What Do You Know About Herb Supplements?

Do you know what you are putting in to your body? Many Americans take some form of herbal/dietary supplement, and many consume them unaware of important information. Rigid quality control standards are not required for herbal supplements, leaving the sole responsibility to the companies that produce them to inform consumers of health risks and other information.

            Sold at Rite-Aid Pharmacies, the popular herb supplement Evening Primrose Oil, under the brand name “PharmAssure” has neither a description for its uses or any warnings of side effects. Common belief is that Evening Primrose Oil helps to cure migraines, aid those afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis, help to ease diabetic neuropathy and much more. However, none of these are printed on the label, and dosage information is also absent.

 Although research has shown that consuming certain herbal supplements during pregnancy is highly dangerous, no cautionary statement is on the bottle. Yet two shelves over in the “Nature Made” section, the warning “It is important to consult a doctor before taking any dietary supplements” is clearly visible.

            Kristen Fodero, a pharmacist in the Rite Aid located in East Aurora, NY, had little to no knowledge about Evening Primrose Oil. When the absence of information on the bottle was brought to her attention, Fodero stated, “I really don’t know much about it, but what I do know is that the labels are not regulated well. The companies don’t legally have to put warnings or thorough descriptions on the labels. Some companies do a better job at it than others.”

            Fodero subsequently printed out information on the supplement from the pharmacy’s website on clinical pharmacology, where it clearly states, “scientific data supporting claimed benefits are not always available…since they are not regulated as drugs…substantial variability can occur in both the potency and the purity of these products.”

            Charlene Keller, an employee at the Feel-Rite store in Hamburg, NY, turns to her “Therapeutic Herb Manual” by Ed Smith when she is confused about what herbs to take. Inside the manual, nearly every major herbal supplement is listed, along with sections for descriptions, uses, dosages, and cautions. In the back of the manual, an entire page is dedicated to warning consumers that every supplement can affect a person individually, and that it is essential to consult a physician before starting any kind of dietary/herbal supplement.

            “I would much rather be putting natural things in my body to help me feel better than chemical things. You just have to know the what, when, and how much. They can be so beneficial when taken correctly.” Keller also mentioned that although regulations are not very strict on labeling, enough information is available to the consumer if they wish to find it.

            The book “Prescriptions for Nutritional Healing” by Phyllis A. Balch is vital to Sue Arndt in her endeavors of healthy living. An employee at Country Cupboard in East Aurora, Sue has been taking herbal supplements for 33 years.

“Literally everything you need to know about every supplement is in this book. It’s constantly updated and it is extremely thorough.” When the subject of bottle labeling was broached, Arndt immediately went to the shelves and brought back a bottle of Gingko Biloba, under the brand name “Vitalabs.” Sure enough, the majority of the bottle was covered in small print, describing uses, dosages, and warnings of consuming Gingko.

            “If you’re not sure of a brand, don’t buy it. Stay with the brands you know and trust, and that have full descriptions on the bottles. And here’s some advice…do your research. Don’t go diagnosing yourself, because you can really do more damage than good. It is absolutely necessary that you talk to a doctor before you start any kind of herbal regimen,” Arndt added vehemently.

Arndt went further saying that “Herbs are a continuous learning experience. One day they will find a new reason to use Echinacea, and then the next week they will decide to take it off the shelves. You really just have to talk to your doctor about it, and don’t take something you don’t know about.”

Katerina Scouras, a business owner in East Aurora, also uses the book “Prescriptions for Nutritional Healing” when she needs to look up an herb supplement she is interested in trying.

“I dealt with so many medical issues when I moved here to America. My husband had this book, and by following instructions and heeding to its cautions, I was completely symptom free in about six months.”

Do you know what you are putting in to your body? Herbal supplements can be beneficial for those who wish to lead a healthy lifestyle – but knowledge is power. Only purchase supplements from a brand name in which you trust and have done thorough research on. Also, heed Sue Arndt’s wisdom – you must always consult your physician before beginning any kind of herbal or dietary regimen. Many times the sellers of these products do not share or do not know vital information that is important.

Serenity Now!

            Serenity, tranquility, and relaxation was the atmosphere at Healing Waters Center for Yoga on Friday morning, Nov. 15. Located in East Aurora N.Y., the center for Yoga, Health and Mindful Living sits overlooking beautiful Cazenovia Creek, welcoming hundreds of students each week.

