An Update from Jo

The Bach Flower workshop held on the weekend was great fun. Thanks to those who came along to gain a bit of extra knowledge. 

As mentioned last month, our August workshop will be held by Kelly from Seleno Health and will be an afternoon of learning about, connecting to, and experiencing the ancient plant medicine of Cacao! 

In this workshop Kelly will guide you to deepen your connection with both the Amaru and Uturunku Ceremonial Cacao’s. Journey through the fascinating history, traditions, uses, ancient myths and stories, spiritual significance, and the neuroscience & biochemistry of Cacao. Learn how to prepare Cacao and how you can create your own ceremony and sacred space at home to deepen your relationship with this powerful plant ally. The afternoon will finish with a short Cacao ceremony experience that will invoke the healing power of Cacao, activate the heart, and inspire you to include this practice in your own life.

For tickets to this workshop being held on Saturday 26th August from 4pm to 5.30pm see here www.eventbrite.co.nz, tickets are currently available for just $15 (limited spaces).

More to come on Septembers workshop (to be held on the afternoon of Saturday 16th) in next months newsletter.

Many of you have been asking if there is an update on the Therapeutic Products Bill. The Bill has now passed its third reading in Parliament and will soon be signed into law.  We are concerned the Therapeutic Products Bill will greatly reduce consumer choice and increase the cost of natural health products in NZ by requiring a medicines regulator to individually assess every natural health product and ingredient for approval (irrespective of a proven history of safe use). If you would like to sign a petition asking that this legislation be amended to better support continued consumer choice and affordable access to a wide range of safe and effective natural health products see this link.

Just one Homeobotanical to cover this month and as with all homeobotanials this can be blended with others in the range. More information is available instore.

HB H (Heart and Circulation): This formula is a restorative blend for the heart and cardiovascular system. It helps support normal blood pressure (whether high or low) and strengthens cardiovascular tissue. It can be used in conjunction with blood pressure and cholesterol-lowing medication. Also given for Raynaud’s disease, metabolic syndrome, and varicose veins.

Our Vision

At Bethlehem Health Shop, we support ethical suppliers and sell quality, researched products. We offer sincere advice from our team of caring, trained staff.

Thank you so much for supporting your locally owned Community Health Store.

• Spend $55 or more on Living Nature and get a FREE Day Cream (valued at $44)
• Buy any 2 x 200ml Elixirs from the Oku range and receive a FREE tube of Oku Protect 15 Tea Bags valued at $18.50
• The Herb Farm Mood Mist in Love or Energise - 50% off stock in old packaging - now only $11.90
• The Herb Farm Refining Decollatage Cream - 30% off now $20.90
• The Herb Farm Renewal Advance Facial Serum - 30% off now $39.80
• Gutsi range of Probiotics, Gut Food and Good Guts Repair caps - 15% off entire range
• Weleda Skin Food  - 20% off entire range
• Weleda Euphrasia Eye Drops - were $29.90 now $23.90
• Natures Way System Well 180's was $89.90 now $46.90
• Bees Brilliance Lip Rescue in Honey and Beeswax or Super-fruity - was $12.90 now $9.90
• Absolute Essentials Purify Hand Sanitiser - 40% off now $9.54
• Biotrace Fish Oil Omega 3 Plus - now $49.90 save $30

All of the above specials and offers are only valid while stocks last.

• Kure Range - NZ's first CBD alternative - Mood Drops, Bedtime Drops, Relief Drops and Skin Drops. Also available in relief balm
• Natroceutics Saffron 30 capsules
• Seleno Uturunku Ceremonial Cacao 500g block (which you can taste at our Cacao workshop on August 26th, see details above)
• Eve Bloat Buddy 60 vegecaps
• We Love Organics Teethpaste Range of tubes, pots and healing toothdrops
• Weleda Baby Colic and Teething products now also available in drops

Note: New products will be added to our website as soon as we can. If you want to purchase these online before we get a chance to do this, please call us to order over the phone instead.

Harker Herbals has two new throat sprays 

Harker Herbals Children's Throat Spray 

Is a fast-acting, targeted spray to soothe dry, scratchy throats, support healing of the throat and mouth membranes and a strong immune response for the throat or mouth. 

Ingredients include Oxi-fend® Throatsoother Blend, scientifically researched to support throat comfort and the immune response for throat health. The NZ bee propolis, is a rich source of powerful antioxidants, scientifically researched to support the immune response and the NZ Manuka honey to coat the throat lining and soothe the throat, especially when swallowing. It contains black elderberry for extra immune support. 

