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Nikki Hawkes

Medical Herbalist MNIMH

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nikki hawkes

Herbal medicine and long covid: Can herbs help recovery?

March 10, 2023 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

long covid, long term effects of the covid-19 viral infection

The Covid-19 pandemic is over, but its after-effects linger on for some. Recent findings indicate that up to one-third of people who had Covid-19 symptoms may suffer from long-term effects, known as “Long-Covid”. Ongoing symptoms such as fatigue, breathing difficulties and chest pain are commonly present in these patients. This article explores the potential of […]

Filed Under: general health

Natural Remedies for Deep Sleep: 30 Tips to Get Better Rest

January 4, 2023 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

woman in deep sleep

Getting a restful night of deep sleep is essential for our overall health and can make all the difference in our energy levels. So it’s no wonder many people struggle with the effects of persistent poor sleep. Whether the reason is an ongoing medical condition, chronic pain, shift work or a stressful situation, millions of […]

Filed Under: general health Tagged With: sleep

The health benefits of the medicinal herb Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea)

December 7, 2022 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

Glechoma hederacea - Ground Ivy - Medicinal herb

Glechoma hederacea L. — Ground Ivy Glechoma hederacea is a medicinal herb otherwise known as ground ivy. It is a lovely sight in the spring as it is one of the first plants to flower. This evergreen, aromatic, creeping, perennial herb grows throughout the British Isles. It also grows in other parts of Europe, Asia, […]

Filed Under: herbal medicine

The benefits of herbal medicine vs conventional medicine

November 15, 2022 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

herbal medicine vs conventional medicine

You might wonder, now that we have modern conventional medicine, do we still need the alternative treatment option of herbal medicine? And the answer would be most definitely YES. In this post I will outline why I believe alternative medicine still has a lot to offer people who wish to improve their health. What is […]

Filed Under: herbal medicine Tagged With: herbal medicine, herbalist, herbs

Food intolerance testing

August 13, 2022 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

food intolerance testing

Food intolerance testing has become more popular over the last decade, and more tests are available. But how useful are they? I will explain your options. In the past few years, food intolerance testing has become increasingly popular. But why should you test for intolerances? And, what do these tests tell us? What is food intolerance? […]

Filed Under: general health

How does stress affect the digestive system?

August 3, 2022 by nikki hawkes 2 Comments

how does stress affect the digestive system

Symptoms of stress don’t just affect our mental health but also our overall health, including our gut health. But exactly how does stress affect the digestive system? And what can you do about it? This article will explain why stress causes problems in our gut and how we can fix these problems using simple lifestyle […]

Filed Under: gut health and digestion Tagged With: gut health

Heartburn or Indigestion? This guide explains all

December 24, 2021 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

do you have heartburn or indigestion

Do you know the difference between heartburn and indigestion? What about acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease? This article should help make things more transparent if you’re not sure. All these tummy troubles have something in common – a burning pain in the chest. Knowing the difference between these common problems can mean finding a […]

Filed Under: gut health and digestion

4 ways to relieve acid reflux naturally

December 16, 2021 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

herbal remedies to soothe heartburn

Acid reflux is a digestive disorder in which your oesophagus becomes inflamed due to stomach acid coming up into your throat. This causes heartburn, chest pain, difficulty swallowing, regurgitation and nausea. This article explains some quick ways to relieve acid reflux with natural remedies. Do you have acid reflux? The symptoms of acid reflux include […]

Filed Under: gut health and digestion Tagged With: acid reflux

What is a medicinal plant?

September 1, 2021 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

white dead-nettle is an example of what is a medicinal plant

A medicinal plant is a plant that contains substances that have a therapeutic value. These medicinal compounds or therapeutic constituents are bioactive compounds that can improve health or general wellbeing. People around the world use such plants for health and healing and have for thousands of years. We know this because we have ancient texts […]

Filed Under: herbal medicine Tagged With: herbal medicine, Medicinal Plants

What is holistic health?

June 22, 2021 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

herbalism and holistic health

Holistic Health focuses on the entire person. Rather than treating one aspect of the body, it looks at how each area affects the others. For example, health conditions don’t affect just one body part. With a holistic approach to health, we can see a relationship between the mind and the body. Stress impacts our mental […]

Filed Under: general health

Natural remedies for sunburn

June 2, 2021 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

watermelon aids hydration

Finally, we have some sunshine and isn’t it lovely! Except that the sudden gorgeous sunshine, means inevitably people are likely to get sunburned skin. If you have had too much sun exposure here are some natural remedies for sunburn with soothing and healing properties.

