April. Tulips, peonies, bluebells, lilacs and hay fever.  According to Allergy UK, one in four people, or around 16 million people, experience hay fever in the UK and typically the tree pollen season runs from late March to mid-May and the grass pollen season runs from around mid-May until the end of July, but different types of pollen trigger symptoms at different times of the year.  The prevalence of hay fever has been increasing in recent decades and it is now thought that the number of people with allergies is rising by approximately 5% every year, so let’s take a look.

The symptoms of hay fever can include a runny or blocked nose, itchy eyes, sneezing and watery eyes and the causes are widely known.  Hay fever is an allergic response to pollen and other airborne allergens such as fungal spores, and the reaction is further heightened by pollution.  When airborne allergens, such as pollen, enter the body, the immune system produces just the right amount of histamine which sends signals to the complex structure of blood cells and chemicals that help to protect the body.

In the case of hay fever, the body produces far too much histamine than is required, resulting in the inflammation of tissues which can lead to various symptoms, as above, and at times it can also lead to headaches.  Conventional treatments for hay fever include anti-histamine medication, which are not without side effects, but there are many natural alternatives including Aller-DMG, which has been our bestselling supplement for hay fever for several years.

Aller-DMG works to regulate histamine levels in the body, improve respiratory function and helps ensure that the immune system does not over-react to allergens, and it becomes a multi-tasking supplement because it is also recommended for numerous other allergies, including food intolerances, skin reactions and pet dander.  It is suitable for children over the age of twelve, and on from this I will reference a suitable remedy for those under the age of twelve, but for now I am dropping the price of Aller-DMG from £30 to £26 in recognition of the fact that you may need a three-month supply of this seasonal supplement.
Aller-DMG by DaVinci Laboratories £26 for 60 Tablets (offer ends at midnight BST, Sunday 6 April) 

Triple Allergy Defense is a homeopathic remedy which is suitable for adults and children, and it has specific dosages dependent upon age, all of which are listed on the product page.  It comes from the same stable as Triple Flu Defense, it delivers year-round, multi-symptom allergy relief including nasal and sinus congestion, and it is easy to administer as it can either be dropped under the tongue or mixed with water.  It can be used as a stand-alone remedy, or it can be taken as an adjunct to Aller-DMG, with no side-effects, including drowsiness which is often associated with conventional medication.
Triple Allergy Defense by Dr Nenninger £27 for 59 ml

Staying on subject, the pollen grains from trees, grass and weeds are tiny and these irritants may also be responsible for breathing difficulties, which often accompanies hay fever.  So, two recommendations here, the first being The Cisca Saltpipe, an inhaler which demonstrates the integrity of salt cave therapy.  The story here is quite interesting because the benefits of salt were specifically noted in the 1940s when abandoned salt mines were often used as bomb shelters.  Those who sought safety in these mines noticed an improvement in respiratory function, most particularly easing the shortness of breath. 

The Cisca Saltpipe, which was invented in Hungary, is the only salt pipe to feature a CE medical registration, it is a patented design incorporating two ceramic filters enclosing 50-60 grams of selected Halite salt crystals and it will last up to five years based upon daily usage.  Studies have found that allergic and respiratory diseases are an increasing problem, and that includes Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).  It is estimated that approximately 75% of the UK population suffer from asthma, allergies, bronchitis and respiratory problems, so it makes total sense that we should cleanse our respiratory system either periodically or on an ongoing basis, if required.
The Cisca Saltpipe £33 

Breathe Patches were created to help ease difficulties associated with respiratory conditions and as such they become our second recommendation.  The Breathe Patches have been formulated with a selection of herbs and oils which have a long history of traditional use, including Japanese Honeysuckle, Magnolia, Skullcap and Gardenia, which have been used for centuries to help clear heat, dispel mucus and relieve coughing.  They are simple to use, just apply a patch centrally onto the chest and it will offer up to ten hours of relief and although they can be used at any time, we recommend using them whilst you sleep as they will also help ease nasal congestion.
Breathe Patches by Ross J. Barr £12.75 for Five Patches (dropping from £15) (offer ends at midnight BST, Friday 11 April)

