A-Z natural health Articles

Amla is the fruit of a deciduous tree (Emblica officinalis) that is also commonly known as Gooseberry or Indian gooseberry. It has been used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine to balance all three doshas (bodily humours). It is considered unusual because it contains five of the six tastes recognized in Ayurvedic medicine. As a fruit or supplement, alma was and is still used to enhance digestion, reduce fever, purify the blood, reduce cough and asthma, and strengthen and tone the entire body. It is one of the main ingredients in Chyawanprash, a remedy for improved immunity and vitality. Today, amla is available in fruit, powder and supplement form.

Amla Supplements Key Health Benefits

Digestion and Diabetes

The amla fruit is commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of digestive disorders. It is a laxative and carminative, meaning that it can help to reduce the formation of gas, and promotes the movement of stool through the digestive tract. It has commonly been used as an antacid to help in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). For more information, please see our GERD article. It has also been found to help regulate blood sugar, a property that is beneficial in the treatment of diabetes.

Vitamin C - Antioxidant

Interestingly, amla is the richest food source of vitamin C currently known. Each fruit contains two times the vitamin C found in oranges, which is pretty impressive considering how tiny amla fruit is in comparison. Vitamin C is a strong antioxidant. For more information, please see our Vitamin C article. It also contains a number of other nutrients, such as chromium, zinc, and copper. These and other nutrients support the building and maintenance of tissues.

Cardiovascular Health

Research in India has found that 500mg of amla extract when taken daily for over 6 months helps to reduce LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, while significantly increasing HDL (“good”) cholesterol. This type of cholesterol shift helps to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Immune Protection

Amla has also been found to protect the immune system at the cellular level. This supports healthy immune responses in the body, even during toxic assault. This is often the role it is intended to play in Chyawanprash.

Shopping For Amla Supplements

When shopping for amla supplements, dried berries, or amla powder, be sure to look for organic varieties when possible. You will also want to make sure there aren't any added preservatives or fillers in your supplement. You can find quality amla supplements at a reputable health food store like Nationalnutrition.ca.

Chrysin is a type of molecule known as a flavone. It is commonly extracted from the blue passion flower (Passiflora caerulea) but is also found in honeycomb and Indian trumpet flower (Oroxylum indicum).

Discover How Chrysin Inhibits Aromatase

Early evidence in the 1980's showed chrysin as an effective inhibitor of an enzyme called aromatase. Aromatase is the enzyme responsible for the synthesis of estrogen in the body. When it is inhibited, estrogen synthesis decreases. Some recent research has found that chrysin is not well absorbed in the body and thus may not have as significant of an effect on hormone levels as initially expected. Further research is required to be sure.

Key Health Benefits of Chrysin

Anti-Inflammatory Effects

Chrysin and flavonoids in general have been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects in the body that can help to prevent many health concerns that stem from inflammation. Interestingly, current research has also implicated it as a potential future therapy for immunodeficiency viruses, as it may be able to inhibit the virus from expressing its genes during infection.

Anxiety Support

Interestingly, research in the last 25 years has found that flavonoids can affect the central nervous system. Chrysin was the first flavonoid found to have anxiety-reducing properties. This would help to explain the anxiety-reducing ability of passion flower.

How To Safely Take Supplements For Well-Being

Because there is very little research on this flavone in humans, the effective dose is not yet known. Generally, it is recommended at 1-4g daily in divided doses. Follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer.

Cold and flu season can take a toll on your energy, immune system, and overall well-being. With increased exposure to viruses and environmental stressors, many people look for ways to strengthen their defences and recover more quickly. Alongside proper rest, hydration, and nutrition, cold and flu supplements have become a popular way to manage symptoms. 

Let's explore typical cold and flu symptoms, conventional treatments, and natural ways to support your body and immune system during illness.

What Are Cold & Flu Symptoms?

Cold symptoms include congestion, a runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, cough, swollen glands, and often low-grade fever. As the cold progresses, discharge may increase and become green or yellow in colour. The duration of a cold is usually 7 –10 days. Flus usually have the same symptoms as a cold, but are more severe. High fever, chills and body aches also occur. Flus can also attack the gastrointestinal system and cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The duration of the flu is usually one week, but full recovery can take longer.