Filed Under: skin health

Why your gut health is more important than you think

May 6, 2021 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

Gut health is more important than most people realise. The good news is that you can improve gut health. Your gut contains hundreds of species of bacteria, many of which can be very beneficial for your health. Beneficial species are beneficial because they produce substances such as vitamins. However, another important role is that they […]

Filed Under: gut health and digestion

The Gut-Skin Connection: How The Gut Microbiome Affects Acne

April 25, 2021 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

acne can occur on the face, neck and back

Acne affects most people at some time in their lives, causing a lack of confidence and low self-esteem. With an almost desperate need to get clearer skin, it is common to use many skincare products and antibiotic treatments. But, looking at what is happening in your body that causes your acne can be a better […]

Filed Under: gut health and digestion

SIBO: it’s important to find the possible causes

September 3, 2020 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

herbal medicine can help reduce SIBO

I see a lot of information about SIBO on websites and social media, especially in relation to giving advice on how to cope with the symptoms. Symptoms Common symptoms of SIBO include: bloating nausea or vomiting diarrhoea fatigue weight loss joint pain skin problems depression malnutrition Yet many of these symptoms are the same as […]

Filed Under: gut health and digestion

How herbal medicines work from a modern perspective

August 22, 2020 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

how herbal medicines work

As a herbalist, part of my work involves the need to keep up with current research. Actually, as a bit of a science geek, it is a part I really enjoy. And especially I have to admit that it is very satisfying when published research supports years of traditional herbal use. Particularly when previous unfavourable […]

Filed Under: herbal medicine Tagged With: gut health, herbal medicine, microbiome

Which are the best natural anti inflammatory herbs and spices?

January 29, 2020 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

the best natural anti inflammatory spices

Did you know that inflammation is an underlying factor in all diseases? It is. From allergies to heart disease and the autoimmune diseases rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease, inflammation has a role. But inflammation is also an important part of the natural immune system response that keeps us healthy. Without inflammation, we couldn’t heal […]

Filed Under: pain and pain management Tagged With: Alzheimer's disease, arthritis, chronic disease, herbs

What is flaxseed good for?

January 13, 2020 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

what is flaxseed good for?

This small, nutritious seed is full of good fats and fibre. But do you know what flaxseed is good for in terms of your health?

Filed Under: general health

Migraine and nausea

December 16, 2019 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

image representing spreading of migraine headache

Migraine headaches are very common and affect around 14% of people. With recurrent, moderate to severe headaches that last between 4 to 72 hours each time this health problem can have a devastating effect on quality of life. But it is not just the headache that disrupts day to day life. Migraineurs often have to […]

Filed Under: headaches and migraine Tagged With: herbal medicine, migraine

Herbal medicine vs homeopathy – what’s the difference?

December 9, 2019 by nikki hawkes 2 Comments

herbal medicine vs homeopathy

Herbal medicine and homeopathy have similarities but they are not the same. They differ in both the remedy itself and also in how we choose the remedy. Let me explain… Herbal medicine Herbal remedies can be either the medicinal plant material itself or an extract produced from it. In some cases, the remedy might be […]

Filed Under: herbal medicine

Take control of your menopause with acupuncture

December 8, 2019 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

take control of your menopause with acupuncture

If you struggle with symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes you are not alone. Changes in hormone levels can make you feel like you’re going crazy. Most women have at least some symptoms at this time. But, for up to 20% of women these are very distressing. Symptoms during menopause night sweats and/or day sweats tiredness […]

Filed Under: women's health and hormones Tagged With: hormones, menopause

Herbal medicine in cancer care

November 14, 2019 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

turmeric powder a herbal medicine

Sky News is reporting today on the use of herbal remedies by breast cancer patients. The article includes comments made by a breast cancer surgeon suggesting that using herbal remedies may do more harm than good and delay the recovery of cancer patients. The article goes on to say that complementary therapies such as herbal […]

Filed Under: herbal medicine Tagged With: herbal medicine

Rosehips improve osteoarthritis symptoms

October 21, 2019 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

rosehips herbal medicine

Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disorder in the world. It causes destruction of the cartilage and other parts of the joints, mainly in the hands, knees, hips or the spine. The damage leads to the osteoarthritis symptoms of joint pain and stiffness, which impair joint function and inevitably impact on quality of life. Non-steroidal […]

Filed Under: Arthritis and gout Tagged With: rosehips

Why I have a food first approach to optimum health

August 17, 2019 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

some examples of unhealthy foods

People that know me well know that good food is essential to me. I even chose my daughters’ school based on the food they offered. It is the same with my patients. My patients know that I am very interested in what they are eating. I have a food first approach when it comes to […]

Filed Under: general health Tagged With: diet, health, herbal medicine, herbs

The role of ageing in gut health and osteoarthritis

June 9, 2019 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

gut health and joint pain linked

Osteoarthritis is a progressive and degenerative joint disease. It causes a great deal of pain and disability for millions of people. It commonly affects older people and we used to think it was caused by wear and tear. But, scientists now think there might be other causes. One such cause involves a link between gut […]

Filed Under: healthy ageing Tagged With: ageing, arthritis, chronic disease, health, microbiome

Can eating mushrooms reduce dementia risk and save your brain?

