Immunity Roll-on

The Immunity Roll-on is a combination of essential oils that specifically target respiratory health. This combination of lemon, clove, cinnamon, thyme and tea tree essential oils has been combined with jojoba oil to make this a ready-to-use topical that will support the immune system to defend against incoming pathogens as well as to help you to breathe easy and clear your sinuses.

I like to use it when I travel on a plane or if I am around people who might sick. I think of it as an added immune buffer. My son often gets congested when he gets sick and he likes to roll it on his chest and neck, and he finds it effective to just sniff it to help his nasal and sinus congestion.

Essential oils do not need to come into direct contact with microbes to kill them. Many essential oils release volatile compounds into the air which can inhibit or kill them. When diffused into the air, some essential oils can act on airborne microbes, reducing their viability, and some are capable of breaking down biofilms, even from a distance.

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Manuka Honey Nasal Sprays

Often in my posts I talk about the role the sinuses and throat play as the first line of defense when fighting respiratory infections. These nasal sprays are additional products that can be used to support that role.

Manuka honey has antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. Because of this, manuka honey nasal sprays are a gentle, natural way to fight colds, flu, COVID, and bacterial infections such as strep. It reduces inflammation in the sinus passages, soothes irritated mucous membranes, hydrates nasal passages, and forms a protective barrier to shield nasal lining from allergens, irritants, and further infection.

These three products are now available in the office. Stock up so you are prepared the next time you feel like you are coming down with something!

Here are some links to other manuka products:

Manuka honey

Manuka honey throat spray and syrup

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Manuka Honey Throat Spray and Syrup

Manuka Honey & Propolis throat spray and ManukaGuard Manuka Honey Cough & Throat Syrup

Sore throats can be a sign that your immune system is fighting a cold or other viral infection. Gargling with an antimicrobial mouthwash is one way to combat infection. These two products can also support that immune response and soothe a sore throat or cough.

Wedderspoon Manuka Honey & Propolis Throat Spray provides fast, effective relief for sore throats and minor irritations. Combining the potent antimicrobial properties of manuka honey and the natural immune-boosting benefits of propolis, this spray helps combat bacteria and viruses while soothing inflammation. It coats the throat, easing discomfort and dryness, and supports the body’s natural healing process. Perfect for on-the-go throat care and immune support, especially during cold and flu season.

ManukaGuard Manuka Cough & Throat Syrup combines the soothing, antimicrobial power of manuka honey with apple cider vinegar and several medicinal herbs to provide effective relief from coughs and throat irritation. It helps to calm persistent coughing, ease soreness, and protect the throat from further irritation. With its rich, soothing texture, it promotes healing while supporting respiratory health. Ideal for those seeking a natural remedy for seasonal illnesses.

Both of these products are now available in the office. Here are links to the other manuka honey products I currently carry:

Manuka Honey

Manuka Honey Nasal Spray

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Manuka Honey

The medicinal use of honey has been a thing for over a millennia. Manuka honey from New Zealand and western Australia are especially potent and have anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties and have been used to heal wounds and infections (including MRSA). In fact, in 2007 the FDA approved the use of Manuka honey in several ointments, gels and dressings used to treat wounds, burns, traumatic injuries, surgical wounds, diabetic ulcerations and antibiotic-resistant infections and more.

Manuka honey’s medicinal talents go beyond topical wound healing. Research is showing promising results with a wide range of health issues including urinary and digestion issues, Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia, skin ailments, cancer and side effects of chemo…

Exciting research from UCLA showed that Manuka honey alone can slow growth and even shrink tumors in estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer. It has phytoestrogenic properties and can bind the estrogen receptors, which helps explains how it is able to help specifically in ER+ breast cancer.

Manuka honey gives the immune system a boost in several ways and one is by supporting macrophages. Macrophages are a type of white blood cell that defend us by eating up foreign invaders like microbes and cancer cells, when they are functioning properly. Manuka honey helps them to balance their production of substances involved in inflammation (inflammatory cytokines), can stimulate them to increase their microbe- and debris-eating (phagocytic) activity, and helps make the environment inhospitable to bacteria.

I stock two types of manuka honey and several manuka products in the office. If you have any further questions about how to use manuka honey, let me know next time you come in!

