Alternative Health

Q. COULD you give some advice on the cause and treatment for recurring boils in an otherwise healthy young female adult? All of her blood tests are normal.

A. Recurrent boils usually indicate the presence of the staphylococcus bacteria, with stress being an important trigger factor. Even if her diet and lifestyle are top notch, constant or regular stress can override healthy living and this can be presented as boils if the person has the underlying bacterial infection.

Eliminating any processed foods is important when it comes to healing any skin disorders, as they are typically an outward manifestation of the state of intestinal and blood health.

Any recurrent infection problems indicates an overworked immune system, and often taxed adrenals too, both of which benefit greatly from nutritional support. I am assuming that she has also been tested for diabetes, as repeated boil infections can be linked with this condition.

If stress is a key factor then physical relaxation activities such as yoga, tai chi, meditation, or qi gong can be very helpful in creating a more peaceful state of being, as well as improving physical and mental fitness. There are fantastic herbal remedies which can help with relaxation as well — rhodiola (rhodiola rosea) and ashwagandha (withania somnifera) are two of my favourites.

To bring a boil to a head, your friend should apply manuka essential oil (available from www.livingnature.com) 2-3 times daily. The manuka shrub (leptospermum scoparium) is a native of New Zealand and extracts have been shown as being active against the seven most common bacteria responsible for infection, including eschericihia coli and staphylococcus aureus, the most common causes of infected wounds. Active manuka honey from this shrub is also effective in treating MRSA (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus) a so-called ‘superbug’ which is a specific strain of the staphylococcus aureus bacterium that has developed antibiotic resistance.

To heal the boil I would suggest that she make a poultice using Comvita’s ManukaCare 18+ honey — apply the honey to sterile gauze and cover the area, changing the dressing once every 12 hours. The honey can also be taken internally as part of a two-pronged attack against the infection responsible for her recurrent boils. Comvita’s ManukaCare 18+ is available from health stores where 60g costs €17.65.

Another herbal treatment is Slippery elm (ulmus fulva), used internally and externally as food and medicine in Ayurvedic, Native American, Traditional Chinese, and Western medicine. Mix the ground inner bark with water to make a thick paste and apply it to the boils to help draw out the infection.

Q. Could you suggest a cure for a teenager who is in the habit of eating his nails?

A. Nail biting is often an unconscious act, and can often be a compulsive habit (onychophagia). Often individuals who bite their nails will also engage in chewing off the skin surrounding the nail as well (dermatophagia). It can simply indicate that the person is under some stress, or of a nervous disposition. It can also indicate a more serious impulse control disorder such as obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

Biting the nails can help to soothe an individual, and have a calming effect on their nerves, or it can provide self-stimulation when a person is feeling bored or listless. In line with the OCD reasoning, people who strive for perfection may spend time examining their nails and fingers for imperfections and biting or picking at them to achieve a tidier or more even appearance (in fact, it often has the opposite effect).

As far as cures go, if it is stress-related then the methods and remedies I have suggested in the previous answer. If it is an impulse control disorder responsible for the behaviour, then a mental health specialist is the best place to begin.

On a physical level, inositol, closely related to the B vitamins, has been shown to reduce the urge to perform repetitive picking, pulling, or chewing of skin and nails. Inositol breaks down into two neurotransmitters - both of which help in the release of serotonin, the feel-good brain transmitter which is thought to play a role in OCD and related disorders. Solgar’s Inositol is available from health stores where 50 x 500mg capsules costs €10.25. Take 500mg one to three times daily.

Q. Solgar’s Saw Palmetto is off the market in Europe. Is Viridian Berry extract as good?

A. In a word, yes. I have found Viridian’s products to be of very high quality and recommend them often. 90 capsules of Viridian’s Saw Palmetto costs €26.95 from health stores. Saw Palmetto (serenoa repens), works by triggering the relaxation of smooth muscle cells in the prostate gland, and has been proven scientifically to outperform many commonly prescribed prostate drugs.

Research suggests that almost all men who live to a healthy age are at risk of developing a problem with their prostate gland. In fact, men aged in the 30-50 age group are considered to have around a 44% rate of prostate issues, men aged from 50-70 years have an increased risk of 65%, and around 80% of men over the age of 70 will have prostate troubles.

Saw Palmetto is also used by some practitioners to help in the treatment of hormonal issues, such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), in women.