May 25, 2019 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

Mushrooms on white background

The number of people with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease is expected to rise at an alarming rate. Currently, the World Health Organisation (WHO) believes there are 50 million people around the world with dementia. But this number is expected to triple in the next thirty years. Yet scientists believe that we can reduce our risk […]

Filed Under: healthy ageing Tagged With: Alzheimer's disease, diet, Mediterranean diet

Sniffing out Alzheimer’s disease

April 30, 2019 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

loss of sense of smell might indicate early cognitive decline

Scientists have discovered that one of the earliest symptoms related to the development of Alzheimer’s disease is a problem with the sense of smell. The number of people with Alzheimer’s disease, the most common cause of dementia, is increasing rapidly. It is one of the most dreaded of diseases and yet modern medicine seems capable […]

Filed Under: healthy ageing, mind and mood Tagged With: Alzheimer's disease

Can we cure autoimmune disease?

April 15, 2019 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

autoimmune disease can affect many organs including the thyroid

Our immune system is meant to protect us from disease. But it can also damage our own cells and tissues. This is what happens in autoimmune disease. But why would our own immune system turn against us? And what can we do about it, if anything? How a healthy immune system works A healthy immune […]

Filed Under: Arthritis and gout, autoimmunity articles

Can gardening reverse cognitive decline?

March 21, 2019 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

A beautiful garden

We know that genetics can play an important role in the risk of developing certain forms of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Well, we can’t do anything about our genes. But, are there other modifiable factors that might help us avoid this life changing disease? Or, even reverse the mild cognitive impairment that precedes such […]

Filed Under: healthy ageing Tagged With: Alzheimer's disease, health

An intro on adaptogens for stress

February 25, 2019 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

adaptogen herbs help you manage stress

Modern life is inherently stressful. The funny thing is that we don’t all respond to stress in the same way. Of course there are situations that we all might struggle to cope with, like the death of a loved one. But in the day to day hurdles of life, it is often the case that […]

Filed Under: chronic fatigue, general health

What to eat on the Mediterranean diet

February 9, 2019 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

Mediterranean diet photo

As I have discussed before scientific studies suggest that the Mediterranean diet is the healthiest way to eat. There are hundreds if not thousands of studies that support the use of this way of eating for improving health as well as reducing the risk of developing a chronic disease, potentially reversing chronic disease and for […]

Filed Under: general health Tagged With: diet

Should you eat more whole grains?

January 21, 2019 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

barely whole grains

In the news last week we saw many articles similar to this one from the BBC website. These articles relate to a World Health Organisation (WHO) funded review in the Lancet that looked at the amount of dietary fibre people eat and how it relates to their health and risk of disease. The general impression of the […]

Filed Under: general health Tagged With: chronic disease, diet, Mediterranean diet, microbiome

What is a toxin?

January 14, 2019 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

smoke is an example of environmental toxin

If you look for a definition of a toxin in a dictionary you might see something similar to this: – a toxin is a poisonous organic compound, meaning a substance of plant or animal origin, that can harm the human body. While this definition covers those toxins we produce in our bodies all the time, […]

Filed Under: detoxification Tagged With: health

Are detox plans worth doing?

January 8, 2019 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

A detoxifying herb and fruit cocktail

Detox plans are all the rage at this time of year. A New Year – a new you! I get it. And especially after a period of overindulgence over the Christmas holidays, many people are ready to tone it back and get on track. Eat more healthily. exercise more, drink more water and so on…  […]

Filed Under: detoxification Tagged With: diet, health

Meditation for brain preservation

December 24, 2018 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

preserve your brain health with meditation

We have an ageing population in the UK. This means the proportion of older people is increasing. While living longer might be desirable, it is true that many older people have a decline in brain function. In fact, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia is a major cause of death in the UK. This fact highlights the […]

Filed Under: healthy ageing, mind and mood Tagged With: Alzheimer's disease, health, meditation

Safe alternatives for morning sickness

December 18, 2018 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

ginger an effective anti-nausea herbal remedy

In the UK news this week is a story about morning sickness costing the NHS £60 million per year. The article suggests that four out of five women in the UK suffer from nausea and many of them will seek medical advice. In fact, there may be as many as 80 ambulance callouts per day, […]

Filed Under: women's health and hormones Tagged With: herbal medicine

Can a leaky gut make you ill?

