Natural Cures For Common Ailments by Fiann Ó Nualláin is published by Mercier Press, RRP €12.99. Here’s some of his picks:

For anaemia: Feel-good vinaigrette

An iron-rich salad dressing

2 tablespoons fresh or dried thyme

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

8 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon honey

1. Simply combine the thyme and vinegars in a jar or bottle, swirl a little, cover and allow to sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Then add the oil and honey and shake well before serving. This will last for up to six months in the cupboard.

For hay fever and pollen allergies: In the pink drink

Four ingredients to boost immunology, address nasal inflammation, increase antihistamine action and energise.

1 beetroot or 1 cup beet juice

1 pineapple

1 tablespoon honey

7 marshmallow flowers (or alternately 1 teaspoon any herbal antihistamine from garden treatments listed in book, eg elderflower, echinacea)

1.Peel and quarter the beetroot. Peel and dice the pineapple. In a juicer, blender or food processor, add all the ingredients and whizz up a delicious and health-boosting beverage. The juicer will yield juice, while the blender will give you a thicker, smoothie-type drink. Chill to serve and enjoy.

For urinary tract infections: Sweet and tangy cranberry and juniper berry compote

A tasty antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory & antispasmodic

2 tablespoons juniper berries

1/2 lb fresh cranberries (if dry, slightly less)

1/4 cup cranberry juice

1/4 cup orange juice

4 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons honey or orange marmalade

Water

1. Wash then crush the juniper berries with the flat side of a knife blade – place in a hot saucepan with a drop of water and cook for a minute.

2. Next, add the cranberries and the juices and bring to a boil. Simmer for five minutes, stirring regularly, then add the sugar and honey or marmalade. Keep stirring and simmer for a further five minutes or until thickening occurs.

3.Remove from the heat and allow to cool completely before serving. Stores in the fridge for a week. Great on muesli, in natural yoghurt or, if so inclined, with meat dishes.

For a sore throat: Strawberry and lime sugar-free vitamin c ice lolly

A raw food answer to a raw throat. Depending on the size of the moulds, it will deliver four to six ice pops.

1lb ripe fresh strawberries

2 tablespoons lime juice

Moulds and ice-pop sticks

1. Wash and hull the strawberries. Then add to a blender with the lime juice and purée. Decant to moulds and place these in the freezer for four hours or until they are fully frozen. To remove from the mould in one smooth move, simply dip the bottom of the mould in warm water for 10 to 15 seconds.

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