Today is the first day that it’s felt cold here in Hythe and we’ve had lots of people call in over the past week wanting to buy Echinacea and other immune boosting herbs.

At Foreman and Jones we offer lots of help to get you through the colder months from Immune Boosting and warming/circulatory herbs to massage therapies that help you feel tip top and fit through the winter.

Here’s what our Sports Massage Therapist – Ian Godden has to say about treatment through the colder months of the year ……

‘Sports therapy massage is not just for people involved in sport. With the winter months coming it’s important to look after your muscles and joints. Massage will help keep the muscles strong and mobilise the joints to prevent tightness. Remember to keep warm and take part in some sort of physical activity i.e. walking, cycling or swimming for general wellbeing’

Herbal Medicine and Optimal Health through the Winter

Many people often dread the colder months of the year because for them this means recurrent infections, low energy, low mood and an increase in pain from Arthritis and other joint problems.

During the winter months herbs really come into their own. There are many herbs to boost the immune system – Echinacea and Elderberry for example. There are also many herbs that work as anti-virals and general tonics for the Respiratory System, preventing patients getting colds, coughs and ‘flus.

There are also many herbs which can help to alleviate arthritis and aches and pains through the winter. These include warming and anti-inflammatory herbs, a prescription could include herbs like Devils Claw, Ginger, Prickly Ash and Tumeric (to name but a few).

For more information on massage treatments or herbs that can help you through the winter call us on 01303 760001.

DrinkScan – The World’s First Drink Intolerance Programme

Leading medical charity Allergy UK have stated that up to 45% of the UK population are affected by reactions to ingredients in drinks. Ingredients in coffee, teas, wines, beers, juices and smoothies all have the potential to cause intolerance symptoms. A drink intolerance is an adverse reaction to an ingredient present in something you’re drinking, the reaction usually worsens the more of that drink you consume.

What symptoms would I experience if I had a drink intolerance?

Symptoms that are most commonly associated with a drink intolerance include headaches, fatigue, migraines, irritable bowel syndrome, bloating, gut pain and skin conditions.

How can the DrinkScan Intolerance Programme help me?

Once you have been tested, your results will be sent off to our lab and will shortly come back to us here at Foreman and Jones. You will then receive an hour consultation (included in the overall price of the DrinkScan) to discuss your results thoroughly. You will be provided with nutritional support and guidance in order to help you manage your reactions to everyday drink ingredients and reduce the intake of those drinks you have an intolerance to. You will also be given a guidebook and a 12 week diary to record any drinks you have consumed and to take note of any symptoms those drinks have caused.

What drinks are tested within the DrinkScan Programme?

To take a look at the list of drinks that are tested click here

For more information or to book a DrinkScan Test, don’t hesitate to call us on 01303 760001 or email us at enquiries@foremanandjones.co.uk

Love Your Tummy Month at Foreman & Jones – Constipation and Herbal Medicine -
Constipation is a Symptom, not an Illness!

People often refer to ‘having a bit of constipation,’ and in common language, constipation is often referred to as if is a condition in itself. In fact it is merely a symptom of digestive imbalance. If the bowel is working properly then you shouldn’t go for days without opening your bowels or have time to sit and read half a magazine while on the toilet!

Causes of constipation

There are many causes for constipation, which means that the relevant treatment can vary. As herbalists we mainly see patients with chronic constipation, rather than acute.
Most people empty their bowels every day, and we would say that this bowel habit is ideal. However, a patient’s bowel habits can vary greatly, from opening their bowels only once per week to many times per day.

When a patient is constipated the changes that can occur are:
1) Opening the bowels less frequently
2) Small amount of faeces passed, with retention of faeces even though the bowels are opened regularly (this is cumulative constipation)
3) Dry and hard faeces, even though the bowels are opened daily. This can be due to prolonged retention in the bowel, dehydration or insufficient fibre in the diet.

Common causes of constipation

Obstruction

• Diverticular disease
• Colon cancer

Painful conditions

• Anal fissures
• Prolapsed piles

Drugs which ‘slow’ the bowel

• Codeine
• Morphine

Habit and diet

• Dehydration
•Over use of laxatives
• Starvation
• Lack of fibre (bulk) in the diet
• Dyschezia (the patient ignores the normal call to open the bowels and the defaecation reflex (urge to go) is lost
• Stress

Herbal Treatment of Constipation

Treating Constipation is about more than just prescribing laxatives. Often there are many factors involved and as herbalists we make sure that any sudden onset of constipation is checked out by the patient’s doctor as this could be a symptom of a more serious complaint.

