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Oregano the superman of essential oils

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Oregano is the superman of oils for your immune system. It’s one of the oils that goes in my Immune Bomb Blend along with On Guard, Tea Tree and Frankincense in an oil rub.

Oregano oil is rich in phenols that prevent fungal infection. It also has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties.

Oregano oil can be taken internally to help support a healthy immune system and healthy digestion and respiratory function.* 

Oregano oil is also an excellent source of antioxidants.* Other benefits of Oregano oil can be utilised when preparing and eating culinary dishes. 

One drop taken daily can help maintain healthy immune function.* 

Oregano can be taken more frequently when seasonal threats are high or as needed to further boost immunity.* 

You can put two drops of Oregano essential oil in a veggie capsule to help support immune function.*

• This is a hot oil so please use with caution – always dilute even when diffusing or inhaling—only one to two drops are needed. When applied topically, Oregano oil should always be diluted with Coconut Oil.

Ensure Purity Of Your Oregano Oil

Each batch of doTERRA essential oils is thoroughly and carefully tested through the CPTG Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade® protocol. This protocol is composed of a variety of strict, scientific tests that assess the purity of doTERRA essential oils. If a batch of essential oils is tested and found pure, then it is packaged and released so that individuals and families everywhere can experience the powerful impact of pure and effective essential oils. 

• Diffuse with doTerra On Guard when you are coming down with a cold or feeling sick.

If you’d like to know more about how to order doTerra oils, please email me sue@suehardman.com

Cautions
Possible skin sensitivity. Keep out of reach of children. If you are pregnant, nursing, or under a doctor’s care, consult your physician. Avoid contact with eyes, inner ears, and sensitive areas.

doTERRA places an emphasis on providing pure oils because pure oils are effective oils. Too often, essential oils available for purchase are diluted with filler substances or contaminants. Oils that are not pure decrease how effective the essential oils are and reduce their power and potential. 

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease

Here's a few options for ordering your very own doTerra essential oils

Become a wholesale member

If you just want to buy oils –  let me first explain the benefits (and pretty much ZERO risk) of starting a wholesale account:

  • Get access to wholesale pricing (25% discount)
  • dōTERRA now has local distribution centres and warehouses in Australia, Central America, Costa Rica, Europe, French Polynesia, Guatemale, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and the United States.
  • dōTERRA is looking to have local distribution centres in South Africa in 2019, so you are in a Global Access Country.  As a result, you can still set up an account as a Global Access Member, and order from America or if you have family or friends travelling to South Africa they can  bring for you.
  • Wholesale warehouses are opening up around the world regularly, consequently it will not take too long to get a warehouse in YOUR country.

How to set up a wholesale account:

Option 1: Pay a wholesale annual membership of $35, then you can choose any oils, blends, or consumables to create a custom order whenever you like AND you can purchase dōTERRA products at a discounted price (a minimum 25% discount). There are no other requirements with this option. No monthly fee or purchase required. To keep your wholesale pricing, you just need to buy 1 item every year (and even if you’re only using one oil, that should be pretty easy)

* Ensure that you add the 'Introductory Welcome Packet' at checkout if choosing this option.

Option 2 (the better option): Purchase a starter kit to kick off your membership, and the wholesale membership fee is waived! 

Purchasing a kit is the best value way to get started and there's an enrolment kit to suit every budget. The Home Essentials Kit is amazing value as you'll receive the top 10 essential oils that every household needs plus a diffuser.

 (if you’re overwhelmed and not sure what’s right for you, please get in touch – sue@suehardman.com


As a wholesale member, you’ll:

  • Save 25% off all your orders
  • Gain access to our Private Facebook Support Groups and Online Oil Education Program
  • Have the option to receive commissions or referral bonuses for sharing with friends and family – or building your own business, should you choose
    ​
    ​

Ready to join me? Here’s what you do:

Drop me an email and I'll send you the details on how to do this - sue@suehardman.com

What the heck is Candida & how to know if you have it

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If you have any of these symptoms, you may have candida:-

  • A white coating on the tongue is typical.
  • You are sensitive to many foods 
  • You carry stubborn weight, no matter what you do 
  • You experience brain fog
  • You have ongoing tummy bloating
  • You are struggling with autoimmunity 
  • Your hormones are still wonky in spite of doing many good things 
  • You crave something sweetor anything with carbs 
  • You have itchy ears, rectum or vagina
  • You struggle with intestinal distress such as constipation, bloating, or gas
  • You have mental/emotional aspects including depression and anxiety
  • You have debilitating fatigue or exhaustion
  • You have chronic sinus infections
  • Recurring vaginal yeast infections
  • Hypothyroidism (Candida inhibits thyroid conversion)


What exactly is Candida?

Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungus or yeast, meaning that it will grow out of balance in the right conditions. We all have it in our bodies, and most of the time it’s harmless. When it overgrows, it causes major problems and symptoms.

It's a very common condition and if you suffer from digestive issues, fatigue, brain fog, recurring fungal infections, skin problems, mood swings, and more, it could be due to a Candida overgrowth.

You can beat your Candida and have your energy and vitality return, mental clarity restored, and chronic symptoms fade away.

For some women, clearing Candida is as easy as abstaining from sugar and processed carbs for 6 to 8 weeks. For others, it can take a well orchestrated effort involving a lot more.

Bottom line: Candida can be an infection that needs to be cleared for good, so you can move forward with your health. 


What Causes Candida?

It could be any one from the list below, or a combination of them that reduces your good gut flora, thins your gut lining, compromises your immunity and allows candida to take over.

