Mill Town Herbs

Improving the Quality of LIfe

2011-12-06T08:25:00.000-08:00

Mill Town Herbs is introducing a new line of products to improve the qualifty of health to those who suffer with symptoms associated with certain ailments.

Shingles Pain & Itch? SHINGLES RECOVERY CREAM contains 16 powerful ingredients, such as arnica and tea tree oil that help restore the skin and relieve the itching and discomfort. This deep-penetrating, fast-acting cream, formulated with natural and botanical ingredients, instantly soothes and begins to repair the skin.

Sciatica Pain? Don't suffer any longer from Sciatica symptoms, such as intense pain in the buttocks and lower back or pain and numbness in your legs and feet. Sciatica Relief Tablets are a special combination of tested ingredients that were developed to help ease the severe discomfort of sciatica. There are no side effects, and they will not interfere with other medications. Sciatica Pain Relief Cream goes straight to the source to help relieve symptoms. Penetration enhancers allow powerful ingredients to help deliver relief throught the skin in a non-greasy, fast-absorbing formula.

Ringing in the Ears? Now you can get relief from the ringing and other noises described as buzzing, hissing, and whooshing.
Tinnitus Relief Tablets contain ingredients proven to help relieve aggravating Tinnitus symptoms.
Calm Tinnitus Ear Drops offer a new form of relief from Tinnitus symptoms. Use 3-5 drops of this safe, homeopathic solution daily to help relieve ringing in the ears and other noises.

Diabetic Skin Care

Diabetes can have serious and harmful effects on the skin. One out of every three people with diabetes will be affected by skin disorders caused by diabetes. Fortunately, most skin conditions can be prevented. It is important to maintain healthy skin with skincare products specifically developed for people with diabetes. All products are free of alcohols, fragrances, dyes, and petroleum oils.

Diabetic Neuropathy Foot Cream is a new formula that can relieve pain and tingling sensations while also allowing damaged skin to heal. Key ingredients, such as eucalyptus oil and yellow jasmine focus on relieving the tingling, numbness and discomfort in the legs and feet due to nerve damage caused by diabetes.

Diabetic Foot Cream is an intense, moisturizing treatment specially developed for people with diabetes and others who suffer from severely dry, cracked, and itchy skin on the feet. Helps soften hardened, callused skin to eliminate painful cracks and fissures to prevent infections. 100 % safe to use between the toes.

Diabetic Hand & Body Cream is a protective, emollient cream specially designed for people with diabetes and others with chronic dry, cracked, or damaged skin. Each application contains a unique blend of therapeutic conditioning agents, including natural oils, botanical extracts, protective antioxidants, essential fatty acids, nourishing moisturizers, and enriching vitamins that penetrate completely to provide skin with optimal health appearance and protection.

MagniLife Healthcare Products are now available at Mill Town Herbs. MagniLife manufactures several other products which are not listed, however Mill Town Herbs will order upon request.

Lemon Balm Leaf

2011-11-13T18:27:00.000-08:00

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) is a lemon scented member of the mint family. It has a delicate fresh green flavor and makes a refreshing tea. It has been used throughout history as a medicinal herb, lemon balm has mild sedative properties and has been used for digestive problems, to reduce fever, and to relieve headaches or menstrual cramps. Both oil and hot water extracts of the leaves have strong antibacterial and antiviral qualities. Lemon balm tea was used as far back as the Middle Ages to reduce stress and anxiety, promote sleep, improve appetite, and ease pain and discomfort from indigestion. Some say the tea improves memory and lemon balm oils have been used as aromatherapy for Alzheimer's patients. It is also said to lower blood pressure.

Lemon balm can be used in cooking, adding the leaves to marinades, sauces, soups and stews. Fresh leaves make a good addition to salads. The flavor pairs well with fish, chicken and vegetables.

Although lemon balm is considered a safe herb, if you plan to take large doses of the herb in capsule form the University of Maryland cautions that pregnant and nursing women should not take lemon balm and it also cautions that it may interact with sedatives and thyroid medications.

Lemon balm can be used topically on cold sores for both adults and children. Steep 2 to 4 teaspoons of crushed leaf in 1 cup of boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes. Cool. Apply with cotton balls to the sores throughout the day.

Lemon Balm Tea for Cold Relief

½ cup dried basil

½ cup dried lemon balm

Whiskey or brandy, optional

Honey to taste

Hot water

In a bowl, mix the dried basil leaves with the dried lemon balm leaves. Take a tea ball and place the mixed leaves inside as you would for brewing black tea. Boil water. Place the tea ball inside a pot filled with boiled water. Let the leaves steep for about 5 to 7 minutes. If you have a head cold, it's traditional to add a shot of whiskey or brandy in the tea. But if you have been prescribed or are taking over-the-counter cold medicine, then don't add whiskey or brandy to your tea. Add honey to the hot lemon balm tea and drink it immediately.

Lemon Balm Astringent
1 tablespoon fresh lemon balm
1 cup witch hazel

Combine the ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Allow to steep for 1 week. Strain. Use 1 teaspoon per application with a cotton ball. Refrigerate if you wish.

20th Anniversary!

2011-10-23T16:44:00.000-07:00

Come Celebrate Mill Town Herbs' 20th Anniversary

November 12th

*Huge Sales
*Samples
*Drawings
*Fun Stations

*Reflexologist

*Massage Therapist

Come join the fun!

the liver, the Liver, THE LIVER!!!!

2011-07-26T10:22:00.000-07:00

Ignoring this vital organ could have life-threatening consequences. Attention is paid to the heart, pancreas, brain, eyes, stomach, the list goes on and on, but the Liver is oft times over-looked. According to statistics liver disease affects 1 in 10. Liver disease is among the top 12 causes of death in the US, primarily from cirrhosis.
So you think, but I don't drink or at least not excessively. So why is that number so high. Many other factors can play a part in creating non-alcholic fatty liver disease.

Did you know..........eating the wrong food combination may even have an impact on your liver, for example protein with starches, sugars etc. does not break down properly and may create alcohol within the liver tissue almost as if alcohol had been consumed.
So liver health is being compromised on a very regular basis with most of us. The processes within the body are complex, and very misunderstood. Therefore it is most important to keep it simple and unprocessed, pure and clean, all of these methods keep us healthier on the inside. Our life depends on it.

But let's first know some key facts about the liver. The liver, which weighs about three pounds, is the second largest organ in the body (only the skin is larger). A metabolic and biochemical powerhouse, the liver..........
-converts food into energy and building block nutrients
-stores excess carbohydrates for endurance.
-filters out toxins, your blood passes through the liver every 3 minutes
-breaks down medication for absorption - remember this, the more medications one takes makes the liver already over-burdened by other pollutions a very troubled organ.
This is very profound information
-the liver is responsible for the parastalstic action of the colon.
-the liver helps convert T4 into T3 in the thyroid

All tissues of the body are subject to damage by oxygen free radicals, which are produced by natural metabolic processes. In the liver, free radicals can trigger an inflammatory response that may result in scarring and culminate in the tissue destruction that characterizes cirrhosis.
The body has built in defenses but it definitely needs the help of additional antioxidant compounds provided by the diet.
Protection Protocol for the Liver
To help protect your liver, make sure that your daily diet includes at least some of the foods with the highest antioxidant levels - especially if you have liver disease or are at risk for it (due to such factors as obesity or alcohol abuse).
+ Raw Beets
+Curcifurous Vegetables, Brussel Sprouts,Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Kale, collards, etc., these vegetables help to detox the liver immensely.
+ Berries, especially wild blueberries, cranberries, blackberries, raspberries and strawberries (frozen berries also are a good choice).
+ Cinnamon
+ Red kidney beans or pinto beans
+ Pecans
+ Artichoke hearts
+ Russet potatoes (with the skin).
+ Apples
+ Plums

Also for a concentrated source of liver-shielding antioxidants, drink fresh raw juices made from beetroot, dandelion leaf, wheatgrass and or barley grass. Antioxidant rich green tea also promotes liver health.
The liver plays a central role in ridding the body of toxins produced by bacteria and external sources such as air pollution, heavy metals, pesticides, hormones in foods and natural wastes (metabolic by-products).

