Who knew that Magnesium could make such a difference!

Who knew that Magnesium could make such a difference!

I was having terrible leg cramps. Tight muscles as a result from injury, a pulled hamstring. I never knew muscles could hurt so much. The lack of movement for months helped the hamstring heal, but my other leg muscles objected by tightening up. Suddenly, I was experiencing leg cramps in both legs and in various muscles, even my ankles!

My answer to that was to slowly start using those muscles again, adding a bit morestretching exercise and walking each day. Plus, taking magnesium. The first one I tried, activated my bowels too much to be able to take an effective dose. Nope, not dealing with that. So, I did some research on types of magnesium to see which one might be more effective. The winner? Magnesium glycinate. I have been able to up my dose to 400mg daily, sometimes even 600mg on a bad day. In just a few days I could feel a difference, those leg cramps are becoming a thing of the past. Yay! I can hardly wait to be back into walking my neighborhood again.

I wanted to share some of the notes from my research with you. All forms of magnesium are not created equal, some may be more helpful than others for your particular need.

Magnesium citrate is the most bioavailable, meaning easily absorbed. It is commonly taken for constipation, read that as “harder on the bowels”. It will raise the magnesium levels in your blood. Sometimes suggested for calming or feelings of anxiety and depression.

Magnesium oxide is poorly absorbed. I had one doctor send his patient in to the shop with her bottle of this magnesium, he told her that it was “worthless” and to go get some “REAL magnesium”. I had to laugh at that!

Magnesium chloride is well absorbed and raises magnesium levels in the blood. Most commonly used topically to relieve muscle soreness. I also have been using a magnesium chloride lotion topically, along with my doTerra deep blue rub.

Magnesium malate is well absorbed and raises magnesium levels. It has a less laxative effect than some other forms. Sometimes recommended for symptoms of chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia.

Magnesium glycinate is easily absorbed and raises blood levels. However, it is easy on the bowels, allowing you to take larger doses as needed. Sometimes recommended as a support for anxiety, depression, stress, and insomnia.

Magnesium l-threonate increases magnesium concentration in brain cells. It has been recommended for brain disorders, depression, headaches, and memory.

The general recommended dosage for magnesium daily is 320mg female and 420mg male. Of course, the best way to get magnesium is from food, so add some of these to your diet: black beans, edamame, spinach, kale, avocado, almonds, peanuts, cashews, oatmeal, whole wheat, and dark chocolate.

I hope you find these notes helpful. If you are having trouble deciding which form is best for you, stop in and we can do a little muscle testing as well. Taking the right form of magnesium made a world of difference for me and it may for you too!

All the Allergy Vibes

My daughter and I were sitting on the back deck of her house in Kentucky. We were excited to feel the warm spring sunny day! The wind was strong, but it didn’t bother us, as we watched my grandson play in his sandbox. We were ready for spring’s arrival.

The next day, however, my daughter was miserable. Stuffy nose, sneezing, itchy eyes…all the allergy vibes. As many of you know, she had recently given birth to twin girls (healthy and beautiful by the way!). So we needed to be careful about which herbs to take for help. Nursing twins is no joke and we didn’t want to negatively affect her milk supply. I was thrilled to see two of my favorite herbal formulas in her cupboard, and after looking over the ingredients, I felt they would be good choices for her situation.

While nursing, it is best to avoid over the counter drugs and even some herbs, just to be safe. But necessity sometimes drives us to find help. It is important to note that most herbal supplements will have the standard warning language on the bottle…to check with your practitioner before using if pregnant or nursing. This doesn’t mean the herbal formula isn’t safe for these situations – it means that the company hasn’t paid to have it tested to prove that it IS safe. Testing for safety during pregnancy or for children is expensive, so most often isn’t done. Most physicians are not trained in herbs, so if you ask them, they aren’t going to take the legal risk of telling you an herb is safe. This means we have to do the research and take the responsibility for ourselves.

The two formulas which she used were Seasonal Allergy and Histablock, both fromNature’s Sunshine. Decongestants, even herbals, tend to dry up breast milk. Bad idea, but these formulas included the herbs Fenugreek, Fennel, and Nettles which help increase lactation. My thinking was that they would create a balance for the milk supply, but give some relief for the allergy symptoms. Can I tell you that these are safe for use while breastfeeding? No, I cannot, and neither could the company. But I can share with you my reasoning in deciding that they would work for my daughter’s situation. We felt confident in using the small amounts necessary to give her relief, with no noticeable difference in her milk supply.

