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Starve a fever Feed a cold?

As winter approaches and temperatures drop, the sneezes and coughs heard in the classroom and workplaces are increasing. It’s the time of the year again, when colds and flu are prevalent. The common cold can be caused by any one of 200 different viruses, with symptoms such as sore throats, a runny or blocked nose, coughs, breathlessness and headaches and fever. Prevention is always better than cure, and by eating healthily and providing ourselves with all the nutrients we need, our bodies are more able to fight off these highly contagious bugs.

‘Starve a fever, feed a cold’ is a saying we are all familiar with, but how true is it? Although the saying was used as far back as 1500, there seems to be no conclusive agreement about where it came from. It may have simply come about because when you have a fever you often don’t feel like eating, and when you have a cold you can still have an appetite. Feeding a cold does not mean eating lots, as eating big meals and processed foods can take vital energy to digest, energy which would be better used to fight infections. Experts generally agree that whether you have a fever or a cold, rest and drinking lots of fluids is the most important course of action, however if you do have an appetite then eating moderately and healthily may help your body fight the infection.

Nature provides a treasure chest of foods with healing and immune boosting properties. The link between nutrition and health is well documented; a healthy diet can provide the body with the resources it needs to fight infection. Nutrients such as the vitamins A, C and E, and zinc are all important in the fight against colds and flu. If you have a cold but still have an appetite then picking certain foods can help with the healing process.

Foods

Fruits and soups
Fruits and vegetables are high in vitamin C and antioxidants which can help the immune system fight infections. If you don’t have an appetite then drinking fruit or vegetable juices can be a good way of topping up on your vitamin C. Many experts believe a high intake of vitamin C can indeed shorten the duration of a cold. A traditional drink of ‘honey and lemon’ is especially useful for respiratory tract infections. Lemon has twice as much vitamin C as oranges, and also contains B vitamins which are vital for energy. Chicken soup has also been promoted as being effective in the fight against colds. Chicken has mild antibiotic properties, and has been found to reduce inflammation, as well as helping to break up the mucus during a cold.

Garlic
Garlic can provide an excellent boost to the immune system, with its anti-bacterial properties. Garlic contains several useful compounds including allicin which works as a decongestant, and is one of the plant kingdoms most potent antibiotics. Onions share many of the same therapeutic properties as garlic.

Ginger
Ginger has pain relieving, antiviral and antiseptic properties. It can be drunk as a tea or freshly grated ginger root can be added to soups or smoothies, for treating colds, sore throats and inflammation of mucus membranes. Ginger can also help reduce pain and fever, and has a mild sedative effect that can encourage rest. Try adding ginger to hot honey and lemon.

Foods rich in Zinc
Zinc increases the production of white blood cells which fight infection. Zinc can be found in steak, brown rice, lentils and beans.

Herbs

Echinacea
Echinacea has been used by American Indians for hundreds of years. There is a common belief that Echinacea is an immune stimulant and therefore should not be taken long term, however much research has been done to suggest it is actually an ‘immunomodulator’ which improves the efficiency of the immune system. Echinacea improves the way the immune system recognise pathogens (micro-organisms that carry disease), and helps the body respond more rapidly to them. As Echinacea improves the whole process of recognising and dealing with bugs, it is an extremely effective herb to use to speed up recovery time during an illness. It can also be taken over the winter or during periods of high stress to keep your immune system on alert.

Sage
Sage has been used traditionally for soothing sore throats, due its antiseptic and anti-bacterial qualities.

Cinnamon and Cloves
Cinnamon and cloves are both antiseptic as well as being a tonic and stimulant. They warm the whole system and help to fight the tiredness that often accompanies colds.

Lemon balm
Useful for fevers; lemon balm tea can promote sweating and help the body eliminate toxins.

Foods to avoid

Alcohol
Although it might be quite tempting to make yourself a hot toddy, it is probably better the resist the urge. Alcohol appears to impair the body’s ability to wipe out cells carrying the cold virus. On top of this it affects the absorption of vitamins and minerals needed to fight against the infection.

Dairy products
Studies have shown diary products can increase mucus in the upper respiratory tract, so should be avoided especially is you are ‘bunged up’

Refined carbohydrates
Refined carbohydrates can increase the burden on the immune system. White blood cells are needed for the body to digest them, and therefore these cells are not available to fight infections.


In conclusion ‘feeding a cold’ and picking nutritious foods can certainly help in the battle against colds. Increasing your intake of Vitamin C, for example, can shorten the duration of a bug. Ultimately you need to listen to your body, if you want to eat, do, and if you don’t rest and drink plenty of fluids. However ‘starve a fever’ does not have as much credibility, as you can feed a fever with the drinks you pick. Choosing fruit juices or certain herbal teas can certainly help in the fight against fever. Lemon balm tea can be especially useful for people with fever as it promotes sweating. Think of nutritious foods as part of your cold/fever armour, and you’ll be ready to do battle whenever illness strikes.

“Let food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food”
Hippocrates

Please note: This article is not intended as advice, I am not medically qualified, however I have been interested in nutrition and alternative remedies for around 20 years, and I have done a lot of research into this area of interest.

From now on articles on

Jax Writers Spot

will be posted fortnightly

This will allow me the time I need to research and work on my book

I hope you will still join me every fortnight to read my articles.

Can a change in diet help reduce
hyperactivity in children?
Part two.

Having a hyperactive child, with symptoms such as disruptive and destructive behaviour, mood swings, temper tantrums, poor concentration and learning difficulties can leave parents exhausted and frustrated. Last week I mentioned that the use of drugs such as Ritalin to treat hyperactivity in children is on the increase. Ritalin can certainly help some children, giving them the ability to slow down, focus, and behave, however Lawrence. H. Diller M.D, a paediatrician who has written extensively on the subject, suggests Ritalin may treat problems of ‘brain chemistry’ in some children but will also mask social or environmental factors causing hyperactivity in many other children.

The Hyperactive Children’s Support Group believes that diet can have a lot to do with hyperactivity in many children. This article will explore the links between diet and hyperactive behaviour in two parts. Last week it discussed the effect of additives on children’s behaviour, and this week it will explore whether other foods can exasperate hyperactivity.

The idea that nutrition can affect children’s moods and behaviour is not new. However opinions in the medical community differ greatly. Many doctors still do not accept the link between nutrition and hyperactivity, and instead tend to look at other factors that can cause hyperactivity such as parenting style and problems at school. While environmental and social factors are likely to affect children’s behaviour and shouldn’t be dismissed, much research has suggested a dietary and nutritional approach to hyperactivity can provide amazing results. The link made between a rise in poor eating habits, and an increase of cases of obesity in children, is widely accepted. However poor diet and/or intolerances to certain foods could also provide an explanation for why it is estimated that 5% of school age children have ADHD or hyperactive behaviour.

Getting the right nutrients from foods is essential to aid children’s growth and development, and provides fuel for the brain and body. With many children eating diets high in fat, sugar, salt, and processed foods they may not be getting all the nutrients they need. ‘Food for the brain’ is a non profit educational charity which was created by nutritionists, doctors, and psychiatrists to research and educate people about nutrition and the links between food and behaviour and mood. They suggest there are many possible dietary reasons for hyperactive behaviour which could be explored before resorting to drug treatment. These reasons include: blood sugar problems, essential fat deficiencies, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and food allergies.

In the biggest survey of its kind, between September 2006 and July 2007, ‘Food for the brain’ surveyed parents of 10,000 children aged between 6 and 16 about their children’s eating habits and behaviour, and found a significant association between diet and behaviour. The survey provides strong evidence that a balanced diet which includes vegetables, oily fish, nuts, seeds, fruits and whole foods can improve children’s behaviour and their ability to concentrate and learn.


Blood sugar problems
The survey found that the children’s average consumption of sugary foods was 3.5 servings a day, which compared to an average 1 serving a week of green vegetables, and ½ a serving a week of nuts and seeds, shows that many of the children’s diets were not that well balanced. Of the surveyed children 45% had constant sugar cravings, and of those 44% had low attention spans and 37% had mood swings. When a child consumes lots of sweets, chocolates, refined carbohydrates, juices and fizzy drinks, without also eating fibre which can regulate the rate at which our bodies produce glucose, the blood sugar levels can fluctuate quite dramatically and affect their behaviour and ability to focus and concentrate. Patrick Holford who is a Professor of Nutrition at the University of Teesside was the head of the study, and he compared many of the children to jetfighters constantly refuelling with sugary snacks.

If you are thinking of reducing the sugar intake in your child’s diet, it’s important to note that cutting sugar out when a child is used to lots of sugary snacks, can cause withdrawal symptoms such as headaches. It is much better to do this gradually. One way to keep blood sugar levels balanced is to eat regularly, don’t skip breakfast, and to eat complex carbohydrates such as wholemeal bread, fruit, seeds and nuts, which release energy slowly as our bodies need it.

Essential fat deficiency
Not only have Omega 3 and 6 essential fats been promoted as being good for children’s brain health, researchers also suggest children with ADHD or hyperactivity may have more need for Omegas 3 and 6 as they are unable to absorb them properly. Other symptoms of a deficiency in these essential fats include excessive thirst, and dry skin. There are many studies which have supported the claim that Omegas 3 and 6 can help hyperactive children.

In the BBC’s documentary ‘Child of our times’ Professor Robert Winstone put this to the test, when he gave two children with different behavioural problems daily doses of fish oils. Three months later one boys’ aggressive behaviour had almost vanished, and the other boy who had been withdrawn had become outgoing and popular.

