Maca & Rhodiola — use as herbal adaptogens!

Yesterday, I participated in a webinar training about Herbal Adaptogens, focused on exploring the uses and benefits of maca and rhodiola (both roots!).  The qualities that define an adaptogen are:

1. Adaptogens are non-toxic (even in larger quantities).
2. Adaptogens have a normalizing effect on the body (they “modulate” instead of “stimulate”).
3. Adaptogens create a nonspecific response in the body (they can have a variety of effects, which cumulatively increase the body’s resistance to stress).

Maca and Rhodiola are both considered adaptogens.  Maca is indigenous to Peru, where it grows at altitudes above 11,000 feet, in areas where maca and potato are the only food crops that can survive the harsh conditions.  Rhodiola is grown mainly in Russia and northern China.  Like Maca, it is harvested almost entirely by hand.

Both Maca and Rhodiola are recommended for the classic adaptogen benefits:  increased energy, and a greater ability to handle the stresses of modern life.  Maca is particularly recommended for those looking to enhance libido as well as for women experiencing symptoms of menopause.  Rhodiola is suggested to support a positive mood and increase the body’s resistance to oxygen deprivation.

In short, wow!  These two supplements are both great options for people looking to try an herbal adaptogen, and both of them are available at the Herbal Path!

May 16, 2012  Tags:   Posted in: Education  No Comments

This Week In Dover

Wednesday, 5/16

PRACTITIONER OF THE DAY: Chad Bradbury will be here from 2-5 pm. Chad is a licensed massage therapist. Chair massages cost $1 a minute. (603) 659-1222

Thursday, 5/17

PRACTITIONER OF THE DAY: Carol Hutchins will be here from 11 am – 3 pm. Carol is an intuitive card reader; readings start at $20 for 15 minutes.

Friday, 5/18

National Ride Your Bike to Work Day! We have a great display of products that will keep you energized to bike to work and help you recover!

Don’t Forget! We will be closed Sunday the 27th and Monday the 28th for Memorial Day.

May 14, 2012   Posted in: Uncategorized  No Comments

Monadnock Summer Lyceum

Looking for something new this summer? Check out the Monadnock Summer Lyceum, “A series of cultural events exploring topics of timely importance held Sunday mornings at the Unitarian-Universalist Church, Peterborough, New Hampshire.” They are every Sunday from July 1 until August 26.

One that looked particularly interesting to us is…

July 22- Tracie McMillan, Rethinking Food Politics in America: From Farmers’ Market to Walmart

Visit www.monadnocklyceum.org for more information about the lecture series.

May 12, 2012  Tags:   Posted in: Announcements  No Comments

Upcoming Free Class in Dover!

Tuesday, May 29th — upstairs at the Dover Herbal Path

6-7:30 pm

Cost: FREE!

Presented by Dr. Satya Sardonicus & Cristyn Peters, CPT

***************************************

Stress:  More Than Just A State Of Mind

How the many types of stress may be keeping you from optimum health.

Our bodies are constantly bombarded by various types of stress, including:

-nutritional stress
-neurological stress
-physical stress
-environmental stress
-psychogenic stress

Join us to learn more about the health effects of long-term stress, and how to boost your health with techniques to reduce ALL types of stress.

**************************************

Pre-Registration Required
email cristynpeters@gmail.com

May 10, 2012  Tags:   Posted in: Classes, Community, Journey to Wellness, Schedule  No Comments

Celebrate Mother’s Day with the Herbal Path!

Mother’s Day is coming up this Sunday, May 13, and we have lots of great products for the mother in your life. Come in any day this week, and celebrate with us!

We have many great gifts for Mom. Chocolates, cards, soaps, creams, and handmade jewelry!

Come in any day this week and you can enter to win our Mother’s Day raffle basket! We will be drawing the winner on Friday, in plenty of time to pick it up and give it to Mom.

On Mother’s Day we will be giving away goodie bags to Moms who come in and shop!

May 9, 2012  Tags:   Posted in: Announcements, Events, Samples  No Comments

How can I ease eczema?

My name is Chad, I am a sales associate at the Herbal Path in Dover, and as often happens, yesterday I got a string of customers coming in and asking for relief for the same condition.  Yesterday it was eczema and psoriasis. “Do you know what I can do about this eczema?  I am tired of spending tons of money on different creams that are not helping,” exclaimed one!  “I have itchy dry spots on about six places on my body,” another said. “Do you know what is going on,” they asked?  I asked some questions, like:  how long have you had this condition, and what is your diet like… and then smiled inside myself because I knew what was going on with their bodies.

The first person had just been on an extended antibiotic regime (about a year) as a “medical” treatment for something that they felt had been resolved for a while, and the second was in a very stressful job and was not eating well.