I hope this encourages you to research and evaluate herbal formulas for your medicine cupboard. Don’t let the standard legal language scare you, do your own research. If you need help, give me a call. I am always glad to share any knowledge I have about the herbs I love!

Stop by the store and this proud grandma will show you a photo of the twins!

I Couldn't Sleep Last Night!

I just couldn’t sleep last night! You know how it goes…tossing and turning, no position seems comfortable. Finally, sleep a couple of hours, only to awaken from a BAD dream. A trip to the bathroom, a drink of water, trying some music, trying NOT to think anymore! Finally giving up to watch TV until you are tired enough to fall back into bed. If this is your story, I have a suggestion: Try juniper essential oil.

Juniper is known as the Oil of the Night. It helps you surrender to sleep. Great for help with stress, anxiety, and those negative fearful thoughts going on repeat.Helpful for nightmares! Juniper may give you the courage to dream and move forward into the unknown. Clears the mind, helps you to release frustration, disappointment, and criticism. Juniper is a wonderful help to recover from jet lag. Supports detoxification, urination, water retention, and is antiseptic, antispasmodic, and anti-inflammatory.

To use dilute 4 drops juniper essential oil in 1 Tbsp carrier oil and rub on the bottoms of the feet. Safe to use with children for those common night terrors.Avoid use in pregnancy or with a history of kidney disease.

Do you want to learn more about how to use essential oils daily in your life? Join us for our upcoming Essential Oil Class, Saturday, February 24 from 10am – 12pm. Cost is $45. Make blends to take home! Register now at 740-689-1111

Lisa Purdy ND, MH

Healthy Life Solutions

An Herbal Success Story

An Herbal Success Story

She looked miserable. As this beautiful young woman came into the store, her awful appearance stunned me. She spoke desperately, “I hope you can help me”. She had a raccoon shaped darkness around her eyes. The red and inflamed skin showed her pain. A close look at her eyes told me that there was no apparent eye infection, the whites of her eyes were clear and no discharge. It seemed as if we were dealing with the skin around her eyes.

She said that she had this problem for THREE months now and the doctors had not been able to help. She was scheduled for autoimmune testing soon, as her physician suspected this to be the problem. We talked some about allergic reactions, as that could be the source of any skin issue. She couldn’t pinpoint anything there.

We talked about the liver and how the skin sometimes works as a pressure valve. If the liver is overloaded with toxins and it will send things out through the skin, the largest organ of elimination. A good place to start with any skin issue is cleansing the liver, so it may function effectively to detoxify the body. I love to use burdock root for this purpose. I recommended a DETOX formula in capsules to take internally for this purpose.

She needed some immediate relief, so we talked about using marshmallow root to help with the inflammation. She purchased tea bags with instructions to make a tea, let it steep for 15 minutes, dip a cloth in the warm tea, and place it on her eyes several times a day. This application feels wonderful. She could also drink the tea to help deal with the inflammation internally.

As we walked towards the register to complete our transaction, I spied the last jar of ointment that we had made in our fall classes. I gave it to her with no charge to help bring about healing of the skin. Our ointment was made with calendula, plantain, and comfrey herbs in a base of olive oil.

Imagine my excitement when three days later she sent an email with photos showing a miraculous improvement in her eyes! I was thrilled to see how our simple herbal remedies brought her relief.

Lisa Purdy ND, MH

Healthy Life Solutions

740.689.1111

You Fixed My Poo Problem

One morning a customer came into the shop exclaiming, “You fixed my poo problem!” We both had a good laugh. Her joy at having an annoying problem solved was catching. I am always so pleased to hear how well herbs work.

She had come in the week before and shared with me about a rather personal problem. Every time she left her house, she had to go to the bathroom. Not just once either, but often as she was out and about. It was embarrassing to be out with friends and have to stop constantly, not to mention urgently to find another restroom. Sadly, she mentioned that she was beginning to just say she had to stay home. This problem was definitely affecting her quality of life.

I suggested a wonderful herbal formula from Nature’s Sunshine, called IntestinalSoothe & Build. The main herb in this formula is Slippery Elm, which is firmly established in traditional herbal medicine. Slippery elm’s high mucilage content soothes inflamed tissues on contact, drawing out toxins and providing protection against irritation or injury. Slippery elm has a strong nutritive content and aids with problems related to poor digestion and absorption. Intestinal Soothe & Build is designed with herbs to soothe inflammatory gastrointestinal tract conditions and promote healing of the mucosa lining.

