Media Room

NEW IDEA
March 2003

‘Treating flaky skin or dandruff starts from the inside. Dehydration is one of the biggest causes of dry skin, so always drink two to three litres of water a day. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty because cells and organs will have already dried up.

Increase your intake of omega 3 essential fatty acids, which are found in deep-sea fish. These are responsible for skin growth, the structure of cell membrane and fluidity. They also help to reduce inflammation and allergic reactions.

Flaxseed or cod liver oil is effective and you should eat these oils, plus a serving of tuna, salmon cod or avocado, every day.

Zinc is great for flaky skin and can be found in oysters, brazil nuts and pumpkin seeds. And to treat dandruff, reach into the pantry for the olive oil. Add a few drops of rosemary essential oil and massage into the scalp. Simply leave the mixture overnight and wash out the next morning.

Avoid using detergents on the skin and steer clear of chlorinated swimming pools. For itchy skin, apply natural moisturisers containing vitamin E, evening primrose oil, chamomile and chickweed.

Brushing your body every morning with a dry skin brush will remove dead skin cells, promote circulation and improve blood supply.’

NEW IDEA
April 2003

‘If that dreaded cold sore erupts overnight, look in your kitchen cupboard. Get an egg yolk, whip it with some lemon juice and some finely crushed garlic and drink it. It works as an antiviral.

If you have straight tea-tree oil in the bathroom cabinet, dab that on the infected area.

If you get recurring cold sores, eliminate sugar and arginine-type foods in your diet. Arginine, an amino acid, is needed by the virus to multiply and sugar also feeds the virus. Arginine is found in chocolate, peanuts, almonds and turkey – so avoid those foods.

Increase lysine-type foods such as brewer’s yeast, chicken and fish and eat antiviral foods such as garlic and onion. You can also make smoothies containing raw eggs.

Antiviral herbs such as Clivers, Myrrh, Cat’s claw, Golden seal and Echinacea can treat cold sores. See a Herbalist or Naturopath to mix you up a formula that suits you.

If you are getting cold sores because you’re run down, give your immune system some support and take one zinc tablet and two vitamin E capsules daily, along with regular vitamin C and make sure you eat lots of vegies.

You can also tackle your stress levels by running, swimming or going to yoga classes two or three times a week.’

NEW IDEA
May 2003

‘A moderate amount of exercise helps PMS because it increases serotonin – the brain chemical that regulates moods and relaxes us.

Patients respond well to herbs like Chastree, which acts on the pituitary gland and helps with progesterone deficiency and prolactin excess.

St Marys thistle helps the liver metabolise excessive hormones. Wild yam helps with cramping and Gotu kola is good for irritability, sensitivity and anxiety. Taken in the second half of the cycle, the results are remarkable.

If you forget things, try Bacopa, which is scientifically proven to improve brain function. It is also great for stress and improving sleep quality.

Evening primrose oil (gamma linoleic acid, 3g daily) helps if taken mid-cycle until menstruation. However it must be accompanied by Vitamin B6, and zinc for it to work efficiently.

You can help fight food cravings with herbal bitters to regulate blood sugar metabolism. Eat small, frequent meals that are high in protein.

If bloating, breast swelling or weight gain is an issue, restrict processed foods that are high in salt. High salt causes insulin to increase, which makes you crave more sweets and starchy carbs. Instead increase potassium rich foods such as bananas, vegies and grapefruit juice.

As different symptoms of PMS require different forms of treatment, see your Herbalist for a preparation tailor-made for you.’

NEW IDEA
May 2003

‘Asthma affects more than two million Australians, but a visit to a Naturopath could provide relief for the majority of sufferers.

A lot of young people come to me because they don’t want to continue using drugs to manage their asthma in the long-term. In many cases, patients can stop all medication within three to six months of treatment.

The exact cause of asthma is unknown, but allergies tend to play a significant role. So to narrow down the likely trigger, do a Food Sensitivity Test.

Foods that can cause an instant allergic reaction may include eggs, peanuts and fish. Milk, chocolate, wheat and soy may cause delayed reactions.

Once we have the results of the test, the patient’s diet is modified. A scratch test determines any external allergies such as dust or pollens.

Common sense precautions can then be made to limit the amount of exposure to these, which typically include moulds, dust and pet hair.

Herbs to treat allergy related asthma include Baical skullcap, Bloodroot, Senega and Licourice. Another frequently used herb is Adhatoda, which dilates the bronchi and protects against allergens.’

NEW IDEA
June 2003

‘Healthy nails should be red-pink in colour with at least some half moons (these can be covered by your cuticles). They should be strong and smooth in texture.

