EarthEssence Natural Therapies

Tinnitus and Herbal Treatments

Tinnitus affects an estimated 14% of adults worldwide and can range in effects from being plain annoying to truly debilitating. There is no definitive treatment available in either conventional or herbal medicine and is a complex multifactorial condition, and it's my personal belief that the longer you have it (as with most conditions) the harder it is to fix it.
A recent study tested 195 patients newly diagnosed with tinnitus with 2 doses of gingko (Gingo biloba) at 120mg/day and 240mg/day for one month. Gingko leaves are used in herbal medicine to treat cognitive function, blood circulation, support eye health and help with anxiety and depression. While there was no difference in results between the two dosages, there was a significant reduction in average THI (Tinnitus Handicap Inventory). The average decline was from 48.99 (baseline) to 28.33 in one month to 16.97 after 6 months to 10.54 after 18 months.
Importantly to note, there was no placebo with this trial, but it does suggest that supplements with correct herbs that, primarily support brain health, should be further studied in relation to this condition. We really know very little about this condition, despite the quite large percentage of the adult population that it affects. and I know people who suffer from it would love any reprieve from that constant droning noise forever in their ears!
Please remember to have professional advice before having this herb especially if you have had previous strokes, aneurism, burst blood vessel in the eyes or suffer from headaches or migraines (especially vascular type), or if you have uncontrolled or controlled hypertension. This herb works by slightly increasing blood circulation to the head, and therefore, increases head blood pressure, so it is possible to potentiate the previously mentioned conditions.

Are your feet this happy?
Maybe you need some refelxology?

🙏

Olive Leaf Extracts and Periodontal Disease

We all know olive trees and their fruit but the leaves are also very useful in herbal medicine and have been used traditionally for respiratory disorders and to improve immune functions. A recent placebo controlled trial featuring adults 50 years or older highlighted that the extract is also useful in treating periodontal, or gum disease. This is not a replacement for good dental hygiene or regular check ups and cleans with a dentist but as an adjunct treatment.
After a dental clean, the participants were given 200mg of olive leaf or placebo for 120 days. The dental clean included assessment of probing pocket depth, bleeding on probing, plaque index and clinical attachment level. The people taking the olive leaf extract had significant improvement in probing pocket depth and clinical attachment level. Research helped showed that 17 metabolites from olive leaf extract differed significantly between the active and placebo groups. This suggests that olive leaf extract may influence metabolic pathways involved in inflammation, oxidative stress and tissue homeostasis, helping in the repair and protection of the gums. Hopefully this will lead to larger group studies, but please do remember that taking this extract is not a replacement for proper dental hygiene and check ups.

For those with sore knees, possibly thinking they have early osteoarthritis, this program can be accessed through your GP to a physiotherapist. It is really beneficial for those with this problem and will increase strength around the knee joint, helping with mobility and pain management. It may help delay or even remove the need for knee surgery due to joint degradation.
If you have knee problems, give it a try

Who Cares for the Carers?
Are you caring for family, maybe your children and your parents , as well as a partner and pets? Friends also needing a helping hand? And are you in a profession where you are responsible for others such as health care, aged care, human resources, health and safety, education .....the list goes on!
It's easy to get exhausted or get 'care fatigue' when you're in this situation.....everything can seem like it's taking and not giving back.
Australian Bush Flower Carers Essence is a homoeopathic blend for someone feeling this weight. It brings back stress levels, endurance,, resilience, courage and relief from physical/emotional/spiritual fatigue

Omega 3 Index Testing.

