A Pass Favorite: Aloe Soothing Gel by NOW Foods

We just got in a new after sun aloe gel by NOW Foods that I am in love with. Recommendation the first: don’t get sunburned. If you’re like me, however, and may have waited too long before reapplying your sunscreen when you were at the pool, this stuff is the best. It combines pure aloe gel, which everyone knows is great for sunburns, with a bit of cooling peppermint oil which soothes on contact, along with several healing and skin calming ingredients like cucumber, vitamin E, and B vitamins.

Don’t forget to reapply your sunscreen every two hours (more frequently if you’re in the water). Sunburn prevention is best, but still, I am going to be bringing an extra bottle of this when I go on vacation next month!

Ashwaganda for stress, boosting testosterone, fertility, brain function, and more

Ashwaganda is an amazing herb that has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. It’s recently been gaining attention in the United States as a result of numerous very positive scientific studies. It’s wonderful when herbs that have been used for thousands of years are then confirmed by science!  I’ve been collecting research studies on ashwaganda for some time now, so I’ll briefly post some of the findings below.

Ashwaganda for boosting testosterone and fertility

One study found that ashwaganda root extract increased testosterone and improved sperm counts in a group of men who had fertility problems. The men took ashwaganda supplements for 90 days and the results documented that their testosterone levels rose by seventeen percent and their sperm counts more than doubled.

Ashwaganda for strength and muscle growth

Healthy men who took ashwaganda supplements during a strength and weight training program had significant gains in strength when compared to those taking a placebo. The study gave 300mg of ashwaganda extract to men twice a day for eight weeks. At the end of the eight weeks, the participants who received ashwaganda showed significant increases in muscle mass in the arms and chest. In addition, the ashwaganda group has larger gains in their ability to do bench press and leg extension exercises, with less muscle damage. The men who took ashwaganda also had improved testosterone levels as well as a reduction in body fat.

Ashwaganda and cognitive function

Ashwaganda extract was found to be effective in boosting cognition in people with bipolar disorder. An eight week study gave participants 500mg of ashwaganda extract to participants (or a placebo) in addition to their regular medications. Significant improvements in auditory-verbal working memory, reaction time, and social cognition were seen in the ashwaganda group. Ashwaganda has also been shown to have positive effects on stress and sleep issues.

Ashwaganda and stress

In one study, ashwaganda extract was shown to be able to reduce the physical effects of mental stress. Researchers gave young, healthy men 1,000mg of ashwaganda extract daily. After two weeks, the participants were given tests to measure stress. Blood pressure readings and other measurements of stress-induced compounds were significantly lower in the ashwaganda group compared to the group of men who received the placebo.

Another placebo controlled study on ashwaganda and stress gave participants 300mg of ashwaganda extract twice daily. After two months, the ashwaganda group had significant reductions of stress on a variety of stress assessments. Cortisol levels (a stress hormone) were also greatly reduced.

Ashwaganda for neurodegenerative diseases

Ashwaganda has shown benefit for numerous neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. Ashwaganda has been shown to slow (and may even stop or reverse) atrophy of the nerves and synaptic loss as well as having protective effects against further damage.

Ashwaganda- which type is best?

We recommend Jarrow Formula’s Ashwaganda because it uses a one of a kind extract known as KSM-66. This specialized ashwaganda extract is the highest concentration available and has been shown specifically to be more effective than standard ashwaganda extracts. The strength of the beneficial properties in ashwaganda can vary widely, which why it’s important to choose a branded extract like the one in Jarrow’s formula, so you know you’re taking the most effective product available, as well as one that is backed by scientific research.

Jarrow's New Theanine Gummies: For Relaxation on the Go

I wanted to mention a brand new product that we’ve found: Jarrow’s new Theanine Gummies. If you’ve been a subscriber of our newsletter for a while, you know that we are crazy about theanine at Pass Health Foods. It’s an amino acid found in small amounts in green tea that works very well for stress and anxiety, without making you tired. All of us at the store take it at one time or another. It’s great because while it can be taken on a regular basis for anxiety, it doesn’t need to be; it can be taken only a needed during a stressful time or before a stressful situation and still be effective. It's also great for sleep, since even though it doesn't make you feel tired, it helps to reduce anxious thoughts, which can lead to an easier time falling and staying asleep.

Our new Jarrow gummies are fantastic because first, they are delicious, so they’re easy for both kids and adults to take. Second, they’re wonderful for taking on the go since they don’t need to be taken with water- they’re perfect to keep in a purse or bag if needed. They’re also nice for people that have problems with swallowing or would just rather not be bothered with swallowing a pill and having to find a glass of water.