How Can I Treat Cold & Flu?

Conventional Treatment Options

The only conventional treatment for colds and flu is to take antibiotics, but ONLY if there is a bacterial infection present! Antibiotics being used to treat non-bacterial illnesses, such as cold and flu viruses, have created significant problems, including the emergence of strains of antibiotic-resistant organisms. By only using antibiotics when a bacterial infection is present and by making sure the entire course of antibiotics are followed, you can help to lessen the amount of resistance.

Cold & Flu Supplements & Herbs

Oregano Oil

Oregano is a VERY effective anti-bacterial. Use it at the first sign of a sore throat, and if it’s bacterial in nature, it’ll be GONE! Chronic use of oregano oil is powerful enough that it will eventually affect healthy gut flora. It's best to use oregano oil for 5-7 days at the first sign of a cold, not as a long-term immune support.

Vitamin D

It's no coincidence that cold and flu outbreaks increase during the winter months, when North Americans are no longer able to get the sunshine vitamin from SUN. We now know the crucial role that vitamin D plays in balancing and optimizing immune system function. Up your intake temporarily if you feel a cold or flu coming on. As a fat-soluble vitamin, D3 should always be taken with food.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is effective at preventing cold and flu symptoms in those under heavy physical stress, and arguably, stress in general. Regular supplementation with vitamin C has also been shown to reduce the average duration of a cold.

Echinacea

Echinacea has several immune-specific actions in the body, including antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral, antiprotozoal, and antiparasitic effects. It’s also a decongestant, lymphatic, anti-inflammatory, and immunostimulant. How’s that for cold and flu treatment? Echinacea is most effective when used at the first sign of a cold and/or flu.

Elderberry

It’s ANTIVIRAL!!! To all of those “let it run its course’’ proponents, who say there’s nothing you can do for cold and flu… think again. Elderberry is an effective anti-viral, and as such can help decrease the duration and severity of a cold and flu.

Probiotics

The gut is the HEART of the immune system, with more immune cells than any other area of the body. As such, we need to ensure that our healthy gut bacteria outweigh the pathogenic bacteria (also normally present) in the gut.

Astragalus

In Asian medicine, Astragulus is one of the most widely used herbs. It has the potential to increase the activity of immune cells, enhancing the immune response. Astragalus also has anti-viral properties.

Andrographis

Native to India, Andrographis may not be as well known as some of these cold and flu busters, but it soon will be! Studies show that it can significantly shorten the duration of cold and flu, as well as being effective for prevention.

Cranberries are the fruit of a bush (Vaccinium macrocarpon) that have a tart flavour and are commonly used in cooking, baking, juice, or eaten plain. Cranberry sauce is frequently paired with turkey during Thanksgiving celebrations in North America. Traditionally, cranberry has been used for hundreds of years to prevent and and treat urinary tract infections and today, the cranberry supplement are available in concentrated forms to support urinary tract health.

In the current medical model, a large amount of scientific research has been performed to confirm this traditional usage, and has also shown it to decrease the severity of established Urinary Tract Infections as well. It is now widely used by naturopathic and medical healthcare practitioners around the world.

Understanding How a Cranberry Supplement Can Help

Cranberry contains compounds called lectins that prevent bacteria from sticking to the walls of the urinary tract. When they cannot stay stuck to the bladder wall, they are easily flushed out with the urine and do not lead to infection. This is particularly true of the most common urinary tract pathogen, the bacteria commonly called E. coli.

The increased activity against E. coli may also be due to the mannose content of cranberry. Supplementation with cranberry also acidifies the urine, which makes it an uncomfortable environment for many bacteria to live and reproduce.

The Powerful Nutritional Benefits Found in Cranberries

In addition to the antibacterial sugar mannose, cranberries also contain significant amounts of vitamin C, which is important for the healing of the lining of the urinary tract. The chemical compounds called proanthocyanidins found in cranberry have been shown to have positive effects on healthy cell growth in preliminary laboratory testing. More studies are needed to determine if cranberry will be clinically useful such purposes.

The Great Debate: Concentrated Cranberry Supplement vs Cranberry Cocktails

It is important to avoid drinking sweetened cranberry cocktails, because they often contain little actual cranberry juice and lots of sugar. Sugar actually feeds the bacteria that cause urinary tract infections, and can allow them to reproduce more quickly.