December 10, 2018 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

diagram of a leaky gut

As a practitioner that uses functional medicine principles it is clear to me that to improve the health of someone with a complex, chronic condition, factors that contribute to the progression or the severity of that condition must be addressed. We might start by optimising lifestyle factors, such as diet, quality of sleep, type of […]

Filed Under: gut health and digestion Tagged With: 4R, autoimmune disease, digestion, leaky gut

Why a low fat diet is not the way to go

December 3, 2018 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

a food pyramid can help people balance their meals

  It’s not surprising that sometimes people get confused about the healthiest way to eat, whether it’s a low fat diet or low carb or something else. There are far too many contradictory messages in the media about the healthiest type of diet. But, as I’ve been telling my patients for quite some time, nobody […]

Filed Under: general health Tagged With: diet, Mediterranean diet

Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by bacteria

November 26, 2018 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

juniper is one of a number of herbal remedies used for UTIs

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic arthritic condition of the joints. Like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis causes joint pain, swelling and stiffness. Yet, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are very different conditions. While osteoarthritis is thought of as a disease of wear and tear, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. This means that instead of protecting the body, […]

Filed Under: Arthritis and gout, autoimmunity articles, herbal medicine, pain and pain management Tagged With: autoimmune disease, chronic disease, herbs, immunity

Citicoline – a potential supplement for preventing glaucoma

November 19, 2018 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

citicoline may protect from vision loss

A natural compound made in the body has approval by the EU as a dietary supplement. The supplement is known as Citicoline. Though it is also called cytidine-5-diphosphocholine (or CDP-choline). Citicoline is important because scientists say it may help to prevent damage to retinal ganglion cells. These are a type of nerve cell at the back of the […]

Filed Under: healthy ageing Tagged With: supplement

Alzheimers disease and iron intake

November 12, 2018 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

red meat is a good source of iron

Alzheimer’s disease was first described in 1906. It was little known at the time and did not even enter medical textbooks until decades later. So, how come this disease is at epidemic proportions and now a leading cause of death in the UK? We know that certain genes can predispose some people to have an […]

Filed Under: healthy ageing, mind and mood Tagged With: Alzheimer's disease, diet, Mediterranean diet

Is your statin increasing your risk of diabetes?

November 2, 2018 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

a display of healthy food

Statins are a group of pharmaceutical drugs that reduce the level of LDL cholesterol in the blood. Your doctor might recommend you take a statin if you suffer from, or might develop cardiovascular disease in the future. Yet, this study found that some statins can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 46%. This […]

Filed Under: healthy ageing Tagged With: cholesterol, diet

Alzheimer’s disease – is fibre good for the brain?

October 22, 2018 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

fruits and vegetables at a farmers market

Dementia is now the leading cause of death in England, ahead of cancer and heart disease. Yet, while many people might know someone that has survived cancer, how many people with Alzheimer’s disease do you know that have got better, or even improved? Currently conventional medicine has no treatment for Alzheimers disease that does anything […]

Filed Under: healthy ageing, mind and mood Tagged With: Alzheimer's disease, diet, leaky gut, microbiome, probiotic

Is it safe to take probiotics in pregnancy?

October 15, 2018 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

probiotics and pregnancy

I’ve written about the many health benefits of probiotics before, but are they beneficial in pregnancy? More importantly, do we know if it is safe to take probiotics in pregnancy? Probiotics are the beneficial microorganisms, usually bacteria, that are found in fermented foods and dietary supplements. The World Health Organisation suggests that probiotics taken in […]

Filed Under: women's health and hormones Tagged With: pregnancy, probiotic

Are group appointments the answer to the healthcare crisis?

October 11, 2018 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

group sessions might ease the healthcare crisis

The BBC recently reported a story about the success of group appointments within the NHS. The article said that both patients and GPs benefited. Patients enjoyed peer support. And, GPs said they saved time and did not need to repeat their advice. But are group appointments really the answer to our healthcare crisis?

Filed Under: general health Tagged With: functional medicine, medical herbalist

Simple strategies for preventing a common cold

October 1, 2018 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

garlic cloves and sliced garlic

Are you one of the lucky ones that never seems to catch a cold? If not then you might want to read on. This article is for those people who want to know about some evidence based strategies for preventing a common cold. Of course there are plenty of remedies for reducing the symptoms and […]

Filed Under: general health, herbal medicine Tagged With: diet, green tea, herbalist, herbs, immunity, probiotic

Some reasons a low FODMAP diet may not work for IBS

September 24, 2018 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

low FODMAP meal for IBS

Research shows that if you have irritable bowel syndrome, eating a diet low in FODMAPs is likely to reduce your symptoms. I discuss what FODMAPs are and how they help IBS here. Briefly a low FODMAP diet restricts foods that contain certain types of carbohydrates, specifically fermentable carbohydrates. However, though a low FODMAP diet is […]

Filed Under: gut health and digestion Tagged With: diet, elimination diet, FODMAPs

Is a daily low dose aspirin a good idea?

September 18, 2018 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

daily low dose aspirin - not a good idea

A daily, low dose aspirin tablet is a popular option among people hoping to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease. In fact, studies support the prophylactic use of aspirin as a simple and cheap way to prevent recurrent heart attacks and stroke. But, does that mean everyone should take a daily low dose aspirin? Findings […]

Filed Under: Arthritis and gout, healthy ageing Tagged With: herbal medicine, herbalist, herbs

Does ginger protect against stomach ulcers?

