Alison Odey

Frozen shoulder involves inflammation of the shoulder capsule which results in a very stiff shoulder with a very limited range of motion and a dull aching type of pain. It often resolves itself over a period of time (up to two years or so), but can be very debilitating while it lasts.

However, Osteopathic treatments should definitely help. Osteopathic treatments for frozen shoulder are generally gentle and non forceful, just as encouraging the shoulder joint to move but not in a way that will aggravate existing inflammation which will already be extreme.

I have found that combining this type of treatment with the use of herbal anti-inflammatories works well. In addition the use of B12, especially combined with Iodine which greatly improves energy as well as helping nerve endings to heal.

Fish oils and Evening Primrose oil (used 3000mg twice daily), usually has good effect. Better to use an organic Evening Primrose Oil.

You may also need to increase magnesium levels if the body is very tense.
Colloidal minerals work very well and insure that all minerals are well balanced although some people may need extra magnesium at times.
 Go to On-line shop for any of these products or, if unsure whether which product is for you, then send your query and details to ‘Ask Alison’.

You also need to do gentle stretching exercises at home as well as making attempt to greatly improve the posture.
If your posture is hunched you can be fairly certain that your shoulder problems will remain difficult to resolve.
Joining a yoga class would be ideal.

Exercises that can be done at home would be things such as:

1. Lie on your back. Lift the affected arm straight up and over your head.
Take hold of your elbow with the other hand and gently try and push your arm closer to the floor, don’t force it, then let rest in this position, you will feel it slowly relax and stretch.

2. Standing: Lift the affected arm out in front of you and keeping it at the same height move it across the front of your body. Take the elbow with the other hand and gently try and pull the affected arm closer to the body. Once again don’t force it.

3. Hold a small towel or strap in one hand and drape it over the shoulder and take hold of it with the other hand behind your back. Gently pull the towel downward with the other hand till you feel a stretch and then pull up again. Repeat.

If you join a yoga class you will find there are many more exercises that can be done to mobilize a shoulder joint as well as improve your posture.

As a Naturopath I often have discussions with patients about possible allergies.
I often have to point out the importance of taking note of the ‘additive’ numbers on food labels.
It appears that many people apart from not realising which common additives can cause common allergies also do not understand the relevance of the ‘numbers’.

Food additives are used for many purposes such as to improve taste, appearance, add nutrients, lengthen shelf life or to allow a food to keep without refrigeration. Not all are ‘bad’.
Food additives can come from plant or animal sources, others are synthetically made.
Most food additives listed on labels are in the form of a numbered code (from100 – 1520), which is based on a worldwide system.

If the code has ‘E’ in front of it, it denotes that it is an additive used in the European
Union.

Numbers 100 – 199 are colours.
The use of some colour additives in foods is controversial. Many have been blamed for conditions such as ADHD and hyperactivity in children, however  there can be many other possible causes for ADHD and hyperactivity.
However some colours such as the ‘coal tar’ derived ones remain questionable by some people.

These are the numbers for the coal tar dyes:
102 Tartrazine. The yellow colour added to many soft drinks.  Some people are intolerant to tartrazine, and may cause symptoms similar to hay fever and in others skin irritations or acne.
104, 110 (both yellow).
122, 123,
124, 127, 129 (all red).
132, 133 (both blue).
142, 143 (both green).
151 (black) and 155 (brown).
150a – 150d are ‘caramels’, made by heating sucrose or glucose with sulphur dioxide, sodium hydroxide or ammonia. Impart a brown colour. The safety of these has been questionable.
120 is cochineal, a red colour extracted from the dried body of the female insect ‘dactylopius coccus costa’. Generally considered safe, but may present problems
to any one sensitive to carminic acid.

Not all colours are questionable however.
100 is Turmeric or curcumin, 101 is riboflavin (a B vitamin) and both are yellow colours and quite safe!
140 is Chlorophyll (green), 160a is Carotene yellow/orange), 160d is Lycopene (red), all  nice antioxidants.

Some other important numbers to note are 220 – 227. These are the sulphites.
They are added mainly to wine, beer, cider, fruit juices, syrups, dried fruits and vegetables as an anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and antioxidant. They maintains the colour of the product and prevents browning.
Health wise this group have long been associated with asthma. They can also cause the facial stuffiness, reddening of the nose and headaches often associated with drinking wine and beer.

621 is Monosodium glutamate or MSG. A common flavour enhancer, especially in Asian foods. This additive has been controversial for some time and often blamed for the occurrence of asthma, hives, stomach pains and cramps.
It is not allowed to be added to baby foods. However MSG does occur naturally in
foods such as cheese, tomatoes and fish.

249, 250 are nitrites and 251, 252 are nitrates, added to meats to prevent pathogenic bacteria forming. Also used as a fixative for the red colour in preserved meats.

There has been concern over the use of these additives as they combine with amines to form nitro-amines which are among the most common cancer forming compounds.
More recently scientists have found that by using Vitamin C combined with very small amounts of nitrates and nitrites the food can still be preserved but nitro-amines do not
form.
I am not sure what the relevant levels are for this to be the case.

300 is ascorbic acid or Vitamin C.
307, 308 and 309 are Vitamin E, 322 is Lecithin.
330 is Citric acid.

