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Botanica Health

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Botanica Health is a boutique health store and clinic specialising in cutting edge supplementation and nutrition.

02/02/2026

Raynaud’s and Chilblains - a circulatory condition which can be related to low thyroid.
Hypothyroidism → poor circulation
Low thyroid function directly worsens Raynaud’s:
↓ Basal metabolic rate
↓ Heat production
↓ Peripheral circulation
↑ Vasoconstriction
This makes fingers and toes more reactive to cold, triggering Raynaud’s attacks more easily and more intensely.
Clinically: treating hypothyroidism often improves or resolves Raynaud’s symptoms.
Thyroid dysfunction + Raynaud’s commonly share deficiencies:
Iron (low ferritin worsens cold intolerance)
Selenium (thyroid + vascular health)
Magnesium (vasospasm reduction)
B12 (neurological + vascular support)
And -
Consider - Vitamin C - 500 - 1000mg daily
Vitamin E - 200 - 400mg daily
Add warming anti-inflammatory spices in to the diet - Ginger
Turmeric
Black pepper
Cayenne
Cinnamon
Are you having enough calcium and magnesium?
These deficiencies increase sensitivity to the
cold.
Vitamin B3 stimulates circulation and reduces inflammation.
Gingko is one of the best herbs for Raynaud’s as it thins the blood and opens capillaries to increase blood flow.
Some people find that this produces a significant reduction in their Raynaud’s symptoms.

30/01/2026

Sharing the love. Bonnie really doesn’t like being left out now Theodora is here. Everyone needs to feel that they are the most important being in the room. There is a very funny awkwardness between them.

Making someone feel seen and heard is a core human need that supports emotional health, strengthens bonds, and even enhances physical well-being.

How Love Influences Your Biology

Reduces stress and inflammation (stress suppresses key immune functions).
Lowers stress hormones (cortisol) linked to immune suppression.
Increases positive and bonding hormones (e.g., oxytocin) that calm the nervous system and may support immune readiness.

Share the love ❤️ Both parties benefit.

29/01/2026

Study: Topical Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) vs Imiquimod for BCC
Design:
* Patients with biopsy-confirmed basal cell carcinoma were randomised to receive either: • 30% ascorbic acid (vitamin C) solution in 95% DMSO applied twice daily for 8 weeks, or • 5% imiquimod cream (a standard topical treatment) used 5×/week.
Participants:
* 25 patients with 29 BCC lesions total.
Results at 8 weeks:
* Topical vitamin C group: • 13 out of 15 lesions (86.7%) showed complete resolution on post-treatment biopsy.
* Imiquimod group: • 8 out of 14 lesions (57.1%) showed complete resolution.
* The ascorbic acid treatment was statistically superior at 8 weeks compared to imiquimod.
Follow-up findings:
* At long-term follow-up (~30 months), hypopigmentation (skin lightening) was seen in ~70% of imiquimod-treated patients but 0% of the vitamin C group.
I have actually seen a similar study even without the DMSO which I will share in Stories.

27/01/2026

Believing in yourself matters because your inner story quietly shapes what you’re capable of becoming. As biologist Bruce Lipton famously said, “Your beliefs become your biology.” When you hold hope and trust in yourself, your nervous system relaxes, your mind opens, and your body moves out of survival and into growth. Self-belief isn’t blind optimism—it’s a choice to give your potential room to breathe. Even in uncertain moments, hope acts like a signal to your whole system that change is possible, and that alone can be enough to start shifting your reality.
A single thought can change brain activity within seconds—sometimes milliseconds. When you think a thought, neurons fire, neurotransmitters like dopamine or cortisol are released, and neural networks either strengthen or weaken almost immediately. Brain-imaging studies show that even imagining an experience activates many of the same brain regions as actually living it.
Hope isn’t just emotional; it’s neurological.❤️

26/01/2026

Patient A (chronic HPV-induced cervical dysplasia) - “Six weeks after starting curcumin, at her annual checkup, her cervix appeared to be completely normal, the Aptima test was negative for high-risk HPV, and was read as negative for intraepithelial lesion and malignancy. Owing to the clinical and microscopic improvement and clearing of evidence of high-risk HPV, there was no need for biopsy.”
Patient B (lichen sclerosis post squamous cell carcinoma) - “When she returned 6 weeks later, she no longer itched and was less uncomfortable in the vaginal area. Her vulvar area looked somewhat improved in 3 weeks, according to her gynecologist/oncologist, and 75% improved several weeks later! An intravaginal excision for SCC a month later revealed only SCC in situ. She continued intermittent use of curcumin, berberine, probiotics, some supplements, and two other Narula antiviral herbal preparations over the next 2 years, with intermittent continued improvement.”
It is worth reading the whole report -
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/imr.2022.0055

