Dizziness

This unpleasant sensation can be due to a number of problems: a temporary virus infection in the ears, abnormal blood pressure, anxiety, exhaustion, anaemia or, in many cases, liver problems.

     In many cases, dizzy spells, or vertigo, can be caused by poor circulation and lack of oxygen to the brain due to stress, overwork or anxiety. Hearing problems will cause dizziness. Toxic effects of alcohol, drugs and medications can interfere with oxygen supply to the brain, causing dizziness. Over-sweating, with loss of fluids and electrolytes, in unaccustomed hot weather or too much exercise without adequate fluid intake can also lead to dizziness.

     Also, tension in the shoulders or spinal abnormalities can interrupt circulation, leading to dizziness. Chronic circulatory problems can result from dizziness, such as arteriosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries due to plaque build-up on the sides of the arteries), high or low blood pressure, heart problems and anaemia. Short but violent attacks of dizziness can be precursors of an impending stroke in the high-risk group.

     The inner ear regulates spatial awareness, and infections such as labyrinthitis (inflammation of the inner ear) are a likely source of persistent dizziness and associated nausea and vomiting. Dizziness caused by low blood sugars is a symptom of hypoglycaemia.

     Dietary measures can assist with the treatment of dizziness. Reduce meals with a high saturated fat content (which compromises oxygen flow to the brain) and avoid sweet foods which provoke sudden changes in blood sugar levels. Eat complex carbohydrates like wholegrains, wholemeal bread, porridge and starchy vegetables, which are metabolised slowly and do not destabilise blood sugar levels. Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, which provide vitamins and minerals essential to promote optimal oxygen transport to the brain. Dress salads with unrefined, cold-pressed flax-seed oil, which contains the essential fatty acids, omega 3 and omega 6. These fats, which cannot be manufactured by the body, are essential for healthy fat metabolism and keeping the arteries clear.

     Certain nutrient deficiencies, particularly deficiencies in vitamin B6 or vitamin B3, can cause dizziness.

     To alleviate a sudden attack of dizziness, take a spoonful of honey to immediately boost blood sugar levels.

     If dizziness is due to anaemia, taking nettle juice, parsley juice and dandelion juice will help.

     Dizziness due to anxiety and stress can be eased by using Valerian and Rosemary.

     Rosemary is often used to increase blood supply to the brain; it also had a strong tonic effect on individuals with weakness and a tendency to feel cold all the time. Taking a relaxing bath, for 20 minutes, with 1-2 drops of Pine Essential Oil added and resting for 30 minutes after will help persistent dizziness.

     If run down, use Siberian Ginseng and Rosemary to build up your endocrine glands; this will also help blood supply to the brain. If stress is a factor, include Valerian with the above herbs.

     If an infection is the cause of dizziness, then use Plantain Juice for a few weeks to ease symptoms. 

David Foley

MNIMH, MRCHM

Medical Herbalist

Peptic Ulcers - Stomach and Intestinal

    Ulcers are exceedingly common, open sores that occur in the mucous membrane of the stomach (called a gastric ulcer) or the intestine (called a duodenal ulcer). Duodenal ulcers are more common, occurring in an estimated 6-12% of the adult population. Even though duodenal and gastric ulcers occur at different locations, they appear to be the result of similar mechanisms.

    They often cause a very painful burning or gnawing sensation in the upper abdomen. The pain of a duodenal ulcer is felt when the stomach is empty. Waking at night and pain several hours after eating are common symptoms. Food helps the pain to subside. With gastric or stomach ulcers, the pain often develops while eating or soon after. It can also occur independently of food.

    Ulcers can cause serious complications if left untreated. Individuals with peptic ulcers must be monitored by a physician, even if they are following natural approaches.

    An ulcer occurs when the protective mucus lining the digestive tract which buffers the lining of the stomach and intestine against hydrochloric acid and pepsin breaks down, allowing the acid to erode the lining and causing an open sore to occur.

    The role of the bacterium, Heliobacter Pylori, in peptic ulcer disease has been extensively investigated. It has been shown that 90%-100% of patients with duodenal ulcers have it and 70% with gastric ulcers also have it, but it is also found in over 50% of the population at large.

