What affordable remedy will help with jet lag?

* A friend swears by melatonin tablets to help with jet lag when travelling on long haul flights.

She purchases them online at great expense, but is convinced that they are worth the trouble. Is there an affordable remedy that will have a similar effect, and is preferably available locally?

>> Melatonin is a hormone which determines the pattern of sleeping and waking in the body. Levels of this hormone decrease with age, with the body producing only half the amount at the age of 60 than it did at the age of 20.

Surprisingly small doses of melatonin — around a third of a milligram — are enough to regulate blood levels of this hormone and help with insomnia and jet lag. It may be possible to get them on prescription from your GP.

The most popular over-the-counter melatonin substitute is Serotone 5-HTP by Higher Nature, 30 capsules cost around €13. You will need to take one capsule each night before bed for at least a week before your flight!.

* I suffer from haemorrhoids, and although they don’t cause me great pain, they are incredibly uncomfortable. Can you suggest something that will help ease the discomfort?

>> You are not alone. An estimated 75% of adults in the Western world suffer from haemorrhoids at some point during their lives. Certain people are more susceptible to haemorrhoids and varicosity in general, and it can run in families. However, diet and intestinal health play a significant part in the picture.

!There are some wonderful herbal combinations that work to deal with the swelling and discomfort, while also improving the strength and tone of the blood vessels and capillaries to reduce the likelihood of further vein problems.

The best herbs for varicose veins are horse chestnut, (Aesculus hippocastanum), and butcher’s broom, (Ruscus aculeatus). Your local herbalist should be able to make up a tincture combination of these two, or perhaps work them into a tea with some other supportive herbs. Butcher’s broom helps to prevent inflammation of the blood vessels, while horse chestnut helps with tone.

There is also a supplement which may help — a bioflavonoid called rutin, one of the myriad of constituents that give bright fruits and vegetables their colourings. While it is true that all bioflavonoids will help improve the health of blood vessels and capillaries, rutin has specifically been shown to work against varicosity. You will need to take one 500mg capsule, twice daily. Solgar’s 500mg Rutin capsules are available from health stores where 50 capsules cost €9.06, or you can purchase 100 for €16.49.

Constipation can exacerbate the problem, so you need to ensure that you get plenty of fibre in your diet by eating enough fresh fruit and vegetables on a daily basis. One of the simplest ways to reduce the pressure on enlarged and distended veins in the lower bowel, is to use a soluble fibre such as psyllium husks.

Take 1-2 teaspoons of psyllium husks (or hulls) each morning mixed well in a large glass of water or freshly pressed juice, and drink it immediately. (I find psyllium is more palatable when mixed with juice.)

Topically, you can simply use aloe vera gel, or if you want to take a two-pronged approach with the herbal remedies, you can use combination which include horse chestnut and butcher’s broom as well. Try H-Care by Nelson’s, Venaforce gel by A. Vogel, or Presto gel by Dan Pharm.