Well it's now officially the first few days of summer - and we are still waiting for the weather to change for the better - the promise of long hot summer days  seems far away still but here's hoping! 
I  work with the Bach Flower Remedies along with my Acupuncture and Naturopathy treatments. You may have heard of “rescue remedy”  which can be readily purchased for use in times of stress and shock. The Bach Flower Remedies use the gentle power of nature to help us to re-balance our thoughts and emotions. Each of the 38 Bach Remedies resonates with a different thought, feeling or emotion and works to gently bring that pattern back into balance.


Since the body is a direct reflection of the mind, transforming negative vibrations into positive good vibrations allows the body to respond naturally with better health.

Bach Flower Remedies can be taken by anyone, safely and without fear of side effects, overdosing or addiction. While they are not intended to replace medical treatment where necessary, they can be used in conjunction with, and to complement, any other form of medicine. Since flower remedies work on a higher vibrational frequency they will not interfere with other forms of treatment.

If you are interested in these remedies then it is well worth looking at http://www.bachcentre.com  for more information as to the emotions that each remedy helps. I am also able to provide you with a tailor made prescription. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like to find out more about the remedies - or what I might be able to do to help you .

I have included a few hints and tips to help fellow sufferers through the hay fever season - hope that you find some interesting information!!
HAY FEVER
What is it?
Symptoms of hay fever can vary from sore, puffy, itchy or watery eyes, continual sneezing, runny or congested nose.  Sufferers can also have a sensitivity to certain foods like wheat and dairy. 
What causes it?
Hay fever is an allergy to components of pollen from trees, grasses, some plants and mould that affect the mucous lining of the nose eyes and airway. Animal hair, dust feathers  spores moulds and environmental agents can also trigger allergy symptoms similar to hayfever.
 What can I do?
Foods to avoid:
Anything with preservatives and additives. Wash your food thoroughly to get rid of pesticides and herbicides or, if possible, eat organic foods.
Dairy foods are mucus-forming and so will enhance the problems of hay fever.  Avoid milk and anything high in saturated fats when symptoms are acute.
Avoid foods high in sugar as too much sugar will lower immune system.
Reduce salt, caffeine and alcohol.
If you have an intolerance to certain foods then avoid when you are suffering from hayfever.
Foods that can help:
Reishi mushroom powder has been shown to help the symptoms of hay fever and is available in capsule format.
 Any dairy free alternatives.
Nettle tea can help to ease symptoms.
Garlic and onions are high in the flavonoid quercetin, which can help reduce the severity of allergic reactions.
Bioflavonoids protect the mucous membranes so eat plenty of blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, kiwi fruit plus fresh vegetables, brown rice and whole grains.
Hay Fever affects people in different ways so there are a number of essential oils that might help ease the symptoms.
Add Eucalyptus to an oil burner.
Add 1 drop of Roman Chamomile, Lemon and Lavender to a tissue and inhale.
Add 2 drops of Roman Chamomile and Lemon, and 1 drop of Lavender to a bath.
Add Eucalyptus to a carrier oil for a chest rub.

 Acupuncture may help to relieve pain and congestion in people with hay fever by:
 regulating levels of IgE and cytokines, mediators of the allergic reaction to extrinsic allergens (Ng 2004; Rao 2006; Roberts 2008)
 stimulating nerves located in muscles and other tissues, which leads to release of endorphins and other neurohumoral factors, and changes the processing of pain in the brain and spinal cord (Pomeranz, 1987; Han 2004; Zhao 2008; Cheng 2009);
reducing inflammation, by promoting release of vascular and immunomodulatory factors (Zijlstra 2003; Kavoussi 2007);
enhancing natural killer cell activities and modulating the number and ratio of immune cell types (Kawakita 2008);
increasing local microcirculation (Komori 2009), which aids dispersal of  swelling.
 For further details on how acupuncture may help alleviate the symptoms of hay fever please see the full research data sheet produced by the British Acupuncture Council www.acupuncture.org.uk.

At this time of year as we move from winter to spring our bodies can feel lacking in energy and we may feel tired and out of sorts.

Qi or vital energy  is produced from the foods that we take in to our bodies  and the air that we breathe.  The spleen is the organ of digestion and is responsible for creating Qi in Chinese medicine.

If energy is deficient in the Spleen we see signs such as bloating after eating, heavy weak limbs, tiredness after eating, food intolerances and anxiety/overthinking.

To support and increase Qi we should eat foods that release steadily into our system and avoid  spikes in blood sugar.

Foods that support the energy creating process

These  tend to be sweet in taste and warm, cold raw foods should generally be avoided.  The ideal choice therefore include soups, stews using warming spices such as ginger and cinnamon and nutmeg, humous,  root vegetables such as carrot , sweet potato, pumpkin. 

Other foods  to include are

Chicken, beef, quinoa, sardine , mackerel, fig, yam, squash, oats, lentils

Avoid 
Raw cold foods and chilled drinks, excessive dairy and sugar.
 Relaxation is important and getting sufficient  good sleep. Try  yoga and gentle exercises together with  valerian or chamomile teas before bed. Maybe invest in a good set of ear plugs too.