Dorset Homeopath

Healing Broth

2010-02-20T14:50:00.001-08:00

Oh my dear readers, what a poor friend I have been!

Whilst birds perched the frosty branches, round breasts fluffed, beaks touching. As flowers were bought in service stations, heart shaped cakes baked, romantic candle-lit suppers booked and eaten, eyes gazed into, hopes raised, hearts filled, heads laid to rest, the better to dream. I was nursing a cup of beef broth and a tender body, on my way back to health.

A couple of nights before Valentine's eve a nasty Norovirus landed me a sucker punch - right in the gut.

After a long, long night that ended with nothing but moths left in my tummy, I lay and regretted my lost Valentine celebration. Prosecco waited in a cupboard, all fresh bread and biscuit bubbles, a lovely piece of steak at the farm. The liveliest mixture of winter leaves and tender herbs ached to mop up those beefy, buttered juices. Yet I was unable to contemplate even reading a book. Radio four soothed me back to sleep again, whilst my immune system regrouped.

When I ventured out of the bedroom, as wobbly as a new calf, I knew instantly what my body needed. First fresh ginger tea with honey and later some chicken broth. The next day my heart longed for something deeply flavoured, clean tasting and fragrant with star anise. I set a beef broth to simmer with cinnamon, cloves, ginger and garlic, repaired to the sofa under a Jacob fleece and the house sang with savoury.

Broth is healing for all tummies, but especially good for anyone who has just had a bug. I make this broth, strain it and then pick off the meat, add some diced carrot, finely chopped leek, finely chopped garlic and maybe a little winter squash and cook for another hour or so. You can also add a few fresh peas or a little handful of fresh coriander or basil. Start with the broth and then graduate to eating a few of the vegetables with the broth and finally a little of the well cooked meat.

Healing Beef Broth

A couple of pieces of beef shin - with bone preferably - about 500-700g. Add a marrow bone if you have one.

1 red onion (or brown skin)

6 cloves garlic

1 stick celery or a thick slice of celeriac

3 thick slices of ginger - err on the generous side

2 whole cloves

a cinnamon stick

3 star anise

sea salt to taste

Throw everything into a large pot and cover with water. Bring to the boil and skim off most of the scum that rises. Turn down to a low simmer, clap a lid on and allow to simmer for at least three hours, taste and add salt to your liking. Allow everything to cool and then strain. Pick the meat off and reserve, adding back in to the stock when you are a little better.

For anyone in London at the end of March, this Wise Traditions conference sounds amazing. I'll be there in spirit, but I can't be there in body.

Convalescence - A Forgotten Art

2009-10-12T01:18:00.000-07:00

These days a dose of flu or a bad cold means a couple of days on the sofa feeling terrible, consuming as much lem-sip max strength, boiled sugar cough sweets and as many other compatible painkillers as possible without sustaining permanent liver damage. After which time one is expected to get up and resume normal business whilst coughing alarmingly at anyone who comes near and looking a little bit sweaty and gothic. I was served yesterday in the supermarket by a very pale and clammy person, who coughed violently into her hand before grabbing my unbagged vegetables and swishing them through the checkout. I wished she had been allowed a little more time to convalesce!

In days past a dose of flu was potentially fatal and as such was regarded with proper respect by anyone unfortunate to contract it. Mothers knew how to nurse their children and folk had a few home remedies up their sleeve for such occasions. Fevers were treated by sponging, caution was taken not to chill the patient with drafts, whilst providing enough fresh air and sunlight to the sick room to speed recovery. No food was taken whilst a fever raged and nourishing broths were drunk during the long period of recovery.

The long period of recovery….

We modern souls have forgotten that a potent virus completely saps a person's strength, joy and ability to cope with the ordinary demands of everyday life. We need a period of cosseting following an assault on the system and often don't allow ourselves the time needed for recovery as we restock our reserves in order to fight off the next virus smeared on our shopping at the supermarket checkout.

