Dr. Marcel and I are very picky when it comes to the products we choose to carry in our clinic. We only carry items that stand out for their powerful, predictable effectiveness.
Today, I’ll focus on some common items you may already have in your household, or that you can generally find at the local drugstore, health food store, or grocery.
Salonpas Pain Relieving Patches. Marcel and I have done a ton of moving-in, moving-out, packing, unpacking, lifting, organizing, and reorganizing in recent months, thanks to the discovery of a serious black mold infestation in our walls.
To relieve the less-than-calming stress of moving from one temporary apartment to another, we’re finding it very helpful to conduct a nightly Salonpas ritual.
While we aren’t particularly fond of the inactive ingredients in Salonpas, the active ingredients include wonderful topical analgesics: camphor, menthol, and methyl salicylate. These patches really do help with “strains, sprains, and aches and pains!” Simply apply at bedtime, and let the magic happen.
Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar All Natural Drink. I’m sure many of you know about the manifold benefits of apple cider vinegar. But if you’re like me, you may have difficulty forcing the stuff down your throat! The Bragg’s formula curbs the face-squinching vinegar sourness with acai, white grape juice, and stevia. It’s quite good!
Taking our lead from Bragg’s, Dr. Marcel and I have begun making our own sweet and simple vinegar drink. We blend three parts blueberry juice with two parts apple cider vinegar and add organic stevia to taste. We find that taking a shot-glass serving just before bedtime is very effective for preventing painful nighttime leg cramps.
Magnesium (spray, flakes, oral, any-which-way). Sprinkling Epsom salts or Ancient Minerals magnesium flakes in your bath is known to relax muscles and, particularly with added baking soda, soothe your whole body and mind.
Sprayed or rubbed on, magnesium oil loosens constricted muscles, without the intestinal issues that may come with taking oral magnesium.
An adequate supply of magnesium helps the body create GABA, a calming neurotransmitter, and so can be a significant sleep aid. Although generally best taken orally for this purpose, one of our patients was able to solve his sleep issues by massaging magnesium oil into his legs and arms several times a day. Follow the dosage guidelines on the bottle, and err on the side of caution to avoid the deep fatigue that can attend excess magnesium.
Salt. Not the highly processed pure sodium chloride kind, but nature’s own mineral-rich salt, such as sea salt or Himalayan salt.
Salt is your special friend if you struggle with allergies or sinus issues. Many allergy sufferers swear by morning and evening saltwater treatments with a neti lota pot.
Gargling with salt water can stop a sore throat and decrease the frequency of dental problems. “Salt rooms,” where guests inhale salt vapors, have become popular in the treatment of deep respiratory issues.
Raw organic honey. Honey is amazing stuff. Its anti‑microbial properties help curb bacteria, viruses, and fungi. And it’s also an effective anti-inflammatory.
Honey’s benefits as a cough suppressant are well known – Manuka honey being best for this purpose, and also for soothing the throat.
Honey has long been used topically to treat skin issues and even eye disorders. Locally produced honey can help diminish hay fever symptoms.
You’ll find organic honey in several of the items we sell in our clinic, including Sita’s Turmeric Paste, Empyrean Guard (for immunity), and Depths of Moku (for sleep).
Read more about Dr. Connie’s work HERE