And finally, I cannot write about the symptoms of hay fever without offering a solution for itchy, irritated and watery eyes and here we recommend A. Vogel’s Eye Drops which contain Euphrasia, also known as Eyebright, which refresh dry, tired and irritated eyes.  These eye drops are suitable for those who wear contact lenses, but we also recommend the Hay Fever Eye Compress which uses thermo-regulating and self-cooling technology to help reduce inflammation and the general discomfort of hay fever symptoms.  Actually, it has a multitude of uses as it also offers relief for puffy eyes and headaches, which may or may not be allergy related.  Neat.
VH Editorial: Hay Fever Relief For The Family; Eye Drops by A. Vogel £11.99 for 10 ml; Hay Fever Eye Compress by The Eye Doctor by The Eye Doctor £9

Moving on, I want to talk about urinary tract infections, which are not only incredibly common, but incredibly painful too and with the most common complaint being an intense burning sensation when trying to urinate, we need to take a look because recurring urinary tract infections can result in damage to the bladder wall, which is problematic.  The issue here is that when the bladder walls are damaged, bacteria attaches to those damaged walls where they can proliferate and cause an infection, but there is a clinically evaluated supplement to help eradicate urinary tract infections and that supplement is Cysticlean.

Clinical studies have demonstrated that Cysticlean, a supplement formulated with cranberries, breaks the cycle of recurring urinary tract infections when used for between three and six months,  Cranberries contain fructose, a carbohydrate called mannose and a group of very specific antioxidants called proanthocyanidins (PAC’s), and PAC’s have the ability to block the receptors existing on the damaged walls of the bladder, enabling the flushing away of bacteria, thus helping to prevent infection. 

Additionally, pre-clinical and clinical studies demonstrated that Cysticlean has an anti-adhesive effect on E.coli, the bacteria responsible for the majority of urinary tract infections, showing an anti-adhesive on the bladder wall of up to 83% and it is also important to note that Cysticlean delivers an extremely high content of PAC’s, as referenced above, which differentiates it from most other supplements in its genre.  Shabir does the lowdown in his article linked below, where he also takes a look at the symptoms of prostate enlargement, and with that said, I am throwing a 20% discount across each of the Cysticlean products this weekend.
VH Editorial: Is Drinking Cranberry Juice A Myth; Cysticlean Products (offer ends at midnight BST, Sunday 6 April)

Staying with bladder health, losing control of your bladder can be embarrassing, but it also has widespread ramifications.  People with bladder control problems have trouble stopping the flow of urine, which is classified as urinary incontinence or an overactive bladder, yet for others it may just be a case of a constant urge to urinate, which is often termed as a sensitive bladder.  Two large studies indicate that one in six adults report some signs of an overactive bladder, with one in three having episodes of urge incontinence and yet, according to recent statistics, less than half of women and one quarter of men who suffer, ever seek medical help. 

In women, an overactive bladder, sensitive bladder and stress incontinence is usually caused by the weakening of the bladder muscle and pelvic floor muscles.  Hormonal changes after menopause are thought to be responsible for causing these anatomical changes in the bladder sphincter that lead to urinary incontinence, which can often be defined by the loss of urine during physical activity, such as exercise, and/or sneezing.  The reduction of the male hormone, testosterone, weakens the pelvic floor muscles and the bladder sphincter, whilst oestrogen deficiency causes the shrinkage of tissues, so we are going to take a look at a natural solution, pumpkin seed extract. 

As early as 1578, a European herbal encyclopaedia mentions the use of pumpkin seeds to treat urinary problems and notably, in Germany, pumpkin seed extract is officially approved for the treatment of irritable bladder.  Given this information, it should be noted that most supplements are formulated using pumpkin seed oil, however in ongoing studies the water soluble fraction of pumpkin seeds has demonstrated impressive results as it exerts a tissue building effect on the pelvic floor muscles through several mechanisms and it also works to make testosterone more available, which is important when addressing an overactive bladder.  But there is more. 

The water soluble fraction of pumpkin seeds helps to increase nitric oxide, a molecule which is crucial for numerous functions in the body such as circulation and cardiovascular health and here, when the bladder is full, nitric oxide is required in order to relax the bladder muscles.  Insufficient nitric oxide results in bladder hyperactivity, resulting in an urge to urinate. The efficacy of water soluble pumpkin extract was demonstrated in three separate studies on ageing women specifically referencing the alleviation of urinary incontinence, and as we recommend Water-Soluble Pumpkin Seed Extract, I am dropping the price from £20 to £17, across the weekend.
VH Editorial: Treating An Overactive Bladder; Water-Soluble Pumpkin Seed Extract by Life Extension £17 for 60 Capsules (offer ends at midnight BST, Sunday 6 April) 

