Botanica Health

23/03/2026

Dad will be 89 this August. He has found a place to continue writing his book. It is in the bedroom he stays in when with us, and says it’s perfect. He wants his book to inform, engage, inspire and instruct. It will be epic. A lifetime of wisdom. Every day we talk about subjects that are just so life affirming. He hopes the book to be finished by the Autumn. He will be 89 by then.❤️

18/03/2026

Burning mouth syndrome can be idiopathic (with no known cause) or it may be a secondary condition to another health problem.
Either way it’s miserable.
It is tricky because it’s often not just a local mouth issue, it’s commonly linked to things like nerve irritation, nutrient deficiencies, hormones, stress, or dry mouth.
Common underlying drivers:
Vitamin deficiencies (B12, iron, zinc)
Dry mouth / low saliva
Hormonal changes (especially menopause)
Stress / nervous system dysfunction
Oral microbiome imbalance
Liquorice root (DGL) or marshmallow root can help, protecting nerve endings and increase moisture
These herbs contain mucilage, which physically protects tissue
It is is often a neuropathic pain condition so -
Meditation / breathing
Magnesium (relaxes nerves)
Gentle vagus nerve work
Stress is a known aggravating factor
Consider avoiding these triggers -
Alcohol & mouthwashes with alcohol
Spicy / acidic foods
Toothpastes with SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate)
Excess caffeine

16/03/2026

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) -
💛Increases levels of GABA that helps the nervous system relax
💛Helps sleep
💛Improves focus, memory and mathematical speed
💛Antispasmodic and helps bloating and gas
💛Potent anti-viral. Applied topically it is highly effective at treating cold sores.
💛Reduces palpitations and supports heart health
Stinging nettle (Urtica dioca)
💚Nutritional powerhouse rich in A, C, K, iron, magnesium, calcium
💚Allergy relief and acts as a natural anti-histamine
💚Anti-inflammatory and can reduce pain in arthritis
💚Nettle root extracts have been shown to help symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia, such as difficulty urinating, by slowing the growth to of prostate cells
Pilewort (Lesser celandine)
👑 Henry VIII suffered from severe, painful piles, which were widely treated during the Tudor era using Pilewort. The roots were crushed and macerated with lard and applied locally. Pilewort contains astringent tannins and saponins, which help shrink tissues and soothe irritation when used topically.
So if you are ever stuck …. We do have a very good topical herbal ointment in store that works a treat 😉

15/03/2026

Scientists may have found a “miracle” for chronic fatigue hidden in a simple B vitamin.
Studies show that high-dose thiamine can significantly reduce exhaustion.
It works best if your gut is in good shape. A follow-up study found that the “responders” often had high amounts of a specific healthy gut bacterium:
F. Prausnitzii
Symptoms of B1 deficiency -
Persistent fatigue
Irritability and mod changes
Loss of appetite
Brain fog and poor memory
Digestive sluggishness - B1 supports gut motility. Deficiency may clause bloating, constipation, Maisie’s or general abdominal discomfort.
Peripheral neuropathy
Muscle weakness
Vision issues
Poor balance and coordination
Excessive tea or coffee can deactivate the vitamin - take away from these drinks.
Thiamine is biologically useless without magnesium
Magnesium is needed to convert raw thiamine into its active form.
In some clinical cases, patients with severe fatigue did not improve with thiamine alone until their magnesium deficiency was corrected.

10/03/2026

After working in health for over 35 years there are some things I have come to conclude -
The simplest things in life are full of healing potential -
Light bathing, walking, being in nature, peace, birdsong, bare feet in the ground, face to the sun.
I remember this picture taken a few years ago in Mallorca. I felt so good. The wall held the heat of the sun and was comforting, the stray cat purring, very little sound, the soft air.
There is so much noise in the health sphere, I hope I’m not part of it and just want to share things that I have found to be useful for people, and perhaps just one person will find it helps them.
We really do have to advocate for our own health.
Actively speak up, make informed decisions based on discernment, discussion, reading and consideration and take responsibility.
You really do have to do your own research. And it’s often not about following the crowd.
Sometimes you need extra support. And perhaps it comes from people like us who have spent decades reading and researching. Every day I still find out something new that excites me. But I also have great people around me who are also diligent and we share our findings and discuss.
Herbs are an extension of food as medicine and carry historical weight in their incredible healing capacity.
Peace of mind and happiness can fix a lot of problems.
So much disease stems from distress - emotional, physical, spiritual.
The oldest lady lived until she was 122. She stopped smoking at 117 because she could no longer roll her cigarette paper. She also enjoyed a port daily. She said she was happy. Maybe that outweighed the bad habits.
Here is my recipe for good health -
Light
Metabolic supportive diet
Loving relationships
Optimal vitamin and minerals
Movement
Weights
Herbs as needed
Sensible time in the sun
Rest and recuperation
Non-negotiable time in nature
Bare feet on the earth
Restorative sleep
Laughter
Faith
Gratitude
❤️

07/03/2026

H. Pylori, periodontal disease, peptic ulcer >
Some interesting points -
Low stomach acid leaves you vulnerable to H.pylori.
H. pylori infection causes gastritis which leads to less stomach acid production.
PPl’s block stomach acid production (Omeprazole, Lansoprazole etc).
Low stomach acid is common in both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Stomach acid is needed for the absorption of Thyroxine.
H.pylori has been classified as a class 1 carcinogen by the WHO and recognised as a causative agent for peptic ulcers, gastritis and stomach cancer.
Long term use of PPI’s increases the risk of stomach cancer, a heart attack, Alzheimer’s, kidney disease, bone fracture, myocardial infarction and pneumonia. They also deplete magnesium and B12.
H.pylori symptoms can be similar to reflux but you may also have sulphurous smelling gas.
Your doctor can test for H.pylori.

