Vitamin Remedy for Migraines

Having suffered from migraines since I was eleven I have often struggled to find relief from the onset of the pain and even more so in the prevention of the attack after the first warning signs. Despite trying numerous pain-relief and preventive medications from my GP, I struggled to find anything that really helped once the slippery road to a migraine attack had started. Often the only way I could find to provide relief for my attacks was to lay in a quiet darkened room until the worst of it had passed.

After the birth of my first child it soon became apparent that being able to lay down in a quiet darkened room was not going to be possible! With the change in my hormone levels after the birth my migraine attacks were becoming more and more frequent and after my GP was unable to provide any additional remedies  my husband and I decided enough was enough and looked for alternative ways in which I could prevent and treat my migraine attacks.

I decided I wanted to try a natural remedy rather than another synthetically produced tablet. It led me to start researching vitamins and minerals that were able to help prevent my attacks and lessen the symptoms once the attack had started.

Throughout my endless hours of searching I stumbled across the homeopathic medicine by New Era.

This is a homeopathic remedy used to relieve the symptoms of migraines and nervous headaches, it not only provides relief when taken in the middle of a full-blown attack, but has also helped me prevent the start of a migraine attack turning into a full-blown attack.

Since discovering this homeopathic remedy I have been able to banish the chemical treatments and been able to control how migraine attacks affect my life, leaving me with quality and pain-free time with my daughter.

Have a happy and healthy start to 2012

The start of a new year for most of us brings with it the same old new years resolution to lose some weight and follow a healthy lifestyle plan. Maybe its the overeating that Christmas brings or the idea that a new year brings with it a fresh start that spur most of us in to the new years resolution plan of losing some weight.

It’s clinically proven that by maintaining a healthy and well balanced eating plan that includes your body’s required vitamins and minerals and a regular exercise plan you can lose the weight you desire, and boost your energy levels and live that healthy energetic lifestyle we all want to achieve. For some of us however, the healthy eating plan and regular exercise plan is a slow monotonous journey for weight loss, that leads to many of us failing our new year resolutions at the first hurdle.

By using natural herbal, vitamin or mineral supplements you can boost your weight-loss, without filling your body full of the chemical diet pills so readily available on the weight-loss market.

There is however a natural herbal solution to weight-loss plateaus that we all experience. The increasing popular Zotrim tablets contain extracts of three traditional herbs, Yerba Mate, Guarana and Damiana. Formulated to work as part of a weight and diet management programme these herbal vitamin tablets have been proven to help people lose on average 11lb over a 45 day period, giving the extra boost we all need from time to time.

Whilst we are all busy embracing the happiness that successfully losing weight brings to our lives, you can be assured that by using the world’s natural resource of these herbal vitamin supplements is not damaging to the environment. All of the natural plant extracts used to create these tablets, are sustainably harvested from the Central and South American rainforests.

Zotrim tablets can provide you with the additional boost that is all too commonly needed when trying to lose weight. It is important however to remember that whilst these herbal vitamin tables work to provide that boost, they are only beneficial when combined with a healthy well balanced diet and regular exercise regime.

We would always say that anyone who plans to embark on a weight loss programme, especially if they are under 18, pregnant, nursing, have existing health conditions or want to lose more than 20% of their starting body weight should do so in conjunction with an approved medical practitioner.

Banish your winter cold this Christmas

With Christmas fast approaching it’s the time of year when the winter cold is just around the corner but so is the daunting task of manic Christmas shopping and cooking the Christmas Day lunch for all the family. Having cold or flu symptoms is exactly the Christmas present you don’t need or want this year!

We have all at some point experienced the dreaded symptoms of the winter cold. Remember the  drained, congested and irritable feeling? This year why not take preventative action and lessen the symptoms and effects of the inevitable winter cold.

We all know that maintaining a healthy diet full of your body’s necessary vitamins and minerals throughout the year is one way to boost your bodies immune system and ward off those nasty germs, however for the extra boost you need throughout the cold season why not try Lifeplan Echinacea Tablets (360mg ). These natural-based tablets are prepared from the powdered extract of the highly popular traditional herb Echinacea. Each tablet contains 90mg Echinacea root extract which is equivalent to 360mg of the fresh herb, in a convenient easy to swallow tablet.

The Echinacea tablet contain the immune-boosting Echinacea herb which is proven to increase your immune resistance and help lessen the severity of your cold symptoms. This immune boosting cold banishing vitamin tablet is also registered with the Vegan society making it suitable for all people regardless of dietary requirements.

Echinacea is an ancient herbal remedy, that was mainly used to support the immune system and fight infections before the invention of powerful antibiotics. In today’s modern world the traditional remedy can be used to support and boost the body’s natural immune system and reduce the need for the chemically produced antibiotics. Its immune boosting properties make it a popular ingredient of herbal and natural cold remedies used in the war on colds.

Avoid Dull Skin This Winter

Winter weather, central heating and a general lack of fresh air can all contribute to tired, dull skin. Not what you need when party season is just around the corner! Don’t worry though, there are plenty of things you can do to try to combat the dullness. In fact, you probably have some items in your kitchen that you can use to brighten your skin up right now!

