I love when Dr. Oz educates us on the benefits of natural herbs – power food! Plants, flowers, roots have many medicinal benefits. Think about garlic, parsley and other herbs we come across everyday that have various affects such as a natural antibiotic, offers nutrition, cleanse and build the body.

Here are some examples:
BASIL: Medicinal properties: Antispasmodic, expectorant, mild sedative.

CHAMOMILE: Medicinal properties: Sedative, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic.

DANDELION: Medicinal properties: Hepatic, diuretic, tonic, anti-rheumatic,

Many are concerned about using herbs and if they are really safe to use. We have to do the research for ourselves to really understand herbs. Most times you can take herbs with your medications. Certain times you don’t want to mix herbs and meds. Check with your herbalist to be safe.

Where can you purchase herbs that are safe to use? Look for companies that have a serious quality control department like Nature Sunshine Products. They manufacture all their products in-house with a very serious quality control department.

Dr. Oz talked about herbs that help with anxiety, a condition many face.
VALARIAN ROOT: Medicinal properties: Aromatic, stimulant, tonic, antispasmodic, nervine. This herb helps people who have a hard time sleeping. Some children have taken valarian to help calm them down if they are hyper.

LEMON BALM: Medicinal properties: Anti Depressant, Nervine, Sedative, Anti Bacterial, Tonic. This herb relaxed the mind and reduces stress, lowers blood pressure and even eases digestion. It also is an effective treatment of Herpes, sores, ulcers and boosts memory. Nature Sunshine’s Focus Attention has Lemon Balm in it, a great natural supplement for ADD and ADHD.

PASSION FLOWER: Anti-epileptic, antispasmodic, calmative, nervine, sedative. Good for panic attacks, helps tension headaches and widely used for a restful night’s sleep. It has been helpful with seizures, hysteria and helps with nerve pain as in neuralgia and shingles. Nature Sunshine’s herbal blend called Herbal Sleep has Passion Flower in it.

So many people have asked me about herbal remedies for anxiety and panic attacks that I created a special Squidoo lens on how to deal with anxiety naturally.

Go to this link and read the recommendations and testimonies:

http://www.squidoo.com/healing_anxiety

One great natural tip Dr. Oz shared on his show recently is that you can use Witch Hazel to soothe your hemorrhoids naturally.

Photo of Dr. Oz by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images

As a Massage Therapist I love the study of Aromatherapy and how it affects people with it’s many healing proprieties. I am even more intrigued as I use my new tool; the ZYTO Compass scanner. When I scan my clients it will suggest the best Nature Sunshine products for the person according to biofeedback. Many times certain essential oils are suggested. You can also do a special scan to find out the best essential oils for the individual, great for Massage Therapists who offer Aromatherapy treatments.

What is Aromatherapy??

It is the use of aromatic essential oils to benefit the body – in emotional and physical health and beauty. Science has discovered that our sense of smell plays a significant role in our overall health.

Here are two amazing essential oils I have been reading up on lately that I wanted to share with my readers…

Helichrysum
(5 ml.), Stock No. 3943-0
member price: $89.95 /retail price: $134.95

NSP Helichrysum Essential Oil offers relief to pain. With its deep-warming, grounding emotional effect, Helichrysum helps promote relaxation and balance. The uplifting, comforting qualities of our Helichrysum will help you unwind and find peace of mind.

Ingredients:

NSP Helichrysum Essential Oil is 100 percent pure and genuine, and it is wildcrafted (hand gathered in the wild while in bloom) in either Yugoslavia or Corsica in the Mediterranean.

Benefits:

• Known for its benefits to bruises, wounds and other injuries.
• Acts as an excellent cell regenerator.
• Helps reduce the formation of scar tissue and improves skin disorders.
• Contains antiseptic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antibacterial compounds.
• Helps calm the respiratory system.
• Stimulating to the entire digestive system.
• Also supports the circulatory, immune and structural systems.

Systems affected:

Breasts, Circulation, Digestive System, Ears, Liver, Lymphatic System, Respiratory System, Skin, Structural System.

Nature’s Sunshine (NSP) Advantage

Varied species of Helichrysum can be found throughout the world, but most of these do not meet Nature’s Sunshine’s strict standards. That’s why NSP uses only Helichrysum italicum harvested from its indigenous soil in France. NSP guarantees that its Helichrysum Essential Oil is 100 percent pure and unadulterated. Rigorous scientific testing confirms that our essential oil is of the highest quality. In fact, we have rejected more Helichrysum than we have accepted. Also, you’ll find that NSP Helichrysum Essential Oil is competitively priced.
Recommended Use:

NSP Helichrysum Essential Oil enhances massages and baths. Use it as an inhalant to minimize tension, and apply it to skin to guard against pain and infection.
User Care:

Helichrysum Essential Oil is for external use only. Pregnant women should not use Helichrysum. Do not apply it near your eyes or mucous membranes. Keep all essential oils out of reach of children.