22/01/2026

Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the plantar fascia, a part of your foot that connects your heel bone to your toes.
The main symptom of plantar fasciitis is severe, stabbing pain in the heel of your foot, especially during your first few steps of the day. Although pain tends to become less intense after those first few steps, it can return upon arising after a long period of sitting.
🦶
Once you’ve moved beyond “tight calves and bad shoes” there are many often ignored, but clinically important causes of plantar fasciitis -

HORMONAL & METABOLIC - perimenopause and hormone imbalance
INSULIN RESISTANCE - even without diabetes
VITAMIN D, COPPER & MAGNESIUM DEFICIENCY -
Magnesium and Vitamin D deficiency compromises the ability of the body to properly utilise serum calcium, resulting in issues such as kidney stones, bursitis, and plantar fasciitis.
MEDICATION RELATED CAUSES -
fluoroquinolone antibiotics (CIPROFLOXACIN)
Often missed because timing is delayed
STATINS
REPEATED CORTICOSTEROID USE
INFLAMMATORY & AUTOIMMUNE CONDITIONS
GUT DYSBIOSIS
NERVOUS SYSTEM & CIRCULATORY ISSUES
💛Healing modalities -
* Some sufferers have great relief from zinc supplementation.
* Soaking the feet in an apple cider vinegar foot bath provides relief.
* Anti-inflammatories like turmeric, horsetail, tart cherry juice and ginger can help.
* Foot stretching provides relief.
* Resolving thyroid and blood sugar issues

20/01/2026

Silence doesn’t create neutrality—it creates imbalance, allowing a few voices to define the whole.
But there are times it’s best to perhaps stay quiet.
I was telling a friend recently that although my father and I have strong opinions, sometimes it is best to remain silent. Not because what you have to say is meaningless, but because it can fall on unreceptive ears.
And why drain valuable energy.
I have noticed him at times, depending on the company, that when a conversation ensues on which I know he has strong views he remains silent. Not because he hasn’t got a worthy point but because it’s pointless. It’s a skill I’m trying to learn. We don’t always have to change minds. And sometimes people don’t want to consider changing their mind anyway. It feels safer to hold on to what you have always believed to be true. Perhaps peace over persuasion is better.
There is an incredible quote in the Bible that says -
Isaiah 6:9–10
“Be ever hearing, but never understanding;
be ever seeing, but never perceiving…
For this people’s heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears…”
It implies that we can hear information, but reject its meaning.
So although I believe wholeheartedly that a choir is made of many voices, choose wisely. ❤️💛❤️
And as my father says, never confuse intellect with wisdom. I think wisdom wins every time.

19/01/2026

Ulcerative colitis appears to develop from a combination of factors - gut microbiome imbalance, weak intestinal barrier, infections, stress, immune system deregulation, diet and very interestingly stopping smoking (if you smoke and have UC) increases the risk. I remember years ago my father was treating a patient with UC. When he tried to stop smoking the condition returned, when he started the habit again it went in to remission.
Here are some other remedies you need to know about -
Aloe vera gel -
* Some RCTs show aloe vera may improve symptoms or put in to remission in mild‑to‑moderate UC compared with placebo.
Curcumin (from turmeric)
* Multiple trials — including double‑blind, placebo‑controlled studies — suggest curcumin may help maintain remission or reduce relapse rates when added to conventional therapy.
Wheatgrass juice
* Small RCTs suggest benefit in symptom improvement.
Boswellia serrata (Indian frankincense)
* Some clinical studies suggest Boswellia extract may be as effective as standard drugs (e.g., mesalazine) for inducing remission, though data are limited and of variable quality.
Plantago ovata (psyllium) seeds
* Has shown similar efficacy to mesalazine in small studies, likely due to soluble fiber effects.
Montmorency cherry juice (60ml split over the day)
Compared with placebo, the cherry juice group showed:
* Significantly greater improvement in quality of life
* Lower f***l calprotectin levels
* Greater reductions in disease activity scores