If you've had it for a while, it can also start start to play havoc on your hormonal and immune health.

The main causes are:

  • You have a diet high in sugar & refined carbohydrates and alcohol. These break down to glucose, which is candida's preferred food source to allow it to proliferate and begin to take over your intestinal tract.

  • You may have chronic stress - this suppresses your immune system and signals your body to release stored glucose into the bloodstream, which the candida loves!

  • You've been on antibiotics or birth control pills, or the antibiotics in your meat supply.

    These can destroy the friendly, good bacteria in your gut that play a huge role in your immune system. With your good bacteria destroyed, the fast growing yeasts take over and can grow unchecked. Antibiotics - even just one full-spectrum round can cause it.

    Antibiotics kill bacteria—both the good and the bad. So whenever antibiotics are used, you need to repopulate the intestinal flora with good bacteria (probiotics). 

    Antibiotics can also thin your mucosal lining, leaving you ill-equipped to wrap up pathogens such as parasites and transport them out of the body. This can make us vulnerable to all kinds of foreign invaders and yeast overgrowth. 

  • Your immune system is weakened - if you have an existing inflammatory or autoimmune condition, your weakened immune system gives the yeasts more opportunity  to reproduce.

If Candida penetrates your gut lining so that it becomes leaky, it then opens the floodgates for undigested food particles, toxins, viruses, and bacteria to pass through your intestinal wall and into your bloodstream. This then triggers an inflammatory response from your immune system in an attempt to fight off these foreign “invaders”. 


How to Test for Candida?

There are stool, blood and urine lab tests you can do for Candida overgrowth.

Stool Testing
This is one most accurate test available. This will check for Candida in your colon or lower intestines.

You need to ensure that you do a comprehensive stool test rather than the standard doctors stool test. The lab can usually determine the species of yeast as well as which treatment will be effective.

Urine Organix Dysbiosis Test
Can detect elevated D-Arabinitol, a waste product of Candida overgrowth, and determine if there is Candida in your upper gut or small intestines.

However, many people can't afford to run labs and many don’t want to go through the hassle of testing.

When that is the case, there is a fast, easy, free DIY Candida spit test you can do at home (it was also featured on The Dr. Oz Show).
For six days in a row, when you wake up in the morning, fill a glass halfway with room-temperature water (before you brush your teeth or eat or drink anything).

It’s as simple as this:
Next, work up about a teaspoon amount of saliva and spit it into the glass. Check it three times over the course of forty-five minutes to see if your saliva sinks to the bottom, stays floating on top, or if it grows legs, little spindly tails that reach down the glass.

If it sinks or grows legs, then you can suspect that yeast is overgrowing in your system. Don’t be freaked out, it happens to so many of us these days, and there is a way to cleanse from it permanently.


How do you deal with your Candida overgrowth?

In a perfect world, your good bacteria would keep the Candida in check and it wouldn’t be a problem, however we are doing so many things daily to kill our good gut bacteria.

Effectively treating your Candida involves stopping the overgrowth, restoring the friendly bacteria that usually keep them in check, and repairing your gut so that Candida can no longer enter your bloodstream.

You can accomplish this with a simple and proven four-wave attack as follows:

Part 1: First, you need to starve the Candida by removing the foods that feed it from your diet.

Eliminate all yeast, gluten, sugar, white flour, fermented foods and drinks, and most fruit. Complex carbohydrates such as gluten-free grains, legumes, and root vegetables are allowed, but should be limited. Focus on non-starchy vegetables, clean animal protein, and healthy fats including avocado, butter, and coconut oil for six to eight weeks.our text here...

Coconut oil - Take 1 tbsp of extra-virgin coconut oil daily and use in meals, where possible. Coconut oil exhibits both antimicrobial and antifungal properties and has demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of fungal infections including Candida.

Alkalise with greens - Get your daily greens by adding 1 cup of dark, leafy greens like spinach or kale to every meal or have a vegetable juice twice daily - 4 celery stalks, 1 cucumber, 1 cup spinach or kale, 1 inch ginger, 1 lemon and ½ an apple.

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) - Take 2 teaspoons in a small amount of water twice daily. ACV has anti-fungal properties which can kill yeasts and prevent yeasts from reproducing. 

  • Part 2:  Attack the Candida by using herbs, oils & supplements that can help remove Candida
    ​
    ​Use healing herbs & spices - Cook with garlic, turmeric, cinnamon, cloves, and oregano. These herbs exhibit antifungal properties that prevent the continued growth of Candida. Black walnut, olive leaf and golden seal are also helpful in combating candida.

    Vitamin C - Take 1,000 mg of a wholefood Vitamin C supplement twice daily. Vitamin C helps fight off the ‘die-off’ symptoms of Candida. This is when the yeast in the body releases toxins into the system as it gets killed off.   


superman oregano essential oil


Oregano oil -  has been used medicinally for centuries due to its potent antiviral, antibacterial & anti-inflammatory properties. Recent studies indicate its efficacy in overcoming Candida overgrowth

  • Part 3: You'll need repopulate your gut with good bacteria using a probiotic supplement to restore your gut’s healthy microbial balance. 

    Build your gut and intestinal tract using a glutamine-based product, to heal your gut lining.
  • Part 4: Manage Stress. You can take an epsom salt bath - Enjoy a warm bath with two cups of epsom salt daily. This reduces stress & draws toxins out through the skin. Add some lemongrass essential oil for its refreshing smell and therapeutic antifungal effect that has been shown to kill external candida 

You can’t possibly live to your fullest potential if you’re constantly hindered by how you handle stress, on-going digestive issues, tiredness, haywire hormones  yo-yo dieting, and not having enough energy to get all you need done. The list goes on….. sleepless nights.. 

