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Solas Cancer Support Services at the Lismore Clinic

We are delighted to announce that we are currently working in partnership with Solas Cancer Support Centre, to provide support services to people affected by cancer and their families, through the Lismore Clinic.
The Solas Cancer Support Service was established in Waterford in 1999, to provide a wide variety of support services, including counselling and relaxation therapies, to people affected by cancer and their families. Last year, Solas set up a new service for the people of West Waterford, at the Dungarvan Alternative Health Clinic, and now also provides support services to people affected by cancer and their families, through the Lismore Clinic. This allows easier access to services for people living in areas such as Lismore, Cappoquin, Araglin, Ballyduff and Tallow.

When someone contacts the Solas cancer support service for the first time, a relaxed, informal introduction meeting is arranged with the Solas Client Services Co- ordinator. This allows the individual time to reflect on their experience in a safe and confidential space.  The individual has an opportunity to explore their feelings and needs, and to consider the resources that are available through Solas, that may be therapeutic and empowering to them.

The meeting is a foundation block in nurturing a sense of safety, trust, respect and belonging within the Solas Cancer Support service, for each individual. Following the introduction meeting, appointments for the appropriate services may be arranged by the Client Services Coordinator. The support services that are available at the Lismore Clinic include Counselling, Art therapy and Craniosacral Therapy and Massage.

Counselling is a professional, therapeutic listening process offering confidentiality, understanding and empathy in a non-judgemental, respectful space. Counselling support aims to empower the individual with personal clarity and confidence to cope with their personal challenges.

Art therapy is a model of counselling which uses imagery as a medium of self-expression. Art therapy supports individuals to explore, communicate and process challenging emotions. It is particularly effective for children and adolescents experiencing distress.

Massage is a professional therapeutic ‘touch therapy’, delivered for the purpose of symptomatic stress relief. A rhythmic, systematic application of pressure by the hands of the Therapist can relieve tension from muscles, improve circulation, reduce swelling, ease discomfort and promote an enhanced sense of well-being.

All of the practitioners at the Lismore Clinic are caring individuals who are  fully qualified in their particular therapy, and have a great deal of experience working with people affected by cancer and their families. If you or someone in your family is affected by cancer, and feel that the Solas Cancer Support service may be of help, please call 051 304 604 or email: info@solascentre.ie to arrange an introductory meeting.

The Solas Cancer Support Service is a charity 100% reliant on income raised through fundraising to support our services. If you are interested in organising an event for Solas, no matter how big or small it might be, please contact Ann Marie on 051 304604 or email annmarie@solascentre.ie.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease, which causes skin cells to multiply up to 10 times faster than normal. This results in raised, red spots, or larger plaques, which are usually covered with white scales. The lesions may be itchy and can crack and bleed.  August is psoriasis awareness month, which aims to provide information to the public about psoriasis, in order to help sufferers to feel less self-conscious, and to inform the public that it is not a contagious condition.
Psoriasis most commonly starts between the ages of around 10 and 25. The tendency to develop the condition is genetic, but the onset may be triggered by an infection (such as strep throat), or by emotional stress, injury to the skin, or use of certain medications, such as beta blockers, and ibuprofen. Psoriasis is exacerbated by excessive alcohol consumption, smoking and obesity

Psoriasis most commonly affects the elbows, knees, and scalp. However, plaques can appear on any part of the body. A form of psoriasis called ‘flexural psoriasis’ causes smooth (non-scaly) inflamed areas in the skin folds, such as the underarms, groin, between the buttocks and under the breasts.

Psoriasis may be associated with discoloration and pitting of the nails, and the nails may also begin to crumble or detach from the nail bed. Furthermore, up to 30% of people with psoriasis go on to develop psoriatic arthritis, which leads to pain and swelling in the joints. People with psoriasis are also more prone to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other autoimmune conditions.

Unfortunately psoriasis is also a major cause of depression and low self-esteem. Sufferers often feel self-conscious about their appearance and cover their skin, even though psoriasis benefits from exposure to sunlight, and may become increasingly itchy if the person gets too hot.

