Health Tips

Place all the ingredients except the coconut oil in a tall jug and process with a hand blender until a thick mixture of dropping consistency develops.

Warm a small amount (about 1/2 a tsp) of coconut oil in a heavy bottomed frying pan over a medium heat.

Carefully drop spoonfuls of the mixture into the hot pan to form individual pancakes about 8cm across.

This amount of mixture will make 8 pancakes so you will probably need to cook them in 2-3 batches. Remember to add a small amount of coconut oil to the pan between batches to prevent sticking.

As the pancakes cook, bubbles will rise to the surface. Once golden on the underside (about 4-5 minutes) turn over using a fish slice and cook for a further 1-2 minutes.

Keep the pancakes warm in a low heat oven until you are ready to serve.

Great served with blueberries, honey cinnamon and cashew nut cream as a dessert or delicious breakfast!

This recipe is from CNM lecturer Holly Taylor

Recommended dosage:

• Herbal Tea: 1 teaspoon of dried lemon balm per cup or 1.5 tablespoons of fresh lemon balm per cup
• Ready-made tincture: 1 in 5 strength 2-6 mls three times a day
• There are a number of proprietary capsules and tablets also available in reputable stores, but choose whole herbs in preference, for a balanced medicinal effect.

Everyone is different and you should try it out before the exams to see what your own optimal dose is within the dose ranges given above.

Lemon Balm’s positive effect on memory has been highly regarded for hundreds of years and now modern science has confirmed the mechanism for these effects, making it a perfect herb for exam nerves.

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) is a member of the mint family and contains a range of volatile oils and acids which are responsible for its medicinal effects, including anti-viral and anti-inflammatory effects. You can grow this hardy perennial in a large pot outdoors. Pick the leaves in the afternoon before flowering when the oils are at their highest. Steep the leaves in hot but not boiling water for 4-5 minutes and make sure you cover the tea to prevent the oils escaping. Remember to pick enough leaves for drying before it is in full bloom in late spring/early summer. The dried herb will keep in a dark airtight container for up to one year.

CAUTION
If you have thyroid disease or are taking medication, do not take Lemon Balm except under specialist supervision from a professional Natural Health Practitioner.

This tip has been brought to you by Dr Carole Kelly, a GP and Natural Health Practitioner.
Carole is a CNM graduate in Naturopathy.
You can contact Carole on cbt.kelly@ntlworld.com

The point is easily located on either side of the nostrils, in the naso-labial groove (the lines that run from the nostrils down to the corners of the mouth.) To use this point apply firm pressure with your fingertips for a minute or two, or until the point feels slightly sore or you feel a sensation of warmth or tingling. If you like, you can also apply small circular rotations instead of direct pressure – do whatever feels best. Blocked noses can sometimes clear instantly using this point!

This point is often used by acupuncturists when dealing with hay fever, but an acupuncturist will also be able to work on the underlying causes as well as tailor a plan to address your particular symptoms. If you suffer badly with hay fever or rhinitis, it is well worth looking up a good acupuncturist for some advice!

See your health professional for personalised advice.

This tip comes to you from Neil Kingham (www.qi-therapies.com), a Chinese Medicine practitioner and CNM lecturer. He works with acupuncture, massage, and nutrition, and is based in Bristol and Portishead.

Just a rise of a couple of degrees in the body’s regular temperature can have extreme effects on the way the metabolism works, manifesting itself as dizziness, fatigue, a headache, rapid pulse, rapid breathing, and muscle cramps, and the body cannot cool itself. The effects can damage organs, so seek urgent medical attention if symptoms are severe.

Avoid getting sunstroke by not over-exerting yourself in very hot temperatures, seeking the shade, wearing a hat, and drinking plenty of clean water.

For mild symptoms, take measures to reduce your temperature at once, such as lie in the cool with legs raised, take a cool bath, and sip cool water.

