Natural health: What can I do about my rock-hard toenails? 

Plus: dealing with sluggishness after rich food

Pic: iStock

I have rock-like big toenails that are extremely difficult to cut. What would you suggest?

In many cases, a fungal infection, often onychomycosis, causes rock-hard and difficult-to-cut nails.

Changes to the texture and colour of the toenails can also indicate a fungal nail infection.

Natural remedies, such as oregano (oreganum) oil, pictured, and ozonated olive oil, have been shown to be potent topical anti-fungal solutions.

Keeping the nails and nail bed clean and dry is crucial, as is avoiding footwear that puts pressure or friction on the toes.

Choose socks made of breathable fibres to allow your feet to breathe, wear open-toed sandals where possible, and avoid using nail polish. In addition to fungal infection, injury to the foot or nail bed — even minor impacts during exercise — can trigger thickened nail growth.

Other causes include diabetes, autoimmune conditions, poor circulation, psoriasis, and chemotherapy. Toenails can also naturally thicken as we age, without any underlying conditions.

Having your toenails professionally trimmed, using specialty tools, will help control them, making them easier to maintain.

Keep your nails clean and dry and cut regularly to treat and prevent further thickening.

Infection can get into the nail or nail bed through dry skin and cracks, so ensure you moisturise your feet and toes.

Eat plenty of healthy fats or take essential fatty acid supplements for healthy skin and nails.

You can also apply jojoba oil to the clean and dry nail and nail bed to condition and treat the area.

I got back from a great sun holiday with my girlfriends last week. We drank every day and ate lots of rich food. Though we slept in most mornings, I’m feeling exhausted. Is there a tonic or vitamin drink I could take?

A sun holiday with your girlfriends sounds like an ideal way to nourish yourself emotionally and mentally.

Eating and drinking with carefree abandon for a special occasion can also be good for your wellbeing.

Now that you are back home and into your routine, it is time to rebalance your body.

One of the simplest ways to do this, particularly if you feel drained, is to eat plenty of greens or take a greens blend daily.

Fem Fuelz (www.femfuelz.com) has an excellent super greens blend: either unflavoured and unsweetened or peach and mango sweetened with stevia. Vital Greens is another outstanding brand, offering an all-in-one greens blend in either plain or in lemon and ginger flavour.

If you are going to pop your greens into a smoothie or juice, then unflavoured and unsweetened is fine. However, if you are more likely to stir it into a glass of water and drink it straight up, consider adding a sweetened one.

Greens blends not only help with energy levels, but they also support digestive health and immunity and can reduce inflammation.

You can add other gut health supplements, such as probiotics and digestive enzymes, to ensure you get enough fibre and always keep hydrated.

• Do you have a question for Megan Sheppard? Email it to [e-mail] 
• NOTE: The information contained in this column is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult a doctor.