Psoriasis is one of the most difficult conditions to treat, and there is no permanent cure, although various treatments can help to keep symptoms under control and minimize the lesions, while some patients achieve complete remission.

Orthodox treatments include steroid creams or in severe cases, immune suppressants, which are associated with serious side effects. Other treatments that are proven to be beneficial for psoriasis include dead-sea bath salts, sunlight exposure, and emollient creams to prevent dryness and cracking. Useful supplements include Vitamins A, and D, and Fish oils. Ensure your diet is rich in oily fish, vegetables and green tea, and avoid consumption of red meat, wheat (and other gluten-containing grains), alcohol and coffee. If you are overweight try to lose weight and maintain a normal BMI.

Herbal medicines that can help with psoriasis include sarsaparilla and Oregon grape to normalize immune function and treat any chronic infection, plus Gotu kola and liquorice to reduce inflammation and stress. Creams containing Aloe vera and wintergreen can reduce inflammation topically. If you are suffering from psoriasis, a visit to your local Medical Herbalist can provide a uniquely tailored blend of herbs with advice about diet and nutritional supplements to reduce symptoms.

World Breastfeeding Week

This week is National Breastfeeding Week, which aims to raise awareness of the many benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and child.  It is an important initiative, particularly in light of the fact that Ireland has one of the lowest breastfeeding rates in Europe: Only about 40% of new mothers in Ireland initiate breastfeeding and many give up before the child is four months old.
Breast milk is a specific food, which has been designed and perfected by nature to provide exactly the right components needed for the growth and development of human infants. Studies have repeatedly shown that breastfed babies are afforded protection against a wide range of problems, not just during infancy, but also for years afterwards, and even into adulthood.

Breastfed babies are significantly less likely to develop allergies than babies fed with formula milk, and they are also less likely to develop illnesses such as chest and ear infections and tummy bugs.  This is because at birth, a baby has no functional immune system of his own: the mother’s body makes milk especially designed to provide protection from the specific infections which both mother and baby come into contact with.

Breastfeeding significantly reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (cot death), and older children who were breastfed are less susceptible to dental caries and are less likely to need orthodontic treatments. They also have higher verbal performance and IQ scores.  During adulthood, people who were breastfed are less likely to develop obesity and diabetes.  They are also less susceptible to infection by Helicobacter pylori, the bacteria that causes gastritis, peptic ulcer and gastric cancer.

For the mother, breastfeeding significantly reduces the risk of developing osteoporosis and breast, ovarian and cervical cancers, not to mention getting back in shape faster. Breastfeeding burns at least an extra 600 calories per day, so if you have put on extra weight during pregnancy this will help you to shift it much more easily.

Despite these numerous benefits for both mother and baby, there seems to be a perception that breastfeeding is difficult or that it can tie you down. However, it is actually far easier, cheaper, and altogether more convenient than buying formula, sterilizing bottles, and listening to a crying baby while the milk warms.

Breastfeeding means that you don’t have to plan ahead when going out: you always have exactly the right amount of milk with you, at exactly the right temperature. Even the disturbed nights are so much less difficult when you don’t have to get up to make a bottle: Just pick up the baby and hop back into bed.

Even if you are planning on going back to work, to breastfeed your baby for the first few weeks (or even just the first few days) is the greatest gift you can give, both for your baby and for yourself.  If you want to continue breastfeeding when you return to work you can give bottles of either expressed or formula milk while you’re away, and continue to breastfeed at other times. If you want to do this it is worth introducing a daily bottle of expressed milk at around four weeks, since this is the ideal time for a baby to master feeding from both breast and bottle. Of course for those women who, for a variety of reasons, cannot breastfeed or find breastfeeding extremely difficult, it is reassuring that babies can thrive on formula milk.

If you do choose to breastfeed there are a number of herbal remedies that can help.  For example, herbal ointments containing calendula or chamomile are soothing and healing for sore and cracked nipples, and are also safe for baby; and surprising relief from engorged breasts comes in the shape of a slightly bruised cabbage leaf in each cup of your bra!

