Okay, so being the people we are here at Rainbow Remedies, we’re all a little skeptical about something that makes bold claims to be “amazing.” Some people (I won’t mention names) have even, I believe, used the word “creepy.” I have tried this product and, although I wouldn’t quite classify it as “amazing” (not yet, anyway), I did find out some intriguing things about what’s in it and what it does, and I also experienced some interesting effects.

What are they?

You use these foot patches by attaching them with adhesives to the soles of your feet while you sleep. The basic theory behind them is that the feet are a “detox portal” where many toxins naturally go to exit the body. The ingredients in the patches supposedly stimulate the nerve endings and acupressure points on the soles of the feet, which then activate the lymphatic system.

I mean, come on, what’s in them?!

I was just getting to that. The primary ingredient appears to be bamboo vinegar. According to Subhuti Dharmananda, Ph.D, and Director of the Institute for Traditional Medicine in Portland, Oregon, “The bamboo plant has unusually high levels of acetylcholine (which acts as a neurotransmitter in animals and humans; its role in plants is as yet unknown)… It is conceivable that compounds of similar chemical structure in bamboo may contribute to the effects of the herb and its extracts on brain function.” Also included in the “proprietary formula”:

tourmaline, which stimulates healthy flow of chi throughout the body, calms and relaxes, promotes sleep, and detoxifies;

chitosan, formulated from the exoskeleton of crustaceans, approved for use in bandages to help with blood clotting, and is a natural anti-bacterial;

silicon powder, often used in cosmetic production, and aids with cell regeneration; and

mandarin essential oil, aromatherapeutically used for insomnia and stress, also for scars and skin under duress (like the feet!), firming up skin loosened from heavy use over time.

My only experience after two applications (aside from the brown toxin stains on the patches in the morning!), was a greatly increased dream life, which sort of coincides with the possible internal effects of the bamboo plant on the body. I would have to say, for that reason alone, I would recommend trying this product.

There are many versions of this product on the market. The one we’re currently carrying is by Weight Loss Laboratories, (although the Amazing Foot Patch is not specifically designed to aid weight loss).

The perception of smell consists not only of the sensation of the odors themselves but of the experiences and emotions associated with these sensations. The association of fragrance and emotion is not an invention of poets or perfume-makers. Our olfactory receptors are directly connected to the limbic system, the most ancient and primitive part of the brain, which is thought to be the seat of emotion.

When we smell something, we trigger our olfactory neurons. Molecules of the substance we are smelling travel through the nose and the mucous membranes right to these neurons. From here, nerve impulses travel to the brain and from there to our central nervous system. Therefore, it is possible that certain smells do trigger certain physical events. This is an active field of study for scientists and researchers…

Burning incense is a tradition that dates back thousands of years, in practically all of earth’s ancient civilizations, and is well known for it’s mood-altering qualities. Incense seems to have been used extensively in the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia, Phoenicia, Arabia, Egypt, India, Greece and Rome. Historians have also found references to incense in ancient texts such as the Sumerian Epic of Gilgamesh and even in the Old and New Testaments of the Bible! It has been used to accompany prayer, to worship the Gods, purify the air, release negative vibrations, induce self-awareness and to uplift the emotional state.

In the ancient Sanskrit texts, there are many beautiful descriptions of festive occasions when incense was burned in the homes and streets, delighting the residents of the city ‘at every step’. Fragrant waters were also used to spray the thoroughfares and scented garlands of flowers adorned and decorated buildings and entranceways. The aromas created by these delightful activities were enough to ‘fill the heart with euphoria and uplift the mind to its highest state’.

“What are probiotics and why should I take them?”

It might be surprising to some that our bodies are not sterile environments. In fact, each of us depends on billions of microscopic organisms to carry out a multitude of processes. Daily stress, allergies, exposure to toxic substances, illness, and, perhaps most damaging, a course of antibiotics, will tend to shrink if not wipe out the colony of beneficial bacteria living in our bodies. For this reason, many people take a maintenance dose of probiotics on a daily basis. Following a course of antibiotics, however, a stronger course of probiotics for a period of time might be recommended.

“Isn’t Yogurt Enough?”

Yogurt and other fermented foods have a relatively small amount of lactobacillus, which is one of the many beneficial bacteria found in our gastrointestinal systems. While these will help to maintain a daily balance, they will not be enough to restore the system following antibiotics.

“Okay, okay! But Which One Should I Take?”

There are literally hundreds of probiotic products out on the market. Here are some questions to consider in reviewing each product:

* Can it be left unrefrigerated? — Some probiotics can survive indefinately unrefrigerated, while others lose their efficacy when exposed to room temperature. If you’re travelling, you’ll probably want one of the former. Here’s what our store offers in that arena:

Jarrow Formulas - Enhanced Probiotic System - $19.95 — found on the shelf just to the left of the protein powders.