Chlorella - is a powerful detoxification aid for heavy metals and other pesticides (as found on fruits and vegetables). Chlorella also has shown to aid the body in breaking down metallic toxins such as mercury, cadmium and lead, DDT, PCB while strengthening the immune system response. Chlorella is a food. It is almost impossible to take too much chlorella.
A clean bloodstream, with an abundance of red blood cells to carry oxygen , is necessary to a strong natural defense system. Chlorella's cleansing action on the bowel and other elimination channels, as well as its protection of the Liver, helps keep the blood clean. Clean blood insures that metabolic wastes are efficiently carried away from the tissues.

Cruciferous foods stimulate enzymes that catalyze detoxification. These include vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and kale, etc. A key ingredient of cruciferous vegetables, sulforaphane, protects the liver as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.
The amino acid L-arginine also stimulated the liver's detoxification mechanism. It is good for liver disorders such as cirrhosis of the liver and fatty liver; it aids in liver detoxification by neutralizing ammonia. It may also reduce the effects o chronic alcohol toxicity.
Bile flushes toxins out of the liver into the intestine en route to excretion. Choloretic foods - artichokes and ginger, for example - help stimulate the production and flow of bile.

Healthy Liver Lifestyle

Beneficial bacteria found in the large intestine help keep harmful germs and their toxins from seeping through the intestinal wall. Probiotics (foods and supplements containing "good" bacteria) and prebiotics (foods that feed these bacteria) protect the liver indirectly by promoting the overall growth of healthful bacteria. Prebiotics include bananas, artichokes and fermented foods such as miso, Kombucha, sauerkraut, and pickled plums or umeboshi plum paste.
Regularly taking medications including nomsteriodal antiflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen (Motrin) can create inflammation that may allow bacterial toxins to leak through the intestinal wall, triggering oxidative stress that can progress to scarring and even tissue destruction of the liver. Excessive alcohol consumption aggravates this disruption of the intestinal lining.

Liver Detoxification
Radiologists and gastroenterologists who are looking at people's livers today, will tell you that the condition called "Fatty Liver" affects more than 50% of people over the age of 50. Common causes are:

Poor diet
Excessive alcohol intake
Adverse reactions to pharmaceutical drugs
Toxic Chemicals
Viral Hepatitis

Various nutrients are required in order for the liver detoxification to be carried out successfully An adequate supply of key antioxidants is essential to prevent further liver damage.

Milk thistle
Vitamin C
Selenium
Beta Carotene
Vitamin E
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
Dandelion Root
Turmeric

COFFEE ENEMAS
Last but not least Coffee Enemas are helpful in Liver Detoxification. SAY WHAT!!!! Yes,you read it right, the uses of coffee in enemas for liver detoxification purposes is well known. It's a powerful practice for a healthy liver.
The coffee enema is used to detoxify the liver, NOT THE COLON. It is a low-volume enema that remains only in the sigmoid colon. There is a duct between the sigmoid colon and the liver called the "entero-hepatic circulation system". When the stool reaches this point, it contains many toxins, which are sent to the liver for detoxification. The caffeine that is absorbed into the entero-hepatic system causes the liver ducts, including the bile ducts, to empty into the sigmoid colon. Releasing the toxins in the liver ducts , makes room for toxins from the body to enter the liver for detoxification.
The alkaloids in the caffeine stimulate the production of an enzyme call "glutathione-S-transferase", which is an enzyme that facilitates the liver detoxification pathways.

Liver cleanses or flushes are also recommended to clean stones and cholesterol particles from the liver to facilitate a healthier liver and or gall bladder.

Natural Foot Care

2011-07-25T05:34:00.000-07:00

Poet Khalil Gibran said "Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the wind longs to play with your hair". This well describes our feet in summer, we walk around our yards with bare feet, we swim and place our bare feet on hot pavement at the pool or sand and gravel at the lake. Our feet take a lot of abuse, they support us all day and yet we rarely give them a second thought. They can become too warm, dry, and even itchy. People with diabetes in particular need to take good care of their feet, but we should all show our feet a little appreciation. Athletes foot can become a problem with summer travel, hotel rooms, and swimming pools. Soaking feet in warm water with antiseptic essential oils, such as tea tree oil or clove, will kill bacteria and deeply cleanse the feet. Mill Town Herbs has a wide variety of essential oils to meet your needs. Essential oils are highly concentrated oils extracted from the root, flower, fruit, leaf or wood of plants from around the world. Essential oils can be used to nourish your skin, some have antifungal or antibacterial properties as noted below. Quality is very important to getting the most benefit from the oils, Mill Town Herbs carries only 100% pure essential oils.

Antifungal Foot Soak
10 drops tea tree oil or clove essential oil (antifungal, antibacterial)
About 1 gallon warm water

Combine oil and enough warm water to soak your feet. Soak.

For a refreshing foot scrub try adding your favorite essential oil to slightly abrasive and odor removing baking soda. Peppermint is especially cooling and refreshing for your feet, with the added benefit of being antifungal. If you want the scrub to be a little more abrasive add salt to the mixture, careful if you have any cuts on your feet, salt is antibacterial, but will sting.

Foot Scrub
1/2 cup baking soda
10 to 15 drops of your favorite essential oil
1/2 cup sea salt (optional)

Mix the baking soda and essential oil. Then stir in the salt, if using. Store in a tightly closed glass container, such as a canning jar.

Place the jar of foot scrub powder in your natural medicine cabinet. It will keep indefinitely.

This is a refreshing rub for burning, itching feet. Stored in the refrigerator it will keep well and be soothing. Scoop a small amount of the mixture out of the container and warm slightly in your hand to soften enough to rub into your feet. The coconut oil helps to cover the strong odor of the tea tree oil, while it softens and soothes your feet. Mill Town Herbs carries Virgin Coconut Oil, as well as, essential oils.

Antifungal Foot Cream
2 tablespoons virgin coconut oil
15 to 20 drops antibacterial and antifungal essential oils such as clove or tea tree oil

Melt the coconut oil in a small pot over a low temperature, do not simmer or boil. Once the oil has melted, pour it into a glass container and stir in drops of essential oil. Cool and use. The coconut oil will thicken as it cools. Store in a tightly closed container in the refrigerator. Use a butter knife to break off a small piece to rub on your feet, it will warm and melt on your skin and can then be rubbed in.

Crazy Days Sale!

2011-07-11T10:33:00.000-07:00

Huge sale on all Bath and Body products

35% off

Friday, July 22nd and Saturday, July 23rd

Don't miss these bargains!

We Can't Believe it's not Real Cheese!

