 for 90, and the elixir is £9.99
for 100ml.
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Treat problem skin from the inside out |
The Sher System has been helping men and women worldwide who are suffering with both acne and acne rosacea since 1991. The products work interactively to heal and repair damaged, sensitive skin from the outside. The programme is innovative, uncomplicated and above all gentle.
The Sher system recently joined forces with supplement maker, Higher Nature, to formulate a new skin support remedy which is packed with therapeutic herbs, minerals and probiotics. For those unable to attend a personal consultation at the Bond Street studio in London, clients can have a tailor-made programme prepared through an internet website www.sher.co.uk or by post. Information packs are sent out free of charge. Call 020 7499 4022 for further information.
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Ward off winter ailments with new combination flower essences |
The acclaimed naturopath and owner of the Bioforce range, Jan de Vries, has formulated three new combinations to boost the body through winter; they are: relaxing - to improve patience, help unwind, and recharge; craving - to help with over-indulgence, dependency, guilt, and lack of control and confidence - to increase assertiveness, motivation, self-worth, and inner focus. They cost just £3.99 for 30ml and are safe to give to the kids, to pets and to take with other medication.
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Kiwiherb - practitioner strength remedies new to the UK |
Kiwiherb is a new range of 12 herbal remedies all sourced from native New Zealand plants and available for the first time in the UK from the New Zealand Natural Food Company which first introduced Manuka honey here. Four of the new products are specific to winter-ailments and include Echinacea for both adults and children.
Kiwiherb is available from leading health food stores, health practitioners and selected pharmacies. For further information about Kiwiherb and nearest stockist details contact New Zealand Natural Food Company on 020 8961 4410, e-mail info@nznf.co.uk or visit the company website www.kiwiherb.com
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*Disclaimer: The advice in this newsletter should not be taken as a substitute for medical advice or treatment, especially if you know you have a specific health complaint. Our advice is that you find a GP who is sympathetic to the usefulness of natural medicine.