If you have been suffering from a virus such as flu or gastroenteritis and find yourself feeling just a little flat and unable to return to your former bouncing self, you may need more than a little cosseting to recover your spark.

This cosseting can be self administered, so don't think I'm asking you to check in to a sanatorium, far from it. A few home remedies and well chosen herbs can set you right again. See below for some simple tips to help bring your energy back and raise immunity.

Food and Drink:

Think clean, wholefood and leafy. Broths and soups are easily digested and comforting. That whole chicken soup thing - that ain't a myth you know! Add some ginger, a little chili and garlic to beef up their anti-microbal and mucous beating qualities. Add a handful of grains such as barley, brown rice or quinoa to broths to make them more sustaining.

Stuff a handful of leaves into your mouth even if you can't face a meal; watercress is full of vitamin C and any dark leaf is packed with chlorophyll and folic acid. Greens are naturally alkaline and alkaline blood is more resistant to viruses and bacteria.

Whilst citrus juices are a bad idea due to their mucous producing tendency, vegetable juices are a great tool for recovery - carrot, watercress, celery, and beetroot are fantastic tonics - sweetened with the addition of some apple. Don't drink juices if you have had gastroenteritis though - you need broths which are much easier to digest.

Avoid dairy, refined sugar and alcohol as much as possible until your energy is back and your chest recovered. These will only produce extra mucous and sap your precious energy.

Eat little and often to maintain your blood sugar. Snack on oatcakes, dried fruit and nuts and ripe bananas (unripe produce mucous). If you know that you don't have the energy to cook, buy in some good soups from the chiller cabinet and eat these. Try not to rely on toast and cereal as easy options as they will unbalance your blood sugar and don't contain the nutrients you need to aid recovery.

Herbs:
I'm not a herbalist and most of them taste foul and should be treated with care, by a qualified professional. However, herb teas and essential oils can be great for lifting your mood and shifting you in the right direction.

Teas:
Lemon balm is anti-depressant, thyme strengthens the lungs, lemon verbena is uplifting, ginger, mint and cinnamon are warming, adding a splash of rosewater is comforting, uplifting and warming too. Liquorice tea is great if you find yourself craving sugar and experiencing energy slumps, it also supports the lungs. Chamomile, orange blossom, rose petals and verbena make a delicious and comforting night time tea that will help you drift off and make the most of your beauty sleep. You can buy teas with these combinations - often labelled as sleepy tea. A word of caution though, if they contain valerian then save them for a pre-bed nightcap, or you will feel even drowsier than you do already in the daytime.

Essential oils:
A steam inhalation is a great way to open up your chest and encourage healing. Use one or two drops of any of the following: eucalyptus is expectorant and anti-microbal, sandalwood or fennel are expectorants (help coughs become productive), thyme is good where there are signs of bacterial infection. A drop of clary sage essential oil in a teaspoon of vegetable oil can be massaged into the neck and shoulders to encourage a good night's sleep. Asthmatics and pregnant women should take advice on the use of inhaled essential oils. If in doubt, don't use it.

Homeopathic remedies:
Tissue salts are a great way to nourish the body after a virus. New Era make a combination (Combination B, for nervous exhaustion) that works really well in my experience, comprising; calc-phos 6x, ferrum-phos 6x and kali-phos 6x. This is a great catch all remedy for convalescence where you have got ill because you burnt out or were rushing around, as many of us do before we succumb. It supports the lungs, helps iron levels return to normal, soothes and supports the nerves.

Another great remedy is Phos-ac. People needing this will feel burnt out completely and just can't be bothered to do anything. They might be craving juice, juicy fruits and refreshing things like sorbet or ice-cream; or they may just be too darned wiped out to crave a thing. These people are generally bubbly and lively when well, so the difference can be a bit of a shock. Try a 30c and take it 3 times daily for about a week or until improvement. Stop taking the remedy when you can see a definite improvement and only resume taking it if there is a relapse. Don't take for more than 10 days without consulting a professional.

