Kate O’Brien, Hong Kong

A. As your son is missing milk, you could give him Goatein, by Garden of Life, a protein powder made from goat’s milk. It contains both digestive enzymes and probiotics, which will eliminate the need to give him a separate product.

Goatein undergoes predigestive treatment, during which the enzymes found in the end product are formed.

It is available from the Nutri Centre (0800 587 2290), and costs £27.89 for 450g. The daily serving for children aged four and over is 20g. To protect the body from inner-city pollution, try Green People’s Hawthorn & Artichoke Formula (01444 401444). A 150ml bottle costs £19.95. Children under six should be given one-quarter of the adult dose recommended on the bottle.

Hawthorn contains a plant chemical called rutin. This is a potent antioxidant that mops up the potentially damaging free radicals that are a result of normal metabolism, as well as other toxins ingested or inhaled in a polluted environment. Artichoke supports both the digestive system and the liver, so it’s important to take if you are concerned about environmental pollutants that are impossible to avoid.

This remedy is formulated by a biochemist to prevent the accumulation of toxins in the body and has a highly distinctive taste. You will probably have to disguise it in a drink, such as a smoothie, to get your son to take it.

Q. I have read that there is an Australian Bush Flower Essence that is formulated specifically to treat genital herpes, but I can’t find any information on which one it is. Can you help or suggest an alternative?

Name and address withheld

A. The Australian Bush Flower Essences come in two forms: ready-made combination essences and creams sold in good independent health stores, and the more complex individual essences used by natural-health practitioners, usually as an adjunct to other treatment regimens.

The remedy recommended for herpes is, in fact, a combination of three essences: Spinifex, which helps to cleanse the body and can clear up skin lesions; Sturt Desert Rose, which promotes a positive acceptance of the body, with all its flaws; and Billy Goat Plum, which helps to eliminate any feelings of disgust that can accompany this infection.

Contact the British Naturopathic Association (01458 840072) to find a qualified practitioner in your area who works with Australian Bush Flower Essences and ask them to make up this mixture. You should also invest in the combined St John’s wort and melissa (lemon balm) topical cream by Bioharmony, which you can apply directly to lesions (£8.99 for 50ml, from Revital; 0800 252875).

Q. My six-year-old son suffers from regular bouts of tonsillitis. I have been treating him with belladonna in its homeopathic form, which seems to shorten the episodes from five days to two or three, but I have been told by a shocked friend that it is dangerous to use. Can you suggest an alternative?

A Bryce, by e-mail

A The common name for belladonna is deadly nightshade. It is widely known as a poisonous plant, which would explain why your friend is so shocked. With homeopathic medicine, however, you are not using what is known as a material dose — if you sent a pilule to the laboratory, you would be told there was no trace of belladonna in it.

Homeopathy works in the opposite way to conventional medicine. With prescription drugs, the higher the material dose, the stronger the potency. With homeopathy, the more dilute the dose, the stronger the potency.

Since homeopathy is helping to reduce the duration of each bout of tonsillitis, you should continue to use it, but for the best results, it would be wise to consult a qualified homeopath, who can make a constitutional diagnosis for your son and prescribe accordingly. This would also reveal why he is having recurrent outbreaks, instead of just managing the symptoms. To find a doctor who is also a qualified homeopath, call the British Homeopathic Association on 0870 444 3950. For other qualified homeopaths, call the Society of Homeopaths on 01604 817890.

For more information on natural health, visit my website: www.whatreallyworks.co.uk

If you have any questions or tips, write to What’s the Alternative? Style, The Sunday Times, 1 Pennington Street, London E98 1ST. We can only provide replies to published letters

Before following any medical or dietary advice in this column, please consult your GP if you suffer from any health problems or special conditions, or are in doubt as to its suitability

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