What is In Your Medicine Chest?

Drugs with a lot of side effects? 

NSAIDS have been shown to harm the liver, kidneys, and stomach lining. Is that really what you want to take for that headache or PMS cramps? I use a homeopathic remedy called Formula 303. It combines valerian root, passionflower herb, and magnesium into a fantastic little pain reliever. I keep this in my purse and use it as my first go to for headache pain.

Pain and inflammation a little more intense? Maybe a little too much snow shoveling or work in the garden? Then I use Curamin X Strength – pain relief in 20 minutes. Any side effects? Nope!

Feeling nausea, bloating, gas, upset stomach? I keep a jar of crystallized ginger by my desk for any time my tummy feels off. It is great to take on trips for motion sickness too!

Digestion problems more intense? Relying on antacids? Did you know they have a very bad form of calcium that can build up in the body? Think kidney stones, bone spurs, or inside your arteries – whoa, definitely a bad idea! Try digestive enzymes instead – these help to break down the food in your stomach, solving the cause of distress.

Did you know that there are natural alternatives to most of the everyday drugs you rely on? You can improve your health by taking the time to evaluate your drug choices and bring in more natural remedies. Be Your Own Doctor classes start in March if you want to learn more! 

Medicine Chest Makeover Challenge!!!

Go thru each item in your medicine chest. Evaluate side effects and target drugs you want to replace. Check for out of date items and throw them away – yes it is ok to get rid of them! As each drug in your medicine cabinet runs low, find a natural alternative to replace it. One choice at a time – you can live more naturally! Need help? Make an appointment with your herbalist for assistance.

Lavender, Glorious Lavender

This year in my herb garden, I grew the biggest, most beautiful lavender plant that I have ever grown. Ohio is not the best place to grow lavender, as it usually likes a warmer climate. So many times my lavender has not returned after the winter. This plant was 3 years old and gorgeous! I purchased this lavender plant from companionplants.com who brings wonderful herbs to our annual plant sale every year. I think it was called Grosso Lavender. I harvested every flower and filled a laundry basket with them. I then watched a youtube video (my children would be proud to see that I used technology!) and I learned how to make a lavender wreath. Come into the store and see my creation. I confess it was harder to do than it looked in the video, but after three tries I had a wreath I could enjoy. I love to play in my garden, learning to make things that I can use, and share them with others. What fun!

Another way that I enjoy lavender is in tea. I like the Cup of Calm from Traditional Medicinals. This tea blend contains: passionflower, chamomile, lavender, catnip, rosemary, peppermint, spearmint, licorice, and stevia. It has a mild flavor and is deeply relaxing. I always keep it on the shelf at home and frequently share a cup in the store with someone who is a bit stressed and needs a friend. A box of this tea is the perfect addition to any “care package”, it makes a great gift!

Lavender is probably our best selling essential oil. It is well-known and appreciated for its many qualities. If you can afford only one essential oil, buy lavender. It is balancing, calming, relaxing, and helps you to sleep. Lavender oil is also anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, antispasmodic, analgesic, and stimulating to the immune system. Lavender is great to have in a first aid kit, useful for wounds, rashes, bites, and burns. It is one of the essential oils that you can use “neat” or directly on the skin. It is often used in personal care products and works well in a diffuser for aromatherapy. Lavender is an excellent choice for use with children or the elderly.

Tension Headaches Inhaler – Open the empty inhaler and drop the essential oils directly onto the wick. Use 8 drops lavender, 5 drops marjoram, and 3 drops peppermint essential oil. Close tightly. To use the inhaler: slide off the cover, with one finger press closed the left nostril, inhale from the tube into the right nostril. Repeat on other side. Exhale thru the mouth. Repeat both sides again. Inhale as needed to ease headache, clear the brain, and lessen tension.

We carry the empty inhalers, and would be happy to assist you to make an inhaler at our “Blend Your Own Essential Oils Bar”. Stop in to the store and learn how to create something you can use yourself or give as a gift.

Women's Herbal Tea Recipe

This herbal tea has traditionally been used worldwide for its toning and nourishing qualities during pregnancy, breastfeeding, PMS and menopause.

To prepare tea: Mix the following herbs together and store in an airtight jar. Use ¼ cup of the herbs in a quart jar, cover with boiling water. Cover the jar and leave overnight. In the morning, strain tea, discarding the used herbs. You may dilute or sweeten tea if you like. Drink the quart of tea throughout the day.

Use 1 cup each: alfalfa, nettles, oatstraw, red raspberry leaves and ½ cup rose hips. My good friend likes to add peppermint leaves and stevia leaves to her tea mix, so you might want to try that variation too.

Alfalfa: one of the richest mineral foods in the world, contains calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, chlorophyll, biotin, chlorine, inositol, iron, PABA, sodium, sulfur, tryptophan, vitamins A, B complex, C E, and K. Restorative tonic which promotes pituitary gland function. It alkalizes the body, helping with arthritis, gout, and kidney function. It tones the intestines. Alfalfa is high in tryptophan, inducing better sleep. It is also antifungal.

Nettles: rich in chlorophyll, it contains iodine, magnesium, potassium, silicon, sodium, sulfur, vitamins A and C, facilitates absorption of vitamin D from the sun, proteins, iron and copper. Nettles tone and rebuild the adrenals. They help with energy levels, allergies, and kidneys. Nettles also improve muscle tone, reducing post-partum hemorrhage and vaginal tears. It promotes abundant breast milk. Nettles improve liver function, reducing jaundice, stabilizing blood sugar, and strengthening the nervous and immune systems.

