Alison Odey

PH in the body is extremely important. When the body is in good health the pH
is balanced (around a pH of 6.4 or very slightly acidic).

The only area of the body which needs a more acidic environment is the digestive system which is required to be acidic in order to digest proteins.

PH is the abbreviation for potenz (potential/power) and hydrogen. It has to do with hydrogen ion and hydrogen atom exchange. Hydrogen ions have a positive electrical charge and hydroxide ions are negatively charged. If there are roughly as many hydrogen
ions as there are hydroxide then the solution will have a balanced pH. Or, if the hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions pair up and share an electron they form water with a neutral pH of 7.0.

Today’s diet often produces far too many hydrogen ions making the body’s fluids acidic.

Fruits and vegetables are alkaline and should comprise about 50-70% of the diet in order to keep the pH level with in normal limits.

Remember that all proteins (meats, cheese, eggs, fish, un-sprouted nuts, beans and whole grains) are all acidic.

If the diet is too acidic the body will try to adjust its pH level by drawing on alkaline buffers, such as alkaline minerals such as magnesium and calcium.

This is one reason why the body can become deficient in these minerals even when
the diet is high in dairy products containing calcium or nuts and seeds containing magnesium. Both these dietary (dairy products and nuts/seeds) sources are acidic and if not balanced with sufficient fruit and veges the body will need even more minerals to keep the pH balanced.

Remember that anything green is alkaline, Colloidal minerals are alkaline. Magnesium is alkaline and therefore Epsom salt (Magnesium sulphate) baths are alkaline.

ALKALINE FORMING FOODS
Green and salad vegetables – lettuce, celery, watercress, spring onions, cabbage, spinach, silver beet, cucumber, alfalfa, green peas, beans, radishes,  parsley, mint etc.
Also spirulina, wheat grass, barley grass and chorella, aloe vera and kelp.

Root vegetables – carrots, turnips, parsnips, beetroot, swedes, potatoes as well as other vegetables such as pumpkin, marrow, onions, cauliflower, cabbage, asparagus, leeks etc.

Sweet fruits – apples, pears, peaches, apricots, melon, paw paw, mango, nectarines, figs, grapes, bananas, plums, persimmons, figs etc.
Also avocado, tomato, and bell peppers.

Acid fruits – oranges, lemons, limes, mandarin, grape-fruit, pineapple, and all berries.

Sprouted seeds, nuts, and grains.

Herbs & spices are alkaline. Add them to all dishes.

Raw foods are more alkalizing, while cooked food is more acidifying.

ACID FORMING FOODS – should form about 20 -30% of the diet.
Proteins are acid forming and should be eaten moderately – meat, fish, eggs, nuts etc.

Sugars are acid forming, including natural sugars.

Unsaturated fats such as butter and cream and other animal fats are acidic.

Grains are acidifying, though a few (millet, buckwheat, and spelt) are only very mildly so.
Dried peas and beans also tend to be acidic as does bread and cereal products.

Carefully avoid – White flour and all products made from it (white bread, cakes, biscuits) white sugar, sweets, pickles, jams, sauces, animal fats, alcohol, tea, coffee, cocoa and soft drinks.

DIGESTION
It is very important that the body can digest efficiently. It this is not the case then foods will not be broken down and processed sufficiently and poor health will result.

Poor digestion can come about by faulty eating habits, not taking time to eat and eating too quickly, stress, illness and age.
See page on ‘Heartburn’ for information on how to correct poor digestion.

WATER
It is also vitally important to drink sufficent water to allow our bodies to eliminate excess acids. A dehydrated body cannot completely eliminate waste products via the kidney and this will eventually cause a decrease in our overall vitality.
See page on Water intake.

Many times I have treated people complaining of increasing ‘girth’, especially women as they pass through the menopausal and then post menopausal years. In some it is predominantly the stomach that greatly increases its size, becoming exceedingly extended.

Often this change in appearance is caused by the intake of food exceeding the output of energy. As you get older the output of energy often greatly decreases, but food intake often stays the same, resulting in a gradual increase in weight especially around the abdomen.

Decreasing the amount of food eaten overall will help greatly.

At the same time eliminating all added sugars (this includes all wine, beer, soft drinks, dried fruits and only using a very small amount of honey) will greatly reduce the probability of excess gas causing abdominal bloating.

