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Signs of the Times Australia / NZ edition — lifestyle, health, relationships, culture, spirituality, people — published since 1886 |
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Signs of the Times Australia / NZ edition — lifestyle, health, relationships, culture, spirituality, people — published since 1886 |
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It is possible to become hooked on laxatives, as the intestines dislike regular “kicks” and can become lazy, needing more and more. While short-term usage is OK, a high-fibre food intake invariably brings normality. Fruit, especially figs, muscatels, kiwifruit and dates are excellent natural laxatives. Also helpful is a diet high in vegetables, nuts, legumes and dried fruit. Psyllium is one of the best and cheapest natural fibres. Add two teaspoons to 250 ml of water, stir, drink, then follow up with another 250 ml of water. Do this daily. Water is also an excellent “laxitive.”
Many worry about the hair that falls from their scalp each day. But naturally, from nine to 90 hairs go regardless. Then, about six weeks later, the follicle (root) starts to grow again and a new hair appears. Regular scalp shampooing and massaging is a good idea to maintain healthy hair.
For those women who quit HRT due to the breast cancer scare, current advice is to take a low-dose ostrogen–progestagen pill for a minimum time to relieve menopausal symptoms, then stop. This may be as little as few months or year or so. And, note, those who developed cancer in the trial were mainly older, overweight women, many of whom also smoked.
Lemon is a great natural healer. For bronchitis, for example, cut up three lemons, seeds and skin included, add one heaped tablespoon of linseed, six cups of water, then bring it to the boil and simmer for 45 minutes. Strain. Add one tablespoon of honey. Sip half a glass at a time, preferably warm. Lemon has been a household remedy for centuries, and so are honey and linseed. Many natural treatments are worth trying, but, unfortunately, most people cannot be bothered, preferring pills and chemicals instead.
In addition to local discomfort and cramps, periods can also cause headaches. Many headaches are related to the hormonal cycle. Any time from ovulation onward, these may cause fluid retention in the brain. In turn this may cause a bad head. Some sufferers find the contraceptive pill helps, but others find it aggravates. Fluid pills for a few days can help also. SSRI tablets give relief, and also inhibit mood swings.
Sitting for hours at a keyboard often causes backache. It can be avoided by using a simple support of the arch of the back, such as in good quality, adjustable office chairs. But it is also necessary to maintain a good posture, sitting upright. Also get up and move around every 30 minutes or so, and take a refreshing, brisk walk at lunchtime. The more the body muscles are moved in all directions, the better.
Tinnitus, common in older people, may lead some to hear a ringing when there is none. But if you hear voices or music, investigation is needed to ensure the hearing nerves are fine and that there’s nothing wrong in the brain. For general tinnitus, masking devices are sometimes used, but they can be more of a nuisance. Most people gradually grow accustomed to the problem.
Extract from Signs of the Times, June 2005 .
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