Health Information

Records show that Edinburgh citizens in the early part of the 20th century suffered from the same winter health problems that we suffer from today. Almost half of the people seeking medical care during the winter months, then and now, suffer from inflammatory conditions of the respiratory tract and flu like symptoms. The most common presenting symptom of respiratory disease is the cough.

Learn more here.

The most requested information about summer health is how to manage hay fever! Herbs are excellent helpers and there is more information here about using herbs to treat hay fever, however there are also many useful supplements too. Hay fever is a common, allergic condition. It occurs when the immune system responds to pollen as if it were a dangerous substance, invading the body. When pollen comes into contact with the cells on the lining of the eyes and nose, histamine gets released. This leads to inflammation, swelling and irritation in the form of cold-like symptoms such as a runny nose, itchy eyes and sneezing. These symptoms occur to help the body rid itself of these ‘foreign’ substances. Unfortunately pollen is harmless: the body is acting unnecessarily.

Learn more here.

Herbal and plant remedies can provide alternative treatments to help you control your own health under pressure - both in active service and when you return home.

Learn more here.

Here at Napiers we are a fan of products containing nettle for Spring time and Summer time. Our herbalists advise that adding nettle to your diet can help you to avoid the worst of the hay fever symptoms. Nettle has traditionally been drunk as a tea, a juice, a soup and can be steamed like spinach (and won't sting once it is heated!).

More information here.

Who wouldn’t love to feel brighter, clear-headed, calm and focused throughout these cold days? Simplicity is the key to our recovery and future well being according to Holistic Healing Traditions, especially within the Tibetan Healing and Ayurvedic Traditions. 

Learn more here.

Heat rash is annoying to say the least! It is also called prickly heat or miliaria. You can get it anywhere on your body but it's most common on your face, neck, hands and arms, chest, back and thighs.

Heat rash is when your skin looks red and seems to contain a rash of lots of small, bumpy red spots that look like tiny little blisters. They itch and sometimes feel as if they are prickly or stinging. Luckily herbs can really help!

Learn more here.

As the seasons change, the health concerns we see change too.

In summer, hayfever is very common. However, in the winter, our immune health can need some extra support.

See our top picks for herbs to support your health this winter.

Every season has its associated health concerns. In winter, colds & flus are rife. In the summertime, allergies such as hayfever affect a number of us.

We're also more likely to be taking trips and holidays, so travel sickness rears its ugly head.

Learn more about the herbs that can support your health this summer.

The usual symptoms of hayfever are itchy eyes, runny nose, sneezing, even sore throats and headaches

The best way to get on top of the problem is to start treatment before the problem actually develops. Once an allergy situation has developed it can be difficult to treat and you are often left trying to manage the situation, rather than cure it. Allergy has a domino affect on the body. You often find that you start off sensitive to one thing and, before you know, it you are sensitive to a whole range of things.

Learn more here.

During the Summer months here in the northern hemisphere, fasting during Ramadan can be a special challenge. When you are fasting during Ramadan it is still important to eat healthily during the hours of darkness.

Here are some suggested nutritional "do’s and don’ts" to help you to stay healthy during this important time of the year.

For those of us who have never suffered from hayfever, its worth noting the symptoms, as every year people who have never had so much as a summer cold are coming down with hayfever. The symptoms can range from sneezing, watery eyes, runny noses to some sore throats, swollen glands and headaches. The main culprits are the pollens from grasses, flowers and trees, and daily pollen counts give one some idea how bad the problem is on any given day.

Learn more about managing hayfever here.