04/03/2026

The thyroid requires specific nutrients to function well, many that are lacking in the modern diet –

Selenium
Zinc
(both essential for the conversion of the storage thyroid hormone T4 to T3 the active thyroid hormone)
Magnesium
Vitamin C
Vitamin B2, B3 and B6
Vitamin D
Iodine

Ginger - a PubMed study found that 500mg of ginger supplementation twice a day for 30 days lowered TSH, along with improvements in weight, waist circumference, triglycerides, cold intolerance, constipation, dry skin, and fasting blood sugar. PMID 35096113

Hashimoto’s considerations -
Vitamin D - many patients are deficient
Gluten elimination - can reduce antibodies
Support gut health - gut healing herbs, probiotics
Black seed oil - small studies show black seed oil may improve thyroid function and reduce antibodies in autoimmune thyroid disease
Selenium - clinical trials show selenium supplementation can lower peroxidase antibodies sometimes improving mood and fatigue
Myo-inositol often paired with selenium can improve thyroid function and antibody levels. Supports insulin signalling and thyroid cell function.
Image - Gigi Hadid at the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party.
Credit: Getty Images

03/03/2026

In this experiment college students with flu shard a hotel room with healthy individuals. They had conversations, danced, practiced yoga, shared items, computers etc.
But the virus never spread.
The researchers say there was limited coughing, and ventilation stopped the spread. Perhaps
Or were those individuals who didn’t “catch” the flu healthy and strong. Not susceptible or vulnerable?
Studies show, and we know this in real life, that when someone in a household has the flu other members don’t always go down with it. Even with intense contact the risk of secondary infection typically ranges from 10% to 38%. - British Journal of General Practice.
So is it catching or are defences down.
So many times during Covid I met people with a positive test but their family members remained immune.

02/03/2026

01/03/2026

A few months of berberine and milk thistle.
Research shows that berberine can significantly lower cholesterol levels by improving lipid metabolism and enhancing the liver’s ability to clear LDL cholesterol from the bloodstream. A meta-analysis published in the journal Phytomedicine found that berberine supplementation reduced total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides while modestly increasing HDL cholesterol. Another systematic review in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology reported similar findings, suggesting berberine works in part by upregulating LDL receptor expression and activating AMPK, a key metabolic regulator. These findings support berberine as a promising natural option for supporting healthy cholesterol levels.

27/02/2026

A few points -
* Food is medicine and plants and herbs are an extension of that
* Health starts at grass roots - light, nutrition, movement, sleep, community, herbs/plants as medicine
* “Our prescription drugs kill us in large numbers” - PubMed - in fact they are the third leading cause of death
* A New Zealand study from 2021 reported that antidepressants, opioids, antipsychotics and hypnotic-anxiolytics are the drugs causing most fatalities
* “Over treatment with drugs kills many people, and the death rate is increasing.” Peter C. Gotzsche, MD
* Polypharmacy refers to the concurrent use of multiple medications by a single individual, often defined as taking 5 or more medications - 8.5 million people in the UK take 5 or more medicines.
* Prescription items being dispensed is rising
* An early example of a nutrient-disease relationship is the connection between vitamin C and scurvy
* Rudolph Virchow identified links among poverty, nutrition, and health while studying a 19th century typhus outbreak
* Rates of cardio metabolic illnesses among American adults have reached an astonishing 50%. For diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and related inflammatory conditions, the root cause often boils down to poor diet.
Nearly 45% of all deaths from cardio metabolic diseases are attributable to unhealthy eating.
* If only Hippocrates was taken seriously
* Some drugs save lives and emergency medicine is crucial
* But powerful men in the USA changed the landscape of health, to the detriment of many

26/02/2026

1 organic lemon juiced in to a glass of warm water. 1/4 teaspoon of Celtic sea salt. 1-2 teaspoons of raw honey. 1 teaspoon of ReMag. 2 tablespoons of collagen.
🍋 Organic Lemon
Potassium + trace minerals
Vitamin C for collagen synthesis
Enhances mineral absorption
Supports digestion + liver function
🍋 Warm Water
Improves hydration uptake
Gentle digestive stimulation
Supports circulation
🍋 Celtic Salt
Sodium for electrolyte balance
82 Trace minerals
Supports adrenal function
Improves cellular hydration
🍋 Ionic Magnesium Chloride
Highly bioavailable magnesium
Relaxes muscles + nervous system
Supports energy (ATP) production
Aids bowel motility
Chloride supports stomach acid
🍋 Raw Honey
Potassium + small trace minerals
Natural glucose improves mineral transport into cells
Supports liver glycogen
Helps adrenal stability
Provides quick, clean energy
🍋Collagen
Provides glycine + proline
Supports gut lining repair
Supports joints, skin, connective tissue
Works with vitamin C for synthesis