Remember, if you are worried about your condition, if it seems to be worsening or simply not improving or if you experience new symptoms - go see your doctor, homeopath or similar and get some qualified help.

Hope you feel better soon! Remember to take it easy, you're not a robot you know, you're just someone who needs a little TLC.

Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome - Alternative Approaches

2009-06-20T00:56:00.000-07:00

What is it? Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is an increasingly common condition of the ovaries affecting women of childbearing age. The symptoms can range from irregular periods and PMS, to excessive hair growth, acne, weight gain and infertility - depending on severity.

How do you know if you have it? If you have any of the symptoms above then visit your doctor and ask for an investigation. Diagnosis is made using a non invasive ultrasound scan which will reveal whether you have cystic ovaries and bloodwork which can reveal insulin resistance and hormone imbalance. If you're reading this article, chances are you already know that you have it and are looking for information.

How does it affect fertility? Because ovulation is irregular it can be difficult to time things right and some women may barely ovulate at all with this condition - even though they may have regular periods. Eggs can also become trapped in the follicles of the ovary, causing a cyst to form or there may be a problem with the production of FSH or LH, the hormones which work in tandem to mature the follicle and signal the ovary to release an egg into the womb.

Why does it happen? The condition is synonymous with insulin resistance, many sufferers go on to develop type 2 diabetes if they do not adjust their diet and lose weight. This means that it tends to occur in women who eat a diet high in refined foods, too much carbohydrate, sugar or alcohol and lead a sedentary life. Some women simply have a tendency to insulin resistance and may be eating a healthy diet, are not overweight, yet still develop the condition. Women with very stressful lives are also prone to PCOS, probably due to the combination of hormones released as a reaction to the stressful situations in their lives which burden the liver and influence the reproductive system.

How can I treat it naturally? PCOS responds very well to a combination of diet, supplements and homeopathy. Treatment focuses on regulating blood sugar, balancing the endocrine system (thyroid, adrenals and reproductive system), exercise and dealing with stress triggers and lifestyle. It can be treated naturally, so don't despair!

Who should I see? A Homeopath or Naturopath who also works with diet would be the ideal therapist, but accupuncture can help or you could see a dietitian who specialises in therapeutic nutrition. Ask for personal recommendations from friends or apply directly to regulatory bodies such as The Society of Homeopaths.

Tips for home treatment. I would always advise you to see a professional, but there are a few things you can do to help yourself.

Regulate your blood sugar: choose foods that are low on the glycaemic index. Avoid refined carbohydrates such as white flour, white rice etc. Avoid white potatoes, anything made from maize and all sugar. Eat regularly and always have a snack between meals on something like crudités, a small handful of nuts or some oatcakes - to keep your blood sugar constant. You may need to reduce meal size slightly.

If you really need a little something sweet then use agave syrup or xylitol in place of sugar at a ratio of a third to a half less than the recipe. A couple of squares of very dark chocolate a day (80% and higher) can be a treat that you look forward to without disrupting your blood sugar.

Avoid fatty meat and cut down on cheese and butter, but do eat butter rather than margarine, which is a denatured food. Try to get your fats from sources like nuts, seeds and fish as these have a higher proportion of the desirable Omega 3 which many people are deficient in. Do not eat deep fried food.

Aim to eat real food that has not been processed. Choose lean meat, fish, cultured dairy products, lots and lots of vegetables and a little fruit.

For more information or to discuss treatment at my practice, please email me directly. I treat all enquiries with complete confidentiality.

Swine Flu - What You Can Do To Help Yourself

2009-05-04T04:39:00.000-07:00

It's natural to be anxious when a pandemic seems to be sweeping it's way towards you. Should you stock up on tinned goods and mansized tissues, go to the doctor for some powerful antiviral drugs or go about your business as usual and hope for the best?

Well I guess the answer is a little of all of the above, the best thing to do is to take your health back into your own hands and make sure that you are relaxed, but prepared for any eventuality. Panicking never helped anyone!