Homeopath Rebecca Johnson who has been practicing for 7 years, says that many people find the Homeopathic remedy Belladonna 30c, to be a fantastic aid to addressing the symptoms of mild sunstroke. Or, if the symptoms seem worse with movement and there is great thirst, then Bryonia 30c is more appropriate.

Homeopathic preparations, usually in pill format, are widely available in health stores across the UK. Make sure that you buy the recommended potency (in this case 30c). They are delicate and need careful handling. Follow the advice on the pack. Whilst taking them, avoid coffee, mint, camphor, menthol and eucalyptus.

Enjoy your holidays!

Always seek personal advice from your health professional.

This tip comes to you from Rebecca Johnson SDSHom, Lic, DPH

1. Preheat the oven to 180C
2. Lightly grease the ramekin dishes using the coconut butter and place on a baking tray
3. Open the can of peach slices and drain, reserving the juice. Distribute the peach slices evenly between the ramekin dishes
4. Next place the eggs, ground almonds and reserved juice (Approx 150ml) in a food processor or liquidiser and blender until well combined
5. Carefully pour the mixture over the peach slices in the ramekin dishes, filling each dish to just below the top
6. Place the baking tray of ramekin dishes in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes
7. Allow to cool slightly before serving

Do not eat it raw or it could be toxic. Where appropriate, I supply an Elderberry Tincture to my patients (£6 for a 50ml bottle plus p&p), and advise them to take 15-20 drops four times a day in a little water for five days as soon as they feel the symptoms of flu coming on, to help reduce the symptoms and speed recovery time. Elderberry can also be taken preventatively at a lesser dose (15 drops twice daily). Always consult with a qualified herbalist for specific advice before taking herbal medicines.

This tip comes to you from Peter Jackson-Main. Peter Jackson-Main is a renowned Master Herbalist, Iridologist, Natural Healer, Author, and Practitioner at www.thenaturalcentre.com.
He is also Course Leader and Senior Lecturer in Herbal Medicine at CNM (College of Naturopathic Medicine).

Cake ingredients

• 6 large carrots
• 1 3/4 cups sunflower seeds
• 2 1/4 cups of pitted dates
• 2 3/4 cups shredded coconut
• 1 1/2 teaspoons grated nutmeg
• 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon

‘Icing’ ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups cashew nuts
• Juice of 1 lemon (about 2 tablespoons)
• 2 tablespoons agave syrup or raw honey
• 1/2 cup of water as required

To make the cake

• Roughly grate the carrots in a food processor, (or juice the carrots and use the pulp)
• Place the grated carrots or carrot pulp in a large bowl.
• Use a food processor or coffee grinder to turn the sunflower seeds into a fine powder.
• Do the same with the dates and mix well.
• Mix the carrots, sunflower and date powder, with the nutmeg, coconut and cinnamon.
• Make the cake ‘dough’ into whatever shape you choose. You can press it down into any shaped container and smooth off the top with the back of a spoon.

To make the icing

• Place the cashews, lemon juice, agave and water into blender and blend until smooth
• Remember to add the water a little at a time so that it doesn’t become too runny!
• Spread the icing on top of the cake

You can eat the cake right away or it will keep for up to four days in a fridge. Enjoy!

You’ll need a tart tin with 12 ‘rounds’.

1. Preheat the oven to 200C (180C for a fan oven).
2. Place the rice flour, xanthan gum, nut butter and coconut butter in a food processor and blend until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
3. Add the egg and blend again.
4. With the mixer running add one tablespoon of water at a time until the pastry just starts to come together.
5. Lightly knead the pastry until combined, then roll out about 3-4mm thick on a well floured surface.
6. Use a pastry cutter to cut 12 rounds, each slightly bigger than the indents on your tart tin.
7. Carefully press the pastry rounds into the non-stick tart tin and then fill each one with a rounded teaspoon of the mince meat – be careful not to overfill them otherwise the mincemeat will boil over the side in the oven.
8. Cook for 10 minutes, allow to cool slightly in the tin, then transfer to a cooling rack.

