 Nature's
Way
with Alan Hayes
Natural ways to handle fatigue
It is not uncommon to feel a little fatigued and out-of-sorts from time to time. The fast pace of today's hectic world quite often results in skipping meals, or eating the wrong foods, leading to fatigue, exhaustion, irritability and a general feeling of tiredness.
An inadequate diet, in particular an insufficient intake of vitamins and minerals, is one of the main culprits of this condition. Lack of B Group vitamins, especially vitamin B12, and the mineral magnesium can cause chronic irritability, exhaustion and mental fatigue.
Although supplements are readily available, it is far better to maintain a well balance diet that includes fresh fruit and vegetables and plenty of herbs. Foods to help motivate you and get you going are apples, bananas, corn, grapefruit, mangoes, papaya, peaches and yellow squash. A small glass of fresh carrot juice each day is also an excellent boost to the system - of all the juices it has the best balance of vitamins and minerals.
Natural food sources of magnesium are almonds and other nuts, fish, prawns, leafy green vegetables, molasses, soybeans, sunflower seeds and wheat germ. Herbs that provide this element are alfalfa (eat daily as sprouted seed), cayenne, dandelion and peppermint. Fresh dandelion leaves can be cooked like spinach or the young, tender leaves chopped up and served in a salad.
B group food sources are brewers' yeast (sprinkle over breakfast cereal), grains and seeds (such as wheat germ), rice bran, sunflower seed, nuts, legumes, potatoes, almonds, mushrooms, soya beans, citrus fruits, molasses, spinach, cauliflower, salmon, and in some dairy products. Vitamin B12 can be found in most meats; remember, meat should be lean and eaten sparingly. Herb sources of B complex vitamins are dandelion, fenugreek, parsley, alfalfa, watercress, cayenne, burdock and sage.
If you're feeling tired and in need of a quick energy fix, try a banana. Mashed and mixed with a little honey and avocado, and served on oat biscuits, it makes a powerful energy-packed snack.
For a good start to the day kick off with the following energy packed breakfast. Soak one handful each of sultanas and raisins overnight and reserve the soakwater. Mix together the sultanas and raisins, including the soakwater, two handfuls of sprouted wheat, one piece of apple, finely chopped, one tablespoon of fresh yoghurt, one piece of finely diced seasonal fruit, and one handful ground mixed nuts. Sprinkle with a pinch of powdered cinnamon and vanilla.
A cup of lemon balm or chamomile tea will help you to relax and soothe those irritated nerves. Chamomile tea acts as a mild sedative to help an active brain go to sleep.
Laying back and luxuriating in a warm bath, to which has been added a few drops of lavender oil, will not only help to reduce physical and metal fatigue but will also revitalise you.
When your concentration is flagging, you will find that inhaling a few drops of basil and bergamot oils on a handkerchief will help to conquer mental fatigue.
Most important, when you are feeling tired, irritable and exhausted, first assess what you are eating; if necessary, change your diet to include plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and herbs. This will give you the energy to get out and continue to enjoy life, rather than sleeping it away.
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