Village Raw - ISSUE 15
Village Raw is a magazine that explores cultural stories from Crouch End, East Finchley, Highgate, Muswell Hill and the surrounding areas. The magazine is created by the community, for the community. If you like this issue you can support the project through a subscription or donation. See the links below. The fifteenth issue of Village Raw includes: UPSTAIRS AT THE GATEHOUSE - A look at Highgate’s fringe theatre. GETTING TO KNOW - The poetry and music of rapper and artist TaliaBle. FROM PAINT TO PRINT - How lockdown closures led an 81-year-old to a new career. SPACE TO THROW - Local ceramics studios offering courses. INSIDE THE SHEPHERD’S COTTAGE - Inside a 17th century Highgate house. RIGHT UP MY STREET - How to set up a community street party. UPON MEETING A FOX (OR TWO) - Launching the On Local Nature community. FILL ’ER UP - Exploring the local zero waste refill scene. ASK OLA - Refocusing the mind and dealing with hay fever. AND MORE…
Village Raw is a magazine that explores cultural stories from Crouch End, East Finchley, Highgate, Muswell Hill and the surrounding areas. The magazine is created by the community, for the community. If you like this issue you can support the project through a subscription or donation. See the links below. The fifteenth issue of Village Raw includes:
UPSTAIRS AT THE GATEHOUSE - A look at Highgate’s fringe theatre.
GETTING TO KNOW - The poetry and music of rapper and artist TaliaBle.
FROM PAINT TO PRINT - How lockdown closures led an 81-year-old to a new career.
SPACE TO THROW - Local ceramics studios offering courses.
INSIDE THE SHEPHERD’S COTTAGE - Inside a 17th century Highgate house.
RIGHT UP MY STREET - How to set up a community street party.
UPON MEETING A FOX (OR TWO) - Launching the On Local Nature community.
FILL ’ER UP - Exploring the local zero waste refill scene.
ASK OLA - Refocusing the mind and dealing with hay fever.
AND MORE…
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VILLAGE RAW<br />
ASK OLA<br />
Send your questions to hello@villageraw.com<br />
Words by Ola Nwakodo.<br />
Reader question: “Over the last few years I feel I’ve really<br />
lost my ability to focus and plan and organise - is there<br />
something to settle my scattered brain?”<br />
Without knowing your full circumstances, I wouldn’t be able<br />
to offer any bespoke recommendations. However, traditional<br />
herbal medicine has a lot to offer when it comes to<br />
supporting mental clarity.<br />
BACOPA has a long history of use for improving memory,<br />
mental acuity and focus. I consider this herb helpful<br />
in cases of nervous exhaustion, chronic stress and<br />
stress-induced mental fog. Studies show that taking bacopa<br />
regularly can improve mental performance, cognitive<br />
and intellectual function as well as a feeling of enhanced<br />
wellbeing. I prefer to use the tincture in prescriptions. It is<br />
considered safe for long-term use with no known toxicity.<br />
However caution is advised for dialysis patients as it is high<br />
in potassium.<br />
GOTU KOLA has been used for centuries as a brain tonic.<br />
Some studies show that it can increase alertness and<br />
working memory, and relieve anger. I usually combine it<br />
with other herbs such as gingko or ashwagandha, to get<br />
synergistic effects on attention, concentration, brain<br />
function and processing.<br />
ROSEMARY has a traditional use to strengthen memory<br />
and cerebral circulation. Trials have found that inhaling<br />
rosemary essential oil improves mental alertness, quality<br />
of memory and mood. Participants in a 2013 study stated<br />
they felt “fresher” and EEG analysis confirmed stimulatory<br />
effects on the anterior region of the brain. It may be helpful<br />
in clearing the mind and increasing mental awareness. My<br />
favourite ways of using rosemary are as a tea or essential<br />
oil in a room diffuser.<br />
GENTIAN is indicated for discouragement after a setback,<br />
and pessimism. In Bach Flower remedies, the positive potential<br />
of gentian is courage, grounding, acceptance that<br />
restores a positive outlook.<br />
“Every year I struggle with hay fever symptoms! Any recommendations<br />
on how to manage and minimise please?”<br />
For many who suffer from seasonal hay fever, symptoms<br />
can feel unrelenting at times. Support is available to lessen<br />
the severity of attacks. The key to having sustained relief<br />
from symptoms seems to be preparation.<br />
Herbal respiratory and immune tonics are beneficial for<br />
many. Regularly taking a blended tea (or tincture) of echinacea,<br />
elderflower, nettles and yarrow - starting before<br />
spring - may help immune function, stabilise an overreactive<br />
response and reduce swelling, soreness and pain. Another<br />
blended herb tea of peppermint, sage (add for runny<br />
nose), thyme, and marshmallow leaf (add for thick mucus)<br />
could support the nose, sinuses, lungs and circulation<br />
throughout the season. This tea is also useful as a gargle.<br />
Consider a good dose of vitamin C and zinc and teaspoon<br />
of flaxseed oil daily. Bioflavonoids which are contained<br />
in quality vitamin C supplements and in food<br />
sources, act as natural antihistamine. This helps to block<br />
histamine, the chemical substance responsible for known<br />
symptoms of hay fever.<br />
Increase your intake of magnesium. German researchers<br />
found that three bananas contain enough magnesium<br />
to stop an attack. There are also many good supplements<br />
available.<br />
A good diet that includes fruits and vegetables especially<br />
onions, garlic (acts as an anticatarrhal) and peppers<br />
may help reduce attacks. Some find that a teaspoon of local<br />
honey daily - before and throughout the season - helps<br />
with desensitisation.<br />
Exercise regularly as studies have found that moderate<br />
cardio exercise can calm inflammatory proteins in the nasal<br />
passages. A 2013 study found that after running for 30<br />
minutes, sneezing, runny nose, nasal itching and congestion<br />
all decreased by more than 70 percent.<br />
Euphrasia or eyebright as a compress could soothe and<br />
provide relief for itchy red eyes.•<br />
Ola Nwakodo, Medical herbalist, Saint&Smith. For enquiries contact:<br />
ola@saint&smith.com / www.saintandsmith.com / 07971193396<br />
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