Medical herbalist Ellie Holly's talk on herbal medicine, the value of weeds
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Using Weeds As Medicines

I had a lovely day down at Rye Harbour Discovery Centre last Saturday giving a talk to the Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve.  It was well attended with over forty attendees.  Lots of interesting discussions about how to use common garden…
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Treating children with herbal medicine

  How to get herbs into children! Herbal medicine is ideal for treating children’s health problems.  I will be writing a few articles on herbs for children but I thought I better start with how to get herbs into children. When to…
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Q How can burger and chips count towards my five-a-day?

A  When they are chickpea and sweetcorn burgers served with sweet potato wedges! A patient was arguing that it is really difficult to eat five portions of fruit and veg a day and keep her fussy family happy.  Later that day I remembered seeing…
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Is apple cider vinegar really good for us?

The Times and the recent BBC Two series ‘Trust me I’m a doctor’ got together to look at the health claims made about apple cider vinegar. They reported their findings in the Times earlier this week. They concluded having diluted apple…
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I want to lose weight but...

....keep putting off my ‘diet start date’ ....feel overwhelmed by all the different diet advice out there ...when I get tired I reach for sugary snacks Here are a few simple tips to help you get on track: Start making small changes today…
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Candida and Thrush - Causes and Treatment

Everybody has some of the yeast Candida albicans living in their digestive tract, low levels are normal and do not cause any problems.  However, when Candida overgrows it can cause a range of nasty symptoms including wind and bloating, vaginal…
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Food allergy vs. food intolerance - what is the difference?

Food allergies and intolerances are talked about a lot, but are you clear about what these terms really mean?  When someone has a food allergy when they eat even a tiny amount of that food their body produces antibodies and mounts an immune…
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Siberian ginseng and my friend Debbie

My friend Debbie was asking what she could take to keep her stamina up during a 100km walk for charity she will be doing this weekend.  Siberian Ginseng instantly came to mind.  Herbs and herbal medicine are not just for illness; ideally they…
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Fizzy drinks and bone density in kids and teenagers

Commercial fizzy drinks are high in phosphorus and high intakes of phosphorus lead to calcium being excreted from the body, reducing bone density.  This is a particularly important issue for teenagers who need more calcium than any other age…
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Five simple suggestions for children's tummy bugs

Chamomile tea is antispasmodic to the gut meaning it helps to ease tummy cramps; it has an anti-inflammatory action within the digestive system meaning it helps to calm down soreness and irritation there. It is also relaxing so will help…
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Is milk good for my child?

Milk has had a lot of bad press in recent years and many parents are left confused as to whether they should be giving their children dairy products or steering well clear of them. The nutritional benefits of cow’s milk On the positive side,…