My advice would be to make sure that you are taking good care of your immune system - but not overstimulating it, as this can also lead to problems. To do this all you need to do is eat well, keep exercising, breathe lots of fresh air, drink lots of fresh water and have a few remedies standing by just in case. Cut down on foods that tax your liver such as sugar, alcohol and fat and reduce mucous producing foods such as citrus and dairy.

Listed below are some homeopathic remedies that can be used in case of an outbreak in your area.

Contact your local homeopathic pharmacy (Helios, Ainsworths or Nelsons in the UK) and ask for their combination flu nosode. This is a little like a homeopathic vaccine. They will stock it in a 30c or 200c potency which you should take as follows: 1 pill in the morning, another the same evening and a third the following morning. Then put the rest in a safe place and don't take any more unless you know you have had a probable exposure to the virus - in which case repeat again and seek the advice of your homeopath by phone.

If you do contract flu, you must notify your doctor - who may want to give you antiviral drugs. This is your own decision to make and you may not have a choice about it.

You can mitigate your symptoms with the following remedies, which may be taken alongside antiviral medication. Take in a 30c potency up to 6 times daily for not longer than 4 days. Contact your homeopath for advice.

Aconite: Sudden onset. High fever with restlessness. Dry racking cough. Extreme anxiety.

Ant-tart: Fatiguing rattling cough. Better after bringing up phlegm. Retching, nausea and vomiting with cough. Headache in forehead from coughing.

Arsenicum: Absolutely floppy and exhausted but restless too. Cattarrh feels suffocating. Watery snot makes nostrils and upper lip raw. Everything worse at night. Anxious, nauseas with the desire to vomit.

Belladonna: Bright red sweaty skin, high fever, shining eyes, possibly delirious. Sleepy but can't sleep. Dull headache with dry nose and frequent sneezing.

Eupatorium Perfoliatum: Runny nose, sneezing, hoarse and with a hacking cough that hurts the chest. Arms and legs ache terribly, deep in the bones. Can't get comfortable lying down but unable to sit up. skin pale and sensitive to the least touch or draft of air.

Gelsemium: Sore throat with lots of irritating mucous in it. Dusky, dark red hot head. Extreme weakness in legs and aching of muscles. Just want to lie down.

There are many other remedies that fit flu like symptoms - homeopathy is indivdualised so if these remedies don't match your flu symptoms, contact your homeopath and ask them to prescribe something that fits. The pharmacy will be able to send remedies by post, so you don't even have to leave the house.

Make sure you keep your fluid levels up if you have flu - it's easy to become dehydrated because you're producing lots of mucous and only sipping because it's painful to sit up or gulp water. Warm drinks can often be good here and herb tea with a little honey can be very nourishing. Manuka honey is especially good because of its proven antiviral action.

Finally, make a diluted mixture of teatree oil and spray about the house to protect others and freshen the air. 30 drops to a litre of water in a garden mister. You can also add 10 drops of lavender, lemon, orange or geranium to this mixture (choose one).

The Healing Power of Tears

2009-04-27T14:05:00.000-07:00

A while ago I was watching Bruce Parry's TV programme, 'Tribe', in which he goes to live as one of the tribe in various locations. Towards the end of the last programme, in which he lives with the Penan tribe in a rapidly shrinking piece of rain forest in Borneo, I found myself weeping uncontrollably at the terrible plight they suffered. The land on which they live in harmonious symbiosis is being eroded by government sanctioned logging companies. These gentle, wonderful people may be forced to enter the 21st century against their will, just for a bit of commercial revenue.

Although truly moving and shocking, it wasn't the worst atrocity I became aware of this week - there are numerous tragic stories and many other catalysts that could produce a flood of tears if I let them. But I try not to because I have accepted the idea that it is somehow shameful to weep openly at will, whenever something moves me. In place of expression, I gulp down the tears and feel that familiar tightness in my throat. Even watching a sad film with my darling husband whom I have known for over a third of my life, I censor my feelings and don't weep as freely as I might were I alone.