Internally, Fennel tea increases the quantity of breast milk, and some of the constituents actually pass into the breast milk, helping to calm the baby’s digestion and ease colic. Nettle tea can help to produce a plentiful supply of rich, nourishing breast milk, and sage is useful for reducing the quantity of milk during weaning. Your local Medical Herbalist can provide an individually tailored blend of herbs together with advice about nutrition, to help support you and your little one on your breastfeeding journey.

Ditch the Diet

After the excesses of Christmas and a long winter of stodgy foods and inactivity, many people are putting their new year’s resolutions into action and thinking about a diet overhaul. For some people, losing weight is a long-term goal, while others may be simply trying to lose a few extra pounds gained over the Christmas season. Either way, avoiding fad diets and incorporating some healthy lifestyle changes is a much more sustainable way to reach your ideal weight, and stay there.

Coping with the Change

Some would say the menopause is a positive time: a transition from the stresses of building a career and raising children, to a time of wisdom and personal fulfillment.  But for many women the road is a rough one to say the least, fraught with a host of debilitating symptoms. The usual treatment for these symptoms is Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).  Many women who decide to take HRT expect to take it for a few years and then discontinue treatment when the menopause is over.  However, HRT simply delays the inevitable, and most women find that when they stop taking it, their symptoms are just as bad as they were in the beginning, if not worse.
Many women are now looking for a natural alternative to HRT, due to concerns about the safety of long-term use, such as the increased risk of breast cancer and stroke. Herbal medicine is a safe and effective alternative, which has been used around the world for centuries to ease women through the menopause.

The first line of treatment is to reduce the impact of declining natural hormones. Herbs such as black cohosh contain substances which resemble oestrogen, and are very effective for reducing symptoms such as hot flushes and vaginal dryness.  Other natural substances that can mimic oestrogen in the body are the isoflavones, which are found soya products, seeds (such as in linseeds) and wholegrains.  These foods may be incorporated into the diet to reduce menopausal symptoms. However, in order for these substances to be used by the body, they must be broken down by beneficial bacteria in the digestive system. Therefore they are generally much more effective if taken with probiotics, or eaten in a fermented form, such as soya yoghurt, miso, tempeh or sourdough rye bread.

It is sometimes assumed that oestrogen-like substances in plants are associated with the same risks as HRT, but studies have shown that many of these herbs are perfectly safe, and even beneficial for women who have oestrogen-dependent conditions such as breast cancer.

The second task of herbal treatment is to address the symptoms.  The most common of these is hot flushing, which is often accompanied by sweating.  Sage dramatically reduces sweating, while hops is useful for insomnia due to night sweats. It is important to avoid foods such as caffeine, spices, and alcohol that can trigger hot flushes.

Other common menopausal symptoms include depression, anxiety, insomnia, exhaustion, poor concentration, memory loss, joint aches and low libido.  Following an in-depth consultation with a medical herbalist, several herbs are selected on the basis of each woman’s unique symptom picture, and blended in an individual prescription. Once the right combination of herbs is found for each individual, most women experience significant or even complete relief from symptoms within a few weeks.

Good nutrition is also an essential part of maintaining your wellbeing at 50 and beyond. Lower oestrogen levels after menopause are associated with increased skin ageing, thinning hair, and more seriously, an increased risk of osteoporosis and heart disease; and the best way to help prevent these problems is by ensuring you are getting the right nutrients.

The most beneficial nutrients for the over 50s are probably the essential fatty acids, found in oily fish (such as mackerel, tuna, salmon, herring and trout), together with various oils such as starflower, evening primrose and flax oils. These have a very beneficial effect on the condition of the skin, hair and nails, and have been shown to increase bone density and prevent heart disease.  It is also important to eat a healthy diet which contains plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, nuts and seeds, to take plenty of exercise.

Finally, many women are also trying to cope with children or teenagers, while juggling a career and taking care of the home during this difficult time. They may also be struggling to come to terms the loss of their youth, or with adult children leaving home. Stress and anxiety have a very negative impact on the balance of hormones, especially after menopause. This is because the adrenal glands (which take over the task of producing oestrogen when the ovaries shut down) are primarily responsible for secreting the hormones that help us to cope with stress. Other therapies that can help with these problems, such as Aromatherapy massage, counselling or art therapy, may also be very useful to ease women through the menopause, and make all the difference during this challenging time.

