Give Your Heart Some Love

Give Your Heart Some Love

I confess, I have a favorite, favorite, favorite herb for the heart! Hawthorn berry.

Need more oxygen? Suffer from angina – heart pains? Arrythmia or palpitations? Clogged arteries? Heart valve problems? What about high blood pressure? Low blood pressure? Cholesterol? Circulation problems? Memory? Insomnia?

Hawthorn is traditionally known as the heart herb in Western herbalism. It has so many benefits as a tonic herb. What is a tonic? An herb that tones, builds, and feeds the body. In this case, particularly the heart and arteries. Studies confirm the use of hawthorn berries to strengthen and normalize the heart.

Much of its benefit comes from its high bioflavonoid content. Rutin and quercetin help dilate and relax the arteries, enhancing blood circulation to the heart muscles. Hawthorn is also high in antioxidants, which strengthen blood vessel walls and decrease oxidative damage.

Cautions? Hawthorn may potentiate or make stronger the effects of some heart drugs, so don’t mix it with hypotensives or beta blockers. Hawthorn just works too well!

Historically, Hawthorn was regarded as sacred, probably from the tradition that it provided the “Crown of Thorns” for Christ. It has widely been used as a barrier hedge plant, with its nasty thorns keeping animals in or out. Hawthorn has also been called, Mayflower, and is the plant associated with the Pilgrim’s ship. The Chinese consider hawthorn to be good for digestion, even using it for stomach and ovarian cancer. There has been speculation about a connection between heart and stomach problems, we even call it “heartburn”.

Hawthorn trees, Crataegus spp., grow well in Ohio and may attain a height of 30 feet. The berries should be harvested when ripe and dark red, then dried in low heat. The flowers are considered by some herbalists to be even more active than the fruits. Flowers should be harvested when 30-40% open and dried in shade, away from light. Store in airtight glass jars, in a cool, dark place. May be made into a tincture or syrup, which is quickly absorbed by the body and is my favorite way to use the herb.

FOCUS YOUR DETOX

Did you know there are many types of cleanses or detox? I like to use herbs to assist my body to rid itself of things it doesn’t need. We are exposed to SO many chemicals, that it is easy for the body to be overwhelmed by them. Next comes disease. Regular detox is proactive prevention! I generally recommend a cleanse twice a year. Today, I want to share some of the ways you can focus your detox in specific areas. Stop by the shop and I would be happy to assist you to find the cleanse best for you.

Enviro-Detox is a synergistic formula to cleanse and strengthen the organs which detoxify the body. Synergistic? Is often used to describe herbal formulas, it means that the herbs working together are more powerful than each one working alone. The intestines, kidneys, liver, lungs, and skin are responsible for filtering and eliminating toxin chemicals and protecting the body from chemical exposure. We are exposed to chemicals every day – beauty products, cleaning supplies, paints, pesticides, food additives, impure water, drugs and more. Enviro-Detox can be taken daily to support these vital organs. Enviro-Detox provides beneficial flora along with these herbs: burdock, cascara sagrada, dandelion, echinacea, fenugreek, ginger, marshmallow, milk thistle, red clover, sarsaparilla, and yellow dock.

Cellular Detox is designed to strengthen the eliminative functions of the colon, kidneys, and liver. It contains herbs that promote gastrointestinal function, improve gut health, reduce inflammation, protect the liver, increase antioxidant activity, and support the immune system. Have you ever thought about cleansing and protecting your cells? Cellular Detox contains: gentian root, Irish moss algae, cascara sagrada bark, fenugreek seeds, slippery elm bark, safflower flowers, black walnut hulls, myrrh gum, yellow dock root, dandelion root, Oregon grape root, catnip, chickweed, parthenium root, uva ursi leaf, and goldenseal root.

Para-Cleanse is a 10-day herbal supplement program to support and cleanse the gastrointestinal tract, while providing a special emphasis on destroying parasites, yeast, fungi, and other unhealthy microbes. None of us want to think about these critters being in our body, but the fact is that we all have them. Our immune system does a great job of getting rid of them, but doing a cleanse can reduce the possibility of them making us sick. Para-Cleanse contains: herbal pumpkin, black walnut, artemisia, and paw paw.

Heavy Metal Detox helps to reduce the adverse effects of heavy metals, as well as aid in their elimination from the body, Contamination of the air, soil, water, and food supply has resulted in 1 out of 4 Americans suffering from some degree of heavy metal poisoning. The heavy metals most frequently encountered are aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury and nickel. Symptoms of heavy metal toxicity; include fatigue, immune dysfunction, behavior and mood disturbances, musculoskeletal complaints, gastrointestinal and neurological problems, anemia, high blood pressure, kidney and liver dysfunction, and endocrine disorders. Heavy Metal Detox contains: Vitamin B6, cilantro, sodium alginate (brown seaweed), apple pectin, N-Acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), Magnesium, l-Methionine, Kelp, and Alpha lipoic acid.

