Natural Health: Boils

Q. I have a problem of getting boils on the back of my neck.

I have always had problem skin, with bad spots on my face and sometimes on my back since I was nine- or 10-years old. The boils come and go, but since starting a stressful job, I seem to be getting them all of the time lately. I have been to the doctor, but no help there.

A. Skin-health is closely related to internal wellbeing, and people who suffer from long-term skin issues often have underlying food intolerances that they may be unaware of. In most cases, the other organs of elimination are so overwhelmed that toxins which are normally dealt with in the liver are being pushed through the skin.

This is not to say that you have a higher level of toxicity than most people — we are all exposed to toxins on a daily basis which is why keeping our organs in good health is crucial!

Since you have suffered from various skin complaints for most of your life, this indicates that you would likely do well with some dietary tweaks. I have found that the mucousless diet developed by Arnold Ehret works small miracles when it comes to skin health.

On the mucousless diet, you get to eat as much fruit and veg as you like (raw or cooked), nuts and seeds, beans and legumes, raw honey, herbs and spices, leafy greens, and slow-cooked whole grains. It also involves cutting out meat, dairy, refined sugars, refined starches, alcohol, coffee, fizzy drinks — basically all processed foods.

This might sound a bit restrictive, but the results are definitely worth it. Mental clarity, increased energy, glowing skin, weight loss/gain (depending on which way your body needs to be balanced), improved libido, and relief from both niggling and serious ailments.

There is one herbal remedy that you should investigate, and that is burdock root (Arctium lappa). Burdock root is my number one choice for healing boils and acne. It helps to purify the blood and provides valuable minerals for healing and repairing skin and organs. Burdock increases circulation to the skin, clears lymphatic, respiratory, and urinary congestion, strengthens the liver, supports the kidneys, and is antibacterial and antifungal.

To prepare burdock tea, simmer two tablespoons of dried burdock root in a litre of water for 10-15 minutes. Strain off the tea and drink throughout the day. Take this for six weeks, then switch to another blood purifying herb for six weeks, alternating between the two. Red Clover is particularly good — simply steep a heaped tablespoon of rubbed red clover flowers in 750ml of near-boiling water for three to five minutes and drink throughout the day.

Q. I have trouble sleeping. It isn’t that I have trouble getting to sleep, I only seem to manage sleeping for about an hour or two and then I am wide-awake once more. I feel exhausted, and suspect that it is affecting my hormones and adrenal glands as well. Is there something natural that I can take to help me get a good night’s sleep?

A. The short answer is yes! I know of a wonderful herbal remedy by Dr Christopher, called Relax-Eze, which is fantastic for insomnia, and will soothe shattered nerves. It is made from a synergistic combination of herbs that work to feed and repair the entire nervous system.

Adrenal fatigue and hormone imbalance due to insomnia form a catch-22 situation, where insomnia can cause these issues, and these issues can trigger insomnia! Hydration is key to a good night’s sleep, as is getting daily exercise for at least 30 minutes.

Relax-Eze is available from the US-based online store www.lifebalm.com, where you can purchase the formulation as either capsules or tincture form.