Chronic Catarrh (The Sunday Times, 11th March 2007)

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Q. I suffer from chronic catarrh, which becomes worse after a cold. Medication from my GP has not worked. Can you recommend a herbal remedy?



A.Mucus (such as catarrh) is one of the body’s mechanisms for eliminating dirt, bacteria and other toxic waste. However, excess production of mucus can be caused by chronic irritation or inflammation, so it is important to get to the root of the problem. Your catarrh could be triggered by an allergic reaction to chemicals in your home or something in the environment.

Food allergies are also a factor in the overproduction of mucus. The main culprits are dairy products, citrus fruit (especially oranges) and grains such as wheat. Under the supervision of a nutritionist, you may wish to avoid those foods for a few weeks to see if it helps (visit www.bant.org.uk for listings).

You could also try the herbal remedy plantago, which is good for clearing mucus from the ear, nose and throat (£8.50 for 50ml, from A Vogel; www.avogel.co.uk). It has antibacterial, antiinflammatory, astringent and demulcent properties and contains natural antibiotics.


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