Flaxseed: a source of Omega 3

Flaxseed Oil and general HealthMany people think that avoiding all fat is the best way of staying healthy, but actually there are some substances found in 'good' fats that are essential to our heatlth. Scientists have designated Omega 3 and 6 'essential' fats, as our bodies cannot manufacture them - rather we need to have them as part of our daily diet. Unfortunately, many of us rely on processed foods and we rarely eat the amount of seeds, nuts or oily fish that we should, and hence we are chronically shory of these fats. What often hapens in the west is that our diets become too high in omega 6 and dangerously low in omega 3, when the real key to health from fats lies in ingesting the essential ones in the proper ratio. One way to do this is to use a product like Udo's 3•6•9 Oil Blend made by Flora in Canada.

Cancer Therapy
Flaxseeds and their oil have been shown to halp conditions that range from cancer to arthritis and heart disease. For over 30 years, German researcher Joanna Budwig has been promoting the use of flaxseed oil in cancer therapy. She now has over a thousand cases documented where flaxseed oil has been the main treatment used to 'cure' cancer (for information on Dr Budwig's protocol, click here). Recent research shows that alpha linoleic acids (found in flaxseed oil) kill cancer cells without harming the normal cells. For anyone diagnosed with cancer, whether they are using conventional or alternative treatment, flaxseeds and flaxseed oil should be seriously considered. Flax iol is also important for those of us without a serious diagnosis, omega fats are not called 'essesntial' for nothing! They are implicated in energy production, repair and maintenance of skin cells, hormonal balance and emotional balance amony many other things. In Organico we sell a lot of products containing essential fats to people with menopausal issues, arthritis or joint pain, or chronic skin problems such as psoriasis.

Dr.Johanna Budwig Blend:

Ingredients:

1 cup Organic cottage cheese or yoghurt
2-5 Tbsp. of flaxseed oil-
1-3 Tbsp. of freshly ground up flaxseed (electric coffee grinder ($15) works fine)
enough water to make it soft
little cayenne (red hot chilly pepper)

little red pepper

Blend and use as a spread!

Always consult a qualified medical practitioner!

Organico Shop, Glengarriff Rd., Bantry, Co. Cork, Ireland. Phone +353 (0)27 51391

Goldenseal

Belonging to the same family as the buttercup, goldenesal Hydrasis canadensis is a perennial herb native to north America. It gets its name from the rich yellow colour of its root and the small cup like scars found there, which resemble the wax seals used in the 19th century to close envelopes. It is a difficult plant to grow in cultivation, especially in the UK - most of the goldeneseal sold in Europe is imported dried or powderded from the US.

Ancient Origins

The dried root of Goldenseal has long been used to sooth inflamed or infected mucus membranes. The Cherokee, Iroquis and other native American tribes valued it as a remedy for anything from insect bites to bloating to eye infections and stomach aches. Numerous references to goldenseal as a strong tea for indigestion began to appear in medical writings as far back as the 1800's. These days it is considered by medical herbalists in Europe to be an inportant herb in the fight against infection, as it has immune boosting, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflamatory properties. It is good for colds, flus, dijestive disorders, urinary tract infections, eye infections, cold sores and gum disease.

Oganico stocks a powdered goldenseal from Munster Wholefoods, a tincture of goldenseal from Naturalife, and capsules by Lifeplan.

Medicinal Benefits

The active ingredients in goldenseal are the alkaloids berberine and hydrastine. These can be used to build up the immune system and to destroy many types of bacterial and viral infections. A daily dose of goldenseal at the first sign of cold symptoms can help it turning into a full blown cold by enhancing the activity of virus fighting white blood cells. Goldenseal is often used in conjunction with echinacea, as one seems to enhance the potenct of the other. It is often used in cases of mild urinary tract infections, and other mild bacterial infections such as cold sores.

Goldenseal is also used to sooth the dijestive tract in cases of vomiting and nausea, as it is thought to stimulate the dijestive sectretions and help to destroy bacteria that are causing the symptoms. Used as an eyewash, it can sooth conjunctivitis, and as a mouthwash it helps to sooth gum disease. In addition, goldenseal can be used to help a range of menopausal and menstrual problems. it combines well with chaste tree and is especially good for cooling hot flushes and night sweats.

Methods

To infuse goldenseal, use one teaspoon of the dried herd to 600 mls of water. Steep, then strain through muslin and leave to cool. The infusion can be used as an eye of mouth wash three times a day. Alternatively, use 2-3 mls of goldenseal tincture in a tumbler of warm water for mouth ulsers and gum disease.

Watch Point

Goldenseal should be taken only for the duration of an illness or complaint, and is best taken with meals. It is a uterine stimulant and should not be used during pregnancy, or by people with high blood pressure or glaucoma. It should not be given to children under the age of two.

Naturally you should always consult a qualified medical practitioner for any chronic health conditions.


Organico Shop, Glengarriff Rd., Bantry, Co. Cork, Ireland. Phone +353 (0)27 51391

Green Tea - more that just another cuppa!

If you believe everything you read, Green Tea was "discovered" almost 5000 years ago by a chinese emperor. As he sat drinking his hot water tea leaves fell into his drink creating the refreshing drink we now know as Green Tea! Whatever the truth of this tale, Green tea does origninate in China and has been know for it's medicinal properties as well as it's refreshing taste for thousands of years.

Green Tea is made from the dried leaves of Camillia sinensis. This is the same plant that black tea is made from. It's the processing of the tea that differentiates them. The Green tea leaves are first steamed, then rolled and dried. The steaming kills off enzymes which prevents the tea from fermenting (as happens in tha making of black and oolong teas). This gives green tea it's unique flavour and also helps preserve the polyphenols in the tea, which are important antioxidants and are thought to help protect against cell damage.

