2011 March/April Newsletter

Welcome!

We celebrated the Spring Equinox on Sunday, March 20, but here in New Hampshire, spring is nothing if not unpredictable. Spring brings thoughts of emerging from our winter hibernation, new beginnings, cleansing, and, of course, allergies! Here at the Herbal Path, we’ve put together a newsletter to address all different facets of spring wellness.

Click article titles to jump to individual articles, or just scroll down.

Allergy Season Is Upon Us
Cleansing Like A Master
Keeping Our Ducks in Line
Practitioner Spotlight: Cristyn Peters
Q & A: “Top 3 Keys For Cleansing”

You can sign up to receive the newsletter via email at herbalpath.com.

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Allergy Season Is Upon Us

by Greg McCrone
R. PH/Herbalist

Whether it starts with the lions and lambs in March, or the showers and flowers in April and May, allergy season is a big part of spring. Fortunately we are well equipped at the Herbal Path to address the symptoms of the allergic response with herbs and supplements that have a long history of traditional use as well as scientifically validated research that supports their use. In addition we can simultaneously support the underlying systems and contributing factors that affect our immune response.

In modern biomedical literature the pathophysiology of the inflammatory cascade due to our allergic response is well documented. Understanding our body’s inability to cope with the allergic cascade and the underlying reasons which often bring on these rapid changes in our bodies is not well understood by allopathic literature. Conversely, traditional systems of medicine like Western Herbal, Traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic have documented their ability to come to grips with these underlying causes.

Treating the body’s imbalance prior to the onset of allergy season is the best approach to lessening the severity of allergic symptoms. Using adaptogenic herbs (American Ginseng, Rhodiola and Schisandra) and polyphenolic compounds (Turmeric, Green Tea & Grape skin) strengthen the endocrine system and allow the immune response to function properly. Our old friends the Essential Fatty Acids (Hemp, Flax Udo’s choice and Fish Oils) are “essential” for building less over-reactive cells that line our sinus passageways and respiratory system. They are required by our endocrine system to manufacture specific prostaglandins which balance our over active inflammatory response when the histamines are released by our mast cells.

This remarkable approach to assist our body in mounting a healthy response that can be curative and will reap many side benefits instead of “side effects”. Instead of our bodies out-of-balance immune reaction and a cascading inflammatory response, which can lead to respiratory infections and a miserable spring; we can enjoy a walk in the woods. That being said, you might be wondering, “I’ve got a face full of allergies, why didn’t Gregory write this article a couple of months ago?” All I can say is, I apologize and let’s look at some of the products we have here to stem the tide of our overactive allergic response.

Many of our good customers have been buying Neti pots for the years, ever since they were promoted by Dr Oz on the Oprah show. Ayurvedic medicine has recommended this sinus and nasal cleansing for hundreds of years and countless patrons of the Herbal Path have remarked how it has changed their life and perhaps helped them avoid sinus surgery. It’s a great way to cleanse your nasal passages nightly of allergens and pollen that we snuff up all day long. I make a neti wash tea with Marshmallow, Elder and Yarrow that can be added to the saline wash.

Choosing an appropriate supplement may seem a little daunting with all the choices on the Herbal Paths shelves. Tinctures, teas, and many combinations of tablets or capsules are available. Some are single compounds, like Nettles, Quercetin, N-acetyl Cysteine, Elder flower and Eyebright and others contain multiple combinations of some of the same herbs as well many supportive vitamins, minerals, and nutrients (Sinus Take Care, Aller-Aid or Allertonic).

Friend and renowned author David Hoffmann once remarked “when in doubt use Nettles”. Susan Weed refers to Stinging Nettle as “green milk”. With over 100 constituents isolated from Nettles, I believe the best products are fresh, whole, freeze-dried or tinctured plant. These processes preserve the plant chemistry and guarantee ample amounts of active constituents such as acetylcholine, serotonin, histamine, and Quercetin. One study found 58% of the patients suffering from allergic rhinitis (allergies) reported moderate to significant relief of symptoms when taking freeze-dried Nettles. We have several brands of excellent Nettles; Gaia, Oregon’s Wild Harvest and Eclectic.

Herb Pharm’s Nettles and Eyebright tincture is my choice for allergy symptoms. It has other very supportive herbs including Goldenseal, Horseradish, and Yarrow. Quercetin is a plant bioflavonoid and has been shown to prevent mast cell degranulation (which will cause the cascading allergic response) and histamine release. One study showed Quercetin to inhibit histamine release by 52-77%. Nettles and many other plants contain this bioflavonoid but Megafood has a Quercetin with added Phenolic fruit extracts from citrus, cranberry, and blueberry.