Straighten Up and Move!

This Sunday, 16th October is World Spine Day, which aims to raise awareness about prevention and treatment of back pain and spinal disability. The theme for World Spine Day 2016 is “Straighten Up and Move”, which focuses on the importance of physical activity and improving posture in maintaining good spinal health and preventing injury.

The spine is made up of 33 small bones called vertebrae, separated by the intervertebral discs, which are made up of a tough, flexible outer casing, filled with a jelly-like substance. The discs act like shock absorbers in between the vertebrae. The spine is supported by muscles of the back, which need to be strong in order to prevent damage to the spine due to injury, poor posture, or degenerative diseases such as arthritis. If the spine slips out of its correct alignment, these muscles go into spasm and become inflamed, leading to pain and stiffness.  The muscles, misaligned bones, or protruding discs may also pinch the nerves or blood vessels in the surrounding areas, leading to problems such as sciatica and headaches.

Research has demonstrated that poor posture and inactivity are major contributors to the development of back pain and other spinal disorders. According to the World Health Organization, one in four adults, and over 80% of adolescent population are not active enough. In order to strengthen the back muscles and avoid injury it is important to take regular exercise, which does not cause high impact to the spine. Walking, swimming and yoga are ideal, but take care to start gently, and build up gradually as your strength improves.

Try to maintain a good posture when standing and walking: Imagine there is an invisible cord attached to the top of your head which lifts you into a tall posture with your shoulders relaxed. Avoid hunching over the sink or desk by placing the washing up bowl on the draining board, and by doing paperwork on tilted surface. When lifting, bend your knees not your back, and keep your feet apart to maintain stability. Carry large objects against your body, and when carrying shopping bags try to balance the load equally in both hands. Bend your knees and not your back when doing jobs such as gardening.

Orthodox treatment for back pain usually consists of analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs. These are very helpful for relief of pain and inflammation in the short term, but they do not address the underlying cause of the pain, such as misalignment of the spine, and they are often associated with side effects such as gastritis and stomach ulcers when used long term. Fortunately, there are a number of natural treatments that can be very effective.

Acupuncture has been shown in clinical trials to be highly effective for reliving back pain. Herbs such as devil’s claw and willow have a natural anti-inflammatory action, cramp bark helps to ease muscle spasm, and St. John’s wort is second to none for treating nerve damage and irritation.  Useful supplements include glucosamine and chondroitin, which help to maintain the integrity of the tissues, fish oils which help to reduce inflammation, and magnesium which reduces muscle spasm.

Where back pain is associated with injury or misalignment of the spine, McTimoney chiropractic is a particularly gentle but very effective form of treatment, which helps to align the spine and relieve the pressure on nerves and blood vessels. Prescription orthotics can also be very helpful for relieving back pain where this is due to misalignment of the feet or legs; and muscle tension and spasm can be effectively treated with massage.

Healthy, Happy Heart

This month is Irish Heart month, which culminates on World Heart Day on 29th September. Heart disease is Ireland’s number one killer, accounting for more than one third of all deaths in this country. 
Approximately 10,000 people die each year from cardiovascular disease, which includes heart attacks, strokes, and other circulatory diseases. Cardiovascular disease accounts for nearly a quarter of all premature deaths of people under the age of 65. It is also estimated that 30,000 people are living in the community with disabilities as a result of a stroke. Cardiovascular disease is often thought of as something which mostly affects men, however, heart disease and stroke is also the leading cause of death among Irish women, and the risks increase significantly after menopause.
The tendency to develop heart disease or stroke is genetic and tends to increase with age. However there are also many other risk factors which can be controlled in order to reduce the risks. Smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease, including both heart attacks and strokes, and smokers are twice as likely to suffer a heart attack than non-smokers. Therefore, giving up smoking is the single most effective means of reducing your risk of cardiovascular disease.