I know I'm not the only one who does this.

Although weeping can be seen as a sign of weakness or sentimentality, it is widely acknowledged that those who express and own their feelings are healthier, happier and even live longer. It has been suggested that weeping, sobbing and even better - wailing, all have a therapeutic value equal to that of meditation and yoga. Quelling the negative health aspects of stress, anger and anxiety - even raising immune function. I know that when I have the odd night to myself and allow the tears that well up to come out unhindered, I often feel relaxed and cleansed, sleep better and wake feeling refreshed.

Not that I cry constantly, nor am I depressed. Tears can be a simple expression of anxiety or even anger, a release that does not require explanation. Once tears have been allowed to come, there is often a stream of associated triggers that come to mind. Someone who died, feeling lonely, a memory of something that really hurt. It can feel disingenuous to cry about these things on the back of the original catalyst, but that is the beauty of letting it all out - tears don't need justifying and they are not a sign of failure or weakness, but a way of coping with the pressure that life exerts on your heart.

Maybe next time you find yourself welling up at the Andrex Puppy, you might try to let those tears out and not feel like a daft softy. Thinking instead about how much better you will feel when the dam has subsided and you can see clearly again. You could save yourself a packet on therapy in later years and even stave off a cold or two - but remember to stock up on the man sized tissues.

x x x

Bach Flower Remedies for PMS

2009-04-20T05:42:00.000-07:00

Although I don't use flower remedies exclusively, they are a useful support to homeopathic treatment and I do use a few. They are great for home use though because they are very safe to use and easy to diagnose. The symptoms for diagnosis are mainly emotional, but like any holistic remedy they will have an action on your whole being - not just your feelings. The following are based on common symptoms of PMS. If you can't find one from this list that sounds like what you are experiencing, look for a book on Bach (Batch) Flower remedies.

Cherry Plum
For uncontrolled outbursts of anger or a feeling that you might be about to lose it. At the end of your tether emotionally. You may feel possessed or think that you are losing your mind.

Crab Apple
For feelings of self dislike. You may have spotty skin or feel bloated or overweight. Your confidence is low, because you think there is something unclean or unacceptable about you. (You can also use this as a face rinse for acne - two drops in warm water and splash after cleansing).

Elm
For strong capable people who are overwhelmed by responsibility. Everything just seems too much all of a sudden and you think you can't cope anymore.

Impatiens
Like the name of the flower, this remedy is all about impatience and irritability. Other people get in your way, don't tidy up, the kids won't listen aarg!

Mustard
This is for mood swings where depression and tearfulness predominate. They just seem to come from nowhere, for no apparent reason.

Olive

Where you have been pushing yourself too hard and are simply exhausted, this can help. It is complete exhaustion where you feel you might not be able to get out of bed in the morning. If you are in this state, it is important to try and rest even if it's just for a little while. Also important is avoiding any refined foods, sugars and alcohol.

When you have chosen the remedy or a combination of up to three remedies that suits you best make up a dropper bottle (available from chemists) with boiled cooled water and a teaspoon of vodka to preserve it. Into this put four drops of each chosen remedy and shake to mix. Drop four drops of the remedy onto your tongue 3-6 times daily through the month and see how you go.

If your symptoms are very severe or persist for longer than three months then seek professional help. Back up your remedy by eating a well balanced diet rich in vegetables and low in refined foods, sugar, saturated fat and alcohol.

Lack of Sleep - How to Help Yourself

2009-04-06T00:48:00.000-07:00

Lack of sleep is used as a form of torture. Without sufficient sleep your body cannot repair itself properly, the liver suffers, adrenal glands become depleted, you crave carbohydrates and stimulants to keep yourself going and find it hard to cope with any tax on your emotions. Yet sleep deprivation can be an inevitable part of child raising, the menopause and periods of anxiety. So what can you do if you've hit a bumpy patch?