Do you have any honey in your cupboard? It makes a fantastic moisturising cleanser. Simply massage some into damp skin then rinse and pat dry. Follow with a moisturiser that provides sun protection…the sun can still age your skin in winter! Moisturising creams with rose oil, avocado or Vitamin E are particularly good for dry skin.

Chapped lips can be caused by a lack of B vitamins, so taking a Vitamin B Complex and eating plenty of green leafy vegetables and brown rice can help them from the inside out. Smearing almond oil on your lips before you go to sleep at night will help moisturise them from the outside.

The cold, windy days can result in sore, watery eyes. An eye mask can be made by combining two teaspoons of grated cucumber with one teaspoon of powdered milk. Grab a damp flannel, find somewhere comfy to sit and close your eyes. Cover the whole eye area with the paste and relax for ten minutes. Then use the flannel to wipe the paste away and rinse off any remaining paste with cool water.

Take Vitamin B Complex to Reduce Anxiety

Vitamin B Complex consists of eight vital vitamins that play a definitive role in cell metabolism, immunity and nervous system functions. It consists of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide or Niacin), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine or Pyridoxamine), Vitamin B7 (Biotin), Vitamin B9 (Folic acid) and finally Vitamin B12 (Cobalamins or Cyanocobalamin).

A key benefit of this unique complex is the production of energy. Glucose is made from the carbohydrates that we consume with the assistance of Vitamin B1. Other vitamins, B2, B3, B5, B6 and Biotin then help convert this into energy. A deficiency in these vitamins often causes a person feel fatigued.

Vitamin B complex also aids in reducing anxiety and stress. Believed to be extremely useful in helping to relieve the symptoms that a hectic everyday life can create, a large majority of people who suffer from stress or anxiety find it difficult to sleep. Several vitamins within the complex help the sufferer to regain a normal sleep pattern and alleviate sleep issues. We all know that feeling refreshed after a restful night’s sleep is a great starting ground for ensuring a good day lies ahead.

A healthy digestion system is another benefit of this complex. It aids in breaking down carbohydrates, proteins and fats more efficiently by assisting in the production of the acid which is responsible for this. Severe digestion problems could appear if you were to have a deficiency in certain B vitamins.

Yet another benefit of the complex is the promotion of a healthy nervous system. Vitamins B1, b6 and B12 are involved with the regulation and correction of the system, including the way in which your brain functions.  Vitamin B5 assists with substances produced to regulate your hormones and nerves and B9 helps in a pregnancy with the prevention of certain defects to the growing baby.

By taking a Vitamin B Complex supplement you will not only gain a myriad of physical health benefits but also feel fantastic in yourself. As always, eating a variety of healthy foods such as bananas, whole grains, and beans that are packed with B vitamins will help too. Think Natural are currently offering 50% off these packs!

Top 5 Tips to Stay Happy this Winter

Winter is the time of year when coughs and sneezes start to take hold, and our moods can sink. You may feel like hibernating, but alternatively you can choose to nourish your body with a variety of vitamins and minerals, and take the time for yourself to stave off the winter blues. Here are our top 5 tips for not letting winter get the better of you.

1. Don’t let coughs and colds take hold – vitamin C helps to battle infections, but refined sugar slows its intake, so cut down on sweets, alcohol and fizzy drinks. Taking echinacea can help to boost your immune system, but don’t take it for more than 3 months at a time. Your health can have a dramatic effect on your mood, and linger coughs and colds can be particularly draining.
2. Get some rest - Lack of sleep not only makes you want to hit the snooze button, it can affect your whole day. Avoiding caffeine after 2pm and taking a hot bath before bed with lavender and frankincense essential oils will help ensure a peaceful night.
3. Turn your home into your sanctuary – the weather outside may well be frightful, but an oil burner can help create a wonderfully cosy world inside. Sandalwood oil i good for inner warmth and calm.
4. Get out and about - If the dark days make you want to curl up under your duvet, you’re not alone. Less sunshine and daylight can leave you feeling low and lethargic. Get as much daylight as possible: sit near a window whenever you can. And go swimming or walking to lift your mood.
5. Change your food to boost your mood – Certain vitamins and minerals, such as Zinc and B complex can help regulate your mood. Eggs, seeds and chicken are rich in Zinc while B complex is found in wholegrains, brown rice and mushrooms. They are both required for the body to produce the happy hormone serotonin. Avoiding stimulants such as caffeine and alcohol, will help keep your mood steady. You may think you need a coffee to wake up, but you won’t enjoy the crash later on.

Mineral Supplements

Most people are aware that it is important to get sufficient quantities of a variety of vitamins in our diet, but except for iron and calcium, minerals tend to be forgotten about. However, the body needs a wide array of different minerals if it is going to be able to achieve high energy levels and peak performance. Minerals affect bones, the thyroid and the health of your heart, so can’t be ignored.