In another study undertaken by Oxford University, 41 children with ADHD symptoms aged 8 to 12 were given Omega 3 and 6 supplements, and after three months they were behaving and learning much better. The most valuable form of Omegas 3 and 6 can be found in fish. However if a child is a vegetarian then Omega 3 can be found in flax (available as a supplement) or pumpkin seeds, and Omega 6 can be found in evening primrose oil.

It’s important to note that a deficiency in some vitamins and minerals, as well as eating foods that the child may have an intolerance to, will inhibit the absorption of essential fats.

Vitamin and Mineral deficiencies
There have been many studies which have suggested children with hyperactivity are deficient in many of the essential vitamins and minerals.

‘Food for the brain’ put forward that children with hyperactive behaviour are often deficient in Zinc and Magnesium. Polish researchers found of 116 children with ADHD symptoms, 95% had low levels of magnesium. They gave some of the children 200mg of Magnesium for six months and found their hyperactive behaviour significantly decreased.

B vitamins are also essential for brain development and may be useful for children who are hyperactive. Vitamin B6, for example, stimulates serotonin release in the brain and Children with ADHD symptoms generally have lower serotonin levels.

Other minerals suggested as being important for children with hyperactive behaviour include selenium, (important for detoxification) and iron. Deficiencies in iron can result in shortened attention span and irritability.

Vitamins and minerals work in synergy with each other and their absorption is reliant on getting all the essential nutrients. If a child has intolerances to certain foods this can also inhibit absorption. Eating a well round balanced diet is the best way to provide a child with all the nutrients they need.

For more information on eating a balanced nutritious diet check out the Food Doctor’s information leaflet on hyperactivity and diet or click on the ‘Food for the brain’ children’s survey from their homepage and download a free leaflet ‘Smart food for Smart kids’ (see more information at the end of the article).

Food intolerances
As previously mentioned there is a lot of scepticism in the medical community about the relationship between diet and behaviour. The idea that certain foods may cause hyperactivity is hotly contested by many doctors. The main sticking point seems to be the difference between food allergies and food intolerances. If someone eats a food they are allergic too it is likely to produce severe immediate reactions, commonly associated with foods such as peanuts and shellfish. Food intolerances are also allergies, but produce symptoms that are not only delayed, but also less severe and not so easy to detect, such as hyperactivity.

According to ‘Food for the brain’ the link between hyperactivity and food allergies is the most established. A study undertaken by Georgetown University in Washington DC, found that children who had hyperactive symptoms were seven times more likely to have food allergies than children who weren’t hyperactive. An investigation by the Hyperactive Children’s Support group found that 50% of children with hyperactivity had allergies to cow’s milk, 60% to chocolate and 40% to oranges. If children eat foods they have an intolerance to, it will also inhibit the absorption of the essential nutrients, further compounding their symptoms.

As far back as the 1970’s Dr Ben Feingold suggested as well as additives, naturally occurring salicylates in some fruits could trigger hyperactivity. Foods with naturally occurring salicylates include: apples, avocados, peaches, blueberries, kiwi fruit, raspberries, dates, figs, plums, and grapefruit. Feingold’s theory has however been the subject of much criticism over the years.

In the 1990’s William G Crook M.D suggested an overgrowth of yeast is a factor that can exasperate hyperactive behaviour. He put forward an over subscription of antibiotics in early years, destroys friendly bacteria and creates an environment for yeast to thrive. Eating lots of sugar will also feed the yeast and encourage an overgrowth.

Other foods often found to induce behavioural changes include: diary products, wheat, corn, soya, peanuts and eggs. There are a number of ways to find out whether a child may have a sensitivity/intolerance to certain foods. One way is to follow an elimination diet where suspect foods are not eaten for a couple of weeks, and if this does not appear to make a difference then they can be re-introduced. By writing a food and mood diary, behaviour and relation to foods eaten can be monitored. It can take months for the foods to completely clear from a child’s system however if a child has an intolerance to a certain food then differences will be noticeable in a couple of weeks.

Another option is to visit a nutritionist, who can test for allergies/intolerances to certain foods. One of the ways they may do this is by practising Kinesiology, which uses muscle testing. Possible allergens are placed on a person’s body and in the case of an allergy the subject will not have the strength to resist even a gentle pressure on their limbs. For information on how to locate a nutritionist in your area see more information at the end of the article.

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There has been lots of research supporting the link between hyperactivity and food; however there is not enough official information out there. Sally Bunday, founder of the Hyperactive Children’s Support group, says many doctors aren’t aware or just don’t accept the link between diet and behaviour and mood, and wonders how much more research needs to be done before it is accepted. Even though a link is often not acknowledged by the medical community, while researching for this article I found many case studies where parents have noticed a remarkable change in their children’s behaviour after addressing their diets. Looking at your child’s diet, eating less fat, sugar, and processed foods, and ensuring a balanced nutritious diet can do a lot to help hyperactivity, and surely it should be the first thing to try before reaching for the Ritalin.

“Let food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food”
Hippocrates

For more information:

Books:
They are what you feed them, How food affects your child’s behaviour mood and learning by Dr Alex Richardson.

Websites:
Food for the brain Food for the Brain - ADHD/hyperactivity

Food and behaviour research Food and Behaviour Research: Home

The food doctor Hyperactivity advice, health advice, The Food Doctor, The UK's leading nutrition clinic

Hyperactive Children’s Support group HOME (www.hcsg.org.uk)

For a nutritionist in your area:
Institute of Optimum Nutrition Nutrition Courses, Nutritional Therapy Education Advice Information, ION Institute for Optimum Nutrition

Association of Systematic-Kinesiology Association of Systematic Kinesiology

Please note: This article is not intended as advice, I am not medically qualified, however I have been interested in nutrition and alternative remedies for around 20 years, and I have done a lot of research into this area of interest.

Can a change in diet help reduce
hyperactivity in children?
Part one.

Having a hyperactive child, with symptoms such as disruptive and destructive behaviour, mood swings, temper tantrums, poor concentration and learning difficulties can leave parents exhausted and frustrated. For many parents they seek help from the doctor and may find their children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), and prescribed drugs such as Ritalin. Ritalin can certainly help some children, giving them the ability to slow down, focus, and behave, however is it always necessary? Lawrence. H. Diller M.D, a paediatrician who has written extensively on the subject, suggests Ritalin may treat problems of ‘brain chemistry’ in some children but will also mask social or environmental factors causing hyperactivity in many other children. Prescriptions for Ritalin have escalated dramatically over the past few years and Diller suggests other possible causes of hyperactivity should be explored before prescribing this amphetamine like drug.

For children who do have a chemical imbalance causing their hyperactivity, then Ritalin may well help however there are many other factors that can cause hyperactive behaviour. The Hyperactive Children’s Support Group believes that diet can have a lot to do with hyperactivity in many children. This article will explore the links between diet and hyperactive behaviour in two parts. This week it will discuss the effect of additives on children’s behaviour, and next week it will explore whether other foods can exasperate hyperactivity.

The links made between hyperactivity and additives have been around for many years. As far back as 1987 ‘E for additives’ by Maurice Hanssen and Jill Marsden and was a masive bestseller. It listed additives, gave information on which ones were natural, why they are added to food, as well as which ones could have potentially harmful effects. In the same year Dr Neil Ward from the University of Surrey found that out of 357 children with a diagnosis of hyperactivity, 82% had adverse reactions to artificial colours, and 72% to artificial preservatives. Since then many studies have been done on this subject. However this year research has been undertaken which is proving to be one of the most conclusive studies yet.

The study undertaken by the University of Southampton and commisioned by the Food Standards Agency, has concluded that there is a link between certain additives and an increase in hyperactivity in children. The study involved 153 children aged three, and 144 children aged eight and nine. Over a period of six weeks they were given either one of three drinks; two being a combination of different additives, and the other being a placebo. Recipients were selected to be representative of the range of behaviour in the general population. The study showed children on the additive mixes, which contained combinations of food colourings and sodium benzoate, did become more hyperactive, than the group given the placebo. The colours used in the drink mixes were; Sunset yellow (E110), Tartrazine (E102), Carmoisine (E122), Ponceau 4R (E124), Quinoline yellow (E104), and Allura red (E129).

Other studies conducted on the link between additives and hyperactivity, while supporting the link, have been not been so conclusive. A study undertaken on the Isle of Wight in 2002, similarly gave groups of children either an additive laden drink or a placebo. The parents were instructed their children should follow an additive free diet apart from the drinks during the study. The results were evaluated using parents accounts of their children’s behaviour and assessments undertaken by psychologists. While the parents reported a beneficial effect on hyperactive behaviour when additives were removed, the psychologists were not able to find any significant change in the behaviour of the children.

External factors were carefully controlled and monitored during the Southampton study. Parents were asked to cut out all additives in the children’s diet during the study. Compliance with the diet was monitored by the parents writing a diary indicating how many of the drinks the children were consuming, as well as accounts of any slip up’s when the children may have consumed additives in other foods. The behaviour of the children was assessed using a range of different measures. Weekly assessments were made, using a standardised rating system, by parents and teachers as well as independent assessors who observed the children three times a week. The older children were additionally assessed by using a computer-based attention task. The attention to detail in the study has produced conclusive results that the government and food producers cannot ignore.