We are offering them for 20% off as an everyday deal, so they work out to be $18.99 a bottle. They’re also gelatin free, so they’re suitable for vegetarian diets, plus, they aren’t sticky gummies if that’s at all descriptive. I feel like some gummy vitamins stick to my teeth, but not so with these. I would absolutely recommend giving them a try. For more information on theanine, see our website here for an index of our many past articles on the benefits of theanine.
 

Matcha: Ten Times the Antioxidants of Traditional Green Tea

Matcha is an ancient Japanese green tea which has been a part of Zen Buddhist culture for many centuries, originating somewhere between the 7th and 10th centuries.

Originally, matcha was only produced in small quantities for the Shogun warriors and nobility. Eventually, matcha tea was also given to the common people, and finally after many years, matcha tea has now found its way to the states.

Matcha is a specific variety of shade grown, Japanese green tea that is ground and infused into water rather than steeped like traditional green tea. With regular green tea, after the tea leaves are steeped, they’re discarded. With matcha, you’re drinking the actual tea leaves. A person would need to drink 10 cups of traditional green tea to match the potency, antioxidants, and nutritional benefits of one cup of matcha.

Matcha is an extremely potent antioxidant. The ORAC test, developed by the US Department of Agriculture to determine the antioxidant value of different foods, has confirmed that matcha has far more antioxidants than pomegranates, blueberries, or kale, by an incredible amount. Matcha also is a great source of L-theanine, an amino acid that helps with reducing stress and anxiety.

Not all matcha is created equal however, and it’s important to choose a quality brand to ensure the best product, for both the sake of taste as well as nutrient content. One we particularly love is U-Matcha by Republic of Tea.

With matcha being a powder that needs to be mixed with water, it is not particularly conducive to using on the go. Republic of Tea also has a nice matcha combination that is available in tea bags called Double Green Matcha Tea. It’s a mix of organic Chinese green tea leaves and Japanese matcha, so it’s a handy one to take to work or keep in your purse for tea when you’re out.

If you’re a tea drinker (or even if you aren’t!), I’d really recommend giving matcha a try!

Summer Spotlight: Sunscreen

Summer is a great time to be outside, but sunburns aren't fun at all. Luckily, they can be easily prevented for the most part. Sunscreens are a very effective preventative measure, but it’s important to use a natural product for sun protection. 

Conventional sunscreens contain oxybenzone, a chemical that has been linked to allergies, hormone disruption, and cell damage. The Center for Disease Control has reported that 97% of participants tested had levels of oxybenzone in their bodies, something you don’t want!

Thankfully, there are many wonderful, natural sunscreens on the market from companies like Alba Botanicals and Kiss My Face that are safe for the whole family. Make sure to look for sunscreens that protect from both UVA and UVB radiation. Another sunscreen tip is to be sure to check your sunscreen’s expiration date, since the SPF is only guaranteed through that time (I am a walking cautionary tale about this- I got horribly sunburned last month after working all day in my garden while using expired sunscreen).

Sunscreens also need to be reapplied throughout the day to remain effective, so it’s good to keep a tube in your bag for outings. Sometimes people think that having a high SPF means that they don't need to reapply, but sunscreens are usually only effective for a few hours, less if you've been in the water (even water resistant varieties only are effective for 40-80 minutes in the water) so be sure to reapply often. Wearing protective clothing and a wide-brimmed hat can also protect against sun damage. 

Additionally, it's important to be sure you're applying enough sunscreen. According to skincancer.org, most people do not apply enough sunscreen, which reduces the effectiveness and SPF, so even if you're applying a quality sunscreen that says SPF 30 on the label, if you do not apply enough, you can be reducing the effectiveness to a fraction of the SPF number on the label.

Most people think of sunburns as an inevitable part of summer, but sun damage is no laughing matter. Each sunburn a person has increases their risk of developing skin cancer. Many people like to think of tanned skin as a sign of health, but in fact, tanning is the body’s injury response to excessive UV radiation. Sunburns and tanning also cause premature aging and an increase in wrinkles. Sunless tanners are a healthy alternative to give skin a “healthy glow” without the damage. 

Another product that can help with sun protection is the supplement astaxanthin. Astaxanthin, pronounced asta-zan-thin, is a very potent antioxidant which protects cells against damage. It is most commonly used for eye health, but studies have also found that astaxanthin is able to help prevent sunburn when taken daily at a dose of at least 2mg per day.