By taking charge of your health you can take charge of how you feel and  how you LIVE.

My consultations and health programmes are not your typical diet program. Instead, we focuses on fueling your body with delicious, nutrient-dense foods that boost your metabolism and help you increase you energy levels and release excess weight – and keep it off.

I will coach you through a process that has worked for me and my clients.

If you’re interested in learning more about working with me, schedule a FREE 20 minute Health Strategy Session now – email me  sue@suehardman.com

Benefits of probiotics

How & Why I Use Essential Oils

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Why I Use Essential Oil Daily

Essential oils are one of the hottest natural products out there right now and that’s because they’re a wonderful natural tool to have in your medicine chest, along with a high quality diet, exercise and stress management.

We’ve been using essential oils in our home for several years, If you don’t know know how to use essential oils, don’t feel overwhelmed or intimidated by how to get started with essential oils. It’s really easy and a lot of fun!

The potency of essential oils? 

Did you know that one drop of peppermint oil is the equivalent of 28 glasses of peppermint tea!

You might be inclined to think that more is better, this is definitely not the case when it comes to essential oils – start small and then add more if needed.

There are many essential oils I use in my home all the time and so as not to overwhelm you, I’ll be sharing the oils one by one and on my blog.

HERE ARE MY TOP 3 ESSENTIAL OILS

Lavender – This is an oil that I use daily, especially to help with a restful sleep. You can spray it in your room or add a drop to your pillow. I also like to diffuse it in my bedroom. I’ve used it for my son when he is anxious and most nights I spray his room with lavender. 

This was the first indication that I was going to love essential oils when I heard this story- “In 1910 French chemist and scholar René-Maurice Gattefossé discovered the virtues of the essential oil of lavender. Gattefossé badly burned his hand during an experiment in a perfumery plant and plunged his hand into the nearest tub of liquid, which just happened to be lavender essential oil. He was later amazed at how quickly his burn healed and with very little scarring. This started a fascination with essential oils and inspired him to experiment with them during the First World War on soldiers in the military hospitals.”  I was sold and ever since then I’v always had lavender in my home.

Lavender has been used and cherished for centuries, the Egyptians and Romans used Lavender for bathing, relaxation, cooking, and as a perfume.

Its calming and relaxing qualities, when taken internally, continue to be Lavender’s most notable attributes.

Applied topically, Lavender is frequently used to reduce the appearance of skin imperfections.

Add to bath water to soak away stress or apply to the temples and the back of the neck. Add a few drops of Lavender to pillows, bedding, or bottoms of feet to relax and prepare for a restful night’s sleep.

Due to Lavender’s versatile properties, it is considered the must-have oil to have on hand at all times.

Uses

  • Soothes occasional skin irritations
  • Taken internally, Lavender reduces anxious feelings and promotes peaceful sleep. This must be be certified
  • Helps ease feelings of tension.
  • Add a few drops of Lavender to pillows, bedding, or bottoms of feet at bedtime.
  • Freshen your linen closet
  • Use in cooking to soften citrus flavors and add a flavorful twist to marinades, baked goods, and desserts. Add to a glass of water.

Frankincense

This is one of my favourite essential oils to use in my moisturising facial oil it helps hydrate and rejuvenate your skin. Add a drop or 2 to your face cream for smooth skin (amazing for fine lines). Rub over your forehead and back of neck for calming, on soles of feet for relaxing.

It’s also a maximiser – that means that when applied under any other oil it maximises their benefit. It supports healthy cellular function (it is one of the most prized oils).

Add Frankincense to your daily facial cleanser to help revitalise and beautify your skin or apply Frankincense and Fractionated Coconut Oil to freshly-shaven skin to reduce any possible skin irritation caused by the razor on your face or your legs.

Frankincense promotes feelings of peace and overall wellness when used aromatically,

Description

Renowned as one of the most prized and precious essential oils, Frankincense has extraordinary health benefits.

In addition to its notoriety in the New Testament, the Babylonians and Assyrians would burn Frankincense in religious ceremonies and the ancient Egyptians used Frankincense resin for everything from perfume to salves for soothing skin.

This centuries-old knowledge contributes to the modern uses of Frankincense today. It’s soothing and beautifying properties are used to rejuvenate skin and help reduce the appearance of imperfections when applied topically.

As the king of oils, Frankincense is known to support healthy cellular function when used internally*.

When inhaled or diffused, Frankincense promotes feelings of peace, relaxation, satisfaction, and overall wellness.

Uses
  • Apply topically to help reduce the appearance of skin imperfections.
  • Can be applied to the bottoms of feet to promote feelings of relaxation and to balance mood.
  • Take one to two drops in a veggie capsule to support healthy cellular function.*
  • Ingest to support healthy cellular function*
  • Aroma promotes feelings of relaxation
  • Helps reduce the appearance of skin imperfections when applied topically
  • Supports healthy immune, nervous, and digestive function when taken internally*

Lemon Oil 

For ease of use this oil is fantastic, I add a drop of the fresh, zingy lemon oil to my bottle of water. So easy. A drop in my water first thing in the morning to kick start my digestion and support my liver and to detox.

I also add this to my home cleaning  products – has a fabulous fresh smell. No wonder most of the store bought products have lemon fragrance (artificial at best)

Lemon is great for sticky spots and residue and giving your stainless steel a sparkle after rubbing a drop of lemon on it.

Description

Lemon has multiple benefits and uses. It’s a powerful cleaning agent that purifies the air and surfaces.

