Flax Seed

You've likely heard that flax seeds are good for you, and flax seed oil is important, ... and if you are like I was a few years ago, that's about all you've heard. It's sad that flax seeds don't get a bigger pat on the back, because they really do so very much for you. Let's pull out important points:

Vitamin Content
Flax seeds are so nutritious! They contain many vitamins and minerals, particularly B vitamins and magnesium. That alone makes them a great food, but that's not all....

Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3's are crucial! They are a key force that fight against inflammation, and inflammation is a key force in many diseases, such as arthritis and certain cancers.

High Fiber
You can get the omega-3 and vitamins/minerals from taking flax seed oil, but by consuming the flax SEEDS, you also get fiber. Fiber is an important part of the diet that helps stabilize blood sugar, improves elimination, reduces bad cholesterol, and prevents certain illnesses. The average American diet is generally very low in fiber, making the addition of flax seeds to the diet a valuable consideration.

Now of course, you should not rely totally on flax seeds to cover all the bases. You need other sources of fatty acids in your diet (such as those found in fish oils) and you need a variety of vitamins and minerals. You can get too much fiber at one time too, which can influence the bowels rather suddenly - not a pleasant experience normally. Fiber consumption without adequate water poses an opposite difficulty too. So wisdom is important in this case. That doesn't mean be afraid of flax seeds. They are amazing and very versatile. Grinding your flax seeds gives you a fabulous addition to homemade breads (and with the invention of bread machines, making bread is a snap). Sprinkle a tablespoon of ground flax seeds into your morning smoothie and see how great your day goes!

Notice the improvements to mental function, joint discomforts and skin condition after making flax seeds a part of your regular diet.

Find more information on flax seeds online at sites such as About.com

Are you pH balanced?

At the herb shop, we hear a lot of stories from customers who suffer from inflammation, joint pain, weight problems, yeast and low energy. We also hear customer concerns about heart health, acne, blood sugar, allergies and infections. Of course, there can be numerous causes to some of these difficulties, but one thing they have in common is pH. All of these conditions are supported by an acidic body.

There are many foods that are alkalizing and can help to reverse the affects of an acid pH. Things such as cabbage, peas, spinach, carrots, green beans, lemons, tomatoes and cucumbers are all beneficial in this way. The body has defense mechanisms to protect itself, but it can be overwhelmed if it doesn't have enough help from time to time. When our diet does not consist of enough alkalizing foods and has an over-abundance of acidic foods, then those defenses get out-numbered and symptoms begin to show. The acid culprits are meats, sugars, dairy products, coffee, alcohol, sodas, artificial sweeteners, eggs, vegetable oil and others.

We all know processed foods take a toll on our bodies, but if we realized just how much, perhaps we would reconsider the menu one more time before ordering. Trying to organize our plate so that 70-80% of the meal is alkalizing foods and 20-30% is anything else can alter that pH balance of our body.

So what are those foods?

Alkaline Foods

Asparagus Artichokes Cabbage Lettuce Onion Cauliflower Radish Peas Red Cabbage Leeks Watercress Spinach Turnips Chives Carrots Green Beans Beetroot Garlic Celery Grasses (wheat, barley, kamut, etc) Cucumber Broccoli Kale Brussels Sprouts Lemon Lime Avocado Tomato Grapefruit Rhubarb Watermelon (is actually neutral) Fresh Vegetable Juice Pure water Lemon water Vegetable broth Almond milk Non-sweetened soy milk Almonds Pumpkin Sunflower Seeds Sesame seeds Flax seeds Buckwheat Groats Spelt Lentils Cumin Seeds Any sprouted seed Flax oil Hemp oil Avocado oil Olive oil Evening primrose oil Borage oil Coconut oil Hummus Tahini

Acidic Foods

Pork Lamb Beef Chicken Turkey Seafood (apart from occasional oily fish such as salmon) Milk Eggs Cheese Cream Yogurt Ice Cream White Pasta White bread Wholemeal bread Biscuits Soy Sauce Tamari Condiments (tomato sauce, mayo, etc) Artificial Sweeteners Honey Fizzy Drinks Coffee Tea Beer Fruit Juice Dairy Smoothies Traditional black tea Sweets Chocolate Microwave Meals Canned foods Powdered Soups Instant Meals Fast Food Saturated Fats Hydrogenated Oils Margarine Corn Oil Vegetable Oil Sunflower Oil Peanuts Cashew Nuts Pistachio Nuts

Of course, you can take supplements that assist your body in balancing out, so stop in and ask about those too!

Candles

Have you seen the table with candles at the shop? If not, take a look the next time you are in. These candles are made by Mesa Bailey, a young girl learning about natural methods of good health. Some of the candles are actually recycled, while others are made from soy wax, a renewable resource.

Currently, the candles are on sale to make room for new stock in this fall. Take advantage of the 20% discount while it lasts and support a local youth at the same time.