While this study supports cutting out certain additives, Dr Andrew Wadge a chief scientist from the Food Standards Agency says we need to remember there could be other factors contributing towards hyperactivity in children such as; possible genetic reasons, or social factors including the children’s environment and upbringing. Due to these possible other influences Professor Jim Stevenson from Southhampton University; the author of the Study, suggests parents should not think simply cutting out additives will prevent hyperactivity. However he adds avoiding additives is something parents and children can do, which may well have a positive effect on behaviour.

The Southampton study has certainly brought the issue of additives in foods into the public arena again. However shouldn’t we be looking at banning these additives if they clearly can have such a damaging affect? The Food Standards Agency have been criticised for not acting on the study and proposing a ban on the additives involved, instead they have presented the research to the European Food Safety Authority and have agreed to wait for them to make a decision on whether to ban the additives in the study.

They have however revised their information on food additives which can be found at Food Standards Agency - Homepage Also in October of this year they held a meeting where groups such as the British Medical Association, the Food and Drink Association, and the Nutrition Society sat alongside representatives from Marks and Spencer, Morrisons, and Somerfield to discuss further action that could be taken to provide advice to parents on avoiding additives. As consumers are becoming more concerned about what goes into the food they buy, food manufacturers are taking note, and now producing a wide range of foods which claim to be additive and preservative free.

Many studies, including the Southampton study, have supported the claims that taking a dietary and nutritional approach to ADHD and hyperactivity is well worth trying. If your child is hyperactive, instead of trying the drug treatment route first, looking at their diet, and cutting out food laden with additives may well have a positive effect on children’s behaviour. With a wide range of foods claiming to be additive free this is now easier to do. One added benefit of taking this approach is it may result in children and parents eating a healthier diet. Eating an all round healthy diet and getting all the important nutrients from food, can put a stop to many health problems, and is vital to help children grow and develop. Next week I will investigate the claims that certain foods can help or aggravate hyperactive behaviour.

“Let food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food”
Hippocrates

Are prenuptial agreements a good idea?

The much reported feud between Heather Mills and Paul McCartney since their marriage broke up, has been in the news again over the last week. The Guardian reported on Saturday that in a marathon eight hour mediation session the couple failed to agree on a settlement. The main reason for the talks breaking down seems to be Ms Mills’s refusal to accept a confidentiality clause which would stop Ms Mills talking about their four year marriage or the financial settlement she receives. Although it’s reported that a provisional court date has been set for February, it seems they are still keen to reach an arrangement out of court, and see court as a last resort.

Unconfirmed reports have said Ms Mills would like a settlement figure of £50 million and that Sir Paul has offered less, however with the cost of high profile divorces increasing, there has been much media speculation suggesting she could awarded as much as £200million of Sir Paul’s £800million fortune. Princess Diana’s divorce settlement of £17million, 10 years ago seems like a mere pittance compared to today’s climate; with divorce settlements such as £48million, being paid out by John Charman (Insurance tycoon) last year, and £100million being paid out by Peter Harrison (Computer tycoon) in 2003. It may seem more important than ever, to embark on a prenuptial agreement. This article will discuss the pros and cons of drawing up a prenuptial agreement prior to getting married, and whether it would have actually made the divorce process for Sir Paul and Ms Mills easier.

Although not only for couples where there is financial inequality and extreme wealth involved, many lawyers are now advising wealthy clients to get a prenuptial agreement. A prenuptial may not only protect the financial assets of their clients, but also protect financial well being of children in a previous marriage. It sets financial expectations on the table, and eliminates conflicts over finances in the event of divorce. A prenuptial may prevent a messy bitter divorce, and possibly avoid upsetting any children involved.

Many Celebrities are embarking on prenuptial agreements. Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise did not have a prenuptial agreement before their marriage, which led to a bitter feud developing until they finally reached a settlement. Second time around Nicole Kidman drew up a prenuptial with her husband Keith Urban, which allows her to divorce him for free if he returns to drink and drugs. Her ex husband, Tom Cruise, also insisted on a prenuptial agreement before his marriage to Katie Holmes.

One case against prenuptial agreements is that they are unromantic and denote mistrust. They may suggest the partner asking for one is not as committed to the marriage. Katie Holmes, in response to Tom’s insistence to set up a prenuptial, was reported to have said she was head over heals in love with him and very upset that their love may not be equal. However because of the size of Tom’s fortune she felt she had no choice but to go along with it. After much negotiation between Katie’s solicitor father and Tom’s Lawyers, a prenuptial agreement was finally agreed upon. In Ms Mill’s case she claims she offered to sign a prenuptial agreement before her marriage to Sir Paul, however he turned it down as he felt it was unromantic.

Arlene Dubin, a New York lawyer, advises lovers to talk about a prenuptial early on in a relationship, and suggests it’s a myth that they denote a lack of love and trust. Whether prenuptial agreements ease the divorce proceedings, is however a hotly contested debate. Peter Wolf of Berg Legal says it is wrong for people to believe a prenuptial agreement will give them extra protection. In order for prenuptials to be considered in the break up of a marriage, they need to be fair to both parties, who should both seek legal advice, and also need to be based on a full and honest disclosure of partner’s assets.

Although prenuptial agreements have had an influence in divorce proceedings, they are not actually legally binding in this country. If there appears to be any trickery in the agreement, such as one partner saying they did not enter into an agreement voluntarily or under duress, then the agreement is worthless.

Jeremy Levision is one of the so called ‘magic circle’ of lawyers who represent wealthy clients in divorce proceedings. He has acted for Mandy Smith in her divorce with Bill Wyman in 1992, and Chris Tarrant’s estranged wife, among others. He is one of the many lawyers who are advising clients, where extreme wealth or inequality of wealth is involved, that it’s safer not to get married. If clients still want to go ahead with marriage, he will help with a prenuptial agreement, but suggests they still need to keep their fingers crossed.

Mark Harper another of the ‘magic circle’ is also in agreement with Mr Levision and advises clients who want a prenuptial agreement to not get married. It is becoming increasingly less likely in cases where extreme wealth is involved, to settle out of court, and whether the courts pay attention to prenuptial agreements, really does depend on the individual cases. They do not actually have to adhere to them at all.

There are certainly no clear answers as to whether it is worth drawing up a prenuptial agreement. Having a prenuptial agreement may have helped the McCartney/Mills divorce settlement run more smoothly. Clear expectations agreed upon at the onset of the marriage, may have helped limit the feud between them after their split. However they still may not be worth the paper they are written on. There is still no guarantee they wouldn’t have still disagreed about settlements, and in the case of that happening any prenuptial agreement would have been quite likely to be dismissed altogether.

With more extreme sums of money involved in divorce proceedings, more cases going to court, the appointment of prestigious lawyers, as well as the media interest divorces between celebrities invokes, maybe the best advice is not to get married at all.

Aloe Vera
Nature’s Treasure Chest

Often promoted as a miracle plant and natural healer, the health benefits of Aloe Vera have been well documented for many centuries. An Egyptian papyrus dated 1500BC discovered in 1862, was the earliest mention of the therapeutic effects of Aloe Vera. Egyptian Queens used Aloe Vera, as part of their beautifying rituals for its moisturising qualities. It is also thought that Alexander the Great conquered the island of Socrotra in the Indian Ocean, where Aloe Vera grew, so he could use it to treat his soldier’s wounds. Throughout history many people have had a lot to say about Aloe Vera, including Christopher Columbus (1451 – 1506) who said:

"Four vegetables are indispensable for the well being of man:
Wheat, the grape, the olive and aloe.
The first nourishes him, the second raises his spirit,
The third brings him harmony, and the fourth cures him"

Mahatma Gandhi (1869 – 1948) when asked what helped sustain him through his fasts replied:

“It was my unshakeable faith in God, my simple and frugal lifestyle, and the Aloe whose benefits I discovered upon my arrival in South Africa at the end of the nineteenth century".

Aloe Vera flourishes in warm and dry environments, and although it looks more like a cactus it is actually a member of the Lily family. It has the ability to stay moist by closing its pores to prevent moisture being lost. While there are over 200 varieties of Aloe, it is the ‘Aloe Barbadenisis Miller’ variety known as Aloe Vera, which is used for its medicinal qualities. The gel from the inner part of the leaf is extracted to make the Aloe Vera gel and liquid available today.

Aloe Vera is a powerhouse of nutritional compounds, with 75 vitamins, minerals, enzymes and amino acids being so far identified by scientists. It seems to be the synergistic way the nutrients work together that gives Aloe Vera its healing qualities. As well as a long list of nutrients, Aloe Vera contains seven of the eight ‘essential’ amino acids which the human body needs but cannot manufacture itself. Amino Acids are the building blocks of proteins and are important for every function of the body, especially brain function.

An American nutritionist; Dr Bruce Hedendal suggests the key to Aloe Vera’s healing powers is due to its high content of long-chain sugars known as mucopolysaccharides (MPS), which he says are as essential to the body as bricks are to a house. There has been a lot of research into Aloe Vera, with some studies being more conclusive than others. However the health benefits of Aloe Vera reported below have been witnessed and promoted by Nutritionists, Alternative therapists, and Medical practitioners all over the world.