When added to water, Lemon provides a refreshing and healthy boost throughout the day. Lemon is frequently added to food to enhance the flavor of desserts and main dishes. Taken internally, Lemon provides cleansing and digestive benefits and supports healthy respiratory function.

When diffused, Lemon is very uplifting and energizing and has been shown to help improve mood.

Uses
  • Add Lemon oil to a spray bottle of water to clean tables, countertops, and other surfaces. Lemon oil also makes a great furniture polish; simply add a few drops to olive oil to clean, protect, and shine wood finishes.
  • Use a cloth soaked in Lemon oil to preserve and protect your leather furniture and other leather surfaces or garments.
  • Lemon oil is a great remedy for the early stages of tarnish on silver and other metals.
  • Diffuse to create an uplifting environment.
Primary Benefits
  • Cleanses and purifies the air and surfaces
  • Naturally cleanses the body and aids in digestion*
  • Supports healthy respiratory function*
  • Promotes a positive mood

HOW TO MAKE ESSENTIAL OILS PART OF YOUR DAY

Below are a few ways in which you can start using essential oils, and you’ll be surprised in how many areas of your life you are able to use youressential oils:

  1. Apply to the skin
  2. Simply inhale
  3. Steam inhalation
  4. Use an essential oil diffuser
  5. Use in a bath
  6. Aromatherapy massage
  7. Internal use (this is totally dependant on the quality of oil and is oil specific)

As Western holistic care and naturopathic remedies continue to provide alternative solutions for people desiring to take charge of their own health care, it is important to have a firm understanding of essential oils.These oils are a popular alternative for those desiring more natural remedies to energy, immunity, mood, aches/pains, breathing issues, hormone balancing, beauty, anxiety, sleep, allergies.

Essential oils can be an amazing health care solutions for many people, it is important to know what you’re doing before you start using them.

So, are you ready to harness the power of the world’s most proven therapeutic compounds? Are you ready to learn which oils to use in your essential oil diffuser or in other ways?

Explore the many essential oils benefits and uses, and open your mind to a whole new way of preventing and reversing health conditions that you’ve been battling for years. 

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease

Low stomach acid causing digestive, low energy and skin issues?

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Could Low Stomach Acid Be The Reason For Your Gut, Low Energy & Skin Issues?

how you digest your food is important

The gut is the key to your vitality and therefore your ability to digest, absorb, assimilate and eliminate waist is critical.

Sadly, many people never ask the question “Is my stomach functioning properly?” And as a result we can make all kinds of unnecessary dietary changes and spend loads of money on supplements that might have been avoided.

So, have you tested yourself for low stomach acid?

The answer is most likely “no,” because stomach acid is one of the MOST UNDER- LOOKED areas and I cannot stress how important this is…as almost 70% of the people I work with have low stomach acid.

When I started taking betaine HCL for low stomach acid, I was surprised at the huge difference this has made. It is one of the most helpful supplements I’ve come across and it has significantly helped improve my own digestion.

Common Signs You May Have low Stomach Acid

Your gut is a key and as Hippocrates put it, “All disease begins in your gut.”  So if your gut’s not happy, it could be the reason for your…..

….Bloating? Wind? Cramps? Heartburn? Loose Stools? – messages from your body that there’s something going on in your gut and it’s time to do something about it?

In some cases poor gut health and digestive disturbances could be the root cause of seemingly UNRELATED symptoms.

You may also be struggling with:

  • Achy joints, fibromyalgia, osteopenia, osteoporosis
  • Hormone imbalances – hot flashes, loss of libido, PMS and painful menses. Extra pounds around your waist
  • You might feel tired and rundown
  • Moody, irritable, sad
  • Insomnia, poor memory & concentration,
  • Dull lifeless skin & hair

Why Is Stomach Acid So Important?

Stomach acid or hydrochloric acid (HCL) is responsible for sterilising any food that enters your gut and it breaks down protein.

Low stomach acid creates a cycle of poor digestion, gut inflammation, microbial over- growth, leaky gut and lowered nutrient absorption. The only things that can break this loop is to reduce stress and support adequate stomach acid production.

The Problem With HAVING Low Stomach Acid:

When your body doesn’t produce enough stomach acid, it’s unable to digest protein molecules. These partially digested protein molecules enter your small intestine, and will start to irritate your gut lining and can lead to ‘leaky gut syndrome’.

Poor digestion also creates an environment in your gut that can result in small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), candida overgrowth and parasitic infections.

DIGESTIVE ISSUESWhen your food is not digested properly it can lead to increased inflammation that depletes key minerals and leads to an inability to form stomach acid and the vicious cycle continues.

Some Causes of Your Low Stomach Acid:

This could be anything from stress, poor diet, bad relationships, bad posture, constant worry and fear and overuse of medications.

1) Medication –  increase your intestinal inflammation, stress hormones and a reduction in HCL production.

2) Chronic Stress impairs your ability to produce HCL and other digestive juices.

Proper digestion depends upon us being more in the parasympathetic (Rest & Digest) state, whereas chronic stress puts us in a sympathetic (Fight or flight)  state, causing POOR digestive function.

4) A diet high in processed foods, sugars, grains, alcohol and caffeine etc. Can result in mineral deficiency that is needed for the production of HCL

5) Eating Too Quickly – when you’re in fight or flight mode. You should feel relaxed before and after eating.

6) Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth – there is a HUGE connection between SIBO and low stomach acid levels.

