Hi Everyone!

I hope this email finds you well (and warm!), and a BIG welcome to new clients and subscribers this month.

I recently had a break from the Auckland winter with an amazing trip to the Gold Coast. I was fortunate enough to attend the International Congress on Natural Medicine, which brought together internationally recognised experts in the field of natural medicine. Lecture subjects included 'nutrigenomics and tissue specific inflammation', 'managment of neuroendocrine and immume dysfunction in psychiatry', and 'hormesis and epigenetics in clinical practice'. Big, complex subjects and that was just 3 of the 15 lectures I attended! So exciting and inspiring.

All the specifics aside, the overwhelming message for me, was that a new era of healthcare is on it's way and it is being lead by research based natural medicine.

The old addage 'prevention is the best cure' is now more true than ever, so lets not ignore those little niggles; your body is trying to tell you something!

In this issue:

Eczema - it is on the rise in New Zealand

Healthy Bits and Pieces - clinic news (yes I have moved!), invite to a talk, and a special offer from now until the end of August

Swine Flu - I know, I know....you are all over it! I have included this article because it is non sensational and offers proactive suggestions

Recipes - two winter warmers

Eczema

Eczema effects all ages and can range from causing extreme pain and debilitation, to mildly dry, itchy patches.

There is often a family history of eczema and in babies it can be a forunner to other immune mediated conditions such as asthma and food sensitivities.

Possible contributing factors

• environmental allergens such as animal fur, laundry detergents, soaps, creams, pollens, dust mites etc.
• immune imbalance - most eczema sufferers have mast cells (a type of immune cell) that release extra amounts of histamine. Histamine is a chemical that triggers inflammation particularly in areas like the skin and mucosal tissue.
• stress or anxiety can exacerbate eczema
• food sensitivities

Naturopathic treatment of eczema

1: If possible, identify the cause

No matter what age, an assessment of the foods and beverages you consume (or your baby consumes via breastmilk), and the cleaning and personal care products you use (or use on your baby) can give you clues about the cause of your eczema. Keeping a food/symptom diary can help you pick up patterns that may be occurring when you have certain foods. For example, many people find that dairy products or citrus foods tend to cause a worsening of their eczema the following day. If they avoid the foods for 3 weeks or more they get significant improvement. Secondly........

2: Balance the immune response, get those histamines under control

One of the most effective natural treatments for eczema is to get the gut based immune system working smoothly. For some people probiotics do this exceptionally well, although you need to get the right form of bacteria (and no, yoghurt does not contain enough!).

Adults respond well to a mix of Lactobacilus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium lactis and Lactobacilus rhamnosus (HN001). These are all bacteria found naturally in the gut, but they seem to get out of whack, leading to eczema in some people. As for how much you need to be effective - a staggering 12 billion organisms daily! I use a product called Ultra Flora Immune for this.

To prevent eczema in babies and children, pregnant mothers can take Lactobacillus rhamnosus (GG) during the last trimester of pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Formula feed babies and older children can also take Lactobacillus rhamnosus (GG) to help with eczema symptoms. I use a product called Eczema Shield in these cases.

And lastly..........

3: Topical treatment

Over the years of treating eczema, I have seen so many people having to use ever increasing amounts of steroid creams, to get ever decreasing results. Although they are sometimes neccessary for flare ups or extreme eczema, I wanted to make an alternative to steroids that my clients could use along with the other treatments as above. I am now flat out ongoing batches of a balm that is packed with fresh chickweed, native New Zealand botanical extracts and New Zealand grown cold pressed avocado oil. It is called eczema ease. You can buy it at the organic baby store born in Ponsonby, at elementa (where I practise in Remuera, details below), and at the Pakuranga clinic.

"Eczema Ease takes the redness out of my daughter's eczema trouble spots surprisingly quickly, and I find it works just as well as hydrocortisone creams. It is a relief to find something natural that is effective... we've tried everything!"
Giselle Reid, Auckland.

