One of the things I love about working in a health food shop is that, despite all the changes in health and wellness over the past 30 years, some of the old herbal remedies remain firm favourites.
A.Vogel is a good example. We have stocked the range for as long as I can remember, and Echinaforce was actually one of the very first herbal products our father, Alan, brought into Organico when he started the shop in 1992. When we were kids we used to laugh at the tingly feeling we got on our tongues when we were dosed with Echinacea drops – and it has been one of the most reached-for products on the Organico shelves ever since.
I’m a huge fan of herbal remedies. They are a lot gentler than pharmaceuticals, and it’s important to remember that just because they are natural that doesn’t mean they are suitable for everyone – herbal medicines can interact with medicines or be inappropriate for certain conditions, so it’s important to have a chat with a qualified Herbalist or Health Shop advisor when you’re choosing what to take. But used appropriately, they can be a very useful part of the everyday health toolkit.
Echinaforce is probably the best-known example. It is made from fresh Echinacea purpurea herb and root and is traditionally used for the symptoms of colds and flu. The Echinaforce range has grown considerably since those early days, and two of my personal favourites are the Echinaforce Hot Drink and the Echinaforce Sore Throat Spray.
The Hot Drink is one of those things I reach for when I feel a cold coming on. There is something wonderfully comforting about making a hot drink when you’re feeling under the weather, and this combines fresh Echinacea with black elderberry. It is licensed as a traditional herbal medicine for cold and flu-like symptoms. Echinacea boosts our white blood cell production while Elderberry is effective for warding off viral infections.
The throat spray is another of my favourites. If your colds tend to start with that familiar scratchy, uncomfortable throat, it is incredibly effective and I love the fact that it doesn’t contain any sugar. It contains fresh Echinacea and sage and is traditionally used for sore throats associated with colds and flu, and I find that the regular dose of both help my overall symptoms as well as helping to prevent the sore throat getting a hold of me. I always take it travelling and use it before, during and after a plane trip!
Another A.Vogel product I recommend a lot is Menoforce Sage. This is one of those remedies that has become a staple for women going through the menopause. Sage has a long traditional use for excessive sweating, and Menoforce is licensed specifically for menopausal hot flushes and night sweats. It is a very concentrated one-a-day tablet, which is particularly convenient when you are already juggling a whole range of symptoms.
For me, sage is particularly useful for the sweating and hot flushes, while A.Vogel Menopause Support is aimed at the wider menopause transition. It contains soya isoflavones, magnesium and hibiscus and is designed for use through all stages of menopause. Magnesium also contributes to normal psychological function and to reducing tiredness and fatigue.
This distinction is useful because menopause isn’t simply about hot flushes. The transition can involve changes in sleep, mood, energy, joints, digestion and much more, and what one woman experiences can be completely different from another. There isn’t one herbal remedy that suits everyone, which is why talking through the actual symptoms is often more useful than simply asking for “something for menopause” – again the best thing is to consult your local health shop staff, as there are a lot of different options!
Herbs can also be useful when it comes to aches and pains. Atrosan contains Devil’s Claw and is traditionally used for the relief of minor joint pain. I particularly like it as an option for those occasions when you have sore joints or muscular discomfort and want to try a traditional herbal remedy that won’t upset your stomach.
And then there is Bronchoforce. This is one I always use myself when a cold seems to be heading downwards. I find it particularly useful when a cold starts to move into the chest and that horrible mucus-producing cough appears. Bronchoforce contains fresh ivy and thyme alongside liquorice and is traditionally used as an expectorant to relieve a chesty cough associated with a cold.
One thing I think is important with herbal remedies is knowing what they are actually for. Bronchoforce, for example, is for a chesty, mucus-producing cough; it isn’t simply a general remedy for every type of cough. There’s another Marshmallow and Mullein Cough Spray for dry, tickly coughs.
My father started Organico with a belief that food, herbs and natural health had a vital role in helping people look after themselves. More than 30 years later, I still find myself reaching for some of the same bottles that were on our shelves when I was growing up. Echinaforce is one of them, and I it will be there for a long time yet.
PS Marilyn Glenville is coming to Organico on October 5 to give a talk on ‘Food, Mood and Nutrition’ – it’s a must for anyone who wants to improve their sleep, energy, concentration, or focus. It’s aimed at all ages. Tickets (very limited!) available from the shop or from www.organico.ie.