Jasmine Absolute Pure Essential Oil

(Jasminum officinalis, hexane)
(2 ml.), Stock No. 3890-1
member price: $50.95 /retail price: $50.95

This climbing shrub is grown in many parts of the world and the flowers are only picked at night when the aroma is most powerful.
Jasmine is a scent nearly everyone loves with a deep, sweet, rich floral aroma. Real jasmine, like rose, is beyond comparison to the imitation fragrances available.

This sensually sweet floral aroma has been used as an aphrodisiac for centuries.

Jasmine supports the nervous system and is especially helpful for the mature woman’s changing needs and dry, sensitive skin.
This oil is considered one of the most precious oils due to its many benefits. It can be blended with almost any other essential oil with a few drops making a big difference in any blend. It is often used as an anti-depressant, stress-relief, a sedative and as an antiseptic. It is also helpful for muscle spasms and coughs.

A powerful mood enhancer, jasmine helps overcome feelings of anxiety, bitterness, burnout, dejection, depression, guilt, indifference, jealousy, negativity and repression. It brings feelings confidence, creativity, happiness, intuition, peace and self-awareness.

Systems Affected:

Hypothalamus, Liver, Pineal, Reproductive Glands, Respiratory System, Skin

User Care:

For external use only. Do not take Jasmine internally. Do a patch test first on skin. Avoid in cases of epilepsy. Keep away from eyes. Keep all essential oils out of reach of children.

Ingredients:

100% pure Jasminum grandiflorum oil

Each morning I like checking out the morning news on TV along with the most popular topics posted online at Yahoo and my igoogle. As a health blogger and writer for Examiner.com I try to find interesting health topics to write about.

Thursday morning, April 14th, 2011 everyone was talking about actress Catherine Zeta-Jones and her recent visit to a medical facility for bipolar type II. Between her celebrity status and the popular topic of mental illness many blog posts went up.

As an herbalist I choose to write about this because I’ve have clients contact me wanting to know of alternative treatments for mental conditions like bipolar, anxiety and other mental illnesses. Many people have been successful in dealing with mental disorders using natural supplements. Parents have been able to help their children with conditions such as ADD and ADHD.

Read my article as the Chicago Holistic Examiner about Catherine Zeta-Jones, with advice for natural ways to deal with bipolar II, including a list of recommended supplements. (Click on the headline below).

Catherine Zeta-Jones has everyone talking about bipolar type 2

I recently wrote about ways to help prevent Dementia and Alzheimer disease also:

Ways to help lower the risk of having Alzheimer’s and Dementia

www.sxc.hu

Weekly Specials

This week Nature Sunshine has some good products on special. Each week different products go on special and members can take advantage of extra discounts. If you are NOT a member with NSP yet all you have to do is place a $40 order to get the FREE membership. As a member with Nature Sunshine you do NOT have to place monthly orders but you DO get a 30-40% discount on all the orders you place.

Lymphatic Drainage – Just in time for flu system this product is good for immune system:
• Supports the lymphatic, circulatory and immune systems.
• Helps the body maintain a healthy network of internal vessels.
• Helps remove cellular waste from the body.

$1 OFF – $15.50
Buy 4 Get 1 FREE – $66.00

ORDER HERE

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Spirulina – Has natural minerals the body needs.
Spirulina naturally contains protein representing all eight essential amino acids, as well as chelated minerals, natural plant sugars, trace minerals and enzymes.

$2 OFF – $12.95
Buy 4 Get 1 FREE – $59.80

ORDER HERE

See all Nature Sunshine’s Weekly Specials HERE

Contact your Herbalist here on www.motherknowsbest.net for the best program to prepare for flu season. You DON’T need the flu shot. Build your immune system naturally.

Read the recent health articles posted by Marguerite Wright on Examiner.com at the links below:

An alternative look at cancer awareness

All natural Lime Facial to exfoliate and brighten your skin

5 quick mood boosters

Have a GREAT week!