This is just a snipet of what you need to know, so if you want to know more about this subject or have a personal question of your own, then please email me for a personal consultation, as all natural treatments are best if prescribed individually.
Cost and contact address are on the Contact page.
Alternatively, if possible. – make an appointment

Unfortunately many of our teenagers have very poor diets which lead to them becoming extremely mineral deficient. This in itself can lead to long term depression as well as a myriad of other problems.

As young adults these children do not have the skills to be able to recognize depression for what it is and do not realize that what they are suffering is a quite easily treatable condition, or know how to approach their feelings in order to be able to deal with them or
to be able to talk about them.

Zinc and Magnesium are two minerals that are extremely deficient in parts of NZ and often need to be supplemented.

A deficiency of Zinc can lead to symptoms of depression, lethargy, nervousness, poor immunity (often recurrent viral infections), acne, often poor taste and smell, loss of appetite, poor circulation, concentration and sleep and in some cases a tendency to faint.

At times it can be recognized by white spots appearing in the nails which are often brittle, stretch marks appearing on the skin and slow wound healing that tends to leave
scars. In teenagers there may be signs of sexual immaturity and in young women
often irregular menstrual cycles.
See page on ‘Zinc’.

Magnesium deficiency can cause symptoms of anxiety, depression, irritability, behavioural disturbances, disorientation and confusion, depression as well as disturbance of heart rhythm, insomnia, premenstrual tension, twitching or muscles (especially around the eye) and cramping.

Vitamin deficiency can also be a problem in teenagers, especially if fast foods and Coke predominate in the diet.
B Vitamins play an important part in the maintenance of the nervous system and a deficiency in any one of them can lead to symptoms of depression. A great improvement in moods and enthusiasm for life can be achieved by supplementing with Vitamin B complex.

At times even better results can be obtained with the addition of a separate supplementation of Vitamin B12.  This is often the case even when a blood test shows a so called ‘normal’ Vitamin B12 level.

Many teenagers are reluctant to take any supplements so sometimes the best way to manage the situation is to suggest that your teenager take a good multivitamin tablet daily. This is simple and easily complied with.

A daily dose of Colloidal minerals is also an excellent idea and will supply extra minerals
and all trace elements needed for the body to regain its health. These are liquid and easily added to juice.
See page on ‘Minerals – facts’ and ‘ Minerals – why we need to supplement’.

If you find that this not sufficient to help improve your teenagers out-look on life or if you want to do more right away, then the herb Saint John’s Wort is excellent. Saint John’s Wort has the effect of providing a very subtle shift in the pattern of thought from a
negative to a positive out-look.
It is not a huge ‘upper’ as some people seem to imagine. It is not harmful or addictive in any way and is also an extremely good anti-viral herb.

Evening Primrose Oil is another extremely good treatment for moods and depression and is especially good where there are bouts of weepiness.
I find that a dose of 3000mg is usually needed to lift the mood effectively. this can be taken at any time the mood is depressed or the tears threaten and can be repeated as necessary up to three times daily.
Go to the On-line shop for organic Evening Primrose Oil.

Endometriosis occurs when the cells from the uterine lining (the endometrium) grow elsewhere in the abdominal cavity. There are several theories as to why this happens.

One theory is that it involves a hormonal imbalance (such as an oestrogen to progesterone ratio imbalance), other possibilities are immunological dysfunction and/or inflammation.

Also, the liver is the primary site of hormonal conjugation and elimination and it has been found that a significant number of endometriosis patients have a history of impaired liver function.

Lymphatic transportation of endometrial tissue to atopic sites is another theory that has
been surmised.

Stress and bowel toxicity are other possible reasons or aggravating factors.

The pain associated with endometriosis occurs, because although the endometrium cells are not in the uterus, they respond to the normal hormonal changes which control menstruation and therefore break down and bleed each month. If there is nowhere for the blood to escape to, then the blood accumulates in the body cavities and can cause pressure and pain until it is slowly absorbed by the body.
If there are endometrial cells in the bowel, then blood may be noticed passing in the bowel motion.
The endometrial tissue can also eventually cause scar tissue to form, which can cause pain and problems in adjacent organs.