She had tried the formula and was joyfully impressed that even one dose made a difference for her! It doesn’t always happen that quickly, but I have seen this formula make a noticeable difference for many of my customers. Taken for a longer period of time, we have seen complete healing of the problem. She mentioned that this will be a daily addition to her supplements and she won’t be without it!

Side effects or cautions? None that I know of. This is considered a very safe formula, with a long history of successful results.

Have a personal problem? I have probably heard it before, and maybe there are natural solutions. Stop in and let’s talk…

Lisa Purdy ND, MH

Healthy Life Solutions

740.689.1111

5 Ways to Support Immune Health

5 Ways to Support Immune Health

Due to COVID-19 and its restrictions for nearly three years, individuals’ immune systems may be weaker now than pre-pandemic levels. It is more important than ever to be proactive in boosting your immune function. There is a lot of hype and marketing out there, so don’t buy into everything you see. Here are a few ways to support your immune system before this winter season.

1. A good multivitamin. Yep, people always want to skip that one, thinking that they don’t need it. What makes you think you don’t? Media, bad press? Let me ask you this, do you eat well? Truthfully now, how many vegetables daily? And even if you are one of the few who actually eat 5 vegies a day, our soil is diminished in its vitamin values. Vegetables of today aren’t the same as they were 50-75 years ago. Lots of studies have been done on the “Essentials” needed to prevent things like COVID. This has brought some of your old-fashioned vitamins to the forefront again. Things like vitamins A, C, D and minerals like zinc. You will find these in a good multivitamin. Now don’t just buy the cheapo brand, you will get the quality that you pay for. I try to carry vitamins of good quality, but yet not the most expensive out there. A good quality multivitamin should make you feel better, usually you notice it when you run out for a few days. That is when you feel the lack of energy and vitality that the multi brings.

2. Probiotic. There are many strains of good bacteria available. You want a variety. We carry a professional brand that you aren’t going to find everywhere else. It is top quality and yet a reasonable price. We also have a line that contains prebiotics and is formulated for specific areas, such as gut health, immune, vaginal, or mental focus. One other special probiotic that I carry is one to reset your microbiome. This one cleans out the bad bacteria, so the good can take over and save the day! Prepare your microbiome for the winter.

3. Herbal Supplements. There are so many to choose from! Elderberry, Andrographis, Astragalus, Olive Leaf, Oreganol, or On Guard Essential Oil to name a few. We have several options for immune support: capsules, tablets, liquids, teas, chewable or gummies. Often support comes in a blend of herbs, creating a synergy that is more powerful than a single herb alone. It is good to use a variety and not the same herb all the time, this encourages the immune system even more.

4. Eat good food and stay hydrated. You are what you eat, so don’t overdo the junk food! It is easy to see how sugar affects the immune system. Notice how much sickness occurs after holidays: Halloween candy, Thanksgiving and Christmas cookies, or Easter baskets full of sugar. Remember too that our first line of defense is the skin, and the mucosal surfaces must stay moist in order to do their job. Drinking a little water often, works best.

5. Exercise outdoors and get 7-9 hours of sleep. Exercise in the sunshine as much as possible, to drink in that natural vitamin D, which is crucial for immunity. Getting a good night’s sleep is more important than you think. Our body repairs while it sleeps, so give it time to do so. Sleep deprivation will suppress your immune function quickly.

   These are 5 simple ways to boost your immune system and stay healthy for the winter season. Stop by the store, we are stocked up for the cold season, and ready to help you find the support you need.

Lisa's Top 3 Picks for Immune Support

Lisa’s 3 Top Picks for Immune Support

I love Fall weather, so cool and fresh. Soon the leaves will be showing us all of their bold colors. Already, my family has had the flu and several customers too. It is time to give a little extra support to the immune system. I have picked out 3 great products to share with you. Stop in and stock up on what you will need to stay healthy this winter. Be prepared!

1 – Wellness N-A-Cetin Immune Protocol from Source Naturals

This product contains nutrients you can take daily to get your immune system primed and ready for action: Vitamin C & D, Zinc & Copper, NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine), Quercetin, and Bromelain. Crucial for immune support and respiratory defense with high potency vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Be ready for anything!

2 – Seasonal Defense from Nature’s Sunshine

This product is a game changer! Packed with herbs to fight bacteria and virus, you will want to have this on hand to take the minute some bug is hanging out with your friends or family. It can also be taken daily to boost your immune system to defend itself. This completely herbal formula contains: Andrographis, Thyme, Eleuthero, Bitter Orange, and Oregano.