The detoxifying amino acid N-acetyl cysteine has been found to enhance our body’s ability to remove accumulating toxins, including the gunk and mucous that builds up in our lungs and sinuses. It can be purchased separately but Oregon’s Wild Harvest has a nice product with NAC, Quercetin, Nettles and Vitamin C called Aller-Aid.

Let us be your guides to unravel the mysteries of the healing powers of our brothers and sisters of the plant KINdom.

Greg McCrone is a registered pharmacist and certified herbalist.

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Cleansing Like A Master

by Hannah Miner

A lot of people come into the store asking about cleanses, especially during this time of year. I guess it’s the whole “spring-cleaning” vibe that arises when the weather gets warmer and people start thinking, “hey, if I’m cleaning out my house, I might as well clean out my body.” My first cleanse was last September. It was not only my first time doing the Master Cleanse, but my first time doing any kind of detox program whatsoever, and it turned out to be quite successful for me.

Here are some facts and tips I would like to share about this detox… For anyone who is unfamiliar with The Master Cleanse (a.k.a. The Lemonade Diet), it is a 10-day liquid diet of fresh-squeezed organic lemon juice, Pure Grade B Maple syrup and a pinch of Cayenne pepper. The cleanse consists of 6-12 glasses daily of homemade lemonade, a cup of herbal laxative tea each night before bed, and a quart os salt water first thing in the morning. You can also drink as much purified or spring water as you like, as well as an occasional cup of mint tea. The ingredients in the lemonade form a complete balance of nutrients that work together.

Here’s how it works:
Lemon juice: breaks down layers of waste in the colon

Maple syrup: contains the sugar needed for energy as well as a wide variety of minerals (sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, iron, copper, phosphorus, sulfur, and silicon) and vitamins A, B1, B2, B5, B6, and C.

Cayenne Pepper: breaks down mucus, contains B and C vitamins, and dilates the blood vessels, which warms the body and helps with blood flow.

Laxative tea: prompts the intestines to contract, causing elimination.

Salt water: flushes out the waste that has been loosened during the night.

I strongly feel that before embarking on any kind of detox / diet / exercise / wellness program, especially one as challenging as the Master Cleanse, it is important to first consider the following:

1. Is the timing right? — before starting any kind of detox or diet, especially the Master Cleanse, consider your schedule. For example, the holiday season might not be the most realistic time to detox considering you are constantly surrounded by yummy free snacks and tempting goodies. Also, some have found that mid-winter in New England might not be the best time to fast… think about it.

2. Is this truly the right cleanse for you? — before beginning any type of detox program, whether it is one you buy in a health food store, one you read about in a book, or one of your own design (not advisable by the way) it is REALLY important to research about it and determine whether it is appropriate for you and your body.

Before beginning the master cleanse I did a lot of researching online, but the most valuable information I found was in the actual book the diet is based on (The Master Cleanser by Stanley Burroughs) and from talking to people who had done the Cleanse themselves, and hearing about their experiences. A 10-day detox/fast is not something to take lightly or to rush into, and it is not for everyone. I think that anyone who is interested in the Master Cleanse should primarily consider their state of physical, emotional, and even spritual health before beginning the program. There are other cleanses out there that are gentler, easier, and less stressful on the body that are also quite effective!

and finally…
3. What are your goals? –For most people, the ultimate goal is to completely rid the body of toxins, replenish the organs and re-boot the entire digestive system, leaving a feeling of purity. For others, the goal is to lose a substantial amount of weight, which the Master cleanse is widely known for. Or, another goal might be to overcome an addiction or heal a disease, such as skin and mucus disorders. No matter what your goals are, its important to think about and establish them prior to jumping into the master cleanse.

My personal experience with this cleanse has been positive overall, but I was very careful to make sure I did it correctly. By reducing the amount of maple syrup in the lemonade in order to cut calories, or neglecting to do the salt-water flushes and laxative tea, you are not only defeating the purpose of the Master Cleanse, but are also compromising your body’s safety. As I said before, its really important to educate yourself about any type of detox or cleanse before rushing in to it, and it is even more important to make sure you are doing it correctly. The key to success is knowledge!

So, read the book, follow the recommended recipe, follow the instructions, and realize that not only is this cleansing experience going to affect your body physically, but it will very much change the way you feel emotionally.

Here is the recipe for ONE GLASS of the lemonade:
2 Tbsp. fresh squeezed lemon juice (from organic lemons!)
2 Tbsp. grade B organic Maple Syrup
1/10 tsp. cayenne pepper (or to taste!)
8 oz spring or purified water, warm or cold

Good luck!

