We have had quite a few styes in our household this year. Bathe with a warm chamomile compress for rapid healing. We put 1-2 drops of chamomile essential oil in a small bowl of warm water and then soaked cotton wool in the water to make the compress. Then relax back and place over the eye for a few minutes. We repeated this daily for a few days and the stye disappeared.
Don’t forget the mental/emotional aspect of styes which might suggest looking at the world through angry eyes. From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) view, anger manifests in the Liver which opens out into the eyes, so this all ties in.
Spend time checking into yourself.
Chamomile is gentle and calming. This same eye compress can be used for itchy eyes, red and sore eyes, hay fever.
It’s always handy to have Roman Chamomile and Lavender essential oils in your cabinet for first aid/little emergencies.
Sea salt is really good for soaking in a bath. It is believed to stimulate circulation, help ease muscle cramps, help relieve stiff joints, and soothe the skin.
Sea salt isn’t generally processed that much, it is simply evaporated off the water. So its very rich in trace minerals such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, zinc and iron.
Himalayan salts are very similar to sea salt in composition and trace minerals. However, because Himalayan salt is mined near the foothills of the Himalayan mountains, from some really ancient sea beds which were covered over with ice, lava and snow for millions of years, its thought that Himalayan salts are much purer than our regular sea salt because they are not full of our modern day pollutants.
Epsom salts aren’t actually a salt. They are magnesium, sulphur and oxygen. So when you use Epsom salts you are really using them for their magnesium content. Magnesium is needed in the body for all sorts of daily functions at a cellular level, and it is thought that in this day and age we are all lacking in magnesium due to the erosion of soil quality. Magnesium is very easily absorbed through the skin so soaking in a bath of Epsom salts is a great way to boost your magnesium levels.
Although we do need magnesium to support a whole host of bodily functions, one of the main things we all need it for is stress-management and improved sleep.
So these are the different types of salt explained, so you can now make an informed choice as to which type you would like to bathe in. Happy soaking!
Arnica is a well-known homeopathic remedy and a gentle herb from the daisy family (a relative to Calendula, Chamomile, Echinacea, Yarrow and Dandelion).
For centuries Arnica has been used for bruising and sprains. It’s old names such as “fall herb” and “wound herb” signify its age-old use for the effects of trauma. Swiss mountain guides chewed Arnica leaves to prevent fatigue from climbing.
Just like the tough, hardy daisy, Arnica will help you bounce back from life’s knocks and tumbles. It reduces pain, inflammation and swelling, and increases blood circulation.
Arnica is an alpine plant growing and thriving in the most extreme conditions, making it a tough, hardy plant. It grows in nutrient-poor soil, at high altitudes and strong sunlight. It is a survivor, getting through the most difficult of times. It’s leaves are also usually full of little insects and parasites, giving it a victim persona. Its root contains essential oils which are powerful anti–inflammatory agents. So there is no wonder that Arnica is a powerful remedy not just on a physical level but also on emotional and spiritual levels too.
If you have fallen over and taken a knock, or are feeling battered and bruised from a tough exercise workout, Arnica knows that feeling. Arnica can sooth your weariness, heal your bruises, remedy the trauma and comfort your injured pride.
Arnica Salve (by Neal’s Yard Remedies) is potent plant power in a jar: organic essential oils and herbal extracts in pure, organic beeswax. Supporting a hard worked body, the salve can be massaged into muscles before and after exertion, stimulating muscles before workouts and easing them afterwards. Of course it is also a necessity for the organic medicine cabinet for emergency first aid for those knocks, bruises, falls and sprains.
When overtired why not enjoy a restorative soak with Arnica in the bath. Infusions of mineral-rich Seaweed, Comfrey and Arnica are combined with pure essential oils of Lemon, Pine, Juniper and Lavender to ease tired muscles and restore a sense of vitality.
Jackie Marsden MAR is a qualified reflexologist, acupuncturist, promoter of healthy living and independent consultant (Group Leader) for Neal’s Yard Remedies Organic.