Endometriosis is most commonly associated with pain, including dysmenorrhoea, dyspareunia (deep pain on intercourse), chronic pelvic pain and ovulation pain.
However about one third of women diagnosed with endometriosis have no pain. Also there is no association between the severity of the endometriosis and either the occurrence or the severity of pain.
Endometriosis can also cause anaemia and infertility.

Natural treatments often revolve around the symptoms being experienced. Therefore, if pain and cramping are being felt, then anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic herbs such as White Willow bark, Corydalis, Chamomile, Raspberry Leaf, Ginger, Licorice and Wild yam are soothing and pain relieving.
While herbs such as Cramp bark, Kavakava, and Valerian are very effective in relieving spasmodic cramping.

If flow is sluggish, dark and clotted the appropriate herb would be Dong Quai which can often correct these symptoms as it is a wonderful tonifying herb as well as being anti-spasmodic.
Gotu Kola and Dan Shen are herbs which may be used to help reduce the formation of adhesions.

Herbs such as Kavakava, Chamomile and Motherwort are also very useful to help ease the anxiety that often accompanies endometriosis.

In some instances the bleeding may be abnormally heavy, in which case herbs such as Beth root, Lady’s mantle and Shepherds Purse would be indicated as they are astringents and can also help ease inflammatory symptoms.

However, probably the most specifically indicated herb is Vitex agnus castus, although it may need higher doses to be effective and is often used in conjunction with the herbs previously mentioned.
Contact us if you need a herbal blend made specifically for you.

Because of the possible involvement of the liver, it is appropriate in all cases to add herbs such as St Mary’s Thistle, Dandelion Root and Globe Artichoke that tonify the liver, help detoxify the body and accelerate the hepatic breakdown of oestrogens.

Also because of the possible involvement of the lymphatic and immune systems
the use of herbs such as Echinacea, Pokeroot, Pau D’arco and Astragalus may well
be indicated.

In many cases great improvement is seen when the bowel is treated, often just with the addition of slippery elm powder to the diet, but at times with the addition of raw beetroot juice or other herbs the ease bowel congestion.
See pages on ‘Bowel – improving action’.

Colloidal minerals are of great benefit as they contain all minerals needed
to heal. They help prevent iron deficiency from excessive blood loss. Zinc aids
tissue repair and magnesium helps to prevent cramping.
See page on  ‘Minerals – why we need to supplement’.

Because of prostaglandin abnormalities endometriosis has also been beneficially helped by greatly increasing essential fatty acid levels.
Around three to five meals of fish are needed weekly or about 2000-3000 mg of fish oil daily.
Evening primrose oil can also be used. These may need to be used long-term before noticeable results are realised. Evening primrose oil is also very effective in treating the depression and irritability that often accompanies endometriosis.
Use 3000 mg twice daily.
Go to On-line shop for Organic Evening primrose oil and Fish oils.

Vitamin E has been shown to decrease adhesion formation. Start with 500 IU daily. Do not take high doses of vitamin E immediately before or after surgery.

This question concerned the taking of anti-depressant drugs during pregnancy.

I feel that to take any drug un-necessarily during pregnancy is foolhardy. Especially since there is so little known about the long term effects of any drug on a foetus.

The same applies, to the taking of strong herbal preparations during pregnancy and for this reason it is much safer to use Homeobotanical remedies instead.

In most cases it is advisable to encourage the pregnant lady to greatly increase her mineral levels. Even a simple (and extremely common) deficiency such as Zinc can cause extremely depressive symptoms that reverse quite quickly once the deficiency is corrected.

Colloidal minerals contain all essential minerals plus all trace elements, are safe and work extremely well.
See page on ‘Minerals – why we need to Supplement’.
Another excellent source of extra minerals is Spirulina, this may need the addition of extra Zinc.

Another common deficiency that can cause depressive symptoms is lack of B Vitamins and particular, Vitamin B12.
This is often overlooked as in many instances a blood test will show a B12 level to be normal. However this does not change the fact that increasing B12 levels will greatly increase energy levels and relieve depressive symptoms.
Most pregnant ladies will already be taking folic acid, so a change to a folic acid and B12 combination is often an easy and good move.

Homeobotanical remedies and/or Bach flower remedies for depressive symptoms
can be obtained easily and  they are effective and safe to use during pregnancy.
Contact us if you wish to order this type of remedy.

