November 2003
 
new hampshire web design, by ninth vector

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Simply Mad About Tea!
-The benefits of Herbal Teas and some of our All Time Favorites
- Five Every Day Steps for Cancer Prevention
- Beating the Odds - Fighting this year's common cold and flu
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Simply Mad About Tea!

What could be better than a warm fire, frost on the windows, and a warm cup of tea in hand?
Or perhaps the more likely scenario, a cold car, a congested commute, frosted windshields, cold seats, but a hot, steaming cup of tea in your hand?

We here at Wellfx.com we want to share our favorite teas with you, to make your winter season a little bit more enjoyable (and if you are in Hawaii, therefore lacking all traces of cold weather – ice it!).
 
Not only do herbal teas taste great, they also have medicinal purposes, and the body can more readily absorb liquid than any other form of medicine. So if you feel a cold coming on, sip on a cup of Echinacea to help your body defend against infection. Or Astragalus, an antiviral, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory herb, that taken as a tea fortifies the immune system on numerous levels. Eleuthero (Siberian Ginseng) is an adaptogen the helps keep the body in balance, which helps you withstand stress, as well as fight colds and infections. And last but not least, Elderberry, another antiviral herb, that is great for fighting respiratory viruses and influenza. And if you want to combine all the great benefits of the previous herbs, try Echinacea Plus and Gypsy Cold Care by Traditional Medicinals, Cold Season Tea by Yogi, and Echinacea Wellness Tea by Celestial Seasonings.
 
Experiencing Stomach troubles? Little do most know that the after dinner mint came about, not to cover garlic breath, but to aid in digestion. Peppermint has long been used to ease upset stomachs from overeating, poor eating habits, nausea and heartburn. Chamomile also improves digestion and eases gas and bloating. And lastly, Ginger relieves upset stomachs, cramps, indigestion, nausea, bloating, and even motion sickness. Some great combination teas for your stomach are Stomach E-Z by Yogi and Eaters Digest by Traditional Medicinals.
 
So whether you are en route to work or calling in sick, make sure you have a soothing cup of hot tea close by.

The Secret is out! 
Below are some of our favorite teas and why we can’t live without them:
 
Victorian Earl Grey, Celestial Seasonings – Andrew, Manager of the Lebanon Health Food Store. “What a great combo of bergamot and black tea. It’s just a classic breakfast tea.”
 
Egyptian Licorice, Yogi – Nikki, Wellfx.com shipping. “It tastes a lot like chai, spicy and rich. Plus it’s great for stomach aches.”
 
Tension Tamer, Celestial Seasonings. Katie, Wellfx.com Content Development. “I always go for the box with the Dragon on the front. My doctor actually suggested it a few years ago. Tension Tamer not only tastes great, but contains Vitamins B6 and B12. Vitamin B6 is beneficial for water retention, acting also as a diuretic, reducing the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. And Vitamin B12 helps to prevent moodiness.”
 
Computer De-Stress, Yogi Tea – Kristoffer, Web Guru, Wellfx.com. “I'm in front of my computer all day, and Computer De-Stress actually contains Eyebright leaf which relieves discomfort from eyestrain; plus Kelp which is a natural source of iodine and other trace minerals that are beneficial to brain tissue and help to protect against the effects of radiation.”
 
Lemon Zinger Green Tea , Celestial Seasonings – Tim, Lunch All Day Café Chef. “What can I say, it’s zingy! The lemony-freshness puts a zing in my step!”
 
Organic Chamomile, Traditional Medicinals – Bruce, Lunch All Day Café. “Chamomile is the greatest calmative and digestive aid. It helps relax me during busy days on my feet, and I like to add honey to tone down the slightly bitter taste.”
 
Siberian Ginseng, Alvita – Greg, Lunch All Day Café. “I love all the Alvita teas because they are all-natural - just herbs, no additives or other flavors to compete with each other. If I had to pick one, it would be the Ginseng though, because it really does give me a boost – without the negative effects of caffeine.”

 

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Five Every Day Steps For Cancer Prevention
 
In today’s society, when breathing alone seems be a probable cause of cancer, what can we do to help our bodies prevent it?
 
The national Cancer Institute had projected that in 2001, there would be 553,400 cancer deaths overall, including 157,400 deaths from lung cancer; 56,700 from cancers of the colon/rectum; 40,200 from female breast cancer; and 31,500 from prostate cancer.