Much research has supported the claims that Aloe Vera is especially beneficial for digestive health. Dr. Jeffrey Bland of the Linus Pauling Institute of Science and Medicine in California found that Aloe Vera promoted movement of food through the bowel, improved bowel regularity, normalised the PH balance in the gut, and reduced yeast content in the digestive tract. It also aids protein digestion, and the absorption of nutrients. Aloe Vera has been promoted by nutritionists as a useful remedy for a number of digestive complaints including; acid indigestion, candida, colitis, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

For over 300 years the gel has been used internally, in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas and the Northern states of Mexico, for the treatment of ulcers. Studies undertaken by clinically experienced practitioners have supported this, but have not been conclusive enough to make a claim Aloe Vera can prevent and help heal ulcers.

Another well researched area of Aloe Vera’s health benefits are its healing properties. It’s a natural antiseptic, antibiotic, and has been found to aid cell regeneration, which makes it a powerful healing agent for both internal and external wounds. A study by Dr Ivan Danhof, a leading expert on Aloe Vera, who has acted as a consultant to the US Food and Drug Administration, noted that Aloe Vera stimulates the uptake of calcium and phosphorus, which can aid the healing of broken bones. Aloe Vera has also been found to be anti-inflammatory and can soothe and relieve muscular pain and sprains, as well as being very effective for burns and rashes. Many alternative therapists advocate its use internally and externally for conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.

Aloe Vera gel is also an extremely effective moisturiser which works in two ways. Firstly it has the ability to carry moisture and nutrients down through all the layers of the skin, and secondly it creates a barrier which prevents the moisture from escaping. As well as this it has anti-ageing qualities. Dr Danhof investigated these claims, and found that Aloe Vera increased the production of ‘fibroblast’ cells found in the skin, which in turn stimulate the production of collagen, thus keeping the skin firm and supple.

As if this amazing plant doesn’t do enough Aloe Vera can have a positive effect on the immune system. There has been much scientific evidence which suggests Aloe Vera contains substances which are active both in stimulating the growth of white blood cells which ingest harmful bacteria, as well as stimulating the formation of antibodies.

Aloe Vera has been one of the most studied of natural ingredients, with 3000 articles published about it since the 1920’s. There have been encouraging results obtained when looking at its effect on cancer and AIDS, however they are not considered conclusive as most of the studies have been done on animals. These studies should not be dismissed altogether though as Aloe Vera’s powerful anti-viral properties, and its ability to enhance immune cell production, may certainly also help the body fight against AIDS, and certain cancers.

Aloe Vera is clearly a plant with a wide range of health benefits; it supports the immune system, has anti-inflammatory properties, boosts cell growth, accelerates tissue healing, aids the digestive system, as well as providing a rich source of nutrients. It is certainly a useful addition to anyone’s first aid kit, or indeed their daily diet as a general health tonic.

With so many Aloe Vera products available today to ensure quality there are a few pointers to look out for. The Aloe gel should be listed as the first ingredient, steer clear of any products that state ‘aqua’ as the first ingredient as they are likely to be made from re-constituted powder. Also check the gel or liquid is in a completely sealed container, and lastly look out for the official IASC (International Aloe Science Council) certification on the package.

Please note I am not medically qualified, however I have been interested in nutrition and alternative remedies for around 20 years, and I have done a lot of research into this area of interest.

For more information on Aloe Vera look at:

The International Aloe Science Council’s website where you can find links to certified suppliers at: http://www.iasc.org/index.html

Aloe Vera Nature’s legendary healer by Alasdair Barcroft Sovenir press

Internal uses of Aloe Vera by Dr Ivan E Danhof Ph.D M.D

Tom Hodgkinson on the history of Anarchism

at Port Eliot Lit Fest

The Port Eliot Literature festival is situated on the landscaped grounds of the 18th century Port Eliot House at St Germans in Cornwall. Taking part over three days, the Lit fest attracts a diverse range of performers, and has something for all tastes. Whether you want to catch some music, listen to poetry, see talks by authors about their work, watch films, or take part in a pub quiz, the Port Eliot Lit fest will not disappoint.

One of the people I was most eager to see was Tom Hodgkinson who was talking about Anarchism. Anarchism has had a very bad press, and it often conjures up images of bomb throwers, vandals, and chaos. However while studying politics, I found the Anarchist ideology the most inspiring. Unlike some other political philosophies which suggest people are naturally competitive and greedy, Anarchism puts forward that people are naturally co-operative, and will work together for the collective good with the absence of government and authority.

Tom Hodgkinson is the founder and editor of the Idler, a bi-annual magazine, and author of ‘How to be Idle’ and ‘How to be Free’. He started up the Idler in 1993 as an attack on work as it is. He was working hard for little money and thought there must be another way. He wanted to explore and find ways of reorganising work, so he could be autonomous, and recreate work so it could be liberating instead of soul destroying. In his talk Tom provided a potted history of Anarchism, and the ideas and people behind it.

The philosophy of Anarchism can be traced back to the Taoists. One eminent Taoist philosopher; ‘Laozi’ said the best form of government is a government you don’t really know is there. Another key concept of Taoist belief which has influenced Anarchism, is to ‘go with the flow’ meaning to go through life like a river, travel along paths of least resistance, and create unique and beautiful curves as you go through the land on the way to the sea.

As far back as the 14th century, there were medieval movements similar to Anarchism, such as the ‘Brethren of Free Spirit’ which was inspired by Sufism, the mystical branch of Islam. They believed if you found god, and reached a plane of higher being, ordinary everyday morality meant nothing to you. You could do anything and indulge in the pleasure of luxury.

These ideas later came back in 17th century with the ‘Ranters’ and the ‘Levellers’ who protested against the status quo. The ‘Levellers’ dug up common land as a protest against the enclosure system. The ‘Ranters’ were the most extreme, and had a similar philosophy to the ‘Brethren of free spirit’; you could do anything you wanted, you didn’t even need to work. Their slogan was ‘Bread for god’s sake’, they baked, they didn’t need to work and saw work as a kind of a vanity.

One key stage in the development of the Anarchist philosophy was around the time of the Industrial revolution in the late 18th century. People had to clock in at certain times and often did 16 hours a day. To encourage this there was a concerted campaign by educators, leaders and churches, to convince people that punctuality was next to godliness. In the past when societies were mainly rural, people weren’t used to working around a standardised time, they worked with the seasons, and work depended on the weather.

In the same period William Godwin was a key figure in British Anarchism. He was the father of Mary Shelley (author of Frankenstein) and was married to Mary Wollstonecraft author of ‘A Vindication of the Rights of Women’. William was fiercely anti authority and the consumer society which was starting to develop. He didn’t call himself an Anarchist; this was a label he was given later. At the time the philosophy of Anarchism was more promoted by romantic poets such as William Blake. Lines from his poems such as; ‘the dark satanic mills’ are commonly interpreted as being about the factories taking people’s essential creativity away from them, and destroying their spirit.

Kropotkin was another massive influence on Anarchism. He was a Russian prince who absconded from Russia and settled in Coventry, where he wrote books such as ‘Mutual aid’ and ‘Field factories and workers’ and worked on Freedom magazine. His book ‘Mutual aid’ was not so much an attack on Darwin, but on the uses that Darwin’s theories were being put to. He disagreed with the idea that there is a natural competitiveness and that competition should become the motivating source of society, and indeed relationships. Kropotkin put forward co-operation was just as an important force, and that people were naturally co-operative.

These ideas were coming out around the same time as Marx’s philosophies in the 19th century. This was a period of great political agitation, most probably due to the inequities of Industrial revolution. Kropotkin had more of an influence on the ground, and among others inspired Oscar Wilde, who said Kropotkin was the most cheerful man he’d ever meet.

Kropotkin’s definition of Anarchism (1905) appeared in the Encyclopaedia Britannica:

“Anarchism is the name given to a principle of theory of life and conduct under which society is conceived without government - harmony in such a society being obtained, not by submission to law, or by obedience to any authority, but by free agreements concluded between various groups, territorial and professional, freely constituted for the sake of production and consumption, as also for the satisfaction of the infinite variety of the needs and aspirations of a civilized being. In a society developed on these lines, the voluntary associations which already now begin to cover all fields of human activity would take a still greater extension so as to substitute themselves for the state of its functions.”

People not mentioned too much in Anarchist history are William Morris and Ruskin. They were both medievalists and were interested in how work could be recreated to be enjoyable. Ruskin suggested people go and look at the old cathedrals in Florence, which were built at the time of a free state. People had freed themselves from landlords and created their own communes. The word ‘commune’ was used as the communal good was more important than the individual. They all got together to build these amazing cathedrals.

There is a weird link between Medievalism and Anarchy. When people think of medieval times they often think of ill health, bad teeth, bloodshed, cruelty and torture, and some of these things are true, but it was also a time of a real collective spirit. There was a different approach to life, which had come through the bible and Aristotle’s ethics, which were translated and spread across Europe. These theories talked about co-operation, and contemplation. Aristotle believed a contemplative life was most likely to lead to living blissfully, not the busy rushing around life we are used to today.

There was not enough time to go into detail about everyone who has had an influence on Anarchist philosophy. However Tom was able to briefly mention Tolstoy; a Christian Anarchist and pacifist, whose ideas influenced Gandhi among others. Later in the early 20th century, a key figure was Emma Goldman who created the radical political journal ‘Mother Earth’.

There was a kind of resurgence of Anarchist ideas in the 1920’s and 30’s among people like G.K Chesterton and Hillaire Belloc. They promoted the idea of ‘Distributism’. They believed each person should have their own property, as if they all had an acre of land and were able to be self sufficient; they could free themselves from their reliance on the government, and being a slave to wages. They believed property is freedom.

