Date published: 01.09.08 - not release date

5 Essential Health Solutions for Christmas Day

No need to feel blue on Christmas Day with these natural tips to help get you through the day if you’re feeling a little under par.

Water Retention - SOS: “I’ve woken up with a Pot Belly!”

Solution: If you’ve slimmed up to Christmas to look good in your party clothes, the last thing you need is for your vision to be dashed by an unsightly and uncomfortable bloated tummy because your period is due. Try MedicHerb Aqualette, a licensed herbal medicine containing natural diuretic dandelion and horsetail for the relief of water retention, such as in premenstrual conditions or on calorie controlled diets. From Boots priced £5.99 for 80 tablets or mail order on 01453 751395 or www.medicherb.co.uk

Period Pain - SOS: “I’m fighting off period pain and want to stay in bed.”

Solution: Reach for a Pain Ease Patch for fast acting pain relief using Micro-current therapy to help ease period pain. Research has shown that over 76% of Pain Ease Patch users benefited from not only improved pain control, but between 72 and 78% reported an improvement in sleep, energy, ability to carry our every day tasks and mood. The Pain Ease Patch contains a battery which lasts for up to 500 hours. It costs £19.95 for a pack of three and is available from Lloydspharmacy or www.lifes2good.com

Irritable Bowel - SOS: “I’ve got an upset stomach as I overindulged on Christmas Eve. I can’t face anymore food or drink.”

Solution: Ancient Romans ate artichokes as an aperitif to ease their digestion, and modern-day Italians drink an artichoke liqueur before dinner for the same reason. In research, globe artichokes have been shown to relieve the symptoms of IBS particularly that of dyspepsia (indigestion) and bloated tummies. Try Boots Alternatives Easy Digest capsules containing extract of artichoke to help maintain a healthy digestion. £8.99 for 30 capsules

Cold Sore - SOS: “I got carried away under the mistletoe last night – now my lip is tingling, I just know I’m going to sprout a cold sore.”

Solution: Keep lips healthy and stifle cold sores by using LomaBrit lip salve which contains a special formulation including the herb Melissa which has been shown in numerous studies to have antiviral properties1,3 and blocks viruses from attaching to cells.4 Lomabrit® is available in a Lip Salve (£4.99) and Lip Cream (£5.99) and can be purchased from all good health food stores or by calling the Herpes Virus Association on 020 7607 9661

Headaches - SOS: “The stress of organising the day has left me with a headache that could develop into a migraine.”

Solution: You need to relax but be capable for the day. Try MedicHerb Valerina Day-Time (£5.99 for 80 tablets from Boots), a licensed herbal remedy containing valerian, lemon balm and hops for relief from the stresses and strains of modern-day living. To help prevent migraines try Boots Feverfew (£6.99 for 30 capsules). A recent survey of Migraine Action Association members showed that 60% who took one capsule daily for two months had less frequent and milder headaches, with many describing themselves as migraine-free.

For further info please contact:

Michelle Redmond @ Minx PR on 0208 288 0849 / michelleredmondpr@yahoo.co.uk

1. Wolbling RH, Leonhardt K. Local therapy of herpes simplex with dried extract from Melissa officinalis. Phytomedicine. 1994;1:25–31.

2. Dimitrova Z, Dimov B, Manolova N, et al. Antiherpes effect of Melissa officinalis L. extracts. Acta Microbiol Bulg. 1993;29:65–72.

3. May G, Willuhn G. Antiviral effect of aqueous plant extracts in tissue culture [in German; English abstract]. Arzneimittelforschung. 1978;28:1–7.

4. Wolbling RH, Leonhardt K. Local therapy of herpes simplex with dried extract from Melissa officinalis. Phytomedicine. 1994;1:25–31.