Healthwise Clinic Natural Health Blog

So many people spend hours on the computer, and it can become a habit to reach for a cup of coffee to punctuate the day.  Coffee will eventually give you a sour taste in your mouth, while what you really need in Spring is a genuine taste of something sour.

Detox during Spring with lemons.

During the spring our bodies are de-toxing naturally, and the perfect way to help them is to provide a taste of something sour like lemon.  The taste of lemons will give added punch and help your body to get rid of excess fat and toxins.  Incredible though it may seem your body loses weight naturally at this time of year.  It makes sense as in the natural world animals need layers of fat to see them through the lean winter months, and when the earth wakes up, leaves start to appear and more food appears, those fat deposits are not needed any more.

Like animals we can benefit from the natural cycle of the seasons.

Changing your diet to include more sour less sweet tastes.

The first action you can take is to replace endless cups of tea and coffee.  To be honest they can become a habit.  Giving up those drinks can sound difficult if you have a stressful life and use the drinks as a pick me up.

The warmth of tea or coffee is important, so what we suggest is that you have a warm comforting drink first thing in the morning.  Boiled water and a slice of lemon will be much more appealing before you eat anything sweet.

It could help to imagine all the excess gunk leaving your body effortlessly helped along with the drink.  During the day you do need to drink water, and we reckon that hot water and lemon could soon become your favourite! Start gradually, and reduce the other drinks and replace with water and lemon.

The other action to take is to reduce the amount of sweetness you eat.  Having started the day well should give you a boost to cut down.  Your body does not need sweetness during Spring, so try fresh greens and food with more vitality which is far far better for you than stodgy junk food.  Over time you will find your taste preferences change and you prefer food which is not clogging up your arteries and metabolism.  Fresh vital food helps to give you energy, and eating lemons in spring help you to lose weight, so it is a double gain!

Simple and powerful. Boost your liver to detox naturally.  Put the kettle on and get started ..and imagine all that gunk effortlessly leaving your body.

Snow and ice in Britain over the last few days have made a difference to our health.  While the weather has created problems it has also given us opportunities for better health.

• The hills have been alive with sledging, skiing and snowboarding.  Conditions have been so good that the snow has rivalled experiences you would normally get in the Alps.  Lots of fun ways to take exercise.

• Parents who would normally be at work are taking the time to be with their children whose schools have been closed.  Spending quality time with those who are most important to you is important for our health.

• Cars have been left in the drive, and people have walked.  Simply walking for 20 minutes is soo much better than always going by car.

• We have noticed there have been more conversations with strangers.  The weather is a good subject to talk about but there has been a better connection between people and a chance to get to know new people.  (We are social creatures – we need to be in contact with others)

• This is of course in addition to all the people who have helped each other dig cars out of the snow, and generally be good neighbours…our mind and spirit affects our health.  Being helped as well as helping others contributes massively to our well-being.

• Food is being bought in a more planned way.  More snow is continually being threatened, so many families have stocked up.

• We have become more aware of the weather.  In traditional chinese medicine the seasons play a large part in health, and often in modern life we simply fail to notice the season we are in.  Looking at a snow scene is also an opportunity for reflection.

• Last but not least, winter is a time of rest and recuperation.  The snow has given us all a chance to stop and take life more quietly for a day or two.  Stopping the frenetic lifestyle is a key aspect of better health.

However, we are looking forward to seeing all of you whose appointments were affected by the weather, and hope we will be able to catch up in the next few days.

Eating the right food in winter begins with thinking about how our food can best sustain us during the winter period.  While the weather is colder we need food that will warm us because of its temperature, and it is the season to add spices which are also warming to the body.

So please do not eat cold ice-cream or drinks straight from the fridge during winter.  Better to have warm oven-baked food, preferably with some spices added.

Ginger is particularly good during winter and will help the circulation in the cold.  Cinammon and Fennel are excellent right now, but if you are trying to conceive please avoid these after ovulation.

If you have any digestive problems telephone the clinic 44 (0) 1628 668339 and claim your free 15 minute consultation.

” I’m Yours” the song sung by Jason Mraz has been in the charts for nearly a year and a half.   Is it so popular simply because it helps people feel good? Despite the global financial melt down at heart we want to be happy and for life to be simple.  Here is the live version in front of a rapt audience.

The tune sticks in your head, life seems less complicated, and you relax.  At Healthwise we are interested in anything that helps people feel better.  Because the better you feel, the better your health.

We also love the words.  Why?  Because Jason refers to two of the big health concepts of traditional chinese medicine which are cornerstones for us here at Healthwise.

“I’ve been spending way too long checking my tongue in the mirror”

Yes you can tell a lot by looking at your tongue in the mirror!  The most obvious thing is the colour but the size, and the shape are also very important indicators of your health.

“Rid yourself of vanity just go with the seasons“.

We don’t know if Jason does know about traditional chinese medicine but the seasons are a vital concept for health.  Each season is connected to a different part of the body system and therefore different health issues are best addressed in the relevant season.

Take the advice in the song and “don’t complicate our time” just watch the song and relax!  Jason, Mr Toca (and the gnome) are here for you!

I’m Yours sung by Jason Mraz live

Did it make you feel good?

Now go and look at your tongue in the mirror! If you want help, get in touch..

