Q: Is there a natural way to treat haemorrhoids?

A: The short answer to this question is, yes. Having said that, it is important to understand a few things about what it is that causes haemorrhoids, and about what sorts of treatment options there are that are available to treat haemorrhoids.

One of the most effective natural ways to treat haemorrhoids is simply by increasing your fibre intake. According to research, fibre can help to relieve the symptoms of haemorrhoids. In addition, fibre will soften stool, and increase the bulk of stool. This helps to relieve straining during bowel movements. Hard stools, as well as straining, will both aggravate haemorrhoids, and sometimes can even make them worse. You can get more fibre by eating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains, or by using a nutritional supplement that may have fibre in it. Two of the natural fibre supplements available tend to be psyllium and ground flaxseeds.  Another good remedy is to soak a tablespoon of whole flaxseeds (linseeds) overnight and then swallow in the morning before breakfast. 

There are other natural ways to treat haemorrhoids. Topical treatments that contain herbal ingredients tend to be especially effective. Probably the most common of these is Witch Hazel. Witch hazel is produced from the bark and the leaves of the Hamamelis Virginiana plant. Witch Hazel has been used for many years to provide relief for haemorrhoids. Witch Hazel may be available in a balm, ointment, spray, and even medicated pads. Other herbs that may be used as natural remedies for haemorrhoids might include calendula, yarrow, shea butter and St. John’s wort as well as certain essential oils such as peppermint oil or even lavender oil.

As always, if you experience severe pain or bleeding with your haemorrhoids, it is best to speak with your health care provider about how best to treat your haemorrhoids.

Q: Every month about six or so days before my period, my breasts get really swollen and feel tender and I am in constant pain because of it. The pain eases before my period starts but I’d like to know if there are any natural therapies that I could use to stop it happening in the first place?

A: Breast swelling and pain in the week or so before your period is a normal reaction to fluctuating hormone levels. You may find it hard to hug or sleep because you can’t find a comfortable position. Try the recommendations below:

 

Studies have shown that women who live in Asian countries don’t have the same degree of breast discomfort, and diet is the crucial factor here. The diet of most Asian women tends to rely less on processed and saturated fatty food. So the first step is to eat healthily and especially make sure you get your phytoestrogens, found in foods such as soya, chickpeas and lentils. The diet of Asian women is high in phytoestrogens which help keep hormones in balance.

 

Cut down on foods and drinks containing caffeine. They have been shown to increase problems with tender breasts. The active ingredients in caffeine are called ‘methylxanthines’ and they have been proved to increase problems with painful, lumpy and tender breasts. These methylxanthines are found in coffee, black tea, green tea, chocolate, cola and even decaffeinated coffee, as well as in medications that contain caffeine, such as headache remedies.

  

You should also increase your fibre intake. Research has shown that there may be a link between constipation and a painful breast conditions called fibrocystic breast disease. So make sure you drink enough water and have a good intake of fibre to ensure regularity. You may also like to sprinkle some flaxseed on your cereal in the morning. Don’t, however, include bran in your diet. Bran can make things worse because it contains substances called phylates which can interfere with the absorption of important PMS beating nutrients, like magnesium and calcium.

 

Vitamin E has been shown to reduce breast pain and tenderness in many studies. Eat foods rich in vitamin E, such as oats, sunflower oil, whole grains, soya oil and leafy green vegetables. You may also like to take a supplement for a couple of months to give you a kick start. (See the Resources Page for a good vitamin E supplement).

 

Eat some live yogurt every day. Breast tenderness may be related to an excess of oestrogen and the beneficial bacteria in live yogurt can help to reabsorb old hormones and also to increase the efficiency of your bowel movements (or you can take a probiotic supplement like BioKult see the Resources Page).  I would suggest you avoid many of the probiotic drinks as they can be loaded with sugar.

 

Increase your intake of omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acids, found in fish oil, have been found to relieve breast tenderness and fluid retention. Take fish oil capsules or eat more fish or sprinkle linseeds and hemp seeds on to your salads and soups. (see the Resources Page for Omega 3 Plus fish oil supplement.)

 

The B vitamins are of particular value if you suffer from breast tenderness because they help your liver break down excess oestrogen. Improve your intake of B vitamin foods so think about taking a B complex supplement for a couple of months.

 

Older studies showed that supplementing your diet with evening primrose containing GLA (gamma linoleic acid) could reduce breast discomfort, although more recent studies have not backed this up. Do bear in mind though that evening primrose oil needs to be taken for about three months to be effective so you need to be patient.

 

Taking linseeds has also been shown to be effective according to a study by Dr Tong Li of the Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto Canada. Patients reported a significant reduction in symptoms after supplementing 25g of ground linseed daily during a three month study, with benefits being seen after two months. Researchers suggested the reason for this is the ability of linseeds to act as an antioestrogen on breast tissue. You can buy linseeds (flaxseeds) at your local health food store – grind them in a coffee grinder and sprinkle on food or you can buy them already to eat as crushed, organic cold milled flaxseeds, the one I use in the clinic is clled Fortiflax – see the Resources Page).

 

A number of essential aromatherapy oils, such as lavender, fennel and juniper can encourage lymphatic drainage and help relieve breast pain by helping to regulate hormones. Massage them on your breasts putting one drop of your chosen oil on a teaspoon of carrier oil such as sweet almond or sunflower or use a few drops in your bath.