7) All our systems slow down as we get older, and so does the production of HCL! If you’re over 50 years, I highly recommend you do the test to check your HCL levels

8)  Food sensitivities cause stress in your body, which puts your body into chronic fight or flight. The most common offenders to consider avoiding are gluten, corn, soy, eggs, peanuts and pasteurised dairy.

If you do have a wide number of food sensitivities than it is a good bet you have low HCL.

Taking this simple inexpensive DIY test that can tell you a lot about the ability of your stomach to digest. 

The Baking Soda Stomach Acid Test:

This test is a simple chemical reaction in your stomach i.e acid + base = gas + water.   Baking soda ( the base OH-) + your stomach acid (HCL or acid H+) should produce carbon dioxide gas (CO2) and result in a burping effect.

To improve the accuracy, perform this test on 3 consecutive mornings to find an overall average and test first thing in the morning before eating or drinking anything.

Here is How You Can Do The Test:

1. Mix 1⁄4 tsp of baking soda in 120ml of water, first thing in the morning before eating or drinking.

2. Drink the baking soda solution

3. Time how long it takes for you to burp. Go up to 5 minutes. If you’ve not burped within 5 minutes then it would be a sign of insufficient stomach acid production.

If you have early and repeated belching than it may be due to too much stomach acid. However, it is important not to confuse these with small little burps from swallowing air when drinking the solution.

In the end, knowledge is power when it comes to your health. Take the time to understand how your stomach works and it just might change your life. Addressing low stomach acid might be one of the first places you could look to improve digestive health, heal leaky gut and reduce overall stress on the body.

The “4 R’s” program to Repair Your Digestive Function

This is the same  program I use with many clients with a variety of health and digestive issues.

  • Remove:  Food is the number one thing to to look at first when it comes to imbalances.

  Eliminate known food allergens such as gluten, dairy, eggs, soy, peanuts, etc. Alcohol, caffeine and NSAIDS should be avoided as well.   “removal” of pathogens such as: (an overgrowth of) yeast, parasites, harmful bacteria, viruses, protozoa, etc. is part of the “remove” step.

 In serious cases a stool analysis will diagnose infections that can be eliminated with natural medicines or medications.

  • Repair: Repair the intestinal barrier.
  • Replace:  Adding dietary supplements if necessary to improve digestion of food, like Betaine HC. Get in touch if you would like to order this supplement- sue@suehardman.com. We can deliver anywhere in UK and South africa.

  • Reinoculate:  Probiotics that contain friendly bacteria such as lactobacillus and bifidobacteria are taken to reinoculate proper bacterial colonies.

If you’d like to know more about this programme, contact me at sue@suehardman.com

 

In my

Why you need to balance good gut bacteria vs the bad

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manage dysbiosisLet’s start with the fact that your gut and the presence of healthy gut bacteria is linked to “the cradle of your immune system.”

There are both good bacteria and bad bacteria that live in your gut, that is often referred to as your Gut flora or your microbiome.

More and more research tells us about the importance of gut bacteria. The more we learn about the link between the health of your digestion or gut, the more clear it is that cultivating beneficial gut bacteria is critically important for all aspects of your health and well-being.

Gut bacteria has been linked to weight gain, inflammation and many other disorders, so the importance of a healthy community of bacteria in the digestive tract is very clear. Beneficial strains of good bacteria contribute to strong immune systems, maintaining healthy weight, and even our moods.

The nutritional value of your food is dependent on a healthy gut microbiome because if you can’t properly digest your food, you don’t benefit fully from the nutrients. You’re not what you eat, but rather what you digest.

Bad bacteria can cause inflammation and disease. Even autism is now being linked to undesirable gut bacteria.

The most important function of your gut is to metabolise and absorb nutrients from the food you eat, to nourish ever single cell in your body – your skin, brain, and all organs.

An upset digestive system can actually trigger or worsen acne, inflammation and rashes and can be caused by consuming too many processed foods, sugar or alcoholic drinks.

What does a balanced gut flora do for you?

Good bacteria works hard to keep the bad bacteria in your gut in check. If your gut gets out of balance and the bad bacteria outgrows or outperforms the good bacteria, then you’re more likely going to end up with gut dysbiosis, yeast, leaky gut, candida, SIBO, SIFO, and/or parasites.

 You inherited your gut microbiome at birth from your mother, as you moved through the vaginal canal (or not).

After that your diet and lifestyle become more important in their effect on your microbiome. Your microbiome consists of trillions of good bacteria/probiotics that are important for several key functions:

  • optimising your digestion
  • balances your mood, improve metal health
  • hormone balance
  • healthy weight maintenance, boosting your metabolism
  • supporting your immune system
  • synthesising vitamins K and other essential nutrients
  • helping prevent leaky gut
  • to digest fibre
  • supporting nerve function

 

NEWS FLASH! New research on how probiotics can help you lose weight. 

A 2017 Research study – women showed significant weight loss in just 3 weeks. The pre-obese and obese group lost 13.4 pounds, including 4 pounds of fat and 2.6 inches off their waist.  The “normal weight obese” group, (body fat > 30%) also saw results — they lost only 1 pound overall but 2 pounds of fat (they gained muscle). I find this really interesting!

What are the causes of your gut flora imbalances, dysbiosis (i.e more bad than good) and leaky gut?

  • Sugar
  • Stress– physical, emotional, mental.
  • Poor Sleep
  • Alcohol and smoking
  • Medications and Antibiotics!!
  • Poor Digestion of food –  increasing toxins and the load of bad bacteria in your system, fuelling the cycle.
  • Lack of exercise
  • Food Sensitivities- Even healthy food can be damaging if one is reacting to it i.e. gluten and dairy.
  • And ageing

Over time with long-term stressors, your gut immunity decreases allowing more toxins, chemicals, bacteria and even parasites to compromise the lining of the stomach and seep through to enter your bloodstream.

