SIMON SAYS
This Spring / Summer tips include advice for Allergy & Hayfever Sufferers.  Restless Legs Syndrome is also discussed as is Tinnitus.

ALLERGIES & HAYFEVER

As Spring is well under way, and for some of us the hayfever season comes earlier than for others and so perhaps early consideration be given to some advance preparation.  LUFFA, in tincture form, is available in all good health stores and is also known as Sponge Cucumber.  It is useful as part of a programme for reducing allergic reactions such as sneezing, itchy and runny eyes and nose, blocked or stuffy nose, wheezy chest etc. This tropical plant is used to combat the symptoms of allergies and particulary those with hayfever-like effects.  The benefits of using this type of natural remedy is that none of the side effects common with conventional antihistamine-type medications such as drowsiness, fatigue or dependancy. It can be used long or short term and is suitable for those sensitive to chemical medications.

RESTLESS LEGS

How annoying it is to find that as you lay yourself down to sleep your legs decise to take on a life of their own, and twitch and jump and generally carry on as if you have been bitten by stinging ants. There are several reasons that this can happen and can include:-

a) Poor Circulation including weakening veins. -  Blood pools in the lower legs, distending the veins and making them uncomfortable. Legs may itch and feel heavy, and might even throb or feel painful. Check with your doctor and if your veins are weak then consider taking a fresh herb extract of HORSE CHESTNUT. Horse chestnut seed, which you may know as the conker, contains several important therapeutic constituents, including aescin, which are thought to have a toning effect on the vein wall. Horse Chestnut is also available as a gel,  which can be smoothed onto legs when you go to bed, immediately tightens the veins and reduces the likelihood of blood pooling. It can be reappled during the night if necessary.

b) Calcium or Magnesium imbalance.  -  Many people lack sufficient magnesium to allow the proper tensing and relaxing of muscles, making tics and jumpy nerves and muslces more likely. Try a MAGNESIUM SUPPLEMENT, preferably as a fast acting liquid or spray. This often helps relax muscles so that there is less tension and fewer twitches.

c) High Histamine Levels  -  Histamine is an inflammatory chemical that the body produces as part of the immune response to things it thinks are dangerous. It promotes itching and heat, and is more likley to be present if you have a lot of allergies or your digestion isn’t good. Examine your diet and conside removing common triggers such as caffeine and MSG. Take HERBAL BITTERS (CENTAURIUM) to promote better digestion and drink plenty of water and nettle tea. NETTLE EXTRACT and VITAMIN C are natural antihistamines and can be used to calm things down.

TINNITUS

Unless you have been hanging out at eardrum-rending gigs, your ears should only pick up and report to your brain the noises in the world around you. Tinnitus is a condition whereby your auditory system creates sounds that are not actually there, so you may hear ringing, buzzing or swooshing noises that are not audible to anyone else. They may occur in either or both ears, and may come and go att varying levels of distress and annoyance.

Tackling this problem is notoriously difficult. Firstly, ensure that none of the medication you may be taling has Tinnitus as a possible side effect. After that, there are several avenues to explore and one of the herbs that may help is GINGKO BILOBA. This is probably one of the oldest medicinal herbs known to Man and can be traced to the oldest Chinese Materia Medica dating back to around 3000BC. Gingko direct action on the arterial circulation increases the blood flow through these vessels. The herb also inhibits a substance known as platelet activating factor (PAF) and this action further improves blood flow .  Accordingly, Ginkgo is also has also benefits for those suffering from memory loss.

GINKGO has also been shown to have antioxidant effects which are important in stabilising cell membranes in the body.

DO NOT use Gingko alongside blood-thinning medicines such as low dose asprin or anticoagulants such as warfarin. Ginger is a possible alternative to Gingko for those who are using blood-thinning preparations.

SIMON ROBINSON is the main qualified working partner at  NATURES CORNER in Callander

VISIT US at            :-  2a Cross St Callander
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