High cholesterol is another recognized risk factor for cardiovascular disease. If there is too much cholesterol in your blood, it can adhere to the inner lining of the blood vessels and cause them to become narrow and hardened. If a blood vessel supplying the heart muscle becomes blocked completely, this results in a heart attack, which causes damage to the heart muscle. If a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked, it results in a stroke, which damages the brain. However, cholesterol is much more likely to adhere to blood vessels which are inflamed or damaged for other reasons, such as smoking or poor diet.

Being overweight and having high blood pressure both mean that the heart has to work harder to pump blood around the body. This extra pressure can cause wear and tear on both the heart and blood vessels. It is thought that fat which is stored around the abdomen (giving rise to an ‘apple-shaped’ figure) presents a greater risk for cardiovascular disease than fat which is stored around the buttocks and thighs (leading to a ‘pear-shaped’ figure). Being overweight can lead to both high blood pressure and diabetes, which causes damage to blood vessels due to elevated blood glucose, and is therefore another risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Stress also raises blood pressure and increases heart rate, putting greater pressure on the heart and blood vessels. In addition, stress often causes people to engage in more activities which can damage the heart and blood vessels, such as smoking, drinking too much alcohol or coffee, eating the wrong foods, and being inactive.

By far the best ways of  reducing the risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, diabetes and being overweight, are by getting enough exercise and eating a healthy, balanced diet. Exercising for at least 30 minutes every day helps to reduce blood pressure and stress levels, prevents obesity and diabetes, and strengthens the heart and circulation, thus preventing heart disease and strokes. It is best to try and choose activities you enjoy in order to to keep you motivated; such as brisk walking, sporting activities, swimming, dancing, gardening, or playing active games with children or grand children.

Eat a healthy, balanced diet including plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, which contain antioxidants that help to prevent damage to the heart and blood vessels. Wholegrain cereals such as oats help to control cholesterol levels, while olive oil and oily fish help to prevent blood clots. Choose lean meat and skinless chicken instead of fatty meats. 2-3 squares of good quality dark chocolate and a daily glass of red wine have been shown to have beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system.

Avoid animal fats as much as possible; and especially trans-fats, which are found in some margarines and many processed foods. It is also important to avoid fried and fatty foods such as creamy sauces, cakes, biscuits, crisps, and chocolate; and try to reduce consumption of salt, alcohol and coffee, all of which raise blood pressure if consumed in excess.

One of the best remedies available for the heart and circulation is hawthorn, which comes into fruit around this time of year.  Modern research has confirmed that hawthorn contains powerful antioxidants called flavonoids, and clinical trials support its use for this purpose.  Medical herbalists frequently use hawthorn in combination with other herbs for a range of problems affecting the heart and circulatory system.  It may be used with herbs such as cramp bark which relaxes blood vessels, motherwort which regulates the heartbeat, yarrow which removes excess fluid, lime flower which acts as a gentle relaxant, or artichoke which lowers cholesterol.  In some cases herbs such as these may be used to reduce the dose of orthodox medicines in consultation with the individual’s GP.

New Acupuncurist to Join the Team at The Lismore Clinic

The Lismore Clinic is delighted to announce that Maggie Burns, acupuncturist, will be joining the team of practitioners at the clinic. Maggie is an experienced acupuncturist who qualified from the Acupuncture Foundation of Ireland (AFI) in Dublin. As part of her training she worked in acupuncture hospitals in Nanjing, China. Maggie has also undertaken a great deal of postgraduate training including: Auricular Acupuncture, Treatment of Sports Injuries with Acupuncture, Fertility Acupuncture, Acupuncture for Obstetrics, Applied Facial Diagnosis and Cosmetic Acupuncture.
Acupuncture is one aspect of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which also includes Chinese Herbal Medicine, Food Therapy, Tuina Massage and Qi Gong. It has been widely used in China and the Far East for thousands of years, in the West since the 1970s, and is now recognized by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for its efficacy in the treatment of a wide range of clinical disorders.

Acupuncture is based on a 5,000 year old Chinese medical tradition that recognises channels (meridians) in the body through which the Qi(energy) of the body flows, connecting deeply with the internal organs. Along the superficial pathways are acupuncture points. Good health and resistance to disease depends on the smooth, unrestricted flow of abundant Qi within the channels, which nourishes the whole body. Emotional problems, lack of sleep, imbalanced eating habits or exercise routines, and poor lifestyle choices unbalance the smooth flow of Qi causing poor health. Acupuncture can help to redress the imbalance and restore health.