2011-06-21T13:11:00.000-07:00

Well it's been accomplished, finally a cheese that isn't cheese that tastes like cheese. There are many cheese alternatives on the market but Diaya Cheese takes the cake, or better said, "say cheese please. The taste is excellent and it can be used in many of the traditional ways of ordinary cheese.
So for the Dairy Intolerant, you no longer have to feel left out, or that your diet is not exciting. Diaya cheese shreds are here to stay. It is on the shelves of Mill Town Herbs, actually it is in the freezer section of Mill Town Herbs. Diaya cheese freezes very well and this allows for a longer shelf life.
I'm so excited about the Diaya Cheese because finally a vegan cheese that is not a soy cheese and the taste is wonderful. Diaya Cheese can be used in casseroles, homemade pizza, salads, and even mac and cheese.
We have three different varieties of the Diaya Cheese, Cheddar, Mozzarella,and a bit on the spicy side Pepperjack.

Mill Town Herbs is working diligently to provide products for those who have multiple food sensitivities. It is very aparent that more people are having food sensitivities, whether that is because of continued genetic breakdown or possibly because of enviornmental pollutants. We have polutants in the air, water, food, and even the electromagnetic frequencies that we surround ourselves with, can interfere with health. Whatever reason or multiple reasons, its important to find ways to "take the load off".
Food intolerances can hinder good health, and it is extremely important to avoid whatever food allergies you have in order for your body to have lower inflammation factors. In the presence of inflammation in the cells, disease can be on the rise. Diaya Cheese may be the answer for those who are dairy and soy intolerant.

Recommendations of Dr. Oz

2011-05-31T12:19:00.000-07:00

We know that many of our customers watch the spectaular T.V. series of the famous Dr. Oz. He has the ability to research many healthy items, foods, and supplements, etc. and presents these items with fun and common sense approaches.
We have been waiting for a program such as this, because it is making tremendous strides in educationing and incouraging the public to be responsible for their own health. Of course one person can't do every suggestion but it is for us to know our own bodies and use what applies to us. The bottom line however is the promoting of health for everyone.
In response to the Dr. Oz health show and many requests that we get almost daily, Mill Town Herbs has elected to try and accomadate most requests that we get. We have found that most requests center around weight loss issues.

My thoughts on this are even though we use different products to facilitate healthy weight loss, its essential that we realize that we need life-style changes. Changes that are not just a fad but a real do-able change that sticks with us. That is where we will see our results and the more individuals that do changes help to encourage the world around us.
The bottom line to healthy changes is still the food we eat and whatever program we follow there are always some variations but that road to weight loss begins with healthy food choices as the first step. Food needs to be basic not cooked to death, it will fill but not feed nutritionaly, and we are still left with unsatisfied hunger. Overly processed food again does nothing to provide the building blocks that we all need to continue life and health. We need to consume good healthy nutritional food in the right portion sizes. If we change internal health we can change outward appearance.

Another factor to healthy weight loss is fiber. Fiber is essential because it slows the rate that sugar is absorbed into the bloodstream. When you eat foods high in fiber or supplement a fiber, the sugar in foods is absorbed slower, which keeps your blood glucose levels from rising too fast. This is important because spikes in glucose fall rapidly, which can make you feel hungry soon after eating and lead to overeating. Fiber makes your intestines move faster. Soluable and insoluable fibers can create the full feeling. Fiber cleans your colon, acting like a scrub brush. The scrub brush effect of fiber helps clean out bacteria and other buildup in your intestines, and reduces your risk for colon cancer.
We applaud the Dr's that are brave enough to step out and talk about food, lifestyle modifications and supplementation to improve health. Health starts with each one of us, and the choices we have, lets make the right ones.

Technology & The Protection We Need

2011-05-10T10:42:00.000-07:00

Do you use a cell phone, computer or the gazillion other gadgets, games etc? The list is absolutely endless in this modern day of technology. But what is the price we may pay for the emf's that are emitted off of these items. Cell phone radiation has effects on the body including DNA damage, affecting hormone and neurotransmitter release, increasing blood sugar and cancer. More studies are reporting brain cancer links with cell phone use.

Cleaning up the environment is a major concern and in the short term there may be nothing as critical as the potential hazards of the output of frequency generating equipment and the potential biological hazards. When you put all the science together, we come to the conclusion that there's a major health crisis coming, probably already underway.

We live in an environment where we are bombarded with unnatural signaling influences and we have to create ways of coping with these influences. Nature provides a wave guide for us to live in with 7 Hz(+) above us in the ionosphere and 7 Hz (-) as the natural ion charge of the earth. We are in a period in history where we realize a lot of mistakes we have made with our environment and much attention is on cleaning things up. Holographic and other signaling technology is working and will continue to develop as energy medicine devolops and this will provide non-toxic and lower cost alternatives we badly need. Our universe was designed to work on frequencies and signals as were our bodies so getting back to nature one way or the other is the order of the day.
With electronics including cell phones, computers, laptops, video games and radios occupying more and more influence in our childrens lives, we need to pay attention to the health ramifications of lifetime exposure to a threat we as adults have only experienced for the past 10 years.

The prdicted direction of influence in helping the body cope with, and counterbalance, the effect of our toxic environment is in the energy medicine area. The area of energy medicine that could move to the forefront in treatment as realization drugs and chemicals are not the solution to health as resonant signaling delivery devices. Holograms provide a mobile solution to create changes through the encrgy field of the body, and by using holgrams the period of activation can be extended for days.

Mill Town Herbs is offering Miracle Balance Protect Disc...............
A phone or other wireless divices including transmission towers induce a biological incompatibility that can be measured.
The Miracle Balance Protect Disc works by counterbalancing the resonance of the EMF's with the biological compatibility of the body. The resonance of the Protect disc, reacting with the body, offsets the resonance of the EMF frequencies lowering the stress on the body and restoring the body back into biocoherence. Results of the current studies indicate that the Miracle Balance Protect Disc reverses the negative effects of cell phone exposure.
We need to protect ourselves and our children from unnecessary risks. We have no choice with the progressive flow of technology, so along with those advances we should be wise enough to counterbalance with devices that ensure some measure of protection.

"The Protect Disc" is an innovative, compact technology that you apply to your cell phone, or computer. The protect disc is made of a holographic data storage that is programmed with propreitary technologies to NEUTRALIZE harmful radiation frequencies that enter your body while you are using your cell phone. The programmed disc is activatied by the presence of the harmful radiation frequency. Once activated, the protect disc creates an energy field that has the ability to convert the harmful radiation frequency to a harmless frequency that is safer for your body. The protect disc is the most advanced technology available on the market, DO NOT USE A CELL PHONE WITHOUT IT!
Along with the cell phone/computer discs, Mill Town Herbs also offers discs that may alter pain symptoms and weight loss issues.

Nature Patented Good Health - Back to Basics

2011-03-31T11:04:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I've had time to get another article out to the Mill Town Herbs readers. Life sometimes gets to be a bit of a struggle, like this spring weather we have. Another storm brewing, and so we just hungger down and deal with it, and another and another. But SPRING is coming.