Although the root cause needs to be addressed by sorting your child's sleep routine, dealing with life stresses or balancing your hormones, there are also some simple ways to help yourself through a period of bad sleep.

Foods that Replenish and Support

Lack of sleep taxes both your adrenal glands and your liver so you need to support them as much as you can and diet can be a great way to do this.

Maintain Blood Sugar and Hydrate Yourself:
Eat foods that have a slow transit time to ensure that your energy stays as constant as possible through the day and you avoid that awful morning nausea that comes with exhaustion. Avoid sugar, refined foods, white flour, white rice, coffee, strong tea and coca cola and drink no more than one glass of wine per day - with food. Eat whole grains, fresh meat and fish, lots of vegetables, pulses, cultured dairy products and a piece or two of fruit a day. If you need a pick me up then a small handful of dried fruit and nuts should help - the nuts help moderate the sugar in the fruit.

Drink at least 8 glasses of pure water a day - or take in the same amount as herb tea. A good alternative to a cup of tea is a large glass of sparkling water with the juice of a quarter of a lime, or lemon squeezed into it. It can be a real pick me up! Don't drink carbonated water for prolonged periods, or if you know you have low bone calcium as it can deplete this if drunk long term.

Replenish B Vitamins, Chromium and Magnesium
These trace elements are used up very quickly under a period of bad sleep so you need to take in more than usual. You can take supplements for a while, but it's always preferable to get your vitamins from food. Make sure you include a few of these from each list every day.

B Vitamin rich foods:
Liver, Red Meat, Green Leafy Vegetables, Yeast, Wholegrains, Brown Rice, Pulses, Berries, Milk, Yogurt, Cheese, Butter, Peas, Peanuts and Egg Yolks.

Magnesium Rich Foods:
Dark Green Vegetables (Spinach, Broccoli, Savoy Cabbage etc), Wholegrains, Pulses, Nuts, Seeds, Oysters, Halibut and Salmon.

Chromium Rich Foods:
Romaine lettuce, Onions (ideally raw), Garlic, Mushrooms, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Potatoes, Wholegrains, Green beans, Raw Tomatoes, Grapes, Turkey, Pork and Beef, Vitamin C and B vitamins aid absorption of Chromium so make sure you have plenty of wholegrains, fresh vegetables and fruit in your diet.

Herbs and Homeopathy:
You should seek professional help if your bad sleep extends beyond a couple of weeks, but for a temporary bout you can try a little self medication with homeopathy and herb teas.

Herb Teas:
The calmer you are before bed, the more likely you are to retire at a sensible time and get as much rest as you can in the early all important part of the night. The more sleep you get before midnight the better you'll feel in the morning (unless you're a rare natural night owl). Calming and restorative herb teas include: Chamomile, Lemonbalm, Lemon Verbena, Lime Blossom, Rose Petals, Valerian (tastes horrible though!), Skullcap (only in a blend), and Hops (not for menopausal or pregnant women). To support your adrenal glands drink liquorice root tea, or even nibble a little liquorice (the health food shop type - not full of sugar), you can often find herb tea blends that include liquorice and drinking these throughout the day can help.

Homeopathic remedies:
Tissue salts can be a great support at times like this because they enable the body to take what it needs from the diet and provide a gentle level of background support. You can buy specific combinations for exhaustion or nervous exhaustion from New Era or look at which of the following suits you. You should be able to buy these from a health food shop, or order online from Helios or another homeopathic pharmacy. Take tissue salts 3-4 times daily or as directed on the pot.

Phos-ac 6x: Complete apathy and exhaustion, often after caring for someone else, lots of emotional drama or too much contact with other people. Everything seems like too much effort. Craves refreshing things like fruit juice, fizzy drinks and fruit sweets.

Kali-Phos 6x: Nervous exhaustion, especially when accompanied with backache and poor sleep in the very early hours (2-4am). Usually capable sensible people who feel their nerves have been stretched to breaking point.