Depression is a very common affliction that can affect most people at some stage of their lives. It can come about as a natural response to emotional disappointment, loss or grieving but can also be the result of hormonal imbalances, chemical imbalances in the brain, long-term stress, inflammation and/or pain or vitamin and mineral deficiencies and also by poor diet and/or poor digestion.

Dull, cold weather can make the situation worse and in this country November/December can be a very windy season which for a lot of people is disruptive and unsettling.
See page on ‘Seasonal Afective disorder (SAD)’.

Depression can cause sleep disturbances (that in turn often make the depression worse), fatigue, bouts of crying, emotional instability, loss of appetite or binge eating, weight changes, loss of pleasure in life and often loss of self esteem.

Don’t under estimate the importance of diet. Often even small changes in diet can bring about beneficial changes in mood.
For example, for some people cutting fast acting carbohydrates (sugar, white bread, cakes and biscuits) out of their diet can improve both mood and energy and get rid of feelings of confusion, irritability and aggression.

Serotonin levels can potentially be improved by eating more protein containing foods, especially poultry, oily fish, beans, nuts and seeds.
Serotonin is a neurotsansmitter which is responsible for mood elevation. Low levels can cause feelings of depression.
See page on ‘Antidepressants vs 5HTP’.

Dopamine and noradrenaline are two other neurotransmitters which are important for staying alert and active. These can also potentially be improved by eating more protein rich foods which contain tyrosine, such as meat, fish, beans, seeds, soya and cheese.

Omega 3 fats (oily fish) are especially important for mental and emotional health.

To combat depression it is hugely important to improve mineral levels in the body.
Zinc and Magnesium are two minerals that are extremely deficient in parts of NZ and often need to be supplemented. Iodine deficiency is also a problem.

A deficiency of Zinc can lead to symptoms of depression, lethargy, nervousness, poor immunity (often recurrent viral infections), acne, often poor taste and smell, loss of appetite, poor circulation, concentration and sleep and in some cases a tendency to faint. At times it can be recognized by white spots appearing in the nails which are often brittle, stretch marks appearing on the skin and slow wound healing that tends to leave scars. In teenagers there may be signs of sexual immaturity and in young women often irregular menstrual cycles.
Increasing Zinc levels can dramatically reduce depressive symptoms, possibly by increasing Serotonin levels.
See page on Zinc.

Magnesium deficiency can cause symptoms of anxiety, depression, irritability, behavioural disturbances, disorientation and confusion, depression as well as disturbance of heart rhythm, insomnia, premenstrual tension, twitching or muscles (especially around the eye) and cramping.

Deficiency in Iodine causes lethargy, sluggishness, lack of enthusiasm, often weight gain and a great tendency to not want to exercise or participate .
See page on ‘Hypothyroid’.
When Iodine deficiency is a factor in cases of depression often the supplementation of this trace element can make a huge difference to both energy levels and emotional well being.

These three minerals in particular need to increased but it is far
better to do this by the use of Colloidal minerals rather try to take them
individually which may cause further imbalances.

Evening primrose oil is another wonderful remedy for depression, especially the type that appears premenstrually. It is also great for those bouts of uncalled for weepiness. The dose does need to be reasonably high, often 3000mg 2-3 times daily. Organic Evening Primrose Oil is available through this Clinic.

For depressive moods where negativity is paramount, St John’s Wort can be hugely effective. It has the effect of subtly bringing about a change in the pattern of thought from a tendency to be negative to a positive out look on life. It does not act as an ‘upper’ or cause a great uplifting the senses!

Homeobotanical remedies and/or Bach flower remedies for depressive symptoms can also be very effective.

In older people it is important also to increase vitamin B12. This is often done by injection as uptake can be poor if taken orally, but there are available sublingual tablets and other oral supplements that work well. In particular I have found that a combination of Vitamin B12 and potassium Iodide works well.
Go to On-line shop for ‘Tracel’. or organic Evening primrose oil.

Excess urination at night can be caused by a number of reasons. If male, it quite likely could be caused by an enlarged prostate.
Saw Palmetto is the specific herb for this problem. It needs to be taken in a relatively strong dose for several months combined with Zinc. If there is no change observed after taking this herb after 6-8 weeks, you would be well advised to seek a doctor’s examination.
See page on Prostate Hyperplasia.

