Seaside medicine cabinet

Coastal healing

Few of us feel at our best at this time of year, but instead of reaching for a packet of pills, why not try a natural remedy from the seashore?

By Kate Langrish

Cod liver oil

What it’s good for Stiff and aching joints.

How it works The wear and tear on joints can take its toll, especially for sporty types, leaving you feeling stiff when you wake up in the morning, but cod liver oil may help ease that discomfort. ‘It’s the Omega-3 fatty acids that help keep joints supple and flexible – think of it as oiling creaky hinges,’ says dietician and sports performance nutritionist Jane Griffin. ‘It’s good for maintaining healthy joints but there’s also evidence to show it can relieve pain and stiffness, too.’ To maximise the benefits, try taking cod liver oil with another of the sea’s remedies, glucosamine – it’s made from the shells of shellfish. Experts believe it can ease joint pain and may even help rebuild damaged cartilage. A recent study found patients with osteoarthritis of the knee who took 1,500mg of glucosamine daily for six months felt less pain in their knees. And Take That admit to taking it on tour for all those gruelling dance routines!

The prescription Jane Griffin recommends a daily dose of 400mg of cod liver oil, and anyone feeling stiffness in their joints should take 1,500mg of glucosamine, too.

Where to buy In health stores – Seven Seas JointCare Max (£19.99; www.jointcare.com).

Carrageen

What it’s good for Chesty coughs.

How it works Carrageen (or Irish moss) has been used to treat chest infections for generations in Ireland. ‘Your grandmother would brew it up into a tea if you had a chesty cough or bronchitis,’ says GP and seaweed expert Dr Prannie Rhatigan. ‘Carrageen has a dual action because it loosens the phlegm and also has antiviral properties, so it attacks the infection. It has the added benefit of being full of nutrients so it’s like taking a multivitamin to boost your immune system, too.’

The prescription Dr Rhatigan suggests taking ‘a closed fistful of dried carrageen’, rinsing it and then bringing to the boil in a pint of water. ‘Simmer until all the gelatinous material oozes out – this is the bit that does all the good,’ Dr Rhatigan explains. ‘Then strain it into a mug and add lemon and honey. Take a cupful before bed every night until the cough has cleared.’

Where to buy You can harvest carrageen from along the coast and dry it yourself ready for the winter (‘It’s best harvested around St Patrick’s Day or late summer,’ Dr Rhatigan says). Also, buy it from health food shops or online at www.dolphinseaveg.com (£1.80 for 25g).

Oysters

What they’re good for Boosting your love life.

How they work They’re known as the food of love and Casanova enjoyed 70 a day, apparently, but it seems there may actually be some truth behind oysters’ libido-boosting reputation. They are a very rich source of zinc, which is important for healthy sex hormones in both men and women. However, it’s particularly helpful for men, as it’s an essential mineral for sperm production and strength. ‘Lots of people are deficient in zinc, and one of the signs is a low libido,’ explains nutritionist Natalie Savona, author of Wonderfoods (Quadrille, £12.99). ‘But eating oysters is unlikely to have an immediate effect for that reason – I think that’s more to do with the fact they’re a sexy thing to eat.’

The prescription A dozen oysters will provide you with a week’s worth of zinc – but don’t forget the candles and Champagne.

Where to buy From fishmongers – they’re available all year round but are at their best between October and February. If you’re not partial to oysters, then zinc supplements are widely available from pharmacies and health food shops – try Holland & Barrett Zinc Lozenges (£4.49; www.hollandandbarrett.com).

Crab

What it’s good for The immune system.

How it works If you are prone to more than your fair share of colds and bugs, it could be because you are low in selenium. The average Briton consumes only half the recommended amount of selenium
a day, and this is partly due to the fact that levels in the soil have been depleted by intensive farming methods, so we no longer get our quota from the wheat and vegetables we eat. A study at the University of Liverpool found that the immune systems of people given a supplement of selenium were significantly improved. A rich source is to be found loitering in rockpools. ‘Shellfish, especially crab, are good sources of selenium,’ says Lisa Miles, a nutrition scientist at The British Nutrition Foundation. ‘They also contain iron and zinc, all necessary for the immune system.’

The prescription A portion of crab is full of immune-boosting nutrients.

Where to buy From fishmongers – look out for pot-caught brown crab from Devon, which is on the Marine Conservation Society’s ‘fish to eat’ list.

Serrated wrack

What it’s good for Dry and problem skin.

How it works A bath of green slime may not look like it’s going to help you win any beauty contests, but many experts believe there are few things better for healthy-looking skin. ‘A huge number of our customers have been referred to us because they suffer from skin problems, such as eczema and psoriasis,’ says Neil Walton of Celtic Seaweed Baths in County Sligo (www.celticseaweedbaths.com).

He believes it is the alginate content of the serrated wrack that soothes and hydrates the skin. ‘This silky gel is also used in burn creams in a lot of hospitals, as it smooths the skin and speeds up the healing process,’ he adds.

The prescription Neil says having seaweed baths two to three times a week is enough to see improvements in skin conditions.

Where to buy Visit Celtic Seaweed Baths – a bath for one costs €20 (about £14). Alternatively, recreate the experience at home with Lazy Days Seaweed Bath, €16 (around £10, 00 353 71 916 8686, www.celticseaweedbaths.com).

Salt water

What it’s good for Oral health.

How it works If you’ve had a tooth out recently, then it’s likely your dentist advised you to rinse your mouth with warm, salty water. ‘You can’t brush over a mouth wound, but you do need to clean it, and salt water helps to remove any debris. It is mildly antiseptic and helps discourage bacteria and infection,’ explains Dr Gordon Watkins, a member of the British Dental Association’s Health and Science Committee. ‘Dissolving salt in water gives it the same density as blood – this means it won’t drag fluids out of the wound. It also promotes healing – just think about how any nicks and cuts heal up after you’ve been in the sea.’

The prescription For wounds, such as an extraction or a painful mouth ulcer, Dr Watkins recommends adding half a teaspoon of salt to a small tumbler of warm water – ‘Swirl it gently around your mouth after every meal.’

Where to buy Online – try Halen Môn Sea Salt (100g for £2.75; www.seasalt.co.uk).

Mackerel

What it’s good for Beating the blues.

How it works No one knows exactly how it works but it’s thought that the Omega-3s in oily fish, such as mackerel, not only help your brain create more of the ‘happy hormone’ serotonin, but also make you more responsive to its effects. ‘A recent British survey of 37,000 people by the Institute for Optimum Nutrition found that nearly half frequently felt depressed and 64 per cent felt anxious or tense. But those who ate two portions of oily fish a week reported clear improvements,’ says Patrick Holford, director of the Brain Bio Centre (www.brainbiocentre.com). Studies also show that people living in seaside areas have a lower incidence of depression, possibly due to them eating more oily fish.

The prescription Most people should be eating more oily fish because as a nation the majority of us aren’t getting enough Omega-3 fatty acids in our diet. However, oily fish can contain low levels of pollutants that can build up in the body. For this reason, the Government recommends that women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning to have a baby should limit themselves to two portions of oily fish a week, and everyone else should aim for up to four portions a week.

Where to buy Sustainably caught Cornish hand-line mackerel is available from Waitrose and Marks & Spencer.