Helen Gestwicki - Medical Herbalist

Cod Liver Oil May Help Reduce Depression

2007-06-15T14:59:00.000Z

A large study in Norway has shown that people taking cod liver oil were less likely to become depressed than those that did not take it (see the full story on the BBC website) .

Cod liver oil is rich in omega 3 fatty acids that have been shown to help alleviate depression (for example see here) as well as helping to reduce cardiovascular disease, prevent and even alleviate joint inflammation and arthritis.

So maybe our grannies were right to take a spoonful of CLO every day!

As well as being rich in omega 3 fats, cod liver oil also contains vitamin D and vitamin A, and has been used to treat rickets (vitamin D deficiency) in children in the past.

If you decide to take cod liver oil, please take care and buy a good supplement to ensure that it has been screened for toxins and heavy metals - many of the cheaper high street brands have been shown to contain nasties such as PCBs and mercury, which are definitely NOT beneficial for your health! Go to a good health food store and ask for advice.

Please note that cod liver oil is not suitable for women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant or for people that have liver damage, due to the high vitamin A content.

Natural Alternatives to HRT

2007-04-19T10:19:00.000Z

With the latest news on the risks of using HRT hitting the headlines (click here for the full story), many women will look towards herbal medicine as a natural alternative to HRT.

Every week, more and more women come to my clinic at Napiers in Edinburgh in need of help with menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, insomnia, mood changes, heavy or irregualar periods, weight gain and vaginal dryness. Many have tried 'over the counter' remedies which help a little, but the holistic approach that I offer is usually much more effective for relieving symptoms and boosting general health and vitality in the long term.

I look at each person's overall health, as well their current health issues and use this information to choose and blend a selection of herbs into a prescription that they will take 2 or 3 times daily. I also offer nutritional advice, which I find can make a real difference especially in terms of energy and general health. I keep in regular contact with my clients to ensure that they are getting the most out of their treatment.

I've recently joined together with my colleague, Life Coach and Tibetan Health practitioner Kate Roddick to offer a 'Menopause Makeover' - a chance to address not only the physical but the emotional side of 'the change'.

For a reduced rate of £70 for your first herbal medicine and life coaching sessions, we will support and advise you on ways to help yourself and to make a smooth transition into the next exciting phase of your life.

Please contact Napiers, 35 Hamilton Place, Edinburgh on 0131 315 2130 to book a one-to-one appointment with me or to find out more about the Menopause Makeover.

Why just folic acid?

2007-05-14T18:22:00.000Z

The Food Standards Agency has recommended that bread flour be fortified with folic acid in order to help prevent birth defects (see http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6648059.stm for the full story).

Folic acid is recommended to be supplemented by all women of child bearing age as it is thought to help prevent the occurance of spina bifida. The current UK government recommendation is to take 400 micrograms (ug) daily for at least 3 months before becoming pregnant.

But folic acid can't be the only nutrient that's important in pregnancy? Surely there must be others?? Of course folic acid has been shown to prevent birth defects, but what about making sure that your developing child has access to the optimum amounts of all nutrients so that he/she can get the best start and live a healthier life, including key ones such as DHA (from fish oil) which is vital for the development of the nervous system, calcium and magnesium for the production of strong bones, teeth and nervous tissue, and zinc to aid formation of healthy tissues and production of DNA to name but a few.

And they're just the ones that are important for the growing fetus - what about mum's needs?

Her body is working overtime to create a new human being, so optimum nutrition and healthy food are essential before, during and after pregnancy for the health of both mother and child. More and more research is indicating that a mother's nutritional status whilst pregnant can affect her child's health into adulthood and I frequently see women that are very depleted after pregnancy due to the demands put on their body which may already have been low in nutrients.

If you are planning to become pregnant or already are, you may wish to consult a trained nutritional therapist who can advise you on the best ways to get all the nutrition you and your unborn (or yet unconceived) child need, through diet and supplementation.

You can search for a qualified nutritional therapist in your area on the website of the British Association for Nutritional Therapy (BANT).

Herbal Tea Helps Control Hair Growth in Women

2007-02-20T21:51:00.000Z

Here's an interesting Herbal Medicine research story on the BBC website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6376599.stm.

Researchers have found that taking two cups of spearmint tea daily, women with excessive facial hair have found a reduction in hair growth by reducing levels of the male sex hormone testosterone. Hirsuitism is often found in conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) where women have higher levels of oestrogen and testosterone, so this treatment may be useful for women with PCOS, although hirsuitism can also be genetic and is not always hormone related.

Great to see such a positive Herbal Medicine story in the news!

Study Shows Folic Acid Aids Memory

2007-01-19T17:21:00.000Z

A study in the Netherlands has found that supplementing folic acid can improve memory in the elderly - see http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6278117.stm for the full article.

This new research confirms previous studies that have shown similar results and also confirms what we know - nutrition is really important and especially in vulnerable groups such as the elderly.

To me, it also says that it is not always possible to get all the nutrients you need for optimum health from diet alone - sometimes supplements can be really beneficial. The government has long recognised that folic acid can prevent neural tube birth defects if taken for the 3 months before and after conception, and it recommends levels that far exceed the 'RDA' (see http://www.rcog.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=541).

Folic acid, together with other nutrients including vitamin B6 and B12, is also know to reduce levels of homocysteine, a chemical made in the body that is linked to diseases such as heart disease, stroke and Alzheimer's. More research please!

Take Steps To Prevent Cancer

2007-01-03T15:15:00.000Z

A poll carried out by Cancer Research UK says that 27% of people believe that fate determines whether they will develop cancer (for the full story see http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6226117.stm).

As a trained Medical Herbalist and trainee Nutritionist, I am convinced that this is simply not true. There is a mass of evidence that diet, environment and lifestyle can affect the chances of developing cancer, and that certain plant chemicals found in herbs, fruits, vegetables and other plant materials, have a protective action in the body against cancer.

But it is not as simple as taking more fruit or an antioxidant supplement. Stress, emotional issues, pollution, lack of exercise, obesity, excess dietary fat and many other dietary and lifestyle factors are also important. There is so much that you can do to really reduce your chances of developing cancer, and using herbal remedies and good diet are just the start.

I often advise people who are concerned about cancer or who may have a history of cancer in their family, offering individual advice on diet, lifestyle and herbal remedies that may be used in the long term and will also help to increase general health and vitality.

For more information about how to use herbs and supplements safely find your nearest Medical Herbalist (go to www.nimh.org.uk for details) or Nutritional Therapist. For details of my own clinics, please click here.

As Winter Draws In...

2006-12-12T18:14:00.000Z

As the days get shorter and the wind and rain grow colder, more people are coming into my clinic for help with winter ailments - coughs and colds are doing the rounds, and stress levels are rising as Christmas approaches! At this time of year, it's important to take time for yourself to relax and to make sure that you are eating nourishing and warming foods to increase your resistance. Herbs such as Echinacea and Garlic can help to ward off nasty bugs and support the immune system.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (or SAD) also starts to affect some people at this time of year, and I have found herbal treatment very effective for this condition. Herbs such as Oats, Ginseng and St Johns Wort can be really useful although it's always worth visiting a qualified herbal practitioner to make sure you get the right mix for your individual needs, and especially if you take any medication from your doctor.

Life as a Herbalist

2006-12-03T22:02:00.000Z

Yesterday was quite quiet in my clinic, but my Well Woman clinic is still going well. I treat women every week using herbal medicine to treat a variety of women's health problems, including menopausal symptoms, premenstrual syndrome and recently have had many patients with endometriosis.