| The nervous system is closely related to bowel | | | | break the habit. Valuable aids, if pursued diligently, |
| health. This can be seen from the fact that if we | | | | are one of the various types of meditation, or |
| are nervous - such waiting for an interview - this | | | | NLP. The latter is best followed with qualified |
| can easily translate into loose bowels. | | | | assistance; however, it can be studied from a |
| More problematic are long term stress and nerve | | | | book too, and some of its methods are fairly |
| weaknesses which sometimes produce chronic | | | | easy to learn, and might produce good effects |
| inflammatory bowel conditions. These are most | | | | quickly. To help you practice it on yourself, videos |
| commonly: | | | | are available. (In the UK you can rent these from |
| * IBS or irritable bowel syndrome | | | | the company 'The Anglo American Book |
| * Diverticulitis | | | | Company', located in Wales.) |
| * Colitis | | | | Regularity Is Essential |
| All these are inflammatory conditions of the colon. | | | | Behavioural methods combined with nerve building |
| They are most predominantly found in people | | | | measures - eg with a 3 month nerve programme |
| who are 'high stress' types. In other words, the | | | | - will work very, very well IF you do them |
| constitution of such people is that they don't deal | | | | regularly, daily, assiduously... for 3 months or more. |
| well with stress. You might be a person who | | | | As always, the help of alternative practitioners as |
| reacts with stress to many situations for all to | | | | well as your doctor's advice are invaluable. |
| see; or you might be someone who 'bottles up' | | | | Temporary - But Welcome - Relief |
| their stress. In either case, the colon can be | | | | Palliative measures - to give relief while the above |
| affected and inflammation can be easily caused. | | | | are taking effect, include: |
| Also, any inflammation already present - such as | | | | * Slippery Elm - a miracle aid for colon |
| that caused by waste food becoming stuck in a | | | | inflammation. Best is the pure powder (no sugar |
| small diverticulum, or pocket - can be made | | | | please!) where you mix a teaspoon to a paste |
| worse. | | | | with a little cold water, and add hot water to |
| The long term answer in all these conditions | | | | make a mugful of a drink resembling a thin |
| includes colon cleansing which almost invariably | | | | porridge. This wonderful drink, which can be drunk |
| helps improved bowel function. However, this may | | | | 2-3 times a day if you wish, will often give relief |
| be too much to start with on its own, so | | | | to inflammation of the bowel within the hour. If |
| measures to calm the bowel down must be used | | | | the drink sounds awful it is available in |
| either alongside, or before colon cleansing is begun. | | | | additive-free capsules. But... the drink is much |
| The prime methods to 'calm down' the colon are: | | | | better if you can possible take it. |
| 1. Supplements to build the nervous system. An | | | | * Cayenne Pepper if there is any bleeding present. |
| example would be a 3 month programme of | | | | Again, a 'specific' herb, in this case to stop |
| herbs which are known to build nerve health. For | | | | bleeding. This works well internally. Best taken with |
| some people this will easily product a dramatic | | | | food or a drink - or with the slippery elm drink, to |
| improvement. Other options are a course of | | | | avoid any slight burning. |
| homoeopathic treatment or acupuncture. | | | | * Wild yam, a herbal 'antispasmodic' which is |
| 2. Behavioural and lifestyle measures to deal with, | | | | sometimes combined with bayberry and agrimony |
| or reduce,stress. | | | | ('astringent' herbs these are anti-inflammatory for |
| There are various possibilities when considering | | | | the bowel) and other herbs. If you can find this |
| behavioural and lifestyle changes: | | | | formula, 6 capsules a day have achieved dramatic |
| A. If you can see you are producing stress in | | | | improvements, and can be used 'symptomatically', |
| your life, take measures to reduce this. These | | | | ie as and when required, until deeper measures as |
| commonly include:i. 'Martyr syndrome'; that is, | | | | described above are taking effect. |
| spending too much time on others. Answer: spend | | | | With a careful plan, colon health which has been |
| more time on yourself. After all, if you are ill you | | | | compromised by your nervous system has a |
| are no good to yourself or othersii Overwork; | | | | very good chance of improving with the above |
| Answer, clearly, is to somehow make it OK to | | | | measures. Do apply them every day for at least |
| work either less, or less stressfully | | | | several months. After this time, you will have a |
| B. If you are not quite sure why you produce | | | | good idea of what works for you. This is valuable |
| your stress, ie it 'just happens', you need to | | | | knowledge which will help you for a lifetime. |