Every Friday morning from 9:30 to 10:45, the Gentle/Restorative class is generally attended by a minimum of 15 people. Susan Garguiolo, a certified yoga instructor, leads the class with breath-focused and slow instruction. The skillful combination of Susan’s soothing voice, the striking view outside, and the spa-like music in the background quickly allows the students to enter in to a peaceful state of mind. 

            Susan uses several different stress-relieving asanas, or poses in the Gentle/Restorative class. Several times the students are instructed to move in to “Child’s Pose,” or Balasana. This particular movement stretches out the back, and helps to relieve stress and anxiety.

For many Americans, the term “yoga” is often immediately associated with the idea of exercise. Susan explained that “There are all different kinds of yoga. Here in the West, people tend to look at yoga as just exercise, but it’s more than that. Yoga is a way of life.”

            The word “yoga” has many derivations, and can take on meanings including “connection,” "contact,” "method,” “to yoke” and “to concentrate.”  In the Gentle/Restorative class, Susan focuses heavily on breathing within movements. To those who have no knowledge of yoga whatsoever, the thought of “breathing within movements” sounds very strange. However, inhaling and exhaling at the right time during movements can be very effective in relaxing both the body and the mind.

“Breathing helps to change the nervous system in a positive way. It can help those who suffer from insomnia, and it is extremely effective in lowering blood pressure. I started yoga because I was a very high-strung and anxious person…and breathing correctly through movement is so great at de-stressing the body,” Susan clarified.

Due to the fast-paced, busy and worry-ridden culture Americans are surrounded by every day, medications prescribed to help stress, anxiety and depression have been on the rise. 65 percent of North Americans take prescription anxiety medications daily, and 43 percent of North Americans take a mood-altering drug regularly. In the year 2002 alone, over 3.3 billion prescriptions were filled in America, which is 12 times the population of the United States in that year.

Brenda, an East Aurora local and yoga student, who wishes her last name to remain anonymous, was prescribed the anti-anxiety medication Zoloft for over 10 years.

“I was prescribed three different medications before Zoloft, and I just decided I would deal with the side effects because I didn’t want to try another medication. I had been on Zoloft from the time I was 20 up until the day after I turned 32. The night of my birthday was horrible because my medication was making me feel dizzy and nauseous. I decided the next day I was going off medications and trying a new approach. That was when I thought of yoga.”

Brenda now attends yoga classes once every week, and said that “all of my anxiety symptoms are gone. I feel like a completely different person.” Although Brenda practices yoga at a different center, she has attended a few classes at Healing Waters throughout the years and describes it as “welcoming and inspirational.”

Jamie Levy, a 21-year-old waitress living in East Aurora, tried the Gentle/Restorative class at Healing Waters for the first time on November 15^th. Her experience was also described as “welcoming.”

“It was amazing, and I feel so good. I’ve been dealing with a lot of back pain, and it feels better after doing just one hour of this stuff. The only thing that was hard was that I had to be to work right after the class, so it kind of ruined my concentration. Susan was great though and I can’t wait to go back.”

If it is possible to live a life with less stress and anxiety using natural methods, without the use of prescription medication, wouldn’t you want to know the secret? Yoga may very well be the answer for you. Visit a center near you to help ease the stress of everyday life, without dangerous chemicals in your body or harmful side effects.

Also, if you are skeptical of going to yoga classes due to religious convictions, many studios offer non-denominational classes in which you can feel free to practice yoga while incorporating your personal beliefs.

More information on courses available at Healing Waters as well as prices, scholarship opportunities and much more can be found on their website, www.centerathealingwaters.com. 

Have you been deceived?

"Have any of you ever tried a natural remedy that didn't work or that resulted in a bad experience? What did you try and what were your results?"

This is the question that I posted to my Facebook wall yesterday, and surprisingly I have had a lot of feedback pertaining to "deceiving" natural remedies. Like many fads and trends, facts may be skewed as to what really works for certain issues, and what doesn't. Unfortunately gathering exact results when it comes to anything medical can prove to be difficult.


A few people commented under my Facebook question, and Jennifer Johnson replied, "I was taking echinacea during ragweed season to prevent sinus infections only to find out that it is a distant cousin to ragweed and it made my allergies worse. Big fail!"