For both male and female, spinal pressure can cause excess urination at night in which case a spinal check from a good Osteopath would be recommended.

Mild urethitis or cystitis can also cause excessive nightly urination.
Cystitis is very common in older females and recurring cystitis can often indicate that oestrogen levels are too low, causing a lack of mucus membrane
integrity which predisposes the urethra to infection.
This can be treated reasonably easily by taking a regular dose of Pau D’arco and Cornsilk, which helps prevent reinfection but is best combined with a herb such as Black Cohosh
that can slowly increase the estrogens levels.
See page on ‘Cystitis and Interstitial Cystitis’.

Another cause can be altered ADH (antidiuretic hormone) production.
This hormone prevents excessive urine production but a number of conditions such as pain, stress, trauma, anxiety, tranquillizers, nicotine etc. can cause an imbalance and urine production will not be conserved at night.
In this situation obviously the cause has to be addressed.

Cystitis is an acute or chronic infection of the urinary bladder. It causes an urge to urinate frequently, often not passing a lot of urine and nearly always accompanied by a burning sensation.
It is surprisingly common in women, mainly because of the close proximity of the anus, vagina and urethra and the short length of the urethra which allows for very easy transmission of bacteria from one area to another.
However it can also be caused by infected urine being sent to the bladder from the kidneys.

Generally the infection is bacterial but can be aggravated by bruising during intercourse, stress or a diet that is too acidic (often too high in sugars).
It can also become a more frequent problem as a woman’s oestrogen level decrease, due the gradual thinning of the mucus membranes, making them more susceptible to infection.

The best course of action is to immediately when the first ‘stinging sensation’ is felt is to start drinking a lot more water.
Heaps! To help flush out the urinary tract.

Also immediately stop any intake of highly acidic foods and beverages, especially sugar, wine, coffee and chocolate but also limiting foods as red meats and cheese. Increase alkaline foods such as fruits and green vegetables.

An excellent herbal combination to take is a 50/50 blend of Pau D’arco and Corn silk, taken 3-5ml in water 3 times daily until all discomfort has cleared. Then reduce the dose to twice daily for a further 7-10 days to ensure that all infection and/or inflammation has gone. This blend can be further improved by the addition of a small amount of Golden Seal as an anti-biotic.

Cranberry juice can also be effective if used consistently and in an unsweetened form, its mode of action being to help stop bacteria adhering to the walls of the urinary tract, however it won’t help stop E.coli based cystitis.
Pau D’arco and Corn silk have a different mode of action and together are both soothing and antibacterial as well as being particularly effective against Candiadis.
Use the ‘Contact Us’ page if  you need a specific herbal blend.

If menopausal changes are suspected to be contributing to the problem, then you need to add Black Cohosh as well to any herbal blend. Better still, take it (or some other hormonal balancing preparation) separately, in a higher dose and over a much longer period.

Licorice contains glycyrrhizin (the sweet taste) and glycyrrhetinic acid
both of which are anti-inflammatory are responsible for reducing symptoms of
inflammation.

However, both of these constituents also have mineralocorticoid activity which may result in hypokalaemia (low potassium), hypertension and oedema if taken in large amounts over a period of time.

Extra potassium containing foods can be used to help counteract this effect
but if symptoms of puffiness do start to occur then the dosage must be stopped.
Symptoms will then reduce very quickly.

Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis are two major groups within the general category known as Irritable Bowel Disease.

Crohn’s Disease can be accurately diagnosed with a barium swallow whereas Ulcerative Colitis would be diagnosed with a barium enema. These tests would allow the clinician to observe the characteristic inflammatory changes in the bowel wall. There are significant changes in the location and how they affect the bowel wall that help differentiate the two.

The primary difference is the degree of involvement of the wall of the intestinal tract.
Ulcerative colitis is limited to the mucosa and the submucosa whereas Crohn’s Disease involves the muscular layer and the connective tissue layer below the mucosa.
If no physical inflammatory changes are noted then the diagnosis would more likely to be that of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

The cause of Crohn’s Disease has not been established, but it is likely that multiple factors are involved. That it is of a genetic origin has been postulated but as yet no specific genetic marker has been isolated.

Various micro-organisms have also been considered but the majority of these will not
survive in a healthy digestive tract. The link between any irritable Bowel Disease and compromised intestinal integrity is clear, and ultimately the health of these organs is paramount.