September 10, 2018 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

ginger tea - natural stomach ulcer protection

Though there are several natural treatments that may provide effective natural stomach ulcer protection, this post is looking at just one – ginger. This well-known pungent, culinary spice, has remarkable health-promoting properties. For instance, I’ve previously written about ginger as one of a number of home remedies, for easing painful periods and preventing menstrual migraines. But, ginger […]

Filed Under: herbal medicine Tagged With: ginger

Peppermint and recurrent cold sore infections

September 3, 2018 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

peppermint a potent antiviral herbal medicine

Cold sores are a common skin and mucous membrane condition caused by the herpes simplex virus 1. This virus is easily passed between people on contact. In fact, many people may be infected without realising.  After the initial viral invasion, whether it shows on the skin or not, the virus remains in the body. It […]

Filed Under: herbal medicine Tagged With: herbal medicine, infections, peppermint

Simple herbal remedies for heartburn

August 27, 2018 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

Man needs home remedies for heartburn

Heartburn is a symptom of GORD or gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, also known as GERD. This burning sensation is due to liquid from the stomach rising up the gullet or oesophagus. Which can also leave a nasty taste in the mouth. This can be an occasional nuisance or it can be a severe and lifelong problem. […]

Filed Under: gut health and digestion Tagged With: digestion

Pesticides linked to autism and other chronic diseases

August 20, 2018 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

crop spraying with pesticides

In my article Could indoor toxins be making you ill?, I discuss how the constant exposure to household and workplace toxins can mean these chemicals accumulate in the body. And, how this build up of toxic chemicals may be one factor underlying the rapid increase we are seeing in chronic diseases, such as heart disease, […]

Filed Under: general health, mind and mood Tagged With: environmental toxins

Food as medicine to prevent chronic disease

August 13, 2018 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

Olives a part of the Mediterranean diet

Given the regularity of food related news headlines, and especially those that seem to contradict ‘last week’s news’, it’s perhaps not surprising that many people are unsure about what they should believe. What should we eat to improve our health or even prevent chronic disease? Low fat or low carb? What about grains or gluten? […]

Filed Under: gut health and digestion Tagged With: chronic disease, food as medicine

Reduce your IBS symptoms with a low FODMAPs diet

August 6, 2018 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

image of onions

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common condition of the gastrointestinal tract, and many people say that food either triggers or exacerbate their IBS symptoms. Yet, there is considerable evidence that making a change to a diet low in FODMAPs can help to reduce these symptoms. IBS is a functional condition, meaning that there are […]

Filed Under: gut health and digestion Tagged With: diet, digestion, leaky gut, microbiome

Is your pain medication working for your chronic pain?

July 30, 2018 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

elderly person with chronic pain

According to a recent review, an estimated 43% of the UK general population live with chronic pain. That’s around 28 million people. What’s more, chronic pain may affect up to 62% of people aged 75 or over. Yet, the research shows that more than 20% of people with moderate to severe pain may not get adequate […]

Filed Under: pain and pain management Tagged With: pain

Can dietary change reduce bone loss in osteoporosis?

July 23, 2018 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

osteoporosis

The Mediterranean diet is widely considered the healthiest diet and is recommended for the prevention of chronic disease. In this new study, in which over a thousand elderly Europeans took part, researchers wanted to know if eating a Mediterranean diet made a difference to markers of inflammation in elderly people. They also checked if a […]

Filed Under: healthy ageing Tagged With: diet, Mediterranean diet

How to soothe irritable bowel syndrome with a hot oil poultice

July 16, 2018 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

Caraway oil and caraway seeds

Learn how to soothe irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) pain quickly. If you suffer from IBS I know that you are always on the lookout for simple remedies you can use at home. In 2015 a German study tested the use of hot oil poultices on people with IBS. They found that using a hot oil […]

Filed Under: gut health and digestion Tagged With: herbalist, herbs

Are you happy with your current irritable bowel syndrome treatment?

July 9, 2018 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

Is your Irritable bowel syndrome treatment effective

If you have irritable bowel syndrome and are currently receiving treatment, the chances are, that your answer to this question will be no. In fact, research demonstrates that less than 40% of patients are satisfied with their current irritable bowel syndrome treatment. Which means that in the UK, where an estimated 6.5 to 13 million […]

Filed Under: gut health and digestion Tagged With: diet, microbiome, probiotic

Is all processed food unhealthy?