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Keeping Our Ducks in Line

A few key *ingredients* to staying on top of your world on a daily basis which, let’s face it, is better for you and those around you :)

by May Grose

We all know what it feels like to be organized. You go to work with a smile, your bills get paid, you’re socially connected, your body and psyche feel good and you even think you are getting more sleep than usual. Sounds too good to be true, but believe it or not you are in balance. The days seem shorter, you have more energy, you feel better about yourself, and you can manage multiple tasks more readily. You feel like you are on top of the world and you are! You are on top of your world.

We all know what it feels like to be disorganized as well. Projects take longer, you tire more easily, your efforts seem futile even in the most elementary of tasks, and you are more ready to snap at the people around you. You feel pulled in multiple directions which would tire anybody out! When you are in this state, emotions run high while energy is low. Our physical, emotional, and mental health (and we know as wise Herbal Pathians that both are connected!) to be brought to a lower energetic frequency. Not only a great time for a floating virus or bacteria to latch on and make us sick, we are also more susceptible to becoming ‘self-afflicted’ (aggravated by our own behavior) as well as more susceptible to becoming annoyed with those around us. It is not a fun boat to be in but thankfully we all have the ability in finding a key ingredient to organization: Balance.

The definition of Balance on dictionary.com is ‘mental steadiness or emotional stability; habit of calm behavior, judgment, etc’. When we are balanced we are those things mentioned above; calm, level-headed, mentally and emotionally prepared to face the day ahead of us. For most, finding balance is a daily if not hourly occurrence in their routine. When we have found balance we feel organized (the definition of Organize on dictionary.com is ‘to put (oneself) in a state of mental competence to perform a task’). Here are one or two things to keep in mind to help keep yourself on track through your daily routine.

  • *know thyself*
    I have learned a valuable lesson in my equestrian training: Don’t set yourself up for failure. I am not going to ask my horse to perform a certain task if I have not set him up to succeed in doing it right. Sure this takes training every day, but the same applies to all of us in our organizational skills. If you know you are someone who gets hungry often throughout the day make sure to pack a snack you can turn to when your energy is getting low. If you know you are someone who hits the snooze button several times before you get out of bed maybe set your coffee maker to be ready to go when you get up.
  • *take notes*
    If you are at work and an idea pops into your head WRITE IT DOWN. This will be beneficial to you when you sit down to organize your thoughts later.
  • *set goals*
    Most often the first thing any achiever will do is make a list of goals or deadlines. This helps keep one focused and on track, especially if they get caught up in the details. Find a quiet moment and ask yourself what do I want to achieve? This will help keep one’s focus on what is important: the end result. Also, having a list of one’s goals can also allow for more efficiency when completing one task at a time. It’s always more uplifting to work on a project when you can allow yourself to do just that: have a little fun. The quality of work (most of the time) is better and you walk away not only feeling accomplished, yet creative and inspired!
  • *track your time*
    Which activities need more attention? Which ones need less? By charting the time you spend on each activity you can gauge which areas of your life may need more or less energy. Think about it- daily we are eating, sleeping, driving, working, showering, seeing friends or family, talking on the phone, and hopefully taking time for ourselves but how many hours do we spend doing each? This obviously differs for all, but if you dedicate a week to log your daily breakdown of time spent doing ______, it may give you a stronger handle on your precious time.

    • Fortunately and unfortunately, staying organized is paying attention to the things that make us smile as well as those that do not. Consider spring the time to clean out old and unwanted things and release them. Do the same with the energy in your work space, living room, bathroom, even in your heart. Take charge of the things you need and the things you do not, then decide to keep them or let them go. I always like to recycle or donate the objects (clothing, furniture, suitcases, etc) that I no longer feel a need for. When it comes to recycling the energy we hold in our hearts, wish it well and allow yourself to feel lighter. There is always another piece of clothing, kitchenware, furniture, drama, love, courage, fear, etc. that will cross your path and you can decide then if you would like to pick it up or leave it for another passerby.

