Natural Health

Q. Is there any other lubricant available other than a commercial brand? Over the past two years the one I’ve been using has been irritating my vagina. There must be some new compound in it as, previous to this, it had been okay.

A. This is an important product to get right, since the mucous membranes lining the vagina are very delicate and easily irritated by using chemical and synthetic products. In fact, this area will absorb toxins more readily than the mucous membranes of the mouth, which we already know is highly sensitive.

It may be that brand you’ve been using has changed its formulation, but it’s just as likely that you have developed a sensitivity to a particular ingredient in this product. The good news is that there is a range of certified organic and natural plant-based personal lubricant products made by a company called Yes.

All of the Yes range has been created without using petroleum by-products or skin irritants. They are available as water-based (safe with condoms) or oil-based, for maximum lubrication. Yes has now added a flavoured lubricant (vanilla) to their line of products, along with products which are sperm-friendly for couples who are trying to conceive.

Yes pure intimacy products are beneficial as an internal moisturiser as well as a sexual lubricant, and they don’t contain any chemicals, hormones, or parabens — making these products safe for individuals who have breast or prostate cancer.

The tube sizes range from 25ml — 125ml, and include tubes or individual applicators. Prices start at £4.99. Order by phone on 00-44- 0845-094 1141 or online at www.yesyesyes.org.

Q. I had a bad response to hair dye some time ago. You mentioned two products in recent weeks that I’m interested in — Zeoderm cream and Themba cream. Are these only available in England? I have checked my local pharmacy but they never heard of either.

A. Themba is a herbal skin cream formulated from the Kigelia Africana tree, and is useful in treating a number of skin conditions, including eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, cold sores, verrucas, acne, spots, bites, stings, cuts, scrapes and burns.

A 30ml pot of this healing cream costs £22.50, but a little goes a long way so use it sparingly. You can purchase it from the excellent Little Herbal Company through its website at www.littleherbal-international.co.nz. Unfortunately, you are unlikely to see this remedy in your local shops, but you can order it by phone on 00-44-01484-689 807.

As for Zeoderm cream, I have not mentioned it before, — however I have recommended various products from the same manufacturer, Salcura. You should be able to purchase this product from, your local health store, Here’s Health stores or Lynch’s Pharmacy in Broadale, Douglas, Cork.

Zeoderm cream is also ideal for difficult-to-treat skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, and dermatitis. And it’s completely natural and can be used by pregnant or lactating women (which is usually a sign of a very safe product!).

It works by reducing inflammation and irritation while providing nano-minerals to the damaged area. Zeoderm uses micro porous silicate minerals (Zeolites) along with silicate minerals which are essential to the human body and skin.