An Update from Jo

In August I was lucky enough to attend the Unleashing Homeopathy Conference in Bali. I had an amazing time, which included making lots of new connections and being re-inspired about the power of Homeopathy. There are thousands of homeopathic remedies available now and each practitioner will use slightly different methodologies depending on their training and what has been sucessful for them in clinical practice. The best results with homeopathy long term come from seeing a practitioner, but Karen and I are also available instore to help you understand how to use homeopathy at home for acute  illnesses, one of us is usually here most days for a quick chat.

Following on from last month's information about the Blood Test Results Analysis Report, we wanted to let you know about a new service Pathlab is offering so you can order your own blood tests. You can then share the results with us to analyse and make any naturopathic recommendations. The introductory cost for this report to be emailed to you is $49. If you then want to discuss the results in more depth you can book with one of our Naturopaths. The website for ordering your bloodtest is myway.pathlab.co.nz You can also have a consultation with our practitioners to help you choose the most beneficial tests to order.

Enjoy the first month of spring and we look forward to seeing you again soon.

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.

• Buy any TWO Buds Kids Nail Polish and get a "Crayon" shade of nail colour FREE
• Buy any TWO products from the Herb Farm Therapeutics Range (which includes Wild Yam Cream) and get ONE free - this offer is only valid until the 20th of September
• Buy any TWO full size Giovanni products and get a FREE Vitapro Leave-in Hair Treatment Spray
• Buy a Harker Herbals Children's Viraguard, Chest Soothe or Ear Nose & Throat and get a FREE Childrens Throat Spray
• Spend $40 or more on Boody Basics (excludes loungewear) and get a FREE pair of Boody Mens original boxers - limit 1 per customer and sizes are limited to what Boody have sent us to giveaway
• Purchase 2 or more Speick Mens products and get a FREE Body Lotion
• Buy any 2 Holistic Hair products and get a FREE trial size Herbal Finishing Rinse Concentrate or Salt of the Earth Volumising and Texturing Spray
• Buy a 1kg Nuzest Clean Lean Protein Powder and get a FREE Nuzest Shaker and at a great price of $99 
• Spend $69 or more on Living Nature and get a FREE Advanced Renewal Night Serum
• GNZ Bioscience Vital Burst Sports Recharge Powder 210g 30% off now $42 - contain Blackcurrant, Kiwifruit, Beetroot and Organic broccoli sprout powder with
  organic spices 
• Weleda Skin Food Range 20% off 
• Purchase any Weleda product this month and go in the draw to win a 30ml Skin Food Light (valued at $17.90)
• Coyne Biomax Curcumin Complete 60 pack - 20% off
• Tints of Nature Hair Colour 30% off selected colours only - 4C, 4CH, 5R, 6C, 6TF, 7N, 7D, 8C, 10XL, 10N - special stock is limited on these colours so get in quick!
• Gutsi Triple Pack only $99.90! This pack contains 1 x Gutsi Sporebiotic, 1 x Gutsi Good Guts and 1 x Gutsi Gut Food and is valued at $168! (stock arriving this week and is limited on this deal)

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

• 2026 Gratitude Diary
• New Oracle Cards - Devine Feminine, The Universe Has Your back, Angels Answers, Chakra Love
• Jomies Lattes - Beetroot, Jaffa and Spicey Ginger
• Weleda Gentle Milk Cleanser for sensitive skin
• Remarkable Milk Chocolate Bark - Honeycomb and Sesame
• Harker Daily Vegie cap range - Peri Menopause Balance, Skin, Hair & Nails, Joint Protect and Repair, Mood & Stress, and Brain Function & Focus
• La Mav Ayurvedic Body Oil Range 120ml - Unwind,  Uplift and Nourish
• La Mav Vitamin C Handcream 60ml
• Buds Kids nail polish new colours - Minty, Petal and Potion
• New Incense Range 
• Weleda Shower Gels - Happiness, Energy, and Vitality
• SmiTea Loose Teas and giftpacks
• Gaia Herbs Cranberry Complete capsules, Lions Mane Mushroom gummies and Nettle capsules
• Life Seasons Breathe X capsules

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 on 07 576 9442

Low Energy… the problem could be deeper than vitamin B12

We regularly see people in the shop who are dealing with low energy levels so following on from last month's article we wanted to share more information on this. Low energy can make it hard to get through daily tasks, let alone the energy to make healthy choices and 
lasting changes to diet and lifestyle. Interestingly, when we improve daily energy levels, we also improve sleep patterns, as our homeostatic balance regulates. The current trend sees many people turning to high doses of vitamin B12 to help correct low energy levels. While supplementing with any of the B vitamins can help to raise energy levels due to their role in the body’s energy production, B12 will not directly affect energy unless there is a deficiency present. Deficiency is more common in those with reduced digestive function, such as the elderly or those with digestive disorders like Crohn’s disease. Medications such as metformin and PPIs (eg. Losec), can also reduce B12 levels. High homocysteine levels may also be an indication that vitamin B12 is required. If you suspect you have a B12 deficiency, you can take charge, as vitamin B12 levels can easily be self-tested through Pathlab for around $15 + $25 sample fee.  

