Aloe Vera an antibacterial agent

Joe Nowell at The Fresh Pharmacy, a Natural Medicine Compounding Pharmacy in Lenoir City writes about Aloe Vera and it's natural uses.
Aloe Vera is beneficial for:

1. Burn remedy for soothing irritations (Warning: Aloe vera should not be used on cuts more than 0.5 cm deep)
2. Antibacterial agent for minor skin infections (Did you know the inner leaf inhibits the growth of Streptococcus and Shigella bacteria?)
3. Skin treatment for soothing, moisturizing, and healing. (As well, Aloe can decrease pigmentation and dark spots)
4. Internal benefits to help ease congestion, stomach ulcers, colitis, hemorrhoids, urinary tract infections and prostate problems



Contact us at The Fresh Pharmacy to  learn specific measurements, dosage, and best products to use 865-986-8633

To Your Health!
Joe Nowell, Pharmacist Lenoir City, East Tennessee Discount Drugs, The Fresh Pharmacy (Compounding Pharmacy in Lenoir City), Befitting You Mastectomy Boutique, Gifts Unique.

Have the Cold or Flu? 5 Naturally Helpful Links...

Joe Nowell at The Fresh Pharmacy, a Natural Medicine Compounding Pharmacy in Lenoir City writes about Natural Remedies for Your Cold and Flu Symptoms.

It's that time of year again, and whether we like it or not, it is cold and flu season. I have listed below the commonly used natural medicines that will help you reduce the severity of the cold/flu as well as reduce the time you suffer with it.

Just a few tidbits about the mean ugly nasty cold and flu bug:

The cold is something nearly everyone encounters. The U.S. population experiences nearly a billion colds annually. Children experience colds more often than adults (6-10 per year for children and 2-4 per year for adults on average).

Influenza, "the flu," is much more serious and occurs much less frequently than the common cold. Each year 35-50 million people in the U.S. get the flu. Most people recover. But the flu still causes complications which lead to 100,000 hospitalizations each year.

More than 200 different viruses can cause the common cold. The rhinovirus is the most common. It's responsible for 30% to 50% of all colds. It is spread both by physical contact, like shaking hands and touching doorknobs, and through airborne transmission. The flu is caused by 3 types of viruses: influenza A, influenza B, and influenza C.

Now, what can you do about it, when you get the cold or flu? See below for some helpful links and the Top 8 natural medicines you can take.

Use these Commonly Used Natural Medicines for Colds and Flu:
Garlic (Article on how to Use Garlic to Prevent and Fight Colds)
Zinc (Article from WebMD proving Zinc effective for shortening the duration of a cold)
Ellderberry (Our Fresh Blog explains how much to take!)
Ginsing
Echinacea (Article on how to make an echinacea tincture)
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Wild Indigo (Herbal Remedy dosage recommendations for Wild Indigo in reducing flu symptoms)

To Your Health!
Joe Nowell, Pharmacist Lenoir City, East Tennessee Discount Drugs, The Fresh Pharmacy (Compounding Pharmacy in Lenoir City), Befitting You Mastectomy Boutique, Gifts Unique.

Why you should eat Octopus for Energy!

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Joe Nowell at The Fresh Pharmacy, a Natural Medicine Compounding Pharmacy in Lenoir City, writes about why it's important to put nutrients back in your body.

Taking medications can cause drug induced nutrient depletions. Most people do not think about this or know this is happening in their bodies.

What do we mean by drug induced nutrient depletions?

When taking medications side effects may occur. Some prescription and over-the-counter drugs have the potential to change physiology in a way that results in nutrient deficiencies over time.

We know that nutrient depletion can occur in people on long-term drug therapy, thus we want to help provide information to our patients that allows informed choices for minimizing these drug induced nutrient depletions.

Some examples of drug induced nutrient depletions:

Antibiotics: Antibiotics disrupt the gastrointestinal flora. Normal flora is involved in the production of B vitamins (B5, B6, B2, B1, B12), thus there is a concern that antibiotics might cause B vitamin depletion.

Gastric Acid Reducers: All drugs that increase gastric pH can reduce the absorption of calcium, vitamin B12, vitamin C, and chromium. Gastric acid is needed to release vitamin B12 from protein for absorption. Thus taking antacids and the like can lead to low B vitamin and result in weakness or fatigue.

The moral of the story, if your taking antibiotics or any gastric acid reducers think about taking more B12 or eating vitamin B12 nutrient rich foods: (Clams, Oysters, Liver, Caviar, Fish, Crab, Lobster, Beef, and believe it or not Octopus are all good sources for vitamin B12 See the  list here).

