Q&A with Jan de Vries

Renowned naturopath and health guru Jan de Vries answers your health questions on homeopathic remedies for common complaints:

Q. As the hayfever season is here I have started taking Luffa Complex, which I find gives me great relief from my allergy symptoms. Could recommend a nasal spray that I can take along with the Luffa Complex and how long should I use it for?

A. Luffa Complex is best taken one to two weeks before the onset of the allergy season and then throughout the allergy season, or on an ongoing basis if symptoms are not seasonal. A good nasal spray to use is Luffa Nasal Spray, one squirt up each nostril 3-5 times daily. This may be used whenever symptoms are present.

Q. I would be very grateful if you could give me some advice on a constant problem I have with catarrh at the back of my throat, which I cannot cough up, and I also a bad taste in my mouth. I have been to the ENT clinic, used various nasal sprays, decongestants etc but nothing has improved the problem.

A. In the first instance I would recommend avoiding all forms of dairy produce and cow’s milk. Try using soya or goat’s milk as alternatives. In addition, use the herbal remedy Ivy Thyme Complex, which is used for coughs and chest/bronchial congestion as it thins and expels catarrh, and has a soothing action on the respiratory tract. It may also benefit you to take a spoonful of local honey daily, as this too helps soothe the respiratory tract and may reduce the itching sensation in your throat.

Q. My son suffered a second fracture to his thumb this year playing football. Is there a preparation, which will strengthen his bones to guard against further injuries. He is 12-years-old.

A. Your son could take the preparation Urticalcin to help strengthen his bones and aid his recovery from bone fractures. Urticalcin is a preparation containing Urtica, calcium and silica and promotes calcium absorption into bones and teeth. As he is 12 I would suggest 1 tablet sucked or chewed twice daily, allowing it to dissolve in the mouth.

Q. My husband has heart problems and his GP advised him to eat plenty of oily fish. However we are vegetarian so what would be the alternative?

A. Firstly I would recommend that he cut out kitchen salt and sugar. He should also ensure his diet is full of fresh fruit and fresh vegetables and low in fat. I note that he is a vegetarian so instead of the oily fish that he was advised he should eat sunflower seeds and linseeds as these are high in essential fatty acids or take a flaxseed supplement. In fact, Flax Seed oil is know as vegetarian fish oil because it contains a similar balance of omega 3, 6 and 9 oils. I use and recommend one that is encapsulated in a vegetarian soft gel capsule. My book Heart & Blood Circulatory Problems will give you further information and advice.

Jan de Vries is a leading expert in complementary medicine. He was born in Holland in 1937 and moved to Scotland in 1970, where he set up residential clinics. He lectures throughout the world, regularly contributes to BBC radio shows and is the author of numerous books on alternative medicine.

(Back to Positive mental health)