Superboosters: natural herbs and supplements to boost health

Feeling fluey or down in the dumps? Whatever your ailment, this guide to natural supplement remedies is sure to give you an instant lift

Ailment
Booster
Effect

Acne
Artichoke, Dandelion
Artichoke improves liver function and fat digestion.
Dandelion is both cleansing and diuretic.

Anxiety
Passion flower,
Valerian
Both are calming and mild tranquillisers.

Arthritis
Devil's claw,
Glucosamine,
Pycnogenols
Devil's claw and pycnogenols are both anti-inflammatories,
while glucosamine sulphate helps repair damaged cartilage.

Back pain
Chilli, Devil's claw
Chilli stimulates the circulation and promotes healing of damaged tissues. Devil's claw is a natural anti-inflammatory.

Boils
garlic, Tea tree
Both are powerful anti bacterials (eat one clove of garlic a day
or take as tablets; apply tea tree oil directly to the boil).

Bruising
Horse chestnut,
Pycnogenols
Horse chestnut improves capillary blood flow. Pycnogenols
are natural anti-inflammatories.

Chilblains
Chilli, Ginger,
Vitamin E
All stimulate and improve circulation to the extremities.

Cholesterol
Evening primrose
oil, Folic acid, Garlic
Evening primrose oil is anti-inflammatory and protects the
arteries. Folic acid controls levels of heart-damaging
homocysteine. Garlic helps reduce blood cholesterol.

Chronic fatigue
BIO-STRATH elixir,
Coenzyme Q10,
Ginseng,
St John's wort
BIO-STRATH is an immune booster, protects against infection
and improves nutrient uptake. Coenzyme Q10 improves
energy release from food. Ginseng boosts energy. St John's
wort helps with depression that accompanies chronic fatigue.

Circulation
problems
Ginger, Ginkgo
biloba, Vitamin E
Ginger stimulates circulation and improves blood flow. Ginkgo
biloba helps dilate the tiny capillaries at the end of the
circulatory system. Vitamin E strengthens blood vessel walls.

Colds
Devil's claw, Echinacea, Lapacho
Devil's claw lessens aches and pains. Echinacea and lapacho
are both immune boosters.

Cough
Garlic, Liquorice, Valerian
Garlic is anti-bacterial. Liquorice is an effective expectorant.
Valerian improves sleep that is interrupted by coughing.

Cramp
Chilli, Ginger, Vitamin E
All stimulate and improve circulation.

Cystitis
Cranberry, Dandelion
Cranberry protects against urinary bacteria. Dandelion is diuretic.

Depression
Kava kava, lemon
balm, St John's wort
Kava kava eases stress and anxiety. Lemon balm relieves
physical tension. St John's wort helps moderate depression.

Fever
Chamomile,
Feverfew, Tea tree
Chamomile helps ease fevers, especially for children. Tea tree
is anti-bacterial. Feverfew helps lower body temperature.

Flatulence
Fennel, Peppermint
Both relieve symptoms.

Fluid retention
Dandelion
Dandelion leaves are a powerful diuretic.

Gallstones
Artichoke, Fenugreek
Artichoke stimulates the gall bladder and improves liver
function. Fenugreek protects and stimulates the liver.

Gastritis
Chamomile, Fennel,
Peppermint
Chamomile relieves stomach pain. Fennel seeds relieve
gastric discomfort. Peppermint reduces stomach acidity.

Gout
Dandelion, Devil's
claw, Lemon balm,
Pycnogenols
Dandelion's diuretic action helps remove uric acid which
causes the pain of gout. Devil's claw and pycnogenols are
anti-inflammatories. Lemon balm relieves muscle spasms.

Hair problems
Chamomile,
BIO-STRATH elixir,
Red clover
BIO-STRATH improves nutrient absorption to aid hair health.
Chamomile helps strengthen weak hair (drink as tea or use tea as a rinse after washing). Red clover provides plant hormones which may help reduce hair loss.