Aspartame has the code E951.

Original Question: ‘….what is the difference in effect (if any) between taking 1tbsp of Flaxseed Oil daily and taking 1000mg of Fish oil daily. As far as I can gather they both contain Omega 3. Which is the best? ‘

………This question has always been one open to controversy and I have heard many arguments for and against.
My own personal point of view is that both Omega 3and Omega 6 can be obtained from the diet IF the diet is high in fresh nuts, seeds and oils and IF fish is included on a regular basis (2-3 times weekly at least).

The diet does have to be balanced in this respect, as high amounts of Omega 3 are found in the oil of fatty fish while little Omega 3 is found in nuts and seeds.
Therefore a diet that does not include sufficient sea foods can well be deficient in Omega 3 and a refined diet can be very deficient in both.

This is where supplementation with oil such as Flaxseed oil can be important as Flaxseed
oil is a relatively rich source of Omega 3 as well as Omega 6.
However Omega 3 from a seed oil source will be in the form of Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which the body has to convert to eicosapenfaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
There has been speculation as to the body’s ability to make this conversion, as it requires an adequate intake of Vitamin C, Vitamin B3 and B6 as well as adequate magnesium and zinc.
Also factors such as stress, alcohol intake, diabetes and smoking all mean that conversion is not optimum.

A recent article stated that ideally to provide 500mg of EPA/DHA, using a conversion rate of 3-10% you would need between 1 and 3 tbsps (16-52gm) of flaxseed oil daily. Women are thought to make this conversion more efficiently than men, however still need a reasonable amount.
I also read somewhere that if using ground fresh Flaxseeds as an alternative to flaxseed oil, you would need approximately 3tbsp of dry seed to obtain 1tbsp of oil, alot of seeds, at
least you wouldn’t be short of fibre!

Omega 3 from a fish oil source will already be in the form of EPA and DHA so therefore does not have to be converted by the body. One fillet of an oily fish should supply about 30% fish oil. This is quite sufficient if eaten regularly. The actual amount of oil will vary depending on species and the amount consumed.

As for the recommended amounts, healthy adults need about 300-500mg daily of EPA/DHA combined. About 1000mg fish oil.
People with diabetes, heart disease or osteoarthritis could take twice this amount. It is
not a good idea to take more than this as over dosing can cause problems.

Ideally an additional 800-100mg ALA should be consumed as the body needs this to make other Omega 3s. This is generally well supplied by a good diet as 1tbsp of canola oil supplies about 1600mg, and 1oz of walnuts 2700mg, 1tbsp of soybean oil about 1000mg, other nuts and seeds all contain some in varying amounts. 1tbsp of flaxseed oil would contain about 8000mg of ALA .

Which is best? Both have benefits. It depends on your diet as to if or how much you need in way of supplementation. I generally advise extra fish oil (1000mg) if the diet is devoid of sea foods and/or extra Vitamin A required and advise Flaxseed oil if a person is resistant to taking fish oil.
I have found repeatedly that supplementing regularly with either 1-2tbsp of Flaxseed oil OR 1000mg fish oil will generally ease the ‘creakiness’ in a month or so.
It is more difficult to determine the state of a person’s blood flow or arteries, but sometimes people will report that veins are less distended and hands/feet warmer after several months of supplementation.

Also, if buying Fish oils make sure that what you but is FRESH.
Fresh fish DOES NOT TASTE ‘FISHY’!!
If your capsulated fish oil tastes fishy or you burp fishy ‘burps’ then it is oxidised, not fresh and neither does it absorb very well.
If you are not sure, pierce the capsule with a pin and taste the oil.

I have available in the clinic brands that have Vitamin E added to prevent oxidation, are emulsified to aid better absorption and are made to a much higher concentration
so that dosage is lower. These brands are also checked rigorously for environmental pollutants.
Go to On-line shop for Flaxseed oil or EPA/DHA.

Kidney stones are one of the most common urinary disorders. They may be present without noticeable symptoms, but if left to become larger will eventually cause symptoms ranging from excruciating radiating back pain, which can affect the lower abdomen and groin, to chills and fever, blood and/or pus in the urine, frequent urination or lack of urine.
People who have kidney stones tend to have quite a high reoccurrence rate.

The causes of kidney stone formation lie in conditions occurring in the body that favour excessive excretion of relatively insoluble urinary constituents (mineral salts).
These stones are usually calcium stones (calcium oxalate), but can also be uric acid, struvite (stones derived from bacteria), calcium phosphate or cystine stones.

High calcium levels can be hereditary, but also occur where the parathyroid is malfunctioning, magnesium and/or vitamin B6 levels are too low, there is an over use of anti-acids or excessive intake of vitamin D (more common in countries where milk products are fortified with vitamin D).

Diets high in oxalic acid can also contribute as the body will try and neutralise oxalic acid
with calcium, forming calcium oxalate.
Black tea and chocolate both contain relatively high amounts of oxalic acid. Dehydration can also be a contributing factor, as can a diet high in refined carbohydrates.

Uric acid stones would be more likely to be associated with gout, struvite stones with urinary infections and cysteine stones with hereditary cystinuria.

