Q: What is hemp oil? I keep hearing about it. Is it healthier than olive oil?

A: Say the word hemp and most of us think of the illegal drug. The hemp plant cannabis sativa is a member of the Cannabaceae family to which marijuana also belongs.

However, all hemp used in the production of hemp oil has had the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) ingredient with hallucinogenic properties removed.

Hemp oil is rich in omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids which our bodies don’t produce naturally but which are crucial for healthy circulation, cell growth and the immune system.

A good balance of these omegas has been linked to helping maintain a healthy heart and brain — especially in unborn babies — and relieving conditions such as PMS, eczema, psoriasis, even improving children’s behaviour and concentration. Hemp oil can be used in cakes and biscuits as well as in dressings (mix equal measures of olive oil and hemp oil to enjoy the benefits of both) or drizzled over vegetables.

There’s no need to replace olive oil with hemp — olive oil also has health boosting benefits of its own — just start including it in your diet.

Q: I get a lot of sweat under my arms. Do you know a natural remedy that could help?

A: Sage tea is renowned by herbalists for its ability to relieve excess sweating. Use a teaspoon of dried or fresh sage per cup, brew for five minutes and strain. Drink two cups of sage tea a day.

Q: I eat a healthy diet but often feel slightly nauseous on waking in the morning. I’m fine once I’ve had breakfast. Do you know why this could be?

A: As you feel fine after you’ve had breakfast, it is likely that you are experiencing symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia).

You have effectively gone through a fast from dinner the night before until you have breakfast in the morning which can be as long as 12 hours. If you are sensitive to blood sugar swings then you can experience feelings of nausea until the low blood sugar has been corrected by having breakfast.

You can test if this is the problem by having an oatcake or rye cracker within an hour of going to bed. If low blood sugar is the problem then you will not experience the nausea when you wake. Then you have to address the cause of the problem by eating little and often (every three hours) during the day and eliminating caffeine and sugar as this stops the blood sugar roller coaster effect.