Ferrum-Phos 6x: Anaemia from long periods of stress and effort. Circulation affected by exaustion. Irritated by inability to concentrate and get things done.

Calc-Phos 6x: Exhausted by grief or break up of a relationship. Restless exhaustion. Everything seems worse when you think about it. Sighing a lot. Headache when you have to go to work.

Other remedies that can be useful are listed below. Take them between 3-6 times daily for not longer than a week at a time. Do not take them if you are not suffering the symptoms anymore, only when your symptoms are current as they won't prevent a problem taken this way:

Pic-ac 30c: For business exhaustion bought about by too much mental stimulation and not enough exercise. Terrible headaches when trying to concentrate.

Gelsemium 30c: Flu-like exhaustion. Head feels hot, bones and muscles ache and legs feel wobbly. Just want to lie down in a darkened room.

Cocculus 30c: Seasick type symptoms, nausea, aversion to food, dizziness and a desire to lie down which does not improve things. Especially from lack of sleep due to caring for a child at night.

Nux Vomica 30c: Hang-over symptoms, nausea, billiousness, headache and irritability with a craving for stimulants or alcohol. Classic monday morning feeling from lack of sleep over the weekend. Can be awake half the night or stay up really late even though exhausted and then have real trouble waking in the morning.

Coffea 30c: Oversensitiveness due to nervous stimulation. All senses seem more acute as though nerves are on end - even the lightest touch is too much or the mildest perfume. Sleepless, hurried, headache from mental exertion, hysterical weeping or laughter. Full of ideas and plans that prevent sleep.

Finally, if you are having trouble sleeping at night then make sure you try and grab any opportunity you can to sleep in the day - even ten minutes relaxing in a darkened room will do something. Don't sleep for more than 30 minutes at a time though or you will throw your sleep clock out. Meditating can also take the place of sleep if you do this.

If your symptoms persist then seek some professional help from a homeopath or naturopath, or enlist a friend to take your child for an hour so that you can recuperate. Don't struggle on alone, there is hope out there.

x x x

Spring Cleansing

2009-03-20T03:38:00.000-07:00

Spring swept over the country this week unexpectedly, prompting me to shake out my summer skirts, air the house and prune away the dead plants of winter. In the midst of all this sunshine bustle, my body started to feel that it too would like a little spring cleaning. At lunchtime I looked in the fridge for something clean and crunchy and eyed the distant hills whilst I oiled my bike chain in readiness.

If you fancy a bit of a spring clean after the stodgy comfort and cosseting of winter food and warm jumpers, what can you do?

There are many ways to encourage your body to cleanse itself, from simple teas, to radical olive oil liver cleansing. I like to advocate the middle way - which can be customised according to your enthusiasm.

First and easiest, start the day with hot water and lemon, add a bit of fresh ginger and a little honey if you like. This time of day is ideal for eliminating toxins from the body.

Breakfast: this is often a mixture of carbohydrate and caffeine which can burden a body which wants to get rid of toxins in the first part of the day. For a couple of weeks, try starting the day with fruit and yogurt - just one kind of fruit, any type except bananas. Take some more of the same fruit to work with you to snack on mid morning and make sure you drink lots of water during the morning. This will help your body adjust to life without caffeine and help moderate any side effects from caffeine withdrawal and elimination.

Lunch and Supper: Cut out refined foods while you are cleansing, this includes food containing flour or sugar, or processed in some way. Avoid cheese, milk and cream while you are cleansing - a little butter on steamed vegetables is fine. Avoid alcohol and stimulants such as tea and coffee that stress the liver and adrenals.

Think about how far your food has travelled from its source and you will have a good idea of what to eat. Fruit, vegetables, fish, lean meat, eggs, pulses, whole grains, yogurt, fermented vegetables such as saurkraut, nuts, herbal teas and a little honey if you need it.

A bath with Epsom salts is a fantastic way to help your cleanse along because the magnesium sulphate stimulates the elimination of toxins. Epsom salts also relax the nervous system and relieve sore muscles so they are perfect to use after a hard day or when suffering from the side effects of detoxing.