Here’s the actual UCLA research about Manuka honey:

https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/16/14/2369

Here are some links to other Manuka products:

Manuka throat spray and syrup

Manuka nasal spray

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Vitamin D and the Immune System

Vitamin D is well-known for helping the body fight illnesses ranging from the common cold to cancer. It can modulate the innate and adaptive immune responses and decrease the risk of autoimmunity. To know how much you should take, get your levels tested next time your doctor does bloodwork. Many lab ranges say that above 30 ng/mL falls within the “normal” range but I highly recommend blood levels of 80-100 ng/mL as ideal for optimal health, based on the vitamin D research of many doctors I follow who have been studying the immune system.

The best way to get vitamin D may be through UV rays of the sun, but that only works if you are out in it, ideally with your torso exposed to its rays. Needless to say, we in Vermont don’t see much of the sun during our long winters and many of us spend most of our time indoors even in the warmer months. So, supplementation is crucial.

5000-10,000 IUs is the recommended dose for vitamin D when trying to increase blood levels. Some people need to take even more to get their levels to where they want it, so testing is vital because we are aiming for 60-90 ng/mL and we don’t want the levels to be too high – over 100 or 120 ng/mL.

I carry several forms of supplemental vitamin D – capsules, gummies or liquid. We want to use D3, which can come by itself or along with A and K in ADK. I like to have both D3 and ADK on hand because I am trying to get at least 10,000 IUs in per day but we don’t need extra A and K, so I take 5000 IUs in the ADK blend and then take another 5000 IUs of just D3.

As for testing of vitamin D, when I had my levels tested in the spring, after taking 2-3000 IUs all winter, my levels were very low – 28 ng/mL. I increased my dose to 10,000 most days and by mid summer I was up to 53 – nearly doubled! I’m still working on it – I am aiming for at least 80 ng/mL. I like to keep a few different types of vitamin D on hand, just to mix it up. Currently I take the ADK in the morning, I put the liquid vitamin D in my smoothie or straight onto my tongue, and I have some caps at the office as well. I’m going to try the zero sugar gummies next.

I am putting together an immune bundle that includes vitamin D – additions or substitutions for different forms are available. I will be stocking ADK as well as the ones in the picture. My vitamin D collection will change or grow as I explore different brands as I’d like to stock dosages of 5000 and 10,000 IU (so you don’t have to take 5 caps of 1000 IU).

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The Healing Power of Chicken Soup: A Remedy for Upper Respiratory Infections

By Shawndra Meader, FNTP, MScN

Chicken soup is known as a comfort food and traditional recipe the world over. While it’s difficult to narrow down the location of the roots of this ubiquitous medicine, it is widely believed that chicken soup as we know it today has its earliest origins in ancient China and Egypt.

In ancient China, soup made from poultry and medicinal herbs was a common remedy for various ailments. Chicken, known for its nourishing properties, was often used as a base, and herbs were added to enhance specific health benefits. This practice influenced the development of many traditional Chinese medicine recipes that still exist today.

The earliest recorded use of chicken soup as a remedy for colds and respiratory issues dates back to ancient Egypt. The famous Jewish philosopher and physician Maimonides, who lived in the 12th century, praised chicken soup as a remedy for colds and asthma. He likely drew inspiration from earlier Egyptian practices that involved consuming hot chicken broth to treat symptoms of respiratory illness.1

Chicken soup also has deep roots in Middle Eastern cuisine, where it was commonly made with spices, vegetables, and grains like rice or barley. The Middle East has a long history of using food as medicine, and chicken soup was often regarded as a fortifying meal, particularly for the sick and elderly.

Today, chicken soup recipes can be found in cultures worldwide, each with its own twist, influenced by local ingredients and culinary traditions. Whether it’s sopa de pollo in Latin America, sinigang na manok in the Philippines, or canja de galinha in Portugal, the common thread is its reputation as a healing, comforting dish.

Why It’s Often Recommended for Colds and Respiratory Infections

The ingredients of chicken soup—chicken, vegetables, herbs, and spices—all have health benefits on their own, and work synergistically when brought together in a dish like soup. In addition, soup is hydrating and comforting when we are not feeling well; warm liquids improve the flow of mucus and are soothing to irritated tissues. Steam from a hot bowl can help open nasal passages and ease sore throats.

