Valley Naturals

The Low-Down on Constipation

“It’s a normal bodily function!” my doctor father-in-law would say, “so you don’t have to be shy to talk about it!”  So we won’t.  After all, you just can’t be healthy without a clean colon!  So since most everyone has dealt with constipation at some point in their life, let’s see what Valley Naturals has to offer and what may fit your needs best.  According to an article by Lane Labs at www.ConstipationAndYou.com, products of this type can fit into different solution categories.  I’ve organized them for you and their method of relief with our item numbers from Valley Naturals so you can easily understand how they work and pull them up quickly to check them out.  

Fiber Solutions (This solution “sweeps” the intestines and brings the content to the bowel)
Psyllium Whole Husks
Salba Seed

RAW Fiber
Super Seed

Super Seed Bars
Triple Fiber

Water Retaining Solutions - (This solution brings the water specifically to the bowel to soften the stool)
H2Go

Natural Calm Magnesium (all kinds of sizes and flavors available) and Natural Calm Plus Calcium

Natural Stool Softeners  (This solution naturally lubricates the colon and stool)
All of our flax, plant and fish oils (look for Omega 3-6-7-9 product types)
All of our digestive capsules and tablets
Milk Thistle (mild-working)
Thisilyn (mild-working)

Milk Thistle Tea (mild-working)

Stimulant Solutions  (Make the muscles work - but can be more dependence forming)
George’s Aloe Vera (Aloe Vera is more mild working as well)
Aloe Vera Juice by Lily of the Desert
Senna
Senna Tea
Smooth Move Tea

If you want a well-rounded solution, it is probably best to use more than one type of remedy to curb the constipation issue. For example, you could use more daily fiber in your diet, as well as H2Go to bring the water to the bowel.  Give your body a few days to adjust. (Some people have a slowed down  “transit time” from food to waste if they have had chronic problems. You know you are doing better if that transit time becomes a 24-hour turn around time from the meals the day before.)  If that’s not enough, then your food may not be digesting very well. Add digestive enzymes to your meals and you will get more nutrition from your food, and help break it down so it can pass through the body. Extra digestive enzymes also boost your immune system because it frees up your body’s enzymes to perform other duties in your system. Of course, drinking enough water is crucial to any plan you use, or nothing will work well.  

Cleanse Products (These are Valley Natural’s products that use a combination of the above solutions and are geared for emptying the intestines/bowel)
RAW Cleanse
Essential Detox
Hyssop Cleanse
Super Colon Cleanse
CleanseSMART

Natural solutions are always superior to laxative/stimulants as they have been shown through X-rays to damage the nerves and longitudinal muscles of the intestine, causing dependence on the laxative.  So there you have it!  If you’ve been a “water closet” sufferer, Valley Naturals has your solution! Ellen
 

Got Skin Issues? Cure them ASAP!

Need a product that does more than the typical topical? We carry a product called ASAP Ultimate Skin and Body Care that has some rave reviews. The secret ingredient is silver. Now it’s no secret that silver has antibiotic and antimicrobial properties.The ancient Greeks and Hippocrates documented its use to prevent infection and spoilage, but most of us have just heard of silver being used for burns and wound dressing. However, American Biotech Labs has developed it into a highly absorbed and effective gel for many uses that boasts three patents and more to come. It contains 24 parts per million of pure nanoparticles of  ASAP Solution® (purified water, silver) SilverSol Technology. The company explains the product this way:

Creates an almost instantaneous softening and rejuvenation when applied to the skin.
Non-cytotoxic (it won’t hurt normal human cells). Provides moisture for wound healing and burn treatment, and can be used on or in conjunction with any bandage already available in any first-aid medical kit. Helps ease the discomfort associated with burns, wounds, bites or itching problems. No smell, no alcohol, and needs no refrigeration. Remains stable from 17 degrees to 113 degrees Fahrenheit. Proven non-toxic in oral administration in mouse-model safety studies at up to 5000 mg/kg of body weight. Designed using ABL’s patented silver technology and only food grade gelling additives. This means it is safe and non-toxic, even if a child were to accidentally eat a whole tube of it. Non-irritating to the skin, mouth, or eyes. Not greasy, and if rubbed into the skin, will absorb within 2 minutes, leaving the skin with a wonderfully soft, non-sticky feeling. In hand-scrub tests (as per SOP- 21) helped to keep the skin clean for up to four hours after application.