To treat kidney stones or to decrease to likelihood of them occurring:

Increase the amount of magnesium foods in the diet (green vegetables, brown rice, rye, millet, soy, buckwheat, oats, avocado, banana, potato) or supplement with magnesium and vitamin B6.
Supplementation with magnesium is often relevant to people living in parts of New Zealand where soil magnesium levels appear to be quite low.

Decrease foods that can contain high oxalic acid levels, or eat them in moderation (asparagus, rhubarb, spinach, brassicas, chocolate, cocoa, black tea and coffee).

Decrease refined foods and excess sugar.

Be sure to take in enough fluids, especially in hot weather.

Avoid all anti-acids, especially calcium carbonates.

Herbal blends that will help eliminate kidney stones would include herbs such as Hydrangea root, Parsley Piert (this herb belongs to the same family as Lady’s Mantle and is no relation to garden Parsley) and Gravel root to help expel the stones. Marshmallow root to soothe the urinary tract and garden Parsley (especially fresh parsley),
Juniper and Dandelion leaves as diuretics to increase urinary flow.

Herbs that are urinary antiseptics such as Cornsilk, Couchgrass, Barberry and Golden Seal are good to include if infection is implicated. An excellent blend to use long term to prevent infection is 50:50 Cornsilk and Pau d’arco taken 3-4 ml twice daily.

Relaxing herbs such as Lobelia and Kavakava are useful as relaxants if a kidney stone gets lodged in the urethra.

 ‘Contact us’ if you would like me to make you a specific herbal blend.

The following is an old prescription used for removing stones/gravel from the
bladder.
1 oz. Parsley Piert
1 oz. Pellitory of the Wall
1 oz Gravel Root
1 oz Marshmallow

Mix together and boil in 2 ½ pints of water. Simmer down to 2 pints. Cool. Strain.
Take 1 wineglassful three times daily. It could quite possibly be effective in removing stones from the kidney.

Another old recipe was to boil together: ½ ounce each of Clivers, Yarrow, Couchgrass and Horsetail in 2 pints of water, cool, strain and also take at a rate of 3-4 wine glasses daily.

Most people will suffer some sort of joint pain at some time in their life and usually as we age this becomes more of a problem.
Orthodox treatments generally rely heavily on the use of NAIDs  (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to relieve the discomfort. These can be very useful in the short term to offset acute pain and inflammation, but can have some not so nice side effects in the long term.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can include Naprogesic, Synflex, Celebrex, Brufen and Voltaren. Most of these types of drugs are relatively quick acting and can be used as short-term remedies. However, they all invariably cause some side-effects, such as gastrointestinal problems, sometimes skin rashes or renal dysfunction in the long-term and do not do anything to improve the original condition that is causing the pain.

Alternative treatments usually include the use of  Glucosamine, Chondroitin or Green Lipped mussel extract combined with the supplementation of fish oils.

Any Glucosamine/Chrondroitin product is slower acting than NSAIDs and needs to be used long-term, but is however, safe to use and free of side-effects. If used consistently over a long period they will greatly reduce inflammation and improve the condition of cartilaginous and ligamental tissues. Therefore, symptoms such as joint tenderness, swelling, pain and restriction in movement improve greatly.

Glucosamine is a constituent of Glycoaminoglycans, which play an important role in joint structure and joint cartilage. They act as lubricating agents that aid optimum joint mobilty. There is a reduction in Glycoaminoglycans as a person ages. Glucosamine is therefore thought to play a part in helping maintain cartilage and repair.

There are two main forms of Glucosamine used in supplements: Glucosamine sulphate and glucosamine hydrochloride. Both have been found to be effective in the treatment of osteoarthritis and both are absorbed via similar mechanisms. Although many supplements contain up to 1500mg I have found that in general half that amount is effective.

Chrondroitin sulphate is also a component of the cartilaginous matrix and can also be effective in reducing joint pain. Like Glucosamine is extracted from the cartilage of either shark, shellfish or bovine origin.

Glucosamine HCL is generally NOT extracted from shell fish or other sea-foods and can be safer for those people who have a high uric acid level or who are prone to attacks of gout.

For many people Green Lipped mussel extract can be more effective. It contains naturally derived glucosamine in its natural base of natural proteins, minerals, mucopolysaccarharides and omega 3 fatty acids. I have used green lipped mussel extract in its original form for many years and found it works extremely well and is less expensive that other Glucosamine products.

Antioxidant products such as Turmeric and Tart Cherry can also often work extremely well in helping to reduce joint pain.
Products containing Artemesia also can be useful especially if there is a connection with gut dysbiosis.

These products are on the on-line shop.
If unsure which product is for you, then send your query and details to ‘Ask Alison’.

Also, when dealing with any type of joint damage it is very important that the circulation to the joint is improved (use at least 1tbsp of flaxseed oil or eat oily fish daily).

Adequate mineral levels are also vital in order to allow the body to heal. One tablespoon of colloidal minerals daily is usually sufficient.

Also see page on ‘Castor Oil packs.’

Up-dated Jan 2017

Glyconutrients are neither drugs nor vitamins, minerals, herbals, homeopathic or enzymes. Rather, they are formulated supplements that are derived from nature, based on leading research in biochemistry.