    Although the bacterium can irritate certain ulcers, a poor diet and lifestyle are the primary causes of peptic ulcers. An overabundance of sugar and a lack of fibre are largely responsible for provoking ulcers. Coffee, tea, alcohol and cigarettes increase the aggressive substances that irritate the stomach and intestine.

    Allergies to certain foods will cause stomach problems. Aspirin, non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), are known to increase secretion. However, poor eating habits contribute to the development of most gastro-intestinal problems. Many people skip breakfast, but tend to eat large, heavy meals for lunch and dinner.

    Stress is universally believed to be an important causative factor in peptic ulcers. The way that an individual deals with stress seems the reason why certain individuals develop ulcers while others don’t. As a group, ulcer patients have been characterised as tending to repress emotions.

    Raw cabbage juice is well documented as having remarkable success in treating peptic ulcers. In one study, 1 litre of the fresh juice (white cabbage) per day, taken in divided doses, resulted in total ulcer healing in an average of only 10 days. Further research has shown that the glutamine content of the juice is probably responsible for the efficacy of cabbage in treating ulcers. 500mg of glutamine three times per day over a few months has been shown to be highly effective for ulcers.

    Manuka Honey has also been found to be very effective in treating peptic ulcers. This is probably due to its anti-bacterial properties and its wound-healing properties. Taking a couple of spoons each day of this Honey from New Zealand can very quickly ease the pain of a peptic ulcer.

    Herbally, Liquorice Root is a very effective healer of peptic ulcers. The long-term use of large amounts of liquorice can elevate blood pressure in some susceptible individuals. The best way to avoid this problem is to use deglycyrrizinated liquorice (DC-L).

    Drink a cup of strong, warm Camomile Tea every morning on an empty stomach. Camomile soothes and heals and has anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic properties.

    Eat small, frequent meals and choose soothing, mucilaginous foods such as Linseeds in porridge. Well-cooked grains, vegetables and fruits are best.

    And finally, discover enjoyable outlets of self-expression and emotions.

David Foley

MNIMH, MRCHM

Medical Herbalist    

High Blood Pressure

   Elevated blood pressure is a major risk factor for a heart attack or stroke. In fact, it is generally regarded as a the greatest of the risk factors for a stroke. Most people do not notice they have high blood pressure until they get their blood pressure measured.

     High pressure, otherwise known as hypertension, is a disease, not just an increase in blood pressure. At least three readings should be made before the final diagnosis since fluctuations are normal. Stress, anxiety, anger and physical activity cause substantial changes in readings.

     The blood pressure denotes the resistance produced each time the heart beats and sends blood coursing through the arteries. The peak reading of the pressure exerted by this contraction is the Systolic pressure. Between beats, the heart relaxes, and blood pressure drops. The lowest reading is referred to as the Diastolic pressure. A normal blood pressure reading for an adult is 120 (Systolic) / 80 (Diastolic).

     High blood pressure is divided into different levels:

• Borderline: 120-160 / 90-94;
• Mild: 140-160 / 95-104;
• Moderate: 140-180 / 105-114;
• Severe: 160 + / 115 +.

    Since over 80% of patients with high blood pressure are in the borderline-to-moderate range, many cases of high blood pressure can be brought under control through changes in diet and lifestyle.

    By far the most common reason for high blood pressure is arteriosclerosis. Narrowed arteries plugged with fatty deposits are usually linked to poor eating habits, high levels of stress, smoking and little physical activity.

    Typically, a diet rich in saturated fats, meat and refined products and lacking in fresh vegetables, fruits and fibre from whole grains is to blame. The cholesterol-free, commercial vegetable oils, shortening and margarine are no better, as these contain trans-fatty acids.       Vegetarians have a lower incidence of hypertension. Obesity increases the risks. Salt, coffee, alcohol and cigarettes are not direct causes, but certainly contribute substantially to increasing blood pressure.

      Next to attaining ideal body weight, the most important dietary recommendation is perhaps to increase the consumption of plant foods in the diet. Special foods for people with high blood pressure include: celery, garlic and onions, nuts and seeds or their oils, cold-water fish (salmon, mackerel, etc.), green leafy vegetables (as a rich source of calcium and magnesium), whole grains and legumes and foods rich in vitamin C, such as broccoli and citrus fruits. Eating four ribs of celery a day has been shown to reduce mild hypertension over a few months.

