3430-D Anderson Hwy., Powhatan, VA  23139 ~ (804) 598-5352 ~ www.herbalconsultant.com  

SEPTEMBER, 2005 NEWSLETTER

STORE NEWS

Please welcome our newest associate, Frank Boova, who comes to us after working at GNC in Midlothian.  What a great guy!

Sadly, we have to say “good-bye” to Bethanie Good, LPN, CNC, HIS.  We’ll miss her very, very much and wish her well in her new job.

Finally, please note we will be CLOSED ON MONDAYS from now on.

HEALTH WORKSHOPS 

NATURAL APPROACHES TO MENOPAUSE 

Monday, September 26, 6:30pm - 8:00pm 

Presented by: Whole-Istic Health 677-0805 ShawnMarie, CMT, Aromatherapy Specialist 

and 

Apothecarian Herbals 598-5352 Debbie Markel, CH, CNHP, Certified Herbalist 

$10.00 per person. Reservations suggested. Call above numbers. 

Place: Apothecarian Herbals, 3430-D Anderson Hwy., Powhatan (Powhatan Plaza Shopping Center) 

Learn about alternatives to HRT using herbs, supplements, essential oils & nutrition.

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS - MARK YOUR CALENDARS & REGISTER EARLY

all are on Mondays, at Apothecarian Herbals, 6:30pm - 8:00pm, $10.00 per person:

October 24:  Treating ADD/ADHD Without Drugs

November 14:  Healthy and Natural Digestion

December 12:  Dealing with Arthritis Naturally

Thoroughly Clean Face Wash and Blemish Touch Sticks, both with tea tree oil by Desert Essence

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Mind Care memory & focus supplement (also comes in Junior strength)

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Attentive Child chewable wafers

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Calm Child pills and liquid

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Rhino Gummy-Vites multi-vitamins

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 Chewable DHA, a critical essential fatty acid for brain development

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Also, don't forget about our natural shampoos, fluoride-free toothpastes and more!

CONTROLLING BLOOD SUGAR AND TYPE II DIABETES

Type II Diabetes (non-insulin dependent) has become one of the most common mid- to late-life diseases in the United States. Unfortunately, diabetes is also becoming more and more prevalent in children, teens and young adults. More than 6% of the population has diabetes today, making it a serious epidemic with potentially dangerous side effects. Fortunately, it can be reversed by simply changing one's diet and lifestyle and adding a few helpful supplements.

Diabetes occurs when the body loses its ability to maintain adequate blood sugar levels. This happens when the pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin, or when the body systems become insulin-resistant. Its primary causes are obesity, poor diets and lack of exercise. People who carry their weight around their middles are more susceptible to developing Type II diabetes than people whose weight is either more evenly distributed or located around the hips and thighs. Luckily, the risk factors can be easy to reverse for most people.

Losing weight can often make a very big difference in lowering blood sugar levels. Some people have been able to stop their medication after losing just 10 pounds. Exercising is another easy way to lower glucose levels in the blood. When we exercise, more glucose goes to the muscles to keep them active; therefore, less glucose is accumulated and stored in the blood. Also, regular exercise can help with weight loss. Finally, eating well can not only help with losing weight, it can lower blood sugar through the types of nutrients we ingest and absorb.

The University of Sydney in Australia has an online database that not only measures the change in blood sugar levels after eating a food that contains carbohydrates (the glycemic index, or G.I.), but also the glycemic load (G.L.) of the food, which measures the quality of the food's carbohydrate levels on the body. The higher the glycemic load, the worse the food will be for maintaining healthy glucose levels. Examples of high-glycemic load foods are white rice, white bread, baked potatoes, cooked carrots, French fries and sugar. A few low-glycemic foods are brown rice, whole wheat bread, sweet potatoes, raw carrots, fresh fruit and beans. Eating low-glycemic load foods will help maintain lower blood glucose levels. You can search any food item for its G.I. or G.L. rating at www.glycemicindex.com. Also, eating diets that consist mainly of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, quality proteins and healthy oils (olive, etc.) and low in fats, sugars and processed foods will result in many other health benefits as well.

Of course, there are supplements and herbs available to assist our bodies with blood sugar control in conjunction with diet, weight loss and exercise. A few of these are as follows:

Chromium picolinate: This supplement has been proved in many studies to improve insulin sensitivity in obese individuals. It also helps cut down on sugar cravings and raises "good" cholesterol levels in the blood.

Alpha-Lipoic Acid: This is a powerful anti-oxidant that helps counter the effects of diabetes on the nerves (diabetic neuropathy) and improves the glucose-lowering action of insulin, thus lowering blood sugar levels. Other studies show alpha-lipoic acid can also improve long-term memory, protect the liver and may possibly help prevent cancer.

Gymnema sylvestre: This is an herb that works to lower blood sugar levels. It is a member of the milkweed family that when chewed, can block us from tasting things that are sweet. It has been proved in studies to work.

Magnesium: May improve insulin production and decrease insulin resistance.

Bitter melon: This member of the gourd family contains Gurmarin, a polypeptide considered to be similar to bovine insulin, which has been shown in experimental studies to achieve a positive sugar regulating effect.

More beneficial herbs and supplements include: American ginseng, fenugreek, Maitake mushrooms, B-vitamins, zinc, blueberry, garlic, hawthorn and quercetin.

We carry an all-inclusive formula called GLUCO-SCIENCE by Source Naturals. See its ingredients here: http://www.sourcenaturals.com/files/download/?request=100039.

ALSO IN STOCK: Chromium picolinate, Alpha-lipoic acid, B-Complex, zinc, garlic and quercetin. Stop by and talk to our health professionals to discusst what you can do to control your Type II diabetes naturally.

POWHATAN HEALTH & WELLNESS ORGANIZATION 

NEEDS YOUR HELP!!!!!

We're looking for vendors and farmers to exhibit at, and sponsors to support our 4th annual HEALTHY LIVING FAIR.  For information, please visit www.powhatanhealthwellness.org or click below for a sign-up form:  http://www.powhatanhealthwellness.org/Registration_2005.pdf

WE CAN'T DO IT WITHOUT THE COMMUNITY'S SUPPORT!!!

MASSAGE & AROMATHERAPY TIPS FROM SHAWN MARIE, CMT

Whole-istic Health Massage & Aromatherapy (www.wholeistichealth.com)

Thyme Oil

Protect yourself during the start of the busy fall season by keeping Thyme oil on hand. When used in a diffuser, bath or topically, thyme will increase the white blood cell count. This helps prevent and fight infections. Thyme is also wonderful for relieving muscle cramps when used in a massage oil. Those who are pregnant, under the age of three or have high blood pressure should avoid thyme.

Massage tip

Stay sharp and focused with massage therapy. Massage increases blood flow to the brain. Decreased blood flow to this area has been blamed for poor work and school performance and the onset of dementia later in life. Even a half hour of massage therapy twice per month is helpful in promoting mental clarity and acuteness.