Liver Cleanse Formula focuses on strengthening liver and gallbladder function. The liver is our body’s chemical plant, processing everything we are exposed to, plus hormones and even emotions. Keeping the liver in top shape is a must for well-being. Liver Cleanse Formula contains: angelica, birch, black cohosh, blessed thistle, chamomile, dandelion, gentian, golden rod, horsetail, parsley, red beet, and yellow dock.

10 BACH FLOWER REMEDIES FOR THE NEW YEAR

10 BACH FLOWER REMEDIES FOR THE NEW YEAR

CERATO – trust intuition

CLEMATIS – have focus

CRAB APPLE – accept imperfections

GENTIAN – accept setbacks

GORSE – have hope

HONEYSUCKLE – embrace the new

MIMULUS – face your fears

SCLERANTHUS – be decisive

WALNUT – adapt to change

WILD OAT – decide your path

Flower remedies are a great way to support emotional and mental changes in yourself. They are very safe, with no side effects. Gentle or powerful, depending on what YOU need. Flower remedies are easy to take, just add 4 drops to your water, morning and evening. Do you see something above that you need in your life? These remedies can give you the mental and emotional power to accomplish your goals.

Lisa Purdy ND, MH

Healthy Life Solutions

740.689.1111

Matcha - a beautiful superfood!

Hello Everyone, this is Sarah - Lisa's daughter. You get to hear from me today for the first time. Mom wanted me to talk with you all about my love my Japanese Matcha Tea!

I love Matcha and drink it every day. So, yesterday I decided to check out this new Cafe called "Matcha Me" in Columbus while in town. It was honestly one of the best quality Matcha's I've found around this area. Definitely recommend you check this little place out. They also have coffee drinks if you wanna go with a friend who prefers coffee. 

What is Matcha?

Matcha is a unique form of green tea that originates from the Camellia sinensis plant. Unlike traditional green tea leaves, matcha's whole leaves are finely ground into a vibrant green powder, which is then whisked into water.

How is it made: 

What makes matcha different from other green tea types is the fact that it comes from finely ground tea leaves of the highest quality. In the production of matcha, the entire leaf is used, and the youngest and finest tea leaves are chosen (first harvest). 

After being harvested, the leaves are steamed and dried. Then the stems are removed and the remaining part of the leaves are ground into a fine powder using a stone mortar. The authentic tradition of matcha making involves using granite stones to grind down each individual leaf until it resembles fine flour. After being ground into a powder, the leaves are sifted through a fine-mesh strainer to ensure an even finer texture. This step prevents larger pieces, stems, and leaf veins from polluting the matcha powder, but it also ensures that the particles are well separated and aerated. This process is one reason high quality Matcha can get more expensive. 

Flavor: Matcha’s unique umami flavor, or savory taste, is a distinguishing trait that makes it stand out. This distinct taste is largely due to an amino acid known as L-theanine, present abundantly in matcha. This amino acid is renowned for its stress-relieving properties. Some people say it tastes like grass, but that is largely due to a lower grade matcha. The higher the quality, the smoother the texture and more distinct the taste. The lower the quality, the larger grind and a more grassy taste some people don't care for.

Benefits: this powerful Japanese tea powder...

- An excellent source of antioxidants, specifically Catechins and Polyphenols. These natural compounds are abundant in matcha and are said to help your body combat free radicals and help to improve heart health. 

- Is blessed with L-theanine, an amino acid that promotes relaxation and alertness without the jitters often associated with caffeine. L-theanine is also known to enhance brain function.

- Helps protect your liver. Antioxidants, specifically EGCG, can help shield the liver from the damage. Studies have shown that matcha may help decrease the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. EGCG have been shown to boost metabolism and increase fat burning.

- Helps to regulate blood sugar levels by slowing sugar absorption. Matcha has a low glycemic index. Therefore, it takes longer to digest, slowing down the absorption of glucose into the bloodstream. The EGCG also helps to improve insulin sensitivity.

- Helps boosts immune health and fight bacteria. 

- Helps with improving dental health. 

- Improves Skin and helps the body detox

- High in Vitamins, minerals and fiber

Matcha is a wonderful thing to add to your diet. They recommend no more than 2 cups a day to keep you from getting too much caffeine. Matcha has twice as much caffeine as regular steeped green tea, but not as much as coffee. 