I recently had the opportunity to visit the remarkable Mayo Clinic Health Facility in Rochester, Minnesota. Needless to say, this facility is a testimony to health in it's completeness. I had a chance to browse though several of the books of recordings of board meetings of the well-known Dr's Will and Charles Mayo. Wow! I could have sat there for days and months reading through discussions of the health scenarios of their patients.
What a tranfomation of when the idea of a hoptial first became a reality and to what an outstanding facility stands there at present day. It was soooo interesting to realize that the original health remedies were not so prescription oriented. And it is still very important to know that the real foundation of health, requires good nutritious food and vitamins to support the well-being of each individual.
We have made incredible mind boggling strides in medicine and these improvements save many lives, but we cannot forget, nor totally rely on these measures to keep our health on track. I believe it was said best as "Let food be your medicine and medicine by your food." Hippocrates, 400 B. C. to encourage that food not only was meant for sustenance, but as nutrition to prevent disease and encourage health. Hippocrates considered illness a natural phenomenon that forced people to discover the imbalances in their health. He strongly believed in good food and related the course of any ailment to poor nutrition and bad eating habits. So with the thoughts of Hippocrates and like minded recorded expressions of other medical giants of history and today we need to take a good look at where we are, understand how we got here, and decide where we are headed. Nature's formula cannot be patented!
The Mayo Facilities are impressive beyond words, its a place where excellence is the standard. It's a place where one realizes just how precious your health really is. Make excellance your standard in your health choices.
In wandering the halls I found in one of the display cases a prescription or should I say recipe for "Arthritis Treatment" by Dr. Will Mayo. These ingredients certainly appear natural to me.

Arthritis Treatment
5 lb. figs
1 1/4 lb. raisins Put these ingredients through a chopper twice
5 oz. Olive Oil
1 oz. glyerine
3 oz. Powdered Senna
2 oz. Slippery Elm
2 oz Pulverized Charcoal
Mix liquid well add to Senna, Charcoal, and Slippery Elm. Mix with figs and raisins. Knead with hands.
Take 1 walnut size serving of mixture morning and evening for one week
Then 1 serving per day.
There were no notes on whether this treatment was effective, but I thought it was at least worthy of being shared.

We wish to encourage to each a healthy lifestyle and the ability to make the right natural choices that support the health we all strive for. Keep your choices simple and easy, thats what nature intended.

Miracle Noodles

2011-02-22T09:27:00.000-08:00

Do you love noodles, but have cut them from your diet to restrict calories? Good News! Mill Town Herbs has the noodle for you. Imagine a world where the noodles are calorie free. We want to introduce the Miracle Noodle. The Miracle Noodle is Calorie Free, Gluten Free, and Soy Free (yes, I said Soy Free).

The Miracle Noodle is mainly made of soluble fiber. Soluble Fiber acts to slow digestion, by doing this, it allows for the slower absorption of glucose and is the reason behind its beneficial effects in diabetes.

The Soluble Fiber found in the Miracle Noodle slows digestion and prolongs the sensation of fullness and is an essential part of any weight loss program.

Slowing of digestion also allows an individual to absorp more nutrition from other foods eaten with the Miracle Noodle.

Miracle Noodles With No Carbs or Calories:

Western noodles are traditionally made form starchy dough, and are high in carbohydrates. Miracle Noodles are made from the corm of the konnyaku or knojac plant, which is somtiemes called elephant yam, but which is not related to the tuber that westerners know as a yam.
Miracle Noodles haave little or no taste of their own, and will take on the flavor of broth or oil they are cooked in. They are usually sold in a bag packed in liquid which should be rinsed off before eating, and require very little cooking.
Miracle Noodles are a very good weight loss food and could have major benefits for diabetics, and low carb eaters. When they are used in conjunction with a proper exercise plan and healthy diet, they could be very useful in the battle to lose weight.
Substitute these noodles in your favorite noodle dishes or possibly create new dishes.

"How do you eat without Cooking?"

2011-01-11T07:58:00.000-08:00

Started that new diet yet? Are you strugling with food choices? Do you want some new ideas? Mill Town Herbs will be presenting a guest speaker January 29th, that can provide new ideas. New ideas that will provide powerful nutrition and exciting new ways to put delicious back into your diet.

If you've been looking for healthy ways to lose weight and improve your overall lifestyle you won't want to miss Kenneth Strickler and his wife, presenting "How do you eat without Cooking?"

Can you imagine never turning on a stove or oven? Who ever heard of such a thing? Well get ready to get the scoop on lifestyle changes that will help people lose weight, acheive a new level of energy, and improve your immune system drastically. Bye Bye empty processed foods, dead devitalized full of empty calorie, weight-gaining junk foods.

Be prepared to be introduced to not new food, but new ways to put raw nutritious foods together to make interesting health-giving meals.

This fun-filled Saturday afternoon will happen Janurary 29th in the Community Room (beside Riddles Jewelry) in the Buffalo Mall.

Join us - taste the samples - get education that will change your health and lifestyle.

A $5.00 dollar cover charge per person will be collected at the door.

Kombucha - The Elixir

2010-12-21T12:33:00.000-08:00

It's back and we're loving it! Kombucha!!!!! The word "Kombucha" is just fun to say. I love to recommend this product at Mill Town Herbs to customers for digestive issues, quick energy and so much more. And of course the natural first response is a strange look and then the question as to what in the world is Kombucha? There are zillions of people that do not know what Kombucha is, much less know how valuable this miracleous drink really is. Your first reaction to the taste is hmm, don't know if I like that. But it gets better, this drink grows on you, literally. Kombucha helps the good little bugs grow inside and multiply, which boosts your digestion and immune systems. Kombucha is loaded with probiotics made possible by fermentation.

This wonder elixir has been around for years and years. The words rejuvenate, restore , revitalize, recharge, rebuild,regenerate, replenish, regain, rebalance, and renew are explanatory of the wonders of Kombucha.

Kombucha is a fermented beverage consisting of Black Tea or Green Tea and sugar that get converted into a healthy nutritious detoxifying beverage. It cleanses and corrects the pH of the internal terrain, thus Kombucha enhances natural robust cellular oxidation, which translated means it helps retard diseases and creates an enviornment of repair. Kombucha is rich in antioxidants and probiotic activity. It naturally helps the intestines with friendly good bacteria.
I can't imagine drinking anything else when you crave that bubbly zing. The powerful energy boost provided in Kombucha is far better than carbonated drinks that are loaded with sugars. The energizing drink is immune boosting and a body detoxifier. In our over-stressed and over-indulged country our bodies need plenty of both.
There are no known negative reactions from drinking kombucha tea, except from improper brewing methods. Many individuals make home-brewed teas with Kombucha Culture Brewing Kits, and need to follow proper instructions.
The origins of Kombucha are lost in history, but in the earliest records two thousand years ago it was known as "the elixir of long life". Kombucha is not just a health tonic, it is a complete therapy. The Kombucha beverage should be regarded principally as a food unusually rich in nutritive properties, rather than just a health drink. As in yogurt, the bacteria are a great source of nutrition, but in addition Kombucha has a wide range of organic acids, vitamins and enzymes that give it its extraordinary value. It contains the range of B vitamins, particularly B1, B2, B6, and B12, that provide the body with energy, help to process fats and proteins, and which are vital for the normal functioning of the nervous system. There is also vitamin C which is a potent detoxifier, immune booster and enhancer of vitality.

How Does Kombucha Work?