An acupuncture treatment involves the insertion of extremely fine, pre-sterilized, disposable needles to acupuncture points on the body surface. This reduces, increases, moves, or unblocks the Qi as required for each individual person, allowing it to flow freely, stimulating the body’s own healing powers. People generally find it very relaxing and often sleep once the needles are inserted. Acupuncture stimulates the immune system, promotes blood flow and aids better circulation of lymph.

Moxibustion and cupping may be used in addition to acupuncture. Moxibustion, (more commonly referred to as “moxa”), involves burning the mugwort herb over a particular area or acupuncture point on the body of the patient. It has a warming, tonifying effect, which promotes relaxation and healing. Cupping involves the use of gently heated cups applied to the skin to stimulate the circulation and release of toxins from the tissues. It has received extensive publicity in the recent Olympic Games in Rio De Janeiro, when the American swimming star, Michael Phelps appeared with cupping marks on his body.

In the hands of a fully qualified professional practitioner, the use of acupuncture is entirely safe and free of any harmful side-effects. It can be very safely combined with other therapies and with orthodox medical treatment. Acupuncture can be used for pain relief, (such as neck, back, hip and knee pain, arthritis, injuries and fibromyalgia). It is also helpful for a wide range of other conditions including headaches and migraines, insomnia, stress and anxiety, chronic fatigue, respiratory or digestive problems, infertility, and problems associated with periods and pregnancy.

For more information or to make an appointment, please contact Maggie at the Lismore Clinic 087 963 4988, or visit www.thelismoreclinic.ie. Maggie is a member of the Acupuncture Foundation Professional Association (AFPA), established in 1987, and European Traditional Chinese Medicine Association (ETCMA). Treatments are covered by the private healthcare insurance companies in Ireland such as Laya, Aviva, VHI, HSF and the St. Pauls Gárda Medical Association.

Mediterranean diet more effective than statin drugs in treatment of heart disease

 A recent study has found that the Mediterranean diet is more effective than statin drugs in the treatment of heart disease, and people suffering from cardiovascular problems are 37% less likely to die early if their diet is based on healthy foods such as vegetables, fish, nuts and olive oil.

High cholesterol is a recognized risk factor for cardiovascular disease. It can adhere to the inner lining of the blood vessels and cause them to become narrow and hardened. If a blood vessel supplying the heart muscle becomes blocked completely, this results in a heart attack. Similarly, if a blood vessel supplying the brain becomes blocked, this causes a stroke. However, cholesterol is much more likely to adhere to blood vessels which are inflamed or damaged for other reasons, and many people can have high cholesterol levels without ever suffering from cardiovascular problems.

Cholesterol-lowering drugs such as Crestor, Lipitor, and Zocor, have been shown to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes by about 24% in people already suffering from cardiovascular disease. However, they are increasingly being prescribed to otherwise healthy individuals with high cholesterol. A study carried out by researchers in Galway in 2013 showed that statin drugs not only triple the risk of coronary artery disease in otherwise healthy people, but also significantly increase the risk diabetes, cataracts and erectile dysfunction in young people, and increase the risk of cancer and Alzheimer’s disease in the elderly.

This research, which was published in the Journal of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, is only one of a number of studies that question the practice of using statins for prevention of cardiovascular events in otherwise healthy people. There is mounting evidence that people with high cholesterol and other cardiovascular risk factors really need to rethink their approach to dealing with these problems.

The new study has proven that eating a healthy diet rich in vegetables, fish, nuts and olive oil, is by far the best way of reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Fresh fruit and vegetables contain antioxidants that help to prevent damage to the heart and blood vessels, while olive oil and oily fish help to prevent blood clots. 2-3 squares of good quality dark chocolate and a daily glass of red wine have been shown to have beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system.