It's known mostly for drinking, but can also be used to cook or bake with it or add it to smoothies. The higher ceremonial grade matcha is best for drinking, while the lower grade culinary matcha is great for cooking with. 

Matcha isn't for everyone, but I personally love it and think it's delicious. I highly recommend you try it for yourself and see if you like it and want to add it into your diet. Then let me know what you think.

My Cat Loves Catmint

Did you know that catmint has some of the same desirable qualities as catnip? Desirable for cats that is! My cat loves it whenever I have been working in the garden near the catmint. In this case, I had simply stepped in and around the catmint. Pippin immediately was drawn to roll around in my shoes. I do see visiting cats out in my garden, also enjoying the catmint.

 

Catmint can grow to cover a large area. Perhaps 4 feet wide and 2 feet tall. It is wonderful planted along a wall where it can cascade down. In contrast to catnip which grows 4 feet high. Catmint blooms are a beautiful light blue. It is a perennial, returning bigger each year, and can be divided when it gets too big for its space. Catmint is also loved by bees and butterflies.

I wanted to share a simple trick of pruning to help you keep it blooming all summer. Simply trim half the plant at a time. If you look closely at this photo, you will see the front half is blooming, but the back is not. I trimmed the back half about a month before this photo was taken. As the blooms finish, I will trim the front half of this catmint. The back half will then be ready to bloom. I simply alternate trimming them and allowing them to bloom. This way, I will have blooms all season long. This also keeps the plant from taking over the garden. Be aware though, when you cut them, the cats will be quick to visit!

 

Catmint is a wonderful addition to your garden!

Lisa Purdy ND, MH

Healthy Life Solutions

740-689-1111

This Girl is Showing Some Leg

This Girl is Showing Some Leg

It has been crazy HOT weather this past week! Some of your plants may look like this girl and are showing some leg! The heat causes them to “bolt” or go to seed as a survival mechanism. This is a cilantro plant, which seemed to get leggy from the moment I planted it. At this stage, you might as well compost it.

Once a plant moves to flowering and making seeds, it stops growing leaves. That means for the herbs that you want leaves like cilantro or basil, you must trim off the flowers to keep the leaves growing. This will make the plant bushy and not leggy.

 

You can see that this African Blue Basil is just a bit leggy. I hate to trim the lovely flowers off! But it is a must, if I want the plant to look pretty all summer. The nice thing about this basil is that it will continue to bloom again and again, so I always leave a few flowers to look pretty.

Sometimes you have to choose between leaves or seeds. This is dill. I can let it flower and make seeds, which are beautiful in a jar of pickles. I like to place a whole seed head in the jar. Or I can cut off these flowers and allow the leaves to grow. The dill leaves are wonderful on chicken or baked potatoes.

It is a fine dance between trimming off the flowers to grow more leaves or enjoying the flowers, seeds, and fruit of the plant. Remember that strong heat will encourage plants to bolt early. Enjoy your garden!

Lisa Purdy ND, MH

Healthy Life Solutions

740-689-1111

Women's Herbs in my Garden

Hello Friends,

I hope you are enjoying your summer garden. I know that I am. So many things are blooming and harvesting has begun. I thought I would share some photos of my herb garden with you. Enjoy and plan what you want to plant next year.

Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosea) – is well-known for hormone balance and has been traditionally used for the symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes. It isn’t known exactly how black cohosh works to balance the body. It seems to support estrogen levels without actually adding estrogen. Black cohosh, a perennial, is native to America and grows deep in the shade of the woods. The root is the part used for medicine. The leaves are fern-like growing about 18 inches high. The flower shoots upwards at 3-4 feet with lovely bottlebrush white flowers. It usually blooms near the 4th of July and reminds me of fireworks.

Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris) – an herb known for toning the tissues of the female reproductive system. It is often combined with red raspberry and used as a tasty tea. The leaf and flower are used for medicine. Lady’s mantle is a perennial and grows low to the ground, with delicate yellow flowers about 1 foot high. The leaf has a distinctive shape and is lovely in early morning as it catches the dew. Lady’s Mantle will tolerate shade, but loves sunshine and can be planted as part of a rock garden.

Yarrow (Achillea filipendula) – traditionally a women’s herb, it is well-known for its ability to stop bleeding. It was often taken into battle for its clotting and healing ability. It is antiseptic, antimicrobial, reduces inflammation, and improves circulation. Yarrow leaves make a useful poultice for first aid and it is found growing wild in fields and woods. This variety has beautiful yellow flowers used often for dried arrangements. Yarrow is a perennial, loves sunshine, with the flowers reaching 1-3 feet in height.

Happy gardening!

Lisa Purdy ND, MH

Healthy Life Solutions

740-689-1111

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