Associated with nutraceuticals they are a class to themselves and constitute what scientists believe to be the most important discovery for the health of the human immune system.

The first line of defence in the immune system consists of natural killer cells, which continually perform critical immune surveillance and technically have the ability to eradicate tumour cells, invading viruses and infection.

But natural killer cells do not always fully perform their function – in fact they are on the decline.  Scientific research indicates that over the past decade the decline of natural killer cells as accelerated from 1% to 3% and is increasing at a rapid rate.
One explanation on the lack of performance in these natural killer cells was found in a recent break-through in the discovery of cell-to-cell communication.

Using a language of ‘letters and words’ made up of sugar molecules known as saccharides, our cells know to fight foreign intruders by actually touching to ‘read’ each others’ surface messages.  But when the necessary components for optimum cell-to-cell communication are absent, disease and dysfunction occur.
Of the 200 saccharides that occur naturally in plants, eight have been found to be components of cell surface glycoforms used in cell-to-cell communication.

These eight sugars are:
· glucose
· fructose
· mannose
· galactose
· xylose
· N-acetyl glucosamine
· N-acetylgalactosamine and
·N-acetyl neuraminic acid

Unfortunately, only two of these – glucose and galactose – are commonly found in typical modern diets.

Until relatively recently glyconutrients were found in a range of foods and were present particularly in spoiled foods where fungi and moulds converted common sugars to one or more of these special eight.

In 2001, modern food hygiene and widespread consumption of processed foods have reduced our dietary intake of six of the eight monosaccharides to almost zero.

However, the body has the ability to create the other six from the ingestion of glucose and galactose. This process requires considerable energy and is susceptible to interference from certain disease processes, inadequate nutrition, stress and other factors.  As a result, peoples systems are often too overtaxed to internally manufacture the six other saccharides necessary to maintain good health.

These eight essential sugars are the basics of multi-cellular intelligence – the ability of cells to communicate, cohere and work together to keep us health and balanced.

Until recently, it was thought that proteins supply the cells with the correct ‘codes’ to communicate. However scientists have discovered that it is actually the sugar molecules found on their surface that do the ‘talking’.
If these sugars are not there, it’s like talking on a mobile phone in a bad coverage area: you often only get ‘part of the message’.  What this leads to over a period of time is a weakened immune system.

Studies have shown that by supplementing the diet with glyconutrients, natural killer cell activity can increase as much as 50% in the average healthy person and among patients with impaired immune system function, much more.

There is a growing body of scientific studies that supports potential benefits for various health conditions such as multiple sclerosis, cancer, heart disease, ADHD, diabetes, autism, lupus and chronic fatigue syndrome to name a few.

The debilitating symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia, frequently abate after taking glyconutrients.
In tests conducted at leading institutes around the world, these glyconutrients have been shown to lower cholesterol, increase lean muscle mass, decrease body fat, accelerate wound healing, ease allergy symptoms and allow auto immune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s syndrome, systemic lupus and erythematosus.

For cancer patients, glyconutrients mitigate the toxic effects of radiation and chemotherapy, while augmenting their cancer-killing effects, resulting in prolonged survival and improved quality of life.

Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gingival (the gum). It can be characterised by swelling, redness, watery exudates or bleeding.
It can also deepen the crevice between the gum and the tooth, causing pockets to form.
It is caused by bacterial plaque microbial colonies attached to the teeth surfaces.

Factors such as malposition of the teeth, dental calculus (tartar), food impaction and faulty dental restoration are often behind an ongoing chronic problem that doesn’t clear up with the usual brushing.

Steps you can take to correct the problem are as follows:

–  Firstly check your diet for excess sugars, even those from eating dried fruits and honey. Sugars can cause a build up of bacterial plaque that is known to produce toxic products that can aggravate gingival (gum) tissues.
Reduce sugar intake and increase raw fruits and vegetables.

–  Be sure to brush and floss the teeth regularly. A good flossing procedure will remove all the plaque adhering between the teeth in the tiny crevices. If you find that the floss is becoming stuck on jagged corners it is time to visit a dentist and have all old fillings checked for worn edges and the teeth for a build up of tartar.

–  Try applying Propolis tincture direct to the edge of the gums. This may not taste very nice but acts as an excellent antibiotic and healing agent. Better still it tends to be slightly sticky and will stay on the gum rather than immediately washing off. If using Propolis as a mouth wash, be sure to use an old cup or glass to dilute the propolis as it can stain crockery very badly.
I usually recommend an undiluted Propolis extract.
Contact Us if you need to order this product.

–  Herbal mouth washes, combined with good oral hygiene, may help if used often enough. Teas made with sage, rosemary, cloves or cinnamon all of which have antibiotic properties would also be appropriate.

–   Also be sure that your intake of Vitamin C and Zinc is adequate as a deficiency of these two elements can greatly hinder the healing process.

Giant Cell Arteritis, which can also be known as temporal arteritis or cranial arteritis, is a disorder that results in swelling and inflammation of arteries in the head (often the temporal arteries), neck and arms.
The swelling causes the arteries to narrow, reducing blood flow. If left untreated it can lead to serious complications including blindness or stroke.