So, if it’s not vitamin B12 levels, what next?

Dysfunction of any type in the body, results in a compensation of some sort. We
understand this when we have an injured knee, and our opposite hip and leg compensates; ending up doing more work and getting tired. But what about dysfunction in other body systems? The natural compensation that we fall into for any dysfunction can use up additional energy - leading to fatigue. To help restore energy levels, you may need to look a little deeper at what body systems are performing poorly and need support to stop the cycle of extra energy use for compensation.

Brain burnout

When we look at energy use in the body, it is the central nervous system - the brain and it's associated neurons that consumes around a quarter of our daily energy. Therefore,
when this system has to compensate for disruptions in signalling, it draws on a lot of
additional energy.  You will see in this month’s newsletter, more information on neuro integration system (NIS). NIS has seen improvements in energy levels after correcting automation of the left and right brain centres, for example, linking visual processing with our motor centre, so we can move and take in our surroundings automatically, without tiring out the brain.

Digestion regulation

Of course, we always go back to the gut too. Reduced energy levels could be a result of
not getting the energy requirements from diet because of poor digestive function.
Emotional stress and fast eating can reduce the acidity of our stomach, making it harder to break down and get all the great nutrients from our food, including B12. You could look at strategies for managing emotional stress and mindful eating, or include bitter foods, digestive enzymes and digestive bitters formulas to help address nutrient absorption for your energy levels.

Dig deeper

In the end, low energy levels could stem from a very wide range of causes, including poor
viral clearance, low iron levels, or other nutrient deficiencies. We encourage you to dig a 
little deeper or enlist help of a professional to help find the root cause and restore your vitality!

This month we have chosen to spotlight a service one of our practitoners offers here in our clinic rather than an actual product. Read below for more information about Neuro Integration or NIS.

Keeping all body functions online

Imagine you are trying to call your friend on the phone. You dial, but get the disconnected tone. They call you back, but they can hardly hear you. There is a dysfunction in the signal between the two of you. The same could be said for your brain, trying to connect with your organs, muscles, tendons, or even another section of the brain. If the nervous system signal is disconnected or out of sequence, they cannot talk to each other, functioning will be affected, and symptoms can begin to appear.

NIS is a gentle, non-invasive sequence that checks signalling to all body systems using
the brain’s own feedback through muscle testing. This gives a functional understanding of all body systems – specific to the individual, and not dependent on blood tests, scans or diagnoses.

As NIS provides both ‘fault-finding’ and ‘fault-fixing’ within the same appointment, we can
then make the brain aware of a fault and utilise neuroplasticity to restore signalling. Neuroplasticity is a well-researched area of neuroscience that shows that the brain is capable of re-wiring, finding new pathways, growing new neurons, and using alternative areas of the brain to achieve optimal function.

How can NIS help?

Your health concerns may be a result of disrupted nervous system signalling.
Neuro integration (NIS) can help with a wide range of health complaints, including:

• Back pain, sore muscles, joints or tendons
• Headaches or migraines
• Digestive issues
• Poor immunity
• Children’s learning and developmental issues
• Concussion recovery
• Hormone balance
• Anxiety, stress or depression
• Viral, bacterial, fungal and parasite infections
• Brain fog, concentration or fatigue

NIS is appropriate for all ages – from babies to the elderly.

The Fibre biotics supports healthy digestion and bowel regularity. Ingredients include psyllium husk, prebiotic and probiotics to support with healthy balance of intestinal bacteria and healthy bowel elimination. 

Milk Thistle Detox+ contains a potent concentrated extract of Milk thistle which is blended with organic Spirulina to help support liver function and detoxification whilst also supporting your liver to metabolise fasts and balance blood sugars. 

Finally, the kit contains a Whiz stick and a copy of the Lifestream detox guide which contains dietary suggestions and information. 

To go in the draw to win this amazing giveaway, answer the following question in the subject line of a return email. 

What are the two main ingredients in the Super Alkalise powder? 

Congratulations to Emma Wilson who won last month's Om Rub newsletter giveaway.

Gluten Free Lemon Drizzle Cake 

With a special surprise ingredient, this gluten-free lemon cake stays beautifully moist. To everyone’s amazement it's mashed potato!  

METHOD 

Step 1: Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Butter and line a deep, 20cm round cake tin. Beat the sugar and butter together until light and fluffy, then gradually add the egg, beating after each addition. Fold in the almonds, cold mashed potato, lemon zest and baking powder. 

Step 2: Tip into the tin, level the top, then bake for 40-45 mins or until golden and a skewer inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean. Turn out onto a wire rack after 10 mins cooling. Mix the granulated sugar and the lemon juice together, then spoon over the top of the cake, letting it drip down the sides. Let the cake cool completely before slicing. 

Note:  I used less sugar and didn't put drizzle on the cake and it was still absolutely delicious.  Cooking time took a bit longer in my oven.

Credit: Jane Hornby  https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/gluten-free-lemon-drizzle-cake