During testing, it was found that participants found great results with numerous cosmetic applications. Some that are listed were sunburns, fungal nail problems, cold sores, bacterial rashes, open wounds (including MRSA issues), rosacea; itchy and chapped, difficult skin issues. I even talked with one lady who called to order it who uses it as a wrinkle cream!  If acne is an external problem, it too is improved. People who use this product are fans and share it with their families and friends. So if you are at a loss with a skin issue, ASAP would be a great product to try - As Soon As Possible! Ellen

Tired of not Sleeping?

Remember the story of the Sand Man? That mythical fellow who tip-toed into the bedroom at night and sprinkled magic dust into a child’s eyes so he fell into a deep, dream-filled sleep? Well, many of us could sure use a return visit from him these days! According to a series of online surveys by the American Psychological Association, half of Americans polled are experiencing fatigue, anger and sleeplessness in response to recent economic stress. We are even voting with our Z-Z-Z-Z-Z’s as a bear market heads downward, with people reporting sleeplessness going up.

Adequate rest is seriously required to maintain a healthy immune system and prevent disease. Studies show that lack of sleep leads to increased risk of obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and premature aging. The National Sleep Foundation believes the problem of sleep deprivation to be so pervasive, it has established a national Drowsy Driver education program to inform people about the dangers of driving while sleep deprived. Many people are getting less than six hours of sack time a night, when we really function best with 7 – 8 hours under our belt. Sleep difficulties plague nearly 75% of us at least a few nights a week. While short-lived insomnia often occurs, the bigger concern is how to deal with chronic sleep deprivation before we begin to suffer its long term effects.

Open any magazine and you’ll see ads for dozens of over-the-counter, prescription, and natural sleep aids. I like to suggest a sleep enhancement program that first begins from the nutritional side. Avoid consuming any coffee, tea, or sodas with caffeine after 3 pm. Caffeine can remain in the blood stream for nearly 6 hours, and consumption results in an increase of nerve firing in the brain. Drinking a large cup of coffee with 200 mg of caffeine at 3:00 PM means that by 9 PM about 100 mg of caffeine is still in your system. You may be able to fall asleep, but you’ll probably miss out on the deep sleep your body needs to recharge. Eating spicy, greasy or highly sweetened foods adds additional stress to your digestive system in the evenings. Instead of grabbing a pastry or slice of cold pizza before bed, try a snack of cereal and milk, oatmeal, a banana, or even a piece of chicken. These items will help increase levels of sleep-inducing tryptophan in the blood, and will not over stimulate as you drift off to dreamland. Calcium and magnesium are the relaxation minerals, so for the lactose-tolerant, a glass of warm milk will never let you down!

If you prefer reaching for the natural medicine cabinet, there are plenty of holistic alternatives to be found. Melatonin, the anti-oxidant hormone that regulates the body’s sleep-wake cycle, decreases as we age. Taken in pill or liquid form before bed, it is superb for alleviating delayed sleep phase insomnia, helping you drift off easily and consistently. Valerian is another common ingredient found in sleep-aid products, and whether taken in pill form or as a relaxing tea, is known to help relieve nervous tension and insomnia. Homeopathic remedies are safe alternatives for children and adults. Bach Rescue Sleep is a natural sleep tincture made from 6 of the Bach Flower Remedies. This formulation is revered for helping to ease the irritability and mental tension that can leave you tossing and turning as your head hits the pillow. Hyland’s Homeopathic Medicine offers several all-natural remedies to ease you into sleep. Calms Forte relieves stress and relaxes with chamomile – one of four botanicals long used for soothing nerves and edginess. Leg Cramps PM addresses the discomfort of leg-cramping that can disturb your rest. This homeopathic relaxes the muscles, helping you fall asleep and get back to sleep at night should foot pain awaken you.

If you prefer avoiding pills, try the 100% pure, plant-based oral spray by Nutrirain, Deep Sleep. This formula of fresh valerian root, chamomile, passion flower, catnip herb and natural cinnamon oil has been effectively shown to improve sleep quality and relieve stress. Just 3 sprays under the tongue ½ hour prior to sleeping, and it’s off to the Land of Nod!

Should all these suggestions fail to bring you the sleep you are craving … there is still that time tested remedy … counting sheep!