Pharmacentre Limited > Blog
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Weleda Shaving Cream

Juan, our Putney store supervisor says:”My favorite product at the moment is Weleda Shaving Cream. I have been using many of the regular foaming type for years and sometimes they irritate my skin, even if I have used it before without reaction. After being made aware of this skin issue I decided to look into the ingredients of some of these shaving creams that I used in the past and I then understood why my skin reacted badly from time to time.

Weleda shaving cream does not use any nasty ingredients such as parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate, aluminum or alcohol that are very toxic and aggressive for the body. The main ingredients of this shaving cream are natural essential oils that come from almond extract, linalool or citronellol, among the others. These kind of oils are very gentle for the body to assimilate and nourish the rough or sensitive parts of the face.

Once I got my Weleda shaving cream and as I had some of the regular kinds at home, I did my own test. I put Weleda cream on half of my face and another half I covered with a regular shaving cream. Believe or not, Weleda cream was more hydrating and soft, plus it didn’t leave me with any redness on my face. However, the regular one left me, as usual, with redness and much less hydrated my skin. The difference can be noticed after the the first try. I can also say that the Weleda shaving cream has a great smell, it is so nice that after shaving many people asked me which fragrance I use. So, it could be a way to save some money on cologne – Two in one.

If you would like to get more information about Weleda shaving cream, please feel free to come to Panacea Putney. I will be more than happy to answer any question about this fantastic cream. I highly recommend it!”

 

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Comvita Olive Leaf Extract

Comvita is a much loved brand in health stores, and this product is no exception. Our Watford store manager, Oana, loves Comvita Olive Leaf Extract capsules. She says: “Olive leaf has been traditionally used to support a healthy immune system and is gaining a widespread reputation for it’s year-round benefits. Comvita’s new formulation of the capsules contains 66mg of Oleuropein, as well as Zinc and Copper for added immune support. You only need to take one a day to help keep the doctor away!”

Comvita uses fresh-picked Olive leaf that is grown, harvested and extracted fresh on the farm in Queensland, Australia. This fresh leaf extraction system ensures high levels of Oleuropein plus at least 11 other naturally occurring polyphenols and the only brand to do this.

Polyphenols are compounds found in natural plant food sources and have antioxidant properties. Polyphenols play an important role in maintaining your health and wellness as they help protect the cells in your body from free radical damage.

Many people are quickly realising that Comvita Olive Leaf Extract Immune Support Capsules is a supplement with a wide range of benefits suitable for the whole family. While some people are using it throughout winter, many more are finding it improves well being all year round.

 

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Weleda Moisture Cream for Men

Our Staff Favourite this week is from our head office.

Dana says: “One of my favourite skincare products is Weleda men moisture cream… and no I don’t use it myself! But my husband uses it and loves it. It was hard to convert him to a natural product as he was used to mainstream and highly fragrant men’s creams found in most chemists and supermarkets. But within a few days of using Weleda he was converted. He says the smell is refreshing and “wakes him up” in the morning. It soothes his skin after shaving, penetrates well and isn’t too heavy. Also an ideal size as he travels a lot and hate big bulky packaging!”

Weleda say that men care what they put on their skin – but they don’t want to make a fuss about it. Weleda uses decades of experience to formulate a highly effective range of fresh men’s grooming products. Easy to use and quickly absorbed

Ingredients are organic jojoba, sesame seed oil and extracts from marsh mallow to protect, soothe and moisturise the skin. It’s a quick-to use, no-nonsense moisture cream that smells great, too.

Father’s day is coming up on 19th of June – Why don’t you get dad a treat from nature.

 

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Good Green Stuff

The Ultimate Superblend

More than a multi and more than just greens, Good Green Stuff is a complex multi-nutrient formula that helps make it simple to be and stay healthy. Based on the latest scientific research and formulated for maximum vitality.

Over 75 ingredients

Good Green Stuff is a blend of carefully selected fruits, vegetables and herbs – with added vitamins, minerals, friendly bacteria, plant foods and extracts and other essential nutrients.The ultimate superfood with the very best ingredients for optimum health.

Quality without compromise

Independently formulated by a team of global health experts. The form of every ingredient specifically selected for optimum performance. Regularly reviewed, and blended in world-class facilities in Belgium. Every batch is tested before release

Food For Thought

Nutrients to feed the mind and help you cope when the going gets tough as well as being packed with nutrients that help you battle fatigue and keep your psychological function in tip top condition.

