Bo Tyler, Norfolk

A. I find it fascinating that in the West, we do not understand, or respect, what women experience in pregnancy or postnatally, while in eastern cultures, the focus after childbirth is on healing the mother and aiding true recovery on all levels. In India, after the birth, the new mother is expected to stay with her parents for several months to be nurtured back to full health.

During pregnancy, nature encourages us to listen to our body’s needs; and, after having a baby, it is important to continue this process. I think you may find that no matter how much you love exercise, your body is telling you that it is simply not ready for such an amount.

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), pregnancy is considered to have a depleting effect on specific areas, especially the kidneys and adrenal glands. The healing practice that TCM doctors usually recommend to regenerate these is rest and sleep. So, rather than taking another pill, you need to increase your rest time and reduce the frequency and/or intensity of exercise until your body gives you the green light. A course of acupuncture could also help strengthen your core energy. Call the British Acupuncture Council to find your nearest practitioner (020 8735 0400).

Q. I am fed up with getting recurrent cold sores on my lips. I manage to control them with conventional treatment, but they always come back. Is it true that certain foods aggravate them, and can you recommend anything to apply topically?

R Jones, Cardiff

A. Certain foods containing the amino acid arginine, including chocolate, peanuts, nuts, seeds, raisins and cereal grains, are thought to be a contributory factor in outbreaks of herpes simplex, the cold-sore virus, so reduce your intake of these foods.

Conversely, mother nature has given us another amino acid, called lysine, which inhibits the absorption of arginine and is considered to suppress the virus. Lysine-rich foods include most antioxidant-packed vegetables, eggs, chicken and fish. Taking a 1g lysine supplement three times daily during an outbreak of cold sores can speed the recovery process. Solgar’s L-Lysine, available from good health shops, costs £6.95 for 50 caps.

Liquorice Balm, from the Skin Shop (£10.99, plus £1.99 p&p; 0871 871 9975) is applied externally to soothe your lips and reduce outbreaks. Liquorice contains glycyrrhizic acid, an antiviral compound that can help deactivate herpes simplex.

Q. My 13-year-old daughter developed hay fever two years ago. The most distressing of her symptoms, which last from April to August, is swollen, sore and itchy eyes, particularly at night. Prescription medicines don’t have any effect, and the drops she has used make her eyes even worse. Can you recommend an alternative?

Helen McNulty, Cobham

A. I would initially suggest that your daughter tries homeopathy, as there are some good remedies for sore eyes. Euphrasia (eyebright) has a specific action on watery, itchy eyes: suck a 6c pill three times daily for a few days. Stop if there is an improvement, and repeat the dosage if symptoms recur.

As her symptoms are worse at night, the remedy arsenicum album may help. This can be used to treat hot, watery eyes if euphrasia doesn’t provide any relief. Arsenicum album costs £3.75 for 4g from Helios Homeopathic Pharmacy (020 7379 7434), which also sells a 5ml tincture of euphrasia (£3.75). The latter comes with full instructions on how to use it diluted as an eyebath.

Histamine plays a significant part in producing allergic inflammatory reactions, so ensure your daughter’s diet is full of antioxidant-rich fruit and vegetables containing vitamin C and quercetin (red onions, cherries, broccoli and nettles), which are natural antihistamines.

Traditionally, local honey has also been considered to have a desensitising effect that may relieve some hay-fever symptoms; eat 2tsp daily (from a local hive).

Jennifer Harper-Deacon is a registered naturopathic physician. For more information, visit www.jenniferharper-deacon.com

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 recommendation in this column, it is important to 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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