16/01/2026

Very soon another little life will come in to the world.
Today will be the last full day for Jess at work. Next week she is on half day’s on the lead up to giving birth at the start of Feb.
I know so many of you love Jess. As I type she is having a lovely conversation with one of her beloved customers. She always makes people feel brighter. Anyway exciting times ahead, first child for our son Sam and Jess, and another grandchild for us. Double blessing ❤️she will be back, she loves Botanica❤️

14/01/2026

Some people have this wonderful ability to care and comfort even when they themselves are struggling.
It is such a gift.
I often feel that sometimes the only medicine someone needs is a kind word, reassurance and a listening ear.
It is incredibly healing.
It measurably affects the body’s biochemistry.
Cortisol lowers, adrenaline drops, the brain responds with oxytocin (promoting calm), inflammatory markers go down.
Maybe all you do need is love. ❤️

13/01/2026

A lovely couple came to see me. The gentleman suffering from severe digestive upset.
It’s always important to consider the root cause and although this wasn’t entirely clear we decided to go with our feeling on this.
I (perhaps foolishly) said I was sure he would be better by their wedding in June.
I was aiming for a resolution by then.
He diligently took my advice and the remedies.
After 2 weeks he is perhaps 90% better but we will continue the remedies for a month or so.
The shoulder pain has gone.
He was prescribed Codeine by his GP which although is commonly advised for pain is actually also an anti-motility medicine and acts by modulating intestinal contractions and reducing frequency of bowel movements. In general, you should not take these medicines for longer than five days unless your doctor has told you to but it is extremely addictive.
Other side effects are arrhythmia, confusion, constipation, dizziness; drowsiness, dry mouth, euphoric mood, flushing, hallucination, headache, excessive sweating, miosis, nausea (more common on initiation); palpitations, respiratory depression (with high doses), skin reactions, urinary retention, vertigo; vomiting (more common on initiation), withdrawal syndrome.
Long term use of opioids in non-malignant pain (longer than 3 months) carries an increased risk of dependence and addiction, even at therapeutic doses.
I’m glad he had faith in the herbs. ❤️

11/01/2026

Stewed apple is such a comfort food.
My mother made it and her mother before her. It would be served on its own, or with custard or cream and was always received with a smile.
It is not only heart warming food but both soothing and healing on the gut.
❤️Two Organic Apples a Day Keep the Doctor Away
We consume about 100 million bacterial cells with one apple, but the bacterial composition is significantly different in those organically produced.
Organic apples carry a significantly more diverse and distinct microbiota, compared to a non-organic. There is an abundance of almost 40% more bacterial genera in the organic variety.
While one apple is better than none, research shows that two species of bacteria, Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus increase when two apples are consumed.
Both these bacteria produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) which have been shown to assist in the resolution of leaky gut syndrome, inhibit the growth of bad bacteria, help control appetite, balance blood sugar and cholesterol and increase the absorption of minerals.
Stewed apples also seem to improve sensitivities.
❤️Stewed Apple and Gut Health
Cooked apples are rich in pectin, a type of soluble fibre.
Pectin is recognised as a prebiotic that is not degraded by either human saliva or gastric acid, feeding the beneficial bacteria in the gut, helping it multiply. The skin, seeds and core have the most pectin.
Apples also contain polyphenols, naturally occurring compounds found in plants, fruit, vegetables, tea, coffee and wine. Polyphenols have a wide range of benefits and offer protection against cardiovascular diseases, development of cancers, diabetes, osteoporosis and neurodegenerative diseases.
When the polyphenols from the apple reach the colon they take action, dampening down inflammation, enhancing the growth of beneficial bacteria and hampering the growth of pathogenic bacteria.
❤️Cooking Makes a Difference
Of course raw apples are beneficial but when they are cooked the apples release extra pectin, a unique form of fibre. Enjoy warm for breakfast with yoghurt or on its own when recovering from an illness and digestion needs soothing.

Address

26 High Street, Rusthall
Tunbridge Wells
TN48RY

Opening Hours

Monday	9:15am - 5pm
Tuesday	9:15am - 5pm
Wednesday	9:15am - 5pm
Thursday	9:15am - 5pm
Friday	9:15am - 5pm
Saturday	9:15am - 1pm

Website

http://www.botanicahealth.co.uk/

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