Helen the Herbalista - Herbal Medicine with Helen Speed

09/05/2022

10/01/2021

Hi folks 😊...
In light of the unfolding threat posed by new strains of Corona virus, & given that even if the vaccine(s) proves effective against these most of us won’t be offered it for months yet, I’d like to share some ways we can improve our body’s resistance to invasion.
The following nutrients have all been shown to interfere with the Corona virus’s entry into human cells & its replication:

😎 Vitamin D (which if we all lived in sunny Jamaica would be no problem, but unfortunately even by the government’s admission supplementation is required in Scotland to avoid deficiency - why this isn’t being provided is a mystery known only to the Scottish Government)

🍳 Selenium (found in Brazil nuts, eggs & tuna, or supplements - if using supplements don’t take more than 300 micrograms per day)

🍋 Vitamin C - found in lemons & other fruit

🍇 Quercetin - this antioxidant shows extremely promising results in reducing the severity of coronavirus infection, again by reducing its ability to enter cells & replicate, but also by reducing inflammation & blood vessel damage, both of which are major factors in COVID complications. Although available as a supplement, like all plant flavonoids it works best if eaten in the plant. Some of the richest sources of quercetin are onions, apples, grapes (including red wine) and berries. Elderberry extracts are a fantastic source (try to avoid those containing aspartame though).

🌗 Finally, Melatonin, a hormone produced by the body at night in response to darkness, appears to have an important role in determining how well a person will resist Corona virus infection. In order to produce optimum levels we must maintain a regular day/night pattern and have uninterrupted darkness at night; insufficient or irregular sleep patterns, staying up late, exposure to tv / computer screens or smart phones all reduce melatonin to dangerously low levels.

🌈 Wishing you all much love & light, I hope you all stay well, physically, mentally & spiritually ♥️

📡 In order to adapt to current restrictions, I am now able to offer video consultations via Skype / WhatsApp - please message me for further details.

07/02/2020

Baby dandelion sword leaves popping up a few weeks after my street was tarred over... 2 fingers to the council roads department✌️🌱💚

02/01/2020

🎄Taking down your Christmas tree? (or thinking about it!)
As you vacuum up the last few stubborn needles from the living-room carpet, did you know the needles from pine, fir, spruce & larch trees are bursting with antioxidant flavonoids?
🌲The tender young tips can be gathered in the spring (being careful not to confuse these with the poisonous yew tree), & used as a herb to give a sharp citrus flavour, or made into a tea to fight off colds.
🌲The essential oil from pine & other conifers makes a fantastic inhalation for chest problems or an anti-inflammatory bath soak.
🌲Native Americans discovered long ago that pine bark possessed amazing health-giving properties, subsequently borne out by modern research, & now available as an extract known as Pycnogenol: among its many health benefits it improves the micro-circulation, reduces allergies & is used in some European countries to treat retinal disease.
🌲Have a great New Year!

Helen Speed -
Medical Herbalist
Napiers Clinic, Glasgow
0141 339 5859
helenxherb@gmail.com

22/12/2019

The Winter Solstice -
I prefer to think of this as the cosiest time of year rather than the dreariest 😊
What better winter solstice herb than Mahonia... all the way from Canada originally, it’s a fantastically powerful herb useful in liver and skin conditions as well as stubborn winter sinus infections.
Here it is brightening up a grey Glasgow day with its splash of yellow in Morrisons car park🌞