Healthy Bits & Pieces

On the Move - The lovely house on Balmoral Rd sold so quickly we were caught by surprise ourselves! For those of you who first met me at the Balmoral clinic I have put the details of my other practices below:

Elementa - 347 Remuera Rd, Remuera. Phone (09) 520 4015
Pakuranga clinic - 70 Pakuranga Rd, Pakuranga. Phone 576 7700

Heavenly Hormones? Learn how a woman's hormones can be her greatest asset.

Date: Wednesday 29th July
Time: 6.30pm
Where: Elementa, 347 Remuera Rd, behind Paper Plus
Cost: $15

As females we are blessed with a myriad of different hormones. They can have positive effects on our body, mind and emotions or negative effects. The trick is knowing how to manage them. From low libido, depression and fatigue to period pain, reproductive disorders and menopause, being hormone healthy is the key. Getting the delicate balance of your hormones is also your best bet at being slim, happy and long lived!
Reserve your place by repy email or by calling (09) 520 4015

Hemaveiw or live blood analysis is a live blood screening we do in the clinic to gain vital information about your health status. Using only one or two drops of blood, we can evaluate the size, condition, shape and ratios of your different blood cells. For example, abnormalities in red blood cell size can indicate an increased requirement for iron, B12 or folic acid. Damaged cells can indicate free radical damage from pesticide or chemical exposure and the need for antioxidant and detoxification. Patients often describe it as quite a revelation, being able to see, right in front of their eyes, the effect their lifestyle is having on their blood cells.

The cost for this is usually $95 but for the months of July and August you can come in for a Hemaveiw screening for only $65! Appointments available at Pakuranga only, because that's where the incredible microscope is.

Swine Flu

This newsletter was getting a tad long, so if you are interested click through for the Swine flu article. A word of warning: it is quite technical but I'm sure you guys can handle it! If you want any of the herbs or enzymes referred to just let me know.

Recipes

Homemade lemon & ginger drink

I seem to need a constant supply of hot drinks over winter, going through herbal tea bags 10 times faster than in summer! So when I came to my mother's this weekend and she pulled out a batch of this delicous drink, I thought I would share it with you. Thanks Mum!

Ingredients:

• 100gm fresh ginger, grated
• 2 cups of water
• 3 large lemons
• 2 -3 dessertspoons of honey

Method:

1. Simmer the ginger in the water for 30mins with the lid on. Strain and return back to the pot

2. Add the juice and pulp of 3 large lemons. Simmer again for 30 mins until reduced to appoximately 500mls

3. Add the honey and stir till melted. Let cool.

Keep in a glass jar or bottle in the fridge. Use about an inch in the bottom of a mug and pour boiling water over the mixture for a devine winter drink. Tip: shake the bottle before pouring as the lemon pulp sinks.

 

Blueberry Muffins - Gluten and/or dairy free

The muffins actually didn't last long enough to get a picture! So I took one of the little loaf we made with the left over mix.

We used the Healtheries Simple gluten free baking mix, which contains rice flour, tapioca starch, corn starch, raising agents and some sugar. Switching this mix for spelt flour and a little extra baking powder should work well too.

Ingredients:

1 cup frozen blueberries
1/2 cup of milk (cows, rice or soy)
1 egg
100g butter (or 2 Tbsp. vegetable oil for a dairy free option)
1.5 cups Simple baking mix
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla essence

Method:

Preheat the oven to 200*C and oil the muffin tins. Mix the flour, baking powder, sugar and berries together (coating the berries). In another bowl combine and whisk the melted butter or oil, egg, vanilla essence and milk. Pour over the dry ingredients and mix gently before spooning into the tins. Bake for 20-25mins. Makes 8 muffins.

Tip: doubling the recipe may be wise! They taste so good.

Thanks for reading!

Yours in health,

Annaliese Jones

www.naturalhealthcheckup.com

For Appointments:
(09) 889 2008
021 026 11882 or email annaliese@naturalhealthcheckup.com

 

 

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