     Stress can cause high blood pressure in many instances. Relaxation techniques, such as yoga, have been shown to have some value in lowering blood pressure.

    Herbal remedies complement dietary changes in the effective treatment of high blood pressure. Hawthorn is one of the most reliable remedies for regulating high blood pressure. It dilates larger blood vessels and inhibits formation of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE); similarly with ACE-inhibiting drugs. Aside from its blood pressure-lowering effect, hawthorn strengthens the muscular ability of the heart and can help the body rid itself of excess fluid. Take 1 tablespoon of Hawthorn Juice three times a day.

     It’s always important not to ignore high blood pressure; by using natural methods, one may be able to reduce high blood pressure. But if this can’t be done, then visit your GP. 

David Foley

MNIMH, MRCHM

Medical Herbalist

Ear Infections

Earache can be a very painful condition. It occurs frequently in small children, who are often too young to understand or convey to their parents why they are crying, except, perhaps, to pull at their ears or to scratch their faces.

    Tugging at the ear is a symptom of an outer-ear infection, also known as Swimmer’s Ear or Otitis Externa. In an outer-ear (Otitis Externa) infection, the skin that covers the outer-ear canal becomes inflamed, discharging mucus and causing scaling, crusting, swelling and redness that can be seen when looking into the ear canal. In some cases, inner- and outer-ear infections occur simultaneously.

     In the later stages of an inner-ear (Otitis Media) infection, pus in the middle ear builds up pressure (which is very painful) and eventually breaks through the eardrum. Once this happens, the pain disappears. This rupture is a normal course of events in ear infections and is not a cause for concern - unless the discharge continues and prevents the eardrum from healing properly. Infections can sometimes spread to the inner ear, which is a cause for concern due to its nearness to the brain. Treatment of ear infections therefore needs to be fast and effective.

     Mild symptoms often signal a blocked Eustachian tube and not an infection.

     Causes of outer-ear infections:

            An object stuck in the ear;

            A boil in the ear canal;

            Scratching or fiddling with the ear, which often happens when children have a skin irritation such as eczema in or around the ears.

     Chlorine in swimming pools can irritate the skin of children who swim frequently and who do not dry their ears properly.

     

Treatment: If there is a discharge from the ear, professional advice should be sought, as it may mean a perforated eardrum and a middle-ear infection.

     First look for signs of irritation or infection or any foreign object. If there is something in the ear which is easily removed, do so, but don’t poke anything into the ear - not even a cotton bud.

     Check from enlarged glands or tonsils to see if the earache is caused by another infection.

     Drop some warm olive oil with a few drops of essential oil (two drops to a teaspoon of oil) into the ear canal before bed and plug gently with a little cotton wool. Use Camomile or Lavender essential oil. Be sure that the ear is not perforated before putting anything in the ear. Also don’t use essential oils on their own or use more than two drops in your teaspoon of olive oil.

    

Middle-ear infections:  If you suspect that your child has a middle-ear infection, consult your GP as this is a potentially serious condition.

     Homeopathy offers an excellent alternative for the treatment of ear infections since it acts quickly and supports the body in its healing process.

      Belladonna is excellent for throbbing pains and fever with flushed and hot face.

     Aconite is suitable when pains are sharp, especially after exposure to cold or wind.

     Camomile is useful for children with one cheek red, the other pale and they are very irritable and angry.

      Pulsatilla is good for infections which begin gradually and appear mild, often in addition to an existing cold.

    Herbal remedies which will help include Plantain Juice, which will ease the infection, especially with Echinacea and Garlic. To draw heat from the ear area, take hot foot baths with some mustard mixed in.

     Place a hot onion or garlic poultice on the back of the neck to relieve earache.

    Recurring ear infections (particularly in children) are linked to poor immune systems and weakened resistance, due to poor nutrition and allergies to certain foods. Good nutrition for children and adults must focus on wholesome, nutritious meals that contain fruits and vegetables. Milk and dairy products often increase mucus production, which interferes with the healing of an ear infection. Cut out sugar also while an infection is present since it will weaken the immune response.

       

    

     David Foley

     MNIMH,MRCHM, Medical Herbalitst