Easy to Digest and Supports Your Gut and Immunity

Easier to digest than tablets or capsules and made from a base of real plant foods. Every form of vitamin and mineral has been carefully chosen for the best absorption and utilisation profile. Packed full of soluble fibre, friendly bacteria and digestive enzymes, yet gentle on the stomach. Good Green Stuff contains a wide range of ingredients that promote gut health, encourage a healthy inflammatory response, protect cells from oxidative stress and support your immune system

For those aspiring to vitality, body balance and healthy weight

A food-form, plant extract, gut friendly, synergistic food supplement to put a spring in your step. Two forms of Co Q10 and ideal ratios of B-Vitamins for energy-yielding metabolism, psychological, nervous system and immune function, along with countless other nutrients and phytonutrients to make you glow from the inside out. Good Green Stuff helps you look and feel your best every day!

Quick, Tasty, Convenient

Takes the strain out of good nutrition in one easy daily serve. No supplement can replace a healthy diet, but few get the chance to consume a balanced and varied diet every day. Good Green Stuff helps you fill the nutritional gaps. Think of it as your nutritional insurance policy.

No Bad Stuff

Allergen-Free – All of the good stuff, with none of the bad

Free from all common allergens:

  • No Gluten
  • No Dairy
  • No Eggs
  • No Nuts
  • No Soy
  • No Corn.
  • No GMO
  • No Nasty Chemicals
  • No Artificial Preservatives

Just 10 grams of concentrated, real-food ingredients

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Eskimo Fish Oil

Karishma in our Edgware store likes  using Eskimo Fish Oil Liquid. She says: ” I’ve noticed that this type of fish oil doesn’t create gastric reflux, and it’s lighter than the ones I have used before.”

Nutri Advanced write on their website about Eskimo Fish Oil:

“A diet that’s rich in fish oil has so many benefits for your health. As well as supporting your heart and brain, it can also be good for your skin, joints and mood. Extensive clinical trials have proven Nutri’s Eskimo-3 to be one of the freshest oils available, thanks to the unique patented antioxidant formula we use to keep it stable.

A special purification process removes any toxins, leaving the oil clean and pure. It’s also free of any odour or after taste, and because it comes from sustainable sources, you know Eskimo-3 is good for the oceans too.”

Want to find out more about the benefits of fish oils? Read our blog HERE

 

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Your Skin and Collagen

The skin

Skin– your body’s largest organ!

Of all the body’s organs, none is more exposed to the elements than your skin, whose primary role it is to offer protection from the harsh outer environment. Its structure is quite complex, containing four main types of cell, all of which have their own important role to play in keeping the skin healthy – but where to start? Whilst topical products have a crucial role to play, the skin also needs to be nourished from within.

But first, some basic skin care tips…Start from the inside
  • Hydration is key. You need to be drinking around 6-8 glasses of water or beneficial herbal teas daily.
  • Include some skin ‘superfoods’ in your diet – dark berries, oily fish, leafy green vegetables, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, sweet potatoes, avocados, acerola cherries and green tea. They all contain nutrients that are of particular importance to long term skin health
  • Try to sleep for 7-8 hours each night. Lack of sleep quickly catches up with your face leading to lines and bags under the eyes
  • Excess alcohol contributes to ageing skin by dilating small blood vessels and increasing blood flow near the skin’s surface, so save the juice for special occasions!
  • Green Veg TipGreen smoothies! Whizz up some fresh spinach, half an avocado, some frozen berries and a banana with some filtered water – a cleansing and energising way to start the day
  • Boost your circulation by doing some exercise. Exercise also helps your mood and energy levels so do whatever works for you!
  • Don’t forget to remove make-up at night with gentle alcohol-free remover.
CollagenColl-loss

Collagen is the major protein that supports firm, youthful skin. It is found in the thickest layer of the skin called the dermis. It is the collagen in the dermis that determines the strength of the structural base for the skin and provides both support and elasticity. Unfortunately, the skin’s ability to replace damaged collagen reduces significantly with age. This can lead to easy bruising, reduced healing ability and the development of wrinkles. Taking a collagen supplement and using it topically can help its production, improving the structure and appearance of the skin and reducing fine lines and wrinkles.

Hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronic acid (HA) occurs naturally in the body and has some very important functions. For example, it lubricates joints and muscles, moisturises eyes and is vital for maintaining moisture in the skin. Unfortunately, the body’s natural supply decreases with age, contributing to the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines and dryness in the skin. HA is emerging as one of the most exciting ingredients in beauty products that can actually help ‘lift’ the face. Together collagen and hyaluronic acid, used both orally and topically, help to support the general function and appearance of the skin by aiding skin flexibility, smoothness, elasticity and water absorption.

Astaxanthin

Astaxanthin is one of the most powerful antioxidants known to man; a bold statement for a nutrient that is even more powerful than vitamin E – but what is it?

The richest source of astaxanthin is from Haematococcus pluvalis, a green micro-alga and part of the carotenoid family. When heated, it turns bright red and it is the pigment that gives fish and crustaceans their distinctive pink colour. It is an antioxidant that works throughout the whole body and is particularly protective of the skin against sun damage, which causes premature ageing. One study showed that significantly more ultraviolet energy was required to produce skin reddening, the first stage of sunburn, in people taking astaxanthin daily. Positive effects on skin hydration, elasticity and reduction of wrinkles have also been demonstrated by supplementing a combination of astaxanthin and natural tocotrienols.

MSM

MSM, an asulphur-tipbbreviation for methylsulfonylmethane, is often added to skin creams and lotions and is also used as a food supplement. Thanks to its role in the production of collagen and keratin, it may help maintain youthful-looking skin. As the name suggests, it is an organic form of the mineral ‘sulphur’, known historically as ‘the beauty mineral’. This is because it is an integral component of keratin, the substance that makes up the outer layer of our skin. MSM is important for healthy skin, nails and luxuriant hair.

 

To find out more, visit one of our Panacea Stores, or if you’re already a fan of collagen, try out out Collagen Cake Bites recipe.

 

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Viridian now in all Panacea Stores!

We are happy to announce that all Panacea stores now carry a large range of Viridian products!

Look out for the some of the following Viridian Complexes in store:

L-Theanine and Lemon Balm capsules – A great complex for when you’re feeling strung out and anxious. This formula could help you cope with stress better and put you in a calmer mental state.L-Theanine and Lemon Balm

Resveratrol Complex – Containing extracts from red grape skin with pterostilbene, Co-Q10, Hesperidin and Pine Bark. This is a super antioxidant  formula with great benefit for cardiovascular  maintenance. Resveratrol fron the red grape skin has been seen to be a much more beneficial form that that extracted from herbs such as the Japanese Knotweed plant.

Travel Biotic – provides a unique type of good bacteria, Saccharomyces boulardii, that has a long and very well established scientific use as a dietary supplement. There is no need to refrigerate this friendly bacteria, making it perfect for holiday travels

High Potency Curcumin ComplexHigh Potency Curcumin Complex – A convenient, high potency one-a-day Boswellia extract, with a full spectrum of curcuminoids, ginger and citrus flavonoids for broad-spectrum support.

Clear Skin Complex – A specifically formulated blend of targeted botanicals, key minerals, fat-soluble antioxidant carotenoids in a base of digestion-boosting probiotics. This formula offers hope to those looking for a clear, fresh, blemish-free skin.

Cherry Night Powder – Containing glycine, cherry, red date and magnesium, which help to reduce brain excitability and improve relaxation, helping those who have difficulty falling asleep, wake during the night, wake too early in the morning or have un-refreshed sleep.

Just a handful of useful supplements and plenty more to choose from in store, we’re sure we’ll be able to help you find the one formula just for you.

 

 

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Pacifica 7 Free Nail Polish

Magda in our Watford store loves the new Pacifica 7 free Nail Polish. She says “They are amazing and free of many chemicals that you would find in traditional nail polish. They apply well, are long-lasting, and dry quickly with a beautiful shine and vibrant colour. They are also 100% vegan including the brush!

Pacifica say this about their 7 Free Nail polish: “7 FREE is formulated without parabens, phthalates (dibutyl phthalate), toluene, xylene, camphor, formaldehyde, resin, and animals.” 7 free is the reference to the being free from 7 harmful or irritating chemicals traditionally found in nail varnish. Although there are many brands now free from most of these, Pacifica are also completely cruelty free and not tested on animals, which in our books makes this a winner.