Joe Nowell, Pharmacist Lenoir City, East Tennessee Discount Drugs, The Fresh Pharmacy (Compounding Pharmacy in Lenoir City), Befitting You Mastectomy Boutique, Gifts Unique. 

2013 International Herb of the Year: Elderberry!

The Fresh Pharmacy, a compounding pharmacy in Lenoir City, brings you The Herb of The Year: The Elderberry!

This herb provides some delicious and useful properties for your health and enjoyment.

The fresh flowers are high in sugar and are often times used to make wine or champagne. But the most common use is the berries. Just cut the stem right below the cluster and enjoy the berries immediately upon ripen or dry them for use later in healing teas or other homeopathic recipes.

You can also make them into syrup. Strain out the seeds and pulp, as if your making jelly. Add sugar, honey, or natural stevia to sweeten. You will have a delicious syrup for pancakes and more!

Some other links and healthy ideas The Fresh Pharmacy likes for these little berries:

Jelly ready to be purchased!

Try this informative link as well, it has the exact recipes for syrup, herbal remedy for flu, and wine making!

Till next time-
To Your Health!
Joe Nowell, Pharmacist Lenoir City

East Tennessee Discount Drugs, The Fresh Pharmacy (Compounding Pharmacy in Lenoir City), Befitting You Mastectomy Boutique, Gifts Unique.

Red Onion and Honey for a cough

Most people don't know about this age old remedy, says Joe Nowell, Compounding Pharmacist at The Fresh Pharmacy in Lenoir City.

Tons of vitamins and minerals come from the onion and the honey provides healing and soothing properties.

Just take a whole onion and slice it thin. Layer the mixture with onion, then add honey and the sweetener of choice (either stevia or brown sugar), continue to layer and alternate until the entire onion has been used. Cover and allow the container to set at room temperature for 12-15 hours. When finished use the syrup at the bottom for a natural cough remedy. It should produce about a full cup of the antioxidant, nutrient rich syrup. One spoonful as needed will do the trick.

Joe Nowell, Pharmacist Lenoir City, East Tennessee Discount Drugs, The Fresh Pharmacy (Compounding Pharmacy in Lenoir City), Befitting You Mastectomy Boutique, Gifts Unique.

Top 5 Herbal Teas for Health

The Fresh Pharmacy, a Compounding Pharmacy in Lenoir City knows that you might like tea on a rainy day! So here are the Top 5 Herbal Teas for increased health and well-being:

1. Peppermint Tea: This tea is a tisane (infusion) of peppermint, Mentha piperita. It is sometimes called mint tea. It is naturally caffeine-free. A tea made from blending peppermint and spearmint leaves is referred to as doublemint tea.

2. Ginger Tea: Ginger tea is a beverage in many countries, made from ginger root. In China, the tea is made by boiling peeled and sliced ginger to which brown sugar is often added. Sliced orange or lemon fruit may also be added to give a flavor, and it may be consumed both hot or cold.

3. Chamomile Tea: This tea is a common name for several daisy-like plants of the family Asteraceae. These plants are best known for their ability to be made into an infusion which is commonly used to help with sleep and is often served with honey or lemon, or both.

4. Rooibos Tea: Rooibos is becoming more popular in Western countries, particularly among health-conscious consumers, due to its high level of antioxidants such as aspalathin and nothofagin, its lack of caffeine, and its low tannin levels compared to fully oxidized black tea or unoxidized green tea leaves.

5. Lemon Balm Tea: Lemon Balm is anti-viral, so the tea is great to drink if you’re feeling under the weather.  The hot tea brings on a sweat that is good for relieving colds, flus and fevers and an anti-viral agent has been found that combats mumps, cold sores and other viruses.

Joe Nowell, Pharmacist Lenoir City, East Tennessee Discount Drugs, The Fresh Pharmacy (Compounding Pharmacy in Lenoir City), Befitting You Mastectomy Boutique, Gifts Unique.

Reference: http://www.besthealthmag.ca/eat-well/nutrition/7-herbal-teas-that-will-make-you-healthy
Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org

Donate Blood on January 25 at East Tennessee Discount Drugs

We are having a Don't be Cruel (Elvis prizes given away!) Blood Drive at East Tennessee Discount Drugs on Friday January 25, 11am-6pm. If you have always wanted to give back and help others this is your chance!

Mobile Medic Regional Blood Unit will be on site at our facility and giving away multiple prizes for blood donors. Two tickets to Graceland for one lucky donor!