3 – Echinacea Boost from Starwest Botanicals

This herbal product contains some of my favorite herbs for the immune system: echinacea (both purpurea and angustifolia), ginger, astragalus, cayenne, olive leaf, lemon balm, and goldenseal. These herbs are best taken at the first onset of symptoms or when exposed to something. It can be taken for the duration of symptoms up to two weeks, but is not meant to be taken daily or long-term.

Keep Well This Fall!

Lisa Purdy ND, MH

Healthy Life Solutions

740-652-5565

Headache Story

Headache Story

A lovely young lady came into the shop today looking for answers. She asked about migraines. She had tried medication, which gave her a rash and less than satisfactory results. I told her that migraines are tricky because there can be so many causes. Hormones, allergies, stress, dehydration, chemical exposure….the list goes on. But in natural medicine, we always want to go to the cause of the problem, and not just slap an herb on the symptom. She knew the cause – STRESS! Ok, so we looked at support for the nervous system and adrenals.

B-Stress is a formula providing B vitamins from FOOD, so they are easily absorbed and used by the body.

Adaptra is a combination of ashwagandha and rhodiola, these herbs help cope with stress, reduce fatigue, and maximize energy.

Magnesium is helpful for so many things: sore muscles, anxious feelings, sleep, and headaches.

Peppermint oil is so cooling and often helps immediately. She had heard it helped with headaches, but had never tried it. I pulled out the tester bottle and she tried a drop rubbed directly onto her forehead, where those stress headaches like to manifest. She sighed, immediately feeling relief. She said, “I can lift my head now.”

I was SO excited for her – we found her solution – the very thing that her body needed! I know she is on her way to better health. So, for the cost of a doctor’s appointment, she found relief that goes to the cause of the problem and will help to prevent more stress headaches.

This is WHY I am here at Healthy Life Solutions.

Let me help you find a solution today!

Lisa Purdy ND, MH

Healthy Life Solutions

740.689.1111

Let's Talk Poison

Let’s Talk Poison

Let’s talk poison…poison ivy that is. I found 4 poison ivy plants growing in my landscaping this week. I guess it must like this hot, humid weather. This is one plant that I really dislike. I normally break out with the awful itchy rash and become pretty miserable.

I was “oh so careful” in digging it out. I wore long pants, long sleeves, and gloves. I wasn’t about to touch it to my skin, so that the irritating oil could cause a problem. I carefully wrapped it into plastic and into the trash bag without touching it. Then I went inside and washed my hands and arms carefully with soap. I immediately washed all my clothing and showered, taking every precaution not to be exposed to it. Guess what? The next day the itchy, bumpy rash appeared under my knee. What?! How did it get there?

Thankfully I had a homeopathic remedy for poison ivy ready. I took an aggressive dosing strategy for an acute problem. One dose every 5 minutes, repeated three times. Then it would be one dose every 15 minutes, repeated three times. But I only took one of those, so after 4 doses the itching was totally gone. The next day it started itching again, so I took one dose. Gone. Just like that. So easy, no misery. Rash gone too, it never blistered.

I am so grateful for this simple inexpensive remedy. You might want to stop by the store and get one to have at the ready in your cupboard.

Happy Summer!

Lisa Purdy ND, MH

Healthy Life Solutions

740-689-1111

Hot Humid and Smoky

Dear Friends,

I have had a lot of people coming in with allergies, sinus, swollen glands, coughing, headache, and trouble breathing. The air quality has affected many of us. If you are struggling, stop in and see how natural herbal supplements can help.

The top three that I have been using and recommending are:

Seasonal Allergy - seasonal respiratory support offering airborne substance relief and soothes irritated tissues - contains: boneset, fennel, fenugreek, horseradish, and mullein 

Histablock - supports healthy airways and mucus membranes - contains: nettles, quercetin, bitter orange fruit, and bromelain

SinuCare - Sinus, Bronchial, and Lung Support - contains: eucalyptus oil & myrtle

I have also been using Clear the Air essential oil blend in the diffuser - contains: peppermint, eucalyptus, hyssop, and rosemary oil

10% OFF ALLERGY SUPPORT

Discount Code: ALLERGIES

Offer expires 30 days from date email was sent. One discount per customer. Cannot be combined with any other offers.