Photo by Ophelia Cherry

By Aurelia Williams, Author of Understanding Your Teen

Statistics on teenagers suffering from depression and other mental ailments are alarming. Various studies suggest that 1 in 4 teens suffer from some sort of mental illness. Teenage mental illness, to include depression, can have dire consequences. Teenage suicide is on the rise. It is the third leading cause of death in the age bracket of 15 to 24 years. Dealing with depression in teens is an important step in reducing these numbers in our society.

Many things can lead to depression. A teenager is just learning how to handle the pressures and emotions of an adult. Only 30% of teens suffering seek help. The others just suffer through and do their best to get through. Adults have difficulty dealing with many things, asking a teenager to deal with it on their own, is not be the best option.

Learning the signs of depression for our youth can be difficult. Depressed teenagers are often just seen as being a teen. Signs of irritability, fatigue, withdrawal and changes of eating and sleeping habits, are seen as normal signs of growing up and hormone surges. They are also signs of depression. Learning the difference in your teen’s behavior may be key in getting them the help that they need.

Learning to talk to your teen may be your best investment in their mental health. Parents and adults in a teen’s life struggle with this aspect. They often want to see the teen as still a child where the teen wants to be seen as an adult. Learning to bridge this gap and communicate efficiently may be a daunting task, but can be managed.

An adult should learn to offer support when conversing with a teenager. Let them know you are there for them. Ensure them that you are available to them at any time. Show them that you can listen without being judgmental. Don’t try to talk them out of the way that they feel. Show them that you can understand and give them the help that they need to deal with how they are feeling.

Trust your own instincts. If you have a teenager that is showing signs of depression get them help. Trusting your own feelings and emotions may be what sets the teen on the road to better mental health. They may resist getting help at first. Be firm. Let them know you are there for them and willing to work with them, but insist that they find someone they can work with to help them through this difficult time in their life.

Often a teen will find it easier to speak with someone other than a parent. Consider a peer mentor for your teen. These are teens that are trained to work with others. They become a positive influence. Teen mentors can become a confidant and will be there for the teen that may be in trouble otherwise.

Teenage depression is a serious problem, but can be treated. Learn to recognize the symptoms and get help as soon as possible. Turn the teen in your life into a success story instead of a statistic.

Need More Help?

Teens don’t come with an instruction manual, but you can certainly find the guidance to help you understand your teen. Aurelia Williams, Author of Understanding Your Teen

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Also check out the suggested herbal supplements for anxiety and depression:
http://www.squidoo.com/healing_anxiety

One woman’s testimony:

“I was a very moody teenager and communicating helped ease a lot of tension around my home. My mom didn’t want to give me medication so I took St. Johns Wort in some water each morning. I could really see a difference in my mood when I was too lazy to take it.”

Wikimedia Commons

Why a Little ‘Me Time’ is Important for your Health and Well Being

By Aurelia Williams

As mothers, it is in our very nature to nurture and care for others. We play doctor, cook, chauffeur, teacher, lawyer, and the occasional referee as well, and yet most of us don’t take time off for ourselves. I bet you can remember the last time you did a load of laundry, the last time one of your little ones gave you a hug or perhaps the last time one of your kids did a little artwork on the wall (smile), but when was the last time you took time out for you?

It isn’t selfish to carve out a little ‘me time’ – it is actually a great way to nurture yourself and a wonderful way to rejuvenate yourself. As a matter of fact, it is very important to be sure to take time out for yourself. I made a vow a long time ago to be sure to take time for myself, away from home. I have a loving husband and 4 children and I make sure to do something for me monthly (often times more). Whether I am alone or with girlfriends, I find the time that I spend dedicated to me priceless. My girlfriends and I have created what we call a ‘Girls Day Out’! This is where you pal around with your friend or friends and just have fun (childless fun). Just imagine being able to drink an entire cup of tea or coffee before it gets cold or actually eating your entire meal without having to share it.

Be sure to steal a few hours a week for yourself to get away. If for some reason you can’t leave the house, perhaps just take some quiet time for yourself after the children are in bed and treat yourself to a good book, a bubble bath, a nice movie or anything else that you get enjoyment from.

You remember that saying? If mama ain’t happy, nobody is happy? Well, I tend to agree with it, so try to take time off when you can to replenish your mind, body and spirit. Usually after just a few hours of ‘me time’, you will feel totally renewed, rejuvenated and ready to tackle just about ANYTHING (even that pile of laundry!)