As your gut flora changes for the worse, your stomach lining becomes more permeable and results in what is now called – ‘leaky gut’.

 How do you know if you have dysbiosis?

  • Frequent gas or bloating
  • Brain fog, anxiety and depression
  • Food sensitivities
  • Skin issues – acne, psoriasis, eczema
  • Micronutrient deficiency
  • Chronic bad breath
  • Loose stool, diarrhoea, constipation, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
  • Frequent “stomach bugs,” gastroenteritis, and/or food poisoning
  • History of prolonged antibiotics such as for acne or sinusitis
  • Carbohydrate intolerance, particularly after eating fibre and/or beans
  • Fatigue or low energy
  • Achy joints
  • Autoimmune conditions – Hashimoto’s, psoriasis, or multiple sclerosis
  • Sinus congestion
  • Difficulty losing weight
  • Cramping, urgency, and/or mucus in your poop once per week

If you have five or more symptoms, there is a good chance you have dysbiosis.

Using probiotics can help with overcoming dysbiosis

Dysbiosis can be tricky to diagnose and even harder to correct, and your rehab program will depend on the state of your gut and how committed you are to make changes.

Benefits of probioticsProbiotics have been shown to improve intestinal barrier function and reduce inflammation.

  • eat your probiotic-rich food such as cultured vegetables, sauerkraut, and kimchi–it’s a great way to jump start gut health repair.
  • Choosing the right probiotics
    The two most common probiotics to start balancing your microbiome are Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacteria bifidum – also very helpful for IBS.I would always suggest you take probiotics as a supplement rather than a probiotic drink. Many of theses drinks are loaded with added sugar, not good for controlling yeasts and other negative bacteria in your gut.

This is a good probiotic to start with and have recommend it to many of my clients over the years.

Click on the link to order on amazon, otherwise contact me if you live in a country without amazon to order your probiotic.

Some Research on the benefits of probiotics:

  • One of the first reports, published in 1961 by a physician Robert Siver was using lactobacilli to treat skin conditions. 300 patients who were given a probiotic and found that 80 percent of those with acne had some clinical improvement.
  • Probiotics also have the potential to protect against sun-induced damage. In one mice study, researchers found consuming probiotics provided protection from UV damage. In this study, one group of hairless mice were given oral administrated live Bifidobacterium breve strain Yakult for nine days, and another group consumed fermented milk containing the strain for 14 days. During the final four days of the study, the mice of both groups were irradiated using UV light for each day. Then, after a period of 24 hours, the skin was evaluated to determine elasticity, appearance, and interleukin-1beta levels (a marker for inflammation). The researchers found that there was a significant level of prevention through consuming the probiotics with both groups compared to a control group.
  • Probiotics have been shown to reduce systemic markers of inflammation and oxidative stress, both of which are elevated locally in those with acne.
  • Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG has been found to reduce the severity of atopic dermatitis in those with IgE-sensitive reactions
  • Lactobacillus rhamnosus TB helps with eczema.
  • Lactobacillus rhamnosus SP1 subjects who had acne consumed either LSP1 or a liquid without the probiotics. There was a 32 percent reduction in acne in the treated group, and they also had a 65 percent increase in the IGF1 and FOXO1. The placebo group experienced no changes.

Also maintaining a healthy, balanced diet rich in fibre is incredibly important in ensuring your gut stays healthy, plus drinking plenty of water, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep and trying to minimise everyday stress as much as possible.

The Gut health is also linked to…..

  • Your hormonal issues and symptoms may be linked to your gut – due to dysbiosis/Candidiasis.
  • The gut has a direct relationship with the liver as good bacteria promotes Phase I and Phase II liver detoxification and the excretion of oestrogen. Bad bacteria interfere with it.
  • Stress and high cortisol promotes dysbiosis and dysbiosis promotes high cortisol. Excess adrenal activity interferes with reproductive and thyroid hormone function
  • Then there is the direct relationship of oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone and the gut – more complex and less understood.

When you begin to replenish the friendly flora in the gut, you may feel some changes in your digestive system as the microbiome starts restoring a healthy balance. These changes are a positive shift that will bring you amazing benefits.

So now that we know all about the advantages of probiotics, what’s the next step? Probiotics come in all shapes and sizes and are made up of different “breeds” or strains, each of which can have a special benefit.

If you feel you have dysbiosis, leaky gut, skin issues, digestive troubles and want to know how you could benefit from using probiotics – please contact sue@suehardman.com

 

or book a FREE mini CONSULT, please call me on +27 72 7903125 or you can

click HERE and to book your appointment.

I’d love to chat on the phone/skype if you’re looking for more support managing your fatigue, low energy, hormonal imbalances and skin issues.

I so enjoy talking to women and helping them with their health. Please feel free to share if you have friends or family who might need help.

 

 

 

 

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5 Steps to Great Gut Health & Ditch The Bloat

 

 

 

What Do Allergies & Hayfever Have To Do With Your Gut!

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I’m sure you’re wondering, ‘how can my water eyes, running nose and sneezing be connected to my gut?the link between gut and allergies

Allergies and Hay fever – think itchy, red, puffy eyes, sniffles, endless sneezing, sinus headaches, a runny or congested nose and generally feeling miserable.

Hayfever can range from being mildly irritating – to being fairly debilitating depending on the severity of your symptoms. It’s caused by an allergic reaction to pollen produced by grasses and trees that mainly flower in the spring and summer.

