There are a lot more goodies to be found in the Black Forest than gateau!
Melanie’s meanderings through the Black Forest in Southern Germany uncover the diversity and beauty of nature’s medicine cupboard and you don’t have to go to the Black Forest to try them.
Achoo! Hay fever bothering you? Then you are not alone!
Hay fever has become more common worldwide than ever before, particularly among children and young adults. Among all ages, one in five people now gets hay fever. There are many natural remedies but here are my (Melanie’s) top tips.
All of these are best started before symptoms start.
1. Eating local honey has a reputation for desensitising the body to local pollen. Although there is no scientific evidence this works people have sworn by this remedy for many years. Make sure it is local and unprocessed.
2. Make a tea from the following herbs. A small handful steeped in boiling water for a few minutes and sipped regularly will help.
a. Lemon balm, chamomile, nettles or feverfew all have anti-histamine and anti-inflammatory properties.
b. Elderflower tones the lining of the nose and helps desensitise it to allergens.
3. Take immune stimulants such as Echinacea or Siberian ginseng.
4. Take a supplement of vitamin C with bioflavonoids. These can prevent the formation of histamine. Foods rich in the bioflavonoid quercetin include onions, garlic and cayenne peppers. The recommended dose for vitamin C is 2,000-3,000mg per day in divided doses.
5. Omega 3 fatty acids can ease allergic symptoms. Flaxseed oil and fish oils taken as capsules daily are the best way to ensure an adequate intake.
6. Inhaling peppermint oil may help you breathe more easily.
7. Cutting out cows’ milk products is often helpful. These are mucous forming in the body.
8. Finally here is a simple home remedy for alleviating the symptoms.
Salt Wash
Make a solution by adding half a teaspoon of salt to a quarter litre of warm water. You can also make a herbal tea and add the salt to that. The best ones would be those in point 2 above. Put the solution into an eyedropper or syringe. To use turn your head to one side and lower it over the sink. Keeping your forehead slightly higher than your chin, gently pour the solution into your upper nostril. The solution will drain out of your other nostril. Some of it may run down your throat so don’t breathe whilst you are doing this. This form of irrigation helps flush out pollens and thins the mucous making it easier to expel.
Melanie focuses on taking a holistic approach to all her patients and can combine chiropractic, medical acupuncture and herbalism if patients so wish.
Why not make an appointment with Melanie to find out if she can get you back up and running as soon as possible. You can contact us at Cliffs Chiropractor Southend on 01702 430430.