July 2, 2018 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

Eat real food, not processed food

The extent to which a food is processed is a major determinant in how healthy that food is. The Western diet includes many processed foods and even some ultra-processed foods. Researchers now think that this processing may have a large role in what makes the typical Western diet unhealthy. Food processing includes food preparation methods […]

Filed Under: gut health and digestion Tagged With: diet, digestion, leaky gut, microbiome

How to prevent migraines during pregnancy

June 25, 2018 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

image of pregnant woman with migraine

The good news is that more than half of women report improvements in their migraines during pregnancy. Unfortunately, you won’t know if you are one of the lucky ones until you’re pregnant. Since migraine medication can be harmful to an unborn child, ideally it should be avoided in pregnancy. Yet, being without your migraine medications […]

Filed Under: headaches and migraine Tagged With: diet, migraine

Experts confirm herbal medicines may protect against drug-resistant infection

June 18, 2018 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

Herbal medicine week 2018

My mother often speaks of the father that she adored. A man that I never met. He died long before I was born of tuberculosis (TB). Only a short time before the release of the antibiotics that his family believed could have cured his disease. The discovery of antibiotics heralded a new era. One in […]

Filed Under: herbal medicine Tagged With: herbalist, herbs

Can acupuncture improve acne?

June 11, 2018 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

Young woman with acne

This 2018 review discusses the treatment of acne vulgaris, usually known as acne. Comparing acupuncture with conventional drug treatments, for this common, chronic skin condition. What causes acne? Researchers believe that four main factors influence acne formation: follicular keratinisation, in which cells lining the hair follicles, instead of being shed onto the skin’s surface, clump […]

Filed Under: skin health Tagged With: acupuncture

Herbal remedies to reduce menopausal hot flashes

June 4, 2018 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

Herbal remedies for hot flushes of menopause

Hot flashes are one of the most common problems of menopause. That periodic, sudden rush of heat and resultant drenching sweat can be most troublesome. Though many ladies turn to hormone therapy to help them through this time, there are concerns about how safe these medications are in the longer term. Which is why complementary […]

Filed Under: herbal medicine, women's health and hormones Tagged With: menopause

Probiotics and migraine prevention

May 28, 2018 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

migraine prevention with probiotics

Migraine headaches are a common, often chronic and recurring condition. Though I have only ever had one migraine headache myself, I remember how bad it felt and so I can understand how devastating recurring migraine headaches could be. In my post Can a leaky gut cause migraines? I discuss a possible link between gut health and […]

Filed Under: headaches and migraine Tagged With: microbiome, migraine, probiotic

Cholesterol and the over 60s

May 14, 2018 by nikki hawkes 1 Comment

Cholesterol containing foods - image of butter and eggs

For decades people have been told to reduce their intake of cholesterol. Yet, this fatty substance has many important functions in the human body. In fact, scientists say that it is vital for good health. Yet your doctor may say that having high total cholesterol is not healthy. And, it may be a main cause of […]

Filed Under: healthy ageing Tagged With: cholesterol, diet

Do you have allergies? Or, is it histamine intolerance…

May 7, 2018 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

histamine intolerance has many of the same symptoms as allergies

Histamine is a naturally occurring chemical that has many effects in the human body, including an important role in allergies. In a person with an allergy, the immune system responds to their allergen by releasing histamine, which causes various symptoms depending on the location. For example, in someone that has hayfever, exposure to pollen causes […]

Filed Under: allergy, general health Tagged With: allergies, histamine intolerance

How to prevent traveller’s diarrhoea

April 30, 2018 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

catamaran anchored off tropical island

Research suggests that Delhi belly or traveller’s diarrhoea affects up to half of the travellers to developing countries. With around a billion international travellers per year, that makes travellers’ diarrhoea a common problem. Yet the microbes that cause this gut infection are present in developed countries too. So, wherever you travel, knowing how to prevent […]

Filed Under: gut health and digestion Tagged With: digestion, probiotics

How to get rid of bloating

April 23, 2018 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

carminative tea remedy for bloating

This is the second part in a series of posts. The first article covered What causes bloating, and this one follows up with how to get rid of bloating. Though relieving the symptom of bloating is important, as with many chronic health concerns to make a permanent improvement, it is necessary to find the underlying […]

Filed Under: gut health and digestion Tagged With: diet, digestion, herbal medicine, microbiome

What causes bloating?

April 16, 2018 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

choosing foods that don't cause bloating

A lot of people know the feeling of having a bloated tummy. That uncomfortable, unpleasantly full feeling, similar to the sensation of having eaten too much over the festive season for example. Yet, up to 25% of healthy people report having bloating frequently, and for some people bloating can be a daily occurrence. This is the […]

Filed Under: gut health and digestion Tagged With: diet, digestion

Things to ask your herbalist

April 9, 2018 by nikki hawkes 4 Comments

dried herbal remedies

Who can be a herbalist? In the UK currently, there is no statutory regulation of herbalists. Anyone can call themselves a herbalist. In other words, some ‘herbalists’ have no qualifications, training or experience. Mmmmm that doesn’t sound too good! How would you know if the therapist could help you? For instance, it is all too […]

Filed Under: herbal medicine Tagged With: herbalist, herbs

Processed meat and breast cancer risk

April 2, 2018 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

image of processed meats

This recent study in the journal Nutrition talks about the association between processed meat consumption and the risk of developing breast cancer. As well as other hormone-related cancers. Previous research had shown an increased risk of bowel cancer among those who ate more processed meats. But this study also found that women who consumed more […]

Filed Under: cancer prevention, women's health and hormones Tagged With: diet

Complementary therapies for chronic neck pain

March 26, 2018 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

chronic neck pain can be caused by bad posture

This is the fourth and last article in this series of articles about complementary therapies for chronic pain. The series is mostly based on the British Medical Journal article that discusses the available scientific evidence for various therapies including acupuncture, herbal medicine, cupping, and mind-body techniques. This particular article will focus on therapies for neck […]

Filed Under: Arthritis and gout, pain and pain management Tagged With: acupuncture, herbs

Which therapies work for low back pain?