Crohn’s Disease can be quite difficult to treat but considerable relief of can be gained by using a combination of diet and herbal remedies.
Additional vitamins and minerals are always necessary as absorption by the body
is usually poor.

The usual symptoms of Crohn’s Disease are abdominal cramps with some
pain and/or tenderness of the abdomen, often with accompanying diarrhoea and sometimes bloody stools, although in the early stages constipation may be more common, with the urge to defecate but only a scanty bowel movement.
As the condition progresses appetite loss, weight loss, fatigue and fever may develop.

The first recommendation is that  the patient keep to a diet that is smooth (not necessarily bland) – so as to not irritate the inflamed mucosal membranes – high in proteins ( eggs, fish, poultry, organic meats), fibre and essential fatty acids but low in
refined foods, sugars, saturated fats and lactose-rich dairy products.
Avoid fruits and veges that contain seeds and remove hard skins.

Often the cruciferous veges such as cabbage and cauliflower will tend to cause allergic
reactions, as can corn, wheat, tomato and some citrus fruits. However, fresh
cabbage juice as been known to help heal the ulcerative condition.
If in a very severe state try putting steamed veges, brown rice, etc. through a blender to
help ease irritation.
Drink a lot of pure water and avoid coffee and strong tea. Tea contains tannins which can further worsen absorption of nutrients.

Secondly, take food enzymes with every meal. Preferably a product containing  protease, amylase, lipase and cellulase.  This is extremely important as the majority of digestive and related bowel diseases start with poor digestion.
Taking food enzymes greatly improves the digestion of all foods, not only so that nutrients are better absorbed but also so that undigested foods do not further overload the colon and cause even more imbalance and irritation.
It is often this overload of poorly digested foods that are the source of food sensitivities and intestinal imbalances.
I generally recommend the use an enzyme product that is entirely plant derived,
contains effective dosages of digestive enzymes and are extremely well
tolerated. See page on ‘Enzymes – facts’.

Thirdly be sure to take Colloidal minerals daily. This is because mineral absorption will be poor and for any healing to take place it needs to be maintained constantly. Colloidal minerals are particularly well tolerated and well  absorbed.
See page on ‘Minerals – facts’ and  ‘Minerals – why we need to supplement’.

The constant lack of energy can often be aided by supplementing with Vitamin B12 and Folic acid. These are often at low levels in people with Crohn’s Disease
because of poor absorption, poor bowel flora and in some cases the use of drugs
that deplete Folic acid levels.
If taking B12 orally be sure to take it on an empty stomach to get maximum absorption.
See page on Vitamin B12

Next would come the use of herbal remedies. There are many soothing herbals that can help this condition. Also some specific minerals and probiotics.

This is just a snipet of what you need to know, so if you want to know more about this subject or have a personal question of your own, then please email me for a personal consultation, as all natural treatments are best if prescribed individually.
Cost and contact address are on the Contact page.
Alternatively, if possible. – make an appointment

Essentially a cramp is an involuntary and forcible contraction of a muscle that then does not relax. Severe cramping may be followed by a tenderness in the muscle that may last some time.

Many people suffer from cramping – usually in the legs or feet.
Sometimes cramping of the legs at night can be due to the position the people lie
in, especially if the knees are slightly bent and the feet pointing down. in this type of position the calf muscle will be relaxed (shortened) and can be prone to cramping. The same can happen if sitting for prolonged periods in the same position

Often, the addition of extra magnesium will help.

To correct this you can start taking Colloidal minerals, which have a good balance of both calcium and magnesium but also contain all other trace elements.
In some cases the addition of extra magnesium for the first few weeks is necessary.
See pages on ‘Minerals – facts’ and ‘Minerals – why we need to supplement’..

There is also the possibility that there is some nerve damage, most likely in the lumbar spine. I have noted many times that people suffering from leg cramps will report that they gain relief after having an Osteopathic treatment.

Cracks on the heels and the side of the feet are often a problem in warm countries were bare feet or sandals are the norm.

However for cracks to become deep and fissured there is often an underlying deficiency of Zinc in the body.
There may also be deficiency in B vitamins and/or Vitamin A (check for dryness of the lower lip).

Try taking a vitamin B complex tablet twice a daily (breakfast and lunch time is best) plus extra Zinc, or better still one tablespoon of Colloidal minerals daily.