To achieve healthy nails, try to eat organic fruits and vegetables, which have a higher mineral and vitamin content. Absorption of minerals and vitamins is important, so if a person is having problems doing so, digestive enzymes may be appropriate.

Soft, brittle nails need calcium, iron and silica as supplements, until they are strong again. These minerals can be found in nuts, dark green leafy vegetables and wholegrain cereals.

To prevent fungal infections appearing on your nails, stay away from yeast such as brewer’s and baker’s yeast. Also avoid wine, beer, vegemite, sugar and vinegar, as these also encourage the growth of yeast.

To treat fungal infections topically, apply tea tree oil to the area every day – this will kill the fungus within a week. Internally, herbs such as Myrrh, Thyme, Citrus seed and Pau D’arco are highly recommended.

White spots on the nails can indicate low levels of zinc, calcium and/or silica in your body. Boost your intake of brazil nuts and oysters, as both these foods are high in zinc.

A beading or pinhole effect on the top of the nail surface indicates anaemia and poor cell oxygenation. Increase your intake of iron by eating foods such as spinach, eat bananas for potassium and get more exercise.'

NEW IDEA
July 2003

People who stand a lot on hard surfaces as part of their work are more likely to get varicose veins because gravity and pressure leads to blood pooling in the veins of their legs.

Other causes include crossing your legs, which stops blood flowing back up to the heart and stretches the vein walls.

Toxins in cigarettes also drain our bodies of the minerals our veins need to repair and prolonged constipation puts pressure on the veins too.

People develop varicose veins from the base of the buttocks to the ankles and women are four times more likely to get them.

Exercise to keep blood flowing and drink eight glasses of water a day to prevent blood stickiness. Eat plenty of high water content vegetables such as celery. Garlic, capsicum, onion and ginger boost blood flow too.

Fish oil reduces clotting, so eat four or five serves a week or take two fish oil capsules a day. Vitamin E capsules and an enzyme called bromelain, found in pineapples, also improves the blood. Bromelain can be taken in tablet form.

To strengthen the vein wall, eat some cherries or blueberries or take glucosamine supplements three times a day. If your veins are painful, place a witch-hazel compress on the area and massage it in for 15 minutes each night, using sweeping upward strokes. In bed, place a cushion under your feet to elevate your legs and help blood to flow.

Surgeons can strip the veins, but they’ll come back if you don’t make lifestyle changes, so exercise, drink plenty of water, eat a fibre-rich diet and try not to sit with your legs crossed.

NATURALLY with Linda Parker
THE MELBOURNE WEEKLY MAGAZINE
August 2006

Simple steps can help avoid the embarrassment of blushing.

We’ve all had that moment when time stands still and all eyes are staring at your fire-engine red face. It happens to the best of us, mostly when we are young.

Blushing occurs when the mind perceives some kind of threat or danger, causing stress. Stress can be a result of anything from emotional trauma to extremes of temperature, pain or low blood sugar.

These situations trigger a part of the brain called the hypothalamus, which transmits a nerve impulse to the adrenals, which in turn secrete adrenalin and nor-adrenalin into the blood. The process helps the body adjust to a new situation. Their combined action prepares the body for some kind of extreme activity by stimulating breathing, raising blood pressure and pulse rate.

The blood vessels dilate and in an instant the surface of the skin turns red. All of a sudden you have attracted your greatest fear.

Unfortunately, for some, it is a daily occurrence. If you are one of these people, here are some basics on what to do about it.

1 Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) coaching will help you address your fears or phobias. You must learn to perceive events differently – to recondition your brain to think only good thoughts.

2 Seek a Naturopath who can adjust your diet to support your nervous system and your adrenal glands and recommend appropriate herbs and supplements.

3 Exercise daily to strengthen your body temperature regulation and metabolism.

4 Make sure you are perspiring efficiently. If not, your lymphatic glands are not functioning properly. Herbs such as Fenugreek and Clivers help.

5 Meditate daily to relax the mind and regain control of situations before they arise.

6 Practice yoga each week to relax the nerves and improve circulation while toning the glands (especially the adrenals).

7 Take an adrenal tonic from your Herbalist with herbs such as Siberian ginseng, Gotu kola or Wild yam.

8 Have your thyroid gland and hormone levels checked.

9 Laugh more often!

Blushing can go on for years, especially if the person is young with low self-esteem and it is not addressed. Practise these lifestyle changes and go forth with confidence.

NATURALLY with Linda Parker
THE MELBOURNE WEEKLY MAGAZINE
August 2006

Nothing to Sneeze at....

There are many herbs that can alleviate hayfever.

