Nikki Hawkes

Medical Herbalist

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herbal medicine

Migraine and nausea

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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 deal with other symptoms as well as the headache, especially digestive problems. There is certainly a connection between migraine and nausea, but migraineurs also often have diarrhoea or constipation. The nausea and vomiting that are common symptoms for many with these types of headaches can be a major cause of distress.

But why does migraine cause nausea?

The connection between the gut and brain begins with the developing embryo. The cells that become the gut and those that become the brain develop almost simultaneously. The brain or central nervous system remains linked to the gut and it’s enteric nervous system or “second brain” via the vagal nerve for life. [Read more…] about Migraine and nausea

What’s the difference between herbal medicine and homeopathy

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Herbal medicine and homeopathy have similarities but they are not the same. They differ in both the remedy itself and also in how the remedy is chosen. 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 a whole plant including the leaves, stems and roots. More often a remedy is from a specific part of the plant such as the flowers, bark, leaves, berries, seeds or roots. For example, elderflowers, willow bark, peppermint leaves, goji berries, fennel seeds and dandelion roots are all herbal medicines.

So, how do we use these plants to make herbal medicine? We can sometimes extract the herbs with just water, as in making a herbal tea, infusion or decoction. Or, we can make a tincture using a mixture of alcohol and water. There are other herbal preparations but as a herbalist, the herbal infusions and tinctures are the extracts I use most often. [Read more…] about What’s the difference between herbal medicine and homeopathy

Herbal medicine in cancer care

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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 medicine are growing in popularity amongst breast cancer patients. I do not disagree; in fact, I would say that many cancer patients, not just breast cancer patients, are looking for natural therapies to help them in their fight against cancer. Indeed, the research shows that as many as 88% of cancer patients turn to herbal medicine and other complementary therapies, suggesting that these patients have a need that is not being met by conventional medicine. [Read more…] about Herbal medicine in cancer care

Rosehips improve osteoarthritis symptoms

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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 anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are not the best choice of medicine for osteoarthritis for the reasons I discuss here. Yet, the medic’s preferred long term medication paracetamol is not all that effective for relieving the pain of osteoarthritis. One reason for this may be that paracetamol is not a strong anti-inflammatory. [Read more…] about Rosehips improve osteoarthritis symptoms

Why I have a food first approach to optimum health

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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 achieving optimum health in my patients since proper nutrition is fundamental to feeling and functioning your best.

The importance of good food has as much relevance for unhealthy people as for those with good health, if not more. Right from the start of my practice I knew that if a chronically ill person was not eating well, they just couldn’t get better. Herbal medicine could only get my patients so far on their healing journey. Since no amount of supplementation is going to achieve optimum healing without also getting the foundations right. [Read more…] about Why I have a food first approach to optimum health

Safe alternatives for morning sickness

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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, related to nausea and vomiting in pregnancy.

Of course as the article suggests many women are reluctant to take medicines during pregnancy, including anti-sickness medication. But, as the article goes on it suggests that reluctance to seek help in the early stages may be a factor in becoming so poorly that it may be too hard to get symptoms under control even with medication.

[Read more…] about Safe alternatives for morning sickness

Is a daily low dose aspirin a good idea?

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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 from the ASPREE trial (Aspirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly) published this week as several studies here, here and here, suggest the answer to that question is no.

The problem with aspirin

Aspirin, one of the most commonly used drugs worldwide was originally derived from the herbal medicine, white willow bark. This herbal remedy was used in traditional medicine for thousands of years to relieve pain and inflammation. However, aspirin and white willow are not the same. [Read more…] about Is a daily low dose aspirin a good idea?