Natural ways to deal with the stings of summer
12th May 2009
This week is Sun Awareness Week (11-17th May). Yet it isn’t just the sun’s
rays we need to be aware of. One if five of us will have to deal once again
with the symptoms of hayfever and then there will also be insect bites and
stings to contend with. The British College of Osteopathic Medicine (BCOM),
which specialises in a holistic approach to treating patients at its three London
clinics, suggests these natural remedies for taking the sting out of the most
common problems that arrive with the sunny weather.
Sunburn and skin care – Drink as much as 7-8 pints of water and fruit juice
daily if doing strenuous activity and eat foods which are rich in beta carotene
such as carrots. Vitamin E cream has healing properties and cool packs
reduce the heat of sunburn.
Hayfever – one in five people in the UK have to deal with the symptoms of
hayfever, not helped by the fact that the allergy season is increasingly arriving
earlier in the wake of global warming, with many trees and grasses flowering
sooner and for longer, producing more pollen. Taking one to two teaspoons of
organic honey in the six weeks before summer starts (21st June, officially)
helps desensitise. It contains small amounts of pollen which may reduce
subsequent reactions. A cold show on your face stimulates circulation and
helps flush pollen from the respiratory system and wrap-round sunglasses
give some protection to the eyes. Keep car and home windows closed.
Asthma – Consume food rich in vitamin C and beta-carotene, such as carrots
and Swedes, both help reduce the damage made to the lining and airways of
the lung and may lessen inflammation. Practice diaphragmatic breathing
exercises such as blowing up balloons. Have regular check ups from a
naturopathic osteopath to optimise spinal and rib function. Stay away from
dry, dusty environments and don’t consume aspirins, preservatives and
additives.
Insect bites and stings – put cold packs on the inflamed areas. Place a slice
of raw onion as a poultice. Vinegar or acidic liquids for wasps, and
bicarbonate of soda (baking powder) for bee stings. Remember not to rub the
inflamed area and scratch a bee sting out rather than pulling it out. Eating
plenty of garlic also acts as a natural insect repellent.
Travel sickness – peppermint tea and crystallised root finger or ginger
capsules help calm the digestion. Am empty or over-full stomach can also
cause nausea so do not eat within two hours of travelling and focus on the
horizon rather than reading or looking out of the side windows.
Tummy upsets – Drink plenty of water, fruit juice or peppermint tea and eat
live yoghurt to maintain healthy levels of bacteria in your system.
Dr. Ian Drysdale, BCOM Principal says, “The sunny weather isn’t with us for
most of the year, but now that we are having a few days here and there taking
a few simple yet often important precautions can mean most people can find
fun in the sun without having to deal with streaming eyes and noses and the
like. It’s all about preparation and good common sense.”
Ends
Notes to Editors:
For further information or expert comment from a BCOM spokesperson
please contact:
Belinda Webb
BCOM PR & Publicity Officer
Direct Line: 020 7472 5856 / Mobile: 07986 345 612 / bwebb@bcom.ac.uk
About BCOM:
The British College of Osteopathic Medicine (BCOM) www.bcom.ac.uk was
founded in 1936 by Stanley Lief, the eminent naturopathic osteopath. It is a
statutory regulated and accredited training facility, educational charity and
centre of excellence in Osteopathic education, regulated by the Osteopaths
act of 1993 and accredited by the General Osteopathic Council.
BCOM clinics provide high quality, low-cost treatment based on holistic, or
naturopathic, osteopathy. This is a uniquely integrated approach, centring on
the treatment and education of our patients not only in terms of their particular
problem, but also in the wider context of their lifestyle and its effect on them.
Men, women and children of all ages come to BCOM Clinics for treatment of a
wide variety of conditions. Patients are assured of the highest standards of
care, with all treatments carried out by clinical students under strict
supervision of qualified and experienced osteopaths.
Since its formation in 1936, the British College of Osteopathic Medicine has
achieved an international reputation for the professional excellence of its
teaching and qualifications. It was the first educational establishment to offer
both a BOstMed degree and a BSc (Honours) Degree in Osteopathic
Medicine, in addition to being the first UK Osteopathic College to offer a BSc
Hons Osteopathy conversion course for graduates with the Diploma in
Osteopathy. In 2008, BCOM launched its undergraduate Masters in
Osteopathy, providing public funding to eligible students.