Indigestion and heartburn

This is a time when many people may over-eat, over-indulge or simply eat much richer food than and drink much more than they do usually. The symptoms of heartburn can range from slight discomfort, acidity, reflux back into the mouth with subsequent increased salivation and a slightly nauseous feeling, or pain mild to severe or burning. It has even been known for the pain to be so severe that it can be confused with a pain in the heart. Many people experience the heartburn either directly after eating or several hours later. And many people suffer it at night but in particular pregnant women. Most people have to resort to the use of over the counter antacids such as Rennie for relief. Long-term use however is not recommended. And women who are pregnant may have to just put up with it as best they can. What can you do to avoid heartburn over Christmas and at all other times? .....

These are some of the natural remedies available to you:

1. Stomach HCL. Stomach acid is needed in abundance to properly digest food and there is a supplement (Biocare HCL& Pepsin) which may improve indigestion.

2. Digestive Enzymes. These come in supplement form. You take them before a meal. Or if you have a Dairy allergy , take Lactase.

3. Peppermint Oil and herbal teas. Peppermint Oil Capsules are very effective. Also, drink peppermint tea after a meal.

4. New Era Tissue Salts Combination C. These have both a preventative and relieving effect. Follow directions on container. Vary dosage according to your needs. (These are safe to take in pregnancy and gentle and effective as well)

5. Dietary controls: balance acidic foods with alkaline. Take note of the following foods which can increase acidity in the body. (Unfortunately these may be all the ones you like!)

All pig-meats : bacon, rashers, pork, sausage.

Red wine.

Cheese.

Too much wheat and dairy.

Onions.

Tomatoes,

Citrus Fruits.

Coffee

Sugary Foods

Eat bland foods, avoid rich dairy sauces as much as possible and too many spices and condiments.

6. Take Apple Cider Vinegar to balance pH in digestive tract. 1 tablespoon 3xdaily in a little warm water. (Safe and gentle in pregnancy)

7. Bioforce Centaurium Complex. A herbal mixture designed to give relief.

8. Take Swedish Bitters. Anything with a bitter taste/element can stimulate digestion. One reason why people do drink coffee after a meal. Swedish Bitters is an old-fashioned liver tonic which has always been used to improve digestion. Available in selected chemists and health food shops.

9. The homeopathic remedy Nux Vomica. One of the most effective reliefs against heartburn. Especially if made worse from over-indulgence and coffee. Try either a 6c (lower strength) or a 30c. For heartburn in pregnancy, try Pulsatilla 30c. For people who have heartburn related to anxiety and stress with stomach ulcers , try Phosphorus 6c.

In the long-term, indigestion and heartburn may accompany an underlying pattern of symptoms of illness and malfunction of the digestive system. For that reason, all relieving medicines whether natural or conventional act temporarily, but do not permanently resolve the problem. In such cases, it is best to pursue homeopathic treatment with a practitioner or consult another alternative therapist.

Raynaud's Syndrome

Many people dread the winter cold, and for good reason. They have Raynaud's and it will worsen over these winter-months in the more extreme seasonal temperatures. Raynaud's Syndrome is a condition where the circulation to the extremities; mainly the hands and feet, is severely restricted; causing symptoms such as discoloration of the fingertips (white, blue, purple, red), pain and soreness, tingling and itching, and numbness and deadness. Raynaud's may accompany other conditions such as Rheumatoid Arthritis or it may occur without there being an underlying diagnosed condition. The main causes of this are poor circulation and  inelasticity/constriction of the blood vessels not allowing them to expand in order to allow greater blood supply to that particular part and thus heat and colour.

People tend to tolerate it in misery, while doing their best to always keep their hands warm in order to prevent the fingers being severely affected.

Luckily there are quite a few natural helps in existence. So, what are they?

From your local-health food store or natural pharmacy :

1.  Boost your circulation:

• The No.1 Herb for this purpose is Ginkgo Biloba. Almost all its capacity to help certain health conditions is based on its ability to boost circulation and blood supply to any affected part. Please note that for people resident In the Republic of Ireland, this herb is not available in retail outlets. Although it is freely available in the UK and in Northern Ireland.   
• Also, use the Schuessler Cell Salts. I recommend Kali-mur and Ferrum-Phos. For the chilblains themselves use Calc-Fluor.  The New Era Tissue Salts brand does a combination remedy mixture called Combination M designed for circulatory disorders. the label on the box also mentions that it  helps Varicose Veins, but even if you do not suffer from those, you can still use this combination.
• Take Vitamin E which will imrove your circulation and has a natural blood thinning effect. It also helps stress, skin, hormones - you can't lose. But be mindful not to take more than 400 iu a day max.
• Exercise more

2.    Improve the elasticity of the blood vessel walls.

To improve the elasticity of the blood vessel walls. Take Vitamin C. Also, take Rutin. How will you know if that is a factor in your case ? It may be, if you tend to bruise easily and bruising takes a while to heal. Also if you have easily burst blood capillaries that are visible on the skin. And the most obvious sign of all is varicose veins.

