Lavender

Lavandula angustifolia.... better known to most of us as Lavender... isn't it beautiful? Don't you wish you had the means and energy to grow it in fields like this photo shows it? Ahhhh... it seems like such a peaceful job to grow it....

Lavender truly is a beautiful plant, but its beauty is not the reason you come to the herb shop to look for it. By the time it reaches the herb shop, it has changed appearances a bit. We commonly purchase it as an essential oil, which is a very concentrated extract of the oil from the flower buds. It takes a LOT of lavender blooms to make an ounce of essential oil. And it gets put into so many products because we love it so much. We've found SO many uses for lavender that I suspect it will be with us forever.

What is YOUR favorite way to use lavender? It has so many uses!

Yesterday, I spent the day outside with my family. We put in a garden and did some yard clean-up as well as potting some plants. It was a great day to be together -- and get sunburned a little. After we took showers and washed the garden off of ourselves, the kids lined up to get their burns doused with some lavender oil. I admit, I was in line too! My arms are still red today, but the fire has been relieved a lot in my skin. We all slept pretty well too, because of course, lavender oil relieves anxiety and brings a restful state of mind.

Lavender oil relieves pain and prevents infection of wounds and burns, but it does a lot more:

• helps with anxiety and depression
• reduces insomnia
• eases headaches / migraines
• soothes digestive complaints
• remedy for many skin conditions
• helps women recover from birthing processes

Lavender is used in so many specific instances (flatulence, breast abscesses, exhaustion, edema, sinus headaches, constipation, inflammation, burns, jet lag,...) that it really does make a great addition to first aid kits and home herb collections. It's a great ingredient to use for those who like to craft (soaps, bath salts, candles, sachets, potpourri, etc) as well as for those who like to create their own personal products (insect repellent, deodorant, shampoo, lotion, laundry products, perfume, etc.)

It might be a tiny flower, but it has a mighty power!

Alpha Lipoic Acid

If you suffer from diabetic neuropathy, then you know that your nerves NEED consideration in your health practices. Alpha Lipoic Acid does just that: takes your nerves into consideration. Neuropathy isn't disorder it aids, though! It also helps diabetics to improve insulin function and glucose uptake. It helps to prevent cataract formation. It even helps to reduce symptoms of burning mouth syndrome.

Alpha Lipoic Acid is an antioxidant. It is found inside every cell in the body, where it functions as an essential component of energy production. Because of its antioxidant activity, it neutralizes a wide variety of free radicals, many of which play a significant role in disease processes.

For diabetics, this energy production can improve glucose tolerance. How nice would it be for a diabetic to find out their body is handling sugars a little better? Diabetic neuropathy is a frequent complication of diabetes. Specifically, it is a degenerative nerve condition caused in part by nerve damage from long-term elevated blood-glucose levels. It displays symptoms of numbness, tingling and sometimes burning pain.

Nature's Sunshine Products has formulated their Alpha Lipoic Acid to also contain Turmeric, which has been shown to provide potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. We've seen many of our customers joyfully find relief in their inflammatory conditions by using turmeric alone. Combining an anti-inflammatory with a potent antioxidant can be just the relief you are looking for, and your nerve damaged parts will thank you for considering them!

References:
HART NSP Master Reference

Dandelion

As you drive through the countryside, glance to the side of the road at the grassy lawns and pastures. Do you notice the little yellow spots popping up through the green-ness? Dandelions are beginning to appear!

"According to the USDA Bulletin #8, "Composition of Foods" (Haytowitz and Matthews 1984), dandelions rank in the top 4 green vegetables in overall nutritional value. Minnich, in "Gardening for Better Nutrition" ranks them, out of all vegetables, including grains, seeds and greens, as tied for 9th best. According to these data, dandelions are nature's richest green vegetable source of beta-carotene, from which Vitamin A is created, and the third richest source of Vitamin A of all foods, after cod-liver oil and beef liver! They also are particularly rich in fiber, potassium, iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and the B vitamins, thiamine and riboflavin, and are a good source of protein." See more here...

Dandelions might be a nuisance to your landscape, but they are a blessing to your health! Whether they are served on your dinner plate or taken as a supplement, these little plants are packed with goodness.

Let's set aside the nutritional value for a moment and look at the healthful properties. Dandelion aids in these (and other) areas:

• purifies blood


• improves bowel function


• prevent or improve anemia


• cholesterol lowering


• blood pressure reducing


• kidney stone removal


• reduce acid indigestion


• acne/skin improvements


• assist in weight reduction


• reduces intestinal gas build-up


• helpful with gall bladder disorders


• gently reducing water retention


• and the list goes on!

Now imagine if you went to the doctor for something that felt serious to you, and instead of writing out 5-6 prescriptions, the doctor says "go home and EAT!" Doesn't that sound like something so easy that anybody can do it? Good nutrition is always the first line of defense. Dandelion is a good choice here. You can even purchase dandelion greens in some grocery stores. If you don't feel like you can eat greens like that (sometimes it does require developing a taste for things like this), then perhaps dandelion tea is a better choice. STILL taste sensitive? Capsules don't leave a taste in your mouth and you still get dandelion in your system, and this method might be easier to take regularly.

Consider your lifestyle, consider your health needs, and then consider dandelion. It just might be what you've been looking for!

*Note* Dandelions can be grown or harvested from the wild, but be SURE you identify your plants correctly when doing so. Also make sure they are free of pesticides and other harmful chemicals that might not be easy to see with the naked eye.