• Iron – necessary to maintain blood and energy levels
• Calcium – keeps bones strong and healthy
• Phosphorus – promotes strong bones and teeth
• Magnesium – relaxes the nervous system and helps keep the heart strong
• Zinc – needed to make insulin, eliminate toxins and maintain your immune system
• Iodine – important to avoid thyroid-related deficiencies

Without these minerals, your body may suffer from a variety of deficiency syndromes. One way to ensure your body gets all the minerals it needs is to take a multimineral supplement. Lifeplan Chelated Multimineral supplement contains these minerals to provide your body with the fuel it needs. You should consider taking one alongside your vitamin supplements to ensure your body has all the things it needs to work well.

 

The Many Uses of Manuka Honey

Manuka honey really is a miraculous way to treat many different ailments and conditions – and from a totally natural source. Manuka honey comes from bees who have collected nectar from the Manuka bush (the New Zealand plant Leptospermum scoparium).

The Manuka honey products we offer all contain an antibacterial agent called the UMF (Unique Manuka Factor)  which is what helps in the healing process of various different complaints, including:

• inflammation
• pain
• wounds and cuts
• infections
• boils
• fungal skin infections
• burns
• cracked nipples

Manuka honey comes in various forms to help with different ailments. As plain old honey it can be used for many things, besides being extremely tasty! By mixing Manuka honey with cod liver oil, it can be used on cuts and wounds underneath a dressing to provide a quick-healing poultice. This is because it helps new cells to grow, minimises the risk of infection and reduces bacteria and swelling. It can even draw out infections like boils and carbuncles. Other wonderful attributes of this amazing product include:

• reduces scarring
• speeds up healing
• a natural anti-inflammatory
• protects cuts
• can be used as a poultice or dressing for wounds
• aids digestion
• contains antioxidants
• boosts energy levels
• a source of vitamin B

Manuka honey can be used in its natural form, in creams and lotions,  or as supplements, capsules and lozenges. Its properties have been known for over 2000 years and can even be used to treat antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria and cancer patients.

Back to School – Dealing With Nits

It’s September and the kids are back at school. Let’s just hope they don’t bring home any… unwanted guests with them! Nits are a rite of passage at nursery and school and it is no reflection on the cleanliness of your child if they happen to catch them! There are many heavy chemical treatments available over the counter but we like to trust in nature and turn to more natural treatments to prevent and deal with nits.

The most simple is the good old nit comb, which catches and removes any nits within the hair, without using harsh chemicals on your little one’s head! The best way to check for nits is with a special, fine-toothed nit comb, brushing the hair over a white piece of paper so you can see any little critters that fall out! Comb while hair is wet, after washing (with normal shampoo) and go carefully, section by section until you’ve checked the whole of the head. Rinse off the comb and remove any nits or eggs you find along the way. Repeat this process every 2-3 days for about 2 weeks to make sure you have caught all the new nits that may have hatched since you last combed.

Essential oils can also be used to help with lice by making a special mix, or by regularly using shampoo which contains certain oils like tea tree. Aromatherapy essential oils that help with nits include:

• bergamot
• tea tree
• clove
• lavender
• rosemary
• eucalyptus
• geranium

Choose three or four of the oils above and add six drops of each to two tablespoons of sunflower oil. Massage this mix into the hair and scalp and cover with a shower cap. Leave the treatment on for at least two hours or even overnight. Then wash and comb out hair with a fine-toothed comb. The oils loosen the lice and eggs so they are more easily removed, and certain essential oils such as tea-tree are said to help prevent re-infestation. Another way to do this is to rinse hair with a pint of water to which you have added six drops of your choice of the above essential oils. Repeat these treatments every few days for up to two weeks to be sure of catching any newly hatched lice.

And of course there are medicated nit shampoos, sprays, creams and lotions - we prefer ones with no chemical pesticides like Quit Nits Head Lice Eliminator. Quit Nits products are safe and quick to use, and come with their own nit comb. They involve applying the cream or lotion to dry hair and scalp and then combing through to remove the lice. You can then wash and rinse, or leave the treatment on for up to two hours. Reapplication is required after a week to ensure all lice have been removed. Quit Nits include natural ingredients and essential oils like lavender, geranium and sandalwood.

Quit Nits Head Lice Eliminator

Washing clothing, pyjamas and bedding on a hot wash is said to help remove any eggs or lurking lice while you are treating your child. Remember also to inform the school/nursery if you find lice in your child’s hair, as they will then be able to pass on a warning to other parents so they can treat their children too – this will prevent re-infestation.

Not Just About Vitamins – Bath Blitzers

Think Natural isn’t just about vitamin supplements and manuka honey (although those are great products, and you should really check them out!), we also sell a wide selection of beauty and pampering products, such as this Razzmatazz aromatherapy bath blitzer.

These bath blitzers contain nothing but essential oils and water softeners, creating a blissfully inviting bath. All you have to do is pop one in a full bath, and it will explode, softening the water and releasing the fabulous aromatherapy scents. Normally costing £1.29 each, they are currently on offer for 62p.

We have a selection of scents, including invigorating bath blitzers to wake you up in the morning, aromas to relax you. The blends we have in stock currently are: revitalising, refreshing, relaxing and sensual. There’s a bath blitzer for every occasion!

Visit Think Natural for more products like this, and see what we have to take care of you from the outside in, as well as the vitamin supplements which take care of you from the inside out.