When most people are sick, they opt to go to the doctor. But with the resurgence in natural remedies throughout the end of the 20^th century, there are more options for you. Here are a few natural and alternative health care avenues.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medicine that views the body as an interconnected whole. Acupuncture involves the insertion of fine needles into specific points on the body in order to relieve pain or for therapeutic purposes.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy uses essential oils and aromatic amalgams to improve an individual’s health and spirits. It relies on a holistic approach to wellbeing.

Chiropractic

Chiropractic focuses on diagnosis and treatment of problems with the nervous, muscular and skeletal system. It is particularly geared toward spinal and back problems and can help with sports injuries and orthopaedics.

Massage

There are many different types of massage including Swedish, Thai, stone, reflexology, traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic. Massage manipulates soft body tissues to increase circulation or relieve tension and pain.

Naturopathy

Naturopathy emphasises the body’s own ability to heal itself. Naturopaths examine a patient’s problem as well as their entire history in order to recommend a treatment.

Whether you choose alternative or conventional medicine or a mix of the two, make sure you trust your health care professional and are benefiting from their care.

Source: Natural Healers

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons of olive oil
• 1 chopped onion
• 3 cups of water
• 2 cups of diced zucchini
• 1 cup of diced carrot
• 1 cup of drained cooked cannellini beans or other white beans
• 3/4 cup diced celery
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/8 teaspoon ground pepper
• 1 x 400g can diced low-sodium tomatoes, undrained
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup uncooked pasta
• horseradish
• red cayenne pepper
• fresh grated ginger

Method

• Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat.
• Sauté onion for 4 minutes or until lightly browned.
• Add remaining ingredients (except pasta, horseradish, cayenne and ginger); bring to a boil.
• Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 25 minutes.
• Add pasta; cover and cook for an additional 8-10 minutes or until pasta is tender.
• Just before serving, add as much horseradish, cayenne and ginger as you like.

Serves 4.

This hair rinse is an excellent conditioner and will make hair shiny, expecially blonde and platinum shades.

• Put 1 heaped teaspoon of chamomile in 1 cup of cold water
• Bring to the boil
• Simmer for 10 – 15 minutes and strain.
• STAND TO COOL.
• Rinse your hair with the infusion and then simply towel dry.

These foods may lead to congestion of the mucosa of the respiratory tract.

• All dairy products
• Refined sugars
• Excessive consumption of grains, eg wheat, oats and rye.
• Oranges
• Tomatoes
• Peanut butter
• Alcoholic beverages
• Tea
• Coffee
• Chocolate
• Food additives

I have had chronic sinus for approx 7yrs i just want a life of normality back. It first appeared from a bad flu and cold, but I never recovered. Any info would be grateful.
Bruce

Dear Bruce,
Sinus Tonic is the herbal remedy created by Robin Kirby to relieve sinusitis. For chronic sinusitis you may need to take the Sinus Tonic for some months. The sinus tonic contains 9 herbs which all help to deal with infection, the immune system, and stimulate digestion.  Eyebright and Elder are specifically for your sinuses.  This is a remedy that can, in the long term, relieve your sinus symptoms.  If you are diligent with your remedies then long term relief will be forthcoming.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to call.
Kind regards,
Maria

It’s inevitable that the computer will be a part an integral part of our day. For most of us, the thought of going to the office and not sitting at a computer desk is highly unusual. Unfortunately, being in the same position every day can have a big impact on our health. After getting up, our necks can be  stiff, our eyes hurt, and our backs may ache.

This pain can be produced by how we interact with our computer and its surroundings. Even the placement of our phones and documents can lead to undue stress. To avoid the aches and pains associated with sitting at a desk all day, we need to be aware of the ergonomics of our work space. Here are some basic tips.