Hay fever is sometimes confused with a condition called allergic rhinitis, as the symptoms are similar to hay fever but occur all year round. Common causes of allergic rhinitis include dust, hair, food allergies, pesticides, chemicals and pollution.

Many people with hay fever and allergic rhinitis almost always have a sensitivity to certain foods, the most common being wheat and dairy, but some sufferers have problems with anything from eggs to bananas

What your immune system does in an allergic reaction?

Allergies or Hayfever occurs when your immune response has gone rogue.  In an attempt to protect the body, the immune system has mistakenly identified foods, dust and pollen as harmful invaders which need to be removed.

Special immune cells present in the mucosal surfaces of your body – nose, lungs and gastrointestinal tract, detect the allergen. Your immune system will then generate IgE antibodies, which are your body’s defence in response to specific allergens.

When these antibodies are released, it creates a cascade of events that lead to a large amount of histamine being released in your body.  Histamine acts on your skin, eyes, nose, throat and lungs creating the common symptoms of hives, itchy eyes, runny nose, sneezing and coughing. From then on, if you are exposed to that allergen, an allergic response is triggered.

9 Ways To Manage Itchy, Sneezy, Wheezy & Dopey (Allergies / Hayferver Symptoms)

Immune Boosting Anti-Allergy diet To Reduce Symptoms

Introduce Friendly Foods:

  • Garlic and onions are high in the flavonoid quercetin which can help reduce the severity of allergic reactions.
  • Nettle tea helps to ease the symptoms of allergies.
  • Dairy free alternatives to cow’s milk are rice, oat and pea milk.
  • Have a freshly squeezed vegetable juice in the morning, especially beetroot, artichoke, a little garlic, ginger, apple and carrot which boosts the immune system and helps eliminate support liver function.
  • Bio-flavonoids are important protectors of mucous membranes, therefore unless you have an intolerance to these foods, eat plenty of blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, kiwi fruit and include plenty of fresh vegetables, brown rice and whole grains in your diet.
  • Up your consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables. Have at least 3 servings of fruit, a large mixed salad and 3 portions of vegetables daily. Choose local, organic produce (organic to avoid pesticide residue which is an allergen).
  • Increase intake of omega-3 fats by eating plenty of unfried, un-breaded oily fish such as anchovies, mackerel, sardines, wild or organic salmon, kippers and fresh, tuna. Also add plenty of freshly ground linseeds and pumpkin seeds to cereals, salads and soups every day.

Remove (or minimise) possible allergenic foods

One of your powerful leverage points is to identify and remove the problem foods.

  • Highly allergenic foods to also consider removing  are – wheat, gluten (rich in wheat, rye and barley) and yeast. Don’t underestimate the potent inflammatory capacity of sugar and processed foods. Via numerous mechanisms, not the least of which is increased insulin and arachidonic acid (think inflammation), sugar will drive inflammation and heighten an allergic response.
  • You may have other food intolerances due to digestive problems. Disruption in your gut enhances allergic potential.
  • Avoid alcohol – it’s a major gut disruptor which increases your allergic potential. Drink 2 litres of pure, filtered water a day.

 Restore Your Gut Microbiome

Many people with an allergy are likely to have gut dysbiosis to varying extents.

Start with a good probiotic, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria, primarily. Also fermented foods – sauerkraut and kimchee.

Probiotics – A study, using a combination of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition gave 173 sufferers, during hayfever season, either 2 capsules of probiotics providing 3 billion units of bacteria or identical placebos in this randomised controlled placebo trial.

At the end of 8 weeks those taking the probiotics had improved (less symptoms) by 68%, compared to the placebo group who reported 19% improvement. So, those on probiotics had improved by 49% compared to placebo. Consider taking a probiotic supplement if you have allergies or during hayfever season.

To understand your microbiome make-up a comprehensive stool analysis is important and useful for allergy patients.

Repair your gut lining integrity

Some sufferers may have long-term poor digestion, candida, or a leaky gut – this is when undigested food molecules pass through the ‘leaky’ gut wall and into the bloodstream, which can provoke an immune response.

Glutamine is an essential part of any regime designed to quickly restore the healthy mucous membranes of your gut and reduce allergic potential.

It is also a powerful nutrient for supporting proper immune function and protecting the liver, therefore it’s often an essential part of healing a leaky gut – thereby reducing your allergic potential – but for anyone experiencing allergy symptoms.

As part of a daily anti-allergy regime take 500mg. If you think you may have a leaky gut (which usually goes hand in hand with allergies), take up to 8g a day for three weeks. Drink on an empty stomach first or last thing.

 Reduce symptoms

The faster you can reduce histamine, the better.

Try sodium bicarbonate on occasion for acute flares – ¼ to ½ tsp of bicarbonate can increase pH just enough to quickly and temporarily reduce histamine release. There is a potassium bicarbonate is you need to avoid sodium.

It’s also important to remove the inhalant antigenic load as much as possible. Neti pots are a great tool for rinsing the sinuses.Air conditioners may be essential during peak allergy season for some folks.

Anxiety is common amongst allergy sufferers. Heightened stress can influence the allergic response.

Think about stress management – meditation, exercise, sufficient sleep.

 

Consider Supplementing 

 

Vitamin C– is the most important anti-allergy vitamin. It is a powerful promoter of a strong immune system, immediately calms down allergic reactions and is also anti-inflammatory.

2,000mg (2g) is optimum for most people. If you are suffering from allergic symptoms, you might want to take twice this amount on a regular basis.