CoQ10

(Coenzyme Q10)

As some of you know just from getting to know me at the shop, my husband has had some difficulties with his heart. Yesterday, his cardiologist did a heart catheter on him, which allows him to actually SEE the condition of his arteries around the heart muscle. The reason for this procedure yesterday was due largely to the symptoms my husband had been experiencing for a week or more, namely blood pressure bouncing up and down, energy levels down, chest pains, weakness,... So like a good patient, he went in for the procedure and the doctor found that his heart and surrounding arteries were in very good condition right now. So why was he feeling so bad for a week or so? The doctor and I talked about it some, and I reflected back to what was going on at the time of the check-up that might have had something to do with it. At that time, he had been taking CoQ10 and had run out. Instead of running to the shop and getting another bottle, he just let it go and figured we'd get some in a few days (which we have). I told the doctor how he had seemed to *perk up* when he started the CoQ10 and his *feel bad state* started the day or 2 after he ran out. The doctor said "THEN TELL HIM GET BACK ON THOSE THINGS!" and of course,.... I did!

The reason I had him start taking it in the first place is because he had a heart attack last year. since that time, he has been taking a beta-blocker and a statin drug ...both of which can adversely affect the CoQ10 levels of the body. So now I've seen a difference in him, and want to share with others just how beneficial this enzyme is for your body.

(The following information is taken in excerpts from The Hart Book, a guide to NSP products.)

Coenzyme Q10 is a naturally occurring nutrient found in nearly every cell in the human body and is a part of energy production at a cellular level (ATP synthesis). As a result, CoQ10 affects the functions of all cells in the body and thus, is essential for the health of virtually all human tissues and organs, particularly the heart, immune system, gastric mucosa (stomach lining) and gingiva (gums).

Insufficient serum blood levels and tissue deficiencies of CoQ10 have been demonstrated in a wide variety of cardiovascular diseases, including angina pectoris (chest pain), aortic valvular disease (a heart condition involving a defect in one or more heart valves), cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, hypertension (high blood pressure), mitral valve prolapse (a common heart valve abnormality), ......and more. Research has consistently confirmed a strong correlation between the severity of heart failure and low blood and tissue levels of CoQ10. This should come as no surprise, since the heart requires the highest amount of ATP activity in order to support its constant aerobic function (pulsation). Thus, sufficient levels of CoQ1- are essential for a healthy heart and critical for a failing heart.

Many placebo-controlled trials have been performed to test theories on the importance of CoQ10, and in these studies, cardiac improvements are demonstrated. Cardiovascular health is not the sole reason for considering the use of CoQ10, though. It's role in enhancing immune system function has been well established also and has given cause to scientific study and investigation as a possible anti-cancer agent.

Side effects of CoQ10 supplementation are very limited to rare, occurring in less than 1/2 of 1%, according to a study of long-term CoQ10 use in 5,000 patients. When mild reactions were experienced, they included appetite loss, diarrhea, slight nausea and stomach discomfort. Typically, such reactions will disappear if CoQ10 is taken after meals or if the dose is reduced.

So your body is in need of energy in all cells, and those cells build your body systems, and those body systems run your life. Providing your cells with the tools it needs to create that energy does more than give you "get up and go"...it literally gives you strength to protect against serious illnesses and system failures. Of course, there are many many reasons why things can go wrong and no single supplement can provide for ALL those reasons. There really is no *miracle pill*, but there certainly IS *food for your heart*.

I encourage you to use Google and look into more information on the benefits of CoQ10 and it what it can do for you!

Elderberry

(Sambucus Nigra)

Did you see our sign out by the highway? The one that said "Is your immune system ready for school?" If you did, were you wondering what that meant? I hope you stopped in the store and asked, but if you were hesitant and didn't want to feel silly by asking, let me just explain here.

Schools are THE ONE PLACE children congregate in large groups every single week day. The majority are fine, no health risks posed to other children. There is always one or two that are the exception to that, though. Sometimes it takes a few days for symptoms to display, so we can't always know we've been exposed to a bug. Wouldn't it be nice if we could walk around in a protective bubble that would bounce those "bugs" right off and not let them stick to us? That's not so unrealistic--- And that's what I meant with the sign.

If you spent a couple weeks preparing your child's immune system like you did his/her wardrobe and backpack full of supplies, then your child DOES have a "bubble" of protection for now. For those of you who didn't think of that, its not too late! What do you need to do?

There are many options that boost immune function.... Vitamin C, Echinacea, fresh fruits and vegetables, .... but one in particular is exceptional: Elderberry.

Elderberry has many beneficial talents to observe, but one of the best is its ability to fight off colds, flu, coughs, bacterial and viral infections. It is actually a berry (grows wild at the end of my driveway! I'm sure you've seen them even if you didn't know what it was!) and some people will make jams and jellies from it. I've heard of elderberry wine and syrup and extracts too. The dark colored berries are rich in antioxidants, which helps speed healing.

Nature's Sunshine Products makes a chewable elderberry tablet that is perfect for children that are too young to swallow a capsule: Elderberry Plus. It's easy to send your young ones out the door to begin their day of school with a chewable tablet or two that will guard their health all day long. If your child decides they don't like the chewable tablets, then try the syrup. It has a bold flavor, but its a good flavor and most children enjoy it. I admit it,...I like it too! For those who don't want to taste anything and are capable of swallowing capsules, try the Elderberry Defense. In a gelatin capsule, you'll never taste the contents but will still benefit tremendously from the immune enhancing formula.