17/11/2019

🍸🍋🌿🍸🍋🌿🍸🍋🌿🍸🍋🍸
Anybody for a G&T? Very tempting as another Monday looms closer!
Well, obviously I don’t condone drinking large amounts of cocktails, but did you know that every time you order a gin & tonic with a slice of lemon you’re dosing yourself with no less than 3 herbal remedies?!
🍸🍋🌿🍸🍋🌿🍸🍋🌿🍸🍋🍸
The juniper used to flavour gin is traditionally used as an antiseptic to treat urinary infections, in addition to which it has a marked anti-inflammatory action useful in arthritis. Recent research has shown it to have a beneficial effect on blood sugar control, and the flavour & perfume of juniper oil are energising & uplifting to the mood.
It should be avoided in pregnancy or kidney disease however.
🍸🍋🌿🍸🍋🌿🍸🍋🌿🍸🍋🍸
Then we have the tonic water, which contains Quinine alkaloids from the South American Cinchona tree, at one time the only effective treatment for malaria and still prescribed by pharmacists for muscle cramps.
🍸🍋🌿🍸🍋🌿🍸🍋🌿🍸🍋🍸
Last but not least, the lemon 🍋; such a familiar fruit in our kitchen and yet a treasure trove of health benefits! A rich source of Vitamin C & antioxidants, the flavonoids contained in the peel will strengthen the thousands of small blood vessels in your body; it’s also a great tonic for the liver & gallbladder, and the acidic juice helps get rid of any bacteria & viruses lurking in the throat, which is great to remember as the cold & flu season gets underway! The best way to obtain the benefits is to make a ‘tea’ by steeping a chopped-up unwaxed lemon in hot water.
🍋🌿🍋🌿🍋🌿🍋🌿🍋🌿🍋🌿

If you’re interested in finding out more about herbal remedies, why not pop into Napiers shop on Cresswell Street just off Byres Road where the knowledgable dispensary assistants will be pleased to advise you; and if you have a health problem for which you’d like to explore herbal treatment, I’m available for consultations on Wednesday evenings at Napiers (0141 339 5859). Please feel free to message me if you have any queries.

Anybody for a G&T? Very tempting as another Monday looms closer!
Well, I obviously don’t condone drinking large amounts of cocktails, but did you know that every time you order a gin & tonic with a slice of lemon you’re dosing yourself with no less than 3 herbal remedies?!
The juniper used to flavour gin is traditionally used as an antiseptic to treat urinary infections, in addition to which it has a marked anti-inflammatory action useful in arthritis. Recent research has shown it to have a beneficial effect on blood sugar control, and the flavour & perfume of juniper oil are energising & uplifting to the mood.
It should be avoided in pregnancy or kidney disease however.
Then we have the tonic water, which contains Quinine alkaloids from the South American Cinchona tree, at one time the only effective treatment for malaria and still prescribed by pharmacists for muscle cramps.
Last but not least, the lemon 🍋; such a familiar fruit in our kitchen and yet a treasure trove of health benefits! A rich source of Vitamin C & antioxidants, the flavonoids contained in the peel will strengthen the thousands of small blood vessels in your body; it’s also a great tonic for the liver & gallbladder, and the acidic juice helps get rid of any bacteria & viruses lurking in the throat, which is great to remember as the cold & flu season gets underway! The best way to obtain the benefits is to make a ‘tea’ by steeping a chopped-up unwaxed lemon in hot water.
Oh and the lemon & juniper chocolate from Morrisons is extremely tasty & does in fact contain real Juniper! Of course other brands may be available 😂
I wish you all a healthy week 😊
If you’re interested in finding out more about herbal remedies, why not pop into Napiers shop on Cresswell Street just off Byres Road where the knowledgable dispensary assistants will be pleased to advise you; and if you have a health problem for which you’d like to explore herbal treatment, I’m available for consultations on Wednesday evenings at Napiers (0141 339 5859). Please feel free to message me if you have any queries.

24/10/2019

🌿Hello there!
I’m very excited and happy to announce that I’m back practising as a Herbalist at Napiers Clinic in Glasgow 🤗

🌿Herbal Medicine uses plant remedies based on both modern scientific research & thousands of years of traditional use. In fact over a quarter of the drugs prescribed today are based on plants, including aspirin & digoxin. I believe in the power of plants to treat disease effectively whilst helping your body to achieve optimum health, without the harmful side effects of pharmaceutical drugs.

🌿I qualified as a Medical Herbalist from the College of Phytotherapy in 2000 where I was privileged to train under renowned Dutch herbalist Hein Zeylstra, and worked in the busy Napiers Clinic in Glasgow for many years.

🌿I will address your health needs using the same medical knowledge & diagnostic skills as an orthodox doctor, together with my experience as a herbalist.
I will work with you (or your child) to restore your physical & spiritual well-being using tailor-made herbal prescriptions, diet / nutritional supplements, & energetic techniques such as breathing & visualisation.

🌿If you have any queries, please feel free to message me.

To book a consultation please contact:
Napiers Clinic
61 Cresswell Street
Glasgow
G12 8AD
Tel: 0141 339 5859

I look forward to meeting you!