See pages on ‘Minerals – facts’ and ‘Minerals – why we need to supplement’.

The use of pumice stone certainly helps prevent the formation of deep cracks on the heels. Use a pumice stone in the shower, and then rub on an oil rather than a moisturiser.

Castor oil also works quite well, although it is very sticky, as it is very good for softening hard skin.

Other creams/oils that are Vitamin E based and/or have a antibacterial/antifungal effect can also be helpful if used regularly.

However do make sure that the feet are kept dry and well aired especially if having to wear shoes/boots for most of the day.

Vitamin and Mineral supplements need to be taken long-term for good results.

Basically, corns are caused by repeated pressure, friction or irritation to the deepest layer of skin. So the ‘cure’ is always to correct the reason for the pressure.  This may be as simple as changing to a more comfortable pair of shoes or it may mean treating a spinal imbalance so that the weight distribution over the feet is correct.

Corn plasters generally contain salicylic acid that will effectively ‘kill off’ the accumulated skin cells so that the skin can be more easily removed. The use of a pumice stone while in the bath or shower is the most effective way of doing this.

Some essential oils containing salicylic acid (Wintergreen) have a similar effect. Eucalyptus oil and Cinnamon oil can also be used effectively.

Another effective method is to use the sap from the garden ‘milk weed’ (Euphorbia peplus). Apply this daily to the corn. The sap will burn if it gets onto un-affected skin, so be careful.

If using this herb then make sure your mineral levels are high before hand. if not the skin will not heal well and can get very painful.

A slice of garlic taped over the corn can also be effective but be careful that it only covers the corn and not the surrounding skin, as it can burn.
A small piece of lemon rind can also be used in a similar manner since it softens the skin.

Verrucaes or warts are different. These are caused by viral infection (Human Papillomavirus) which can enter the skin through any micro injury.  This commonly occurs on the feet , especially when the skin is wet and soft as in showers or at swimming pools etc.

You can tell whether you have a wart/verrucae by ‘pinching’ the area. If it hurts it is normally a verrucae. If it only hurts when you press directly down on the area, then it is a corn.

These are more difficult to remove and if large can require surgical removal.
Sometimes freezing or freezing type treatments will work on smaller infections.
However warts/verrucaes are of viral origin and I have found that sometimes the long term use of anti-viral herbs can help.

Colic is usually caused by an immature gastrointestinal system.
The digestive process is inadequate and the undigested food causes gas and distension which is very distressing to the child.

This is quite possible even when the child is totally breast-fed and the mother is consuming dairy proteins and not digesting these adequately herself or alternatively is consuming other foods to which baby is intolerant. These can include brassicas, green apples, fried foods, excess sugars, tomatoes etc. The nursing mother needs to eliminate these from her diet.

Most times however, colic does not tend to be an allergic reaction, but more a problem of protein intolerance.
Digestive enzymes need to be used to improve the digestion before the condition alleviates. If the child is totally breast-fed, then often only the mother needs to take the enzymes. If the child is bottle fed or on solid foods as well, then the child needs to be given a small amount of enzymes with each feed.

The type of enzyme supplements used is important. Many enzyme supplements on
the ‘over the counter’ market are ineffective, and unsuitable for young children.

I usually recommend a product which is entirely plant derived, contains an effective dosage of digestive enzymes and are extremely well tolerated. They are in capsulated form so the capsule can be opened up and the formula administrated to the child as a powder. Alternatively, a papaya based tablet is often reasonably successful if protein seems to be the only problem. It is also advisable to limit the amount of dairy proteins in the diet, both for Mum and baby.
See page on ‘Enzymes – facts’.

Homeobotanical remedies are also suitable for young children and can be used to improve digestion – but the method is less direct.
However, if mixed so as to be calming as well as digestive, the effect can be very good and may be used in conjunction with enzymes.

If these methods fail, then seek the advice of a good cranial osteopath as at times colic in young babies can be caused by birth traumas and possible minor spinal imbalance.

Coeliac disease is a disorder of the small intestine caused by an autoimmune response to wheat gluten and to similar proteins found in barley, rye and oats.

The disease eliciting factor is the gluten molecule, or more specifically its alcohol-soluble fraction, gliadin. It causes damage to the small intestine which prevents the body taking up many of the nutrients that it needs from food.