About Aurelia

Aurelia Williams is a certified Life Coach and author of Journey To Joy a clear-cut step-by-step action guide to help you claim the happiness you deserve. Grab your copy today! To find out more about Aurelia’s coaching visit today and sign up for your complimentary session with the Real Life Coach

Contest

Don’t forget to leave your feedback on this post. One lucky commenter will win the Journey to Joy Gift package that includes:

1.    A free session with the Real Life Coach, Aurelia Williams
2.    A copy of the Journey to Joy e-book
3.    A $25 Bath and Body Works Gift Card

All you have to do for your chance to win is comment on this post and the others in the Journey to Joy blog tour. For each comment that you leave your name will be entered into the drawing for the prize. Comments must be more than 15 words long and relevant.

A winner will be chosen at the end of the blog tour and announced on Monday March 1, 2010. Be sure to provide your email address in the provided space so that you can be contacted in the event that you win.

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Some more tools to help with a little “me time”:

Energy Drink!!!

Here’s a recipe from an herbalist who drinks this every morning and afternoon.

4 oz. Thai-go

2 oz. Noni

1 oz Mineral Chi

Every morning for energy and joints. If I am really tired and run down, I repeat it in the afternoon. Has kept me going through some extremely stressful times.

Easy Aromatherapy Bath Recipes for Women

Blend the essential oils with one teaspoon of carrier oil or milk and add the

blend to your bath.

PMS Relief Bath

5 drops bergamot

3 drops geranium

1 drop rose

For PMS Fluid Retention

2 drops lavender

4 drops juniper.

Order your products and essential oils at my website - http://www.mynsp.com/motherknowsbest,

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Count down to the next Certified Herbalist Course. Still time to register at:

http://certifiedherbalistcourse2010.eventbrite.com

In these stressful and hectic times this upcoming article by Aurelia is much needed.

So if you aren’t subscribed to my blog you need to subscribe now so you won’t miss this blog tour stopping by Mom’s Healthy Blog this Wednesday, February 24th.

More stress relievers

Nature Sunshine will send Nutri-calm to Haiti this week when you order 3 bottles. This supplement helps nourish the nervous system and relieves stress, depression and nervousness. A good dose of the B-complex vitamins makes a big difference. One of my favorite supplements. I can really feel the difference when I take my Nutri-calm and my family can too. When my nerves are frayed sometimes my daughter will ask “Mom, have you taken your Nutri-calm?”

See all of this week’s specials with Nature Sunshine at:
http://www.mynsp.com/motherknowsbest

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More great tips on living healthy during stressful and tight economic times at my
Chicago Holistic Examiner column:

Living healthy during tight economic times

Photo by Alex Bramwell

It is almost tax time. Election time is coming up in different areas. Families are struggling to keep their heads above water during these tough economical times. Parents have so many responsibilities. How can we handle it all without becoming totally stressed out? We have to put ourselves first. Take time out and do something to boost our energy and de-stress. Yoga is a great tool for this. Even if you just take 10, 20 or 30 minutes a day, it is an unbelievable way to stretch the body, focus on breathing and just totally go to another zone where you are clearing your head and get into poses that aren’t so difficult but release stress and tension. Yoga is so good for the spine.

Stress is one of the roots of many illness

More women are dealing with fibroid tumors and stress is linked to this. Hypertension is a growing health issue that connected to stress also. Get a yoga mat, a good DVD and a nice quiet spot in your home and give it a try. Work your way up if you can’t do all the poses at first. After time you will be able position your body in the various yoga poses and feel all the wonderful benefits.

I recommend Shiva Rea who has many great yoga DVDs. She shares yoga techniques on beautiful locations that help you to take yourself away from it all. Yogaworks is another line of great instructional yoga DVDs. If you have OnDemand TV you can find great yoga shows to check out before you buy the DVD. I am not an expert in yoga but I do love the results I get from a good yoga session. It is invigorating, relaxing and helps me tone and stretch my body.

Visit my Amazon estore today and shop for all your yoga needs.

Start your day off with this great smoothie recipe for energy boost:

After a good yoga stretch get out your bullet or blender and blend these ingredients together:

Morning Energy Smoothie

1 frozen banana
2 or 3 frozen strawberries
About ½ cup of blueberries
1 cup of almond, rice or soymilk
1 Tablesp of Vitawave
(Liquid multi-vitamins and minerals that really gives an energy boost. Find on my Nature Sunshine website).

You can also add other herbs and health juices by Nature Sunshine for a great energy smoothie.

Ultimate Greenzone – For a green smoothie add a scoop of this powdered supplement for added protein-rich grains such as quinoa, amaranth seeds, brown rice, millet and spirulina plus nutrient-rich greens such as kale, broccoli, alfalfa, chlorophyll, artichoke, asparagus, parsley, spinach and chlorella and more amazing ingredients. This will boost energy, curbs appetite and you will feel great!)

