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Nikki Hawkes

Herbalist + Nutritional Therapy

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herbal medicine

My 5 most popular herbal medicine posts:

Herbal remedies to heal skin ulcers

Could turmeric reduce allergic rhinitis symptoms?

Nigella sativa and osteoarthritis of the knee

Improve fat digestion with herbs

5 herbal remedies for urinary tract infections

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

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: Gut health and digestion, herbal medicine Tagged With: gut health, herbal medicine, microbiome

Herbal medicine vs homeopathy – what’s the difference?

December 9, 2019 by nikki hawkes 2 Comments

Herbal medicine and homeopathic medicine

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 Tagged With: herbal medicine, herbalists, homeopathy

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: Cancer prevention, herbal medicine Tagged With: cancer, herbal medicine, herbalist, integrative oncology

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, herbal medicine, Pain and pain management Tagged With: arthritis, herbal medicine, herbalist, herbs, Joint Pain Management, medical herbalist, Osteoarthritis Symptoms, pain

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, immune system

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, immune system, probiotic

Does ginger protect against stomach ulcers?

September 10, 2018 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

the herbal medicine ginger

Ginger is a well known pungent, culinary spice, but it also has remarkable health-promoting properties. For instance, I’ve previously written about the use of ginger for easing painful periods and preventing menstrual migraines. But, ginger offers much more than pain relief. In this scientific review in the Royal Society of Chemistry Journal: Food and Function, […]

Filed Under: Gut health and digestion, herbal medicine Tagged With: digestion, ginger, herbalist, herbs, stomach ulcer

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: Cold Sore Infection, cold sores, Colds Sores, food as medicine, herbalist, herbs, Herpes Simplex, Herpes Simplex Virus, peppermint, Peppermint Essential Oil, Peppermint Leaves, Recurrent Cold Sores, Recurring Infection, Stop Cold Sores

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

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: herbalist, herbs, Hot Flash, Hot Flashes, Medicinal Plants, Menopausal Hot Flashes, menopause, oestrogen, perimenopause, phytoestrogen, Phytoestrogens

Things to ask your herbalist

April 9, 2018 by nikki hawkes 4 Comments

Wildflower herbs a herbalist might use

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

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, immune system, 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: health, Herbalism, medical herbalist, Menopausal Symptoms, menopause, perimenopause

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

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, immune system

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

How to fight depression with herbal remedies

September 11, 2017 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

saffron is one of several herbal remedies for depression

Why might you choose to use herbal remedies for depression? After all, don’t we have antidepressants for that? In fact, modern medicine has an over-simplistic approach to depression. Treating depression symptoms by altering levels of chemicals in the brain. While depression is a mental health condition with many underlying causes. And, treating depressive symptoms with […]

Filed Under: herbal medicine, Mind and mood

Improve fat digestion with herbs

June 5, 2017 by nikki hawkes 8 Comments

improve digestion of fats like butter with herbs

For decades most people have believed that eating low fat was the healthy choice. Now, finally this myth is being overturned. We now know that certain fats can make a contribution to a healthy diet. People are changing their food habits and are adding back foods with healthy fats. Yet for some, when changing to […]

Filed Under: Gut health and digestion, herbal medicine Tagged With: digestion, functional foods

The evidence for the effectiveness of herbal medicines

May 29, 2017 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

evidence for the benefit of herbal medicines

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, herbal medicines remain popular. Whether they are supplied by herbalists or over-the-counter. Herbal remedies are generally seen as being safe, natural and gentle treatments. […]

Filed Under: herbal medicine Tagged With: ehtpa

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