Hay fever symptoms are usually worse in early summer.  But if you asked the 6 million hay fever sufferers in the UK what the cause is, very few would say it is the horse chestnut tree.

The obvious first answer is hay, but when people realise they have not been near hay they think again, and usually say grass seed.

But the surprising truth is that pollen from the horse chestnut tree is the cause of a lot of hay fever in Britain and elsewhere.

The horse chestnut is such a beautiful tree, and means that finer weather is here and it seems almost wrong to think of it being a problem!

Of course in natural medicine, it is not the tree that is the problem, but an imbalance in the body which allows the horse chestnut to cause the symptoms.

The pollen in the flowers is easily blown around by the wind, and once airborne is then inhaled through the nose or mouth.  This can cause symptoms similar to having a cold.  The only difference is that you do not feel as bad as you would with a cold.

Unfortunately there is little you can do to avoid the pollen.  Natural health treatment focuses on expelling the pollen from the body, and soothing the inflammation which can occur in the nose, eyes, and throat.

The use of over-the-counter or prescribed anti-histamines, effectively damp the body’s natural reaction against the pollen.  Although they reduce symptoms in the short-term, they can create a greater imbalance for the future. With these types of medication the body becomes weaker and the energy depletes due to the toxicity of the drugs.

Nature has an array of plants that can be used to help with hay fever. Drugs cause further harm!

Many trees, flowers and grasses can produce hay fever symptoms.  However, the appearance of the horse chestnut flower indicates the start of the season and the most common type of hay fever which occurs in late spring and early summer.

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For some people with a lower immune function pollen in the air causes problems in the form of allergies.

Pollen is only one of many allergens known to us and there are now thousands of people suffering with various allergies every day of the year.

Some of the common symptoms that indicates a reaction to pollen include a runny nose, itchy eyes, puffy skin round the eyes and a general feeling of being unwell.  A reaction to pollen can look the same as a cold. It can be called “hay fever” even if you have been nowhere near hay!

From a natural health perspective, the body’s defensive system are weaker than normal for a substance to cause an allergic reaction,  so we strengthen the body so it can fight against the allergen.

One of the first steps could be to have an allergy test. We use a method that works by assessing the hair and the response within the body when you came into contact with the allergen. The hair stores everything that you come into contact with is stored inside the hair structure, so it can be read in detail.

The results and advice on what to do are given to our clients.

Many allergic reactions can be treated with diet.  If it is diet related treatment can be as simple as just making some dietary changes over a few weeks and the immune system may improve.

If this is not sufficient then it is possible to get excellent results using natural medicine such as herbal medicine and acupuncture to improve the immune system.

There have been many new research projects showing that acupuncture and various herbs greatly improve the number of T cells.  These are responsible for the health of the immune system.

The fine weather seems to be disappearing. Although it was wonderful, from a health point of view it may be a good idea to have a little rest from the sun.

Why do we want a break from the sun when we can’t guarantee we will ever see it again?

Because health problems to do with the heart and circulation are exacerbated if there is too much heat. In Britain we all get very excited when it is fine weather, but we do need some moderation.

You know the saying “Mad Dogs and Englishmen go out in the Mid-day Sun” … implying that the mid-day sun could be harmful. Most European countries have a siesta or rest period inside when the sun is at its height.

Because we can’t guarantee we will get a hot summer most people overindulge. Apart from the obvious problems of sunstroke, sunburn and heat rash, there is the added underlying danger of heart problems and strokes.

As summer is the time to improve the health of your heart, it is also the time when heart problems can escalate. When the weather turns cooler a natural check against the heat of the sun is obtained.

You are still getting all the benefits of the earth’s energy, but with some balance which is better for long term health.

We talk about the “Summer of Love” and we all feel better when the sun is shining, and nature is lush and green.

The earth’s energy is moving towards its peak in the northern hemisphere, and it can improve our health. In fact, having joy in our lives not only makes us feel good but actually does us good. Feeling love is, literally, good for the heart.

So many people are permanently on pills to reduce blood pressure, while the simple answer is to feel happier! We all know that stress causes physical problems, but doctors don’t positively encourage you to enjoy life.

Each season offers the perfect opportunity to improve your health. Summer is the time to look after your heart. The circulation of blood through veins and arteries is improved with a simple cleanse through diet and by feeling good.

The weather is warmer and life feels better. Take time to savour the good things in life. Stop and look at a beautiful view, tell the people you love that you love them, make time to enjoy simple pleasures.

You get the double benefit of more joy in your life, and improving your health and circulation at the same time. What could be more natural?

Happy First of June!

June is the first full month in the summer which is extremely good news for your health. The weather is sunny and joy is the emotion we feel. It is the time of year to feel good.

The earth’s energy is very active now which has a gain for you, too.

Today’s message is all about joy. You can relax and gently let it in.

We are heading towards summer which has an impact on your health and well being.

Health issues for summer are different from the health issues in spring. There are different health problems and health opportunities which become relevant – and therefore – can be treated most effectively during that season.

This is relevant for identifed problems but also for a your attitude.

The aim of natural health is that your body is healthy, and you have a sense of wellbeing.

We can re-balance your energy with acupuncture and herbal medicine to make the changes, but you are the keeper of the key to health.

As we move into summer (as defined by the lunar calendar sytem) Andrew Loosely will be providing tips and hints on what to do for your health during this season.