The medicinal properties of green tea are mainly thought to be a function of the fact that it is a rich source of catechin polyphenols and particularly EGCG (epigallocatechingallate) which is believed to be a particularly effective anti-cancer compound. It is thought to help protect cells from damage and to also boost the body's production of antioxidant enzymes.

Organico stocks Clipper Organic Green Tea, Qi Green Tea, and Quest Green Tea Tablets.

Naturally you should always consult a qualified medical practitioner for any chronic health conditions.


Organico Shop, Glengarriff Rd., Bantry, Co. Cork, Ireland. Phone +353 (0)27 51391

Feverfew - a powerful natural remedy

Migraine - if you don't suffer from it - you don't know what you're talking about! The collins dictionary definition is:

Migraine noun
A throbbing headache usually affecting only one side of the head and commonly accompanied by nausea and visual disturbances.

However, this is a pale discription of what can be a crippling and agonising condition for those who suffer from migraines. Nobody is quite sure what triggers migraines - partly because like many conditions the term migraine covers a mulitude of individual experiences. However the pain has been linked to the rapid constriction and subsequent dilation of blood vessels in the head. Feverfew contains partenolide which is believed to act as an inhibitor of the pathways that lead to the blood vessel contractions that are believed to be responsible for migraines.


Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) is an age old remedy for migraines. Feverfew belongs to the same family as the camomile and has a similar daisy-like flower. However, it's the leaves of the Feverfew plant which are used medicinally while the flowers have no health benefit. Feverfew is readily available in a number of forms; Tea, Capsule and Tablet. At Organico we stock Lifeplan Feverfew Capsules, Jan De Vries Tincture, Munster WholeFoods Loose Dried Herb and Weleda Feverfew 6X Tablets and Sona Feverfew Capsules.

Feverfew can be grown in your garden. It flourishes is well drained soil in partial shade. The fresh leaves can be chewed as a remedy, however the fresh leaves have been known to irritate the lining of the mouth.

Naturally you should always consult a qualified medical practitioner for any chronic health conditions.

Feverfew should be avoided by pregnant and breastfeeding women and also by anyone taking warfarin or bloodthining drugs.

Organico Shop, Glengarriff Rd., Bantry, Co. Cork, Ireland. Phone +353 (0)27 51391

Consult a Qualified Medical Practitioner

It sounds ridiculous, but I'm going to say it anyway! Here in Organico we ALWAYS advise that if you are having a health issue consult a qualified medical practitioner. You wouldn't take your brand new car to the local dentist for a service,(I'm hoping you'd have the sense to go to a qualified mechanic). Too many people take stupid risks when it comes to their own health and well-being and self medicate or take advice from friends and unqualified practitioners. While I am a strong advocate of alternative remedies and complimentary medicines I would strongly advise anyone with an ailment to consult both a qualified medical doctor and also seek advice from a qualified herabalist, homeopath or natrapath.

Your local healthfood shop is a good source of information on local qualified practitioners but always look for qualifications and references. In Ireland all reputable healthfood shops are registered with the IAHS

Organico Shop, Glengarriff Rd., Bantry, Co. Cork, Ireland. Phone +353 (0)27 51391

Valerian - A gentle natural sedative

There is nothing worse than the frustration of not being able to get a good nights sleep! Insomnia is a condition that many of us experience from time to time and is normally the product of a complex set of circumstances, including stress and over indulgence in stimulants such as caffine.

There's no magic cure or silver bullet that will resolve an inability to sleep! Naturally you should always consult a qualified medical practitioner for any chronic health conditions. I know that if you haven't slept for a while you're probably cranky and in no mood to be preached at - however your sleeplessness is an indicator that you need to change something in your daily pattern. Increasing your exposure to fresh air really helps, so try to get some outdoor excercise in. In tandem with this try to reduce your stress levels and perhaps try taking some Valerian.


Valerian (valerina officinalis)is often used as a gentle and natural sedative. It's a perennial plant with a pinkish/white flowers and it grows from a tuberous root called a rhizome.

Valerian is readily commercially available in a number of forms; Tea, Tincture, Juice, Capsule and Tablet. At Organico we stock Dr Stuarts Valerian Tea, Bioforce Valerian Tincture, Quest and Lifeplan Valerain Tablets and Schonenberger Valerian Juice.

Dosage: 300-600mg in capsule form or 2-3g of dried herb soaked in a cup of hot water for for 10 minutes. Taken 30 minutes to 2 hours before bedtime.

It has a funny smell but don't let that put you off as the taste is not unpleasant.

Valerian is not known to be addictive, however it should only be used as a short term aid to re-establish sleeping patterns.

Organico Shop, Glengarriff Rd., Bantry, Co. Cork, Ireland. Phone +353 (0)27 51391

Organico Bantry

Organico Bantry

Hi I'm Hannah Dare and I run Organico Shop on the Glengarriff Road in Bantry, which is a town in West Cork in Ireland.

Organico is a family business and my sister Rachel is reponsible for the inspiration (and perspiration!) behind our Cafe and Bakery.

We are passionate about good food & alternative remedies and Organico Shop is the cornerstone of our business. We have a huge range of organic foods, fresh organic fruit and vegetables, handmade organic cakes and bread and a comprehensive selection of nutritional suppliments, remedies, tintures and homeopathics.

Suppliers that we have come to know and trust include Salus House, Weleda, Higher Nature, Bioforce, Quest, Green People, Flora, New Era, Atlantic Aromatics, and Bach Flower Remedies.


We've learned a lot about organic living and alternative and complimentary medicines over the years and this blog is a way of sharing some of our knowledge with you - enjoy!

Always consult a qualified medical practitioner!

Organico, Glengarriff Rd., Bantry, Co. Cork, Ireland. Phone +353 (0)27 51391