Oatstraw: builds a strong resilient body, it contains calcium, high in vitamins A, C, B complex, phosphorus, potassium, and proteins. Oatstraw contains Avenin, an alkaloid which is highly nutritive to cells, improving reproduction. It is a premier food for the brain and nervous system, reducing anxiety, epilepsy, and assists addiction recovery. Oatstraw improves muscle tone, digestion, uterine function, back weakness, reducing leg cramps, and heart palpatations.

Red Raspberry: the most well-known pregnancy herb, it contains citric and malic acid, silicon, vitamins C, B, niacin, carotene, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, selenium, and improves vitamin D absorption. Red raspberry tones the muscles, especially in the uterus, reducing spasms and improving labor contractions. It tones and nourishes the ovaries and is beneficial to the pituitary gland, helping to reduce nausea and morning sickness. It is also useful for menstrual cramps and hot flashes. Due to its astringent qualities, it is used for mouth ulcers, bleeding gums, hemorrhage, hemorrhoids and cold sores. Its high mineral content promotes healthy nails, bones, teeth, and skin. Red raspberry is an excellent tea for children with a natural source of vitamin C to help fight off a cold.

Rose Hips: a good all-around tonic, specifically used for the blood, nerves, and heart. Rose hips are excellent for nervous and stressful situations. It contains vitamins A, C, E, rutin and sodium. With high amounts of calcium, iron, selenium, magnesium, potassium, manganese, sulphur, and silicon. Trace amounts of vitamin D and zinc.

Do You Suffer With PMS?

I have been reading a fascinating book, "Your Body Can Talk", by Susan Levy and Carol Lehr.  I thought I would paraphrase what I have read, and share their fascinating information about PMS with you.  I recommend the book and give them full credit for the information.  They describe four types of PMS, or Premenstrual Syndrome, that may affect women during their menstrual cycle.  Which type are you?

Type A ...PMS - Anxiety

Do you experience mood swings, nervous tension, anxiety, or irritability?  Do you suffer with excessive worry, feel vulnerable, fearful, or insecure at certain times during the month?    Herbal stress relief formulas, BACH flowers, Homeopathics, or Amino Acid supplements may help to balance these overly stressed women.  Eat foods which promote calm within the body.  Avoid excessive salt, as it may cause the body to retain up to five pounds of fluid.  With this water retention, the brain actually swells, causing intense anxiety and mood swings.   B Vitamins can be very helpful to balance the nervous system, along with minerals, chromium, zinc, and magnesium.  Reduce the stress in your life as much as possible, and use methods to deal with stress positively.  Change your thinking patterns, treat yourself to a massage, or join a yoga class.

Type C...PMS - Craving

Do you experience headache, increased appetite, fatigue, dizziness, fainting, or heart pounding?  Those women, who have a tendency to hypoglycemia, may find symptoms intensified prior to menstruation.  They may experience compulsive intense sugar cravings a week or ten days before their period.  Once sugar is eaten, the body chemistry is thrown off balance, blood sugar levels lower, and headaches may result.  Sugar cravings may signal the need in the body of other nutrients, such as chromium, magnesium, or zinc, and oddly enough excessive sugar intake depletes the body of these same minerals - a vicious cycle.  Chocolate cravings, common at this time, may signal the need for magnesium.  Providing a diet abundant in vegetables will help to supply these minerals needed by the body.  Chlorophyll is very close in molecular structure to blood and is great for replenishing the hemoglobin in blood.  Heavy bleeding is often a common problem for women.  Make sure you are taking in the nutrients needed...more green vegies and whole grains in your diet!

Type H ...PMS - Hyper hydration

Do you experience weight gain, swelling of extremities, breast tenderness, or abdominal bloating?  Do you have blotchy red cheeks or areas of blotchy red around the throat or thyroid?  Do you have sore, tight muscles, stiffness, puffiness, or feel swollen with water retention?  Inflammation is a key word for these women.  It is important to figure out which foods are irritating and causing inflammation.  Make efforts to eliminate these from the diet. Suspect wheat or dairy as possible sensitivities.  Generally, these women should avoid salt, processed foods, coffee, soda pop, some teas, and ibuprofen (which contains caffeine). Be aware of the hormones in meat, as they can be very inflammatory.  B-vitamins, magnesium, flaxseed oil, and diuretic herbs may be helpful. Herbs such as dandelion, parsley, alfalfa, shave grass, uva ursi, may be used for short periods of time to get the excess water off.   Marshmallow is an herb which may help to soothe the inflammation.  The omega-3 rich flaxseed oil is like a water hose, putting out the fire!

Type D ...PMS - Depression

Do you experience depression, forgetfulness, crying, confusion, or insomnia?  Are you emotions intensified reactions to normal every day circumstances?  Are you lethargic and irritable?  Sometimes these women may even experience suicidal tendencies.  Women who suffer this kind of depression may not have enough estrogen to counterbalance the progesterone.  So the phytoestrogens in herbs and foods may be helpful in helping the body produce estrogen.  Soy, red clover, and black cohosh are three commonly used herbs.  Excess lead in the body may also be a factor for type D; hair analysis may confirm this as a problem.  These women should avoid sugar and refined carbohydrates, coffee, soda pop, alcohol, and intense spices.  Instead they should rely on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.  Soy products, pumpkin seeds, and almonds may be beneficial.  Supplements to help include:  B and E vitamins, magnesium, zinc, Tyrosine, L-Phenylalanine, L-Glutamine, Choline, Valerian, and Passionflower.  Phytoestrogen and progesterone is also available in creams and may be very useful for PMS symptom.

I find the dividing of PMS symptoms into types to be helpful in discovering the cause of the hormonal imbalance and finding solutions to bring the body back into balance.  Don't accept that PMS is just a "fact of life" or something to "live with"...You can make changes that will improve the quality of your life!