Seach my blog

Friday 29 November 2013

Free Health Chats

For anyone in Wiltshire:

I will be offering free health chats and advice at Swindon Pulse Wholefoods (27 Curtis St) on Thursday 5th December, 2013. No booking required - just drop in between 10am - 12 noon (see also www.lynblythe.com)

Friday 26 July 2013

Free Health Chats

For anyone in Wiltshire:

I will be offering free health chats and advice at Swindon Pulse Wholefoods (27 Curtis St) on Thursday 1st August, 2013. No booking required - just drop in between 10am - 12 noon (see also www.lynblythe.com)

Thursday 20 June 2013

Scientists discover a cellular mechanism to help explain cancer metastasis.

A mechanism that causes cancer cells to metastasize has been described as a “chase and run” between healthy cells and cancer cells. As healthy cells try to evade the cancer cells, they emit a chemical attractant that causes the malignant cells to follow them, thus spreading the cancer. The researchers hope this information can be used in the future to find a new way to treat metastasis.

For more, read UCL news here ...  

http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/news-articles/0613/130517-chase-and-run-cell-movement-explains-metastasis

Wednesday 19 June 2013

Free Health Chats

For anyone in Wiltshire:

I will be offering free health chats and advice at Swindon Pulse Wholefoods (27 Curtis St) on Thursday 4th July, 2013. No booking required - just drop in between 10am - 12 noon (see also www.lynblythe.com)

Saturday 15 June 2013

The humble dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

The humble dandelion, Taraxacum officinale, uprooted by gardeners, is one of the plants most commonly used by Herbalists!


Taraxacum officinale (dandelion)


Research supports the use of the leaves as a diuretic. This effect has been used to reduce high blood pressure, but, whereas conventional diuretics can cause potassium loss, with associated side effects, this does not occur with dandelion as the leaves are rich in this mineral.

The root has been used by Herbalists throughout history as a digestive aid, to help constipation and to improve some joint and skin conditions. Studies increasingly support this use.

Dandelion is rich in vitamins A, B, C, D and minerals, including potassium, iron, copper, calcium and zinc

Taraxacum officinale (dandelion)

Herbal Medicine - a prescription tailored to your individual health.

A consultation with an Herbalist lasts at least an hour. During that time there will be a long discussion about the symptoms and ailment bothering you. The consultation then moves on to all other aspects of your health. This allows the Herbalist to gain a wealth of information about your current health, and also your past medical history  - all vital to the success of the prescription.

The herbalist aims to identify and address the cause of symptoms, rather than suppress them, as symptoms are warning signs to indicate a health problem.

A prescription of herbs is tailored to each individual, so two people with the same condition are unlikely to be given the same combination of herbs. Often there are many herbs which may address the problem concerned. The herbalist is trained to select the most appropriate for each individual, and to combine this with other herbs to support the effect.

As a consequence of the detailed consultation, the herbalist is often able to select herbs in a way which allows several health issues to be addressed at the same time.

An example of this is provided by considering a scenario of two people complaining of eczema. One person may have symptoms triggered by stress, but a medical history of raised blood pressure and poor sleep. The second person may have eczema triggered by a food intolerance, with a history of frequent headaches and digestive symptoms. Prescriptions for both are likely to have some similarities, but the combinations of herbs for each will also include important differences, allowing the specific underlying health issues of each individual to be addressed.

For more details on Herbal Medicine, visit www.lynblythe.com

Tinctures (medicines) in the dispensary

Thursday 30 May 2013

Free Health Chats

For anyone in Wiltshire:

I will be offering free health chats and advice at Swindon Pulse Wholefoods (27 Curtis St) on Thursday 6th June, 2013. No booking required - just drop in between 10am - 12 noon (see also www.lynblythe.com)

Sunday 24 March 2013

Hayfever (seasonal allergic rhinitis)

Now is the time to be thinking about hayfever - ie. before your symptoms kick in.

Symptoms occur following inhalation of airborne particles, such as grass pollen. Hayfever may be accompanied by asthma. Minimising exposure to known allergens may reduce symptoms. Sometimes, however, it is difficult to identify the allergen concerned, or it may be difficult to reduce exposure to it.

Can herbs help?

There are a great many reports of hayfever responding well to Herbal Medicine. However, each person is an individual, with their own unique medical history, so their hayfever must be addressed accordingly.

The Medical Herbalist's approach to hayfever: herb combining for the individual.

The first visit involves a discussion of the person's entire medical history, including their hayfever. This information allows a combination of herbs to be selected and tailored to the individual. The combination which works for one person, may not be appropriate for another.

For more details see http://www.lynblythe.com/why_visit_herbalist.php

There are many herbs which have been used traditionally for allergy such as hayfever. There is an increasing volume of scientific research focusing on uncovering some of the actions of these herbs.

The final prescription will include herbs with actions appropriate for the individual's hayfever symptoms, such as anticatarrhal, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, with simultaneous consideration of other health complaints, such as a tendency to cystitis or poor sleep. It is for this reason it is often stated that in addressing one complaint, other complaints are often helped too. This is also the reason why a combination of herbs is used - as one herb will not provide all required actions.

Nettle (Urtica dioca) is possibly the herb most commonly read about in hayfever self-help articles.

Nettle (Urtica dioica)

However, there are a great many more which are considered to be equally as useful. Golden rod (Solidago virgaurea) may be included in a hayfever prescription. This would be especially indicated for someone who also suffers from frequent urinary tract infections as it has a history of use for this complaint too (in conjunction with other urinary herbs). Eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis) is another example of a herb which has been used in hayfever, especially, although not exclusively, if the eyes are badly affected. In fact, its combination of astringent and anti-inflammatory constituents makes it a valuable addition to prescriptions for many conditions requiring mucous membrane repair, for example, sinusitis. Elderflowers (Sambucus nigra) also have a history of use by people with the catarrh accompanying hayfever. Unfortunately the sugary bottled cordial often found on supermarket shelves is not a substitute for the "real thing" found in the hedgerows!


Elderflowers (Sambucus nigra flos)


Depending on the specific symptoms and the medical history of the individual presenting, other more expectorant, and possibly antimicrobial, herbs may be added, in addition to herbs to support the immune system as part of a preventative strategy.

If symptoms are very severe, the herbalist may consider using a stronger remedy, such as Poke root (Phytolacca decandra) or Ephedra (Ephedra sinica). Research is uncovering which constituents in Ephedra might be responsible for it's reported bronchodilating and anticatarrhal effects.

For more details on Herbal Medicine, visit www.lynblythe.com


"Drugs tend to destroy tissue and do not cure; herbs strengthen tissue and do cure" (Mrs C.F. Leyel)!

An interesting quotation, taken from Mrs C.F. Leyel, founder the Society of Herbalists (now called the Herb Society) and Fellow of the Royal Institution of Great Britain.

Green Medicine by Mrs C.F. Leyel (1952)


Although this quotation was published in "Green Medicine", written in 1952, most modern day herbalists would agree that herbs provide a plentiful supply of bioavailable vitamins and minerals, so facilitating tissue repair.

Nettle (Urtica dioica) is an example of this, being rich in many vitamins and minerals, including iron. However, it is also rich in vitamin C, which improves the absorption of the iron. The stomach upsets which can accompany iron tablets are much less likely with the iron in plants.

Similarly, dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) has a history of use as a diuretic. Whereas pharmaceutical diuretics (water tablets) can deplete the body of essential potassium, dandelion leaves are rich in potassium, so this potential problem is unlikely.