Harvesting Mullein

Hello Friends,

My garden has loved the rain! My mullein plants are taller than me and blooming beautifully. Now is the time to begin harvesting your medicinal herbs. Here are a few instructions to help you.

Mullein flowers must be gathered daily, one little yellow flower at a time. I gather them every morning. Yes, it is ok to use the flowers that fall to the ground, just not muddy ones. I find them laying on the leaves, so look carefully. Then lay them out on a paper plate to dry. Mullein flowers are like gold, rare, they cannot be purchased for retail. You must gather them for yourself. Mullein does grow wild in Ohio, so you could find them free for the taking. The flowers are the best for earache oil. Simply place the dried flowers in olive oil and let set for 14 days, shaking daily. Strain. Mullein oil is anti-inflammatory and very soothing.

Mullein is a biennial plant. Meaning that it lives two years. The first year it is just a rosette of leaves. The second year it sends up a tall stalk of leaves and then flowers. Beautiful and majestic in your landscaping. I always lay down the stalk and break it up a bit in the fall, so as to scatter the tiny seeds and hopefully have more mullein next year. It will volunteer in the most astonishing places and loves poor soil.

Mullein leaves are used as medicine for the respiratory system. It is the perfect remedy for mucus draining down the back of the throat. It helps to rid the body of mucus and is gentle enough for children. This herb was my favorite for use during the pandemic. A reliable remedy to always have on hand. Mullein leaves are usually available for retail purchase, however, they are scarce at the moment. Probably due to demand in the past few years. It is always good to know how to grow your own or where to find them wild, just in case they are not available.

Mullein leaves may be harvested at any time. Technically, before they flower is the best time. However, if you want the flowers, it is fine to wait until they are done to harvest the leaves. First year plants can be harvested also, but always leave some leaves to provide food for the plant to make it through the winter. I like to lay the leaves out flat to dry and then tear them up into tiny pieces to store in quart canning jars, kept in a cool dark place. You can then make tea with them or make them into a tincture. To make mullein tincture simply fill a jar halfway and cover with vodka. Let it set for 14 days, shaking daily, and strain. Store in a dropper bottle. To use as a tea, use one tsp. herb to 1 cup of hot water. Steep 15 minutes. Strain and drink. The roots can be used too. Make a tincture of them to use with incontinence or bedwetting. Again, mullein roots cannot be purchased retail, you have to gather your own.

I hope this encourages you to go out and find some mullein, harvest it, and make your own herbal medicine. One of summer’s greatest joys is being in the garden, preparing for the next winter. Feel free to call me with questions. Have fun harvesting herbs and making medicine!

Lisa Purdy ND, MH

Healthy Life Solutions

740-689-1111

New Year’s Resolutions at Healthy Life Solutions

I have never been a big fan of making resolutions. After all, they usually last about a week and then you are done! I do however like to look back on the last year, evaluate, and set goals for the next season. Setting a goal requires having a way to measure it. So not a vague, “I want to lose weight this year.” But rather, list the exact amount you wish to lose in January. Something measurable and with a time limit. A due date if you will. Then you have to create a plan of how you are going to accomplish that goal. So maybe a plan to follow the Keto diet, or simply remove sugar and bread, or a list of new recipes to try. Have a plan or plan to fail, as they say.

My goal for the first week in January is to look at expiration dates. Firstly, in the spice cabinet. Most cooking herbs are recommended to last for 1 year to get optimum taste and health benefits. They won’t necessarily harm anyone after that year, but they won’t taste good either. What sparked this resolution? Well, an evaluation of the past year. At Thanksgiving I made deviled eggs and sprinkled them with paprika. It looked a little brown and smelled kinda like dirt, so I looked at the date. Yikes 2017! Really?! Ok, it is time to check all the spices dates in my cabinet. Throw out the old, make a list, and shop for fresh spices.

Need a second idea for a resolution goal? Check the dates on all your oils. Did you know that oils go rancid or bad in about 6 months? They have an extremely short shelf life. If you buy organic or better quality oils, they will go bad even faster than cheap oils. Why? Because they don’t have the added chemical preservatives. Rancid oil creates free radicals which lead to cancer. We don’t want that! One of the worst things you can do for your body is take in bad or rancid oils. Not only check your cooking oil dates, but your moisturizers, lotions, and cosmetics. Bad oils are absorbed through the skin too.

The nice thing about these resolution goals is that they can be accomplished in one afternoon! Start the New Year with a sense of accomplishment, knowing you have done something good for your health.

Happy New Year!

Lisa Purdy ND, MH