Harker Herbals Children's Throat spray is suitable for children 5-12 years. To use, spray one to two times into the back of the mouth every 1-2 hours. Aim the spray directly to the affected area and wait at least 15 minutes before drinking or eating after using. For long term immune support, spray one to two times into the back of the throat morning and night 

Do not use if allergic to any ingredient. Propolis may cause severe allergic reactions. If swelling occurs, discontinue use and consult a health practitioner. Not suitable for children or infants under 5 years and not suitable in pregnancy or while breastfeeding 

Harker Herbals Throat Spray 

Is suitable for adults over 12 years. The adult throat spray does not contain elderberry but all the other ingredients are the same as the children's formulation at an adult dose.  

The dosage for adults is four sprays into the back of the mouth every 1-2 hours. Aim the spray directly to the affected area. Wait at least 15 minutes before drinking or eating after using. 

Try gargling warm water with a pinch of cayenne pepper and 5mls of Harkers Ear, Nose & Throat 15 minutes before using the spray for extra support. 

For long term immune support, spray one to two times into the back of the throat morning and night. 

This month we have a bottle of each of the above Harker Throat Sprays to giveaway (valued at over $50).

Is Meditation really good for the heart?

Meditation offers significant heart benefits. It helps reduce stress and anxiety, which can lower heart rate and blood pressure while reducing harmful hormones. (1) 

There's more to heart attack and stroke prevention than medications, exercise, and diet. The latest research confirms that people who practice meditation are significantly less likely to have a heart attack or stroke or die within five years. "Meditation can be a useful part of cardiovascular risk reduction," says cardiologist Dr. Deepak Bhatt, a professor at Harvard Medical School. "I do recommend it, along with diet and exercise. It can also help decrease the sense of stress and anxiety." 

How does meditation affect you physiologically?

"It appears to produce changes in brain activity. It also can lower your heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, oxygen consumption, adrenaline levels, and levels of cortisol, a hormone released in response to stress," says Dr. Bhatt. (1) 

Potential Health Benefits of Meditation (2) 

A growing body of research has found that meditation is beneficial to mental and physical health because of the effect it has on our stress response. 

“The primary health benefit from meditation appears to be related to the general shift in the autonomic nervous system that decreases sympathetic tone and increases parasympathetic tone,” Cohen says.  

The sympathetic nervous system is our fight-or-flight response, while our parasympathetic nervous system is rest-and-digest, she says. 

“As humans, we’re wired to fight-or-flight very easily, since it’s a survival mechanism,” Cohen explains. “So we want and need more parasympathetic. When the parasympathetic system is stimulated, heart rate and breathing slow, stress hormones decrease, blood vessels dilate, and digestion is improved.” 

In recent years, a growing body of scientific evidence has shown how a meditation practice can help improve health, including mental and emotional health. (2) 

There are many types of meditation that can result in physiological benefits, such as guided meditation, which uses mental images to help you relax; Transcendental Meditation, which uses a repeated sound or phrase to help you empty your mind; and mindfulness meditation, which focuses on the present moment and helps you to accept it without judgment. To get in on the benefits, take the advice of Harvard Medical School professor Dr. Herbert Benson, a world-renowned expert in mind-body medicine. "Getting started is easy. You can learn in one minute. But you'll have to do it for at least 10 minutes a day to get the physiological effects," he says. (1) 

Give it a try with this quick start guide 

A basic meditation exercise from Harvard's Dr. Herbert Benson: 

1. Sit quietly and close your eyes. Breathe slowly. 

2. Relax all of your muscles, starting with your feet, legs, and thighs. Shrug your shoulders, roll your neck to the left and right. 

3. On each "out" breath, say the word "peace." 

4. When thoughts come to mind, decide to come back to them later, and repeat the word "peace." 

5. Continue the exercise for at least 10 minutes. Repeat daily. 

Creating the ambience: 

Diffusing essential oils that help relax and reduce stress can also be beneficial for the heart.  As always it is important to check with your healthcare provider that the oil you would like to use is appropriate for you.  For example, if you have high blood pressure there are some oils that are stimulating and best avoided like rosemary. 

Frankincense can be used to create a meditative calming atmosphere and support a relaxed quiet mind.  Three to five drops can be put into a diffuser.  Some other options include Absolute Essentials Tranquility or Stress Less which are lovely blends, or single essential oils like Lavender, these are all available in store.  

Ref: 

1. https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/meditation-offers-significant-heart-benefits 

2. https://www.everydayhealth.com/meditation/ 

Love traditional avocado on sour dough? Try this gluten free, unusual sounding but amazing new favourite that has moved up a nutritional notch. Sweet potato slices toasted and piled high with avocado and toppings. 

Mash avocado, salt, lime and chilli flakes in a small bowl. 

Top the kumara toast with mashed avocado. Sprinkle top with pomegranate seeds, feta, pepita seeds and sprouts. Makes 8 (2 per serve). 

Tip: Another option is that kumara pieces can be toasted in the toaster. Will need to be put through the process a couple of times