Each month brings something different, and that often means new products to tell you about and Coola have just launched Liplux Lip Balm Sunscreen SPF 30 in three new shades, joining the original Liplux Lip Balm, which is one of their bestselling products, so let me tell you about them.  The three shades are Skinny Dip, Summer Crush and Firecracker.  My favourite is Skinny Dip, yet Lara prefers Summer Crush and Firecracker, but it doesn’t really matter because all that matters is that they protect our lips with a sheer hint of a tint, they keep our lips nourished and protected and I’m dropping the price from £19 to £17.
Liplux Lip Balm Sunscreen SPF 30 Skinny Dip £17; Liplux Lip Balm Sunscreen SPF 30 Summer Crush £17; Liplux Lip Balm Sunscreen SPF 30 Firecracker £17; Liplux Lip Balm Sunscreen SPF 30 Original £10; All by Coola  

Last weekend we threw a whole lot of love at Fulvic Face Cream and this weekend I am throwing some more of that love at Mrs White’s Unstung Hero Insect Repellent because in the realms of fabulous products, this is fabulous and it has been fabulous for a very long time.  Notwithstanding Lara’s moment with the new Alfresco products recently, I am taking this moment to announce that we have just received this season’s allocation of Unstung Hero in the aluminium bottle, which is perfect for travelling, and because it is perfect, it sold out before we reached the peak travel season last year, so I am trying to avert another famine ahead of time.

For the record, I keep the larger glass bottle at home for several reasons, but mostly because I use it as a room spray and a pillow spray through the spring and summer months, and although you can of course decant it into small bottles for travelling, I always take the aluminium bottle away with me because it’s easier and because I use it as a fragrance when travelling.  I haven’t been bitten for several years and although I tend to use it rather liberally, it really does come into its own when used as a fragrance, and my advice is to leave your regular fragrance at home because mosquitoes are attracted to most normal fragrances, and that includes scented lotions.
Mrs White’s Unstung Hero Insect Repellent £20 for 250 ml; Mrs White’s Unstung Hero Insect Repellent £15 for 100 ml (aluminium bottle)

Onwards, and because we are now in April, I have two month-long offers to share with you, both of which will end at midnight BST, Wednesday 30 April, so let’s do the first offer and it’s a 40% discount across the Ameliorate products, all of them.  Well, that was easy, and the second offer is from Temple Spa, which is also pretty easy because three of Temple Spa’s truffle moisturisers, namely Skin Truffle, Truffle Noir and Truffle De-Light, drop in price from £100 to £60 respectively, which is a saving of £40 on each of the products. 
Ameliorate Products; Skin Truffle by Temple Spa £60 for 50 ml; Truffle Noir by Temple Spa £60 for 50 ml; Truffle De-Light by Temple Spa £60 for 50 ml 

We are nearly finished, but before we head into the Saturday only treat, I am dropping the price of Ionicell from £24 to £21 across the weekend.  When we launched Ionicell I stated that it was a next-generation formulation for hair, skin and nails and I stand by those words, because several years later I honestly don’t believe that anything comes close to the efficacy of Ionicell, with the exception of Fulvic Elixir of course.  I take both, but you don’t need to as it’s a straight choice between capsules and liquid, but either way, Fulvic is transformative and Ionicell has totally transformed my hair, skin and nails across the years, as it has for so many of us.  Forever Fulvic. 
DoSe Ionicell £21 for 60 Capsules; Ioniplex White Paper; Fulvic Elixir £30 for 480 ml

Into the Saturday only treat and with every order placed for £35 or above, excluding p&p, we will automatically include Beat The Blues Shower & Bath Oil (25 ml)* which has been formulated with Clary Sage, known as one of nature’s happiness inducing oils, Petitgrain, Rose Geranium and Tuberose.  Formulated to support our emotional wellbeing, it can be used in conjunction with Beat The Blues Room Spray, details of which are linked below, with a note to say that the Shower & Bath Oil will arrive in a 100 ml bottle, but we can assure you it contains 25 ml.
Beat The Blues Shower & Bath Oil; Beat The Blues Room Spray by ilapothecary £36 for 50 ml

Finally, I know I have shared this song before, but it makes another appearance on the VH Playlist just because it’s April.
April Come She Will by Simon & Garfunkel; The VH Playlist

Happy weekend.

With love

Gill x