Approximately 2 million people in the UK suffer with seasonal allergies.
Generally speaking, early symptoms are caused by tree pollen, and later symptoms are caused by grasses and weeds. This is known as seasonal allergic rhinitis (or more commonly referred to as hay fever).
Symptoms that continue all year are called perennial allergic rhinitis and commonly relate to indoor allergens, such as house dust mites, pets and indoor molds.
In response to exposure of an allergen (e.g. pollen) the body’s immune system overreacts and releases chemicals (histamines) which cause inflammation. Histamines work quickly, causing sneezing, itching and runny nose. The eyes may also be affected, with itching, redness and watering (allergic conjunctivitis).
Other chemicals released during this overreaction can cause a blocked or stuffy nose and sinuses, which may lead to headache and difficulty sleeping.
Rhinitis is often regarded as a trivial problem but studies have shown that it severely affects people’s quality of life. It disturbs sleep, impairs daytime concentration and the ability to carry out tasks, causes people to miss work or school, and has been shown to affect children’s school exam results. (Source Allergy UK).
Treatments that suppress the symptoms of rhinitis or hay fever are antihistamines.
Quercetin is a natural anti-histamine i.e. it is known to inhibit the manufacture and release of histamine. It is also high in antioxidants.
Quercetin is an flavonoid (plant pigment) commonly found in fruits and vegetables, especially onions, citrus, and apples.
Since over-the-counter and prescription antihistamines can have side effects like drowsiness, seizures and dry mouth, a natural option is a good choice.
Zinc also helps with hayfever. Zinc reduces histamine levels and will enhance Quercetin.
If you suffer with regular colds/infections – you could well be deficient in zinc. Zinc will reduce a cold by up to 7 days, because it is toxic to viruses.
Zinc is amazing for skin – crucial skin healing and repair, acne, blemishes etc. balances sebum.
Zinc balances the reproductive organs so it’s a great choice for couples wanting to conceive. Great for bones and nails.
Any of the White tea range will be hugely antioxidant so great for any allergies/hay fever.
White tea facial mist – lovely and refreshing, and cooling for the face. Use as a toner and as a facial spritz throughout the day over make-up.
White tea toning eye gel. Again this contains the Eyebright herb for reducing inflammation around the mucus membranes, more specifically the eye area here. Keep in the fridge for that extra cooling effect.
Apply the bee lovely lip balm around nostrils to prevent the pollen/allergens from entering the nasal cavity.
Some people with an allergy to pollens (especially tree pollens) may be affected by cross-reactions between their pollen allergy and certain foods. For example, they may find that when eating certain fruits, vegetables or tree nuts, especially raw, they get an itchy mouth or throat.
Keep windows closed when indoors. This is most important in the early mornings, when pollen is being released, and in the evening when the air cools and pollens that have been carried up into the air begin to fall to ground level again.
On high pollen days, shower and wash your hair after arriving home and change your clothing.
Avoid drying washing on a clothes-line outside when pollen counts are high.
Wear wraparound sunglasses when outdoors to keep pollen allergens out of your eyes.
Start taking a spoon full of locally sourced honey every day as early in the year as possible to build up immunity/resilience. (Source Allergy UK)
Acupuncture is effective in clearing heat and modulating the immune system.
Jackie Marsden MAR is a qualified reflexologist, promoter of healthy living and independent consultant (Team Leader) for Neal’s Yard Remedies Organic. Jackie leads and mentors a growing team of consultants (many of whom are therapists integrating organic products into their existing businesses) via the NYRO social selling channel, holding regular team meetings, one-to-one coaching via phone and facetime, and a closed facebook group. All views are my own.
We’re off to the midge haven of Scotland for our summer holiday, so in true girl guide fashion I’ve followed the motto of “be prepared” and have stocked up on insect repellent and cream to apply on bites.