This tip is brought to you by CNM lecturer, Holly Taylor, who is also a Nutritional Therapist and a freelance chef. Holly can be contacted on holly@equilibria-health.co.uk

To increase its medicinal value, add a teaspoonful of lime juice to beetroot juice. Fresh beet juice mixed with a tablespoonful of honey and taken every morning before breakfast helps the healing of gastric ulcer.
Traditionally beet juice, combined with the juices of carrot and cucumber, is one of the finest cleansers for the kidneys and gall bladder.

Beets contain an abundance of minerals: potassium, phosphorus, calcium, sulphur, iodine, iron, manganese, chlorine, and copper, as well as traces of the rare metals rubidium and caesium; vitamins B1, B2, niacin, B6, B12, C, P, and beta carotene; flavonoids; natural sugar, and a good quality and quantity of amino acids. Always use organically grown beetroots.

See your natural health professional for any health related questions.

If possible use whole flaxseeds and grind them yourself, this is the best way to ensure the omega-3 is fresh.

Smoothie Ingredients

• 300g frozen peach slices
• 250ml carrot juice
• 250ml orange juice
• 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh ginger

If you can’t get whole seeds look for ground flaxseeds (or flaxmeal) in the natural-foods section of large supermarkets or in natural-foods stores, they can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer.

See your natural health professional for any health related questions.

It also contains the flavonoids orientin and vicenin, which are plant pigments that may block your cell structures from oxygen and radiation damage.

Basil can help with constipation, stomach cramps and indigestion. It can be used to give relief from the common cold, flu and may have application for asthma, bronchitis and sinus infections.

Smoothie Ingredients

• 2 bananas
• 10 Basil leaves (fresh is better)
• 1 tablespoons honey
• 1/4 cup water

Instructions:

Place all smoothie ingredients in your blender and blend until the basil leaves are minced into tiny pieces and enjoy

To save time you can switch the mango for a frozen banana (peel before freezing).

This nutritious breakfast smoothie has many health benefits including excellent digestive support from the pineapple which contains bromelain – which is an enzyme group that digests protein and has been shown to effectively reduce inflammation if taken between meals

The probiotic powder is beneficial for the immune system and GIT (gastrointestinal) health. The Udo’s or flax oil is high in omega 3, which can boost concentration and balance the nervous system. Strawberries are a delicious summer favourite, make the most of them while they’re in season, as they are also a great antioxidant and high in vitamin C.

See your natural health professional for any health related questions.

By Gemma Hurditch Naturopath & Director of Nutrition at CNM

Ginger is an absolute must in the battle against travel sickness.. Grate half an inch of ginger with a teaspoon of honey into a mug of boiling water and sip when cool. If you have a history of travel sickness, try taking a zinc supplement for a week before you travel. If travelling by air, then manuka honey lozenges can help to prevent ‘ear-pop’ on take-off and landing. They also create a barrier to germs circulating on flights and calm and soothe dry mouth and throats in air- conditioned environments.

Try to avoid getting sunburned, but if you do, then try a tepid bath with three to four chamomile teabags for mild cases. Try applying aloe vera gel two to three times a day as it has proven pain relief and anti-inflammatory properties and is extremely effective at calming the skin. Get immediate medical help if you feel very nauseous, dizzy or start vomiting.

Beach or pavement cafes are prime sites for wasp and bee stings. For wasp stings, mix a teaspoon ofsalt with a few drops of vinegar for instant relief. For bee stings, remove the stinger carefully with tweezers, cut a raw onion in half, hold it to the sting for up to 15 minutes – this should provide immediate relief and help with the swelling. To keep other bugs at bay use a repellent with acitronella or tea-tree base.

See your natural health professional for any health related questions.

By Georgie O’Connor Naturopathic Nutritional Therapist & CNM Lecturer