    When all is said and done give yourself a pat on the back for doing the best you can. It takes a lot of energy to be on top of your world, but remember the views from there are much nicer than from anywhere else. :)

    Sample Log of Daily Routine

    TASK SLEEP EATING/COOKING COMMUTE PERSONAL HYGEINE HOUSEHOLD CHORES R&R/ME TIME SOCIALIZING WORK EXERCISE
    TIME
    (MINS)
    SUNDAY 420 90 90 30 105 90 165 120 90
    MONDAY 510 110 30 25 300 300 0 240 60
    TUESDAY 570 65 55 90 30 105 0 495 45
    WEDNESDAY 585 65 60 45 15 0 120 495 45
    THURSDAY 510 85 60 40 25 75 0 450 0
    FRIDAY 450 110 60 40 50 90 0 510 60
    SATURDAY 480 25 60 45 10 0 180 810 0
    TOTAL(MINS) 3525 550 415 315 535 660 465 3120 300
    TOTAL(HRS) 58.75 9.17 6.92 5.25 8.92 11.00 7.75 52.00 5.00
    AVERAGE
    HRS/DAY    		 8.39 1.31 0.99 0.75 1.27 1.57 1.11 7.43 0.71

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    Practitioner Spotlight: Cristyn Peters

    Are You At Risk?

    Who wants to be ill, depressed and riddled with disease? Who wants to give up their independence, age not-so gracefully, or live out their last days alone in a nursing home? I bet I don’t have too many takers, do I? It sounds pretty morbid and it is. In the United States the obesity rate is over 50% of the population and obesity related mortality and disease continue to climb and climb on. What are we doing? “Weight-loss” is a billion dollar industry in this country and the dire statistics are telling us that it’s not working!

    Why are there so many “programs” out there: diet centers, TV shows and infomercials, books, gadgets and bogus weight loss supplements? Here is the reason: money. The slick selling companies with million dollar marketing budgets are feeding off the “fitness-wanting” public. It’s an easy in. Who doesn’t want to be slim, healthy and svelte? Who doesn’t want a magic pill with instant results? We are all hoping. Well, ladies and gentlemen, we are wasting our time and energy! We are walking down a road that just doesn’t exist! We are being misinformed and therefore misled down this road to failure. If you lost weight on a program and have to go back on it again because you gained the weight back, it didn’t work. Simple as that. If it worked you wouldn’t need it again and we’d all be thin and healthy!

    With the following information from my friend and collegue, Phil Kaplan (www.thefitnesstruth.com), you should find yourself with greater protection against fraud, deception, and misinformation.

    • Don’t believe what you see! The models on magazines and fat burner labels are airbrushed!
    • Don’t believe what you hear! Many of the “actual testimonials” on infomercials are delivered by paid actors!
    • Don’t believe advertisements! Before and after photos in ads are often computer enhanced!
    • Don’t believe in bottled magic! Fat burners in a bottle do not really exist!
    • We, as human beings, need food!
    • If you do not know a product to be safe and efficacious do not risk your health and wellbeing!
    • If a product high in sugar promises to be a weight loss aid, it is going to ultimately limit your fat burning ability.
    • If any “formula” promises to “blast” pounds, “obliterate” or “zap” inches, without sound eating and exercise, you can be certain you are looking at something sold through deceptions and lies.
    • If any device promises to reduce any specific area of your body, by rocking, twisting, gliding, or pumping, you can assure yourself it is flawed.

      • Protect against the tendency Americans have to let their guard down at the slightest hint of a weight loss promise…even if it is sold based on ineffective, dangerous, or even life-threatening technology.

      Feel free to visit www.herbalpath.com and/or www.cristynpeters.com for the real deal on supplements and permanent weight loss technology. It is a science. Get your information from people who are not trying to scam you and really have your health at the top of their lists.

      Cristyn Peters has her Bachelor of Science in Human Services, has been a Personal Trainer and Health Coach helping people like you for over 20 years. For more information please go to www.cristynpeters.com or call 603.817.4498.

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      Q & A: “What are your top 3 keys for successful cleansing?”

      The Q & A section is a chance for Herbal Path staffers to share their thoughts and personal experiences. This time around we asked about cleansing — different products and approaches work for different people, so there really is no one right answer for how to cleanse. Here are the responses we got.

      BARBARA
      More water; mindful eating choices; and Garden of Life’s Raw Cleanse.

      MAY
      Good, clean, water; antioxidant support & wholesome energy (current favorite – Vega Whole Food Health Optimizer); good, clean, raw food (such as Now Food’s Raw Almonds).

      PAT
      Milk Thistle; Everyday Detox tea (Traditional Medicinals).

      GREG
      Restorative digestive tea (like Gut Wrench); Gaia’s Gas & Bloating (includes chamomile, caraway, fennel, and more).

      MEKEEL
      Miso; clay tablets (Zion Health); warm herbal tea (current fave – Red Raspberry).

      HANNAH
      Nalgene water bottle; Smooth Move tea; liver support (for example, New Chapter’s Liver Force).

      MARCI
      Deep breathing; getting more sleep; Renew Life’s Organic Total Body Cleanse.

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