If you do happen to get sunburned, however, pure aloe vera gel is wonderful for healing the skin. Aloe vera helps to soothe and moisturize along with reducing inflammation and promoting healing. Applying aloe frequently can also reduce the amount of time it takes a sunburn to heal.

Finally, when outside, don’t forget your sunglasses!  Sunglasses help prevent eye damage from the sun’s UV rays, which can cause cataracts and macular degeneration. People with lightly colored eyes are especially susceptible to eye damage from the sun, so it's especially important that they wear sunglasses when outdoors.

Vitamin B1 as a Natural Mosquito Repellent

Q: As much as I love summer, I do not like mosquitoes, and I’m already dreading the bites. Is there anything natural I can do to make myself less desirable to them?  

A: B1, also known as thiamine, can definitely help to reduce the amount of mosquito bites when taken in high doses. 

Vitamin B1 helps to keep mosquitoes away because when it is excreted by the skin it helps to mask the natural human odors that are attractive to insects. I'd recommend taking 300mg a day beginning as soon as possible- you want some time for it to build up in your system before the mosquitoes get too prevalent. The amount of B1 in a regular multivitamin is usually not sufficient to repel mosquitoes.

B1 is water soluble, meaning that you can't have too much of it. Your body will take in what it needs and then excrete the rest (that is the action that helps to change how you smell to mosquitoes).

Even with taking B1, I'd still recommend a natural insect repellent if you're going to be going places this summer that are really infested with mosquitoes. Overall, I've found B1 to be quite effective in reducing the amount of mosquito bites I get in the summer, because no one puts insect repellent on every time they go outside during the summertime.

B1 is a tiny pill, and is only beneficial, so there is really no reason not to try it this summer!

Other benefits of B1 are its help for nerve health, blood pressure, circulation, blood formation, digestion, and brain function- it’s also a great antioxidant. We recommend the B1 by Nature’s Plus because it’s an extended release formula, which we really think does work the best.

For more help with repelling mosquitoes, see our recipes for
DIY insect repellents using essential oils.

Featured: Jarrow Dophilus EPS Probiotics on Every Day Sale

I wanted to briefly write about our Jarrow Dophilus EPS which we are now having as an EDLP (Every Day Low Price) of $17.99 for the 60 count and $32.79 for the 120 count. It's really a great deal, and we're happy that we've been able to do it since it's one of our favorite shelf-stable probiotics. It's a savings of roughly $6 a package.

Jarrow Dophilus EPS is one of our most recommended probiotics. It's shelf stable, so it doesn’t require refrigeration (I always forget to take my probiotics when they’re in the fridge!) and enteric coated, which means each capsule has a special coating on it to protect against stomach acid, so all of the 5 billion probiotics in each capsule get where they need to go without being killed on the way there.

Another thing I particularly love about these probiotics (and all of Jarrow’s products, actually) is that they are formulated so well, with strains backed with tons of scientific research. They also list the exact strain identifiers on the label, since slight variations in strains make a huge difference. Each of the strains listed are the exact ones that have been clinically proven to work, and make a real difference for digestion, immunity, and more. Jarrow’s stance on probiotics (and its one I agree with) is that if it is not listing the exact strains with their numbered identifiers in a probiotic, you don’t really know exactly what you’re getting, and if it truly is the best formulation you could be taking.

If you aren’t currently taking a probiotic, I would really recommend giving Jarrow Dophilus EPS a try. It’s a great value for a very good product.

Supplement Spotlight: Manuka Honey for Skin, Digestive Issues, and More

This month’s supplement spotlight is on manuka honey, a very potent type of medicinal honey. Manuka honey has been gaining popularity, even among mainstream physicians, due to its antibacterial and healing properties.

Manuka honey is the only 100% natural food shown to have antibacterial effects, due to a compound known as methylglyoxal that forms naturally in manuka honey. Other honeys can occasionally have levels of that antibacterial compound, but only in small amounts. According to scientific research, the amount of antibacterial methylglyoxal must be at a minimum of 100mg/kg to reliably inhibit harmful bacteria. Manuka honey can have as much as eight times that amount.

Because of its strong antibacterial and healing qualities, manuka honey is fantastic for topical use- for wounds and burns, as well as an assortment of skin issues- from acne to eczema and more. To use in a skin care regimen, one can apply manuka honey to the affected areas for twenty minutes before washing with gentle soap and water. Manuka honey has even been shown to be beneficial in fighting staph infections.