At Foreman and Jones we ask many questions about the patient’s health during a consultation and by getting a full picture of the complaint we are able to prescribe herbs that are appropriate for the individual patient. A herbal prescription for Constipation may contain anything from 2 to 10 herbs depending on the patient.

Commonly Used Herbs

There is no ‘one’ herb for constipation. But here is an idea of the range of herbs that may be used – Dandelion root, Yellow dock, Burdock, Milk Thistle, Slippery Elm, Chamomile, Licorice, Vervain (to name but a few!) We have around 200 high quality herbs in stock and this gives us plenty of scope for treating the individual with a very tailored mix.

To find out more about how herbal medicine can help you to feel better in your self why not give us a call. Advice is free of charge.

It seems to me that digestive disorders are on the increase. Perhaps it’s because of our diets, perhaps we are more stressed these days or maybe it’s down to the lifestyles we lead but I’ve certainly noticed that I have been treating many more patients with digestive problems over the last few years.

In this blog I’m going to be focusing on Acid Reflux/Heartburn, this is a very common condition whereby acid from the stomach rises up into the oesphagus (gullet) . This can lead to many symptoms including burning and pain behind the breastbone. Patients prone to hyperacidity may also burp a lot and can often have a bitter/acid taste in their mouths.

Over time hyperacidity in the stomach can lead to stomach ulcers and inflammation in the stomach linining (gastritis).

Causes of Acid Reflux/Heartburn

There can be many causes of Acid reflux/Heartburn which is why at Foreman and Jones we feel a consultation is so important. The cause of the complaint often varies dramatically from one patient to the next and this leads to a different prescription for each patient. Typical causes of this complaint are loss of oesophageal sphincter muscle tone, hiatus hernia, medications, diet and stress.

Herbal Treatment of Acid Reflux/Heartburn

At Foreman and Jones we take an hour to discuss your symptoms and we ask questions like ‘what makes your symptoms better or worse’ ‘how long have you suffered with the complaint’ and ‘can you describe your symptoms ’. Sometimes talking things through can unearth the initial cause for the imbalance because it may not be the case that the patient has always suffered with the complaint, therefore, we want to understand what is at the root of it.

Commonly used Herbs for Acid Reflux/ Heartburn

There are many herbs which can help alleviate Acid Reflux/Heartburn and often dietary changes and changes to eating habits can be really helpful too. We usually treat patients with Acid Reflux/Heartburn over a number of months but it depends on how long the patient has had the complaint for and how severe the complaint is.

Commonly used herbs for this condition include – Slippery elm, Licorice, Meadowsweet, Marshmallow root, Chamomile and Dandelion (to name but a few!).

For more information on how we can help you with Acid Reflux/Heartburn why not give us a call on 01303 760001 or email us at enquiries@foremanandjones.co.uk

It seems to me that digestive disorders are on the increase. Perhaps it’s because of our diets, perhaps we are more stressed these days or maybe it’s down to the lifestyles we lead but I’ve certainly noticed that I have been treating many more patients with digestive problems over the last few years.

In this blog I’m going to be focusing on Irritable Bowel Syndrome, this is a common condition whereby the regular waves of muscular movement along the intestines become uncoordinated. This can lead to many symptoms including bloating, constipation, diarrhoea and for many patients pain and discomfort. What many patients don’t realise is that IBS has also been linked to low energy, depression and poor concentration.

Our digestive process is very important because it’s through this process that we assimilate nutrients and essentially ‘fuel’ up! If there’s a problem with this system then often there can be nutritional deficiencies and a feeling of malaise.

There can be many causes of IBS which is why at Foreman and Jones we feel a consultation is so important. The cause of the complaint often varies dramatically from one patient to the next and this leads to a different prescription for each patient.