Headache
Artichoke, Dong quai, Feverfew
Artichoke cleanses the liver (good for hangover headaches). Dong quai relieves vascular spasm, so may help headaches associated with blood flow. Feverfew eases headaches.

Heart disease
Folic acid, Garlic, Lycopene, Selenium, Vitamin E
Folic acid controls homocysteine levels, a predictor of heart disease. Garlic lowers blood pressure and cholesterol, and reduces the stickiness of blood. Lycopene is a protective antioxidant. Selenium is an essential mineral. Vitamin E protects both heart and arteries against oxidative damage.

Hepatitis
Artichoke, Milk thistle
Artichoke stimulates the liver and gall bladder and improves fat digestion. Milk thistle is useful for all liver problems.

Herpes
Garlic, Lemon balm
Both are specifically anti viral. Dab the cut end of a garlic clove onto affected areas, eat garlic in food or take as tablets. Take lemon balm as tea; use cold tea as a lotion on any areas affected with the herpes virus.

Hypertension
Coenzyme Q10, Flax seeds, Garlic
Coenzyme Q10 may lead to significant reduction in blood pressure. Garlic lowers blood pressure and cholesterol.

Impotence
Catuaba, Muira Puama, pfaffia
Catuaba stimulates the central nervous system. Muira Puama helps improve sexual function. Pfaffia helps combat stress.

Indigestion
Chamomile, Fennel seeds, Peppermint
Chamomile relieves stomach pain. Fennel seeds relieve flatulence. Peppermint reduces stomach acidity.

Influenza
Cat's claw, Echinacea, Turmeric
Cat's claw is a great immune booster. Echinacea protects against viruses. Turmeric is anti bacterial and anti viral.

Insomnia
Passion flower, St John's wort, Valerian
Passion-flower is calmative. St John's wort is an anti-depressant; insomnia can be a symptom of depression. Valerian encourages deeper sleep and prevents waking in the small hours.

Memory loss
Ginkgo biloba, phosphatidylserine
Ginkgo biloba stimulates blood flow to the smallest blood vessels of the brain, specifically improving short-term memory loss. Phosphatidylserine is a vital regulator of brain function and helps improve general memory.

Menstrual problems
Black cohosh, Chamomile, Dandelion
Black cohosh helps regulate general physical and emotional disruptions of the menstrual cycle. Chamomile eases painful breasts before and during periods. Dandelion helps correct fluid retention, which causes menstrual discomfort.

Mouth ulcers
Garlic, Lemon balm, Probiotics
Garlic oil is excellent for healing mouth ulcers (rub the ulcers with the cut, squeezed end of a clove). Lemon balm is anti viral and prevents secondary infections (use lemon balm tea as an anti viral mouthwash). Probiotics replace the friendly bacteria in the mouth and digestive tract which protect against infections.

Prostate problems
Zinc and oyster extract
Zinc is essential for proper functioning of the prostate.

Raynaud's Syndrome
Chilli, Ginger, Ginkgo biloba, Vitamin E
All stimulate and improve circulation to the extremities.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Ginseng, Lemon balm, St John's wort
While none of these is a true treatment for the condition (light therapy is most effective), together they can produce a remarkable improvement. Ginseng provides an energy boost, which at least enables sufferers to be more active. Lemon balm relaxes physical tension and aids well-being. St John's wort helps to overcome the inevitable depression of SAD.

Tired All The Time Syndrome
BIO-STRATH elixir, Guarana, Kelp, Schisandra
BIO-STRATH promotes well-being. Guarana provides a gentle, slow-release energy boost. Kelp stimulates the thyroid, which is commonly, though sub-clinically, underactive. Schisandra restores a zest for life and improves the mental state.

Varicose veins
Chilli, Garlic, Ginger, Horse chestnut, Vitamin E
All stimulate and improve circulation to the extremities. Vitamin E in particular helps to strengthen vein walls.

Check with your doctor before taking any supplements and follow dosage guidelines on packets.

Extract taken from Super boosters by Michael Van Straten (£10.99; Mitchell Beazley). For more information and to order the book, log onto www.mitchell-beazley.co.uk