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Do I Need Probiotics?
What are probiotics? Probiotics are live bacteria that are good for your health, particularly the intestinal system. Our body is full of bacteria, good and bad. There isn’t one particular probiotic strain that does it all, which is why they are grouped together…
Do I Need Probiotics?
What are probiotics? Probiotics are live bacteria that are good for your health, particularly the intestinal system. Our body is full of bacteria, good and bad. There isn’t one particular probiotic strain that does it all, which is why they are grouped together in supplements. Probiotics are often provided in a delayed release capsule, coated to survive stomach acid. Because it is live bacteria, it is best not to be exposed to heat. Refrigeration might be recommended, although not always required with today’s technology. I carry several different probiotic formulas, so I thought it might be helpful to describe them to you.
Our main probiotic is a professional brand and contains 51 billion with 14 strains of beneficial bacteria. Helpful for symptoms of constipation, diarrhea, bloating, or candida yeast infection. This probiotic contains enzymes to break down the cell wall of yeast or bacteria, allowing destruction of the pathogen. We also have a formula with 101 billion, which is designed specifically for respiratory, heart, and gut health. This beneficial probiotic is helpful in reducing inflammation in lungs and blood vessels. I love to use this one after a respiratory illness, to strengthen immunity.
We carry SBO probiotics too – soil-based organisms. Many beneficial spores are in the soil, which is why it is good for children to play in the mud and get dirty. Remember the days of pulling a carrot from the ground and eating it fresh? Now, we are afraid of the toxins sprayed on that soil, but even our dirt used to be healthy! Spore probiotics survive stomach acid and heat, so they are much more stable. We have formulas that have herbs or mushrooms added to focus on different things: mental clarity, immune, or vaginal health. We also have one that works as a cleanse, ridding the body of bad bacteria. This one can reset the whole microbiome! Get rid of the bad bacteria and restart your body into a good balance.
Did you know that skinny people have different gut bacteria than fat people? Really? I want some of that! I recently found a probiotic that helps you to lose weight. I will let you know how well it works for those who try it.
Probiotics are good for children and babies too! We carry chewable ones for kids, and recommend them for earaches or tummy issues. Thrush? Have Mom take probiotics. Then open up a capsule, dip your finger in the powder, and place it on the baby’s tongue each time they nurse.
Do I need probiotics? They are especially needed after taking an antibiotic. Many drugs do affect good bacteria in the gut, including antibiotics and birth control pills. Your good bacteria may also be compromised if you have a stomach bug or experience diarrhea. Probiotics help with various symptoms: skin issues, earaches, constipation, diarrhea, bloating, or flatulence. Probiotics also help with immunity and mental outlook. Did you know? Much of your serotonin-the feel good hormone- is made in the gut, by you guessed it…bacteria!
Zen Sleep – Are you having trouble sleeping?
Zen Sleep – Are you having trouble sleeping?
One morning a customer came in asking for our new product, Zen Sleep. He bought every bottle that I had on the shelf! He told me that his wife had purchased a bottle the week before and loved it. She experienced great sleep for the first time in years! She has been a regular customer ever since.
Zen sleep contains magnesium, which relaxes muscles and relieves feelings of anxiety. It has B vitamins and amino acids, l-theanine and GABA, to nourish the nervous system. Zen Sleep also has several calming herbs: chamomile, lemon balm, peppermint, valerian, passion flower, holy basil, and skullcap. These herbs support the nervous system and adrenal glands, providing relief from daily stress, allowing a good night’s sleep.
After seeing how much my customer loved this product, I took a bottle home, and also experienced great sleep. This is now a “go-to” product in my home herbal cupboard! If you are having trouble sleeping, give this new product a try. You won’t be disappointed.
Lisa Purdy ND, MH
Healthy Life Solutions LLC
740.689.1111
Lisa’s Story of the Week - Diarrhea
A couple of weeks ago my daughter called me while at work. She was concerned about my granddaughter who had flu symptoms, both vomiting and diarrhea. She was giving her electrolytes and my grandchild was drinking – lots! So that was good.—
Lisa’s Story of the Week - Diarrhea
A couple of weeks ago my daughter called me while at work. She was concerned about my granddaughter who had flu symptoms, both vomiting and diarrhea. She was giving her electrolytes and my grandchild was drinking – lots! So that was good. The biggest worry with a child is dehydration, so you want to prevent that happening. But at this point, enough was enough, so grandma was called in to help. I grabbed a homeopathic for diarrhea off my store shelf, put a sign on the door that I would be back in 15 minutes, and headed over to drop the natural medicine off. The next day, my daughter texted me that the diarrhea had stopped and my granddaughter was on the road to recovery. Yay!
There have been several customers in with the same bug and it has gone through many members of my family. Oh no, I awoke in the middle of the night with, you guessed it, diarrhea. After several bouts in the bathroom, I also decided enough was enough. It is good to let the body run its course a bit. Diarrhea is one of the ways the body gets rid of pathogens. But after the general cleaning out, I also used the homeopathic medicine. It only took one dose, and the diarrhea stopped. Still felt some slight nausea and rumblings, and I wasn’t hungry. The body just needed rest. I followed up with a special spore probiotic formula, which works to remove pathogens, bacteria or virus, from the gut. I was happy to have caught the infection early and dealt with it quickly, so I wasn’t down as long as it could have been.
I love homeopathy! It works so quickly and it is very safe. If you are interested in being prepared, it is good to have a few basics on hand. A homeopathic for diarrhea is one that I like to keep in the cupboard, ready should the need arise. Stop in and check out the homeopathic remedies that we have available.
Lisa Purdy ND, MH
Healthy Life Solutions
740.689.1111
Give Your Heart Some Love
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?
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.—
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
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.
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