Prepare to party wisely
Staying healthy through the pre-Christmas season is not so much where you hang the mistletoe, more about stocking up on essential herbal helpers
If I had a pound for every time I’d counselled people over the years on how to avoid a hangover during the festive season, I’d be living in some posh ‘golfing residence’ rather than in my much-loved village home. And beware, eating the berries of mistletoe is more likely to make you rather ill, although the leaves have been used for hundreds of years as a potent aid for various disorders.
In the editorial month coming up to Christmas, I habitually check for what’s new in the supplements marketplace, for products that might replace my old favourites, so we’ll proceed with the party helpers here. Milk Thistle, as always, remains my first recommendation to limit the effect on the liver of over-indulgence in festive fare, both alcoholic and culinary. My best brand remains Ripple Creek (from Tigon UK 0044 116 235 5020 or visit www.oliveleaf.co.uk), with its three-part formulation including turmeric root and artichoke leaf extract – helps soothe agitated gastric tracts and works in support of liver function.
Bioforce has been rebranded recently as A. Vogel and stocks available in Cyprus pharmacies are labelled in French and German. Vogel Milk Thistle tincture is excellent and also, I’ve seen this year, there’s Boldocynara, a combination of artichoke, boldo root and dandelion, which promises well for indigestion problems.
Aimed solely at liver function is a product I reviewed in my last column, Himalaya Liv 52, which I’m currently testing myself, November being serious party time with birthdays and visitors. I have to say it’s good stuff and is working well. I thoroughly recommend this formulation containing eight natural elements known to support liver function and facilitate rapid elimination of the toxic by-products of alcohol metabolism. Himalaya also has a dedicated herbal formulation for the festive season, prettily packaged as ‘PartySmart’. The blurb explains: counters the side-effects of alcohol by rapid elimination of acetaldehyde, the toxic by-product of alcohol intake. Provides liver protection, prevents headaches and other symptoms of ‘morning after’. It’s been tested in four placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trials to WHO protocols: you take one capsule half an hour before you start drinking. Visit their excellent site www.partysmart.net for more information and find Himalaya products in local pharmacies.
Finally, birthdays safely celebrated for another year, I’m about to embark upon my pre-Christmas system cleanse, using Ephytem’s Ten Day Detox pack. I prefer this brand because it’s easy to use in portion-controlled phials and has six active ingredients, 96 per cent natural. Combined with a sensible eating plan, it increases energy levels, reduces fluid retention and helps skin problems. Good stuff for the first weeks of December. Call me for suppliers (99 170406) or e-mail [email protected]. I can also e-mail a shopping list of the full range of herbal helpers available if you’re going to take staying well this Christmas seriously.
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Which herbs support glaucoma medication?
My husband’s glaucoma is stabilised by using Timoptic daily; he’s had no problems for years. Now we’ve retired here, Moorfields Eye Hospital specialist seems rather distant: are there any herbal precautions he can take?
Mrs JF Peyia
Medical understanding of glaucoma has progressed hugely since my days at Moorfields. Yes! I won’t say how long ago, but I studied there and at the Institute of Ophthalmology, and am still full of respect for their joint research programme. Your husband is lucky, doubly so if he’s had no further attacks.
The term glaucoma describes a group of eye conditions associated with high intraocular pressure. Early symptoms are flu-like and many a sufferer has been prescribed Paracetamol by his GP, only to return when blurred vision, blindspots and excruciating ocular pain occur. Timolol (the drug in Timoptic) is a beta-blocker, also prescribed for angina in pill form. As drops, it controls ocular tension and usually has no side effects. Many beta-blockers are more effective when supplemented with Co-Enzyme Q10, an anti-oxidant that occurs less in the body as we age. To start, I’d recommend Yasoo Omega-T formulation with CoQ10 (available from local pharmacies), as omega 3 fatty acids may also contribute useful factors. The Inuit people who consume vast quantities of fish have a much lower incidence of glaucoma.
Research also claims that large amounts of Vitamin C is effective, but it cannot cure glaucoma and must be used daily to maintain a reduction in intraocular pressure. The modern solution is Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) as it is capable of regenerating several antioxidants back to their active states, including CoQ10. Certainly preliminary evidence indicates that 150mg of ALA taken daily for one month improves visual function in glaucoma sufferers. Order Nature’s Aid ALA or Viridian Nutrition ALA with DMAE from www.nutriglow.com.
Finally, allergy: there is an old school of thought that allergy can be a triggering factor, in which case being in Cyprus will probably be helpful, but do get your husband to ensure he gets his ocular pressure tested regularly.
Nikki’s column appears every four weeks. Please address your questions to [email protected] PO Box 21144, Nicosia. Tel: 99 17040