Polymyalgia Rheumatica is a condition that is associated with muscle pain and stiffness in the neck, shoulder and some times the hip area. Stiffness being most noticeable in the morning. The cause is not known, but it could possibly be due to an immune abnormality. At times it may disappear without treatment in 1-3 years, but is often treated with corticosteroids.

For some unclear reason Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant cell Arteritis tend to be related, in as much as it is estimated that about 15% of people in the United States with Polymyalgia Rheumatica also develop Giant Cell Arteritis. This is not a large percentage admittedly, but is worthy of consideration.
The giant cell Arteritis can develop at the same time as the Polymyalgia Rheumatica or can develop after the symptoms disappear.

The usual orthodox treatment would be the use of Prednizone or a similar type of drug.

If the diagnosis of Polymyalgia Rheumatica is correct and you chose not to take the Prednisone then you do need to keep a very close watch for the symptoms of Giant Cell Arteritis  arising.
The more common symptoms would include headaches, pain in the jaw or tongue muscles when eating or talking and tenderness over the scalp or temples. You could also use a more natural anti-inflammatory as a precaution and also to ease the symptoms of Polymyalgia if necessary.

Good results can be obtained in many cases of long term inflammation with the use of standardised White Willow bark and also with Quercetin used in moderate to high doses.
Perhaps also high dose Turmeric or Tart Cherry may help.

Up-dated Jan 2017

There are two main types of gall stones: those that are of mixed composition, cholesterol and its derivatives plus varying amounts of bile salts, pigments and salts of calcium, and those that are composed entirely of minerals, principally calcium salts.

Rarely gall stones will consist of pure cholesterol or pure pigment (calcium bilirubinate).

Fats, including cholesterol, are insoluble in water and require emulsification by the bile for complete utilization.

Bile, consisting of bile acids, bilirubin, cholesterol, lecithin and electrolytes, is secreted by the gall bladder to facilitate fat digestion.

For gall stones to form, cholesterol must become insoluble within the gall bladder either by an increase in cholesterol or decrease in bile salts, lecithin or water within the bile.
To prevent this happening the solubility of the bile must be increased. There are several theories as to how to do this.

Addressing the diet is one aspect to look at.

The theory that the main reason for gallstones forming is the consumption of fibre–depleted refined foods has a lot of support. Diets high in refined carbohydrates (sugars) and fats and low in fibre, lead to a reduced amount of bile acids being produced by the liver, which in turn reduces the solubility of cholesterol.

Dietary fibre has also been shown to decrease the formation of deoxycholic acid and to promote its excretion from the bowel.
This can be important as deoxycholic acid greatly reduces the solubility of cholesterol in
the bile. Therefore a diet high in fibre, especially those found in vegetables and fruits, and notably the gel-forming fibres such as flaxseed, oat bran, guar gum, psyllium and pectin, are extremely important in the prevention as well as the reversal of gallstones.

There is also evidence that excess dairy proteins are likely to increase the formation of gallstones, whereas vegetable proteins such as soy are more likely to be preventative.
This is because high acidity, caused by high intake of animal proteins, must be buffered by the alkaline reserves of the body, meaning less alkalinity is available for bile secretions. Insufficient alkalinity can cause cholesterol to precipitate, restricting bilary flow and ultimately leading to gallstone formation.

In many cases it is not just the diet that needs to be addressed but also the digestion of the fats in the diet. Avoidance is not a complete answer to the problem. In the digestive process, exogenous lipase enzymes (the ones that digest fats) will aid pancreatic lipase and bile in breaking down dietary fats.
Therefore the use of moderate amounts of supplementary lipase, as well as protease and amylase, will gradually improve the digestion and absorption of dietary fats.

I usually recommend enzyme products which are entirely plant derived, contain an effective dosage of digestive enzymes (including Lipase) and are extremely well tolerated.
Go to On-line shop for Enzyme products.

Other dietary considerations are the possibility of a low level of lecithin in the bile.
In some cases supplementing with 300-400 mg of lecithin daily can increase concentration of lecithin in the bile and in doing so increase the solubility of cholesterol.

Another factor to consider is the fact that most of the bile acids excreted in the bile are re-absorbed through the intestinal mucosa into the blood, where it is transported back to the liver for re-excretion in the bile.
Lactobacillus Acidophilus is the most prevalent bacteria found in the intestines and plays a major part in the recycling of bile components.
Make sure that your bowel is kept healthy with adequate amounts of acidophilus.
See page on Probiotics.

Also food allergies are known to cause gall bladder pain in many instances.
Foods that can induce symptoms in decreasing order of occurrence are likely to be:  egg, pork, onion, chicken, milk, coffee, citrus, corn, beans and nuts.

Other avenues of treatment for gall stones are herbal treatments and Vitamin supplements.
Vitamins usually include vitamins C and E as some experimental studies (in animals) have shown deficiencies of these vitamins to cause gallstones.

Herbal treatments involve the taking of choleretic herbs.
Choleretic herbs are those herbs that stimulate the secretion of bile.
Cholagogues on the other hand being agents that stimulate gall bladder contraction to promote bile flow.
Choleretic herbs are Dandelion Root, St Mary’s Thistle, Globe Artichoke, Greater Celandine and Turmeric. These may need to be used over a long period.
Garlic is also known to reduce cholesterol levels and may help prevent the formation of gall stones.