Just as well I did because just as my stock arrived I suffered this nasty bite to my thigh whilst outside in our garden, from what I can only imagine was a horse fly.
As is usually the case I only noticed it when it started to itch. Immediately applied a generous amount of Stellaria cream from Neal’s Yard Remedies. This cream is rich in almond oil and chickweed extract – exactly what the skin needs to reduce inflammation, itching and allergy. I applied approximately every 3 hours (basically when the itching re-started after the last application) and now 5 days later it no longer itches and has reduced considerably. It didn’t bother me during the night either which was surprising!
I’m sure if I hadn’t had this cream to hand the itching would have been unbearable and I probably would have been scarred from scratching.
When I was bitten I was outside taking my regular yoga practice. It’s so liberating and uplifting to practice outside, and I don’t want to stop doing this. So insect repellent to the rescue! The Neal’s Yard Remedies citronella formula spray has worked a treat ever since. With witch hazel and citronella it is cooling to the skin and smells great (but not so attractive for those pesky insects!)
While we’re away I will also pop a few drops of citronella in a bowl of boiling water to diffuse through the van of an evening.
Jackie Marsden is a qualified Reflexologist and Clinical Acupuncturist. She is also an independent consultant for Neal’s Yard Remedies Organic. All views are my own.
My youngest daughter has recently contracted the common virus known as Chicken Pox (herpes varicella-zoster).
The virus can cause a high temperature, loss of appetite and the well known spots or rash. The spots start off looking like red spots, then they blister and finally scab over.
Once the blisters have scabbed over the child is no longer contagious, even though the scabs are still present and can still look alarming, particularly to other parents! They can take up to two weeks to fade and disappear.
Chicken Pox
During the blistering and early scabbing stages in particularly, itching can be pretty debilitating. My daughter didn’t try to scratch the spots but just stood there and cried in despair! At this point I used Calendula and Oat lotion. I chose this over the “traditional” calamine lotion because I always want to avoid synthetic preservatives that are found in many products nowadays.
Calendula and oat lotion is deeply soothing and calming, with anti-inflammatory properties. In addition to this, it also contains Stellaria media (Chickweed) extract, a traditional herb renowned for cooling and soothing itching or red skin: ideal for Chicken Pox.
Stellaria media (Chickweed)
Oats for chicken pox:
We had only one full day of itching and feeling miserable in general. I used the Calendula & Oat lotion regularly during this day, as well as giving her a porridge oat bath for chicken pox. To do this I simply put half a cup of organic porridge oats into an old sock and knotted the top. Then I placed it under the running water when filling up the tub.
I genuinely believe that the two above remedies reduced the time of itching and discomfort for my daughter (and subsequently me!) and am now prepared for my older daughter to contract the virus too!
In addition to the above, I really wanted to give reflexology, however my youngest daughter is very much a person who knows her own mind and would not be persuaded. I would have liked to give some short and gently zone therapy with emphasis on the thymus and lymphatics to help the immune system fight the virus, and the solar plexus for calming. My older daughter is more welcoming to the therapy and she is already receiving reflexology regularly in the anticipation of catching the virus.
It should go without saying, that in addition to topical lotions and medicines such as paracetamol, what the body needs the most in situations like this is water, and plenty of it.
Now that the worst is over for my youngest daughter, I am now applying Organic Rosehip Seed Oil to reduce any potential scarring. Rosehip seed oil contains vitamin A, vitamin C and the essential fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6, which are fantastic ingredients to encourage skin rejuvenation, moisture replenishment, and healing.
Jackie Marsden MAR is a qualified reflexologist and independent consultant (Team Leader) for Neal’s Yard Remedies Organic. Jackie leads and mentors a growing team of consultants (many of whom are therapists integrating organic products into their existing businesses) via the NYRO social selling channel, holding regular team meetings, one-to-one coaching via phone and facetime, and a closed facebook group. All views are my own.
Elder Cottage Clinic, Warton, PR4 