Kombucha is an effective metabolic balancer (helping the various organs work together), probiotic (supporting the beneficial bacteria), adaptogen (balancing processes that get out of kilter) and detoxifier. An old saying , "healthy gut, healthy body, puts it simply. The level of microbial flora plays a crucial role in the functioning of the whole body.
Human metabolism depends on the acid-alkaline balance which is constantly responding to the food that we eat, the air that we breathe, and to our emotional state. The body has a remarkable balancing system that maintains the different organs at the pH level each requires for health. A cell's pH balance is disturbed by toxins, which create more acidity. The body gets rid of toxic acids by various means. One is through breathing - that is why deep breathing is so therapeutic - it makes the blood more alkaline. Another is by flushing out - one of Kombucha's roles is to flush out the toxins through the kidneys.

Are You Inflamed?

2010-12-13T12:03:00.000-08:00

If you suffer with constant pain, you should be inflammed with your inflammation. Be inflammed enough to make some changes.
There are things we can do to help reduce the damaging effects of inflammation and, of course help prevent it. Pain serves as useful means for the body to speak to the mind when injury or some other stress occurs, causing sensitive nerve endings to become irritated. If pain becomes long term, however, it can be detrimental to health, healing, and may lead to increased pain. It is essential that the pain be addressed and treated.
Be aware that food, any food may cause allergic reactions in your body and also cause inflammation within your cells,and each organ as well, which may lead to more "pain". It is extremely important to become aware of the any source of irritation in order to address each situation accurately with the proper remedies. There are some general precautions and measures that each individual can and should take to do self-help.

Know that you have cells everywhere, even within your organs.
Know what "you" should eat to be healthy and pain free.
Sugar lovers - know that sugar is associated with inflammation, obesity, and chronic diseases such as diabetes. Eliminate high-sugar foods such as refined carbohydrates, sodas, pastries and , of course candy.
Quit smoking - smoking hardens and inflames the arteries, by stopping smoking you'll reduce inflammatory chemicals immediately.
Exercise - Adding some exercise each week, such as walking, hiking is one of the best ways to lower inflammation. Choose any exercise that appeals to you, but dedication and persistance is the key factor in improving your health. Never give up!!!!!
Diet - Eat anti-inflammatory foods such as fruits, vegetables and seafood.
Add some herbs and natural supplements - There are various herbs and supplements available that can help with inflammation. Herbs are potent allies for pain management and are without the adverse side effects or addictive nature commonly associated with prescription medications. Herbal preparations may take from one week to a few months to offer noticeable results and work to not only relieve pain swelling, but to nourish the area of concern.

Arnica Montana - topical treatment used to speed healing and offer serious pain relief for bruises, sprains, strains, tenderness and swelling related to sports injury or arthritic conditions.

Boswellia - used in the treatment of arthritis and may offer benefits for other inflammatory conditions.

Bromelain - especially useful to those with arthritis as it can help reduce swelling , inflammation. It can also help to lessen aches and pain, numbness and tingling, and pain associated with varicose veins. May be espedially beneficial for treatment of sports injuries or post-surgery due to its ability to speed healing.

Capsaicin - can be used both internally and externally for strong pain relief and anti-inflammatory action. Studies cite capsaicin as both reliever and preventing agent of cluster, migraine, and sinus headaches. Because it helps inhibit the inflammatory process, it offers potent assistance in reducing symptoms of both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. As a topical cream it may also offer beneficial results in the treatment of diabetic and facial neuropathy, psoriasis, or post-surgical pain.

Cat's Claw - enhances immunity and reduces inflammation. May be useful for rheumatoid arthritis.

Curcumin - active ingredient of turmeric. Helps relieve morning stiffness, joint swelling, and improves range of function with rheumatoid arthritis. Curcumin powerfully disarms inflammation and may even reduce cartilage degradation.

Devils Claw - an herb with sedative and pain killing properties. It can also reduce inflammation and stimulate digestion. Studies show immprovements for those taking Devil's Claw for the tratment of osteoarthritis, rheumatic diseases, hip and knee arthritis; back, neck or shoulder pain, headaches and fever.

Marjoram, Peppermint, Oregano, Thyme, Basil, Cypress, Wintergreen, and Lavender are essential oils that can be used and massaged externally to reduce inflammation.

Feverfew, Ginger, Guggul, White Willow Bark and Yucca are additional herbs that assist in pain relief and inflammation.

Wander through the garden of selection and find what best suits your individual needs and diminish inflammation and pain naturally.

Wash Those Hands

2010-10-26T10:24:00.000-07:00

Hand Washing plays a critical role in preventing the spread of infection, especially through the cold and flu season. Many of us probably don't wash our hands as long as is recommended, in part because frequent washing can irritate the skin. When used properly, antiseptic soaps and cleansers can effectively remove bacteria from the skin surface; however, frequent use may damage skin and cause a loss of healthy bacteria, creating conditions that might acutally increase the risk of spreading infection. Tea Tree oil has demonstrated antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties in numerous studies. Furthermore, studies have suggested that Tea Tree Oil preparations do not damage skin and tend to spare normal skin bacteria. Do your part to not spread the germs to others around you. Wash those hands effectively and smartly this cold and flu season.

Breakfast Means What???

2010-10-26T10:09:00.000-07:00

Missing a good breakfast will set you up for future health problems!!!!

I have heard all the excuses. I've even done many myself, but what grandma used to say is true.

"I don't have enough time."
"I'm not hungry."
"I get nauseous at the thought of food in the morning."
"All I need is coffee."
"It's too early to eat."

It's a proven fact: people who do not eat breakfast slow down their metabolism and make it harder if not impossible to lose weight.

Many of us think that skipping a meal reduces the amount we eat. In fact this is true, but this thinking back-fires on the body. It actually tricks the body into thinking it is starving and encourages the body to store more fat, thus wrecking the metabolism.

New study being done (Project EAT) Eating Among Teens, gathered information from 2,216 adolescents about their eating and exercise habits, as well as dieting and weight-control behaviors to see what effect eating breakfast had on weight changes over a five-year period.

Although teens who ate breakfast regularly took in more calories in a day than their breakfast-skipping counterparts, they were less likely to be overweight. Eating breakfast more frequently was associated with lower body mass index in a dose-response fashion - meaning that the more often teens ate breakfast, the lower their body mass index. Breakfast habits may be important markers of an overall healthful lifestyle pattern.

It may seem counterintuitive that eating more can lead to weight loss. A possible explanation could lie in the body's fat receptors. With extreme caloric restriction, the body makes more receptors on fat cells, causing them to gobble up any available fat when it's eaten. People who eat more regularly and include healthy amounts of fat in the diet have less fat receptors on their cells; these people are likely to be thinner than "fad dieters."

Again in conclusion unhealthy weight can be a factor in future health issues. Jolt that metabolism into action with a healthy breakfast. Breakfast Means your future and health depend on it. But keep in mind healthy choices are very important.

Topical Supplement Solution

2010-09-30T13:40:00.000-07:00

Do you get confused with the many articles written on vitamin and mineral supplementation? You are not alone, even the most educated individual sometimes can't make heads or tails of all the information available to the consumer. But in all reality there is no one supplement suits all, type scenario. Each of us has our own set of circumstances dictated by digestive ability, allergies,etc, and certainly ways that we get our bodies toxic. So what is the best way to get our nutrients? Well I say thank goodness there are umpteen ways to get the vitamins and minerals we each need. Some individuals definitely like the capsules and tablets, some prefer the liquid, and yet there is another way - supplemental cremes.
When taking capsules or tablets, these products will have fillers and binders and not all individuals have optimal digestion to break down these extra components to then make use of the nutrients. Hence it's easier to get a superior amount of nutrition through another form. Whether that form is liquid or yet the other option for certain supplements would be the topical cremes, these forms enter the body and are assimilated with greater ease.