Shopping For Quality, Highly Concentrated Cranberry Supplements

Cranberry can be purchased as raw or dried berries, encapsulated dried berries, encapsulated extract, pure, concentrated juice or in powder form. The concentrated unsweetened, pure juice is the best way to consume cranberry for its medicinal qualities. The juice is very tart but be sure to only dilute the juice with water, not other fruit juices to avoid adding extra sugar.

Encapsulated cranberry ranges in strength and quality. Purchase a product that gives an equivalent value of raw cranberries or concentrated cranberry juice. Combination products for urinary tract infections may contain cranberry. The dose of unsweetened juice recommended is generally 300ml daily (diluted as desired with water), and the dose for tablets is 400mg three times a day for at least a month. In children, the dose of concentrated juice is 15ml per kg of body weight (diluted as desired with water).

Now Foods—by now, you have probably seen their bright orange labels lining our store shelves. Since 1958, these orange labels have represented empowering people to live healthier lives at affordable prices. If you haven't heard of them, allow us to introduce you to Now Foods, one of the oldest and most popular brands on the market.

The History of Now Foods

The story of Now Foods began in the Chicago area in the 1950s when chemist Elwood Richard and his brothers inherited their father's health food business. Diving deeply into the natural health scene inspired Elwood Richard to found Now Foods in 1968.

Realizing early on that for this new industry to flourish, products had to be affordable. Elwood Richard made it his mission to create effective products that were also accessible. That's how they came into being.

Since then, their mission has been simple: provide their customers with high-quality products at affordable prices so they can live healthier lives without breaking the bank.

Over the years, Elwood Richard has advocated for better standards in the supplement industry and has consistently achieved an "A" rating in good manufacturing processes (GMPs). Under his direction, the company spent more money on quality assurance than any other department and grew to become one of the most trusted supplement brands on the market today.

Elwood Richard passed away in 2017, but Now Foods has carried his rich legacy through. To this day, Now Foods employs several PhDs on staff and has continued to invest in top-tier manufacturing facilities and quality.

They believe that their customers deserve nothing but the best, which is why they've been working hard to provide them with the highest quality products possible. This brand has always stood for integrity and transparency in the supplement industry. It's this commitment to quality that has helped them build such a loyal customer base over the years.

Mission and Commitment to Quality

To this day, Now Foods makes hundreds of products that people take every day. Even though Now Foods' products are affordable, the company does not cut corners on quality for bigger profits.

The company began with a strong mission, which, to this day, rings true. Here is what Now Foods has stood for in its more than 50 years in business:

• Natural: "Natural" doesn't always mean healthy. Now Foods has established a set of guidelines to ensure that their supplements conform to what they have determined to be natural and healthy. They do this by requiring certain ingredient and product specifications, state-of-the-art testing, audits, and ensuring that their manufacturers follow good manufacturing practices (GMPs).
• Non-GMO: Now Foods is committed to using non-GMO ingredients whenever possible.
• Environment: Now Foods is committed to using sustainable ingredients, environmentally friendly packaging, green facilities, and eco-friendly partnerships and certifications.
• Organizations: In its more than 50 years in business, Now Foods has seen good years and not-so-great years, but what remains constant is its commitment to giving back to local, environmental, and disaster relief organizations in need.

Now Foods' Products

Its products cover a wide range of needs, from beauty and health to sports nutrition and even pet health.

National Nutrition proudly carries 400 of Now Foods' products in-store. Here are some of our (and your) favourite Now Foods products.

• Super Enzymes: For most people, enzyme deficiency often leads to gas, indigestion, heartburn, bloating, and difficulty absorbing nutrients. Super Enzymes is a popular and affordable enzyme blend that provides a spectrum of digestive enzymes, including essential enzymes like papain, pancreatin, and bromelain, that work together to help you digest different types of foods (including proteins, fats, and carbohydrates).

• Ashwagandha: Ashwagandha is one of the most powerful adaptogenic herbs on the planet. It’s a well-documented nerve tonic that can help you feel more relaxed in stressful situations and reduce anxiety. Now Foods' Ashwagandha provides you with a standardized 4.5% withanolides. Withanolides are the active compounds in Ashwagandha that help to reduce stress and anxiety.

