An Update from Jo

Not long now until the Autumn Equinox, which this year occurs on Tuesday 21st of March. At the equinoxes, the Sun is exactly above the equator, and both hemispheres receive (nearly) equal amounts of sunlight. In other words, day and night are (almost) equal in both hemispheres. Not sure I feel ready to accept that summer is coming to an end especially after the lack of sunshine we have had this year!

Normally at this time of the year we would be receiving our Community Health Stores Autumn Magazine but the CHS group has decided to change things up a bit. We are trialling a monthly one page paper CHS newsletter to be available instore instead. It will be the same one for all of the 14 CHS stores around the country. Our first issue will be ready to pick up instore next week and we value your feedback on this.

This month I just wanted to cover one Homeobotanical Formula that is often added to other blends, as it serves as a drainage formula for the whole body. Hb B – Blood & Lymph is ideal for skin conditions and pustular eruptions, ulceration, and swollen/hard glands. It is a traditional “blood purifier” tonic used to support balance or homeostasis in the gastrointestinal, hepatic and lymphatic systems.  I am available most days (except Wednesdays) for a free 5-10 minutes chat if you would like more information. Look forward to seeing you again soon.

• Spend $59 or more on Living Nature and get a FREE Hand and Body Cream
• Buy Be Pure Kids Probiotic Powder 40g and receive FREE colouring pencils and access to their colouring in competition
• Buy any 2 full size Giovanni Hair Care products and get a FREE 3 piece travel size pack
• Harker Herbals Echinacea and Vitamin C Syrup 200ml - 15% off now $41.55
• Bees Brilliance Healing Hand and Body Lotion 340ml - 20% off now $13.52
• Solgar Ester C 1000mg 90 tablets - 30% off now $36.33
• Absolute Essentials Purify Hand Sanitiser - 40% off now $9.54
• Tints of Nature Hair Colours - Including the new BOLD colours - 15% off
• Natures Way Systemwell - 180's 10% and 90's 15% off
• Lazu Keto 21 Day Quickstart kit and chocolate and vanilla keto shakes - 15% off
• Biotrace Fish Oil Omega 3 Plus - now $49.90 save $30
• The Poo Brew - 10% off (temporarily in bags due to pots being out of stock)

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

• New Natroceutics Range from the UK - currently stocking Ashwagandha, Fortified Omega 3, Liposomal Quercetin and Magnesium with Trace Minerals - more products in the range coming soon
• Oku Circulate Tea and Oku Relax Tea - available in 15 tea bags or 30g loose leaf
• Ceres Organic Pea Chips - Salt & Pepper, and Salt & Vinegar
• Ceres Organic Brownie Bite Mix 200g
• Nutra Organics Gluten Free and Vegan Custard filled Cookie Dough balls (3 pack)
• She Universe Organic and Vegan Hazel Egg Duet
• Amethyst Geodes ranging in size and price from $20 to $70
• Mitchells Bone Both Protein Powder Real Strawberry 500g and 30g
• Turbo Tonic Tumeric, Ginger and Lime 500ml Concentrate - you can taste this before you buy also, its delicious!

Introducing two new teas in the Oku Tea Range!

OKU Circulate/Hōrapa 

Circulate: Kawakawa & Horopito is a complete blend to get your blood moving. With herbs like Gotu Kola, Ginkgo and Rosemary that all have a great affinity with the brain. Hawthorn and Oku's very own Kawakawa both have wonderful heart supporting properties. These herbs are all brought together by the unique warming and spicy properties of Horopito. This really is a complete formula to fire up your circulation.  Available in Loose Leaf or NeoSoilon® Pyramid Tea Bags. Contains 100% herbs, no added flavours, sugar or sweeteners.  Ingredients: Gotu Kola+, Hawthorn Berries+, Ginkgo+, Rosemary+, Kawakawa* (10%), Horopito* (3%) ( +Organic or *Wildharvested) 