In the 1950’s the ‘Situationists’ in Europe were another movement fighting the status quo. They were asking what was going on in society, and were very anti work. They were also very artistic and often used art as a way of political agitation. They hung around the streets wearing trousers covered in writing and slogans, and almost had a punky look which later inspired Malcolm McLaren. The ideas and looks of the ‘Situationists’ may certainly have influenced the later punk movement.

In the 1970’s, key figures in Anarchism were Ivan Illich, whose most famous work was ‘Deschooling society’, and E.F.Schumacher who was an economist. He had worked for the coal board for 30 or 40 years, and came out of it with a philosophy that in economics we need to keep things small, when things get too big they get swallowed up into one big monopoly. The same sort of thing is happening now, as many people believe Tescos are getting too big, and has too much of a monopoly. This was what Schumacher was saying in the 1970’s.

Also in the 70’s the Sex Pistols burst on to the scene with their Anarchy and anger. It was a fantastic blast, producing one album, a chaotic American tour, and then they finished. For people sitting around thinking ‘am I alone in thinking life is shit?’ the Sex Pistol’s music enabled them to release their wild side, and got them thinking they could grab hold of their lives again. Punk had a huge impact in England at the time.

The lyrics of their song ‘Anarchy in the UK’ were very powerful and Tom provided us with his interpretation of what they meant. Lyrics such as; ‘property is freedom’ he suggests refers to everyone owning land, and being self sufficient (see Distributionists above). ‘I want to be Anarchy’ is likely to imply they want to encapsulate the whole Anarchist approach to life. ‘Don’t want to be a dogsbody’ is likely to be saying they don’t want to work for anyone else; they don’t want to be a wage slave. ‘I give the wrong time’ Tom interpreted as being about the standardised time of work and meaning ‘I’m going to subvert your capitalist idea of time’. ‘Stop the traffic line’ he believes may be illustrating where we’re going, as the building of roads is an inevitability of civilising our world. Finally the line ‘I use the enemy’ is likely to be about Anarchy itself, as an attack on society as it is, is what Anarchy is all about.

As Punk became more popular it also became more commercial. Crass the Anarchist punk band, around in the late 70’s became disappointed at this commercialism. They had tried to live the Anarchist philosophy for many years. In 1968 two of them had cycled around London and found land where they all started to live together in a commune. They grew their own vegetables, printed their own record sleeves, and took distribution into their own hands, not selling their records for more than 99p. They still live there today.

Today Anarchism still promotes the idea of communal living. Many people are becoming more and more removed from their communities. They travel to do their main shop at the supermarket and may not even know who their neighbours are. The Anarchist idea’s of communal living, communal gardens, shopping locally, and becoming engaged with our local communities may seem like a silly pipe dream, but it is possible, and has been shown to work in the past. For example in the 2nd world war people became more self sufficient, they had allotments, kept chickens, and were generally more involved in community living.

Alternative technology such as wind farms, which were considered to be a bonkers idea 20 or 30 years ago, are now being embraced and we are congratulating ourselves on our green living. Similarly there may be possibilities for Anarchist ideas in today’s society. Tom suggests:

“What was once regarded as impractical and visionary has now becoming eminently practical. If community face to face democracy, a humanistic liberatory technology, and decentralisation are conceived of merely as reactions to the prevailing state of affairs …… a compelling objective case can also be made for the practicability of an Anarchist society.”

Tom finished off with his ‘freedom manifesto’, written for the book ‘How to be free’, to much applause from the audience:

“Death to the supermarkets
Bake bread
Play the ukulele
Open the village hall
Action is futile
Quit moaning
Make music
Stop consuming
Start producing
Back to the land
Smash usury
Embrace beauty
Embrace poverty
Hail the chisel
Ignore the state
Reform is futile
Anarchy in the UK
Hail the spade
Hail the horse
Hail the quill
Love thy neighbour
Be creative
Free your spirit
Dig the Earth
Make compost
Life is absurd
We are free
Be merry”

Mental distress: where to turn for support in Cornwall

Everyone has days when they feel miserable; ups and downs are an inevitable part of life. However for some people, these lows don’t go away, they can become overpowering and affect their ability to cope with everyday life.

About one in four people experience some form of mental distress at some point in their lives, yet there is still a lot of stigma attached to being mentally ill. A Department of Health survey carried out in July asked people to say what they understand by the term mental illness. A worrying 63% of respondents defined a mentally ill person as ‘someone suffering from schizophrenia’. It is clear that there is a still a lot of misunderstanding surrounding mental health.

When people think about mental illness, many often picture someone who is acutely and visibly ill. However many people with mental health diagnoses, including schizophrenia, do not come across as being ill. Often they can put on a ‘well face’ and pass as ‘normal’.

Mental ill health can take many forms. If you are feeling low, worthless, and unmotivated most days you may be experiencing depression, while constant and unrealistic worries about life could indicate anxiety. Mental distress is very individual and can affect anyone at any time in their life. What ever your situation, there are many organisations across Cornwall that can help.

The first port of call is often your GP. If problems are severe and enduring you may be referred to the Cornwall Partnership Trust, which provides children and adults in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly with mental health, learning disabilities, drug and alcohol and eating disorder services.

They provide services across Cornwall including psychological therapies, resource centres providing a range of social and therapeutic activities, inpatient care, and community mental health teams who work with people in their homes.

They take a ‘whole life’ approach and can support people with issues such as housing, leisure, and employment. Lezli Boswell, Chief Executive of the trust, said:

“A range of effective and supportive community mental health services are essential in maintaining people within their local communities and networks, and is important in breaking the cycle of social exclusion that many people with mental health problems and their carers experience.”

Cornwall Mental Health Forum is an independent organisation that works to support and protect the rights of people with mental health problems. The forum runs initiatives such as the Service User Representatives Group (SURG), which provides a service user perspective in the provision of mental health services, including having members on the interview panel for key NHS personnel.

Other forum initiatives include the Independent Visiting Scheme, where visitors (usually service users or carers) provide a confidential ear, helping people in hospital raise issues about their care, and signposting them onto other useful organisations. Nicki Sweeney, the forum’s co-ordinator. said:

"It's imperative that mental health service users are consulted and actively involved in the planning and development of the services they receive.”

The forum works with, and can provide information on, self help and support groups for anyone suffering mental distress, throughout the county.

For people experiencing or recovering from mental illness and thinking about returning to work, Pentreath is an organisation that can help.

One barrier to employment can be overcoming the social exclusion often felt by people suffering from mental ill health. Pentreath’s Fit for Life project can help with this first step by supporting individuals to access recreational activities in their local communities. Pentreath can also offer training and work experience to help people use and develop their skills in a supportive environment. Vitality Matters magazine is one such scheme.

The aim is to help build people’s self esteem and confidence, so they feel ready for work. Compared to other disabilities, mental ill health is the disability with the most unemployment. Pentreath chief executive Louise Knox said:

“People do get better, and are just as loyal and committed as any other employee; they just need to be given a chance.”

Caring for someone with a mental health problem or other disability can take its toll on the carer’s own health. Full time carers are often unpaid and don’t get a chance to get out into the community, which can lead to them feeling isolated and depressed.

Regular breaks can be beneficial in helping people manage the strain of caring for someone else. Luckily there are organisations across Cornwall that can offer support to carers.

Run by local artist Julia Rowlands, the Carers Colour Group provides a break for carers of adults with mental ill health. Meeting regularly in Camborne, Julia leads artistic activities and encourages carers to use colour to express their feelings and emotions. The group offers carers a chance to get together and share ideas with others in similar situations to their own.

Last year, members of the group exhibited their work at the World Mental Health Day event at the Shire hall in Bodmin, and with Julia organising this year’s event at the same venue on the 10th of October, the group’s work will again be exhibited. Julia said:

“My group enables carers to get out and enjoy the company of others in a relaxing environment. It gives them a chance to be exposed to, and be part of, the artistic community of Cornwall.”

The Carers Support Worker project has worked with carers for 10 years. They provide one-to-one support for carers all over Cornwall. Initially, they assess a carer’s needs and look at ways of helping them cope, and can provide information on benefits, counselling and respite services. They have also been instrumental in helping set up carers support groups, which are then run by the carers themselves.

They also produce a really useful carer’s information pack, which includes information about benefits, emergency contacts and lists all the carer’s groups in Cornwall. Monica Thomas, who runs the project, has worked with carers for 21 years. She said:

“I have a real understanding from my own experiences that juggling one’s life around family, work and caring can take a heavy toll. The team of support workers and myself are committed to ensuring that we reach as many carers as possible and hopefully make a real difference to their lives.”

With so many people suffering from mental distress there is a great need for these organisations, not only because they provide excellent treatment and support, but also because they help overcome the stigma and social exclusion often associated with mental health problems.