• GABA: GABA is a neurotransmitter that helps to decrease stress and anxiety by promoting feelings of relaxation. GABA works similarly to tranquillizers like valium, but without their addictive potential. With GABA, the motor centres in the brain can be calmed down in times of stress, anxiety, or hyperactivity. Now Foods' GABA combines 500 mg of this important neurotransmitter with 2 milligrams of vitamin B6.

• Essential Oils: Essential oils are concentrated liquids that contain the essence of a plant. They can be used in many ways, as they each have their own unique properties and effects. Aromatherapy is one way to use essential oils for stress relief, but there are other methods, such as massage or adding them to your bath water. Now Foods' essential oils are made using only the finest raw materials, with gentle extraction procedures and an industry-leading commitment to quality. Now Foods offers an impressive selection of individual essential oils and essential oil blends.

Additionally, Now Food's Zinc Picolinate is an innovative formula containing zinc in a unique picolinate form, which is better absorbed than other forms of zinc. Now Foods Hyaluronic Acid Firming Serum is also a popular topical serum that helps to smooth wrinkles and support healthy aging of the skin.

Why Try Now?

If you've never tried Now Foods' supplements before, we know you'll love them. National Nutrition has a huge selection of Now Foods products in-store, so be sure to stop by and check them out.

For more than 30 years, the Rivet-Carnac family has been producing herbal medicine on their farm, the St. Francis Herb Farm. These multigenerational herbalists work with nature and use traditional methods of herbalism in order to make products that help you "feel the difference of well-made plant medicine."

What is Herbal Medicine?

The Rivet-Carnac family are second-generation herbalists Paul and Caitlin Rivet-Carnac. Herbalists are trained in the use of herbs for healing and maintain a deep knowledge of botanical medicine. Herbal medicine is a holistic approach to health and wellness that uses plants as medicine. Herbalists use herbs to help restore balance and harmony in the body, mind, and spirit. Herbal medicine may be used for a wide variety of ailments, from colds, flu, and infections to chronic conditions like arthritis or depression.

St. Francis Herb Farm Values

St. Francis Herbs firmly believes that the foundation for an herb’s benefits begins with how it is grown. The family owns and tends to herbs on their 52-acre organic herb farm, which is located in Madawaska Highlands, in Ontario’s beautiful cottage country. The farm is organic, which goes beyond being pesticide-free. The Rivet-Carnacs are passionate farmers who put an emphasis on soil health, crop rotation, and planning the farm in order to simulate growing in nature.

St. Francis Herb Farm's Unique Approach to Herbal Medicine

Herbalists know that each herb has its own energy, and the right extraction method (for example, temperature and length of time) for the particular herb’s medicine will depend on a number of factors, including the type of herb and its physical and medicinal qualities. St. Francis is well-known for their Holistic Herb Approach™, which treats each herb in its own distinct manner. St. Francis customizes their extraction approach to the specific herb based on studying decades of herbal texts.

In November of 2021, St. Francis Herb Farm opened Canada's largest dedicated plant medicine facility in the Ottawa Valley. This new building will provide space for operations such as product research and development, production, distribution, and warehousing. The new facility also allows for expanded manufacturing capabilities.

Quality and Purity

St. Francis Herb Farm's commitment to quality doesn't stop at their growing and extracting of herbs. St. Francis has a partnership with the Biopharmaceutical Department of the University of Ottawa to ensure that the extracts are pure and potent. Additionally, the company also works closely with Health Canada to help define regulatory considerations for quality and efficacy.

St. Francis Herb Farm Products

St. Francis Herb Farm makes more than 100 complex herbal formulas and individual herbs. At National Nutrition, we carry more than 350 St. Francis products in varying sizes. While St. Francis is known for their individual herbs, they also make very popular, unique herbal blends that our customers love. Here are some of them:

• Deep Immune - St. Francis Herb Farm Deep Immune is exactly what its name implies. It's your best friend if you often catch a bug when you are feeling run down. Deep Immune combines its restorative qualities to help positively affect the adrenal cortex, restore stamina and improve endurance, overcome fatigue and exhaustion, and help the body deal with stress, overwork, and chronic illness.