Read More »
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Introducing Shawndra

I have a new office and herbal assistant that I’m excited to introduce you to, Shawndra. I’m excited because we have so much in common, including her passion for holistic nutrition. I studied nutrition and acupuncture in Seattle at Bastyr University in the 90’s and she just completed her masters in nutrition at National in Portland Oregan, which is kinda like Bastyr’s sister school.

You’ll find Shawndra in the clinic on Monday and Wednesday afternoons, assisting Kelly with the needs of the practice, and you may see her name on some of the nutrition articles in the newsletter. Shawndra will have some available to see clients for holistic nutritional support here at the office one morning a week, or remotely other days.

Enhance Your Wellness Journey with Holistic Nutrition Support

We’re excited to introduce Shawndra Meader, a Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner with a master’s degree from the National University of Natural Medicine, who specializes in holistic nutrition.

Shawndra brings a compassionate approach and a deep understanding of the connection between nutrition and overall health. She offers personalized coaching to help you address chronic physical or mental health challenges. Whether you’re dealing with chronic pain, mood disorders, or complex medical conditions, Shawndra provides tailored guidance to support both body and mind.

If you’d like to learn more about how holistic nutrition can benefit you, she’s available to schedule a free discovery session, where you can explore personalized strategies to promote healing and vitality. Check out her website at Epiphany Wellness.

We’re thrilled to have Shawndra as part of our team, and we invite you to explore the benefits of integrating nutrition support into your wellness journey.

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Happy Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine Day!

Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine Day (AHM Day) has been celebrated every October 24th since its conception in 2002.  Established by a group of leading acupuncture and Chinese medicine organizations in North America, its purpose is to raise awareness about the awesomeness of acupuncture and herbal medicine.

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EVIL BONE WATER

Saint Apothecary

I’d like to introduce you to a new topical product that is available in my office. My clients are loving it.

This topical liniment was inspired by a 500 year old Chinese herbal liniment, Zheng Gu Shui. It’s main purpose is to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and promote healing. It is used for sports injuries, joint pain, spinal pain, muscle and ligament pain, bruising, sprains, broken bones, cuts and insect bites, skin conditions, infections, etc.

Zheng Gu Shui is a well-known Chinese liniment but I’ve not been confident in the ingredients, especially with the bright red color. I’m not into applying Red #40 onto my skin or yours. I was so excited when a colleague told me about Evil Bone Water. I was like, “What? Are you calling herbal decoctions Evil?” It turns out that an acupuncturist in Georgia (the state) makes a Zheng Gu Shui that I can stand behind.

3.4 oz bottle $40

Ingredients:

Zhang Nao Natural Camphor

Bo He Nao Menthol

San Qi Pseudoginseng

Ji Gu Xiang

Gui Pi Cinnamon Bark

E Zhu Rhizoma curcumae

Bai Zhi Angelica dahurica

Qian Jin Ba Philippine Flemingia Root

Hu Zhang Japanese Knotweed Root

190 Everclear

Instructions:

Spray on or rub into apply to area of pain and allow to dry daily 1-3x.

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Science is the New Language of the Mystical

I just got back from the Advanced Week-long Retreat with Joe Dispenza in Nashville. It was nothing less than awesome. There were 1900 people at event, representing 62 countries. The energy was next level, it really was an incredible experience.
 
Themes were:
Love, heart, brain, pineal gland, coherence, endless possibilities, the unknown.
This is energy. Feel it!
 
Lots of meditation (someone estimated 35 hours worth).
Sitting, walking, connecting to the heart, balancing the energy centers, getting mystical. 1900 people all deep breathing in sync was wild – inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale – sounded like an army (marching for peace).

Lots of science (about 25 hours worth).
Quantum physics, neurobiology, anatomy, biophysics, electro-dynamics, chemistry and all that good stuff with a twist.

Lots of research. Lots of data. Lots of Qi. Lots of healing. oh yeah and lots of dancing!

Check this out:
Source, the documentary is being offered for free viewing this weekend Sept 27-29. Joe Dispenza and a team of researchers, including the ones that were on stage last week, put together this documentary. I’m quite sure you will find it interesting. It’s only 52 minutes.
Sourcethefilm.org

Source is now 2 years old and there has been even more compelling scientific inquiry into quantum field that was talked about on stage last week. Amazing things happen when you put your mind and a motivated research team to it!

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