Berries are an antioxidant power food

Are there any particular foods which will help to keep me younger in body and mind?

There is a relatively new system of analysis which measures the antioxidant power of foods, which is thought to help slow the ageing processes that take place throughout the body (including the brain). This system uses oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), where high ORAC foods are the most beneficial.

At the top of the ORAC list we have a somewhat unlikely food: The prune.

You are also doing yourself a favour if you choose dark berries, plums, raisins, cherries, and red or black grapes. Other high ORAC foods include oranges, kiwi fruit, cacao nibs, almonds, kale, spinach, brussels sprouts, alfalfa sprouts, broccoli florets, beets, red pepper, onion, corn, cashews, eggplant, and pink grapefruit.

Can you recommend a natural threadworm treatment that is safe for young children?

Threadworms, also known as pinworms, are about 0.5in long and have a similar appearance to threads of cotton when seen in the faeces. Common signs that an individual is infected with threadworms include an itchy anus, insomnia, cystitis, irritability, and often an insatiable appetite.

Since the eggs are passed on via direct contact, hygiene is crucial in ridding a household of these parasites. Eggs can survive for a fortnight before attaching to a host, so you will need to be vigilant. Fortunately threadworms are specific to humans, so your pets aren’t included in this cycle.

Daily showering, ensuring that the anus and surrounding area is clean, vigilant hand washing after toileting and before eating, trimmed clean nails, fresh underwear, daily changes of towels and flannels, and daily cleaning of the toilet (particularly door handles, taps, and flushing buttons) are all necessary until the worms are a thing of the past.

Garlic has been used for centuries to expel intestinal worms. Use it liberally in food and rub into the soles of the feet. It is best to rub olive oil into the foot, then put a cotton sock on, place the crushed garlic on the sole and hold in place using clingfilm or similar, then cover with another cotton sock.

Eating a cup of grated raw carrots daily will help to expel worms, and they also support the liver and kidneys. Other foods that worms find offensive include fresh coconut, and raw pumpkin seeds. Taking 1-2 teaspoons of psyllium husks stirred into freshly pressed juice each morning and night can help to ensure that the parasites are expelled regularly.

I know that probiotics are good for you when you have been taking antibiotics, but are they of use for general health, too?

A high-quality probiotic supplement is ideal to restore the balance of intestinal flora following a course of antibiotics. Antibiotics are very effective at clearing a bacterial infection, however they do not discriminate between good and bad bacteria, so will also wipe out billions of beneficial bacteria and reduce the natural resistance to further infection.

Probiotics are indeed useful for restoring general health, particularly where certain symptoms might indicate that the gut flora is out of balance. Bloating, digestive discomfort, candida, eczema, allergies, compromised immunity, and food intolerances are all signs that probiotics may be of use.

The gastrointestinal tract contains most of the immune cells in the body, which is why maintaining a healthy gut also helps protect against the proliferation of invading organisms and prevents illness from taking hold. Sufficient numbers of beneficial bacteria in the gut also means the immune system is less likely to trigger a reaction against potentially allergenic or unfamiliar foods.

High-quality probiotic brands include BioKult, OMX, BioCare, and Seven Seas. You can also make your own probiotic drinks by locating water or milk kefir granules, kombucha, or by making fermented foods. The book Wild Fermentation by Sandor Ellix Katz is a wonderful guide to fermenting foods and beverages. To get hold of kefir or kombucha, ask at your local health store. There are often people who are happy to share, since these are all based on living organisms that grow rapidly and are easily divided.