Manuka honey can also be used internally for a wide variety of ailments. It can help to balance bacteria in the gastrointestinal system, reduce plaque in the mouth as well as soothing oral sores and ulcers. Manuka honey is also good for the immune system and is fantastic for sore throats.

Another interesting use of manuka honey is for gastritis and GERD. A few teaspoons a day can be very healing to the digestive tract. I have several customers who have used it for digestive issues at the store with impressive results. It even has been shown to help with healing stomach ulcers by killing H. pylori bacteria. 

Manuka honey is unique from other types of honey in that it is only made in New Zealand, from the manuka plant that flowers for only two to four weeks each year. Two thousand honeybees make 10 million trips to make just one jar. The nice thing about manuka honey is that it is only beneficial, there are no negative side effects or interactions with medications when using it. 

It’s important to note it’s important to look for quality brands of manuka honey. There are numerous places and websites selling “fake manuka honey”. Manuka honey is only sourced from New Zealand and should be rated with a “UMF Factor”, a rating on the potency of the healing properties of the honey- the higher the UMF number, the more potent the honey is.

A Pass Favorite: Herbatint Natural Hair Color

This month’s Pass Favorite is Herbatint Natural Hair Color! 
 
Sarah at the store uses Herbatint on a regular basis and she absolutely loves it.  She says it helps her hair to feel soft and smooth and not at all "straw-like" (as it did when she used conventional hair dye at the grocery store).  It doesn’t fade, and she gets many compliments on the color (she uses 5M). 
 
Herbatint is nice because it is completely natural and ammonia free.  Another bonus is that if you have short hair, the rest of the bottle can be saved for another use.  Sarah has shoulder length hair and she says a box usually lasts her two uses for coloring her hair.
 
I have another friend who swears by Herbatint hair color, but she actually brings the box to her hair dresser for her to use instead of the chemical laden hair dyes at the salon.  There are actually a number of our customers who do the same thing.  Herbatint is nice and gentle and doesn’t smell like chemicals (I remember back in the day when I would color my hair, I hated the chemical smell that seemed to linger on my hair for days).  
 
Herbatint also has a fantastic treatment conditioner called Royal Cream- it’s actually the same as the conditioner found in the hair color, that’s available now in a regular size bottle for sale on its own.  Both Sarah and I are crazy about it, it really keeps colored hair in good condition (I don’t color my hair, but I still like it anyway as a fantastic conditioning treatment).
 
Since we’re featuring Herbatint in our April newsletter, we’re going to have it on sale for 25% off for the whole month.  If you color your hair, it’s an easy change you can make for the benefit of not only yourself (removing toxins from your life is always a good thing) but for the Earth! 

Two Fantastic New Pet Supplement Lines: Vital Planet & NOW Pets

This month, I wanted to have a focus on natural pet supplements.  Many people don't think about supplements for pets, but there are specific supplements that can be especially beneficial for dogs and cats- supplements for joints and mobility, skin and coat health, and more.

We have two new pet lines available in the store, and I love them both!  The first is Vital Planet, a pet supplement brand that has extremely unique products.  Two of my favorites are probiotic supplements for dogs and cats.  Each has their own targeted variety, since they have very different digestive systems.  Similar to the benefits for humans, supplementing with a pet probiotic can aid in digestion, intestinal and bowel health, as well as supporting a healthy coat and immune system.  Pet probiotics can even help with better smelling “pet breath”.

Among their other great supplements for pets is a really impressive a joint formula, which is nice since aging pets can problem joints just like we do.  Their Hip and Joint Formula combines glucosamine, chondroitin, and hyaluronic acid for cartilage health as well as MSM for reducing inflammation.  They also have a Calm supplement which I’m fond of that can help anxious and “stressed out” pets.  It can even help with curbing destructive behaviors.

Best of all, all of Vital Planets pet products are “pet taste tested” so they’re good tasting, where pets actually like taking them (rather than pills that have to be hidden in a piece of cheese for a dog to even come near).

The second pet line I wanted to briefly mention is one by NOW Foods called NOW Pets.  They’re a brand new line of pet products formulated by Dr. Barbara Royal, a Chicago veterinarian and an internationally renowned pioneer in complementary medicine, combining both Eastern and Western medicine to make a line of pet supplements to be as natural and holistic as possible.

During the month of April, both our Vital Planet pet line and our NOW Pet supplement line will be on sale for 25% off. 

If you have pets, this is a great time to try these fantastic new products!