There are also procedures such as gall bladder flushes, which have been known dissolve gallstones and then allow them to be flushed from the gall bladder.
Not always a pleasant procedure and may possibly be dangerous if there is a large gall stone that may get stuck in the gall bladder duct. There is also conjecture over whether any ‘stones’ passed are truly gall stones.

On the other hand, many patients report feeling better after the procedure but it is
advisable to have a repeat gall bladder scan to verify results.
See page on ‘ Gall bladder Flush’

Gall bladder flushes can be useful when attempting to rid the gall bladder of gall stones or gravel.
Ideally have a scan first so you know exactly how many stones are present and have an idea of size. Too large and the flush may not be successful.
However the first five days of taking large amounts of apple juice is intended to soften the stones and make passage easier.

To do a Gall bladder flush, follow these steps:

1. For five days prior to the flush consume between 500 – 1000ml of apple juice each day, in addition to regular meals.The first preference for juice would be freshly juiced apples and secondly, apple juice or cider vinegar (unsweetened and preferably organic) bought in glass bottles rather than cans.
Be sure to read the labels carefully and try and obtain a juice that is organic and free of preservatives.

2. On the sixth day, on rising use a one litre enema using 1tbsp of Epsom salts in warm water. This solution should be retained for 15 minutes and then expelled.

3. At noon on the sixth day, one should eat a normal lunch and take any supplements scheduled for that time.

4. At 2pm, take 1-2 tbsps of Epsom salts dissolved in 100ml of warm distilled water. This may be followed by 30ml of freshly squeezed grapefruit.

5. At 5pm, take 1tbsp of Epsom salt in 50ml of warm distilled water. Take another 30ml of grapefruit juice.

6. At 6pm have a fresh fruit salad, using as many fresh seasonal fruits as possible.
Use 250ml heavy whipped cream as a dressing on the salad. If fresh fruits are unavailable then frozen (not canned) berries should be used. Take citrus fruits or juice after the cream and fruit if desired.

7. At 10pm take half a cup (100ml) of chilled, unrefined olive oil, followed immediately by 50mls of fresh grapefruit juice.

8. Immediately upon finishing the olive oil and juice, go to bed.
Lie on your right side with your legs drawn up towards your chin. Remain in this position
for 30 minutes before going to sleep. This position encourages the oil to drain from the into the small intestine.

9. If you feel ill during the night (this rarely happens), another enema may be used. Placing a hot water bottle over the liver area can also help relieve possible discomfort.
If you feel nauseous in the morning (this also is rare) stay in bed until the feeling subsides. A few drops of a Homeobotanical remedy will help (Hb ‘S’ or ‘Emeta’).

10. Upon rising, repeat the enema. Observe anything that is passed, noting size, colour and quantity of stones. Ideally they should be placed in a clean jar, sealed and kept in the refrigerator for later testing at a laboratory.
This will confirm the type of stone that you have passed.

11. If you continue to feel nauseous, eat a very light meal of sprouts, raw fruit, yoghurt and fresh vege juices. This should be maintained for several days.

12. Stones may also be found in the stools the following day. They may be may be hard or gelatinous in texture and very greatly in size.

13. If it is possible to have a repeat scan, do so, as it will confirm the complete passage of the stones and check that the process has completely cleared the gall bladder.

Castor oil packs are extremely useful for softening any hardened tissues or breaking up congestion in glands.
Also for pulled ligaments or damaged cartilage.
Castor oil should never be taken internally, as it is an extremely harsh laxative, for external use however, it is very effective as it penetrates through the skin to underlying tissues.

Very worth while relief can be obtained in cases such as stiff and/or gritty knee joints, inflamed elbows and tight Achilles tendons.

To make a Castor oil pack:

– Take a piece of cotton cloth or towelling large enough to cover the affected area. If the cloth is thin the fold it several times.

– Soak it in castor oil. Castor oil can be bought at most supermarkets, health stores or pharmacies. There is no need to heat the oil first unless the treatment time is short as your body heat will do the job very effectively.

– Place the cloth over the affected area and cover with a piece of plastic to prevent the oil staining clothing or linen. Gladwrap works very well. If treatment time is necessarily short then a hot water bottle can be used to heat the pack while it is in place.

– Leave the castor oil pack in place at least 1 hour.
However it works best if left in place over night. The following night the same piece of cloth can be used with the further addition of a little extra castor oil.

– Continue to apply the castor oil packs for 3 -5 nights. For minor injury one series of applications may be sufficient, but in more serious cases use the packs three days on and three days off.

Psoriasis is a non-contagious skin disorder that ususally appears as inflamed, swollen skin covered with silvery white scale.
These areas of skin can become quite raised. It most commonly affects the scalp, elbows and knees.

Psoriasis can be difficult to cure at the best of times, as attention does need to be paid to the diet and stress levels as well as treating the liver.

The diet should ideally be high (80%) in alkaline foods such as fresh fruit and veges, with addition of fish (at least 150mg of oily fish such as salmon, herring, sardines etc daily and/or fish oils) and the careful avoidance of acid forming refined foods, sugars, preservatives, colourings and saturated fats.