Nature’s Noni juice – The Noni fruit is an amazing fruit from the tropics that has so many benefits from being a cancer fighter, helps keep you regular, it is a natural pain killer, anti-yeast and anti-parasitic and helps to balance your blood pressure naturally.

Shop at My Nature Sunshine link and Amazon estore for products highlighted above.

A panoramic view of Petit Mountain. Yoga can mentally take you to another place like this.

Silver Shield is one of my favorite products that my website offers. I personally have seen the benefits of using Silver Shield for myself and my family for viruses such as strep throat, sinus infections and gum infections. Read more TESTIMONIALS on my site on what Silver Shield has done for folks and their pets too.

Here is a list of 10 great uses of Silver Shield

1. Vaginal Yeast Infections: Women are thankful for Silver Shield because it fights yeast and bacterial vaginosis and even HPV! No need for antibiotics. Add ½ bottle of Silver to a Douche syringe bulb hold for 10 minutes then release. Do this for 3-5 days, once a day, then apply a quarter size amount of Silver Shield Gel to a tampon and insert. This process will clear up female infections, safe and naturally. It doesn’t even upset the normal balance of the beneficial bacteria. This is great news for many women dealing with this.

2. Herpes outbreaks: Apply the Silver Shield gel directly to herpes outbreaks and let it absorb into the skin. This has been used as a successful method to control herpes outbreaks quickly.

3. Ear Infections: Fill the ear canal with Silver Shield liquid drops in infected ear twice daily and let set for around 6 minutes. This will clear up the infection and help relieve pain!

4. Eye Infections (Pink Eye or Viral Eye Infections): We know how easy Pink eye can spread, Silver Shield can be a savior in clearing this up quickly by applying a few drops in the eye. Add drops up to 5 times per day as needed. This is a good reason to always keep Silver Shield on hand.

5. Strep Throat: Gargle with Silver Shield for about six minutes then swallow. Do this every few hours and continue to gargle twice a day for 5 days more. Safe enough for young children.

6. Food Poisoning: Take 2 tsp. hourly until symptoms subside.

7. Acne breakouts: Apply the Silver Shield gel on the blemishes to kill the bacteria festering in the pores. The gel can also be applied as a general application to the whole face after washing. Allow to set on face to seep in the pores, then apply moisturizer. This will help fight acne and helps with anti-aging.

8.  Viruses: Use Silver Shield when you have been exposed to any illness, including the swine flu. Take 2 tsp. twice a day. Helps build immune system and fight viruses.

9. For airplane travel: Apply Silver Shield gel in nostrils and use as a disinfectant by rubbing on hands. The Silver Silver gel is 3 ounces, so it should be allowed on airplanes.

10. In the home: Silver Shield comes in handy for disinfecting the countertops and on mold, including black mold. Dilute 1 ounce of Silver Shield to a spray bottle and fill with water then spray.

Make sure not to miss the special on Silver Silver and Silver Shield Gel for the rest of December. $2 off regular price and Buy 4 and get 1 FREE special too.

Review all the GREAT SPECIALS Nature Sunshine is offering now:
http://www.motherknowsbest.net

My latest health topics on Chicago Holistic Health Examiner are:

Answer my health question: Are there herbs to help anxiety?

Angie Stone: The face of diabetes.

Favorite Health, Beauty and Fitness items for 2009.

Go to this site to read them:
http://www.examiner.com/x-27680-Chicago-Holistic-Health-Examiner

Make it a GREAT week!

Nature Sunshine is a company with a serious quality control department. All products are produced in-house and they produce only top quality, high potency herbal supplements. They offer weekly specials for all members.
This week’s special with Nature Sunshine includes:

Adrenal Support
$2 off

Buy 4 get 1 Free

This is a highly effective product for treating adrenal weakness. It strengthens the adrenal glands, increasing energy and stamina. Helps to maintain normal blood sugar levels, blood pressure sugar levels, blood pressure and increase resistance to stress.

Go to www.mynsp.com/motherknowsbest to purchase Adrenal Support on special and see the rest of this week’s specials.

To become a member of Nature Sunshine place a $40 order at the above link and you can start a FREE membership to save 30-40% on all of their products.

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Read more information on natural health alternatives at my
Chicago Holistic Examiner page.

Some of my articles include:

Holistic alternatives to mammographs to detect breast cancer

How to keep our children healthy during flu season

Have a great week!