Whenever someone has a digestive issue, the whole system will not and cannot work to its highest potential. Oral vitamin D3 requires larger quantities because a certain amount will be destroyed via the digestive system. In some sensitive individuals higher dosages may cause nausea, so an alternative solution would be to use a Topical D3.

According to Linus Pauling, you can trace every sickness, every disease and every aliment back to a mineral deficiency. Magnesium is one of the most deficient minerals in the body, it is estimated up to 90% of Americans don't get the RDA of magnesium. Magnesium Chloride is recommended as more beneficial than other forms of magnesium because other forms of magnesium have to be converted into chlorides in the body . Magnesium is required to metabolize calcium, vitamin C, potassium, sodium and is essential for proper bone, nerve and muscle function, particularly the heart. Therefore, magnesium may be extremely helpful for people suffering from high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat or heart attacks. Magnesium may also be helpful for those suffering from lack of sleep, stress, anxiety, depression, adrenal exhaustion, pain, diabetes, osteoporosis, PMS, menopause symptoms, Autism and ADD.
With a few individuals magnesium can again present some difficulty in its ability to absorb through the digestive system.
Magnesium is also available in creme form, which can then be absorbed into the body via the skin. Once again topical cremes can be very valuable for the consumer.

B-12 Creme - High Potency
B-12 is the most deficient vitamin in the human body. Oral supplements including sub lingual are not always effective for everyone. Several variables appear to be needed for adequate benefit. With sub lingual, the amount of time a supplement is held determines a higher rate of absorption and also the the body's pH. A liquid B-12 has to survive the acid in the digestive tract.

B-12 injections have the highest absorption rate at ninety-nine percent. B-12 injections are expensive and available by prescription only. The medical community does not understand B-12 deficiencies and are reluctant to prescribe B-12.

It is estimated that liposome's(creme delivery) provide a 90 percent absorption rate through the skin. Liposomes are used as delivery systems for pharmaceutical products like the nicotine patch. Liposomes are hollow tubes of phosphilipids that are over 200 times smaller than human skin cells. Desired ingredients such as vitamin B-12 are encapsulated in the liposome's creating a superior delivery with a consistent absorption rate. Vitamin B-12 is a water soluble micro nutrient that is essential for the formation of red blood cells. It is necessary for the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats. B-12 promotes normal nerve cell activity and tissue formation. It also maintains fertility and prevents nerve damage by contributing to the formation of the myelin sheath. Fatigue is often the sigh of B-12 deficiency.

Through a topical liposome carrier system 600 mcg of methylcobalamin B-12 provides a highly absorbable B-12 that is greater then 5000 mcg of oral B-12.

Hemp or Hype?

2010-09-21T12:37:00.000-07:00

Hemp Hearts - Natures Power Food

Human tissues require nourishment every morning with slow digesting proteins, omega fats and raw, long fiber foods containing vitamins and enzymes--- essential nutrients ---not starch, sugar and blended, processed foods. Those who consume most of their essential nutrients each morning have all day to utilize any possible excess and can control weight easily.

Hunger is a signal that the body requires protein. Those who consume fruit and other foods without protein when they are truely hungry will continue to be hungry. Those who eat low-protein starches (cereals, breads, potatoes, pastas and rice) when their bodies call for protein will be hungry again in two hours. Those who use Hemp Hearts and other high protein foods to avoid starches are able to control weight by extending the intervals between their meals to as much as twelve hours. Thats no hype!!!!

Hemp Hearts are the most concentrated source of essential nutrients known. Those who consume five, heaping tablespoons (55g) of Hemp Hearts every morning, proferably with long fiber, raw vegetables topped with fruit and yogurt, notice from the first day that they have enough energy for the entire day, that they expel wastes after every meal and that they are not hungry again until mid-afternoon. They have no need for the lunches of bread, potatoes, pasta, rice and processed foods with added fats that cause obesity and tissue health failure.

Can you believe that it's possible to have a Hemp .....More than a Square Meal bar(made mostly with Hemp Hearts) for breakfast. Each MORE THAN A SQUARE MEAL bar tastes wonderfully like chocolate and one of a variety of fourteen complimentary fruit or nut toppings, but actually consists mostly of Hemp Hearts--the best source of protein, essential fats, vitamins and enzymes on the Earth.

About half of one bar is sufficient for most individuals for a special breakfast--after which they will certainly not require lunch and can further restrict themselves to a raw vegetable salad in the evening--ESPECIALLY ON THOSE DAYS WHEN THEY WISH TO LOSE WEIGHT.

Premature Health Failure..............may first appear as high cholesterol-- a sign that veins and arteries have lost their elasticity because of imperfect diet. Premature Health Failure may first appear as high blood pressure--a sign that the heart is over-worked, required to pump blood through too many miles of sluggish blood bessels. Premature Health Failure may first appear as type II diabetes--a sign that relevant organs are no longer capable of processing SWEET FOODS and STARCHES. Premature Health Failure may first appear as celiac disease--a sign that the digestive system is unable to process the excessive amounts of gluten and starches that are consumed repeatedly when the body is hungry only because it requires more protein. Premature Health Failure may sometimes first appear as depression-- often a sign that an individual is unhappy with the shape and limited function of a body that has become overweight and sluggish from a diet high in sweet foods and starches.
Get the right nutrition into your routine, and be prepared for a healthier future.

Hemp Hearts are the most concentrated source of essential nutrients known. That's "Hemp"and No Hype!

Amazing Amazing!!!

2010-09-02T12:16:00.000-07:00

"What's amazing,"? Amazing Grass thats what. Amazing Energy and Amazing Health. Organic superfoods for the entire family. Nutrition that, yes, yes even the children will love. It's just amazing! Nutritious green superfood that actually tastes amazing. These products provide essential nutrients that are lacking in the typical diet, and are not processed to the extreme and definately contain raw ingredients.
How can green grasses taste amazing? Most of us can look at nature and marvel at the beauty of nature. Everything is so splendid when the grass is green and plush, but when it comes to eating and drinking greens we just about choke at the thought of it. For those who know farm life, you would comment on greens reminding you of livestock "Tank Water". Then there's always the other typical description of greens being identified as "Frog Juice". Just because we are told that green is healthy it just doens't appeal to most of society as a constant on the food chain. But it certainly needs to be included into a healthy lifestyle. Think about it, what could be more natural than the green green grasses of nature? Let that natural outside beauty create a natural inside beauty of health for you.

The Amazing Grass company offers Amazing Meals, a complete nutritional meal quick, and easy that absolutely offers amazing taste.
This product offers convenience..........whole food nutrition for busy lifestyles...because who has time to eat all those servings of fruits and vegetables.
Nutrition............Same amount of protein as three egg whites, combined with the antioxidant equivalent of four servings of fruits and vegetables.
Delicious..............Four indulging flavors makes it hard to believe you are getting a powerhouse of nutrient dense raw foods.
Value...........For less than three dollars per serving, amazing Meal is an inexpensive way to satisfy your hunger.
Certified Organic...............All ingredients are of the highest quality standards.
You are what you eat..............Eat Amazing Meal and you will feel AMAZING!

