Health

Feeling Good with nutritional therapist Nikki Dake

Zap those winter cold bugs
While antibiotics may be effective against bacteria, some herbal products also prove useful against the viruses that cause ’flu and respiratory problems

My mailbag has been predictably full of enquiries about the best way to treat the debilitating cold/flu symptoms that have been doing the rounds since early December. As a family, we’ve managed to avoid anything more than a warning sniffle, but that’s because we always keep stocks of oil of oregano products to use at the first sign of a sore throat. By oregano oil, I’m not talking run-of-the-mill aromatherapy oils – which should never be taken orally – but the pure medicinal quality oils manufactured by North American Herb and Spice (NAHS).

Back in UK last summer, I invested in stocks of their latest herbal wizardry: two products based on high mountain-grown oregano, but in a more palatable form than the liquid Oreganol P73 and Super Strength that I’ve been recommending (for viruses, fungus infections like candida, parasites and serious bacteria like salmonella and E-Coli).

H2Orega is oil of wild oregano that’s been mycelised – made water soluble – so it completely dissolves in all liquids for easy consumption, making it an ideal supplement for everyone, even children and pets. H2Orega is pure oregano oil, not mixed with olive oil, so it has twice the potency of regular P73 oil. Being water soluble, it has improved, faster absorption and is taken up better in the digestive tract. As it penetrates mucous membranes, it is ideal to clean your teeth and tongue with last thing at night, preventing cross- and re-infection with cold and ’flu bugs.

OregaPlus started out life in the US as OregaBio, but UK labelling laws have seen it changed this year to OregaPlus. However, the supplement is still nature’s best antiviral substitute for antibiotics; a multi-spice oil extract in a slow release formula, it combines the anti-fungal powers of wild oregano, cumin, sage and black seed oils emulsified in beeswax. This allows for gradual release as it passes through the intestinal tract providing sustained levels of antiviral action.

One of the oldest remedies in the herbal pharmacopoeia is garlic: it’s mentioned in the Bible, the Talmud and in studies by Hippocrates (of Hippocratic oath fame). The Chinese were using it in AD 510 and Louis Pasteur investigated its antibacterial properties in 1885. Of course, you can be anti-social and chew it straight from the bulb, but I recommend garlic in the form of Garlex, a cold pressed oil fortified with oregano, basil and coriander oils which can even be used to flavour food. Most supplement companies make garlic capsules, some touted as ‘odourless’; high allicin levels are what you should be looking for. A good buy is Health Perception Allimax (from selected local pharmacies or mail-order from www.nutriglowexclusive.com). Do remember that garlic is contraindicated if you’re taking blood-thinning medication and you must stop taking it when going for surgery.

For all NAHS products – H2Orega, OregaPlus and Garlex – visit www.oliveleaf.co.uk For more information and to order online or by phone from Tigon UK: 0044 116 235 5020. email me for a detailed leaflet on the various forms of oregano oil/capsules and when to use them: [email protected]

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Can anything help restless legs at night?
My mother (75) suffers from what she calls “jumpy or restless legs” at night. Is this a complaint you have heard of and, if so, can you recommend a remedy?
Mr A B Paphos

Yes, Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) is a most unpleasant, poorly understood condition, which affects mainly mature women. It causes involuntary jerking spasms of the legs and sometimes arms, just before sleep. It’s relieved by movement and symptoms have been described variously as crawling, itching, aching and painful.
Until recently, RLS would have been classified with intermittent claudication, pain in the legs caused by atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Padma 28, derived from Tibetan herbs, has scientifically tested as efficacious: order it online from www.nutriglowexclusive.com Garlex might also be helpful: see my section above.
It’s possible that RLS is triggered by nicotine inhalation and ingestion of certain foods, like caffeine, alcohol and sugar; it may also respond to dietary modifications to regulate blood sugar levels. It’s hard to change mature people’s eating habits though, especially if they have a sweet tooth or enjoy an alcoholic nightcap or two. A high protein diet with small meals taken regularly might be helpful. Iron deficiency is sometimes causative and I’d recommend Spatone soluble iron (from Nutriglow) for a couple of months to rule that out.
I would suggest your mother also takes 400iu of Vitamin E daily; she won’t see any results for three months, but it’s a useful supplement for general health. I always recommend Yasoo brand (available in Cyprus pharmacies) as it contains the whole Vitamin E complex with its nutrients from natural sources, not synthetic.
If neither of these seem to be having any effect, homoeopathy may the answer; there are seven different remedies which are useful according to her individual symptoms and Pitsa’s pharmacy near the old market in Paphos is the place to learn more. Finally Aqua Detox may bring relief as the treatment detoxes the system and revitalises circulation: call me (99 170406) for therapists.

Nikki’s column appears every four weeks. Please address your questions to [email protected] PO Box 21144, Nicosia. Tel: 22818585

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