You can start by doing a bath every night for a few days but after this, just once a week should be enough. If you have a liver or kidney problem then you should avoid Epsom baths - unless your healthcare provider has advised them. Epsom salts are available from chemists. To make up a bath just add a couple of cupfuls to running water and stir to dissolve. Soak for about 20 minutes and then rub your skin dry with a towel to encourage the circulation, wrap up warm and fall into a delicious sleep.

You can increase the effectiveness of your Epsom salt baths by dry skin brushing first - always brush towards the heart.

Herbs that help to detox need to be treated cautiously to avoid any adverse reactions. For home use I would advise trying the following:

Milk Thistle (Silybum Marianus): Supports the liver and reproductive hormonal system, acting to balance and restore function. Take 10-15 drops of tincture in a small glass of water twice daily. Take for a month and then take a break and asess whether you still need to take it - waking feeling full of life, skin glowing and don't need your coffee? Take a break from the milk thistle until you feel a little sluggish again.

Dandelion (Taraxacum): Supports the kidneys and also acts on the liver. Can be diuretic, but contrary to chemical diuretics which deplete potassium, dandelion is full of potassium thus replacing any lost through urine. The young leaves are also good in a salad. Take 10-15 drops of tincture in a glass of water twice daily. As above take for a month and then review, dark shadows and bags gone from under your eyes? Possessed by a feeling of calm and confidence? Then you don't need any more dandelion. Don't take for more than three months without seeking professional help.

Finally, the most obvious way of spring cleansing is to increase your intake of water. Try to drink small quantities regularly through the day rather than downing a pint and then drinking nothing for hours. This way your body can use the water more effectively. If you hate drinking water, make up a mixture of 1 part juice to 2 parts water and drink this. It's preferable to drink plain water though.

Happy cleansing!

Waiting For Spring

2009-02-02T03:16:00.000-08:00

Winter can seem like one long wait for spring. Piling on the jumpers and scarves, watching the gas meter tick inevitably forward and filling our hungry bellies with comforting stodgy food. By the time spring comes round we long to throw off those layers and emerge as gorgeous butterflies again, but all those mince pies at Christmas, filling roast dinners and festive tipples can leave you feeling weighed down and sluggish.

Even if you don't put on weight over the winter, your liver may still have to work harder to process any extra sugar, fat, alcohol and caffeine you take in over the colder months. A sluggish and overburdened liver can make you feel tired, grumpy and increase problems due to hormones such as PMS.

So rather than waiting for spring, how about making a few changes now to improve your chances of greeting spring with a skip in your step and a song in your heart? Here's a list of suggestions:

Start the day with a hot lemon and ginger tea to detoxify the liver and encourage blood circulation. first thing in the morning is when your liver is working at detoxification - so give it all the help you can. Simply place a few slices of fresh root ginger and a slice of lemon in a cup, squash a little with a spoon to release the juice and top up with boiling water.

Swap sandwiches for soup. Buy yourself a flask and try taking soup to work instead of sandwiches. You can make enough for the week in one go and just heat up what you need in the morning. Most vegetables except potatoes are good for your liver but the following will really help it do its job:

Carrots, Celery, Beetroot, Dark leafy greens, Broccoli, Onions, Garlic, Leeks and Squash.

You can also increase the benefits of your soup by adding any of the following herbs and spices:

Rosemary, Caraway seeds, Cayenne Pepper, Root ginger, Lemon zest and juice and Ground Turmeric.

Here are a few recipes to get you started:
Velvet soup, Squash and lentil soup, Hot and Sour Coconut soup, Spiced parsnip soup and Carrot and ginger soup.

When you fancy a comforting pudding, try my Crumble recipe which uses ground almonds and honey in place of flour and sugar. You can substitute any fruit for the peaches called for in the recipe.

Pretty soon you'll find you just want to get out there and throw some snow balls - never mind the layers.

x x x