IBS possible causes

• Food Intolerance (at Foreman and Jones we  offer Food Intolerance pin-prick blood testing)
• Stress
• A history of taking certain medications
• A parasitic infection
• Diet
• An overgrowth of Candida albicans
• Long term use of the contraceptive pill
• Hormonal imbalance

At Foreman and Jones we take an hour to discuss your symptoms and we ask questions like ‘what makes your symptoms better or worse’ ‘how long have you suffered with the complaint’ and ‘can you describe your symptoms ’. Sometimes talking things through can unearth the initial cause for the imbalance because it may not be the case that the patient  has always suffered with the complaint, therefore, we want to understand what is at the root of it.

When prescribing a herbal medicine for a patient with IBS it’s quite a detailed process. We treat the patient holistically and no one herbal prescription for the condition is the same. We may give herbs with the following actions -  anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, anxiolytic, demulcent and nervines.

We usually treat patients with IBS over a number of months but it depends on how long the patient has had the complaint for and how severe the complaint is.

For more information on how we can help you why not give us a call on 01303 760001.

Local Massage Therapist

My name is Jo and I am a local massage therapist offering full body massage and aromatherapy treatments. I trained in biochemistry and worked at the William Harvey Hospital for 14 years. I have dabbled with aromatherapy oils since the age of 15- making blends up at home and then in my 20’s making up labour massage oils for pregnant friends nearing the stages of labour.

I wanted to achieve a qualification in complementary therapy to back up my already extensive knowledge of the subject. I offer a truly holistic approach. This involves a detailed consultation prior to treatment. In the case of aromatherapy I make up a specific blend suited to each individual’s needs taking into consideration how they feel on the day.

For example if a client came to me feeling low and suffering with a headache I may suggest a blend including geranium to uplift and lavender to soothe. If a client came to me with a particular condition e.g. arthritis or osteoporosis I would recommend a course of six treatments to enable the client to benefit fully from the treatment but I am flexible so if a one-off is all a client can afford then that is acceptable.

Full Body Massage & Aromatherapy Treatments

Full body massage is an invigorating and more stimulating treatment than aromatherapy which is good to encourage lymphatic drainage and aid in cases of oedema(swelling and puffiness around the joints).Also in more cosmetic cases it can help with cellulite reduction due to firmer massage movements on problem areas such as the buttocks and thighs.

In my final year at university, during my clinical training at the Archway Clinic of Herbal Medicine my supervisor was teaching us about the thyroid gland and how to examine it. It came to light that mine was slightly enlarged and she suggested I had it checked out. So I went to my GP for blood tests and they all came back normal.

As it happened I had two of the other classic symptoms of hypothyroidism: tiredness and feeling cold. Apart from that people would have thought I’d be more likely to have an overactive thyroid due to my slim figure! But of course, tiredness and feeling cold are not enough in themselves to diagnose an underactive thyroid as there can be many other reasons that they happen. So since my blood tests showed nothing I was sent away.

About three months later, in the holidays, I was increasingly tired and even more cold. Yes, I was very busy at University, studying for my final exams and doing my dissertation, but I was only 22 and really shouldn’t have been that tired; I wasn’t doing that much!

So I returned for more blood tests and this time the news was not great. I left the GP feeling very upset because of the horror story I was given about what was wrong with me. I was told I had a compensating hypothyroid. The locum GP told me, amongst other things that:
1. I’d need to be on Thyroxine for the rest of my life
2. It was likely to be an autoimmune condition which meant that my body was attacking its own endocrine (glandular) tissue. This could therefore affect my ovaries and other glands and leave me sterile.
I immediately went to my local, friendly, independent health food store that my mum had been taking me to all my life and bought some tablets of a herb that I knew would help, to get started on until I went back to University and could make a proper prescription at clinic.

Now, this diagnosis was not a surprise to me since hypothyroidism runs right through my dad’s side of the family, and most of my relatives on that side take Thyroxine. What did surprise me was what I was being told the condition would do to me.

So I went back to University and put together a prescription with the help of my clinic group, and supervisor, and took it religiously.

I was referred to an endocrinologist and my thyroid was scanned (yes it was enlarged)>. The next set of blood tests I had showed that while my results were still abnormal, they were improved. And the next set of tests 3 months after this were just inside the normal range (yes!) and any subsequent tests I have had have been totally normal. The endocrinologist said, ‘whatever you are doing is working, so keep it up!’