Integrative Therapeutics - Probiotic Pearls - $32.05 — behind the counter, ask us for it.

Interplexus - Flora-Elite - $16.95 — We keep this in the refrigerator next to the other Interplexus products.

* How many organisms are there per capsule? And how many different organisms does the formula contain? –

For basic maintenance, a product with just acidophilus or acidophilus and bifidus would be fine.

Rainbow Natural Remedies - Acidophilus (Liquid) - $9.09, (250 Capsules) - $15.85, or Acidophilus & Bifidus (50 Capsules) - $8.59 -- all in the refrigerator.

Lifetime Liquid Acidophilus with Bulgaricus & Bifidus - $9.99 — also refrigerated.

HLC Maintenance - $19.39 — refrigerated.

For post-antibiotic treatment, you’ll want to shoot for a higher organism count per capsule, as well as more variety of strains. These would include:

Megafood’s Megaflora - 60 cap, $32.15 — , 14 strains, 20 billion per capsule

Jarrow Formulas Enhanced Probiotic System — 60 caps, $19.95 — 8 strains, 4.4 billion per capsule

Jarro-Dophilus +FOS –100 caps, $14.95 — 6 strains, 3.4 billion per capsule

PB8 — 60 caps, $13.49 — 8 strains

HLC High Potency Capsules — 60 caps, $29.09 — only Lactobacillus & Bifidus, two strains each, but with 16 billion per capsule.

“What about Saccharomyces boulardii lyo? “

Some folks may have heard of this single strain probiotic, which is actually a yeast. Before you start running the other way in fear of yeast infections, know that Saccharomyces is, unlike other harmful yeasts, considered a “non-colonizing” yeast. But it both feeds our beneficial flora and attacks harmful organisms such as Candida and Salmonella. It has been highly recommended by some naturopathic doctors for those travelling in countries where exposure to these organisms is common.

We have two companies that carry Saccharomyces — both Jarrow (refrigerator) and Florastor (behind counter).

Although most probiotics are grown from a dairy base, we do have dairy-free options, as well as ones designed for infants. Please feel free to ask us for more info.

One year ago a good friend of mine was diagnosed with breast cancer. She has been through surgery and radiation and is now on her way to being cancer free, but her chances of it returning is higher now that she has had it once before. She has no history of cancer in her family, no obvious environmental factors, doesn’t drink or smoke, and eats healthy. So one of the few risk factors she found she can really change herself is to lose a little weight. Frequently weight loss is treated as a superficial issue, not on par with real health issues such as cancer and diabetes (two of Americas most devastating illnesses), yet risks for these two illnesses can be hugely reduced by finding a healthy weight and maintaining it. In fact being overweight can increase your risk for many many dangerous health issues, not to mention less life threatening but frequently debilitating issues such as depression, low immune function, and fatigue.

Of course the first steps to healthy weight loss are eating right, exercise and plenty of water. But there are some herbs and supplements that can help with supporting your body during weight loss, help balance your metabolism, burn fat instead of muscle, and help curb an over active appetite.

Heres some healthy options for those of us that could lose a few pounds, but are having trouble and want a healthy helping hand:

Fiber- many forms of fiber can help to curb hunger while cleansing the intestine so that it can funtion more effectively. We carry fiber supplements in powders and in capsules, as well as in bulk. Fibers can help in many other digestional issues as well as weight loss.

Greens supplement- Vitamineral Green and Barleans greens are our most popular green supplements, add them to a homemade diet shake to keep up nutrient levels and energy without consuming fat or carbs.

Cayenne- studies have shown that adding cayenne to your meals reduces hunger after meals and reduces calorie consumption in subsequent meals. A tea of lemon, ginger, and cayenne can be an effective way to supplement your diet as well.

Green tea- studies have shown that fat digestion may be inhibited and calorie burning increased with supplement of green tea. it is also a great antioxident, and can help decrease hunger between meals.

Chromium- for those of us with a sweet tooth, this can help to maintain normal blood sugar levels and thereby decrease sugar craving. There is also some evidence showing that chromium may help dieters to lose more fat and less muscle when they exercise.

Blue green algae and kelp- there is minimal research done here but there is some evidence to show these can help with weight loss and metabolism balancing.

Amino acids-(L-Tyrosine and Arginine) there is some evidence that taken as a supplement these can help decrease body fat, but these should be supplemented carefully as there has been little long term studies conducted.

We also carry a couple of blends to help with weight loss: Tattva’s herbs’s Lean plus, and the herbalist tincture blubberwack both use herbal ingredients to raise metobolic rates and help lose unnecessary weight.

Good luck to all, and may we all find balance and health and happiness in all that we do!