The HCL Challenge

Where I suspect low stomach acid production I give the following challenge:

1) Begin by taking one capsule of Betaine HCl with a protein-containing meal. A normal response in a healthy person would be discomfort – basically heartburn.

2) If you do not feel a burning sensation, begin taking two capsules with a protein-containing meal, once daily.

3) If there are no reactions after 2 days, increase the number of capsules with one protein containing meal to three.

Continue increasing the number of capsules every 2 days, using up to a maximum of five capsules with a main meal if necessary.

These dosages may seem large, but a normally functioning stomach manufactures considerably more.

You’ll know you’ve taken too much if you experience tingling, heartburn, diarrhoea, tight sternum “knot”, or any type of discomfort including a feeling of unease, digestive discomfort, neck ache, backache, headache, or any new odd symptom.

If you experience tingling, burning, or any symptom that is uncomfortable, you can neutralize the acid with 1tsp of baking soda mixed in water.

4) When you reach a state of tingling, burning, or any other type of discomfort, discontinue the HCl and report the results back to me.

Our aim will then be to support your own production of HCL and find the underlying reason that you are not producing enough.

If you have any questions or uncertainty, please ask me directly.

Testimonials

First Aid Kit Workshop, Fiona - Worthing
A fabulous workshop with handouts of relevant information. Andrea makes the session fun, whilst sharing her love and knowledge of herbalism in an interactive way. Being able to make products to bring home was just superb, I look forward to the next one!

First Aid Kit Workshop, Fiona - Worthing

Back to normal
Following almost 20 years of surgery, antibiotics and steroids for sinusitis, I became extremely run down, caught Pneumonia and almost died. I spent 10 days in hospital. Thank goodness for the NHS and their life saving care. Yet it was Andrea and her herbs (the girls!) that allowed me to live my life again. It has now been over a year since my first visit to her calm and quiet surgery. I always look forward to going. Since the first visit, my health and energy improved and continues to do so.… Read more

Mr W TraversGoring by Sea

Autoimmune Diet for Rheumatoid Arthritis
I am currently on day 6 of the Diet and it’s working! Unbelievably for me I am sticking to it, especially given my inner rebel and sceptic! I had a rocky start but then really knuckled down and have 100% stuck to it and the pains in my fingers and toes have almost totally gone! My body no longer feels like i have permanently been hit by a bus, full of aches and pains. The mornings are most significant in that normally, before the diet I had to lever myself out of bed as if I was a lump of le… Read more

Lucy, Brighton.West Sussex

Splitting skin on my fingers
Location: West Sussex. I suffered eighteen agonising months of the skin on my fingers splitting for no apparent reason….. suddenly a stinging pain and I could watch my skin split open and bleed..not only on my finger tips but anywhere on my fingers. I made several visits to my GP who prescribed a variety of ointments and creams, I changed shampoo, soap, washing machine powder/liquid all to no avail. I had an appointment with a Dermatologist who arranged allergy tests and that also was a waste of… Read more

David KWest Sussex

Hashimoto's
I want to shout from the roof tops – I am SO MUCH BETTER I have worked with Andrea for a few years on fibroids, adrenal weakness and for the past 3 years on an autoimmune thyroid condition, from which point I embarked on both a huge change to my diet as well as taking herbs and supplements. I was VERY debilitated, unable to work at all, pacing myself through the day with a lot of rest alongside feeling utterly dreadful for days on end.
I have made slow progress and improvements as well as s… Read more

Hashimoto's

Better Digestion and no Omeprazole!
Hi Andrea Just wanted to let you know how much better I’m feeling! The last few days I’ve felt actual hunger, something I haven’t felt for months. Your wonderful herbs and particularly I feel, the Agrimony, are doing wonders. I’m off the omeprazole now ( for almost a week) and no repercussions. I’m sticking to wheat and dairy free with the exception of a little goat cheese, no bright stools at all. This lovely lady presented with a history of medication of proton pump inhibitors, s… Read more

Better Digestion and no Omeprazole!

Shingles
After suffering several outbreaks of very painful skin eruptions over a period of about 18 months which doctors could not explain but prescribed antibiotics for, I went to see Andrea. She recognised the skin problem as shingles and prescribed herbs which stopped further outbreaks. It has been almost 2 years now without any further occurrence. Andrea also helped diagnose a severe vitamin deficiency which has now been remedied. I am so lucky to know such a special, caring healer. Thank you Andrea

JBLancing, West Sussex

Fantastic workshop
Hi Andrea, Thank you so much for a fantastic workshop! I really enjoyed it – I’m sure we all did! I’m enjoying those wonderful bottles of syrup magic – I’ve never tasted anything more delicious – tastes of the countryside, sunshine, fresh air, of the pulse of life. You gave us lots of info, and lots to think about. Collected a few rosehips today too, on the Downs. I’d love to do more workshops – even if the subject isn’t something I’d necessarily do at home, it broadens one’s understa… Read more

Fantastic workshop

Spring Workshop April 2014
Some comments from some of the participants… That was a wonderful workshop thank you very much indeed. I do love having all these potions to shake and stir. Your enthusiasm and energy are so inspirational and your philosophy on plants and life. Please keep me posted of any further courses; so interesting. And think I’ve found my new herbalist!! Thanks again; it was inspiring and a spring tonic in every way! Hope to see you again soon.

Spring Workshop April 2014Worthing