Avoidance of pork can also be effective in some cases.
Avoid also calcium high foods (cheese, milk, cream, ice-cream, yohurt – which are mostly acidic anyway)and calcium supplements.

Evening Primrose Oil in reasonably high doses, 3000mg 2-3 times daily does wonders to reduce inflammation (not the itchiness) and relieve stress.

The Celloid PS 29 or No 7 cell salt also may help dry itchiness.

Mineral levels always need to be increased, especially zinc.
The easiest way to do this would be use Colloidal minerals – take at least 1 tbsp daily. In some cases extra zinc may be needed.

Levels of zinc can be determined often by the ‘taste’ of the Colloidal minerals, which if unadulterated in any way should be very strongly metallic. If there is very little taste after taking Colloidal minerals for several months then add 1-2ml of Zinc liquid daily until the
‘taste’ becomes very strong.
See page on ‘ Minerals – facts’ and ‘Minerals – why we need to supplement’

Appropriate herbs to use are: Coleus, Red Clover, Yellow Dock and Burdock as blood cleansers.

Polypodium Leucotomos, a fern found in Central America has also been reported to
have beneficial effects for people suffering from psoriasis.
Can be sourced as a tablet in combination with Vitamin D.
Please ‘Contact us’ if you would like this product or, if unsure whether this product is for you, then send your query and details to ‘Ask Alison’.

St Mary’s Thistle as a liver detoxifier. Skullcap, Vervain, Chamomile
or Passiflora to relieve stress.
The addition of Sarsaparilla is also indicated for psoriasis. Herbs are best taken as a fluid extract at least 3ml in water twice daily for several months.

Other successful remedies that have helped in individual cases have been
to;
– look after and tonify the Liver. See page on ‘Liver – the facts’.

– increase progesterone levels (your progesterone level can be checked by a saliva test, a Naturopath could arrange this for to be done).

– use Niacin (B3) therapy – combined with a high colloidal mineral intake, as
B3 increases circulation to the skin. See page on ‘Niacin- use of B3′.

-supplement with Glutathione, which is a wonderful detoxifier of the liver.

– improve digestion, as incomplete digestion of proteins can cause the formation of polyamines, a group of toxic amino acids that can greatly contribute to the rest of cell proliferation.
Food enzymes should be used with every meal and include as much raw foods into the diet as possible.
See page on ‘Enzymes – facts’.

– Improve Aerobic and Lymphatic exercise, try using a ‘Lymphasiser.

Shin splints are caused by pressure on the nerves originating in the lumbar spine.

A branch of the sciatic nerve, called the tibial nerve, runs down the medial side of the tibial (shin) bone and it is when the origin of this nerve is compressed and/or inflamed that the painful sensation known as shin
splints occurs.

Basically you need to see an osteopath that will gently release the pressure off the lumbar spine.
As there may also be compression of the nerve by over tense calf muscles this area also needs to be deeply massaged.

It would also help to try and avoid exercise that is compacting or jarring and to do stretches both before and after going to the gym, as this will relieve some of the pressure exerted on the lower spine.

Adding a little more calcium and/or magnesium to the diet may help in as much as these minerals help prevent excessive muscular spasm.
Both these minerals are found in most green vegetables, nuts and seeds or in green supplements such as Spirulina and Barley grass.
See page on ‘Magnesium/Calcium’.

Kelp is also very high in calcium and Colloidal minerals and are a very good source of most minerals.
See page on ‘Minerals – why we need to supplement’.

In my opinion it is better to use supplements of this type, i.e. mineral supplements from organic plant derived sources that have all macro-minerals and most trace minerals present, rather than single mineral tablets that may possibly cause a mineral imbalance if inappropriately used.

Original question: ‘My son has had what I think the doctors call  ‘Seborrheic Dermatitis'(although I am a little confused as another GP said it was ‘Sebaceous
Dermatitis’) on the centre panel of his face for some years now.
It appears just like a small area of dryish skin that becomes red and then flakes off, leaving
the skin looking paler than usual. The GP has simply given him a mild corticoid steroid cream to use but of course it just relieves the symptoms for a short time.
I also visited a naturopath and she gave me a series of ‘blood cleansing’ herbs and recommended I obtain naturally made skin cleansers rather than normal soaps and body washes for my son to use. He has used the herbs and still uses natural skin cleansing products but the condition continues to be a nuisance.
Have you any ideas that could eliminate this problem all together?’

………..Seborrheic Dermatitis is a common inflammatory skin condition affecting the upper layers of skin. It appears as red itchy skin often with flaky white/yellow scaly patches that form on oily areas such as the scalp.
Can appear as ‘cradle cap’ on infants or as ‘dandruff’ on adolescents, but can also affect areas other than the scalp, as in this case.

It can be aggravated by stress, fatigue, excessive oily skin, the use of harsh skin preparations containing alcohol or by too infrequent hair and skin washing.

Sebaceous Dermatitis is more usually called ‘acne’.
See page on ‘Acne – facial’.

My usual first recommendation is to greatly increase the levels of Zinc in the body, best as always, achieved by using Colloidal minerals rather than by using Zinc tablets. This greatly improves the ability of the skin to heal and is often the only treatment necessary.
See pages on ‘Minerals – facts’ and ‘Minerals – why we need to Supplement’.