By the way did you know if you become a MEDIC member, you can protect yourself and your IRS dependents from paying blood processing fees at any U.S. hospital if a transfusion is needed?  It's easy to become a member, simply donate blood at any MEDIC location and you receive this special benefit for one year. Medic Mobile can facilitate this for you during East Tennessee Discount Drug's Blood Drive on January 25, 2013.

Joe Nowell, Pharmacist Lenoir City, East Tennessee Discount Drugs, The Fresh Pharmacy (Compounding Pharmacy in Lenoir City), Befitting You Mastectomy Boutique, Gifts Unique. 

Stress Relief

Joe Nowell at The Fresh Pharmacy ask...Did you know passion flower is a great way to reduce anxiety and even help with sleep? The herb may be comparable to benzodiazepine drugs, these types of drugs are used to treat stress. It is believed that levels of gamma-aminobutyric acids (GABA) is increased in the brain and thus lowers the activity of brain cells. Creating a more relaxed state!

Other things you can do to reduce stress:

1. Take care of yourself. Eat right, sleep well, rest (take breaks when you need them!), don't sweat the small stuff.

2. Practice living in present time. Stay focused on the present moment rather than regretting the past and worrying about the future. The present moment shows up in three aspects of our being: in the physical body through sensations, in the emotional body through feelings, and in the mental body through thoughts. (reference Jennifer Johnson, licensed Psychotherapist)

3. Live intentionally. Intend to life the live that you want. Take action everyday to do something that gets you closer to that goal. Remember Rome was not built in a day, but be proactive and chip away!

4. Eliminate energy drainers.Things that drain your energy: Either do them, to get them done as you need to. Delegate them to someone else. OR throw them out, if they really aren't a needed burden or priority in your life (if they aren't really going to help you reach your goals). As well, don't forget about removing those negative people you allow in your life, there is no place for them if you want to reduce stress.

Yes, "Butter" Please for my Allergies

“Butterbur is the Singulair of the herbal world,” says many Doctors.

The herb works as a leukotriene inhibitor, which blocks chemicals that trigger nasal passage swelling.

The research shows some extracts of butterbur root are as effective at relieving nasal symptoms as prescription drugs like Zyrtec and Allegra.

But it does not cause sleepiness like antihistamines. It is definitely worth trying over the traditional medicines.

Relaxation Techniques

The Fresh "Compounding" Pharmacy is happy to share this link for...

Relaxation Techniques

Relaxation techniques are one of the most effective ways to increase sleep time, fall asleep faster, and feel more rested in the morning. They require a minimum of 20 minutes before going to bed. There are many different techniques:

• Visualization - involves imagining a relaxing scene. You can try it in bed before falling asleep. Involve all your senses. If you're imagining yourself on a tropical island, think of the way the warm breeze feels against your skin. Imagine the sweet scent of the flowers, look at the water and listen the waves--you get the picture. The more vivid the visualization and the more senses you involve, the more effective it will be.
• Relaxation Response - A mind/body technique based on the principles of Transcendental Meditation. Learn how to elicit the relaxation response
• Mindfulness - A type of meditation that essentially involves focusing on your mind on the present. Learn mindfulness.
• Yoga - combines deep breathing, meditation, and stretching. A Harvard study found that daily yoga for eight weeks improved total sleep time, the time to fall asleep. 
• Read More at About.Com "Alternative Medicine" 

Zzzzzz....

We all know the benefits and FEEL the benefits of a good night's sleep. There are some really simple herbs you can take to help grab those Zzzzzzs! The Fresh Pharmacy team would like to pass on Web MD's wonderful suggestions:

Natural Sleep Aids: Dietary Supplements

• Valerian is a dietary supplement that has been used since ancient times to combat insomnia and nervousness. Although many people use valerian as a sleep aid, its effectiveness in treating insomnia has not been proven in well-designed scientific studies. Jawad Miran, DO, a sleep medicine specialist at Somerset Medical Center's Sleep For Life program in Hillsborough, N.J., cautions that that there is little consistency in the quality or ingredients of valerian preparations on the market today: "There is no one compound which is valerian, rather there are numerous compounds in varying amounts," says Miran. So, it's best to check with your doctor and pharmacist for your custom formula.

• Chamomile, like valerian, is a traditional herbal remedy that has been used since ancient times to fight insomnia and a wide range of other health complaints. Chamomile is sold in the form of tea, extract, and topical ointment.

• Melatonin is a hormone that is produced by the pineal gland in the brain. Melatonin is believed to play a central role in regulating sleep and circadian rhythms. Synthetic melatonin is a popular dietary supplement that is sold as a sleeping aid and antioxidant. There is evidence that melatonin eases circadian rhythm disorders like jet lag and delayed sleep phase disorders.