OKU Relax/Whakatā 

Relax: Kānuka & Tātarāmoa is the perfect tea to drink at the end of the day, or at any time you need to allow your mind and body to unwind from the many stresses we encounter in modern day living. Relax offers you an exquisite combination of both western and NZ native herbs that have wonderful calming qualities encouraging you to destress and rediscover your balance.  Also available in Loose Leaf or NeoSoilon® Pyramid Tea Bags and contains 100% herbs, no added flavours, sugar or sweeteners.  Ingredients: Passionflower+, Chamomile Flowers+, Lemon Balm+, Kānuka* (17%), Tātarāmoa* (10%), Kawakawa*    (+Organic or *Wildharvested) 

Since ancient times, many cultures including the Egyptians, Romans and Greeks, have used the traditional natural therapy of ear candling on a spiritual level, to purify and cleanse the aura and harmonise the different energy fields of the body.  Hopi ear candling was popularised by the Hopi Indian Tribe of the American South-West. The modern embodiment of the treatment is based on the form used by the Hopi Indians, (meaning ‘Peaceful People’) who are renowned for their possession of incredible medicinal knowledge and spirituality.  The candles were used in initiation ceremonies and healing rituals, the ear candles were depicted in many ancient drawings found in the caves of the Grand Canyon. This age-old therapy – also known as thermo-auricular therapy – is not only relaxing and rejuvenating, it’s also helpful for a variety of ear, nose and throat conditions. 

A Hopi ear candle is actually a cotton tube, filled with beeswax, therapeutic oils and honey, that is gently inserted into the ear to draw out impurities and relieve pressure.  The patient lies down on their side with their head supported on a pillow so the ear canal is vertical. The process is completely painless and merely involves another person placing a hollow candle inside the patients ear – as far as is comfortable.  The candle is then lit, resulting in a gentle suction motion which draws the wax and impurities from the ear. The easiest way to understand the science behind it is comparing it to a chimney. The movement and compression between the ear canal and the candle chamber generates air flow, the burning action infuses the herbs and essential oils into a vapour. This acts as a massaging function as a well as softening any debris and wax. Gentle popping can sometimes be heard, this is due to the rising air pushing through the auditory canal, which helps regulate ear pressure.  Care should be taken to follow instructions to safely carry out treatment. 

Precautions: Ear candling is a gentle non-invasive process but there are certain conditions that would prevent treatment.  These include:  Grommets, drains or tubes fitted in the ear, Cochlear implants,  Perforated eardrum (or lack of eardrum), ear or sinus inflammation or infection, auricular cysts,  recent head or neck injury, recent ear surgery, any condition of the ear for which you are seeing your GP, if you are allergic to ingredients in the candle, high or low blood pressure, Epilepsy, first trimester of pregnancy.  Please note this is not an exhaustive list - your practitioner or therapist will be able to guide you further about whether or not the treatment is suitable for you.  Biosun Hopi Ear candles are made by hand using a traditional recipe and regularly-tested, 100% natural ingredients. Original Biosun Traditional Ear Candles are a popular choice and have been successfully used by therapists for decades. 

References: www.lucyhallmassage.com/news/the-origins-of-hopi-ear-candling www.centreofexcellence.com/introduction-hopi-ear-candling 

This month we are giving away a pack of Biosun ear candles and an Oku Tea of your choice. To enter please reply in the subject line of a return email with the answer to the following questions: 

Name two conditions that ear candling may be beneficial for? And which Tea from the Oku range would like to win? (click here to see all variants)

Congratulations to Atawahi Frires who won the Lifestream Flax Super Blend and shaker

Chia Seed Pudding

Directions 

 1. In a medium bowl, whisk to combine chia seeds, milk, sweetener of your choice, vanilla if using, and salt. 

 2. Cover and refrigerate until thick, 2 hours up to overnight.  

 3. Serve with mix-ins and toppings of your choice.