Tried & Tested - March/April 2016
How Irish Association of Health Stores staff rate what they sell...
Down to Earth, South Great George’s St, Dublin
This issue manager Jane Smith, homeopaths and sales assistants Lenka Maleckova, Tal Klugg, Gina Proctor and Bernie Condon, herbalist and sales assistant Eileen Twomey and nutritional therapist and sales assistant Emma Taylor test a natural soap, vitamin C and omega supplements, chocolate nut butter and cold capsules:
1. REPAIR CREAM
Lenka says: “I use The Pink Cow Cream Repair to smooth out acne scars and acne red marks. I found a great improvement in the appearance and elasticity of my skin.”
2. OMEGA HELP
Bernie says: “I’ve been taking Nordic Naturals Compete 3-6-9 for several months now. It has been very helpful with my dry skin and hair. Also, my eyes now don’t feel as dry as before.”
3. NATURAL SOAP
Tal says: “Dr Bronner’s Magic Soap is the only soap I use for myself and all my family. There is a wonderful selection of scents, but lavender is my favourite. Your skin feels super clean without any dryness. They are completely natural and contain hemp, coconut and olive oils. I would recommend this product to all the family including babies.”
4. VITAMIN C
Jane says: “Livon Labs Altrient-C is a fantastic, fat-soluble form of vitamin C which means it is the most bioavailable form and is stored longer in the body. It works brilliantly for the immune system and for skin health.”
5. GENTLE FACE OIL
Gina says: “I’ve been using Antipodes Divine Face Oil for the past 18 months. It is very gentle, ultra moisturising and cleared up an irritated redness on my cheeks. You can use it as a day and night moisturiser, I would highly recommend it.”
6. NUT BUTTER
Eileen says: “Keen Almond and Dark Chocolate nut butters are a delicious-tasting combination of nut butter and dark chocolate. Particularly tasty on Nairn’s oatcakes! A healthy treat and made in Ireland too.”
7. COLD CAPSULES
Emma says: “I find Allicin Max capsules the best product for colds, chest infections and sinus problems. I take it at the first onset of an infection and find my recovery is much quicker. I like to combine it with Patrick Holford Immune-C. It can also be taken for candida and we have had some fantastic feedback from people who have taken it for h-pylori stomach infections.”
The Health Store, Briarhill Shopping Centre, Galway & The Health Store, Loughrea
This issue owners Tomas Thompson and Susan Conaty, manager and nutritional therapist Paula Fallon, assistant manager and nutritional therapist Donna Hennelly, sales assistants Merley Kelly, Dee O’Connell and Verna Naughton who’s also a kinesiologist along with Grace Dolan, sales Assistant in the Health Store in Loughrea test dairy-free ice cream, spiced tea, protein powder and seaweed:
1. NATURAL SOAPS
Paula says: “Dr Bronner’s Castile Soaps are concentrated, biodegradable and contain 100% organic coconut, olive, hemp and jojoba oils. There are a variety of fragrances including peppermint, tea tree, eucalyptus and lavender. I use these soaps as face wash, body wash, shampoo, hand soap and even for household cleaning like laundry, dishes, floors and windows.”
2. IMMUNE SUPPORT
Donna says: “I love the Comvita Winter Wellness range. It’s my personal go-to for everybody from those looking for immune support, cold and flu symptoms, dry, chesty or tickly coughs as well as sore throats. It tastes great and is instantly soothing.”
3. MAGNESIUM SUPPLEMENT
Merley says: “I cannot be without Mag 365. It works on the muscular system helping with back problems, sore muscles and is particularly good for sleep. I also love Mag365 Kids.”
4. SPICE TEA
Dee says: “Every day I look forward to a cup of Celestial Seasonings Bengal spice tea. Its warming sweet spices and rich flavours are really comforting. It also helps keep my sugar and coffee cravings under control.”
5. SEAWEED
Verna says: “Seaweed is my superfood! It is one of the most alkalising foods there is and is so versatile. It can be used in and added to soups, breads, salads and smoothies and is lovely as a dressing alternative for salt. Dilisk and nori are a great addition to any salad. Carrageen is fantastic when made as a drink with lemon and honey. Seaweed is a powerhouse of nutrients, inexpensive and available right on our shores.”
6. PROTEIN POWDER
Grace says: “My favourite product is Sunwarrior Protein Powder. It’s hypoallergenic, soy-, dairy- and gluten-free and contains a complete amino acid profile. It’s available in chocolate, vanilla and natural, all of which taste great. Sunwarrior protein is perfect for old and young and anyone with an active lifestyle.”
7. DAIRY-FREE ICE CREAM
Susan says: “Nobó ice creams are dairy-, gluten-, soya- and egg-free and are free from refined sugars so are a huge thumbs up from me. They taste great and have so many delicious flavours to choose from. I love the fact that they’re an Irish company and a very popular product in our stores.”
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