Monday 10 March 2014

Treating Canker Sores

Canker sores are painful mouth ulcers that appear suddenly in groups of two or three, or singly. They can easily be confused with cold sore. Canker sores are white ulcers with a red rim that form just inside the lips and cheeks. They burn and tingle, especially when eating spicy or acidic foods. Normally, healing takes about one or two weeks without treatment, but longer if they become exceptionally large, their size ranges from tiny to one inch or more. Recurrences are common with abnormally high stress levels, or as a reaction to certain foods. Canker sores are also known as Aphthous ulcers.
    Some people are predisposed to recurring canker sores. The process causing the sores is unknown, although it is probably linked to an abnormal immune system response that has been triggered by a deficiency, injury or another problem. Canker sores appear or recur as a symptom of lacking nutrients. They often occur with anemia, when the nutrients B12, folic acid or iron are lacking. A small injury is often a trigger for canker sores, as is an altered oral flora after antibiotic treatment. Stress and food sensitivities often trigger precipitate ulcers. Foods that cause a problem are highly acidic fruits, and sweets, especially chocolate.
    Eat green, leafy vegetables and whole grains for their B complex vitamins, which help the body deal with stress, a common trigger in the development of canker sores.
    Nutritional yeast can supply B vitamins. It is available in the form of flakes, which can be added to cereal or salads, or stirred into stews or soups. Nutritional yeast also comes in the form of a paste which can be spread on bread. Natural, plain, unsweetened yogurt eaten several times daily has been known to shorten the healing time of canker sores by providing healthy bacteria which fight infections. Avoid sugary sweets, coffee, citrus fruits, meats and anything that produces acids.
    Many people have reported excellent relief with a mouth rinse of aqueous colloidal silver; it has a natural antimicrobial effect and boosts immunity. It is best used after brushing the teeth to help prevent any type of oral infection such as parasites and candida.
    Acidophilus capsules help prevent and clear up canker sores. A capsule emptied onto the sores at regular intervals is soothing. Canker sores are often related to a B vitamin deficiency and become more pronounced during times of stress. Where anemia is the cause, either vitamin B12, folic acid or iron will need to be replaced. Zinc lozenges also help resolve canker sores, as this mineral supports the immune system. Calcium supplements will help counter act the over acidity.
    Herbal remedies are great at treating and preventing canker sores. Echinacea toothpaste is excellent at preventing canker sores and mouth ulcers.
    If the immune system is weak, try Astragalus for a few weeks to boost immune function and prevent canker sores. If one is feeling tired use Ginseng to stimulate immune functions.
    Be careful not to irritate the gums with hard toothbrush bristles or sharp edged foods such as potato chips or dry bread crusts. Keep bowels regular to prevent toxic build up. Walk regularly, walking in fresh air will oxygenate the body and stimulate bowel movements.


David Foley
MRCHM, MNIMH
Medical Herbalist

    

Monday 3 March 2014

Treating and Preventing Gall Stones


The gall bladder stores and concentrates bile produced by the liver, until it is needed for the digestion of fats during a meal. The gall bladder contracts and expels its contents into the narrow passageway of the bile duct and finally into the intestinal canal. Bile not only digests fats, but contains the wastes eliminated by the liver as it breaks down substances like drugs, hormones and proteins.
    Gallstones are the most common gall bladder problem, capable of causing colic’s and jaundice. Stones in the gall bladder usually go undetected for a long time, but once a large stone passing through the bile duct becomes lodged, it can cause intense pain, appearing as a sharp cramp just under the right ribcage, which recurs and subsides. In some cases, the pain will shoot into the right shoulder or back often there is accompanying nausea and fever with chills.
    Not all lodged gallstones cause colic’s however. If the gallstones remain blocking the bile flow, jaundice results instead, causing yellow and itchy skin. The back up may cause the gall bladder to inflame. The resulting infection causes aching under the right ribcage, indigestion, nausea and fever.
    Bloating and pressure under the right ribcage are often an indication of liver and gall bladder trouble and possible stone development. Mild symptoms of indigestion, gas and bloating from eating rich, oily or creamy foods high in fat content are often a sign of inadequate bile. The digestive trouble affects the absorption of all foods and hinders the assimilation of fat soluble vitamins A, D, E and K in particular.
    Most gall bladder trouble is associated with a poor diet and sluggish liver. When too little bile is produced, stones are more likely to form. Also the longer the bile remains in the gall bladder the thicker it becomes, increasing the likelihood of stones. Eating foods that stimulate the gall bladder such as essential fatty acids will prevent the development of stones. These acids support the transport of cholesterol, and stimulate bile when production and release are poor. For this reason, the consumption of fats should be limited to natural, cold pressed oils high in essential fatty acids, such as flax seed oil. Diets low in fiber and high in cholesterol from meat sources in particular are crucial in the development of cholesterol stones.
    A high fiber diet is key to the prevention of gall stones. Especially beneficial is water soluble fiber, such as the pectin found in apples and carrots or those found in oat bran and dried beans.
    Avoid the intake of animal fats or artificially hardened fats such as margarine, shortening and the fats found in over processed foods, which stress the liver and gall bladder. Gallstones are composed mostly of animal fat and cholesterol. Also limit milk and milk products.
    Certain foods and herbs are very beneficial to the liver and gall bladder. Artichokes and rhubarb stimulate bile flow and help heal gall bladder inflammation. Bitters from lettuce and chicory also stimulate bile flow. Herbal bitters are excellent to help eliminate the pain seen typically in gall stone sufferers. We, over the years, have seen many individuals suffering with gall stones ease their symptoms by using herbal bitters 15-20 minutes before eating their meals. It is a simple but effective treatment for gallstones.
    If the gallstones are extra large then you can try a herb called Quebra Pedra from the jungles of South America, which has a well deserved reputation for reducing the size of both kidney and gallstones.


David Foley
MRCHM, MNIMH

Medical Herbalist