Mrs Marron, by e-mail

A Issues at school, such as bullying, the need for acceptance, shyness, and difficulty concentrating or absorbing new information, can really affect children — and their parents, who have to witness their suffering. Try to find out the source of your daughter’s anxiety and discuss it with her teachers. Children can be highly sensitive, and respond extremely well to flower remedies and homeopathy, both of which are safe and effective.

If your daughter has a real fear and panics about going to school, the homeopathic remedy to consider is aconite. Try gelsemium if the anxiety is about an examination or performance and courage is needed; silicea if she fears failure; and arsenicum if she is sensitive about the opinion of others. Initially, give her a 30C potency tablet to suck in the morning, evening and next morning (allowing at least 20 minutes before or after food, or after brushing her teeth, as this can act as an antidote). Wait and see if there’s any improvement. If not, repeat the dose again in two or three days. Stop the remedy once the anxiety subsides. Rock Rose Bach Flower Remedy can be used when there is a real terror of going to school, and Mimulus is a good one to try for “known fears”. Add a few drops to a bottle of water that she can drink at school. Bach Flower Remedies (£5.65 for 20ml) and Nelsons homeopathic remedies (£4.90) are available at most health shops.

Q I am 84, have always been actively interested in my health, and am jolly fit, apart from a few of the aches and pains that come with old age. However, I have been thinking about trying reflexology, perhaps learning how to do it on myself. Can you tell me more about it?

Daphne Morris, London

A Reflexology works on the principle that all the organs and systems of the body are reflected on the soles and backs of the feet. Stimulating reflex points increases circulation in different parts of the body, healing, nourishing and energising the corresponding organs. It is thought that “crystals”, or waste products that the body has not eliminated, are deposited in the feet. Massaging the appropriate reflex points can help to disperse and dissolve these crystals.

Reflexology is also believed to clear blockages in the meridians, the pathways of energy that spread through the body like a web. In Chinese medicine, too, the feet are important because of the many acupuncture points that are located there. It is considered to be highly beneficial, after working on specific reflexes, to give the whole foot a massage, paying special attention to the tips of the toes and the area between the toes.

To find a qualified practitioner, contact the Association of Reflexologists (0870 567 3320). Explain your desire to work on your own feet so that your practitioner can advise you how to do this.

Q I snore terribly, and often spend nights in the spare room. My husband would like me to try one of the natural snoring remedies we’ve seen advertised. Do they work?

Norma Morgan, West Midlands

A A trial reported in the journal Phytotherapy Research, in 2004, revealed that, in 82% of cases, snoring can be treated naturally with a remedy called Helps Stop Snoring by Essential Health Products (£7 for a 9ml spray, from Boots), a blend of essential oils in a spray or gargle.

Andrew Pritchard, a leading consultant ear, nose and throat surgeon, says: “The clinical trial showed that essential oils stimulate the pharynx (the cavity behind the nose and mouth) and the palate (the soft tissue that lines the top of the throat). These oils reduce the ability of these areas to reverberate and create the noise we recognise as snoring.” The blend includes the antispasmodic oils fennel and peppermint; eucalyptus, to clear bronchial passages; lemon and pine, to relieve blocked sinuses; and lemon balm, sage and thyme, which are generally helpful for respiratory problems.

Lifestyle factors can also have an effect. The overconsumption of dairy products, for example, can stimulate excess mucus and raise the incidence or volume of snoring; and alcohol, a well-known relaxant, can cause a softening of the tissue in the throat, which will have a noticeable effect.

Jennifer Harper-Deacon is a registered naturopathic physician. For more information, visit www.jenniferharper-deacon.com

If you have any questions or tips, write to What's the Alternative? Style, The Sunday Times, 1 Pennington Street, London E98 1ST. We can only provide replies to published letters

Before following any recommendations in this column, it is important to consult your GP if you suffer from any health problems or special conditions, or are in doubt as to its suitability