Contacts
Community Partnership Trust
Phone 01726 291059 or for more information go to www.cornwall.nhs.uk/cpt

Mental Health Forum
For the North Cornwall, Restormel and Caradon area
phone Lesley Ayers on 01872 222141 or email lesley.ayers@cornwallrcc.co.uk
For Carrick, Kerrier and Penwith:
Phone Nicki Sweeney on 01872 223250 or email nicki.sweeney@cornwallrcc.co.uk

Pentreath
phone 01726 862727 or email pentreath@pentreath.co.uk
For more information go to http://www.pentreath.co.uk/

For the Carers Colour Group
phone Carer’s Break Projects on 01209 613456
or email Julia at jdrowlands@yahoo.com

Carers Support Worker Project
Phone 01872 261035 or email carers@cornwallrcc.co.uk
For more information look at www.cornwallrcc.co.uk/carers.html

This article was published in September's issue of Vitality Matters a free Cornish Health and Wellbeing magazine. http://www.vitalitymatters.org.uk/

Exploring the origin of words and phrases

When I said to my daughter ‘night night, sleep tight’ the other evening, it got me thinking about where the saying ‘sleep tight’ came from, and set me off exploring the origins of other phrases. It’s interesting how words and phrases change over the years, for example who remembers when ‘gay’ meant jolly. Some original meanings of words are forgotten about altogether such as the word ‘pay’, which originally meant to appease or pacify, before it became a word meaning to give money for goods or services, and ‘budget’ which historically meant a wallet.

This article is the result of my fascination with words and phrases.

Sleep tight is a phrase that has been common for many years. "Good night, sleep tight, and don't let the bedbugs bite", is often said to someone retiring to bed. There are several theories as to the origin of the phrase.

One theory dates back from the days when mattresses were supported by ropes, which needed to be pulled tight at night to produce a well sprung bed. Another theory suggests it comes from bedclothes being pulled tightly to stop bedbugs biting.

However the first citation of the phrase was in Susan Bradford Eppes diary; ‘Through some eventful years’, in 1866, and it was not found again till the early twentieth century. As this was after the period when ropes were pulled around beds it doesn’t support that that theory of the phrases origin.

In Susan’s diary there was a clear link between ‘sleep tight’ and ‘sleep well’, and with ‘tight’ meaning firm sound and secure, this is a more likely explanation. ‘Sleep tight’ purely means sleep soundly.

However others simply believe that ‘sleep tight’ came about as a rhyming word to be used with ‘good night,’ or ‘bed bugs bite’.

We all use the term ‘Boycott’ meaning to refuse to have dealings with a person or organisation, however have you ever wondered how the word came about? ‘Boycott’ actually comes from Captain Charles Cunningham Boycott, who was working in Ireland as a land agent for an absent landlord in the 1870’s. At the same time the Irish Land League were campaigning to reform the landholding system. In 1880 protesting tenants demanded Boycott reduce their rents and he didn’t, so they came up with the idea that everyone in the locality should refuse to have anything to do with him. Local shops stopped serving him and he even had trouble receiving his post.

The events made big news, and people felt passionately about the reforms, so ‘Boycott’ quickly became used as a byword, and within weeks it had spread all over Ireland and England. By the time Boycott died in 1897 it was a well used term in the English language.

The phrase ‘In the Limelight’ meaning at the centre of attention came about in the theatres of the nineteenth century. Limelight is a bright white light produced by heating a piece of lime in a flame of burning oxygen and hydrogen. It was discovered by Goldsworthy Gurney in the 1920’s, and developed by Thomas Drummond to be used in theatres to illuminate the leading actors. It began to be used as a phrase meaning what it does today around the turn of the twentieth century.

The ‘Bees knees’, meaning excellent and of the highest quality, is another saying with an unclear origin. It doesn’t appear to have any connection with the phrase ‘a bees knee’ which in the eighteenth century meant smallness and has now disappeared from our language. It does however seem to have been coined in 1920’s America, and first appeared in an Ohio newspaper The Newark Advocate.

Theories as to its origin include; that it refers to bees carrying pollen on their legs, and that the concentrated goodness of the pollen was found around a bees knee. However there is no evidence to support this theory.

Another suggestion is that it refers to a dancer Bee Jackson, who was credited with introducing the Charleston to Broadway. It may be that the ‘bees knees’ was a reference to her and her active knees.

However it is just as likely that ‘bees knees’ came about due to the 1920’s trend of inventing nonsensical terms for excellence, such as the ‘kipper’s knickers’ and the ‘cat’s pyjamas’.

If these explanations of the origins of words and phrases have sparked your interest, as they have mine, you can check out a variety of sayings at www.phrases.org.uk. Or have a read of one of the many books available on word origins.

The extraordinary life of Beach Boy Brian Wilson

As told by Mick Brown at the Port Eliot Lit Fest

The Port Eliot Literature festival is situated on the landscaped grounds of the 18th century Port Eliot House at St Germans in Cornwall. Taking part over three days, the Lit fest attracts a diverse range of performers, and has something for all tastes. Whether you want to catch some music, listen to poetry, see talks by authors about their work, watch films, or take part in a pub quiz, the Port Eliot Lit fest will not disappoint.

With flooding in the Midlands, and trains not running, a few of the artists didn’t manage to make it to the festival, and I was disappointed when I turned up to see Mick Brown talk about the life of Brian Wilson, and found he was another victim of the floods. When I heard later he had managed to get down after all, and was talking at seven I hot tailed it over to see him and it was well worth it.

Mick Brown is a freelance writer and journalist who has written for publications such as Rolling Stone magazine, the Observer, and the Daily Telegraph. He’s also the successful author of books such as ‘Tearing down the wall of sound: The rise and fall of Phil Spector’, and 'American heartbeat: A musical journey across America from Woodstock to San Jose'. He has interviewed, and written about, many legends of the music scene, including David Bowie, Santana and the Sex Pistols. His article ‘Brian Wilson – Beach Boy, Pop Visionary, Wounded Soul’ appeared in GQ magazine in 2004.

Joined by his friend Colin Midson, and intermingled with recordings of Beach Boy’s classics, they recounted the extraordinary life of Beach Boy, Brian Wilson.

The Beach Boys were a family band consisting of Brian Wilson, his brother’s Dennis and Carl, their cousin Mike Love, and a school friend Al Jardine. They all grew up in the suburban wasteland of Hawthorn, 30 miles down the freeway from LA. Father Murray was a machinery sales man, failed songwriter, and a bully. He frequently beat Brian and his two younger brothers. But he saved his most sadistic behaviour for Brian, his most gifted and sensitive son. Brian later remembered his childhood as hell and misery.

As a child Brian was a socially awkward boy, he was kind of kid who spent most of the time in his room, and never seemed to successfully manage the transformation from adolescence to adult hood. While Brian’s songs evoked a California dreamscape of surfing hot rods and sun kissed girls, Brian was a lonely person, only truly at ease at his piano or in the recording studio.

In the first 4 years of their existence the Beach Boys produced 12 albums all written and produced by Brian, but the intense pressure of writing, producing, and touring took it’s toll on Brian, and in 1964 he suffered his first nervous breakdown. He retreated to the studio and began to dream of a more sophisticated grown up music. The talk had started off with a rendition of ‘Barbara Ann’, a hit for the Beach Boys in 1965. Brian disliked it saying it wasn’t the Beach Boys sound. He wanted the band to evolve from a band with a formulaic showbiz persona, to a band producing the most spiritual advanced and intricate music ever. At the end of 1965 he began work on what was to become ‘Pet Sounds’.

However he had opposition. The leader of the band on stage; Mike Love liked the showbiz persona, the Beach Boys delivered hits and that delivered royalties, he loved the fun fun fun party Beach Boy style. He didn’t want to trade the hit making machine for un-commercial art music. Other members of the band agreed with Mike. So when Brian Wilson said ‘Barbara Ann’ was not the Beach Boys he actually meant ‘Barbara Ann’ was not Brian Wilson. In 1966 Brian and the band were on a collision course.

By now rock was beginning to address the broader issues of the world, it was becoming politicised. Wilson immersed himself in the hippy culture and discovered pot. Years later he said when smoking grass he could feel the inspiration coming fast.

Working with lyricist Tony Asher on the album 'Pet sounds', he wrote arrangements that were sophisticated and complicated and were way beyond the simplicity of Beach Boy’s earlier songs. When Wilson delivered 'Pet sounds' to Capital records, they considered ditching it and releasing a greatest hits album instead. The greatest hits album came out 2 months later, taking the steam out of ‘Pet Sounds’ sales. In Britain however, 'Pet Sounds' reached no 2 in the charts, and although it took a couple of years to reach the same sort of success in America, it did eventually become regarded as one of the greatest albums ever made.

The apparent failure of 'Pet sounds' angered Love, who wanted the group to go back to simple undemanding pop songs, which kept fans happy and maintained the beach boys in the affluent style they had become accustomed to.

Brian was too far gone to go back, and in spring 1966 he started work on a song that would prove to be a leap into a different kind of music for the Beach Boys. The song was ‘Good Vibrations’. It took six months before Brian was happy with the final version.

In August 1966 two songs about loneliness dominated the charts; the Beatle’s ‘Eleonor Rigby’, a song by a pretend lonely person, and at no2 ‘God Only Knows’ a song by a real lonely person. At the same time Brian was finishing ‘Good vibrations’ and it was released in October to rave reviews. Again Brian encountered opposition from the other Beach boys and ‘Good Vibrations’ was actually recorded by session musicians. People questioned why it did not sound so good live.

Seated at his piano fuelled by amphetamines and hash, Wilson started work on an album he intended to call ‘Dumb Angel’ but was later called ‘Smile’. To realise his dream he employed a new lyricist Van Dyke Parks. They wrote together at Brian’s Beverly Hills mansion, where he had a purple and gold silk Arabian tent erected for creative pot smoking, and in the dining room he had a fourteen foot square box filled with sand so he could be on the beach while he composed. In this period Wilson is portrayed as mad, out of control and devoid of creativity. In fact it was arguably his most creative focused period.