As for what I was told by that locum GP in the first place:
1. I have never taken a single dose of Thyroxine and my thyroid function has remained normal
2. I have a beautiful 3 month old son!
The medicine I took for only 6 months at full dose, and since then I take it when i feel the need.

The purpose of me telling you this story is that I wish I hadn’t waited for the problem to show up in my blood tests – I knew something wasn’t right, even though the blood tests were ‘normal’. I was tired and cold and my thyroid was enlarged. It just happened that as far as the test results went, my thyroid was just about managing to hang in there in that first test and producing the right amount of hormones. (I will explain compensating hypothyroid in a later post). But I knew something wasn’t right.

So i could have started my medicine then and the problem could have been nipped in the bud. Sure, it might never have appeared in my blood test results, and the condition might never have been diagnosed, but surely that would have been a good thing, since I’d have been well! The condition was reversed with the herbal medicine anyway, so why did I need to wait?

It is so common for blood tests to show that nothing is wrong, even though the person feels unwell. As herbalists we take time to listen to our patients so that they can explain to us what is wrong and we can help them.

If you would like to speak to us about your thyroid complaint, or your blood test results, please contact us.

Hayley Lewis (nee Jones) BSc (Hons) MNIMH GHR Reg.
Medical Herbalist, Hypnotherapist and NLP Master Practitioner.

The Liver is an amazing organ and performs many different functions in the body. Keeping the Liver healthy and functioning smoothly is considered a basic principle for herbalists and there are many herbs which can help to keep the liver healthy.

If your Liver is under stress then the following symptoms may occur (to name but a few) -

• Frequent headaches that are not related to tension and stress in the neck and shoulders.
• Ongoing menstrual problems
• Weak tendons, ligaments and muscles
• Acne, psoriasis and other skin problems
• Tenderness or pain in the liver area
• Emotional excess, especially anger, moodiness and depression
• Blurring of vision and red eyes
• Bitter taste in the mouth.

The Wonders of Milk Thistle

Milk thistle has attracted much interest in recent years and has been used throughout Europe for the treatment of cirrhosis and hepatitis as well as for liver restoration.

The ancients revered milk thistle, it was used to treat snake bites in ancient Greece and used to treat melancholy by famous herbalist Gerard. Culpepper also wrote about milk thistle and its use for treating jaundice.

In recent years milk thistle has been the subject of many clinical human studies researching its use in extending life, improving quality of life, reducing the symptoms of hepatitis and cirrhosis and protecting the liver from toxins and pollution in the environment.

Early studies have also been done looking at the effects of milk thistle on one of the most virulent liver toxins – Alpha-amanatine from the deadly Amanita mushroom. Dr Vogel a leading researcher of milk thistle conducted a remarkable study in the 70s, he brought in 60 patients from around Europe suffering with severe amanita poisoning and gave them a water extract of 20mg/kg of silybin (a component of milk thistle) per day. The results were amazing, all of patients treated lived! The usual death rate for patients using conventional treatments is usually 30-40%

Medicinal preparations

Milk thistle (Carduus marianus) is available in its raw form – seeds (which have to be ground up) and tincture (made of the dry powdered seeds) which is a liquid extract of the seeds.

When might a herbalist prescribe Milk thistle?

Many liver related problems indicate the use of milk thistle. Herbalists use it to strengthen the liver and to help with detoxification.

It may also be added to prescriptions for poor appetite, poor bowel function including constipation and diarrhoea, for patients with high liver enzymes in their blood, headaches and migraine, pre-menstrual problems inc breast tenderness and mood swings, psoriasis and acne.

If you would like more information on the use of milk thistle or feel that your liver could do with some herbal support then do give us a call at Foreman and Jones, Hythe on 01303 760001 or contact us via email – enquiries@foremanandjones.co.uk

By Jodie Foreman
Medical Herbalist and Reflexologist

Read more about Milk Thistle Herb here.

<h2>The Structure and Function of the Skin</h2>

Although many health conditions primarily affect the skin, there are those systemic diseases (affecting whole systems of the body) that may produce symptoms in the skin too.

