I am 51 and all my life have suffered with constipation. It's worst just before menstruation when I can go for as long as 10 days without bowel movement. Is there anything I can do?

Regular exercise and a diet high in fibre and fluids will help. Eat lots of raw fruit, vegetables, pulses and whole grains, rice or oat bran-rich foods, and psyllium husk fibre. Avoid alcohol and caffeine as they cause fluid loss, worsening constipation. It can be due to low thyroid function - ask in a good health food shop for a thyroid supplement containing kelp and tyrosine. Hormonal imbalance and constipation can be helped by taking ground flaxseeds; they have high fibre content and make stools larger, softer and easier to pass. They also contain plant-based oestrogens to balance female hormones. Improving liver function can help because bile salts produced in the liver are natural laxatives. Dandelion root tea or yellow dock tea stimulate the liver and act as a mild laxative. The herb cascara sagrada is a powerful laxative, but do not use for more than a week or two at a time.

In 1984, when she was 25, my wife had varicose veins in her left leg stripped out. Recently she has started getting bad night cramps in her left foot, calf and shin. Is there a natural remedy?

Horse chestnut seed or 'aesculus' has long been recognised for its ability to improve the tone of vein walls. Your wife could start by taking Aesculus Forte, with food, at 6pm - but not if she is taking anticoagulants such as aspirin or warfarin. If this does not do the trick, take two capsules of Hawthorn-Garlic Complex at the same time to improve circulation (both by Bioforce; 01294 277344, bioforce.co.uk). Magnesium and calcium can also help with leg cramps; try Calcium Plus from BioCare, 0121 433 3727.

· Emma Mitchell is a natural health therapist. Before following Emma's recommendations, you should consult your GP about any medical problems or special health conditions.

Send your questions to Wellbeing, Guardian Weekend, 119 Farringdon Road, London EC1R 3ER. Email: ask.emma@theguardian.com.