OFFERING an alternative approach to health and wellbeing, independent nutritional and naturopathic researcher Irene McCabe and medical herbalist Nikki Biddiss of A&M Eaglesham Herbs and Natural Remedies in Cresswell Street, Glasgow, offer help and advice using the healing power of plants.

I have overdone it while gardening. Are there any natural solutions?

Medical herbalist Nikki Biddiss:

BLAME it on the weather. Getting out into the garden is a novelty just now: we wait for a dry day in-between the rain showers, and then try to cram a whole season's gardening in a short space of time. The results are tired, aching muscles, desperately needing soothed and relaxed.

Start with a warm bath. The heat from the water will start the soothing process and some people find adding a cup of Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) can aid relaxation. Alternatively add bath oil containing lavender essential oil - don't pour lavender oil direct into the bath as it needs a carrier oil to help it disperse and please be careful of slipping.

Once you are out the bath, massage an oil blend to affected areas or better still get someone else to do it for you! Napier's Muscle Ease Blend contains a mix of oils including comfrey and rosemary, the latter which is a circulatory stimulant and muscle relaxant.

Then you can consider sitting back and sipping on a herbal tea. There are a number of herbs traditionally used to ease the pain of stiff muscles and joints including pulsatilla and cramp bark (the clue is in the name!). Napier's Gardener's Tea contains both of these herbs along with several others.

Try to remember to enjoy your garden by just sitting and relaxing in it when the weather is good, the grass can always be cut another day.

Naturopathic nutritional expert Irene McCabe:

SALT baths are a welcomed treat after a physically taxing day in the garden. Epsom Salts (Magnesium Sulphate), Dead Sea Salts or Himalayan Salts (both of which contain numerous minerals as well as magnesium), all have a soothing effect on tired aching muscles.

Topically, applying Capsicum & Ginger Cream (Napier's £8.50) or Tiger Balm with active ingredients of menthol and camphor may also instantly sooth aching joints.

A popular old wives' remedy for sore aching joints, would include soaking sore joints in warmed Apple Cider Vinegar. My granny used to use this. To administer topically, she would use a quarter cup of Apple Cider Vinegar mixed with one and a half cups of warm water. She would soak a cloth in this mixture, put it on the affected area, and wrap a towel over the soaked cloth to keep in the heat for 10 minutes at a time replacing the cloth when it cooled. I recently used this old gem on a neck strain to surprisingly good effect albeit, you do need to get used to the smell of the Apple Cider Vinegar

Homeopathic remedies used for stiff joints include Rhux Tox for its ability to help joints which hurt on initial movement but feel better with gentle motion, or for the initial treatment of injuries or overexertion. Arnica is useful to help reduce bruising, swelling and resultant pain. For sprains Ruta Grav helps joints after twists and sprains, or joints aggravated by repeat injuries.

Consult your health practitioner before following any advice if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have underlying health issues.

Nikki Biddiss is a medical herbalist, aromatherapy massage therapist and stress and wellbeing coach. Irene McCabe has been an independent nutritional researcher who practices allergy and intolerance testing (using kinesiology and homeopathy), advanced clinical hypnotherapy, and from June naturopathic nutrition. She is the owner of A & M Eagleshams Herbs & Natural Remedies (formerly Napier's Glasgow) at 61 Creswell Street, Glasgow. Consultations are available, call 0141 339 5859 or visit www.eagleshams.com