March 19, 2018 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

Cupping therapy a useful therapy for low back pain

This is the third article in a series of posts about complementary therapies for chronic pain conditions. See the research in this review in the British Medical Journal. Read the first two posts of the series here: Which therapies for chronic pain? Which therapy – chronic pain and rheumatoid arthritis This third article is about the efficacy […]

Filed Under: pain and pain management Tagged With: acupuncture

Which therapy – chronic pain and rheumatoid arthritis

March 11, 2018 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

evening primrose and evening primrose oil

This is the second post in a series of posts about the potential benefits of complementary therapies for people living with chronic pain. In case you missed it, you can find the first post here. This post focuses on research related to several complementary therapies and rheumatoid arthritis. As reported in a review article in […]

Filed Under: Arthritis and gout, pain and pain management Tagged With: acupuncture, autoimmune disease, diet, elimination diet, herbalist, herbs

Which therapies for chronic pain?

March 6, 2018 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

Yoga and meditation image

Chronic pain is a leading reason that people will use complementary therapies. As an acupuncturist and medical herbalist people living with pain often seek my help. Commonly expressing a desire to reduce pain-relieving medications. Especially in relation to any side effects that they might experience. Yet, how can you choose a complementary therapy to help […]

Filed Under: Arthritis and gout, pain and pain management Tagged With: acupuncture, autoimmune disease, diet, herbs

4R – Nutrients that repair a leaky gut

February 26, 2018 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

Image showing the need to repair a leaky gut

This is the next in a series of blog posts about the 4R program for optimising your digestion and gut health. Here I discuss ways to repair a leaky gut. You can read the previous posts in the series by following the links below. 1 Optimise your digestive health 2 4R program – Remove the triggers […]

Filed Under: gut health and digestion Tagged With: 4R, diet, digestion, herbalist, herbs, leaky gut

Topical herbal and natural treatments for psoriasis

February 19, 2018 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

psoriasis and natural medicine

Psoriasis is the chronic skin condition that causes red and crusty patches of skin with silvery scales. These often occur on the elbows or knees but can appear anywhere on the body. This recent systematic review in the American Journal of Clinical Dermatology discusses natural treatments for psoriasis. Here, I summarise the findings for some of […]

Filed Under: autoimmunity articles, herbal medicine, skin health Tagged With: autoimmune disease, herbs, immunity, natural treatments

Herbal remedies for menopause symptoms

January 28, 2018 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

herbal remedies for menopause symptoms

Some women sail through their menopause and barely have any symptoms. Their monthly period diminishes and stops and that’s it. For the majority of women though, this is not the case and symptoms can be numerous and severe. Leading many to look at their options. These options might include hormone replacement therapy, bioidentical hormones, or […]

Filed Under: herbal medicine, women's health and hormones Tagged With: menopause

Stop cold sores coming back

January 15, 2018 by nikki hawkes 2 Comments

Herpes simplex virus often affect the lips and mouth

Cold sores are the result of a very common and persistent infection caused by the herpes simplex virus. We recognise the infection as small blisters that usually occur on the lips or around the mouth. These blisters or sores can be painful, with burning or itching, and may last up to three weeks without treatment. […]

Filed Under: general health, skin health Tagged With: herbalist, herbs

Fast and effective herbal remedy for mouth ulcers

January 8, 2018 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

mouth ulcer and herbal medicine

Mouth ulcers are a common condition that occurs as painful mouth sores on the lips, cheeks, tongue or gums. They usually go away without treatment within a couple of weeks. Yet, if you’re suffering from these painful mouth sores then that can seem an awfully long time. A 2014 study found that a simple herbal […]

Filed Under: herbal medicine Tagged With: herbs

Could indoor toxins be making you ill?

December 25, 2017 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

Furniture containing flame retardant chemicals

Exposure to environmental toxins is unavoidable. Yet what most people may not know is that indoor toxins outnumber those outside. This constant exposure means that toxins can accumulate in the body. In fact researchers think this accumulation may be a cause of chronic disease. There is an ongoing and rapid, worldwide increase in chronic disease. […]

Filed Under: detoxification Tagged With: chronic disease

Which foods are effective as an autoimmune disease natural treatment?

