Always Tired? Never Feel Quite on Par? Nature Can Help!

We can all slap some foundation on when we're pasty faced, but what we really need is a feeling of well-being if we are to look our best.

It's usually menstrual, digestive or seasonal disorders that make us feel off colour and always tired, and it's in the medicine cabinet that most of us seek relief, whether it be an aspirin or a laxative.

But did you know that nature has provided us with everything we need to deal with everyday disorders? They are more gentle than over-the-counter drugs, and provide longer lasting relief.

Menstrual, digestive and seasonal disorders are best remedied with bitter tasting plants, and one of them can be found on our very door step:

I'm hardly the type you'd describe as lethargic. Nevertheless, when the seasons change, I just can't get out of bed. Since I have to, I lethargically plod through the tasks of my day wishing I could just lie down, close my eyes, and drift off.

But with two small children, a demanding man, and a full-time job, I absolutely have to get myself back into gear.

I do it with dandelion.

Stimulating the liver, gall bladder and pancreas, dandelion rids the digestive system of accumulated toxins, which are what cause the lethargy.

All it takes are three tablespoons of dandelion juice a day, or two or three cups of dandelion tea.

During spring, I can even shred a couple of fresh dandelion leaves from the garden for my lunchtime salad; dandelions are all around us.

Try it if you experience change of season lethargy. Dandelion is best taken over a period of four to six weeks.

Who would have thought the common dandelion could be so useful!

We tend never to talk about it if we're experiencing flatulence or constipation, no matter how uncomfortable it is. Usually caused by nervosity and stress, these disorders make us appear tired, and our skin dull.

The bitter substances of yarrow stimulate the production of gastric juices and saliva, bringing fluidity to the digestive system, which in turn relieves flatulence and constipation.

Two to three cups of yarrow tea before meals for about three weeks each day will bring relief, calm the nerves, and perk up the skin.

The calming effects of yarrow also relieve menstrual cramps and headaches.

Flatulence, belching, lethargy, and an unpleasant feeling of fullness are symptoms of an over-worked liver.

Artichoke stimulates the liver and gall bladder, allowing effective digestion of fat and a lower cholesterol rate.

One tablespoon of artichoke juice per day suffices in addition to a handful of bitter lettuce, like radicchio, rucola or chicorée over about four weeks. If you dislike the bitter taste of such lettuces, then opt for three tablespoons of milk thistle seeds a day.

Have you ever heard of the age-old, all-natural Sweetish Bitters?

This is one of the secrets of how some women find it possible to retain their weight in spite of normal eating.

Sweetish Bitters are composed primarily of bitter plants (including dandelion, yarrow and artichoke) that help burn calories and prevent cravings. You'll also find it good for the relief of nausea, and helpful for the disorders mentioned above.

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