It sounded to me as though the problem in both cases was a broken-down and leaking intestinal lining.  I recommended the same two products in both cases:  probiotics and fish oil.

Quoting from page 31 of the May 2012 delicious living magazine we give out for free at the Herbal Path, “Your stomach is coated with immune cells and is one of the first lines of defense against foreign substances.  When irritated, these cells release an inflammatory response, which can manifest as eczema.  Probiotics in the GI tract calm this response.”  Dr. Lik here recommends, taking “a probiotic supplement containing at least 20 billion colony forming units (CFU) and various bacteria strains such as Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifdobacterium longum, twice per day.”   Also, a little further along in her article about eczema, Katherine Lik, ND writes of fish oil, “Anti-inflammatory fish oil supports healthy skin by moisturizing it from the inside out.”  She recommends, taking “up to 3 grams fish oil containing EPA and DHA essential fatty acids per day.  Because fish store pollutants in their fat,” the author recommends appropriately, “choose a high-quality product that tests every batch for mercury and PCB toxins.”

Probiotics by Megafood, Udo’s and Renew Life and fish oil by Nordic Naturals, Barleans and Carlson are very good brands we recommend here at the Herbal Path.

May 8, 2012   Posted in: chad  One Comment

bring back those packs!

Ever bought something refrigerated or frozen at the Herbal Path?  Many people bring in their own coolers, freezer bags, or ice packs to keep their purchases chilly fresh — things like probiotics, raw milk, and frozen meat need to stay cool to stay their best!!!

If you forget your cooler, we are happy to offer you an ice pack.  These are reusable packs and we would love to see you using them again and again!  So keep in mind, next time you visit the ‘Path:

Bring Back That Pack!

May 7, 2012  Tags:   Posted in: Recycling Programs  No Comments

Strawberry Salad with Honey and Basil REcipe

The recipe is gluten free and serves 5 guests.

Ingredients:

1 Pound of Strawberries

5 Large Basil Leaves

1 Tbs Honey (Preferably Floral)

1 1/2 Tsp Fresh Lemon Juice

1. Wash strawberries, pat dry, and quarter. Place in medium bowl.

2. Stack basil leaves and roll them up together, then cut crosswise into thin slices (this is called chiffonade). Sprinkle basil over strawberries and mix gently.

3. whisk together honey and lemon juice. Pour over strawberries, and mix gently.

4. Let stand for about 10 minutes to meld flavors before serving.

This simple recipe and many others can be found in the May issue of Delicious Living magazine. Come in and get a free copy!

May 5, 2012  Tags:   Posted in: Recipes  No Comments

Sensible weight managemtnt

According to Dole Nutrition News, a Harvard study showing a link between red meat and a higher risk of death from heart disease and cancer wasn’t a surprise to doctors and nutritionists (NutritionNews@dolenutritionnews.com),  but the ingredients of a healthy diet are still mysterious to people bombarded by confusing marketing and weight-loss schemes.

Says Dr. Ralph Vicari, a MIMA cardiologist who teaches at the University of Central Florida, “A lot of the beef industry would tout that red meat has low cholesterol. Some red meats do have low cholesterol, but they’re loaded with saturated fat.”

Less is best, but you don’t have to give up meat entirely, said nutritionist Kristine Van Workum, owner of Brevard Nutrition in Indialantic, Fla. She and her husband, Kevin, enjoy grilling. Alongside vegetarian dishes, fish and chicken, there’s occasionally a cut of red meat.

“More fruits and vegetables, more of a plant-based diet are generally healthier,” she said. “But I always tell people, too, there’s lots of different cuts of red meat that are pretty lean cuts. So if you do love red meat, it’s fine to plan in small amounts.”

Small is key.

“The standardized recommended serving size for a cooked piece of meat is 3 ounces,” she said. “When it says the ounces on the menu, it’s raw, so it cooks down a little bit, but restaurant portions are always larger than the standard.”

Sensible products such as “Hunger Caps” by RE Body and “Optimized Saffron” by Life Extension are available at the Herbal Path and help to support healthy eating habits and a positive mental outlook.

May 4, 2012   Posted in: chad  No Comments

Look for Nordic Naturals

Kudos to Nordic Naturals, who is now underwriting Public TV’s. PBS News Hour with Gwen Ifill on Channel 11 at 7 pm. Nordic Naturals joins other well known companies and foundation like Citti, BNSF, The MacArthur Foundation, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Fund. Look for the familiar blue and white Nordic bottle on the before and after credits.

Thanks Nordic Naturals!

May 3, 2012  Tags:   Posted in: Announcements  No Comments