Lupus and earwax

QI was diagnosed with lupus last summer. My skin was inflamed and I had a rash. I went to a dermatologist, who prescribed Plazueil and steroids. My body had a terrible reaction. I use Aveeno lotion, fragrance-free, but my face flares up and gets very hot and red, mostly at evening. Can you suggest a herbal remedy or cream? I am 67 years old.

A With lupus, the symptoms can vary widely between individuals — aching and swollen joints, persistent fever, severe fatigue, skin rashes, chest pain, iron-deficiency, hair loss, sensitivity to sunlight, pale white or blue fingers in colder weather, mouth and nose ulcers, and seizures.

It is an auto-immune disorder: the immune system is triggered to attack healthy tissue, along with unhealthy tissue. Lupus can occur at any age, and 90% of sufferers are women.

I recommend the herbal remedy, Simba, for a number of auto-immune disorders, including lupus. Simba is made by The Little Herbal Company, and contains pure hypoxis hemerocallidea, otherwise known as the African potato tuber. This plant modulates the immune system — if it is hyperactive, Simba will reduce immune over-activity; if it is under-active, it will be stimulated.

Dietary changes will also help. One of the most effective is the elimination of dairy. It is common for people with lupus to be intolerant to dairy. Casein stimulates the immune system — so if you are unable to cut out all dairy, then take a break from foods containing casein. Alfalfa sprouts, peanuts, chocolate, apples, chicken, fish and oats all trigger symptoms, so avoid foods containing these items.

Take one Simba capsule, three times daily, on an empty stomach. Take the capsules up to 30 minutes before, or two hours after, food to receive maximum benefits. Simba costs £28 for 90 capsules: www.littleherbal-international.co.nz; [phone]).

Do not take Simba if you are pregnant, breast-feeding, or have had a bone marrow or solid organ transplant.

Q Do you have a remedy for ear wax? I would also appreciate information on the prevention of migraine.

AEar wax (cerumen) protects the ear canal from infection, dust, dirt, and other substances, as well as maintaining the acid balance of the canal.

The wax is made by glands in the outer region of the ear canal, and production is kept in check by a natural, ‘self-cleaning’ process, where the tiny hairs move the soft wax to the outer ear.

One of the best natural products for cleaning ears safely is Audiclean.

It is a spray and can be used in the bath or shower, utilising the gentle action of bicarbonates to remove excess wax build-up without removing the protective layer of wax from the ear canal.

They also have a natural wax-softening product, should you need it. Audiclean is available from most pharmacies.

The best herbal remedy for migraine prevention is feverfew leaf (tanacetum parthenium). Studies indicate that 100mg daily of feverfew extract, containing 0.7% of the key constituent, parthenolide, is the optimal dosage. You must take it every day to keep the migraines at bay.

To treat an existing migraine, skullcap (scutellaria lateriflora) and rosemary (rosmarinus officinalis) are the two best herbs. A Skullcap infusion is made by adding one, heaped teaspoon of the dried herb to a cup of water, and you can drink up to five cups daily. You only need to add a level teaspoon of dried Rosemary to each cup of water if this is your herb of choice, and a maximum of four cups daily is the recommended amount to drink.