Wheat Grass............Amazing Grass Organic whole-leaf Wheat Grass is one of the most powerful sources of green leafy vegetable nutrition. Amazing Grass offers up to 30x more nutrition and 10x more chlorophyll than tray-grown wheatgrass juice. The mild taste mixes easily with your favorite drink and sustains yu all day long.
Wheat Grass boosts your energy and immune system. Naturally balanced source of antioxidants, B-vitamins, carotenoids, phytonutrients, enzymes, dietary fiber and essential fatty acids.

Kidz SUPERFOOD...........is a nutritional powerhouse that combines 33 rainbow colored fruits and vegetables in a chocolate and berry drink powder. The great taste and premium quality has eaned the reputation as the kids and parents favorite.

GREENSuperFood...........is a premium blend of alkalizing greens, antioxidant rich whole food fruits and vegetables, immune boosting support herbs probiotics, and digestive enzymes.

These Amazing Greens make nutrition simple and amazingly easy!!!! And if that isn't easy enough, theres the GREENSuperFood Chocolate Whole Food Energy Bar that will satisfy your hunger and deliver nutrients to your body the way Mother Nature intended..........unprocessed, organic and delicious.

Organic.....Raw........Vegan.......Gluten Free........Soy Free.............THAT'S AMAZING GRASS

Who's in charge "Of Your Health"?

2010-08-26T12:13:00.000-07:00

What should we know about living longer that our doctor hasn't already discussed with us? If you're banking on totally letting any health care provider meet all your needs, your bank account may come up empty. You have the power to do more for your good health and longevity than anyone else - including your doctor or health care providers.

So what's the key to healthy longevity?

It's not having a great doctor. Or a medicine chest full of wonder drugs. It's not always having "good genes", for they cannot guarantee the quality of a longer life. Instead, it's having the most powerful protector of all: a well functioning immune system.
1st step......Prepare your mind to live longer and live healthier. In other words "psych" yourself up for this adventure. Because your beliefs will have a tremendous effect on what you're able to do with your life. Prepare your mind to live longer, because "psyching" yourself up rallies the body's natural immunities.
Phytochemicals.......a set of compounds found naturally in plant and vegetable life that pack a disease-preventing wallop. Research has only skimmed the surface, but so far we know that phyochemicals have been shown to "pump up" your immunity against both heart disease and osteoporosis, as well as killers like lung, esophageal and colon cancer. And thats's just the prevention side. Amazingly, these substances also perform miracles for those who already have disease.
Reasearch has compared the eating habits of people with and without cancer. Those who consumed the most phytochemically-rich foods were about half as likely to have cancer as those who ate the least.

What to eat to give us the Phytochemical Protection!!!

Just to pick one food that takes rather aggressive action - Broccoli. It has a phytochemical compound that boosts the production of anti-cancer enzymes within hours of being eaten. So when you swallow something that may have cancer-causing properties (especially as relates to colon cancer), the enzymes seek it out immediately and detoxify it before it can harm you. Cabbage and cauliflower give you the very same protection.
Now everyone thinks you should be eating these vegetables raw. Well think again even though these vegetables are anti cancer foods, they are also anti-thyroid foods. So if you have thyroid issues, heres your extra advantage. Phytochemicals aren't lost as often through cooking as some vitamins are. In fact, when you cook broccoli etc., you are likely to enhance its phytochemicals potency! That's because there's a particular enzyme that needs to "leap" from one set of cells to another for maximum effect.

COOKING MAKES THAT HAPPEN. Just don't cook the vegetables to death.

An ounce of prevention is worth more than a p0und of cure, a healthy rule to live by. We should practice prevention as much as is possible. And when one has health concerns don't just treat the symptoms, its time to play detective. If the cause can be eliminated the body can be restored and natural healing reinforced. Many natural techniques and therapies can assist us toward noninvasive treatments that involve fewer risks and side effects.

To keep the best of both worlds in mind is to not be opposed to but be willing to utilize surgieries and or pharmaceuticals for medical problems that alternative approaches may not be appropriate to treat. But the most empowering to your well-being is an assessment of nutritional balance and lifestyle.

Who's in charge of your health?....."You" Need to Take Charge of your health.

Food Allergies May Affect Genetics

2010-08-03T10:38:00.000-07:00

Its hard to believe that more and more people are being diagnosed with food allergies and enviornmental allergies as well. And the response may by many again be, "now food allergies are the cause of every illness." Well let's think about this for a minute. That, just may be an important and very accurate accessment. As a society we are continueously shoveling junk (processed food) into our mouths at a very alarming rate.

In time what do we think this might do to our cells? We need to actually think on a cellular level, because our food doesn't just pass through our systems, it should nourish every cell. And if the food we consume isn't doing that, what is it doing instead? Do we think that this process maybe could alter our genetic make-up. What are the condition of the genes that we pass on to the next generations? Why do our genetics get broken down and altered?

When our bodies don't recieve the proper nutrition by eating healthy food or not avoiding the food that we know may be breaking us down it will cause inflammaion within every cell. When our cells have a constant irritation factor this can cause break-down. It will compromise the health of the cells and therefore be partially responsible for what alters genetics.
In order for our bodies to eliminate the toxins we get exposed to, the body needs optimal nutrition. In our modern world we've learned how to refine foods to make them last longer on the shelf. This refining processing robs foods of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, fiber and other substances the body needs to detoxify, and repair itself.

Our nation is facing a health crisis. Experts are saying that, for the first time in many generations, the youth growing up today will have a shorter life-span than their parents. This trend should be changed and it starts at home. Eliminate empty calorie foods, that are non nourishing, loaded with chemicals which cause irritation and, ultimately, inflammation in tissues. Healthy choices are the start of our future, a healthier future.

Healthy Snacking

2010-07-21T11:31:00.000-07:00

What could be easier than getting a bag of assorted nuts, seeds and dried fruits for healthy snacking. No preparation, no cooking, and no clean up makes these choices quick and so nutritious. Get a variety of nuts, seeds and fruits and you can make your own trail mixes exactly to your needs and taste buds.

Dried fruits have their own indisputable health benefits. We will talk about several and some important nutritional benefits of each.

Raisins are said to help with bone density, healthy gums and teeth. The key ingredient in raisins is phytonutrients, mainly olenolic acid, protect from gum disease, and cavities. They are also beneficial for your eye sight just as carrots.

Apricots are full of dietary fiber and beta-carotene, as well as supply a great source of vitamin A, C, magnesium, iron, calcium, phosphorus, silicon, and potassium. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant found in apricots. According to the American Cancer Society, apricots and other foods that are rich in carotenes may lower the risk of cancers in the larynx, esophagus, and lungs. Just five dried apricots give you 36 percent of the daily value for vitamin A.

Dates .... Although dried dates are higher in calories than fresh ones, dates are loaded with fiber, iron, niacin, potassium, vitamin A, B, calcium, phosphorous, and copper. They are used to help with constipation, anemia, fatigue, and also a preventive to abdominal cancer.

Cranberries contain powerful antioxidants, which can cut bad cholesterol, and help fight infection. Cranberry juice helps clean the urinary tract, and may prevent tumors from growing quickly. Just one-half cup of dried cranberries provides about 13 milligrams of vitamin C, and 4 grams of fiber.

