The liver is the largest organ in the body with an extraordinary amount of reserve and the power to regenerate itself. However when it is bombarded with too much alcohol and other chemicals, which include certain drugs, it can get overloaded and things can start to go wrong.
Most people are unaware that their liver may be involved when they experience headaches, fatigue, aches and pains, indigestion, chronic constipation or mood changes. Many skin conditions may be affected by the liver including: eczema, psoriasis or unexplained rashes.
There are some very good herbal remedies that can help to protect the liver and aid detoxification. One of the main herbs that herbalists like to use is Milk thistle which contains silymarin. This has been shown in clinical trials to help with liver function. Dandelion root and artichoke are also herbs that can support and help the liver. Reducing alcohol consumption, especially binge drinking, and drinking more water is also very beneficial.
Sunday 23 November 2008
What happens in a herbal consultation with a medical herbalist?
For many, that first visit to a medical herbalist can be a life changing experience, a chance to experience true healthcare as it should be practised. Katie the medical herbalist is a genuine, caring partner in health from the cradle to the third age. Many come to appreciate the power of correctly prescribed, natural herbal medicines dispensed by a highly trained medical professional.
Patients are often amazed at the opportunity to discuss in depth their physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing, and the sense of freedom and empowerment this imparts to the individual which, combined with the knowledge of an experienced healthcare partner gives the security that your healthcare needs receive the best attention. The results then speak for themselves.
Diet & Lifestyle
Diet & Lifestyle are paramount in your treatment. Katie aims to encourage and support a healthy lifestyle. Nutrition and lifestyle advice will be given. Katie is qualified to support you with professional cleansing and detoxing programmes if they are needed and recommend the right supplements.
What can herbal medicine treat?
Herbal medicine is about restoring the maximum possible state of personal well-being. It is especially effective for treating chronic illness. Conditions often treated by herbalists include:
v Low vitality/ energy
v Allergies: hay fever, asthma etc
v Children’s complaints
v Digestive and bowel conditions
v Cystitis and urinary disorders(male/female)
v PMS, menopause, painful periods
v Skin: eczema, psoriasis, acne
v High blood pressure, angina, poor circulation, varicose veins
v Infections and immune deficiency
v Stress and emotional problems
v Insomnia, headaches and migraines
v Musculoskeletal and arthritic conditions
The first consultation
The initial consultation usually lasts about an hour. A full medical history will be taken. This will look not only at the current health problem but at all details of your past medical history, diet and lifestyle. Physical examinations (if relevant) will be made and blood pressure taken.
Follow-on consultations
A second consultation is usually set for two or three weeks later in order to assess treatment. This consultation usually lasts 30 minutes and is aimed at checking progress and adjusting the medication or dosage if necessary.
Patients are often amazed at the opportunity to discuss in depth their physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing, and the sense of freedom and empowerment this imparts to the individual which, combined with the knowledge of an experienced healthcare partner gives the security that your healthcare needs receive the best attention. The results then speak for themselves.
Diet & Lifestyle
Diet & Lifestyle are paramount in your treatment. Katie aims to encourage and support a healthy lifestyle. Nutrition and lifestyle advice will be given. Katie is qualified to support you with professional cleansing and detoxing programmes if they are needed and recommend the right supplements.
What can herbal medicine treat?
Herbal medicine is about restoring the maximum possible state of personal well-being. It is especially effective for treating chronic illness. Conditions often treated by herbalists include:
v Low vitality/ energy
v Allergies: hay fever, asthma etc
v Children’s complaints
v Digestive and bowel conditions
v Cystitis and urinary disorders(male/female)
v PMS, menopause, painful periods
v Skin: eczema, psoriasis, acne
v High blood pressure, angina, poor circulation, varicose veins
v Infections and immune deficiency
v Stress and emotional problems
v Insomnia, headaches and migraines
v Musculoskeletal and arthritic conditions
The first consultation
The initial consultation usually lasts about an hour. A full medical history will be taken. This will look not only at the current health problem but at all details of your past medical history, diet and lifestyle. Physical examinations (if relevant) will be made and blood pressure taken.
Follow-on consultations
A second consultation is usually set for two or three weeks later in order to assess treatment. This consultation usually lasts 30 minutes and is aimed at checking progress and adjusting the medication or dosage if necessary.