• Strest - Strest is an adrenal tonic that combines six of the most effective adaptogens known to herbalists. An adaptogen is a substance that helps the body adapt to stress and support normal function. Adaptogens, like St. Francis Herb Farm Ashwagandha, help to increase resistance to stress, enhance energy levels and stamina, improve mental clarity, promote longevity, and improve overall health. Strest is an affordable way for people to deal with the stress of daily life. By taking Strest, you will feel more physical and mental energy while experiencing a calmer mind. Furthermore, Strest can aid in the recovery of healthy sleep patterns, resulting in deeper and longer sleep as a result of adrenal support.

• Canadian Bitters is an herbal formula that can help improve digestion. Canadian Bitters combines herbs like globe artichoke, dandelion, and ginger to naturally increase the digestive secretions of the stomach, pancreas, and small intestine. You will not only feel better after you eat, but you will also absorb more nutrients. As St. Francis Herb Farm staff say, "you aren't just what you eat; you are what you digest and absorb."

St. Francis is well-known among herbalists and herb enthusiasts for their single-herb formulas. If you are looking for an individual herb, like ashwagandha, milk thistle, echinacea like their echinaseal product, or ginseng, that is of high quality, you will surely love St. Francis Herb Farm's individual herbal tinctures.

Shopping For Quality Herbal Supplements

The next time you are looking for a well-priced herbal formula or your natural health practitioner recommends that you take a singular herb, St. Francis Herb Farm likely has the perfect product for you.

Tangerine essential oil is distilled from the bright aromatic peels of the tangerine fruit (Citrus reticulata). This refreshing natural remedy is revered for its uplifting aroma and calming effects. It's become a favourite in aromatherapy, skincare, and household use.

Let's delve into the origins, traditional uses, and modern applications of this vibrant essential oil.

What is Tangerine Essential Oil?

Tangerine oil is extracted from the outer rind of the tangerine fruit. This fruit grows on tangerine trees, which are native to Southeast Asia. It belongs to the Rutaceae family and thrives in warm, subtropical climates. The fruit is known for its sweet, tangy flavour, and the oil is cold-pressed from the peel to preserve its purity. Tangerines and mandarins often get mistaken for each other due to their similarities. They are, however, slightly different in colour and harvested at different times of the year. There is also a slight scent difference between the two. Mandarins have a light, citrus aroma, while tangerines offer an uplifting scent. This oil is often used to refresh the mind, soothe nerves, and promote a cheerful mood. 

Traditional Uses of Tangerine Oil

For centuries, tangerines and their oil were highly valued in traditional Chinese and Southeast Asian medicine. The oil was used to soothe digestive issues, calm anxiety, and uplift the spirit. Traditional herbalists often recommended it for relieving indigestion, easing nausea, supporting clear breathing, and promoting glowing skin. 

These historical uses laid the groundwork for today's wide adoption in natural health practices. 

Modern Benefits & Applications of Tangerine Oil

Modern wellness enthusiasts rely on tangerine oil for its versatile benefits. Here are some practical ways you can incorporate it into your practices: 

• Aromatherapy Diffuser: Add a few drops to your diffuser to promote a joyful, calm atmosphere. 
• DIY Body Scrub: Mix 5 drops with sugar or coffee grinds and coconut oil for a refreshing exfoliant. 
• Mood Boosting Roll-On: Combine 10 drops with a carrier oil and apply to wrists to uplift your mood. 
• Gentle Skin Tonic: Add a drop to your moisturizer to brighten and refresh dull skin. 

Any of these applications can be used daily or to help ease symptoms of PMS, respiratory congestion, or low mood. Topically, it is a great skin oil and can be diluted with jojoba oil to address stretch marks, age spots, and cellulite.

Cautions & Considerations For Aromatherapy

While tangerine oil is a delightful addition to your wellness toolkit, it must be used with caution. It is photosensitive, meaning it can increase skin sensitivity to the sun, so avoid direct sun exposure after use. Also, always dilute it, as it may irritate sensitive skin. It's generally safe for most adults, but keep it away from pets as ingestion or inhalation can be harmful to animals. 

As with all essential oils, consult a healthcare professional if you're pregnant, nursing, or managing a medical condition. When used thoughtfully, tangerine oil can be a bright, invigorating ally in your natural wellness journey.