For those of you who like to make your own "concoctions", this plant is certainly one you can work with, but a little precaution is called for. Whenever using elderberries, you want to remove the tiny seeds from inside. This will require juicing and straining for a lot of recipes. The reason for this is to remove the tiny amount of toxin contained in the seeds that can cause gastrointestinal upset. The leaves, bark and roots also contain a toxin. If you wish to use elderberry, be sure of what you are doing and which parts of the plant you use for optimal safety. In general, the flowers and the berries (with seeds removed) are the part of choice for this plant.

Don't let that caution scare you out of using elderberry. Elderberry is amazing and gives the body strength to fight and defend against a whole host of health invaders. Use trusted sources and research well before attempting to use the fresh plants. That's an easy thing! Heeding that little advice will prove most valuable the next time you or your child is exposed to a "bug."

A Word of Caution

FDA News Release:

http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm167065.htm

For those of you who suffer with sinus difficulties (allergies, colds & more), please take a moment to read this article posted on the FDA website. Take this information into consideration, especially if you have or expect to be standing at the drugstore looking over the products available for relief. Sometimes the side effects are far worse than the original distress that sent you to the store!

Remember too,... "There's an herb for that!"

Apple Cider Vinegar

My last post here showed you honey and some of the amazing properties it has. This posting, I'm going to show you Apple Cider Vinegar and how smart my Grandfather was! That should make for an interesting post, don't you think?

First, let's think about vinegar options.

We're not going to include white vinegar in this at all. It's just not the same.

When you go to the store to pick out some apple cider vinegar, do you look for the clear, light colored cider vinegar that just sparkles in the bottle and glistens on the shelf? Or do you choose the one that is a bit of a dusty brown color, a little cloudy, and has something that looks like a spiderweb floating around the bottom of the bottom?

I hope you select the second one, and not the sparkling clear one.

That stuff floating in the vinegar is not a spiderweb at all. Instead, it is natural particles of the apples called "mother" and is highly beneficial. The darker coloring indicates that it is organic and unfiltered and in a pure state. So why would stores stock so much MORE of the other stuff if it contains less value? Because its PRETTIER! Who wants to consume something that looks dirty and ugly?

Ok, we've picked out some good cider vinegar (and a great brand is Bragg's), so why are we thinking about drinking this stuff? Here is a list of reasons you can pick from:

• weight loss
• arthritis
• cholesterol
• heartburn
• acid reflux
• hair care
• energy
• warts
• acne
• diabetes
• repels (and kills) ants
• blood pressure
• sunburn
• insect bites

Ok enough listing! I need to save room to talk more about this stuff!

Apple Cider Vinegar is an old-fashioned remedy, but look at how hard Grandma and Grandpa worked every single day, and how long they stayed active even in their old age. They had concoctions of all sorts back then, and they felt good for the most part! They still had stress, even if it came from a different source than our stress does. My grandfather (I called him "Danny") used to drink some little concoction every morning when I was younger. When I was 16 years old, I had an awesome chance to take a trip to Australia, and it wasn't cheap. To help pay for it, I went to stay in south Georgia with my grandparents and to work at Roddenbury's Pickle Plant. I spent a whole summer there surrounded by vinegar smells, and what did "Danny" do every morning? Drank some of that stuff! He mixed some cider vinegar with some honey and added a little warm water and downed it each day. He loved me so much that he wanted me to start my day out right too....so all summer long, he would make me a cup of his morning brew and have me drink it. It was not my favorite my drink, I promise you! But he was right....I did have a better sense of well-being the rest of the day. I worked a very hard shift and started my day at 3am, so it was easy for me to see the difference that little 3 ounces of vinegar and honey water did.

I'm all grown up now and have my own teenagers now. My "Danny" would be proud to know I encourage others to drink his concoction. Try it yourself and see how you feel in a week!

Don't think you have to only consume your cider vinegar. On the contrary! A couple weeks ago, I sustained a pretty nasty sunburn and was struggling to get relief from the intense pain. Someone suggested I try putting cider vinegar on it, since its the ONLY thing I had not tried. Let me just stand up and testify,..... RELIEF!! It took the fire out of that sunburn and it was not heavy like a lot of things can feel. Fabulous, right? Oh and warts,...remember, that was on my list above. Mix a little bit half-and-half with water and soak a wart in it for 20 minutes per day. Vinegar can make a difference in pH and make the atmosphere no longer suitable for a wart to survive in. I also mentioned weight loss. A teaspoon or two a day,...or twice a day..... try it and see if it encourages YOU to burn some fat up.

Of course, this is still just old "home remedies" and no FDA approval backs up any claims. There is no proof that a teaspoon a day in some water will ease arthritis or that a mouthful after meals takes care of heartburn,.... but it doesn't hurt to try it and see if your experiences match mine....and our grandparents'!