It’s that time of year again and it often surprises us – especially those who are prone to hayfever. One day you’re fine and the next you’re a blubbering mess.

You have to carry around a box of tissues wherever you go and you just can’t stop sneezing. Your head aches, your nose is full and won’t stop running and you just feel miserable.

The wattle is out this year in full force. So is the ivy, plane trees and privet trees that seem to be the worst.

Hayfever is an allergic condition affecting the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and air passages and occurs mainly in spring. It and other conditions such as allergic rhinitis are caused by an over-reaction of the immune system to an external allergenic substance such as pollens or grass seed. We are all exposed to these substances but why is it that some of us are more sensitive than others? Why do some of us respond so violently to these airborne external substances?

There are many reasons – from weak genetics in that area of the body to poor nutrition and a weakened immune system. If the body and the immune system are strong, a genetic weakness may not even show itself. Use herbs such as Ephedra, Eyebright, Elder flowers, Golden seal, Clivers and Calendula.

One teaspoon of Vitamin C powder three times a day would also be helpful in an acute situation. Choose one that also contains zinc and betacarotene in it for mucous membrane support.

Diet is very important at this time. Dairy should be completely cut out – it directly produces mucous, which is the last thing you need. That means no cheese, milk, ice-cream, butter or cream. Replace these with either soy products or rice milk (for extra protein). Extra garlic, horseradish and ginger in cooking will help. Also fresh carrot and citrus juices are excellent in the morning.

To prevent hayfever from occurring and to be really effective, the treatment should start at least one to two months prior to the worst of the season kicking in. A preventative treatment protocol should be provided, consisting of dietary changes, herbal medicines and target supplements for the respiratory and immune systems.

Hayfever is difficult to live with but it can be overcome.

NEW IDEA
July 2001

According to Naturopath and Medical Herbalist Linda Kotis, about 98% of her clients who suffer from IBS experience a marked improvement in symptoms after using a tailor-made combination of the following natural treatments.

• Wild yam is antispasmodic for tummy pain and cramps. Yellow dock eases constipation and gallbladder congestion. Oakbark helps with diarrhoea and tones the bowel. Agrimony tones and heals the bowel. Antimicrobials such as Black walnut, Citrus seed, Wormwood, Echinacea and Calendula kill parasites and are good for bloating and excessive gas.
• Digestive enzymes. ’These help break down food to allow better absorption of nutrients rather than having undigested food ferment and rot in the gut,’ says Linda.
• Analyse your diet. Food sensitivities can irritate the bowel, so ask your Naturopath to perform a Food Sensitivity Test.
• Yoga, meditation or herbs that are specifically for relaxation.

NEW IDEA
August 6th 2001

‘Changes to diet are important in the treatment of arthritis,’ says Linda Kotis from Sydney’s Macquarie Naturopathic Clinic.

Foods high in purines which cause acidity, should be avoided. These include pork, chocolate, organ meats, shellfish, yeast, tomatoes, oranges, eggplants.

Foods high in alkalinity can help arthritis sufferers. Try black cherries, blueberries, pineapple, parsley and alfalfa.
Natural supplements such as glucosamine, used for the treatment of osteoarthritis can significantly ease joint pain, swelling and stiffness, according to the Lancet Medical Journal.

‘Doses of 1000mg a day have been shown to preserve the structural integrity of the joints, while higher doses eliminate pain caused by arthritis and help repair damaged joints’ Linda says.

Devil’s claw is especially good for gout, thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties.

Horsetail, Wild yam and Turmeric are also very good anti-inflammatory herbs.

Vitamins and minerals such as 5mg of manganese a day, plus zinc, vitamin D and vitamin C can improve bone and cartilage repair while vitamin E can improve blood flow to the joints, according to Linda.

NEW IDEA
July 7th 2001

“It’s itchy, irritating and hard to beat, but with help,
eczema can be easily overcome”.

‘In children, where eczema is often due to an intolerance of dairy products, avoid cow’s milk and try alternatives such as soy or rice milk, oat milk or even goat’s milk’ says Sydney Naturopath Linda Kotis.

Supplementing the child’s diet with essential fatty acids, fish oils, zinc and warm fenugreek tea may help. Try aloe vera gel to alleviate itching and redness, and add a few drops of tea tree oil to your bath to relieve infected skin.

It’s also important to cut nails and avoid scratching the skin.

‘In adults, stress, alcohol, excess yeast or dehydration can trigger eczema,’ says Linda.  Herbs that can help include burdock, blue flag, turmeric, cleavers and white poplar. A little olive oil in the bath helps while calendula and chickweed cream can stop an itch for all ages.

Take vitamins A, E and E, and zinc as a preventative measure.