This was the beginning of Wilson’s next mental breakdown which would last for the next twenty five years. When Mick Brown went to interview Brian, he found him sitting on a sofa, staring into distance and clutching a cushion to his chest. It wasn’t until Mick was sat opposite him that Brian even seemed to know he was there. People had described Brian as childlike, and Mick found he replied to questions with no more than the question demands, often only with yes or no.

In the 1970’s and 1980’s while Brian lapsed into drug induced obesity, the other beach boys toured the world resentful of their reliance on Brian. It was during this period Brian met psychiatrist; Dr Eugene Landy who put Brian under 24 hour surveillance, and a punishing regime of dieting, physical fitness, and mind altering drugs. He became a surrogate Murray figure and it took a court order to finally remove Landy from his life.

The Beach Boys were now middle aged men with middle aged problems singing about teenage life. In 1983 the Beach boys were invited to the White house by Ronald Reagan who described them as a National treasure. They posed for pictures, where Brian’s brother, Dennis was seen bloated and stoned in the background. Two months later he was dead.

Brian Wilson’s life story is very depressing, from his father Murray who stole the copy write to Brian’s songs, and Landy who bled his bank accounts dry, and Mike into success Love who was driven by envy. The tragic truth of Wilson’s life was that he was continuously manipulated and exploited by others. His comeback is another example of this, as he would probably be happier at home with his piano. In Mick Browns words, Brian Wilson is a wounded soul and a vulnerable visionary.

Wonderful Watercress

Once known as ‘poor mans bread’ watercress was a staple part of people’s diet in the 1800’s. Today it is probably one of the most underrated and underused greens, yet packed full of nutrients watercress is a superfood well worth adding to our diets. A new report called ‘Watercress The Original Superfood’ written and researched by Lyndel Costain B.Sc.RD, outlines these health benefits.

The benefits of eating watercress have been known for many years. As far back as 500BC, Hippocrates known as the father of modern medicine located his hospital near a stream, so he could grow watercress for its blood purifying qualities. In ancient Greece the name for watercress is ‘kardomon’ which roughly translates as head subdoer, where they believed watercress could brighten the intellect and cure a deranged mind. Similarly the Romans treated insanity with watercress and vinegar.

Watercress was also reputed to increase stamina. Greek generals used to feed it to their troops, and Egyptian Pharaoh’s gave it to their slaves to increase productivity. In seventeenth century England, watercress was sold in bunches at markets and eaten like ice cream cones. It was commonly eaten for breakfast in a sandwich and became known as ‘poor mans bread’ as people who couldn’t afford bread would just eat watercress.

Watercress is a member of the cruciferous family which includes broccoli, kale and mustard. It’s been classed as a superfood because of its high levels of nutrients; it contains three times as much vitamin E as lettuce, more iron than spinach, and more calcium than milk (useful to know for anyone on a diary free diet). More importantly it contains natural compounds called phytochemicals which evidence suggests are very beneficial to our health.

The health benefits of watercress include promoting healthy eyes, skin and hair. It contains the phytochemicals; lutein and zeaxanthin which are found in the lens and retina. Both are actually available in supplement form, sold in health food shops, specifically to help with eyesight. Watercress also contains Zinc and Vitamin A (via beta carotene) which are important for good night vision. The high levels of vitamin A and C watercress provides can help keep skin supple and smooth, and its iron and zinc levels are essential for healthy hair and strong nails.

Hippocrates used watercress for its blood purifying qualities, and it can still be used today as part of a detox diet. Watercress contains glucosinolates which are phytochemicals which can boost and regulate the livers inbuilt detoxification system. Watercress was used by the Anglo Saxons to spring clean the blood, and the American Indians ate it for liver and kidney problems.

Watercress is also a good food to use as part of any weight loss regime. It contains high levels of iodine which is needed to make the thyroid hormones that regulate the body’s metabolic rate. It is also very low in calories, and has a low energy density which contributes to feeling fuller for longer. A study undertaken by Pennsylvania State University found that people eating a watercress starter went on to eat on average 12% less calories in the main course.

Due to watercress’s high vitamin and mineral content there are many health benefits, such as to the immune system, where the vitamin B6 content can help make defensive antibodies. It is also high in folic acid and iron which are especially important in pregnancy. The levels of Calcium, magnesium, and vitamins A C and K in watercress, can help build and maintain healthy bones. Most interestingly however recent research has discovered watercress is very useful in reducing the risk of developing cancer.

The World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research suggest up to 40% of deaths by cancer could be avoided by adopting a healthier diet. The majority of cancers are formed by ingesting or inhaling potentially carcinogenic compounds. The cancer fighting potential of watercress seems to be due to the presence of phytochemicals such as ‘phenylethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC)’. PEITC inhibit the activation process which can turn some of these compounds carcinogenic, and watercress is one of the richest sources of dietary PEITC. Studies in the past few years are also discovering watercress may have properties that can counteract the effects of smoking, such as ‘Gluconasturtin’ which can help neutralise a carcinogen in tobacco.

For anyone interested in the findings of studies into watercress and cancer’s such as; breast, prostate, colorectal and lung, you can find them in Lyndel Costain’s report available at www.watercress.co.uk.

It seems that watercress is the original superfood, and it doesn’t have to be boring. There is so much more to do with watercress than just having it in a salad. It’s actually quite a versatile ingredient, adding a peppery zing to stir fries, sauces, juices and fish dishes. Try adding it to mashed potato with cheddar cheese and spring onions, or chopping and sprinkling watercress over scrambled eggs. Alternatively try the more traditional watercress and potato soup. I know I will be eating it more often.

“Let food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food”
Hippocrates

Treating Cystitis naturally

If you’ve ever had cystitis you’ll know how unpleasant it is. Symptoms include a frequent and overwhelming urge to go to the toilet, and when you get there you often pass only a small amount of urine which stings and can feel hot. The urine passed is also often smelly and/or cloudy. Cystitis is an inflammation of the bladder and is normally caused by a bacterial infection. Cystitis is more common in women as the passage from the bladder (the urethra) is shorter than men’s urethras, and bacteria can be more easily spread from the anus or vagina to the bladder.

To reduce the symptoms of cystitis many people opt for over the counter remedies which often work by making the urine more alkaline. A cheaper and just as effective remedy is to dissolve a teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate in water. Personal hygiene is also important in reducing the likelihood of infection, such as making sure you wipe from the front to the back after emptying your bladder or bowels.

Cystitis is one of a range of problems that can affect the urinary system. Urinary discomfort can also be caused by chlamydia, prostate problems in men, urethritis, and kidney stones. This is by no means an exclusive list. The doctors should be the first port of call, so that the causes of urinary problems are identified and treated. However with less severe problems eating the right foods can have a dramatic effect.

The first priority when experiencing cystitis is to drink lots of water, which helps dilute the urine and flush out the kidneys. It is also a good idea to avoid foods which can aggravate cystitis, and eat more of the foods that can have a beneficial effect on urinary infections.

Foods to avoid
Sugar is one of the first foods to cut from your diet. Swiss naturopath Alfred Vogel when treating patients found that when they abstained from sugar their pain was relieved, however upon being given sugar again the pain returned without fail.

Salt encourages fluid retention which can affect the flushing action of the kidneys.

Citrus juices in large quantities can increase the acidity of the urine which can add to urinary discomfort. However they also are important in providing valuable anti-oxidant vitamins which enhance the ability of the immune system to fight infection. When your symptoms are relieved, try re-introducing citrus fruits and cut back on them again if symptoms return.

Alcohol can increase levels of uric acid which can interfere with the normal function of the kidneys.

Some of the ingredients in Coffee, Tea and carbonated drinks can have an irritating effect on the kidneys and urinary tract.


Foods that can help
Cranberries are a well known food for helping clear up cystitis, which works by preventing bacteria sticking to the inner walls of the bladder. When buying cranberry juice opt for the ones without added sugar.

Barley is another extremely beneficial remedy for cystitis but not as well know about. Barley’s demulcent qualities can soothe inflammatory conditions of the urinary tract. You can make your own barley water by boiling 1 heaped tablespoon of pot barley (available at supermarkets and health food shops) in 1 ½ pints of water and simmering for 30 minutes.

Celery is not only anti-inflammatory, but also can help eliminate waste via the urine. The active compound in celery is concentrated in the seeds which can be brought at health foods shops and made into a tea, or added into salads.

Dandelion acts as a tonic to the urinary system as well as being a gentle but effective diuretic, increasing the rate of urination, and helping the body eliminate waste products. Dandelion leaves can be added to salads. There are also coffee substitutes you could try made from ground dandelion roots. They are often combined with chicory (see below).

Chicory has a reputation for being an excellent cleanser and detoxifier.

Melons can gently stimulate the kidneys, and has been used in traditional medicine as a remedy for kidney and bladder problems. Melons are an excellent cleanser, and due to its high water content can rehydrate the body and help flush out the kidneys.

Yogurt is a must if you’ve been prescribed a course of antibiotics for cystitis. Antibiotics can wipe out both good and bad bacteria and eating yogurt can help to restore equilibrium in the gut. Yogurt can protect against bacterial infection especially in the urinary tract.

Garlic is an amazing all rounder, with anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral qualities. For any ailment garlic is an invaluable addition to your diet.

Extra help
Uva-ursi was recommended to me by my reflexologist for a urinary tract infection, and I found it worked really well Uva-ursi works as a urinary antiseptic. It also has a high tannin content which strengthens and tones the membranes of the urinary tract.

