If you’re quick to rush to the chemist at the first signs of an illness or health problem, it’s worth checking if there’s a natural alternative. Lots of people are turning to everyday food items to help combat minor ailments, and apparently almost 50% of women prefer natural solutions to conventional medicines. We’ve all heard about sewing tennis balls into pajama tops to stop people from snoring, and how vinegar is meant to help ease bruising. These natural alternative remedies are cheaper than medication and the added bonus is that if it’s already in your kitchen cupboard you won’t be breaking the bank!
So here at Mr Lender we had a chat with Registered Associate Nutritionist, Rhiannon Lambert*, for some tips on how to combat health problems without breaking the bank:
PMS and Period Pain
Rhiannon says: “Interestingly, supplementing with magnesium has been shown to improve mood in women with PMS, and may also reduce water retention and other symptoms.”
- Holland and Barrett sells Magnesium supplements but it can also be found naturally in a number of foods, including dark leafy greens like spinach, fish, brown rice, bananas and avocado.
Sleep Problems
We all know we should be cutting back on coffee in the evenings and banishing TVs, phones and iPads from the bedroom to help ease us into the land of nod a little more comfortably. But is there anything else we can do to help us sleep better?
Rhiannon says omega-3 is the way forward: “Sleep problems have been associated with low levels of omega-3 in children and adults with obstructive sleep apnoea. DHA, a component of omega-3, is also important when it comes to melatonin – which regulates our sleep cycles. Low levels of DHA won’t help your melatonin production. Studies in both children and adults have shown that supplementing with omega-3 increases the length and quality of sleep.”
- Fatty fish is rich in omega-3, but if you’re not keen on salmon and mackerel you can take supplements. There’s a handy guide to all the different types available online.
Treat Your Skin
It’s always nice to have a bit of ‘me time’ and pamper yourself, but the body scrubs on offer normally come with a hefty price tag. Try mixing one up yourself with ingredients you might already have in the cupboard.
Rhiannon says: “Make your own body scrub with coconut oil, salt and sugar. Try adding some natural skin loving ingredients too like avocado. It might not look pretty but it does the same job as the shop-bought items.”
Boost Your Energy and Mood
If you’re looking for a quick energy burst then forget the expensive sugar-laden sports drinks and supplements and get your hands on some Matcha Tea! One serving is the nutritional equivalent of ten cups of regularly brewed green tea, and it also provides vitamin C, selenium, chromium, zinc and magnesium.
Rhiannon says: “L-theanine, found in Matcha, can increase the amount of feel-good chemicals in the brain – leading to improved mood, memory and concentration.”
- There are lots of suppliers out there, but there’s a wide range of Matcha teas available on Amazon.
Say Goodbye to Headaches
Try a natural alternative before reaching for the painkillers. Rhiannon says: “Some research has found positive effects against headaches when applying peppermint and lavender oil to the skin.”
*Advice and opinions given in this blog post are those of Rhiannon Lambert, and not Mr Lender.