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Acne
The bane of many a teenager and unfortunately a few adults as well. Hormone changes in adolescence mean come what may, some teenagers will suffer.
There are a plethora of skin care products out there, but keeping it simple and natural would seem to be the best bet. Witch Hazel does the trick for any spots I get from time to time. Using witch hazel as a cleanser and also using a witch hazel spot remover is my strong recommendation. But a word of warning witch hazel can if used frequently dry the skin so find a product that also contains a moisturiser. Tea Tree oil is also recommended for treating spots and it it is well known for its anti-bacterial properties. You can also try applying lemon juice to the affected areas, but you will need to dilute.
Skin care products containing parabens have been attracting a lot of controversy because of a link with oestrogen and breast cancer. At the moment there is no conclusive scientific evidence to confirm a link but you may wish to avoid products containing them. Similarly you may wish to avoid products containing petro-chemicals or chemicals. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) or Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate is widely used in soap and skin care products, although it is known it blocks the skin pores and, like parabens, has been linked with cancer.
My philosophy on all things health related is to play safe. The body is very chemically finely tuned and it does not take much to affect its balance. Science is far from understanding the effect chemicals can have on the body so why take unnecessary risks. Shop around and buy natural products but be aware that such is the nature of the commercial world, that the word natural is highly abused. Most products will contain some natural ingredients. Be selective and avoid the ones that also contain parabens, chemicals and petro-chemicals.
Many doctors will prescribe antibiotics for severe cases of acne but given the over use of these and the effect they have on the bacterial flora of the intestines I would not recommend their use. However, if you are very traumatised by your condition and psychologically cannot cope, then I would suggest you follow your doctor's advice. Once the course of antibiotics is over be sure to repopulate your intestinal flora by taking a good probiotic product.
Paying attention to diet is also highly recommended. Lots of fresh veg and fruit, eat unrefined carbohydrates (wholemeal bread and pasta, brown rice, oats etc.) and drastically cut down on fatty, sugary foods and alcohol. A general detox could also be beneficial. Drink plenty of water with added lemon juice plus the following herbs: -
Milk thistle - helps the liver in its detoxing function
Raspberries - the juice is believed to cleanse the digestive system. Additionally it might be helpful in relieving rheumatism, indigestion and diarrhoea.
Watercress - apparently speeds up the bodies detox processes.
Cayenne pepper - an internal disinfectant, with added bonus that it speeds up metabolism, so is great for burning fat.
Black Cohosh - it is claimed neutralizes toxins in the blood.
Burdock root - a blood purifier.
Red Clover - another blood purifier. Also is a tonic for the nerves.
Slippery Elm - absorbs toxins and helps with excess stomach acid.
Dandelion - helps the livers detoxifying processes.
That's all for now, but there are other useful herbs out there. If you know of any let us know.
Anxiety and Stress
Not a subject to be taken lightly and one where expert medical advice is strongly recommended if you are not well. In today's modern world it is a growing malaise, but what can we do to help ourselves?
A good diet, exercise and making time for relaxation are all important. That's all very well I hear you say, but where do we get the time to make sure we do that. Not easy I know, especially if you have work plus kids to contend with. Most working people have probably had time management presentations at work and feel their employer lives on another planet and Timex in an ad campaign confirmed that there are only 24 hours in a day. However, these three things are prerequisites for a healthy life and your agenda needs to include them.
A good diet consists of a moderate intake of complex carbohydrates, fat and protein, plus large helpings of fresh fruit and veg. Fast food need not be unhealthy. Salads take little time to prepare and added to a protein and carbohydrate source provide a nutritious main meal.
Exercise should ideally consist of 20 minutes aerobic activity and 40 minutes of weight training at least 3 times a week. However, being a realist I know this will not be possible for some, but do try to do something. Try walking or cycling to work. A walk surrounded by greenery is very therapeutic but the pace should not be too leisurely. If you do make time for your favourite soap perhaps try exercising while watching. A few bicep curls and squats should not be too hard to fit in and should not disturb your viewing too much.
Relaxation can be achieved through a whole range of activities. I mentioned walking and exercise above, to that add reading, listening to music and meditation (especially if you find it hard to mentally switch off). I'm sure you can think of other ways too ;-)
If there are particular things going on in your life causing you stress then you need to talk to someone, preferably qualified if it is a serious problem. If the problem is your employment, then it could be that ultimately the most sensible thing to do is work elsewhere.
There is evidence that a deficiency of magnesium and of vitamin B6 can lead to anxiety. Also, when under stress the body uses more vitamin C, so supplementing your diet with these could be beneficial. Excessive alcohol and caffeine is not recommended!
Gamma aminobutyric acid - is a neurotransmitter, which inhibits anxiety. Whether taking supplements is useful is something only your feedback can provide. Herbs like valerian are thought to naturally effect GABA levels. I find that valerian does not relax me and has the opposite effect, which is one of its contraindications, but many people find it very effective in helping with insomnia and stress. There are numerous other herbs such as hops, black cohosh, blue vervain, chamomile, damiana, evening primrose oil, Korean ginseng, lobelia, oatstraw, passionflower, St. John’s Wort and Scullcap that aid relaxation.
If you are taking medication then ask your doctor about the safety in using any of these herbs. I know when using St John's Wort you should be very careful of over exposure to the sun, so it may be wise to not use it in the summer.
Asthma
A subject I feel well qualified to write about having suffered for a good many years until I got to grips with what was causing the problem. I'm not cured, but I no longer use chemical inhalants.
I have discovered that I have antibodies to house mites, cats and dogs, and grass pollens (there are probably more). These are true allergies rather than intolerances, as indicated by the antibodies. I knew long before I had the blood tests that I was allergic to dust, cats and dogs (a shame because I like both). To control the dust allergy I learned to wet dust, as I find polish to also be an irritant.
Recently I have found that I can tolerate cats and dogs without becoming a sneezing wreck. I attribute this to a combination of the following: euphrasia, butterbur and chlorophyll.
The triggers for asthmatics vary from individual to individual and so there is no blanket cure that I am aware of, although my junk mail tells me there is; but of course I have to buy the book first.
Observation was my way to recovery, a long process for me unfortunately. I have always been a fan of real ale, but it was not as freely (I wish) available as it is now, so in the past I used to drink keg beer, which has chemical additives. After a weekend I would always find that my asthma would worsen and then by mid-week alleviate. However, now that I drink nothing but real ale, well apart from the occasional glass of water ;-) the Monday and Tuesday syndrome no longer exists.
I have also found that the removal of dairy products from my diet has helped tremendously. Wheat is also recognised as a common allergen for some asthmatics, but I've not been able to pin-point it for my condition. However, it may be worthwhile for sufferers to experiment with exclusion diets, but please take qualified medical advice.
Also try adding garlic, onions, ginger, chillies, cloves and liquorice (not the sweets :-( but do not take if you have high blood pressure) to your diet, as they all act as decongestants. I find that using liquid gingko helps a lot in relieving wheezing and that this is probably due to its anti-inflammatory properties. As a habit I now use it daily first thing in the morning.
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This article is copyrighted. Please do not reproduce this article in whole or part, in any form, without obtaining my written permission.Copyright © 2009 by Philip Bailey. All rights reserved. theapothecary™ is a trademark of Philip Bailey.
Last updated: 16 April 2009