Natural medicine: morning sickness, prickly heat rash

I am desperate for a natural remedy to help with morning sickness. I have tried absolutely everything, and nothing seems to make a difference. Please help.

As someone who also suffered during each of my pregnancies, I sympathise with your plight.

I too tried every natural remedy imaginable, including Australian Bush Flower remedies in my belly button! But this is one of those conditions where we find that what works well for one person, may not necessarily work for another. Indeed, what worked well in a previous pregnancy may not even work for subsequent pregnancies.

Acupuncture is therapy I have found to work consistently well for a number of women. It will not eliminate the nausea or vomiting entirely, but helps to make it more bearable.

Another (almost) tried and true natural remedy is vitamin B6. Ideally, you would begin taking this around six months before conceiving at a dosage of 50mg daily; however, in your case, taking 25mg each morning with food and a large glass of water might help.

A deficiency of vitamin B6 during pregnancy interferes with protein use — it decreases the production of hydrochloric acid, causes improper utilisation of amino acids, and leads to the burning of protein as fuel. Since toxaemia has been linked with protein intake, it is not surprising that an inadequate intake of B6 is also associated with toxaemia, since a B6 deficiency in effect leads to the under-utilisation of the available protein.

Foods high in B6 include rice bran, beef liver, sesame seeds, chickpeas, wheat bran, baked potato with skin, banana, rye flour (dark), mackerel, tuna, brewer’s yeast, plantain, refried beans, salmon, coconut, dry sunflower seeds, All-Bran cereal, wheat germ, avocado, hazelnuts, chicken liver, beef round steak (lean), prune juice, chicken, corn flour, dark turkey meat, acorn squash, raisins, spinach, amaranth.

Warning: Large doses of B6 postpartum reduce prolactin levels, suppressing lactation. People with ulcers should consult a physician before taking B6 because of its effect on the production of hydrochloric acid.

I suffer from prickly heat rash. Is there a cream or tablets that I can take for this?

Prickly heat (Milaria rubra) is related to hives (urticaria) — both conditions are frustratingly itchy. It is most unfortunate to be struck with this condition when you are simply want to enjoy a bit of well-earned sunshine. However, there are a few remedies that may help prevent and treat this condition.

If you know that you are prone to prickly heat rash you can take vitamins A and D as a preventative measure. Fish oil capsules are a very effective way to get both of these nutrients in sufficient doses to make a difference — take 500-1000mg daily for two weeks before heading to a sunny or humid destination, and triple this dosage while you are in the sunshine.

Sweat glands are designed to cool the body in higher temperatures, close off, trapping the sweat in the glands. This can also create enough pressure to force the sweat into nearby tissue, which is what causes the prickly, itching feeling under the skin.

Omergan by Sona contains fish oils from an unpolluted source along with flaxseed and starflower oils for a balanced ratio of the omega 3, 6 and 9 essential fatty acids, 30 capsules cost €7.15. Contact Sona on 01-4515200 or see www.sona.ie for ordering and information.

There is a lotion specifically formulated to help with prickly heat reactions.

DermaSun Allergy Relief, from Salcura, is a pure and natural liquid spray designed to soothe and calm irritated skin. This preparation should be used underneath your suncream. DermaSun Allergy Relief costs £14.99 from Victoria Health (00 44-20-8905 6931; www.victoriahealth.com) as a 100ml spray.