Sunday 16 November 2008
Clients of Katie Dobiesz Medical Herbalist comments
‘Having suffered all the usual symptoms of the menopause. Katie’s herbal medicine really helped me to feel human once again’
B Cave Teddington
I have used the services of Medical herbalists since I was in my thirties and always found them of great help.
I first became a patient of Katie Dobiesz BSc MNIMH, in September 2007.
‘She is so positive, friendly and helpful and really efficient. Nothing is too much trouble and she spent much time researching problems and treatments. She has a very good source of obtaining the best herbal medicines and has commendable qualifications ( Bsc Hons MNIMH). She also has varied experience through lecturing and practising. She is a great listener, has lots of patients, understanding and is very approachable
I would hate to be without her and have much pleasure in recommending her to those in need’
Mrs Thelma June Webb
Peterborough
B Cave Teddington
I have used the services of Medical herbalists since I was in my thirties and always found them of great help.
I first became a patient of Katie Dobiesz BSc MNIMH, in September 2007.
‘She is so positive, friendly and helpful and really efficient. Nothing is too much trouble and she spent much time researching problems and treatments. She has a very good source of obtaining the best herbal medicines and has commendable qualifications ( Bsc Hons MNIMH). She also has varied experience through lecturing and practising. She is a great listener, has lots of patients, understanding and is very approachable
I would hate to be without her and have much pleasure in recommending her to those in need’
Mrs Thelma June Webb
Peterborough
Saturday 1 November 2008
Natural ways to help you relieve the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome IBS is one of the most common gastrointestinal diseases seen by doctors. IBS tends to occur in young to middle aged women (women outnumber men 4: 1) with the major complaint being chronic constipation, diarrhoea, or both that has been present for months to years. Abdominal pain, flatulence/wind, and other symptoms such as faintness and weakness may also be present. People with IBS often feel an urgent need to open their bowels, especially after breakfast. The stools may vary in consistency from hard and pellet-like to loose and watery or just small amounts of mucus. Afterwards, there may be a sense that the bowels have not been completely emptied.
The underlying cause of IBS is not known. It is thought to be a combination of psychological, physiological, and dietary factors. Unlike Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, IBS is not a disease of inflammation. It is usually a diagnosis of exclusion. A complete examination should be done that includes a thorough history, stool examination for parasites, blood, and bacteria, complete physical examination, and possibly a colonoscopy.
IBS symptoms usually occur in response to some kind of trigger, which is often dietary or stress-related.
Stress
It is often suggested that stress, anxiety and depression cause IBS, but these conditions often only exacerbate the symptoms rather than bring them on. Research has found the colon muscle of someone with IBS is more sensitive than that of a non-sufferer, which means that IBS sufferers have strong reactions to stimuli that would not affect others. It is also suggested that hormones may influence symptoms, as women generally have more symptoms of IBS when menstruating.
Magnesium and B complex vitamins may help reduce the effects of stress.
Diet
Those who have a tendency towards constipation, and to a lesser extent those with diarrhoea, will benefit from increasing their dietary fibre, especially in the form of fruits and vegetables. Porridge or slippery elm is a more soluble form of fibre. Dried apricots or prunes are also beneficial.
Herbalists often recommend an elimination diet to determine if symptoms improve with the removal of certain foods. Some researchers suggest that up to 45% of those with IBS have a sensitivity or intolerance to dairy and certain grains.
Flatulence comes from two main sources swallowed air and the breakdown of undigested foods by bacteria in the colon. Eating or drinking too fast can cause this. Sometimes, however, the body lacks enzymes necessary to break down certain carbohydrates. Katie has supplements of natural plant enzymes that can help with this condition. She has found them very successful in helping people to reduce wind especially after a big meal.
Herbal teas that have carminative (wind reducing) and stress reducing properties are often helpful. Chamomile, lemon balm, fennel and valerian may be taken separately or in combination and taken throughout the day to ease symptoms.
Enteric-coated peppermint oil: one to two capsules (0.2 ml peppermint oil per capsule) three times a day after meals has been found very beneficial in clinical trials on IBS.
