www.herbsgardenshealth.com got a great “Plug” in the Telegraph Weekend supplement, back in April! Rachel Simhon writes a household column in which she mentioned drain and sink blockages and clearing them with bicarbonate of soda and vinegar.
She said, “Several readers have asked where they can buy bicarbonate of soda in the large quantities needed for housekeeping. I have come across a wonderful website, called Herbs, Gardens and Health, which sells 1kg of bicarb for £1.96, or in larger quantities if you wish. Also available by mail order (01843 600201; www.herbsgardenshealth.com).
It also stocks citric acid, which is useful for descaling kettles (1kg, £4.74) but is hard to find because it is apparently favoured by the drug-dealing classes for "cutting" heroin. O tempora, O mores, and so forth.”
We are still receiving orders by phone and via our website. Website customers are browsing and buying other things, too, and, recently, people have been ordering the citric acid for making elderflower cordial! It has certainly been a great boost for our business. I only wish that next time we get publicity it’s for something much lighter in weight and more profitable! We’ve been collecting, packing and posting tons of bicarb and citric acid for a couple of months. The good things are that it must help to keep us fit, and new customers have been introduced to us.
You can link to read the full article from our news page at the link below.

Six months ago Rosie Hayward was wondering what to do with her life after crippling back pain forced her to give up work.
Years of prescription treatments had no effect and finally she wandered into a corner shop and bought a small bottle of seed oil. She went home and, without much hope, began taking daily doses. The pain eased.
Then she noted her energy levels rising, her skin and hair improving and her depression lifting.
Mrs. Hayward, 38, then decided that, with refinement, the treatment could do even more, and Cool Oil was created. She set up a business called the Groovy Food Company and began marketing the recipe which we now have in stock.
Omega 3+6+9 keeps you bendier than a snake's boogie! A clever blend of organic seed oils. Drizzle it - spoon it - shake it - love it! Just one tablespoon per day may help you stay gorgeous with soft skin, shiny hair and strong nails; keep those nasty bugs at bay; maintain those bendy bits; and keep those brain cells energised.
Cool Oil costs £8.50 for 250 ml.

click here for our joints page & to buy Cool Oil

NONI, the fruit of the Morinda Citrifolia plant, is harvested from the tropical forests of French Polynesia Islands and has been used as a natural healing plant for thousands of years.

Noni has many beneficial properties. The early Polynesians used it as a general tonic. They found it particularly beneficial for imbalances of the immune, respiratory, digestive, and intestinal systems. It was also determined to be helpful for the central nervous system and as an aid for injured muscles, bones, and tissue. Currently, scientists are studying possibilities in treating hypertension, cancer, high blood pressure, and counteracting the ageing process.
NONI, is recognised as an exceptional source of nutrition and protein, which may help support the immune system and increase energy levels. NONI accelerates the production and maintenance of healthy body cells, delivering protein and enhancing digestion.

NONI juice provides the nutrition required to increase the positive functionality of cells within the body and helping with the absorption of endorphin, the well-being hormone, promoting good health and well being.

BODYTEC NONI contains natural raspberry flavour to guarantee a pleasant taste and palatability. It costs £15.99 for 1ltr.

click here to purchase Noni

As the season changes likewise all those niggly ailments we suffer from also change. We hope by now to be less vulnerable to winter bugs but there is a whole new set of summer problems arising in the form of allergies.

The word allergy used to be a lot more specific than it is now and it does seem that a lot more people suffer adverse reactions to different things than previously.

Food allergies are a lot more common these days and with all the chemicals used in farming both in vegetable crops and livestock it is difficult to ascertain the cause of the problem. Eating organically will certainly help to pinpoint the problem as well as being the healthier option and food elimination from the diet can help to identify the specific foods responsible.

Classic allergic responses that occur at this time of year tend to affect the respiratory system or the skin.
High pollen counts cause a host of irritating symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing and streaming eyes. The best essential oils for treating these allergies are camomile, lavender and Melissa, inhaled in a steam bath or just from a tissue.