Jennifer's experience is all too common. Many of us will take advice from a friend or conduct a quick Google search, and consume a product that may not be right for us. Doing your research, especially on something that seems harmless, is always a must when you are trying out a new remedy. 

Heather Chrosniak also contributed to the conversation. "I tried coconut oil to clear my skin from breakouts, but it only made it worse." 

I can attest to the fact that women will try almost anything when they are desperately looking for results in the area of beauty and fitness. Although coconut oil has been proven to be very useful and effective in various areas, many blogs and studies lack in clarification. Yes, coconut oil can be used as a wonderful moisturizer for dry skin, but most people with sensitive skin and prolonged acne issues should NOT apply coconut oil to the face. Let's be honest, applying any kind of "oil" to the face may not be the best idea for someone who already suffers from oily skin and large pores. 

Again, in some instances coconut oil may work to reduce acne for some people - I reiterate the fact that results vary from person to person. The bottom line is, statements passed through the grapevine and some sources on the internet can be deceiving. 

Please make sure you are doing your share of research (and not just from Wikipedia) on any new remedies that you plan on trying. Nobody knows your body as well as you - use your knowledge to achieve the best results possible!

If you have found yourself running in to similar problems, please feel free to share your experiences with me so I can do my best to help you in your research endeavors! 

Side note:
If you were interested at all in the topic of coconut oil, I found a great article by Kris Gunnars. He outlines things very well and also responds to comments to help with clarification. 

http://authoritynutrition.com/top-10-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-coconut-oil/

Usually let the Thanksgiving turkey get the best of you? Re-COOP naturally!

It happens to the best of us - we all tend to overeat during our tasty Thanksgiving dinners. Of course the table is spread with wonderful buttery morsels, carbohydrates, and carbohydrates stuffed with carbohydrates. However, there are some ways to avoid your usual bloating without having to pop two Tum tablets every hour.

Re-coop naturally by:

-Sipping on some hot tea infused with lemon. Peppermint tea is also a very great choice - both will aid in digesting properly.

-In between bites of stuffing and potatoes, try some asparagus or tomatoes. These foods are rich in potassium, and help to regulate the balance of fluids in your body - thus reducing bloating.

-Prepare a meal that includes either cayenne, ginger, or licorice. All of these foods stimulate salivating, which aids tremendously in the breakdown of carbohydrates.

-Using aromatic herbs to relax your stomach muscles, which increases the movement of the intestines. Chamomile, coriander, thyme, and peppermint are great for this purpose. Throw some of these in hot tea or during cooking!

-Eating Oatmeal for breakfast. Oats are great for soothing spasming or inflamed membrane throughout the digestive tract.

Most of the information taken for this blog is attributed to:

http://meditate-this.blogspot.com/2010/11/3-simple-natural-remedies-for-post.html

and

http://herbalwise.net/best-remedies-for-thanksgiving/

I hope this is helpful for you. I know it will be for me!

THANK YOU!

To all of you who have just answered my appeals on both Facebook and Twitter, thank you for taking time to check out this blog! It really does mean a lot!

Marcie Macari- Holistic Nutritionist

Can you imagine waking up one day with a debilitating disease, completely out of the blue? This very thing happened to Marcie Macari, who awoke with a severe chronic illness that seemed to develop overnight. Confined to her bed for almost eight months with chronic vertigo and headaches, Macari went to neurologist after neurologist who continuously failed to provide her with a diagnosis. Determined to live her life well and healthy, Macari delved in to the world of natural and holistic treatments.

After doing her share of research, Macari decided to try a few remedies. After a while she began to see dramatic improvements in her health, and remarked that she is now "about 95% better" than she had been while trying over-the-counter medicines. After her success in using natural remedies, Macari decided to further her education in holistic medicine in order to help and treat others. Graduating with high honors from Edison Institute of Nutrition, Macari is now a registered Orthomolecular (literally, making molecules "right") Health Practitioner and Holistic Nutritionist. She is also the owner and editor of The Natural Health Gazette, and is the author of "She Births: A Modern Woman's Guidebook for an Ancient Rite of Passage."