• Make sure your chair isn’t too tall or short. Having your legs dangling can cause strain on your back and scrunching up your legs is uncomfortable. If you can’t physically adjust the height of your chair, improvise with pillows or cushions.
• Your keyboard should be placed so that your shoulders are relaxed and your wrists are at a comfortable height. Don’t forget the placement of your mouth; try and keep it closed.
• The screen can be the most important thing to remember. Glare from the screen can lead to headaches and improper height can lead to neck cramps from tilting your head. The monitor should be just above eye level and tilted to avoid glare. If you feel you are tilting it too much for comfort, move your desk to face away from the source of light.

For more tips on Ergonomics, try this site.

Coffee

Coffee contains three stimulants – caffeine, theobromine and theophylline.  Although caffeine is the strongest, theophylline is known to disturb normal sleep patterns and theobromine has a similar effect to caffeine.  Coffee may affect some people adversely and produce caffeinism – a medical condition characterized by symptoms of depression, nervousness, irritability, recurrent headaches, heart palpitations, and insomnia. People prone to feeling stress and anxiety tend to be especially sensitive to caffeine.    To find out what effect it has on you, quit for a trial period of two weeks.  You may get withdrawal symptoms for up to 3 days.  This reflects how addicted you have become. Alternatives to coffee are Dandelion, Caro or herb teas.

Smoking

Detailed calculations reveal that smokers have at least three to five times as much risk of getting cancer and heart disease as nonsmokers.  Tobacco smoke contains more than four thousand chemicals, of which more than fifty have been identified as carcinogens.

Herb Teas to help stop smoking:

50g Plantain, 50g Thyme. Infuse one heaped teaspoon of each herb with one cup of boiling water. Steep for approximately 3 – 5 minutes and drink 3 – 4 cups daily.

DO NOT REACH FOR CIGARETTES.
Keep in mind that your own hands are responsible for lighting cigarettes.
Chew liquorice root throughout the day – this will not help you overcome the addiction, but will help repair damage in the respiratory passages.

Hi Can you help me with a product that will help my condition my symtoms are : constantly runny or stuffy nose i always have to carry tissues with me, mucus running down the back of my throat causing me to swallow it.
Lauren

Dear Lauren,
Thanks for your enquiry.  Our Sinus Tonic, Gentian and Kali Bic starter pack would benefit you greatly.  It has been created to relieve the symptoms you are experiencing.  If you would like further information, please feel free to call.
Best wishes,
Maria

Ingredients

• Spaghetti (Linguini or Bucatini works too)
• 1 Egg - separated
• Shaved Parmesan Cheese
• Bacon
• Salt and Pepper

Method

• Bring a pot of water to a boil. Before adding the pasta into the boiling water, make sure you heavily season the water with salt.
• In a side skillet, cook your bacon. Additional vegetables can be added and should be cooked at this time.
• When it seems like the bacon is ready, add a bit of Parmesan. Separate an egg, putting the yolk into the bowl that you’ll eat your pasta in and the whites into the skillet.
• Drain your pasta and add it to the bowl with the yolk. Mix immediately so that the heat from the pasta “cooks” the yolk. This should make your pasta creamy.
• Add the contents from the skillet into the bowl and immediately mix.
• If necessary, season with salt and pepper and add more Parmesan to your taste.

I am trying to find relief and a cure for my son’s chronic sinusitis. I have seen a naturopath twice, but believe she cannot really help any further. We have taken Wheat, Yeast, Milk, Preservatives and Food colorings out of his diet. This has resulted in significant improvements, but he still suffers from sinusitis daily, blowing his nose during the day and waking him up at night. My son is eleven years old, is he able to take these herbs for relief and is there something else we can do to result in a cure?
Audrey

Dear Audrey,
Thank you for your enquiry.  Yes, the Sinus Tonic can be taken from 2 years of age.  The herbs eyebright and elder are used specifically for the sinuses, the other herbs help deal with infection, the immune system and stimulate digestion.  The Tonic has been getting great results with sinus sufferers for the past 10 years.  If your son is diligent in taking the herbs 3 times per day, I am confident he will get some relief.
Please do not hesitate to call if you would like further information.
Best wishes,
Maria