The condition is widely misdiagnosed or goes unrecognised. By definition the disease is characterised by gastrointestinal complications but many people present with out any GI symptoms.

A diagnosis is made by blood screening for either antigliadin or endomysial and transglutaminase antibodies. This preliminary diagnosis is then confirmed by biopsy.

The anti-gliadin test identifies an immune response to gluten, while
the anti-endomysial and transglutaminase screening identifies an auto-immune activity.
The distinction needs to be drawn between coeliac disease and gluten sensitivity as this may not necessarily manifest as CD in the classical sense. Also someone who has been avoiding gluten in there diet would test negative to CD blood screening.

Coeliac disease has a clear genetic predisposition. There is a 10% prevalence of the disease among first degree relatives.

Classic presentation would be diarrhoea, exaggerated weight loss, enteropathy with crypts in the intestinal villi.
Elevated anti-gliadin or endomysial and transglutaminase anti-bodies. Often the patient is thin, pale/anaemic, pot bellied with abdominal discomfort, feeling unwell and fatigued.

This can be difficult to determine in a young child who may just present as being a little pale, listless, irritable with a tendency to loose bowel motions and a slightly bloated tummy.

An important associated disorder of coeliac disease is Dermatitis Herpeiformis, which
manifests in the form of an intensely itchy skin rash distinguished by the formation of small papules or blisters. These lesions are often symmetrically distributed over the elbows, knees, buttocks, scalp, neck, shoulders or sacral regions.
There is evidence that the changes in the intestinal mucosa and immunological findings are the same as those found in coeliac disease. However it is not a condition for self diagnosis as these lesions can be confused with many other conditions.

Treatment is usually complete abstinence from gluten containing cereals (use rice instead) and improvement can often be seen within 2-3 weeks.
If this proves to be successful, the additional use of carefully designed supplements, which include probiotic cultures and proteases,can make the management of this condition attainable without being overly
restrictive.

There has been some debate over whether oats can be tolerated by people diagnosed with CD. It appears that the gluten in wheat is likely to be more problematic than the gluten in oats, but is best assessed on an individual basis.

It is also likely that the gluten in wheat varieties used to make pasta is less reactive than the gluten in wheat varieties used to make bread.

Cholesteatomas are an accumulation of keratin; they are sometimes termed a ‘tumour’, but are not of the cancerous variety.

Cholesteatoma can occur when there has been an acute episode of otitis media resulting in perforation of the ear drum. Instead of healing normally the skin over the outer surface of the ear drum grows through the perforation and into the middle ear.

Once these membranes have become established in the middle ear they then can start to desquamate and accumulate, resulting in the accumulated skin cells that form a Cholesteatoma.  The desquamated epithelium can then continue to accumulate in ever-enlarging concentric layers and can eventually destroy the adjacent bones of hearing, causing hearing loss, dizziness and at times paralysis of the facial muscles.

Cholesteatoma can also occur congenitally or because of long-standing improper functioning of the Eustachian tube.

The medical treatment is usually surgery combined with antibiotics used both orally and externally into the ear to eliminate any further infection.

If removed surgically it is possible for them to re-grow if any tiny fragments are
left behind after the original surgery.

To help prevent Cholesteatomas occurring or re-occurring it is of the utmost importance to ensure that the Eustachian tubes are kept clear. This means watching for any intolerance to dairy proteins which can cause an excessive mucus build-up and avoiding colds, flus and allergies.
See page on ‘Glue ear’.

Dairy protein intolerance can be treated by using food enzymes with every meal as well as avoiding the excessive intake of cheeses, ice-cream etc.
See page on ‘Enzymes – facts’.

To avoid colds/flus the immune system must be kept strong and the mineral
intake adequate.
See page on ‘Throat infections’.

Allergies can be treated with use of specific herbs and also with the use of
the flavonoid Quercetin, which can have a anti-histamine type action.

In small children, rubbing Vicks or a similar mild heating balm around and below the ears can help improve drainage of the Eustachian tubes. This is very useful if you are unsure of  the condition of the Eustachian tube which can be difficult even for a GP or nurse to evaluate in tiny children.

Onion poultices can also be extremely effective.
See page on ‘Onion Poultices’.

Homeobotanical  remedies are also useful in this instance.