Natural remedy for pregnancy and beyond

I have some raspberry-leaf tea left over from my pregnancy. Is this safe to keep taking, now that I have had my baby?

Red raspberry leaf tea, (Rubus idaeus) is not only beneficial during the last six weeks of pregnancy, to strengthen and tone the uterus in preparation for giving birth, it is a very nourishing herb and is good for males and females, young and old.

Raspberry leaf is rich in calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, and vitamins A, C, and E. It is the perfect herbal brew to use post-partum, as it helps to restore tone to the uterus and pelvic muscles. You can also blend it with marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis) to further enrich your breast milk, while maintaining good supply and flow.

Young girls who are approaching puberty can use raspberry leaf to ease physical and emotional changes. At this age, a little sweetening with honey tends to make the drink more appealing. It is also a fabulous herbal remedy for cold and flu, both as a preventative measure and to treat existing symptoms.

People who have trouble with mouth ulcers and gum sores can use it as a mouthwash; it can also be used as a gargle to soothe a sore throat (combining it with marshmallow root will make this even more soothing).

This amazing leaf works on external sores, ulcerations, and lesions — it can be applied directly as a poultice and/or used in the bath. Raspberry leaf is often prescribed by herbalists for stomach ulcers, plus it reduces nausea and vomiting.

When you know there is a stomach bug going around, make sure that your family is drinking raspberry leaf tea to avoid the dreaded lurgy. It is a simple tea to prepare, either hot or cold – just use one heaped teaspoon per cup of near-boiling water, or infuse two tablespoons in 600ml of cold water overnight.

Raspberry leaf tea is widely available as a dried herb or in tea bags. It is commonly found in the wild, since it tends to take over in areas where it is planted, or you could grow your own raspberry patch.

I am struggling with my weight. I am 35 years old and eat a healthy, balanced diet. I indulge sometimes, but, for the most part, I eat well. I don’t go to a gym, because this is too expensive, and I feel very self-conscious exercising in front of others. I walk every day, for at least half an hour. What else can I can do to shift the extra weight?

You have already tackled the healthy eating, and 30 minutes of brisk walking daily is a great habit. It is important to eat well without being restrictive; especially eat fresh fruit and vegetables. Meats should be lean and unprocessed, and should not contain preservatives or additives. In fact, all foods you consume should ideally be whole, unprocessed foods.

If you have trouble digesting meats, then slow-cook any meat dishes that you prepare.

It is always a good idea to check with your health practitioner to establish if there is an underlying cause for your weight gain. It may be that you are dealing with an underactive thyroid, a hormone imbalance, or something else that is working against you.

Quality sleep and stress management are good for maintaining ideal weight and energy levels. Getting to bed by 10pm is essential, since it is between this time and 2am that our bodies are working to balance out hormonal processes — this is the magic weight-loss window.

Patrick Holford’s Zest4life practitioners are offering free weight-loss trials and seminars during September and October. The ‘Lose Weight, Gain Vitality’ seminars will run in Dublin, Cork, Sligo, Co Limerick, Co Galway, Co Kildare. Plus there are free health and weight-loss coaching sessions.Sign up at www.zest4life.com/offers and a practitioner will get in touch with you to organise the details.