“Let food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food”
Hippocrates

Please note
I am not medically qualified, but have had an interest in and have researched nutrition and alternative remedies for many years. For this article I referred to:
The food doctor, Healing foods for mind and body by Vicki Edgson and Ian Marber
Superfoods by Michael Van Starten and Barbara Griggs
Prescription for Nutritional Healing (2nd edition) by James F Balch M.D and Phyllis A Balch C.N.C

Curses and Cargo cults at Port Elliot

The Port Eliot Literature festival is situated on the landscaped grounds of the 18th century Port Eliot House at St Germans in Cornwall. Taking part over three days, the Lit fest attracts a diverse range of performers, and has something for all tastes. Whether you want to catch some music, listen to poetry, see talks by authors about their work, watch films, or take part in a pub quiz, the Port Eliot Lit fest will not disappoint.

On the Saturday afternoon, Charles Montgomery’s account of his travels to the Western South Pacific islands, and the origin and influence of myths, had the audience captivated.

Charles Montgomery became interested in myths at ten years old when he discovered his Great Grandfather’s diary in the attic. His Great Grandfather, Rev. H. H. Montgomery, wrote stories about the Anglican’s church attempts to Christianise the South Pacific in the 19th century. He described a place which was full of myths, magic and violence and danger.

Charles found “the images followed him into his dreams” and he was fascinated by the idea of myths. A myth, he suggests, doesn’t mean a fib, but a story that helps us learn about our relationship with the world, and tells us how to live. He wanted to understand the stories his Great Grandfather told, and to see if there was anything left of the lands he had described. Following in his footsteps, he travelled to the Melanesia islands in the South Pacific 120 years later.

Charles recounted myths he had been told on his journey, such as a sorcerer who could change himself into an owl and fly around the islands at night. If he didn’t like you, he would pull open your stomach, rip your guts out and replace them with sticks and leaves. You would feel fine the next day but in a few weeks you would start coughing them up, and wouldn’t live long after that.

Another tale was from an island where terrible sorcerers lived. They would leave curses wrapped up in a leaf lying in the road, and if you stepped over it your penis would disappear. I wondered what would happen if a women walked over them.

What fascinated Charles was how these myths influenced the way the islanders lived. The chief of one village told him the story of a visitation from a spirit saying “you must understand what guides us.”

Back in 1940’s when the island was essentially a Presbyterian theocracy; a Spirit came in the middle of the night, in a big white hat with his eyes in the shadows, and appeared before the elders. He said “You have to stop going to church, throw your western money into the sea, and cast out the missionaries. Go back to your parties and circumcision ceremonies. If you do all these things I will return on a great white ship from afar, loaded with everything you ever wanted.” They did as he said, returning to traditional practices such as the men partying and drinking Kava on a Friday night. They have continued living this way even though they’re still waiting and praying for the spirits return. When Charles said to the chief “You’ve been waiting for 60 years for your prophet to come back, aren’t you getting a little frustrated?” He replied “Well, how long have you been waiting for Jesus to come back?”

Exploring the history of the islands, Charles found out that when the Americans arrived on the islands in World War two they brought lots of goods, and the islanders believed they must have controlled some kind of magic to have all this junk. The ships that travelled around the islands carrying gifts, became known as ‘cargo cults’ and the islanders prayed for this kind of magic.

As he moved through the islands he learnt that the magic he looked for was based around the concept of ‘mana’. Mana is a supernatural power which flows through all living things; it flows through rocks, and islands, and is concentrated in human skulls, which explains the head hunting that went on in the Northern Solomon Islands. The more exalted the victim the greater the mana, and the more skulls you could collect the more powerful you were. The islanders described mana as a force you could draw to yourselves and use for good or evil.

Charles had been told lots of stories, explored the history of the islands, and seen how myths influenced the way islanders lived, but he still hadn’t seen magic in action.

That is until he visited a village in New Georgia where the chief told him not to go into the mountains and blow on a stone, which was a petrified head of a snake. The chief had sold the mountain side to a logging company, and if he blew on the stone it would create a rainstorm, and they would have to stop logging for a couple of days. Defying the chief’s request, they made their way up to the mountain, and blew on the stone and indeed a rain storm started up. As they ran down the mountain there was thunder and lightening and the heavens opened. This may have been proof of the existence of magic, or it could have been a coincidence.

To try and find further proof magic existed, Charles tracked down the last of the islands shark callers, Celestine, who had a special relationship with a particular black shark. He was sure he would show him a miracle.

At midnight one night they paddled out in a canoe to the middle of lagoon. Celestine jumped in the water, and Charles took a deep breath and pushed off from canoe and circled beneath it. As he had to keep coming up for air, he realised Celestine was still under water and had been for many minutes. He saw a light, and pushed himself towards it. He saw the light was coming from Celestine sat cross legged on a bed of crushed coral, but he wasn’t alone, he saw a shadow of a black shark circling Celestine. He would like to have gone down further, but felt himself being pulled to the surface again for air.

He wasn’t sure what he had seen, and didn’t realise what had happened until weeks later. After leaving the islands, he was asked on numerous occasions if he had seen the shark spirit, and he answered no. Late one evening in the company of a group of friends, however he answered yes, he did see the shark god, and he was able to visualise what he had seen that night. Charles said:

“The story became whole finally, and I grew more certain every time I repeated it, now there was no doubt. Yes it was a shark… Yes an ancestor could still be summoned from the darkness”

He realised myth is about belief, it was true because he believed it, he says:

“Myth for me is like love, it’s a decision, what it answers is the kind of longing, what it demands is faith, what it opens is possibility.”

You can find Charles tale of his journey, his interpretation of what he discovered, and the difficulties he faced, including arriving at a time when civil war had raged through the islands, in his book: The Shark God: Encounters with Myth and Magic in the South Pacific.

Buy fresh Buy local
Sell local and Flourish

With the rise in the number of farmer’s markets and farm shops, where ever you are in the country, it’s becoming easier to buy local produce. More people are becoming concerned about the origin of their food, and recognise buying locally often ensures freshness and quality, and supports the local economy.

As buying locally produced food is becoming more popular, there has been an increase in the number of restaurants and schools, sourcing their food locally, as well as many supermarkets now offering local produce. This trend has also encouraged the opening of shops on our high streets, committed to supporting and promoting local produce.

Within five minutes of each other in Falmouth in Cornwall, there are some shining examples of businesses that are thriving, by producing and selling local produce.

Halzephron Herb Farm was started up by husband and wife team Deborah and Alan Fowler, who specialised in making the finest food from locally grown organic herbs, and other natural ingredients. Originally at their farm in Gunwalloe, they grew herbs which they supplied to local restaurants. Deborah then experimented with recipes, and the business grew. They now produce a wide range of mouth watering products which includes, marinades, sauces, mayonnaises, dressings, dips and preserves, many of which you can taste if you visit their shops.

Supporting the local economy has always been at their heart, and people from their village were employed to help as the business grew. In 2005 they handed over the business to Donna Boon, who had worked at the farm since she left school. As their products became more popular they moved to a kitchen in Penryn, to enable them to concentrate on supplying their shops in St Ives, Truro, and Falmouth. Since they’ve been buying in herbs, they’ve ensured they only use locally grown organic herbs for their recipes. The good news is you don’t have to live in Cornwall to try out their products, as they are available on the internet at www.halzherb.com.

A few doors away is Citrus café, a bright summer fresh yellow gallery and café, serving healthy food sourced locally where possible. They offer a selection of meals from soup to salads, all of which are made fresh daily, and there is always a good selection of vegetarian and vegan meals. They also make their own range of gluten free bread and cakes, all made with local free range eggs. As well as buying local produce, they are committed to providing fair trade products. They buy their coffee from Cornwall based Origin, who sell Fair-trade, Organic or Rainforest Alliance certified coffees.

Over the three years they’ve been open, they have built up a clientele of regulars, which provides enough business for them to keep going over the winter. Their commitment to serving healthy locally produced food is doubtlessly instrumental in establishing this loyal customer base. As well as being a café, they double up as a gallery, and display paintings and craft work by local artists. The local university runs arts and media courses, and students are able to get themselves known, by displaying their work at Citrus café on a sale or return basis.

Five minutes down the road, Discovery Quay, is situated on Falmouth's waterfront, looking over one of the world's largest deep water harbours. Also housing Falmouth’s Maritime museum, it provides the perfect setting for the Quay deli. Committed to selling local, organic, and quality products, the Quay deli is a feast for the eyes of any discerning customer. When they opened three years ago they were one of the only businesses around, concentrating on supplying quality West Country products.

Among the attractive, but filled to the brim shelves, they sell everything from Cornish honey to local organic meats, and Cornish beers and wine. They sell Vicky’s bread, a small Helston based business, which bakes French style artisan breads made with organic ingredients. In the freezer section you can find Roskilly’s Cornish ice cream, and frozen home made meals from Truro based Pencoose pantry, who also source their ingredients locally. If you’re after a drink, the choice available may present some problems, with Devon based, Luscombe farm’s strawberry lemonade, and Cornish orchard’s apple juice on offer. Looking around the shop is like being at a Taste of the West’s food and drink awards ceremony.

Whether you’re after fine meats, organic vegetables, or homemade herbal salad dressings, local producers offer an impressive selection of goods right on your doorstep. Choosing to buy locally helps keep our towns and villages alive, allows closer relations between customers and producers, and ultimately supports the local economy.