Natural Health: Is there an effective remedy for upset tummies? 

Last year, my 10-year-old complained of having a stomach ache after gorging on a selection box. Picture: iStock.

Every Christmas, my teenage children eat and drink too many sweets and fizzy drinks — it’s hard to avoid them between school parties and visiting friends and relatives. Last year, my 10-year-old complained of having a stomach ache after gorging on a selection box. Is there a natural remedy I could have on standby in case the same happens again this year?

The festive season can be a very difficult time of the year when it comes to opportunities for children and adults alike to overindulge.

Activated charcoal is a helpful remedy for digestive upset. It binds to toxins and gases in the digestive system, reducing bloating and discomfort.

While it is more commonly used for food poisoning, it can also help with sore tummies caused by overindulgence at parties and events or eating foods that don’t agree with us.

This natural substance can carry 2,000 times its own weight in toxins (including heavy metals), making it a handy emergency standby.

Activated charcoal is a helpful remedy for digestive upset. Picture: iStock.

Follow the recommended dosage according to age, add 100-200ml of water, stir well, and drink immediately. If you get the capsules, these are simple enough to break open and add to food or drink for easy ingestion.

Whenever possible, make sure your children have a chance to fill up on healthier options and hydrate well before they go somewhere where treats are likely to be widely available. This should reduce the likelihood of binging on sweets and fizzy drinks.

If your children end up with a stomach ache again this year, gentle massage in a clockwise motion can help with bloating and pain.

"Every Christmas, my teenage children eat and drink too many sweets and fizzy drinks". Picture: iStock.

To create a massage oil that helps relieve bloating and discomfort, add a drop of fennel or spearmint essential oil to a tablespoon of olive oil.

Note: It is essential to consult with a healthcare professional before using activated charcoal since it may interfere with the absorption of medications.

The circulation in my hands gets slower in the winter - often, my fingertips are white even though I exercise daily. Would adding ginger to my diet help?

Ginger would be of help to you. Ginger root (Zingiber officinalis) is one of the most effective natural remedies for circulatory issues in the extremities.

Taking ginger medicinally can be as simple as brewing up some fresh or dried ginger root and consuming it as a herbal infusion two to three times daily.

Garlic is another herbal remedy worth considering for improving blood flow. Use it liberally in cooking, or add it to your ginger brew.

A pinch of cayenne or a dash of honey will power up your infusion and restore circulation.

The fact that your fingertips lose their colour entirely is some cause for concern, as this sounds very much like a condition called Raynaud’s syndrome, which may contribute to your cold extremities. 

With this condition, the tiny blood vessels go into spasm in response to low temperatures, which restricts blood flow immediately, and the flesh turns bright white. When blood returns to the extremities, the flesh turns blue and red, typically followed by a painful burning sensation.

If your fingers become very painful when the colour returns, it would be wise to schedule a doctor’s appointment to determine whether Raynaud’s is responsible.

• NOTE: The information contained in this column is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult a doctor.