To maintain her health, Macari focuses most on using doTerra Essential Oils in her daily life. Not only does she use these herself, but her children are seldom sick due to her daily infusions and blends of these oils. Regarding what oils she uses personally for her ailments, Macari said, "I use frankincense all the time under the tongue. It is a really great oxygenator. It is able to cross the barrier in the brain, so it oxygenates the blood in the brain, which relieves headache and vertigo." Macari went on to explain that she also dealt with severe anxiety for about two years, where she was afraid to leave her home. This condition was also treated by using doTerra Essential Oils - Wild Orange in particular. Wild orange is an anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-depressant, anti-septic, disinfectant, and sedative oil. It is used to ease fear, anxiety, heart palpitations, insomnia, and is uplifting emotionally and mentally.

The common cold is in full swing, as we all know - and of course Macari has some useful tips and treatments for all of the symptoms that the common cold entails. Macari recommends doTerra Essential Oil blend OnGuard. OnGuard is a mix of other oils including Cinnamon Bark, Clove Bud, Eucalyptus Radiata, and Wild Orange. OnGuard is recognized as safe by the Federal Drug Administration to use in cooking, and can be diffused in to the air or applied directly to the skin.

For congestion and sinus buildup, Macari recommends doTerra's Breathe essential oil that clears out sinuses and aids in relieving congestion. Also, Macari uses her own concoction of Oregano oil and Tea Tree oil, washed down with lemon-infused water. This same mix of oils is also used by Theresa Pilitan, a Buffalo native and dabbler in natural medicine. "The oregano is exceptionally strong, but also very effective. I use it every time I feel a cold coming on," Pilitan says. Macari also uses methods other than oils for treating the common cold.

"When the cold hits our house, sugar is completely off the table. Just one teaspoon of sugar can reduce your immunity." Along with sugar, wheat is eliminated from the family diet.

It is definitely not a secret that doctor appointments, prescriptions and basic over-the-counter medicines are expensive. Macari brought up a few reasons as to why natural remedies are feasible and budget friendly. "The oils are about one or two pennies per drop and essential oils never expire, unlike over-the-counter meds."

Macari also saves money by making her own laundry detergent, soap, and other cleaning products. The blend of oils she uses in these products are antibacterial and kills up to 99% of germs, and is now being widely used in many hospitals due its effectiveness.

Macari has some advice for those who are new to natural remedies.

"Two things. Don't do too much too soon, and don't follow every new fad...please make sure you do your research...everybody is biochemically and physically different."

Below is a link about Marcie Macari if you'd like to learn more, as well as a link to her online gazette. She has some extremely helpful and informative content on both of these sites...please take a look!

http://naturalhealthgazette.com

www.leapingwillow.com

Helpful links for you and me!

I have recently been doing some web research for some links to helpful and interesting information about natural remedies. I'm not quite sure how you feel about the magical Dr. Oz and his television show, but both the video and the link below have been really interesting to me. In the video, Dr. Oz describes his mission to find natural remedies that work (listen carefully now) for FIVE DOLLARS OR LESS. These remedies include solutions for many things, such as the common cold and back pain. Darria Long Gillespie M.D, graduate of Harvard medical school, gives very cheap and reasonable solutions for our ailments. Also the link posted below will take you to the Dr. Oz website, where you will find 12 Natural Immunity Boosters. I hope you find these as helpful as I did since we have officially entered the season of sniffles, aches, and all that good stuff!

Here is the link for your great 12 Natural Immunity Boosters:

http://www.doctoroz.com/slideshow/boost-your-immunity-naturally?gallery=true

Kava Kava Time.

Hey all! So, I have done my research on Kava Kava root...and I can tell you right now that it absolutely works! I have been dreadfully sick with the common cold the past week. Although it's not necessarily something I would wish upon myself, at least I was able to try a few natural remedies. On day three of my cold I woke up with a horribly sore throat, and I immediately thought about trying Kava Kava. I went to the local drugstore (I live out in the country where the closest herbal store is an hour away) and purchased myself a container of Kava Kava "Liquid Capsules." It is recommended to take 1 capsule 3 times daily between meals. Personally, I only took one capsule a day with my meal at lunch. It took about only 3 hours for me to feel any change...but eventually my sore throat wasn't sore anymore! In two days the pain was completely gone, although I am still left with a hoarse voice that sounds quite scary in my opinion! The only negative effect I experienced was that it made me very drowsy due to the muscle relaxing components, and since I took the capsule at school in between classes, keeping my eyes open and driving home were a challenge. I would advise to only take Kava-Kava if you plan on being home or in the same place for a good amount of time.