If you have Raynaud's and you are a smoker, I strongly advise trying to give it up as this is not helping you at all. More on giving up smoking later......

If you have Raynaud's, extremes of temperature will affect you badly. Although you will be tempted to place your hands and feet on radiators and heaters to bring them back, do not. The best thing you can do is try to keep a balanced lukewarm temperature all day whether you are indoors or outdoors. If it becomes extremely cold and your fingertips deaden and become white, do not heat them immediately afterwards. Either place them in cold water or do nothing. Although placing them in cold water is the exact opposite of what you might like to do , it is both homeopathic and effective. Believe me, it will restore the circulation without the rebounding painful  after-effects. Usually, if you heat them too much after having been exposed to cold, as soon as you get all the blood back into them you may then get swelling, or pain and soreness.

Avoid very hot baths and showers. Keep the temperatures when bathing more even.

I would recommend constitutional homeopathic treatment to resolve it permanently and prevent it recurring. But if you are not in a position to see a homeopath or do not feel like pursuing this method and are suffering from chilblains associated with Raynaud's, try getting hold of the homeopathic remedy Tamus 6c. Take only one tablet a day for a short period. And see if that helps. There are of course many other homeopathic remedies that deal with Raynaud's but individualised remedy prescriptions get the best results.

There is also a good topical cream for relief of associated chilblains by Nelsons simply named: Nelsons Chilblains Cream. Try that.

Hangovers!

What can you do to beat a hangover?

Hangovers occur for two main reasons: dehydration and loss of nutrients. And as most people are aware, the liver is the main organ implicated in making you feel ill after drinking. Symptoms of a hangover can be : feeling exhausted, drained, unable to concentrate, headache (with sensitivity to noise), nausea, bloating,  loss of appetite, thirst, weakness, frequent urination etc.

The main solution is obviously not to drink so much that it makes you ill!

However, when you do drink:

Drink soft drinks and water in between alcoholic drinks.

People suffering from Candida and yeast intolerances, beware of beer and red wine. Also, remember white wine has alot of sugar in it. Drink spirits instead.

If you are a wine drinker, try to drink organic. Many chemicals and preservatives are also what constitute the very nasty after-effects of drinking.

Drink with food or after eating. Never drink on an empty stomach.

Ladies, alcohol will affect you more strongly while you have your period. So drink less, if anything at all during this time.

However, in the case where you have had a few too many. Here are some tips:

Most obviously drink plenty of water. But the best time to do this is before you go to sleep after drinking, rather than just the next day.

Take both Vitamin C and a B-Complex vitamin before sleeping and after drinking. The liver uses nutrients it has stored, to do the work of detoxing. Replacing these will help the liver process alcohol faster.  (You can buy handy soluble hangover packs containing these at till counters in health food shops)

Take a liver herb such as Milk Thistle Complex. Do this especially if you are feeling nauseous and unable to eat the next day.

Eat crystallised ginger for any waves of nausea.

Drink Peppermint tea to soothe your stomach and also heartburn, and you may also take Peppermint Oil capsules.

Homeopathic remedies work a treat!You do not need to have all the below-mentioned symptoms listed for each one but see which fits you the best:  Nux-vomica 30c if you are irritable, nauseous, impatient (queues or road rage or snappiness), senses acute or generally nervy and agitated with heartburn, bloating and constipation or cramping pains. China 30c if you are just wiped out, exhausted and  faint accompanied by alot of trapped wind or bloating and possible diarrhoea and your mind is in the clouds. Arnica 30c if you are absolutely wrecked and worn out but with no real stomach symptoms. More a generalised aching all over your body. This state will arise if you have been overdoing it before going out drinking. If your main symptom is a headache and you are like a bear with a sore head; you want to be left alone, and are thirsty for large quantities of water, then try Bryonia 30c.