Increase your vitamin C intake through food by eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables,

Quercetin –is a natural bioflavonoid that is said to help stabilise mast cells to keep them from releasing histamine. It is also a potent antioxidant that is said to help reduce inflammation.

Quercetin is found in red onions, apples and berries

Supplementing effective amounts may be necessary if you’re suffering with allergies.

Take 500mg three times a day if your symptoms are severe, then drop down to 500mg once a day once your reaction is under control.

MSM – has benefits for allergy sufferers. A study, 55 volunteers diagnosed with seasonal allergies were given 1,300mg of MSM twice daily for 30 days. A significant reduction in symptoms of both the upper respiratory tract (including nasal congestion) and lower respiratory tract (including cough) was seen.

As long as you’re still suffering from any allergic symptoms, or are in pain, it’s well worth supplementing MSM on a daily basis. Start with 1,000mg.

Include a B complexto support histamine removal. Think about improving tolerance reducing heighted allergic response i.e Vitamin D and vitamin A

Botanical approaches

Histamine can also be reduced and your immune system boosted by using Albizia, Baical Skullcap, Elder fowers, Eyebright, Goldenrod, Nettles, butterbur, Boswellia, Echincea, curcumin, ginger are known to reduce/inhibit the potently pro-inflammatory response.

Eyebright– contains aucubin, which decreases tissue inflammation. It is also reduces the formation of mucus reducing the runny nose and blocked sinuses.

Eyebright can be taken as a tea or tincture and also used topically (diluted) as an eyebath to improve symptoms of redness and itchiness in the eyes. If using the tea topically on the eyes make sure you strain it well to avoid getting plant particles in your eye.

Chamomile– may be known as “mother of the gut” it’s very handy to help with hay fever symptoms. Like nettle it reduces histamine and helps to stabilise mast cells. Studies have shown it to have particular benefit in reducing itchiness.

Curcumin – is the natural anti-inflammatory agent found in the spice Turmeric. A placebo controlled trial – “Curcumin alleviated nasal symptoms (sneezing and rhinorrhea) and nasal congestion through reduction of nasal airflow resistance.” said the researchers, inflammatory markers were reduced significantly.

Possible Nutritional supplements

SinuPlex– is a natural anti-inflammatory and a natural antihistamine. If you suffer in every season of allergens, you can take it every day, or as needed when your season starts is a unique blend of vitamin C, quercetin, stinging nettle root extract, bromelain, and N-acetylcysteine—designed to support healthy respiratory function.

AllerDHQ incorporates bioflavonoids, micronutrients, proteolytic enzymes, and herbs into a comprehensive formula that provides multifaceted support for individuals with immune imbalances. Dihydroquercetin is a key component in inhibits oxidation, is bioactive, and is highly absorbable. AllerDHQ supports the body’s regulating function in addressing an overactive or distressed histamine response that are sometimes brought on by the environment.

Contact me directly to order these products (sue@suehardman.com)

Specialised Herbal Complexes

Albizzia complex– Relief of the symptoms of allergies.
Traditionally used to relieve the symptoms of allergy and inflammation of the skin.

The combined action of these herbs is anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory, reducing both the allergic response and its inflammatory consequence. Albizzia has been used in Ayurvedic medicine to relieve the symptoms associated with allergy and inflammation of the respiratory tract and skin.

Eyebright Complex are primarily focused on the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract. This formula also contains Echinacea which provides support for the immune system. Relief of the symptoms of upper respiratory catarrh, colds, hay fever and sinusitis.

Contact me directly to order these products (sue@suehardman.com)

Make Your Own Herbal Tea Combination

Nettle & Chamomile Tea For Allergies or Hayfever Reliefchamomile for stress and digestion

  • 2 Tbsp dried Nettle
  • 2 tsp dried German Chamomile
  • 1 tsp local honey

Pour boiling water over dried leaves, steep for 5 minutes. Strain into a cup add honey.

Drink 3 cups / day

Turmeric Tea Recipe

  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon ghee
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric (powder or grated root)

Warm coconut milk and water in a pot for 2 minutes. Add the ghee, raw honey and turmeric, stirring occasionally,  for 2-3 minutes.

Anti-histamineTea

  • 1 stinging nettle tea bag
  • 1peppermint tea bag
  • 1/2 teaspoonground ginger (you can use slices of fresh ginger, too)

 

Place the bags into a tea cup and heat the water. Pour over the top and let steep for 5-8 minutes. Can add honey and lemon, if desired.

 Local Honey

There isn’t much scientific evidence to back this one, but there seems to be a lot of anecdotal evidence from people who have tried it. The theory is that consuming local honey from where you live will help your body adapt to the allergens in the environment there. This is supposed to work like a natural allergy “shot” and doesn’t seem to have a downside.

What to do: Consume a teaspoon or more of raw, unprocessed local honey from as close to where you actually live as possible. Do this one or more times a day to help relieve symptoms. It is often suggested to start this a month or so before allergy season.

 

We are all unique

If you want additional support for your unique problems then you’re in the right place. Naturopaths and Herbalist do not treat disease, they treat people.

As Hippocrates said, more than 2000 years ago – “it’s more important to know the person who has the disease, than the disease the person has”.

The focus of treatment is to use herbs, diet, lifestyle changes, exercise, etc to enhance your bodies vitality and innate ability to heal itself.

 

I’d Like to invite you to make use of my offer of a FREE mini CONSULT, please click HERE and to book your appointment.

I’d love to chat on the phone/skype if you’re looking for more support managing your fatigue, low energy, hormonal imbalances and skin issues.

I so enjoy talking to women and helping them with their health. Please feel free to share if you have friends or family who might need help.