 

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Congratulations to our Watford Store

After the excitement of being nominated as finalists for the Intu Watford Retailer awards 2016, our Watford team have walked away as winners for the Best Window Display, voted for by a judging panel. Our Watford customers have often complemented the store on their beautiful window art, so it is a great honour to be awarded for it

Comvita WindowDormeasan Window Vitacoco Window Watford Edit

The Watford team were are also were runners up to the mighty John Lewis for the below, as voted by the customers in the intu Shopping centre:

  • Customer Service- Above and Beyond
  • Shop I love the most
  • Engagement with the Community

Thank you to all our customers for your support.

FullSizeRender

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Menopause tips from A.Vogel

The menopause gets rather a rough press in our society as we don’t usually value age and experience the way they do in less Westernised cultures.

There are many things you can do for your health to ensure that the menopause is embraced rather than dreaded. Why not try a few of the health tips below to help you through the menopause and into the next phase of your life.

Food and drink

There are some dietary changes you can make to help you through the menopause:

  • Drink at least 1.5 litres of still plain water daily
  • Cut out coffee and take a maximum of 2 cups of tea daily (why not try Bambu – a coffee alternative)
  • Make sure your bowels move regularly
  • Eat regularly as skipping meals will not help with trying to maintain a healthy weight
  • Reduce refined carbohydrates – white sugar, white bread, white pasta, white rice and things covered in heaps of syrup
  • Eat more phyto-oestrogenic foods such as broccoli, oats & soya
  • Eat more non-dairy, calcium containing foods such as brown rice, salmon and pumpkin seeds
Exercise
  • Walk for 20 minutes every other night – 10 minutes outbound and 10 minutes home. This helps trigger the production of happy chemicals called endorphins in your body
  • Get a mini trampoline (rebounder). You can use it in front of the television so that you don’t get bored
  • Get some mini weights and use them gently whilst watching the ‘soaps’
Sleep
  • Being able to sleep well is easier if your digestion is working properly, so observe the suggestions for eating and drinking above. If you habitually wake at about 3am, you may find that improving your digestion has a very good knock-on effect on your sleep pattern
  • Spend some time relaxing before you go to bed so that your mind stops buzzing
  • Write down things that are on your mind and a list of things you need to do the next day before you go to bed so that you do not have everything revolving round in your mind as you try to go to sleep
  • Avoid all caffeine, not just in the evening but during the day as well. Try to stay away from situations that will cause anxiety. Use calming herb teas such as lemon balm and chamomile to help relax your mind, or use a herbal remedy containing valerian, such as A. Vogel Dormeasan®Valerian-Hops drops to help you re-establish a good sleeping pattern.
 Stress
  • Take time out for yourself
  • Eat regularly, as skipping meals or eating on the run creates more stress
  • Avoid caffeine
  • Practice breathing techniques, or take up yoga or another gentle, meditative exercise that promotes deep relaxation
  • If you need further help, you might like to consider using a herbal remedy such as A.Vogel Stress Relief Daytime
Low Mood/Tearfulness
  • Exercise is very good for both body and mind as it releases natural chemicals in the body that make us feel happy.
  • Write it down – it is best not to bottle your feelings up. Talk to those around you but if you find this difficult, even writing your problems down in a journal can help release your feelings. Better out than in as they say.
  • While drinking in moderation is acceptable, it is best to try and avoid alcohol. Water is the best drink to hydrate the brain!
  • Change things in your surroundings. The brain can easily form repetitive patterns making it hard to change your emotions, so try doing something new when you feel low and you might surprise yourself and others. They do call it the change after all.

If you are looking for a herbal remedy for low mood, you might wish to consider A. Vogel Hyperiforce® St. John’s Wort tablets. This can however not be take if on any other medication.

Soy isoflavones for before, during & after the menopause

A.Vogel Menosan® Menopause Support can provide support to the body through all stages of the Menopause but is especially useful when broad range of symptoms such as hot flushes, irritability, tiredness, pains and aches, vaginal dryness etc kick in.

Made from fermented soya beans
Support for all stages of the menopause
Also contains magnesium and hibiscus

Eileen does Menopause Monday’s for A. Vogel, with a weekly blog and video. Click HERE to find out more her blog.

In this A.Vogel video, Eileen explains why good liver function is so important during the menopause and she recommends what you can do to support your liver.

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