However it is also good to take a Halibut oil or Cod Liver oil capsule daily as an increased source of Vitamin A and continue to use natural skin preparations.

Taking 3000mg of Evening Primrose oil once or twice daily will also help relieve the inflammation.

If this does not prove to be sufficient then I would try adding a good probiotic to this regime.
One that contains Lactobacillus rhamnosus (HN001 strain) and Bifidobacterium lactis(HN019 strain) as well as Lactobacillus acidophilus (NCFM strain). It is not sufficient simply to eat yoghurt and best results are obtained when using these specific
strains.
See page on ‘Probiotics’.

Seborrheic dermatitis can also have a fungal cause, once again I feel more common when the Zinc levels of the body are low, but in this case there can be improvement with the use of natural shampoos containing tea tree oil or Manuka extracts.

Seasickness or motion sickness is caused by excessive stimulation of the vestibular (ear) apparatus and seems to affect some people more that others.

Aggravating factors are visual stimuli (such as reading or a moving horizon), fumes, smoke, poor ventilation, perfumes, anxiety, alcohol or a heavy meal before travelling.

Stimuli such as a moving horizon are hard to avoid while on a boat, but try driving or steering the boat yourself if possible, this will help as you focus more on horizon which is stable.

Homeopathics containing Nux Vomica, Cocculus and Pulsatilla are excellent, best taken several hours before travelling and then every hour or so as needed.

Charcoal tablets can help settle the stomach, as can ginger.

Be sure to drink plenty of water in small amounts, and eat simple foods, frequently. Dry crackers are a good idea.

Personally the best remedy I have ever found…is a very bitter beer. I find that the bitterness helps settle the stomach and the bubbles bring up any stubborn gas!!

Schizophrenia is a disease not well understood. It may start as being episodic but progress to becoming chronic as the patient ages.

There are many possible theoretical causes, however the most widely accepted and well
supported biochemical etiology for the development of schizophrenia involves there being an excessive concentration of the neurotransmitter Dopamine.

It is thought that this may induce psychotic/schizophrenic episodes.
There is also most likely a strong genetic component.

It is probably best treated from a variety of therapeutic angles, which may include:

– Consider the possibility of allergic reactions to foods.
There are studies that show that schizophrenics have an increased history of food intolerance, especially to gluten (wheat, oats, rye and barley). Gluten allergy has been shown to be capable of causing symptoms similar to schizophrenia.
Gluten needs to be avoided entirely but other allergies are often improved by the use of food enzymes, especially protease.

– Avoid excessive adrenaline stimulaton.
There is a theory that schizophrenia may possibly be caused by a higher than normal exposure to adrenochrome, which is a metabolite of adrenaline.

–  Avoid sugars.
It is well known that when blood sugar levels drop, adrenaline is released as it is involved in the metabolism of glucose. It may follow then that people suffering from large blood-sugar swings are going to over produce adrenaline. And possibly adrenochrome.
Keep to a high protein, low sugar diet.

– Avoid stress. It causes the production of adrenaline.

– Avoid coffee and tea as high caffeine intake can increase anxiety/stress.

–  Take steps to lower excess adrenochrome.
B Vitamins can help, as can Co-enzyme Q10. Niacin (B3) therapy has also been effective.

– Eliminate vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
Particularly Vitamin B12, as studies have shown that very low serum B12 levels can
be associated with hallucinations and schizoid symptoms.
Also combined B6 and zinc deficiency can give rise to a clinical picture of schizophrenia as can a severe copper deficiency.
So supplement with all the B vitamins plus vitamin A, C and E and zinc.
Colloidal minerals would be the best choice of mineral supplementation as it supplies all minerals and trace elements needed for overall health.
See page on ‘Minerals – facts’. and ‘Minerals – why we need to supplement’.

–  Check for heavy metal toxicity especially lead and mercury, both of which are associated with mental symptoms.
Removal from the body is usually by Chelation therapy and symptoms can include colic,
forgetfulness, aggression, hyperactivity, muscular weakness or simply persistent mild flu symptoms.
Mercury of course is wide spread in amalgam fillings. Mercury chelating products are now available but ideally the amalgam needs to be removed from the mouth to prevent on going toxicity.

– Check for other chemical exposure and detoxify the body.
Liver tonics can help here and Glutathione gets good results as it detoxifies the liver. Glutathione can be found to be deficient as adrenochrome produces many free radicals and a related deficiency of Glutathione.

–  Supplementing with extra antioxidants would be recommended.

–  Beware that viral disease is also a theoretical cause of schizophrenia.
Do all possible to strengthen the immune system.

–  Decreased thyroid function is also associated with Schizophrenia.

–  The function of fatty acids has been implicated in schizophrenia as a deficiency of unsaturated fatty acids may cause schizophrenic symptoms.
Supplementing with a good quality cold pressed Evening Primrose Oil (EPO) would be recommended.

However there are many types of schizophrenia and individualised treatments is absolutely essential – a case in point – the essential fatty acids in EPO can cause deterioration in certain schizophrenic states.

Anti-psychotic medication should never be discontinued unless under close supervision.