Do you sometimes rush to the bathroom on waking?  Does taking your first bite of breakfast cause you painful abdominal cramping, gas and bloating?  Then you may have irritable bowel syndrome. This common condition of the digestive tract affects at least one in ten in...
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...
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,...
For thousands of years, humans have used plants for medicine. A tradition passed down through families and folklore. Though herbal remedies are still the sole source of medication in part of the world. Some might believe that in a first world country we don’t need...
Food allergy and food intolerance are becoming more common. Yet there is a lot of confusion about the difference between them. In fact, as a herbalist, I am often asked about food sensitivity. So, here is a quick guide. Food sensitivity Food sensitivity can refer to...
In her book Gut and Psychology Syndrome (GAPS) Dr Natasha Campbell-McBride describes the protocol she designed to treat her own autistic child. A combination of diet and lifestyle strategies that have a remarkable affect on the symptoms of autism.  Following this...
A recent survey shows that over a third of people in the UK use herbal medicine. This might be surprising in a country where people have access to free healthcare. Even so, these natural medicines remain popular. Whether they are supplied by herbalists or...
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,...
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...
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? What is flaxseed? Flaxseed, also known as linseed, is the seed of the common flax plant. The same plant that provides the material for the...