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caption152 Photography chris jansen/ bauersyndication. com. au • styling cathryn zhang Therapeutic oils target some of our most common ailments. Patricia Flokis looks at how they can help W e’ve all heard that essential fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6 can boost brain and heart health, but did you know they can also help you cope with ailments such as PMT, arthritis, dry eye syndrome and eczema? Considering the range of oils and supplements available though, how do you know which essential fatty acid – essential because your body needs it but can’t produce it – will provide the therapeutic properties you’re seeking? Here, naturopaths explain their benefits. oil the good gm0413oilp152.pdf Page 152 12/02/2013, 5:22:19 PM

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caption153 PHOTOGRAPHY CHRIS JANSEN/ BAUERSYNDICATION. COM. AU • STYLING CATHRYN ZHANG goodalternatives. l F I S H O I L GOOD FOR PAIN RELIEF If you’re looking to help reduce the pain associated with conditions such as arthritis, cystitis, bronchitis and gastritis, fish oil is what you need, says naturopath Victoria O’Sullivan. “Fish oil is high in omega-3 essential fatty acids eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA), which are directly anti-inflammatory, helping to switch that fire off. “For instance, studies suggest fish oil is good for reducing acute arthritic pain very quickly, but you have to take the right dose,” she says. Arthritis Australia recommends a daily dose of 2700mg of combined EPA/DHA for reducing pain and inflammation, while for general health the Heart Foundation advises taking at least 500mg a day. O’Sullivan recommends taking a fish oil supplement from age 30 onwards. “If you’re only going to take one supplement, it should be fish oil FLAXSEED OIL GOOD FOR DRY EYES Containing alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a plant-derived omega-3, flaxseed oil not only helps to enrich the oily layer of the tear film in our eyes, it also combats dryness by keeping our liver healthy, says naturopath Janella Purcell, author of Elixir, How To Use Food as Medicine (Allen & Unwin, $29.99). “Traditional Chinese medicine tells us that the liver controls the eyes and flax, as a good oil, helps your liver flush out the bad oils,” she says. In a recent US study, 70 per cent of people beat dry eyes after taking flaxseed oil, along with omega-3s from fish sources, for three months. Another study found flaxseed oil supplements to be as because disease-causing inflammation starts to increase in the body at this time, particularly if you’re not eating the right foods,” she explains. “For a better quality product, choose distilled or pharmaceutical grade fish oil supplements. They’re often

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caption154 EVENING PRIMROSE OIL GOOD FOR SKIN CONDITIONS Extracted from the seeds of the evening primrose, a small yellow wildflower, evening primrose oil is known primarily as a hormone helper and PMS buster, but it can also help to soothe dry, itchy skin. “Evening primrose oil is high in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-6 fatty acid which the body converts into prostaglandins, hormone-like substances which fight inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and hormonal acne,” says O’Sullivan. GLA combats inflammation by switching K R I L L O I L GOOD FOR HELPING REDUCE CHOLESTEROL For a natural remedy to help combat cholesterol, take a closer look at krill oil. Extracted from tiny crustaceans in the ocean (preferably the Antarctic Ocean, which has less chance of being affected by environmental pollutants), krill oil has the same omega-3 fatty acid profile as fish oil, with an added bonus. “Krill oil is rich in astaxanthin, an antioxidant that helps reduce cholesterol by helping prevent oxidation in the body, making it more powerful than fish oil,” says O’Sullivan. “You need less to help reduce cholesterol compared to fish oil.” In a Canadian study, people who took krill oil decreased their LDL or ‘bad’ cholesterol by a third and almost doubled their HDL or ‘good’ cholesterol compared to those taking a placebo. Astaxanthin is also reported to boost eye health and immune function and may even help you look younger. “The on the prostaglandin pathways in the body, adds O’Sullivan. “For eczema relief, you’ll need three to four evening primrose oil capsules (3000mg to 4000mg) per day or one capsule for general health.” Evening primrose oil can react with certain medications and isn’t suitable for people with seizure disorders, so be sure to consult your healthcare professional before taking it. | TOP PICKS | Nature’s Way Evening Primrose Oil, 1000mg; Blooms Evening Primrose Oi