About the Author

Asti Renaut

Asti Renaut (BHSc. Comp Med, BA, Adv Dip Nat, Adv Dip Herb Med, MNZAMH)

Asti Renaut is a degree-qualified medical herbalist and naturopath with over ten years clinical experience. Asti practices in Christchurch, New Zealand, treating a wide range of health issues. She especially enjoys working with infants and children, and finally has one of her own to practice on! One of the cornerstones of Asti's practice and philosophy is the importance of education and sharing information. She believes that empowering clients to understand their own bodies and health, and giving practical tips and tools to use from the garden and kitchen are just as important for wellness as qualified professional care. 

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The De-Stuff formulas for both adults and children have a great reputation; we hear from many customers that they are the first thing they turn to whenever they have congestion in the ears, nose or sinus. Learning what is actually in the De-Stuff products goes a long way towards understanding how they work so well.

The herbal extracts in De-Stuff pack a powerful synergistic punch! The formula can provide speedy relief, surprising some people who haven’t had the pleasure of using therapeutic herbal medicines before. There is no secret to this medicine, it is just high potency, high quality, well formulated herbal medicine doing what it does: working.

One of the best aspects of De-Stuff and De-Stuff for Kids is that it targets unwanted congestion, clears the airways, and also helps get to the root of the problem by supporting the immune response. Whether the nasal congestion is from hayfever, Spring colds, or is more long-standing, this formula covers all bases.

For infants and children, having a formula on hand to support clearing the nose and ears can be invaluable. I have personally lost count of the number of parents who have reported back to me what great results they have had for their children with recurrent ear problems, and for helping children breathe at night when they are stuffed up, enabling them to sleep more restfully.

Ribwort - Plantago lanceolata

Ribwort is a plant you may have walked past on any number of occasions and not given a second glance. Like so many of our common ‘weeds’, its medicinal properties have been utilised for centuries, but science is only slowly starting to unravel the reasons for its actions in the body. Ribwort has the ability to reduce inflammation and irritation of the tissues. It has the unique ability to reduce mucus secretions whilst not being drying but rather soothing instead.

Elderflower - Sambuccus nigra

The Elder tree has always been revered as a bit of a magic tree, and from its lush dark berries to its pretty frothy white blossoms, it certainly has a whole lot to offer! While some people would rather make champagne from their elderflowers, as herbalist we like to keep enough aside to also use as valuable medicine. Elderflower reduces the production of catarrh (an old name for mucus) and is well known for reducing sinus congestion. Elder is cooling and decongestant.

Echinacea - Echinacea purpurea

The beauty of using Echinacea root in this formula is that it will support immune function whether the cause of symptoms are allergic (such as hayfever or dust) or infectious (such as a cold). Echinacea has the ability to balance an overactive immune response, calming down reactivity, but can also stimulate and enhance an immune attack against a bacteria or virus.

Peppermint - Mentha piperita

If there is a secret ingredient to the formula, perhaps it is the humble Peppermint! Peppermint is not only antimicrobial and cooling in nature, but also provides rapid clearing of the nose to allow easier breathing.

But really, as I said, there are no secrets here, just good solid herbal medicine at its best!