Ageing and Herbal Management of these Conditions.

Ageing and Herbal Management of these Conditions.

My 95-year-old grandmother said to me very recently that she feels like a young girl inside, and often gets a surprise when she sees an old woman looking back at her.  She feels like she can do anything, however, her body is often not co-operating.

As we age we can have many issues with our health, here some herbs that help with the symptom management of some of these diseases:  

• Shingles – Andrographis, Echinacea root. Topically Cayenne, Licorice, Lemon balm and Propolis
• Vascular dementia – Bacopa, Ginkgo (for recent onset), Grape seed
• Urethritis – Andrographis (acute dose) Buchu, Corn silk, Couch grass, Goldenrod, Horsetail, Marshmallow, Meadowsweet.
• Vision to improve – Bilberry, Ginkgo, Grape seed and Schisandra.
• Alzheimer’s – Korean ginseng, Ginkgo, Paeonia, Bacopa.
• Varicose veins and haemorrhoids – Horse chestnut, Ginkgo, Butcher’s broom, Gotu kola orally.

Unfortunately, as we get older we are prescribing more and more medications to manage these symptoms.  It is vital that you make sure your pharmacist/doctor checks for interactions and not just think that because you have been going to the same doctor/pharmacist forever they will know.  This includes telling them about supplements that you might purchase from the chemist as well.

Before becoming a Clinical Herbalist I worked in aged care as an assistant nurse, there I was able to see first hand how many times people became confused and continued to take medication that should have been stopped when prescribed another tablet.  It can cause such symptoms as confusion, dizziness, elevated heart rate etc.

So do the right thing and check before taking medications/herbal supplement and make sure they are safe for you and your symptoms.  Don’t assume that because you have been seeing the same doctor/pharmacist etc they have received your change in medication after a recent admission to hospital, or that the nice pharmacy assistant said this natural supplement would help.  If the health industry always discloses any medications and supplements to your practitioner for your own health and wellbeing and so the practitioner may correctly prescribe what you need to get better.