Flus Archives - Plattsville Natural Health Clinic

Botanical Medicine: What is it and How can it Help

November 22, 2016 by elisha

Botanical Medicine has been used for thousands of years in so many different forms. Many people think that this is a primitive form of medicine, when in fact it can be quite comparable to some pharmaceutical drugs in some cases. This article looks at what botanical medicine is, how it can be used, and what for.

What is Botanical Medicine?

Botanical medicine involves the use of plants or herbs to achieve therapeutic outcomes. Specific plants or herbs are chosen based off of their medicinal effects in order to aid the individual in question. Botanicals can have multiple effects on multiple organ systems making them quite effective in the sense that they may be able to help with more than one problem. For example, Chamomile can be quite calming on the stomach and promote digestion, but can also be calming on the nervous system, making it potentially beneficial for indigestion and anxiety.

In addition, when more than one herb is combined to achieve a therapeutic goal, they can often have a synergistic effect. What this means is they both possess potent capabilities on their own, but when combined, the effect far exceeds that of them simply being added together. For example, if herb A is 2 and herb b is 2, when added together, you would assume that it would be 4, but it is actually more like 10!

How is Botanical Medicine used?

As alluded to above, herbs can be used on their own or in combination, and can be used in several different forms. They can be made into tinctures, teas, poultices, and salves. Tinctures are alcohol extractions of herbs, often containing a higher dose of herbs in small quantities. Teas are dried herbs that have medicinal properties extracted through hot water. Poultices involve applying herbs topically (externally to the skin). Salves are a combination of herbs in various forms with an ointment.

No form of herbs is necessarily right, but really depends on the patient’s particular case. For example, a poultice may be more appropriate for skin issues than a tincture.

What can botanical medicine be used for?

Botanical Medicine can be used for a variety of concerns. In my practice, I primarily use teas and poultices. I find that both of these forms can be beneficial in quite a few concerns including those listed below.

Adrenal Fatigue
Allergies
Anxiety
Arthritis
Burn out
Colds and flus
Constipation
Coughs
Depression
Detoxification
Diarrhea
Diabetes
Digestive Concerns
Eczema
Fatigue
Fertility
Fevers
Fungal Infections
Headaches
Heartburn/GERD
Hemorrhoids
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
IBS
Infections
Insomnia
Menstrual issues
Migraines
Pain
Psoriasis
Stress
Weight loss

If you would like a custom tea made specific for you and your health concerns, please contact myself, Dr. Elisha Cook ND via the contact portion of my page and book your appointment today!

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Some of the information provided above may not be appropriate for everyone, please consult with your doctor before trying any of the above. If you are interested in Naturopathic Medicine and wanting a different approach to your health care needs, contact Dr. Elisha Cook ND by calling 519-537-7058 and book your appointment today!

Boosting Your Immune System

September 20, 2016 by elisha

With the change in season, many people can become susceptible to colds and flus. With that being said, there are many things people can do to help boost their immune systems.

Stress Management

Being under a lot of stress can cause our immune systems to be more susceptible to bacteria and viruses. Stress can cause our bodies to be more focused on fueling ourselves with fight or flight response (ie responding to the stress) and less on protecting us from colds and flus, thus making us more susceptible. By managing stress before it wears our bodies down, we can keep bacteria and viruses at bay. Supplements or herbs that are called adaptogens may also be beneficial. Adaptogens help the body to modulate the fight or flight response and to recover from stress. To determine the right adaptogen for you or if they are necessary, consult a Naturopathic Doctor such as myself.

Vegetables and Fruits

Vegetables and fruits are full or antioxidants and nutrients that help to build and boost the immune system. By assuring the immune system has the right nutrients, it can help to keep the body strong and healthy. Ideally, having 3 servings of fruit per day and having 5 or more vegetables per day is what is recommended. Some individuals may require higher amounts of certain nutrients to be able to effectively mount an immune response to certain bacteria and viruses, and so may require supplementation for specific nutrients. Determining which nutrients need to be supplemented for is best determined with the help of a health care professional.

Tea

Having teas, such as green tea, on a regular basis can help to boost the immune system due to their antioxidant profile and their immune boosting qualities. Adding a bit of honey to your tea can also help to fight off any bacteria that might attempting to invade.

Exercise

Exercise can help to boost the immune system by increasing the speed at which white blood cells patrol the body and look for bacteria or viruses. Exercise can also be beneficial for the immune system by increasing the respiratory rate and thus increasing the chance that a lingering bacteria or virus will be cleared from the lungs.