 

Finally, the herb Ginkgo Biloba has proved to be effective according to a French study where women with PMS breast tenderness taking Ginkgo Biloba reported less pain that those taking a placebo. Other helpful herbs include Agnus Castus to balance hormones and milk thistle to help your liver process oestrogen efficiently, allowing excess to be excreted.  (The organic herbal combination I use in the clinic is called Agnus Castus Plus see the Resources Page which contains agnus castus, milk thistle and other herbs).

Q : I’m 52 and menopause is around the corner. I’ve noticed a dip in my libido. Is it true that certain foods can boost libido?

A: Loss of libido is something that can affect women who are pre or post menopausal. Menopause is a natural event in a woman’s’ life and loss of libido may be one of the symptoms experienced around this time.  In general, eating healthy foods, such as whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes and oily fish can help balance your blood sugar and your reproductive hormones which in turn will help boost your libido. The saturated fats in red meat, fast food, take-aways and processed foods have all been linked to a loss of libido. Cutting back on these foods could help towards increasing your libido and get your sex drive back on track.

 

As far as specific foods are concerned including sensible amounts of the following libido boosting foods in your diet may be beneficial:

 

Almonds (and nuts in general) along with oily fish are prime sources of essential fatty acids which help maintain a healthy balance of sex hormones in men and women. Nuts are also rich in the mineral manganese and a lack of manganese can lead to loss of libido.

 

Avocado: The Aztecs called the avocado tree ahuacatl or “testicle tree.” While avocados can indeed look like that body part, they contain high levels of folic acid, which helps metabolise proteins, thus giving you more energy. They also contain vitamin B6 (a nutrient that increases male and female hormone production) and potassium two elements that help enhance both male and female libido.

 

Bananas contain an alkaloid compound called bufotenine which acts on the brain to improve your mood, self-confidence and possibly your sex drive. Bananas are also rich in vitamin B6 which is important in the manufacture of sex hormones. 

 

Berries, such as strawberries, blueberries and blackberries, are not only rich in the sex hormone zinc but are also are incredibly high in anti-oxidants which helps to optimise blood flow to the sex organs, and they have the lowest glycaemic load of any fruit meaning they provide sustained energy levels at only a few calories.

 

Celery contains androstenone, which is a biochemical cousin of the male hormone testosterone and is believed to be the principal chemical of attraction or pheromone. The Romans dedicated celery to Pluto, their god of sex and the underworld, and crushed celery seeds (easily added to salads or breads) are said to be particularly potent.

 

Cinnamon is thought to tone the kidneys and produce a strong flow of energy. Studies have also shown that the smell of cinnamon can also boost concentration and alertness: important for satisfying sex.

 

Chillies may heat up your sex life too, due to capsaicin—the substance that gives kick to peppers, curries and other spicy foods. Capsaicin stimulates nerve endings to release chemicals, raising the heart rate and possibly triggering the release of endorphins giving you the pleasurable feeling of a natural high. 

 

 

Garlic: Yes, you might need to stock up on some extra breath mints, but it’ll be worth it. Garlic contains allicin, an ingredient that increases blood flow to the sexual organs. As such, it’s a highly effective herb for increasing libido. If the odour just won’t work for you, or you can’t stand garlic, you can always take garlic capsules instead. (see Aged Garlic on the Resources Page X).

 

Ginger is one of the oldest medicinal spices in the world; it allegedly increases the blood flow to the genitals and therefore acts as an aphrodisiac. Try it in a spicy dish served with saffron rice. It can also be used as part of an aromatherapy blend for massage or a room scent.

 

Honey is an aphrodisiac due to its rich B vitamin and amino acid energy boosting content. Bee pollen can also help boost fertility. Bee pollen isn’t just a fancy item in health food stores. Bee pollen is made from millions of particles of a semen-like substance. Pollen’s natural primal role is to fertilize. 

 

Lentils are a good source of B vitamins. B vitamins are essential for hormone balance in women and healthy sperm count in men.

 

Lychee berries are not only a good source of libido boosting vitamin B but are also packed with vitamin C. Research has shown that vitamin C is good for healthy fertility in men and women.

 

Oats are a good source of the antioxidants selenium and vitamin E.  Both selenium and vitamin E deficiency has been linked to infertility in men and women.

 

Oysters have several qualities useful (in the long run) for lovers: They are low in fat, but high in proteins, complex sugars and zinc. Zinc is a very important part of testosterone, the hormone that governs sex drive in both genders.

 

Pumpkin seeds are rich in the mineral zinc, which is helps in the production of testosterone which is needed for sperm production and a woman’s body prepares itself for sex more quickly if zinc levels are good.

 

Tuna is known as the king of sexy foods for its powers to raise the libido and stamina. And prawns are rich in phenylalanine, a chemical which helps to increase sexual appetite.

 

Bear in mind that regular exercise helps too, by boosting your mood and body image. Also check your stress levels. In general, stress dampens libido. A stressed woman may blame a host of other factors for her symptoms, without realising that stress is the real cause of the problem.

 

And finally, don’t forget that the smells of certain foods have been found to be sexually arousing, notably pumpkins and popcorn for men and liquorice for women.