Individual symptoms can be treated with eucalyptus or lavender to reduce the cold like symptoms and ease congestion. For allergic reactions affecting the skin the best choice of oil is usually camomile and best applied via a massage or a few drops in the bath. Allergic conditions effecting the skin such as eczema are however very difficult to conclude a cause for as there are so many factors to consider such as diet, perfumes and soap powders though stress is considered to be an underlying factor in many cases. If this sounds likely try to find ways of fitting in time for relaxation and consider combining the use of relevant essential oils with a stress relieving aromatherapy massage. Oils are personally blended to suit the clients needs. Juniper is a good choice if the allergy indicated the need to detoxify particular toxins from the body. Stress relieving oils are a matter of personal choice though some of the best options to try are bergamot, petitgrain, Sandalwood and Ylang Ylang.
If you suffer from any type of allergy I would recommend you take a close look at your life style especially stress levels and seek professional advice before using aromatherapy oils.

Juliet stocks a wide range of oils and I can be contacted at Kreative Kutz, High St, St. Peters, Tel 01843 867546 for further information.

I sent a postcard to Dr. Stephen Ladyman MP, only to receive a stock reply which did not answer the requests on the card. These were to urge him to sign the online petition, to sign Early Day Motion 892 in defence of our vitamin & mineral supplements, and to write to the Health Minister on my behalf to demand action.
So, I wrote a full letter explaining exactly which supplements would be affected and why we should keep them, the fact that they will be banned from 1st August 2005 at the latest unless a detailed dossier in respect of each nutrient (at an estimated cost of £80,000-£250,000 per ingredient for which safety data is not readily available) evidencing their safety is submitted by the Member State to the EU Commission not later than 12 July 2005. The Food Supplements Directive will deny consumers access to safe and beneficial food supplements of their choice. It will dramatically limit future innovation in the dietary supplement industry, with consequent serious impacts on specialist retailers, complementary practitioners and consumers who choose to take responsibility for their own health.

I again asked Dr. Ladyman to sign the EDM and to write to the Health Minister, on my behalf, expressing my concerns and to demand action.

This time I received a reply saying that as a government Minister he is not in a position to sign EDM’s, however, he has written to the Minister and forwarded my letter to her, raising my concerns and will contact me again when he receives her response.

A colloidal of silver is a powerful, natural antibiotic. It is a usable form of the most effective disease, germ, virus and fungus killer available. It has been found to be both a remedy and prevention for colds and flu, most infections and all fermentation due to any bacteria, fungus or virus, especially staph and strep, which are often found in diseased conditions. It has been reported to rapidly subdue inflammation and promote faster healing. The body needs Silver to fight disease-causing organisms and to aid healing. Taken daily, it is like having a second immune system, resulting in more energy, vitality and faster healing with less bodily toxins. An antibiotic kills perhaps a half dozen different disease organisms, but Silver is known to be successful against over 650 diseases without any known harmful side effects or toxicity to the body. Topical Use: Apply directly to cuts, scrapes, wart and open sores, skin cancers, eczema, acne, mosquito bites or any skin problems. £19.95 for 100 ml.

The Oxeye Daisies and grasses sway gently in the breeze.Small Tortoiseshell and Common Blue Butterflies flutter by. My Yellow Flag Irises are in bloom in the wetland area, and Purple Loosestrife and Field Scabious are in bud. Common and Opium Poppies flash red and pink, Teasels and Comfrey are shooting up and our Wild Roses are in bloom for the first time.
Many of the tadpoles are nearly baby frogs but we’ve yet to see any baby Newts, though we’ve seen plenty of male and female adults in the main pond. Maybe they are hiding somewhere until they get bigger. Of course, they need to really. We think the Blackbird is partial to what he thinks are worms with legs. All part of nature I suppose. We’ve entered the Wildlife Garden Competition again this year. Won a silver award last year – this year we’re going for gold! Incidentally, I asked the Council to send me some more of the leaflets about the competition for customers, but they sent several of the complete wildlife gardening packs instead. They are really interesting and helpful. Please ask if you would like one.

Did you know that
Magnesium can help those who suffer with cramp
Feverfew can help prevent and/or lessen migraine attacks
Vitamin C is a natural antihistamine to help hayfever sufferers
Ginkgo is excellent for short term memory improvement
St. John’s Wort is uplifting and good for mild depression
Milk Thistle is a liver detoxifier/tonic and may help lower cholesterol
Chromium helps balance blood sugar levels thus reducing cravings for sweet things
Kelp contains Iodine which feeds the thyroid and helps to speed up the body’s metabolism – useful for losing weight
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) when taken, repels insects from the body