Avoid animal fats such as red meat and dairy products as much as possible; and especially trans-fats, which are found in some margarines and many processed foods. Exercising for at least 30 minutes every day helps to reduce blood pressure and stress levels, prevents obesity and diabetes, and strenghtens the heart and circulation. If you are a smoker then giving up smoking is the single most effective means of reducing your risk of cardiovascular disease.

Stress is another important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Stress raises blood pressure and increases heart rate, putting greater pressure on the heart and blood vessels. In addition, stress often causes people to engage in more activities which can damage the heart and blood vessels, such as smoking, drinking too much alcohol or coffee, eating the wrong foods, and being inactive.

In addition to diet and lifestyle changes, herbal medicine is very efficient in reducing cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol.  In many cases, herbs may be used to reduce the dose of orthodox medicines in consultation with the individual’s GP.

New research shows that HRT triples risk of Breast Cancer

Women who use combined hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to control menopausal symptoms are almost 3 times more likely to develop breast cancer than those who don’t, according to a new study by the Institute of Cancer Research in London. It is estimated that one in ten women in their 50s currently take HRT to control menopausal symptoms, such as hot flushes, depression, sleeplessness, exhaustion, and a whole host of other debilitating symptoms.
Concerns about the safety of HRT are not new. In 2002, it was discovered that HRT significantly increases the risk of developing breast cancer, heart disease, and stroke, which led to a 50% reduction in the number of women using HRT. It was initially thought that using HRT for a short period of time would minimize the risks, however, further research published in the Lancet last year showed that using HRT, even for a short period of time, is also associated with a significantly increased risk of developing ovarian cancer.

In spite of this, in November last year, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) attempted to reassure women about the safety of HRT for the treatment of menopausal symptoms. However, the new study suggests that the risks associated with HRT have been vastly underestimated.

Fortunately there is an alternative which is both safe and effective: herbal medicine has been used around the world for centuries to ease women through the change of life, and combined with an appropriate diet, it can make all the difference during this challenging time.

The first line of treatment is to use herbs which help to reduce the impact of declining natural hormones.  These herbs contain substances that are similar to oestrogen, but also act in other ways to reduce menopausal symptoms.  Perhaps the most well known of these is black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) which has been shown to be effective in reducing hot flushes, vaginal dryness and mood changes. Two or more of these herbs may be chosen depending on their other effects.  For example, black cohosh is very useful for joint stiffness, while wild yam (Dioscorea villosa) reduces cramping pains.

Other natural substances that affect hormone levels are the isoflavones, which are found in Red clover (Trifolium pratens). They are also present in linseeds and soya products.  These foods may be incorporated into the diet, together with foods containing essential fatty acids (such as oily fish), which are important in healthy hormone functioning. Contrary to some reports, herbs and foods which contain phytoestrogens do not increase the risk of developing cancer, in fact they have been shown to significantly reduce the risks, and are perfectly safe for use in women who have a history of oestrogen-dependent cancer, provided they are not taking other hormonal medications, such as tamoxifen.

The second task of herbal treatment is to address the symptoms.  The most common of these is hot flushing and night sweats.  Herbs such as sage (Salvia officinalis) can dramatically reduce sweating, while hops (Humulus lupulus) is useful for insomnia due to night sweats.  It is important to avoid the foods that can trigger this symptom such as caffeine, spices, and alcohol.  Anxiety also triggers hot flushes so try to reduce stress levels if possible.

Following an in-depth consultation with a medical herbalist, several herbs are selected on the basis of each woman’s unique symptom picture and blended in an individual prescription. Medical Herbalists generally use herbal preparations which are stronger than those which are available over the counter, and are therefore more appropriate for moderate to severe symptoms.

Rather than waiting until symptoms appear, it is advisable for any woman in her forties to begin to incorporate helpful strategies into her diet and lifestyle.  This will ensure measures are in place to reduce symptoms when hormone levels start to decline.  It is also important to eat a healthy diet, to get enough exercise, and to have your cholesterol and blood pressure checked on a regular basis. These simple measures will help to prevent heart disease and osteoporosis.  For those considering coming off HRT, it is preferable to reduce the dose very slowly.  Herbal treatment should be commenced six to eight weeks before starting to reduce dose of HRT