Homeobotanicals Update from Jo

Spring is in the air! Well kind of.......maybe in a few weeks time when we have daylight saving it will feel a bit more like it.

I mentioned last month that we now stock Homeobotanicals. As gut health has been a bit of a theme over the last couple of months,  I wanted to introduce you to a few of the blends relevant to this. As I am sure you are aware we cannot make claims about products but I have listed here some of the indications for using these blends.

Hb D – Digestion: Acute and chronic disturbances in the stomach such as heartburn, dyspepsia, hyperacidity, gastritis, nausea and vomiting (also from pregnancy or travel sickness), eructations, colic, flatulence, and bloating. Also gastrointestinal inflammations.

Hb G – Gastrointestinal: Designed to support normal function of the lower bowel. Persistent bowel statis, chronic and obstinate constipation, fissures and haemorrhoids. May be tonifying to the whole gastrointestinal tract and assist in general detoxification.

Hb W - Worms: This broad spectrum blend has a range of activity and is indicated in cases of intestinal and systemic worms and other endoparasites such as pinworms, thread worms, roundworms and tapeworms.

Hb Y - Yeast Infections: Formulated to support metabolic processes which control yeast, rather than provide any direct antifungal action. Used wherever there are indications of a yeast or fungal dysbiosis (ie oral thrush, yeast vaginitis, yeast overgrowth in the gastrointestinal tract)

These blends can be made up on their own, or in combination with other blends from the rest of the range. You can see a list of all blends here. The only formula in the range not suitable during pregnancy is formula W. All of the blends are safe to use with medications (though would be used with caution and under the supervision of a doctor for someone taking blood thinners)

Jo is available most days for a free 5-10 minutes chat to make these up, though for more in-depth prescribing (particularly when combining 3 or 4 different formulas) consultations are available by appointment with Jo or Beverley. To book an appointment with Jo, Beverley or Karen see our website here for contact details.

Emma from Harker Herbals will be in-store Wednesday 21st between 11-1pm with delicious samples of their plant-based Vit C & Elderberry gummies (which you can learn to make at home yourself!) and to answer any questions you may have about their products. Purchase any Harker Herbals products on the day to receive a 15% discount and go into the draw to win a Harker Herbals hamper!

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.

• Neocell Collagen Tablets - both sizes 20% off
• Giovanni Hair Care Range - all products 20% off
• Biotrace Organic Zinc Capsules, Gastro Soothe Capsules, Glutathione Capsules and Fish Oil Omega 3 Plus 250ml Liquid - 10% off
• Selected Good Health Joint Products - 30% off
• Lifestream Sleep Switch Capsules - save $4 now $28.90
• Lifestream Spirulina Bioactive 200 Tablets - save $4 now $31.90
• Solgar Quercetin 50 Capsules - save $7.60 now only $35.90
• Solgar Ashwagandha 60 Capsules - save $10 now only $35.90
• Puriti Manuka Honey Snap Packs 21 x 5g - 30% off now $24.40
• Puriti Manuka Crystals Natural Sweetener 40 x 5g sachets - 30% off now $24.40
• Lazu Virocin Zinc Ionophore 60 capsules - introductory special $54.99 save $10
• Buy any Healthy Bod Co Foot Detox Patches and get a FREE Foot Peel
• Spend over $47 on Living Nature and get a FREE Advanced Renewal Night Serum
• Spend over $50 on Herb Farm and get a FREE Hand and Decollatage cream 
• Buy any 2 full size Antipodes products and get a FREE Baptise H2O Ultra Hydrating Water Gel 
• Buy any 2 Trilogy products and get a FREE Trilogy Vitamin C 50ml Moisturiser

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

• Hemp Connect Hemp Power Blend Maca/Cacao 300g
• Weleda Skin Food Discovery Set $13.90 - includes 10ml skin food, 20ml skin food body lotion, perfect for travelling
• Weleda Love Super Food Body Set for $39 - full size Aroma Love shower gel 200ml and and full size skin food body lotion 200ml (sold separately $50.80)
• Now Foods Xylitol Nasal Mist 59ml
• Hodaf Detox Foot Patches in Rose or Mint
• New brand of crystal glass drink bottles with bamboo top and bottom - available in amethyst and rose quartz. Also a bamboo tea infuser bottle
• New crystal soy wax candles and a Bird Salt lamp we haven't had before
• Lone Kauri now make Deodorant Sticks in Lemon Grass and Manuka (previously only had deodorant creams in tins)
• Pukka Gift Boxes are back in stock - these have a selection of 15 different teas (with 3 of each flavour in a lovely gift box

The Herb Farm Refining Hand & Decolletage Cream is a beautiful nourishing and nutrient-rich cream formulated with a concentrated blend of active ingredients to tone, smooth & hydrate your hands and delicate neck & décolletage area.  It is suitable for all skin types. 

