Anna's Natural Health Column

Dry Eyes? Dry Mouth? Internal Dryness?

Uncomfortable feeling of dryness?

Do you have dry eyes, a dry mouth or intimate dryness? Just as our skin shows the all-too familiar signs of ageing, our internal skin, our mucous membranes, often change and become drier. It seems hormones play an important role in maintaining the elasticity, integrity and moisture-locking ability of our skin and our mucous membranes. This is why it is not surprising that these problems become more common in middle age.

Many suffer in silence from the discomfort of dryness. It is not an easy problem to treat. The discomfort, and often the pain, which dryness causes are bad enough, but the increased risk of infection and damage to the tissues makes this problem worthy of more attention.

Sea Buckthorn – A traditional remedy now scientifically recognised

Omega 7 fatty acids support skin and mucous membrane health, and antioxidants such as the carotenoids, such as beta carotene, and vitamin E help enhance differentiation and regeneration of the cells of the lining of the mucous membranes. These nutrients are present in Sea Buckthorn as well as other important fatty acids and nutrients. This is a hardy bush that produces yellow-orange berries packed with vitamins, antioxidants and oils. 

Sea Buckthorn is one of a very few rich plant sources of omega 7 fatty acids. This berry has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. There are now more than one thousand scientific publications on its use and benefits. Eye, mouth and vaginal dryness can be greatly helped by these nutrients.

Asthma, eczema and other conditions that can be helped

Conditions such as asthma, eczema, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, Sjögren’s (pronounced “showgrins”) syndrome and coeliac disease, among others, have also been found to respond well to increased levels of antioxidants and omega 7.

One interesting point is that this oil may be helpful against the dryness that develops with contact lense use.

What is more, omega 7 fatty acids help lower the risk of cardiovascular-related diseases by lowering total cholesterol and lipid levels in blood plasma. Evidence has also shown that conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure can be positively influenced through an increase in the intake of omega 7 fatty acids.

So lubricate your skin and membranes from the inside with the oil from the amazing Sea Buckthorn berry.

For more natural health solutions do visit us at Bay Tree Health Store in Ferndown or Christchurch. We now also have an online shop at www.myhealth365.co.uk 

Look out for our next article in Town & Village. If you’d like to receive our newsletter email us at anna@baytreehealthstore.com

© Anna Hanson 2010

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