​Ayurvedic medicine is the form of medicine used in India for thousands of years.  In ayurvedic medicine they look at the person not the disease.  Ama is digestive toxins and Agni is digestive fire.
 
The very first thing you deal with in Ayurvedic medicine is Ama and Agni.  This is the same principle across most of the traditional medicines around the world.  In Naturopathic medicine we would look at the gut as the root of all health and gut health imbalance as the root of ill health.  It is for this reason that I focus so much on the digestion and bringing into balance.
 
In Ayurveda you would normally start by using herbs that will strengthen the Agni (digestive fire) and then remove Ama (toxins).  This will then allow you to digest and absorb nutrients efficiently.  This is a method I use with great effect with clients in the clinic.
 
Herbs to increase Agni:

• Fennel
• Cumin
• Coriander
• Dill
• Cloves
• Cardamom
• Cinnamon
• Spearmint
• Fresh ginger
• Pepper

These can be taken as a hot tea before or after meals to stimulate the flow of your digestive juices.
 
Herbs to remove Ama:

• Triphala
• Ginger
• Guggulu

 
 
Low Agni and high Ama can present in a number of ways:

• Hot skin issues
• Congestion – bowels/sinuses/lymph/fibrocystic changes
• Tiredness
• Heaviness
• Heartburn/indigestion
• Diarrhea
• Stagnation
• Mental fog
• High blood sugars
• Atherosclerosis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Kidney stones
• Gout
• Gall stones
• Increase liver enzymes
• H – pylori
• Fevers

 
If you can get the digestion working as it should and remove the buildup of toxins you can see some wonderful improvements in symptoms.
 
If you need help with any of these issues, contact Carina for an appointment
 
 
To find out more, you can contact Carina at
T -(087) 0978880,
E -  [email protected]
W - www.itsanaturalchoice.com,
A - Lisnolan, Manulla, Castlebar, Co Mayo, F23 C922

I Took this image in Limerick this Saturday, it really tickled me but it also brought home how big the Corona virus story has become.  ​With all the talk of the Coronavirus, I wanted to share some down to earth simple advice. 
 
So the Coronavirus seems to have a lower mortality rate than the flu and many other already common health issues we face, but there are still some things we can do to boost our natural defences.

1. Diet – increase your vegetable intake, especially Vitamin A, C & D, Zinc foods – orange, yellow and green fruits and vegetables, oily fish, eggs, sunflower seeds, beans, nuts.
2. Herbs – Echinacea (2 weeks at a time), Elderberry, Ginger, Garlic, Rosemary, Thyme, Rosemary, Rosehips, Myrrh.
3. Lifestyle – Exercise, meditation (reduce fear), deep breathing (strengthen lungs), wash hands, use a tissue, avoid unnecessary travel and large groups.
4. Supplements – Vitamin C and D – I use a Rosehip Vitamin C high dose supplement in powder form.
5. Sleep – get 8 solid hours of sleep, get to bed early.  This allows the body to repair, thus strengthening your systems.  Your deepest sleep should be between 3-5am, this is the lung time.  As the virus seems to affect the lungs primarily, it is wise to strengthen the lungs as much as possible.
6. Stay calm – This virus should be taken seriously but we should also keep our heads, not allowing the media and social media frenzy to create problems where otherwise there would be none.  We need to be calmly cautious.

 
For those who have already compromised immune issues, herbal medicine can help but strictly supervised by a herbalist.
 
Take practical steps to boosting your immunity rather than waiting for disaster to hit.
 
If you need help with immune issues, contact Carina for an appointment
 
 
To find out more, you can contact Carina at
T -(087) 0978880,
E -  [email protected]
W - www.itsanaturalchoice.com,
A - Lisnolan, Manulla, Castlebar, Co Mayo, F23 C922

Let me start by saying Autism is a superpower!  Those on the Spectrum see this world very differently and individuality is needed.  It comes with it’s own issues though, from mood issues, concentration, frustration, ability to interact socially etc.
 
I am seeing an increasing number of children in my clinic on the Autism Spectrum.  The numbers of cases of Autism are most definitely on the rise, so what can we do to help?
 
Many children with Autism will have food sensory issues, a very bland, beige diet is common.  This may be keeping the peace at the moment but could be causing longer lasting issues.  A chronic lack of nutrients can cause lack of energy, mood issues, temper flares, poor sleep, skin issues, poor concentration.  This kind of diet can also cause digestive discomfort, food intolerances, inflammation, all adding stress to a child who may already be struggling to communicate feelings.
 
All children I see in my clinic on the spectrum also have some digestive issues.  This in turn effects on one hand their absorption of nutrients and on the other creates inflammation which will create other issues.
 
So what can we do?

• Change the diet – increase colour, fresh foods, reduce dairy, wheat and sugar.  This will cause an initial outburst but soon this passes.
• Herbs – I use a combination of simple herbs in powder or capsule form to help soothe the digestion
• Supplements – again I keep this to a minimum – normally fish oils and probiotics are the top priority.

 
This is a simplistic overview and will need to be tweaked and reviewed along the way, everyone is individual and what works well for one child another will struggle to do, the programs are always tailored to the child’s ability.
 
What are the common outcomes I see in clinic with these changes for the child?

• Mood improvement
• Reduced episodes of frustration
• Improved energy
• Improved concentration
• Enjoyment of foods
• Improved communication
• an increase in ability to show affection

There may be no cure for Autism or other spectrum conditions but there is a lot we can do to help minimise the negative effects that children and adults on the spectrum have to deal with.
 
 
If you need help, contact Carina for an appointment
 
 
To find out more, you can contact Carina at
T -(087) 0978880,
E -  [email protected]
W - www.itsanaturalchoice.com,
A - Lisnolan, Manulla, Castlebar, Co Mayo, F23 C922