Herbal medicine is very beneficial in addressing digestive system illnesses. Katie Dobiesz BSC MNIMH will address all aspects of your diet and lifestyle and devise a unique herbal treatment plan which is aimed at reducing your symptoms. She runs a clinic at Living Health in Grantham on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Please call on 01780 757442 or email katiedobiesz@hotmail.com
For advice on IBS or to make an appointment for a consultation
Herbal teas that have carminative (wind reducing) and stress reducing properties are often helpful. Chamomile, lemon balm, fennel and valerian may be taken separately or in combination and taken throughout the day to ease symptoms.
Enteric-coated peppermint oil: one to two capsules (0.2 ml peppermint oil per capsule) three times a day after meals has been found very beneficial in clinical trials on IBS.
Herbal medicine is very beneficial in addressing digestive system illnesses. Katie Dobiesz BSC MNIMH will address all aspects of your diet and lifestyle and devise a unique herbal treatment plan which is aimed at reducing your symptoms. She runs a clinic at Living Health in Grantham on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Please call on 01780 757442 or email katiedobiesz@hotmail.com
For advice on IBS or to make an appointment for a consultation
The underlying cause of IBS is not known. It is thought to be a combination of psychological, physiological, and dietary factors. Unlike Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, IBS is not a disease of inflammation. It is usually a diagnosis of exclusion. A complete examination should be done that includes a thorough history, stool examination for parasites, blood, and bacteria, complete physical examination, and possibly a colonoscopy.
IBS symptoms usually occur in response to some kind of trigger, which is often dietary or stress-related.
Stress
It is often suggested that stress, anxiety and depression cause IBS, but these conditions often only exacerbate the symptoms rather than bring them on. Research has found the colon muscle of someone with IBS is more sensitive than that of a non-sufferer, which means that IBS sufferers have strong reactions to stimuli that would not affect others. It is also suggested that hormones may influence symptoms, as women generally have more symptoms of IBS when menstruating.
Magnesium and B complex vitamins may help reduce the effects of stress.
Diet
Those who have a tendency towards constipation, and to a lesser extent those with diarrhoea, will benefit from increasing their dietary fibre, especially in the form of fruits and vegetables. Porridge or slippery elm is a more soluble form of fibre. Dried apricots or prunes are also beneficial.
Herbalists often recommend an elimination diet to determine if symptoms improve with the removal of certain foods. Some researchers suggest that up to 45% of those with IBS have a sensitivity or intolerance to dairy and certain grains.
Flatulence comes from two main sources swallowed air and the breakdown of undigested foods by bacteria in the colon. Eating or drinking too fast can cause this. Sometimes, however, the body lacks enzymes necessary to break down certain carbohydrates. Katie has supplements of natural plant enzymes that can help with this condition. She has found them very successful in helping people to reduce wind especially after a big meal.
Herbal teas that have carminative (wind reducing) and stress reducing properties are often helpful. Chamomile, lemon balm, fennel and valerian may be taken separately or in combination and taken throughout the day to ease symptoms.
Enteric-coated peppermint oil: one to two capsules (0.2 ml peppermint oil per capsule) three times a day after meals has been found very beneficial in clinical trials on IBS.
Herbal medicine is very beneficial in addressing digestive system illnesses. Katie Dobiesz BSC MNIMH will address all aspects of your diet and lifestyle and devise a unique herbal treatment plan which is aimed at reducing your symptoms. She runs a clinic at Living Health in Grantham on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Please call on 01780 757442 or email katiedobiesz@hotmail.com
For advice on IBS or to make an appointment for a consultation
Herbal teas that have carminative (wind reducing) and stress reducing properties are often helpful. Chamomile, lemon balm, fennel and valerian may be taken separately or in combination and taken throughout the day to ease symptoms.
Enteric-coated peppermint oil: one to two capsules (0.2 ml peppermint oil per capsule) three times a day after meals has been found very beneficial in clinical trials on IBS.
Herbal medicine is very beneficial in addressing digestive system illnesses. Katie Dobiesz BSC MNIMH will address all aspects of your diet and lifestyle and devise a unique herbal treatment plan which is aimed at reducing your symptoms. She runs a clinic at Living Health in Grantham on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Please call on 01780 757442 or email katiedobiesz@hotmail.com
For advice on IBS or to make an appointment for a consultation
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