But it is estimated that as many as 50 to 75% of cancer deaths in the United States are caused by human behaviors such as smoking and dietary choices.   
The good news it that these are completely controllable behaviors. There are plenty of simple, everyday choices we can make that may not only help to prevent cancer, but many other illnesses as well.

1. No Smoking. That’s a simple one. The NCI says that smoking causes about 30 percent of all U.S. deaths from cancer. Avoiding tobacco use is the single most important step Americans can take to reduce the risk of cancer.

2. Watch your alcohol intake. Drinking alcohol increases the risk of cancers of the mouth, esophagus, pharynx, larynx, and liver in men and women, and breast cancer in women. Two drinks daily increase the risk of getting breast cancer by about 25 percent. The chances of getting liver cancer increase with five or more daily drinks.

3. Eat a low fat, healthy diet with five or more daily servings of fruits and vegetables. This diet delivers the necessary vitamins and minerals to your body, helping to maintain a healthy weight and overall good health.

4. Be physically active. This doesn’t mean regularly working out, although that would be ideal. It just means stay active. Go for walks, play with your kids or your pets outside, park in the farthest available spot at the store or mall, or take a weekly bike ride. You will find yourself in continually better moods, you will experience fewer common colds, and you will have more energy to do whatever you need to do, whether that be working 70 hours a week or just grocery shopping after a long day at the office.

5. Protect your skin from excessive sunlight. This isn’t to say that the beach is no longer an option, just be smart – use plenty of sun block, cover your head, and limit the time you spend in direct sunlight.

Not only will these five simple life choices help to prevent cancer, but they will undoubtedly improve your overall wellbeing...What more could you ask for?

References:
2001 Cancer Progress Report. National Cancer Institute. Available: http://progressreport.cancer.gov

 
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Beating the Odds - Fighting this Season's Common Colds and Flu

In the United States, it is estimated that each person will experience 3 to 6 episodes per year of the common cold or flu – fatigue, runny nose, cough, and fever. Upper respiratory viral infections are among the most common of human diseases, with children under the age of 6 having the highest rates due to their frequent exposure and lower immunity.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for the common cold or flu, once you have the virus you are forced to wait it out. But there are ways you can aid your body in fighting off the virus, perhaps even preventing it now and again.
 
1. Immunizations are important in preventing the most common viruses of the season. The vaccinations expose the body to the potential enemy, which the body remembers and learns from, so that when, if ever, the body is ever re-exposed to that virus, it will know how to counteract it more effectively.
 
2. Another really important method of warding off the common cold – and you’ve heard this a million times before – wash your hands.
It’s as simple as that. Viruses can survive on surfaces for several hours, including keyboards, doorknobs, countertops, money, steering wheels, and of course hands. The more you wash your hands, the better chance you have of eliminating the virus before you transfer it to your eyes, mouth, or nose.

3. How about all those cold and flu “remedies” at your local pharmacy? Well, the truth is, most of those conventional products merely try to alleviate the symptoms as opposed to actually helping the body heal itself. And that is where natural and homeopathic treatments step up to the plate. These natural products work with the body, stimulating its own natural resources. Look for supplements containing zinc, echinacea, vitamin C, wild oregano essential oil, and ginseng.
 
4. And lastly, a healthy diet and lifestyle will not only help you to prevent the common cold and flu, but will also help you to combat the effects more quickly. And since you can guarantee that you will be exposed to some virus at some point this year, why not guarantee that you will be ready to fight it off? 
Diets based on plant food, starches, vegetables and fruits are undeniably important because they provide you with the essential vitamins, nutrients, minerals, and anti-oxidants that your body requires anyway. Dietary fats, animal protein, and cholesterol suppress immune function, making your body more susceptible to viruses. Low carbohydrate, high-protein diets also contribute to your body’s susceptibility to the common cold virus; where as low-fat, high carbohydrate diets enhance the immune system’s ability to seek and destroy viruses.

Are you ready?
 
References:
Surviving the Cold and Flu Season. (2003, September). The McDougall Newletter. Online. Available: http://www.nealhendrickson.com/mcdougall/031000pusurvivingthecoldseason.htm
Croatto, Peter. (2003, November). Cold and Flu Remedies Heat Up for Winter. Vitamin Retailer, 28-32,64.  

 
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