<h2>What Does the Skin Do?</h2>

• Is a protective barrier between the outside world and internal tissues
• Reduces the loss of water and other substances
• Reduces the entry of unwanted molecules, microbes and radiation
• It is a sensory organ through its complex network of nerves
• Processes antigens
• Regulates heat
• Synthesises Vitamin D

<h2>The Layers of the Skin</h2>

There are 3 layers to the skin, the epidermis (the uppermost layer), the dermis and fat (subcutaneous fatty tissue.

<h2>Each Layer of the Skin has its Own Special Role</h2>

One of the roles of the epidermis is to prevent DNA damage by absorbing UV radiation into the melanin in its melanocytes.  The epidermis is separated from and attached to the dermis by a layer across which all nutrients pass.  The dermis contains all the blood and lymphatic vessels, nerve elements, sweat glands, sebaceous glands and hair follicles.  The dermis is physical strong while flexible.  The sensory nerves in this later enable the sensations of touch, pain, temperature and itch.

<h2>There is a Link Between the Skin and the Rest of the Body</h2>

So you can see already that there is a link between the layers of the skin and the kidneys (balancing water loss ), immune system (dealing with microbes and antigens), the nervous system (sensations), lymphatic system, the heart and circulation (blood vessels).

<h2>Why Do Herbalists Not only Use Creams for Skin Complaints</h2>

As you can see above the skin does not live in isolation from the rest of the body.  In fact other systems of the body are essential in the skin maintaining its function.  When you apply a cream to the skin you are only treating the very top layer, the epidermis.  And in fact skin problems can arise in the deeper levels of the skin, and also in the other systems of the body that maintain those layers of the skin.  If there is a problem with the circulation to the skin, the circulation must be treated using circulatory tonics.  If there is a lymphatic problem affecting the skin then this must be treated using lymphatic herbs and so on.

<h2>How Do Herbalists Treat Patients With Skin Complaints?</h2>

So you will find that for conditions such as acne, which is a disorder of the sebaceous glands, then a herbalist will use internal medicines (tinctures or teas) that affect those systems of the body involved.  This may include depuratives, cleansing herbs, lymphatic herbs, herbs for the liver, nervines and relaxants, circulatory herbs, detoxifying herbs, cooling herbs, and warming herbs.  Of course a nice cream may be used alongside this treatment to soothe the skin while the medicine works its magic, but it is not the be-all and end-all of treatment.

Hayley Lewis (nee Jones)

Medical Herbalist, Registered Hypnotherapist and NLP Master Practitioner

Over the years I have treated many patients with this problem. Excessive sweating and body odour can be a real problem for many and it’s not often a topic that’s discussed freely. This problem can really affect people on a day to day basis. Some patients have complained that they can’t wear certain clothes that would show up sweat patches or even that they would have to pop home to have a wash if they were out all day, otherwise they would notice an odour.

In my experience there can be many reasons for body odour. First and foremost it’s important that patients wash regularly and wear natural fabrics. However, for many it doesn’t matter how many times they wash they still notice an excess in perspiration and odour.

Herbal Treatment of Body Odour

As herbalists we are always looking to the root cause of the problem. During a thorough consultation lasting 1 hour we examine how the whole system is working. We pin point when the problem started and ascertain whether there are any triggering factors.

As there can be many reasons for body odour it’s important to understand them and treat them accordingly. Body odour can be related to a hormonal imbalance, poor diet, poor elimination and an over-active nervous system.

Herbs commonly prescribed for patients with excessive sweating and body odour include (to name a few) Milk thistle, Burdock, Nettle, Sage, Skullcap, Dandelion and Echinacea.

Tips for reducing body odour

- Eat a ‘clean’ diet avoid, too much meat, processed food, refined sugar, fatty food, caffeine and alcohol.
- Drink plenty of filtered or bottled water
- Keep an eye on your bowels – if you are constipated (i.e. not opening your bowels every day) or have strong smelling urine then you could have poor elimination and those toxins could be coming out in your sweat. If this is the case then your elimination needs to be addressed.
- Keeping under arm hair trimmed or shaven can help prevent a build up
- Eat more green leafy veg
- Start juicing, fresh vegetable juices help to cleanse the body
- Quit smoking

For more information on how Herbal Medicine can help treat patients with body odour why not give us a call at Foreman and Jones, Hythe on 01303 760001.