It contains New Zealand Native Black Fern, Native Seaweed, Gotu Kola and Licorice Root which work together in synergy to combat uneven skin tone and imperfections. It also contains Rosehip Oil and Hemp Oil which are full of goodness, especially essential fatty acids, to help protect and hydrate skin, fight free radical damage and reduce wrinkles. The vitamins and antioxidants rejuvenate the skin to restore elasticity, help correct dark spots and reduce the appearance of scars. In addition to moisturising and soothing the skin, hemp oil has anti-ageing properties. Hemp oil can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles as well as prevent signs of ageing from developing.

This month one lucky customer will win a jar of the Herb Farms newest addition to their range, the Refining Hand and Decolletage Cream.  For your chance to win, reply to this email with the answer to the following question: 

Name two ingredients in The Herb Farm Refining Hand & Decolletage Cream? 

Congratulations to last months winner of the Q Baby Products - Fiona Gallagher

The winner of the Harker Herbals Wellness pack for buying a Harker Immune Product in June, July or August is Glenda Andrews

Seaweeds are the most ancient plants on earth, and among the most nutrient-rich foods on the planet. The chemistry & physiology of seaweeds (essentially sea vegetables), is very different to that of land plants. Seaweeds absorb all the minerals and nutrients in seawater (many of which are no longer present in soils today), and are able to concentrate the basic elements which are the building blocks of the human body. 

Seaweeds contain all five essential nutrients of a good diet – vitamins, minerals, carbohydrate, protein & fat and if you are not already eating them, we hope this article gives you some incentive to get started! 

Compared to land vegetables, sea vegetables have up to 20 times more usable minerals, concentrated calcium & iron, and possess the ideal ratio of potassium to sodium. They are also rich in vitamins, contain all minerals and trace elements identified as health requirements and contain other nutrients, many of which are known to offer protection from radiation or chemical pollutants. (The amount of individual minerals & essential elements varies according to the specific seaweed, but they are naturally presented in balanced proportions for easy assimilation by the body).

They are the richest foods in natural organic iodine, with a high bio-availability, which boosts metabolism, regulates weight, and stimulates cellular activity (this in turn burns fats and eliminates toxins). Seaweeds can offer one of the very few plant-based sources of Vitamin B12, so provides excellent nutritional support for vegans and vegetarians. They also provide an array of other minerals such as magnesium, potassium and calcium. 

Proteins in seaweed are offered in a simple form which is easy for human bodies to assimilate.  This protein is also low in calories and fat, alkaline, and contains no cholesterol. Red seaweeds tend to offer the highest protein of all seaweeds. 

Seaweeds also contain exceptional saccharides in the form of glyconutrients (for example in agar & carrageenan) & complex sugars (like mannitol).  The carbohydrates are slow releasing sugars in the form of fibers, supplying plenty of energy with few calories. The fibers in seaweed come in soluble & insoluble forms. These are both are able to bind water, or mineral cations, and may be used by colonic microflora, as fermentable substrate. This provides prebiotic benefits & facilitates the binding, lubrication & evacuation of toxins. 

Seaweeds are generally low in sodium and therefore do not have an adverse effect on blood pressure. They are a very positive alternative to those on a low sodium diet as they are naturally salty but also have a far improved mineral content than pure table salt.  The alginates they contain actually help balance salts in the body by eliminating excess sodium & environmental toxins. 

Seaweeds have unique compounds which attract toxins, and some of them, like Agar and Irish moss, also have a gentle laxative effect, helping the body to eliminate waste more efficiently.  Being one of the most alkaline foods one can eat, seaweeds support the neutralisation of acidity in the body. 

In summary, the nutritional value of seaweed is unrivaled, and holistic.  One does not have to eat great quantities of seaweed in order to enjoy the health benefits they offer. Rather than consume a handful of supplements daily, just start to add a sprinkle of seaweed seasoning to your regular diet. Come in today and see the range of Pacific Harvest seaweeds available in store or visit our website for further information. 

How to Make Orange or Lemon Powder

If you want to make the most of your home grown oranges and lemons all year long, one way to do it is to make orange or lemon powder from dried peels. The lemon and orange flavor can enhance almost any dish! 

Orange powder is especially delicious in chocolate cakes, fudge and muffins. The lemon powder works well in Mediterranean pasta dishes and Indian curries. You can also use the powders in salad dressings, guacamole and sprinkled on top of grated raw vegetable salads. For a festive touch, you can even dip the edge of your cocktail glass into it

Step 3 If you have a dehydrator you can use that, otherwise the de-pithed skins can be left in a warm sunny place in your kitchen  in summer to dry them out. In winter put them on a tray in a cooled down oven after you have had the oven on for baking or doing a roast. 

Step 4 Grind the peels up in a food processor