Prunes are a good source of fiber, vitamin A, potassium, and copper. They can also help with weight loss and normal blood sugar levels. Just a quarter-cup of prunes give you 16.9 percent of daily value for vitamin A, in the form of beta-carotene. Beta-carotene has been shown in studies to shut down free radicals, and prevent a variety of diseases such as atherosclerosis, colon cancer, and reduced inflammatory in asthma, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Dried fruits are fast, easy and can offer a host of benefits that we don't even realize. What could be easier and so good for you.

Go Nuts.....Nuts are one of the best plant sources of protein. They are rich in fiber, phytonutrients and antioxidants such as Vitamin E and selenium. Nuts are also high in plant sterols and fat - but mostly monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats (omega 3 - the good fats) which have all been shown to lower LDL cholesterol.
The best approach is to reap the health benefits of eating nuts but not add excessive calories to your daily intake. So instead of simply adding nuts to your diet, eat them in replacement of foods that are high in saturated fats and limit your intake of these tasty treats to 1 to 2 oz per day. For instance, instead of adding chocolate chips when making cookies, sprinkle on some nuts. Or instead of making a deli meat sandwich, try a nut butter toast.
"Scientific evidence suggest but does not prove that eating 1.5 oz per day of most nuts as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease."
In addition to nuts, seeds such as flax seeds, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds may offer the same heart health benefits as well as delicious nutrition to support daily vitamin and mineral needs.

The benefits are endless with healthy snacking. When you have that snack attack, reach for the snack that will keep your body fit and healthy, one that is fast, easy and needs no preparation.

B vs. B

2010-06-29T12:40:00.000-07:00

As many of you know vitamin B complex is a supplement that is widely used by many. Sometimes individual B vitamins are of extreme importance, for specific needs. We are going to focus on Pantethine, and Pantothenic acid. Pantothine is an active form of vitamin B5 or better known as Pantothenic acid. These two vitamins have completely different purposes inside the body.

Pantothine may be useful for people who have both high cholesterol and high triglycerides. In my recent research project of what might be most beneficial in supplement form for high triglycerides. In one clinical trial, a dosage of 900 milligrams per day lowered triglyceride levels by over 30 percent, total cholesterol levels by nearly 20 percent, and LDL levels by over 20 percent, all while raising HDL levels by nearly 25 percent. It is also especially useful for diabetics with high cholesterol and triglycerides, since it makes insulin more effective. For reasons that are not completely understood, the more common form of the vitamin, Pantothenic Acid, has little or no effect on blood fats, so be sure to use pantethine. The results are similar to those seen with many cholesterol-lowering drugs. Pantethine has not been reported to cause any significant side effects, even with long-term use. One cautionary note when using the supplement Pantothine make sure monitoring of blood sugars is done, due to the fact that Pantothine has an effect on insulin effectiveness.

Note: Boiled (unfiltered) coffee contains at least two compounds that raise serum cholesterol, whereas filtered coffee has little or no effect on cholesterol levels.

For those struggling to get triglycerides under control, not only should you be cautious with high fat foods, get tough with sugar intake, refined carbohydrate and carbohydrate in general in the diet and you should get the results you seek.

Pantothenic acid plays a role in the production of the adrenal hormones and the formation of antibodies, aids in vitamin utilization,and helps to convert fats, carbohydrates, and proteins into energy.
Pantothenic acid is required by all cells in the body and is concentrated in the organs. It is also involved in the production of neurotransmitters. This vitamin is an essential element of co enzyme A, a vital body chemical involved in many necessary metabolic functions. Pantothenic acid is also a stamina enhancer and prevents certain forms of anemia. It is needed for normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and may be helpful in treating depression and anxiety. A deficiency of pantothenic acid may cause fatigue, headache, nausea, and tingling in the hands. Pantothenic acid is also needed for proper functioning of the adrenal glands. It is sometimes extremely beneficial for chronic stiff shoulder muscles.

Which ever B vitamin suits your individual needs best is the one to implement into your daily routine. Vitamins and minerals are natures healers, and can enhance your health immensely.

Health Insurance

2010-06-24T10:59:00.000-07:00

Health insurance ....."Nutrition at its best", but can we get all the nutrients we need from a modern supermarket diet? Probably not. Most of our food travels many miles before it gets to us, and then it isn't produced under the most beneficial enviornments.
So, even if you're eating real, whole foods, it doesn't hurt to supplement a little. There are seven basic types of supplements most people benefit from and will probably do far more for our health than the new "health plan."
These supplements are real health insurance, especially when coupled with a good diet and other healthy lifestyle practices.
SuperFood Supplement
Pick and choose what works best for your individual needs. Whether you choose a multi-vitamin or a superfood supplement, a basic supplement helps make sure you're getting extra nutrients to make up for deficiencies in modern foods.
Minerals
The mineral content of our foods has dropped to less than 10% of what it was 100 years ago. We simply cannot get the minerals we need from food alone.
Enzymes
Most people don't eat enough raw food. Traditional diets had a lot of fresh , raw food, which is rich in enzymes. Traditional cultures that consumed more cooked food also ate enzyme-rich fermented foods. (Kombucha Tea is an excellent drink that helps to rebuild intestinal flora and provides numerous other benefits). Since most of us don't eat fermented foods, but do eat a lot of cooked food, a basic enzyme supplement, especially one with Betaine HCI is reccommended, This is especially important after age 50 when digestive function begins to decline. (Hugely important if you have a diet that consists of highly processed food.)
Fiber
Most Americans don't get enough fiber. Adequate fiber, taken with plenty of water, lowers cholesterol, protects you against colon and other cancers, helps your body get rid of environmental toxins and keeps you regular. Mill Town Herbs carries many different fibers for everyone's needs. If you are not used to taking fiber, we reccommend to start slow and work up to more. Also make sure to drink plenty of water when taking fiber.
Probiotics
Like most Americans each and everyone of us has probably been on one or several of antibiotics, steroids, birth control pills or chemotherapy or drank chlorinated water. Each of these can and will destroy intestinal flora. Its essential that good bacteria gets replenished in the system.
Antioxidants
If we don't consume fresh produce on a regular basis, it is suggested that antioxidants be supplemented to repair the damage the body suffers due to the pollutants we are exposed to and consume.
Essential Fatty Acids
If you eat grass-fed meat, drink raw milk (provided you are not allergic) from grass-fed cows, use eggs from pastured chickens and eat sardines, wild salmon or deep ocean fish several times a week, you are getting your omega-3 fatty acids naturally. If you don't, you may need to supplement them, as well. Flax oil. fish oil, krill oil can supply your Omega 3's.

"Your life and body are one of a kind and the only one you have. Honor it with proper care."

Live well, eat as healthy as possible and practice some nutrition supplementation the ultimate Health Insurance.
Excerpts taken from: Nature's Field
written by Linda Nitschke C.N.C

Freezer on the Fritz

2010-06-19T17:23:00.000-07:00

There's never an opportune time for a freezer to break down, least of all when it's eighty degrees outside. Mill Town Herbs almost wished to have the (not forgotten) snow banks outside the door, but none were to be found when the freezer went on the fritz yesterday. We have many of the frozen food packed into the other freezers in the back room, so when you enter Mill Town Herbs and pass by the now empty freezer don't go into shock. Just grap a sales clerk and say, "oh my, what happened? Where is all the frozen food?" And we will promptly tell you how the freezer was making such a racket that we weren't sure what was going to happen. Please let us know what it is you need and we will be more than happy to dig through our packed items and get what you need. We apologize for any inconvenience this puts on our customers, but we will remedy this problem as soon as possible.