I have had red, stinging eyes for five weeks. Antibiotic drops helped for a week, but then the redness returned. I use soft contact lenses, but have not been able to wear them.

Contact lens cleaning solution, particularly if it contains the preservative thiomersal, can irritate the conjunctiva. Bathe eyes four times a day with eyebright and goldenseal solution (available at health-food shops). Apply hot camomile or fennel tea bags to closed eyes, eat lots of green leafy and colourful vegetables, and drink carrot juice. Persistent infections can indicate liver disorders, vitamin A deficiency, constipation or overtiredness. Milk thistle complex would help the liver.

I have high cholesterol. Can you suggest a natural alternative to the usual drugs that are prescribed?

You should never come off prescribed drugs without first consulting your GP. Many alternative practitioners now think it is not cholesterol itself that is harmful but the oxidation of 'bad' LDL cholesterol (low density lipoprotein). Reduce oxidation with high daily levels of antioxidants such as vitamin C (2-4g) and E (400mg); again, check with your GP before taking vitamin B3 (niacin) because the high doses needed (500-1,000mg) could affect your liver. 'Good' high density lipoprotein carries cholesterol away from the arteries, back to the liver; selenium (200mcg), zinc (30mg) and copper (2mg) increase HDL levels, so take a supplement that gives these daily amounts. Cook with onions and garlic, and have a cup of cooked oat bran and 1 tbsp of lecithin granules a day. Walnuts, flax, hemp and pumpkin seed oil contain alpha-linolenic acid which lowers cholesterol.

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.