A brief synopsis from WebMD of what Kava-Kava is:

"Kava is used to calm anxiety, stress, and restlessness, and treat sleep problems (insomnia). It is also used for attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), epilepsy, psychosis, depression, migraines and other headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), common cold and other respiratory tract infections, tuberculosis, muscle pain, and cancer prevention."

"Some people use kava for urinary tract infections (UTIs), pain and swelling of the uterus, venereal disease, menstrual discomfort, and to arouse sexual desire."
"Kava is applied to the skin for skin diseases including leprosy, to promote wound healing, and as a painkiller. It is also used as a mouthwash for canker sores and toothaches."
"Kava was named by the explorer Captain Cook, who chose a name that meant 'intoxicating pepper.' While Captain Cook may have named kava, he didn’t discover it. Kava has been used for thousands of years by Pacific Islanders. Today in the South Pacific, kava is a popular social drink, similar to alcohol in Western societies. It also still has a role in rituals and ceremonies."

How does it work?

"Kava affects the brain and other parts of the central nervous system. The kava-lactones in kava are believed to be responsible for its effects."

Although this treatment worked for me, please do your own research in to Kava Kava before trying it for yourself. Just a slight warning:

The US FDA advises that a potential risk of rare, but severe, liver injury may be associated with Kava-Kava. Do not use this treatment if you have, or have had liver problems. Please do not take Kava-Kava if you take any other medications without first consulting a doctor. Also, this treatment is not recommended for women who are pregnant or breast-feeding.

If you do try or have ever tried Kava-Kava, please comment on your experiences - I would love to hear them!

Birth of a Blog

Dr. Fabrizio Mancini has said, "The greatest miracle on Earth is the human body. It is stronger and wiser than you may realize, and improving its ability to self heal is within your control." 

Have you ever found yourself in a place of distress, not knowing how you're going to afford medical expenses? Have you ever been curious about holistic or at-home health remedies, but never knew how to go about practicing them? Well quite simply, you have found yourself in the right place! I am Laney Hill, an avid supporter of "do it yourself" remedies. I believe in the idea that we can stay healthy by using natural solutions to our ailments - all the while saving money in the process. Society has brought us to a place of constant need for convenience, and because of this our first thought is to run straight to the pharmacy or the doctor's office when we feel a cold coming on, can't sleep, have back pain, etc. This blog is going to provide you with knowledge and simple solutions to create a naturally healthy lifestyle for you, and for your family.

I was not always very concerned about saving money until I got married at the age of twenty. I am now a full-time student, a full-time waitress, and a full-time wife. Believe me - I understand the frustrations of paying for medical supplies, prescriptions, anti-inflammatory drugs, co-pays, and countless other things when we're just trying to get by in the first place. I firmly believe that using natural remedies that you may even find lying around your house will save you a staggering amount of money!

Do you remember hearing those crazy stories your grandmother told you about how she used to cure your mom or dad's sicknesses when they were kids? Believe it or not, many of these "wives tales" have some real truth to them. I plan on searching for these old or newly revamped treatments and seeing what help they could be to you. 

In this blog I also plan to provide you with my own findings regarding a couple natural therapies or treatments. I would like to share my results and compare them with synthetic or pharmacy versions of the same product. I would also like to invite you to share your findings as well! If you try the treatment or solution I post, or have found something natural that works for you, please feel free to share your feedback and results with me.

Aaron Boyczuk, a sometimes user (but a definite believer) of natural solutions mentions that "if you can find a natural way to help yourself, why wouldn't you?" When asked what certain treatments he had used before, Boyczuk stated, "Kava Kava Root  is really worth trying for a sore back or sore throat, or anything along those lines. It's a muscle relaxer. It does taste pretty bad though, so I would mix it with lots of water." Previous to this conversation with Boyczuk, I had actually never even heard of Kava Kava Root. However upon doing some research of my own, I have decided it will be the first treatment I am going to try for this blog. Please follow along on my journey to being - 

Me, Naturally.