December 18, 2017 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

an elimination diet as an autoimmune disease natural treatment

You might know that the foods we eat can make a big difference to our long term health. For better or worse. But, did you know that a healthy diet can reverse autoimmunity? If you have an autoimmune condition this might surprise you because generally, your doctor wouldn’t mention this. Yet, scientists found that food […]

Filed Under: autoimmunity articles, gut health and digestion Tagged With: diet, elimination diet

Why am I reacting to everything I eat?

December 11, 2017 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

chamomile flowers are a well known herbal remedy

As a herbalist, I am often asked this question. If you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, avoiding your trigger foods can help to prevent symptoms. Yet, if you’re not sure what your trigger foods are. Or you find yourself eating fewer and fewer foods, it can be a scary outlook. As well as creating a […]

Filed Under: gut health and digestion Tagged With: diet, digestion, elimination diet, herbs, leaky gut

5 natural remedies for perennial allergic rhinitis

December 4, 2017 by nikki hawkes 1 Comment

allergies make you sneeze

Rhinitis is irritation or inflammation of the nasal mucous membranes. A condition often triggered by allergies. It is a worldwide problem that may affect up to 20% of the population.  Some people have allergic rhinitis only in certain seasons of the year. Usually spring or summer. They are usually reacting to plant pollens. This allergy is called […]

Filed Under: allergy, herbal medicine Tagged With: allergies, herbs, immunity

Nigella sativa and osteoarthritis of the knee

November 27, 2017 by nikki hawkes 2 Comments

Nigella sativa also known as black cumin

Osteoarthritis is a painful degenerative disorder of the joints. It often affects the knees since these joints are weight-bearing and prone to wear and tear. As an acupuncturist and herbalist, people ask me about arthritic pain, especially osteoarthritis of the knee. I know that the pain of arthritic knees or other joint pain can be […]

Filed Under: Arthritis and gout, healthy ageing, herbal medicine, pain and pain management Tagged With: arthritis, herbs, osteoarthritis, pain

Best herbal remedies to heal skin ulcers

November 20, 2017 by nikki hawkes 3 Comments

calendula a skin healing herbal remedy

Healing skin ulcers is not something to be taken lightly. A venous leg ulcer is actually a chronic wound and so needs careful and safe treatment. A skin ulcer is an open sore that can take months to improve. They can also be very painful and may itch. If you have a skin ulcer, it can also […]

Filed Under: healthy ageing, pain and pain management, skin health Tagged With: herbs

Why it’s important to manage stress for weight control

November 13, 2017 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

managing stress with meditation

There is no doubt that life in the modern world is stressful. Could this stress be one cause of the modern epidemic of obesity? Researchers seem to think so. In another study, researchers showed that it may be important to manage stress if you want to maintain or lose weight. What is stress? Stress is the […]

Filed Under: general health, mind and mood

How to prevent gallbladder sludge and gallstones with natural medicine

November 6, 2017 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

prevent gallbladder sludge to keep your gallbladder healthy

In Western countries, gallbladder sludge and the incidence of gallstones are common phenomena. In fact, 10% of the population may have gallbladder sludge or gallstones. We don’t know for sure, as these conditions often don’t cause any significant symptoms. This means many people are unaware they have a potential problem with a build-up of sludge […]

Filed Under: gut health and digestion Tagged With: cholesterol, diet

How to stop sugar cravings – the two week challenge

October 30, 2017 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

how to stop sugar cravings with herbal remedies

Everyone knows a healthy diet is low in sugar. Yet if you’ve ever tried to cut down on sweet foods you will know how difficult it can be. Researchers describe sugar cravings as being comparable to those induced by addictive drugs. However, if you can cut out all sugar for two weeks, a recent study suggests […]

Filed Under: general health

How to lower cholesterol naturally with food as medicine

October 23, 2017 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

how to lower cholesterol naturally

Cholesterol is a fatty substance in the body that is vital for health. It is so important to normal body functioning that the body can make its own cholesterol. In fact, if we eat less cholesterol the body makes more in the liver. However, for some people, if cholesterol in the bloodstream is too high, […]

Filed Under: general health, healthy ageing Tagged With: diet

Why you should consider DUTCH hormone testing

October 16, 2017 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

DUTCH hormone testing logo

Since I work with people with complex health issues, I may offer appropriate lab testing. For instance, this can include hormone testing. In some cases, the results can really help to identify the underlying causes of chronic illness. When it comes to formulating a treatment protocol for you, I believe it is better to test […]

Filed Under: women's health and hormones Tagged With: functional medicine, hormones

Are these the best healthy snacks ever?

October 9, 2017 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

the best healthy snacks

I don’t normally do posts about recipes. There are plenty of other sites that provide healthy recipe ideas. But I just had to share my latest discovery in the quest for the best healthy snacks. Admittedly these are not my creations. I have taken the idea from Dr Terry Wahls recipe book – the Wahls […]