Attended a webinar last night about Omega 3's and their use in our cellular membranes and how this leads to improvements or declines in our health via inflammatory conditions. You would have heard how essential fatty acids are made up of EPA and DHA , with the most complete and strongest source being fish oil although you can also take flaxseed, hempseed , sea buckthorn or algal oil. To get your levels tested a blood sample is taken and the amount of omega 3 in the red blood cell membrane is measured and is expressed as a % of the total membrane.
This test isn't usually done through a GP (but it may be possible) but is ordered on line, a kit sent to you which you use and send back (the cheapest seems to be about $90). The test result reflects intake over the last 3 to 6 months prior to testing.
Why is this important?
The healthy range for the omega 3 index is above 8% and about %75 of adults globally are DEFICIENT in omega 3's with levels sitting around 4 to 5%. Below 4% is considered to be a cardiovascular risk. Also if cell walls aren't correctly built, you can't expect them to work correctly and the inability to excrete waste material or take in necessary compounds can lead to or exacerbate inflammatory and/or disease conditions.
It has also been found that when supplementing people aren't taking enough of the oils for long enough to have a therapeutic effect. It is now believed that you need 1500 to 2000 mg per day for up to 12 or 14 weeks to have a therapeutic effect, but I want to stress that the protocol depends very much on your starting point. If testing finds you at 6% you wouldn't need as much for as long. The recommendation of eating fish 2 to 3 times a week may not be enough to bring your levels up.
So for people with chronic conditions, it may be worthwhile getting tested to see if you need to supplement and for how long, instead of guessing. If you are on blood thinners or have liver or intestinal absorbency conditions taking high levels of essential fatty acids could be counteractive for you and I advise you to speak to a professional or GP before supplementing.

I have been recognised as a professional member of Lipoedema Australia, providing me with more access to professional training in this area of health and being able to support more women with this condition

Varicose Veins and Grape Seed Extract

Varicose veins can be worrying at one end of the spectrum and the bane of your existence at the other. They can affect up to 40% of all adults and they can be present without being visible. Clinically, they are associated with leg pain and heaviness, oedema, skin changes, problems with circulation, ulceration and increased bruising and bleeding within the skin layers. They may also make it easier for clots to form and can impede them being broken down. There are a few treatments, including surgery to remove the vein and compression stockings.
Grape Seed oil extract from Vitis vinifera contains a compound called proanthocyanidin which is protective for the epithelial layers of blood vessels, as well as an antioxidant for them. The main issue with this compound and other varicose vein treatment is...does it actually help with stopping the blood from 'flowing backwards ' and pooling, or does it support and increase the ability of the blood to move through the blood vessel freely?
A recent study used Doppler ultrasonography to determine blood flow effects had 200 participants, grouped as controls, taking grapeseed oil extract or using lifestyle factors to see if it helped their legs across a 12 week time frame. Overall 48.9% of those taking the oil supplements showed significant improvements in blood flow in both superficial and deep veins when compared to controls. About one quarter s(23.9%) of the lifestyle group showed any sort of improvement when compared to the controls. This is only a small number study, and there is always a problem with people in 'lifestyle' groups in studies in that you can never really be sure how much they stick to their programme. Larger studies are always wanted but it does seem to point to grape seed oil extract being worth a try if you're looking to slow down the effects that varicose veins have on your lower legs in particular

The Complexity of the Spinal Column

The spinal column is a truly amazing structure that gives a full range of flexibility while adding strength to the vertebrae and their connections....all to allow us to move while protecting the very precious spinal cord. It is supported by many vertical muscles such as the splenius, longissimus, erector spinae and spinalis groups which are then covered by larger muscles such as the Latissimus dorsae and rhomboids. Then you have all of the shoulder, neck and hip connections.....it's an astounding piece of engineering.
There's just one problem...chronic tension in one area will eventually cause chronic tension throughout the back. Typically, I see this as a person coming in 'just for a quick massage of my neck and shoulders' but the reality is the spinal muscles of the thoracic and lower back will also be tight. A sore lower back will also often result in tight neck and shoulders. Often, the client doesn't realise that the other half of the spine is also a problem....it's compensated and adjusted itself to try to carry the body as efficiently and painlessly as possible....and this means tight muscles everywhere. In this case, if you don't deal with the spine and back as 'one entity' the pain and tension will be ongoing whereas if you massage and rebalance the entire back the client will get a much better result for longer.

Please note that if any movement causes pins and needles or numbness, please seek medical attention immediately...you may have damaged an intervertebral disc!