Sleep

Getting a proper sleep can help you to better manage not only emotions and stress but also your immune system. Not getting a good night’s sleep can cause our bodies to be less able to produce T cells – an important immune system cell – and thus make us more susceptible to colds and flus.

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Health Benefits of Peppermint

December 23, 2015 by elisha

With the holidays comes all of the tasty treats that often include candy canes and peppermint. However, as you may know, peppermint is not just a tasty accessory for all of the holiday baking. It can have some beneficial properties that can improve overall health. For instance, from a botanical medicine perspective, there are several ways that peppermint may be used. Often, I will prescribe it in tea form where an individual will be using the leaf. This herb can also be used as an essential oil and tincture. Each of these forms have different characteristics in themselves that may make them more useful for different situations than the other form. For example, if someone is has an infection in their lungs, breathing in an essential oil may be more effective than drinking a peppermint tea. Regardless, all forms are valid and carry beneficial properties for various conditions.

Main Actions

In botanical medicine, one of the main areas that we explore with her are a plant’s main actions. This aids in discovery of a plant’s whole potential. In regards to peppermint, it is a unique herb in the sense that it has many actions that can affect many different organ systems, from the liver to the lung.

Spasmolytic – relieves spasms
Carminative – helps with digestion
Cholagogue – aids with liver functioning
Anti-emetic – relieves nausea
Anti-microbial – kills bacteria
Mild Sedative – helps to put you to sleep
Diaphoretic – helps you to produce a fever and fight off infections
Analgesic – relieves pain

These main actions of peppermint can help us to determine what this herb could potentially help us with. The main indications for peppermint might include digestion, pain, sleep, and infections. However, the research surrounding this herb may reveal more around the benefits of this herb. Research has shown that peppermint in its various states, may help with the following conditions:

Irritable Bowel Syndrome – abdominal pain, abdominal distention, flatulence, cramping, and gastric emptying all improved
Non – ulcer dyspepsia
Post – operative nausea
Daytime sleepiness
Congestion
Wheezing in asthma
Tension – both mentally and within the muscles.

The information above in no way reflects the full potential of this herb or a comprehensive review of the research. However it does provide you with an idea of the potential of this herb to benefit one’s health. There are some cautions that individuals should be aware of though. For example, peppermint can cause an increase in GERD and acid reflux symptoms. Also, certain genetic syndromes disable an individual from effectively processing peppermint, making it potentially harmful for some. Finally, peppermint can inhibit iron absorption, and so, it should not be consume before or with meals. As always, I should mention that peppermint is not for everyone, and so, please contact your health care provider to determine if you should be consuming peppermint as part of your health plan.

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Bacterial Infections versus Viral Infections: What you need to know!

December 1, 2015 by elisha

This time of the year provides many avenues for individuals to fall under the weather. Most of the time, individuals struggle with the common cold, but symptoms and states can escalate into scenarios that are far worse. The treatment of these various states can drastically impact not only recovery but prevention of future infections as well. This is dependent on identifying whether a bacteria or a virus is the ultimate cause of the illness.

Bacterial Infections

As you might be able to guess, bacterial infections are caused by a bacteria. The cause or route of exposure depends on the type of bacteria. For example some bacteria can enter through ingestion (e.g. our food). When an individual is infected with a bacteria, a common symptom might include a high fever. Others symptoms depend on the presenting concern, e.g. if someone has diarrhea, they might experience blood in the diarrhea. From a primary care standpoint, it is important to address bacterial infections with an appropriate antibiotic. However, if the appropriate antibiotic is not chosen, this can lead to bacterial resistance. What this means is that a bacteria fights off the antibiotic and does not respond to the antibiotic in the future as a result. In short, the next time that you have a bacterial infection from the same bacteria, and use the same antibiotic, you will not be able to fight off the bacteria.

Viral Infections

Viral infections are caused by a virus. A virus may have similar presentations to a bacteria, but ultimately can be less aggressive in general. Often, a viral infection will cause a relatively lower increase in temperature when compared to a bacteria. In addition, depending on the viral infection, the sickness caused from it can be self – limiting, meaning that it will go away on its own once it has run its course. This is not the case for all viruses though. As a result, these infections do not need to be treated with antibiotics. Taking an antibiotic when it is not necessary can result in future resistance to antibiotics and cause the treatments to not work when it may be crucial that they do. Regardless, it is important to consult with your medical doctor as to how to best approach any colds, flus, or sicknesses you might have.

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