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Essential Remedies

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Duncan, BC
Essential Remedies

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We are a specialty health food and supplement store located in Downtown Duncan, serving the greater Cowichan Valley for over 50 years.
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Formerly Mercia's Vitamins. We carry a wide variety of nutritional supplements, natural cosmetics, oils and snacks. 141 Craig Street
Duncan, BC
V9L 1V8

Formerly Mercia's Vitamins

10/30/2026

𝐏𝐀𝐘 𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍! 𝐋-𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩...
New research suggests that L-theanine can benefit cognition by helping attention and that it can help depression.
L-theanine is an amino acid found almost exclusively in green tea. It improves calm by increasing alpha brain waves, which leads to relaxation and better focus.
That ability of L-theanine has been shown to help improve sleep. New research shows that it can also help improve concentration.
The meta-analysis of 31 controlled studies, which included 1168 people, compared L-theanine to placebo. It found that a single 200mg dose improves choice reaction time, suggesting that it enhances attention.
A single dose also appeared to significantly reduce depression.
L-theanine was safe.
This study suggests that taking a single dose of L-theanine offers short term benefit for attention and depression.
Mol Psychiatry. 2026 Nov;31(11):6592-6602.

10/23/2026

𝐋𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐲
Depression is not monolithic. People struggling with depression have many different symptoms. This new study suggests that an oral lavender supplement can help depression and its many different symptoms.
Depression is usually discussed as an overall condition, but different people can have different depressive symptoms with different severities. This innovative, new study broke depression down into its several manifestations.
The double-blind study included 446 adults with mild to moderate depression. While one group was given the SSRI sertraline (Zoloft), a second group was given 80mg of lavender essential oil orally, and a third group was given a placebo. The study lasted 8 weeks.
Remarkably, lavender was as effective as Zoloft for overall depression. Total scores on the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale decreased by 10 points on placebo but by a clinically and significantly better 12.1 points on lavender and 12.6 points on Zoloft. While 41.5% of people given a placebo saw their total score go down by at least 50%, that level was reached by 53.5% of the lavender group and 54% of the Zoloft group.
When it came to individual symptoms, lavender and Zoloft were significantly better than placebo for 5 of 9 items. For lavender, those items were apparent sadness, reported sadness, lassitude (fatigue), concentration difficulties, and reduced appetite. Inner tension and inability to feel also had clinically meaningful improvement that fell just short of clinical significance.
This study shows that a lavender essential oil supplement taken orally is similarly effective to the SSRI Zoloft both overall and for specific symptoms of depression.
International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology. September 2026;29 (9), September 2026:pyag041.

10/16/2026

𝐃𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐄𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐚 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐅𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐊𝐢𝐝𝐬?
Echinacea is the most famous immune herb. But is its reputation deserved? Can it really help your kids fight off respiratory tract infections? That’s what this new systematic review set out to see.
This systematic review included 5 controlled studies of 1,640 children aged 1-12 years. Each of the kids in the studies had an acute cough or a respiratory infection with nasal discharge, congestion, sneezing or sore throat. The form of echinacea used was Echinacea purpurea.
One study found no benefit. But that’s where the bad news ends. One study, which added vitamin C and propolis to the echinacea, reduced respiratory tract infections by 32.5%, antibiotic use by 76.3% and significantly reduced influenza. A second found shorter cold duration and reduced use of antibiotics with echinacea. The third study found a 55% reduction in cold duration and significantly fewer days with fever. And the fourth found a 28% lower risk of recurring infection and a significantly longer period of time between infections.
The overall finding was that echinacea reduces both the frequency and severity of respiratory tract infections in children, meaning the powerful immune herb both prevents and treats infections.
J Family Community Med. October-December 2025;32(4):273-283

10/09/2026

𝐀 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐖𝐚𝐲 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐮𝐦𝐢𝐧 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐬 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬
Curcumin has been shown to be an important natural supplement for diabetics. This new study adds a whole new reason why.
A large body of evidence demonstrates curcumin’s value for diabetics (Prostaglandins & Other Lipid Mediators. December 2024;175:106908). Now a new study provides a surprising new way curcumin does its work.
A new discovery about diabetes is that chronic, low-grade inflammation contributes to insulin resistance, oxidative stress, impaired glucose regulation and β-cell injury.
Curcumin is a powerful, natural antiinflammatory. So, this systematic review and meta-analysis looked at curcumin’s effect on inflammatory markers in diabetics to see if this active ingredient in the herb turmeric could help fight diabetes.
The meta-analysis included studies of curcumin or curcuminoid supplementation on people with type 2 diabetes. The primary target of the investigation was the important inflammatory marker high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), since it is an especially useful indicator of systemic, low-grade inflammation.
The results showed that curcumin significantly lowered circulating hs-CRP compared to controls. They also found significant reduction of other markers of inflammation, including TNF-α and IL-6.
This study reveals that curcumin is a potentially effective antiinflammatory for people with type 2 diabetes and that it could be a beneficial addition for diabetics.
Nutrients. 2026 Sep 16;18(18):3028.

10/06/2026

Customer Appreciation day today 15 percent off!😊

10/02/2026

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑴𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝑩𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒇𝒊𝒕𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑽𝑰𝑻𝑨𝑴𝑰𝑵 𝑪!🍊🍓🍍🍏
*Immune system support
*Prevents gum disease
*Tissue support and speeds healing
*Super total body anti-oxidant
*Anti-histamine
*Anti-aging
*Heart protection
*Calcium absorption
*Essential for collagen production
*Eye and skin health
*Enzymatic co-factor
*Adrenal support
*Helps boost fat-burning during physical activity
And much more!
Get your C today- Fresh uncooked fruits and vegetables, and extra in an easy supplement- getting extra C benefits your health in so many ways. Available in powder, capsules, and liquid, and also in non-acidic form for those who are sensitive to ascorbic acid. Feel great and be well!

10/02/2026

𝐀𝐖𝐄𝐒𝐎𝐌𝐄 𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐆𝐀𝐋𝐔𝐒:
Astragalus or Huang Qi, is an adaptogenic root-herb that has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine.
The health benefits are astounding, ranging from immunity-boosting, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory effects, increased energy, and much more!
It is known as an adaptogen, and as such has the ability to modulate the body's stress response, aiding the adrenals and therefore making it great for stress, fatigue, or illness.
It is especially good to take during cold/flu season, or in time's of increased stress or illness. Here is a summary on the more common uses and benefits of this wonderful medicine.:
*Immune system
*Infection fighting
*Heart health
*Blood sugar control
*Kidney function
*Chronic fatigue
*Anticancer
*Seasonal allergies
Astragalus is available in powder, tincture, tea, and capsules. We carry a standarized extract in capsules which is an excellent more potent way to take it for medicinal use. Alone or in an immunity combo.
Be very well,
TinaLee Foster, RHN

09/25/2026

𝐄𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐥𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫
Want to sleep better at night? Then eat better during the day!
Diet has a major impact on everything else. So, could it have an impact on your sleep?
Not surprisingly, the answer is yes. A new study has found that eating a diet high in fiber is associated with increased restorative sleep, including a significant increase in deep sleep and REM sleep and a significant decrease in light sleep. The high fiber diet also significantly reduced heart rate, which is important since, like the rest of you, your heart should catch up on its rest at night.
The study also found that a greater variety of plant-based foods and higher whole plant food intake was associated with lower sleeping heart rate.
A higher score on the Dietary Phytochemical Index, which measures calories from phytochemical-rich plant foods, was also associated with more restorative sleep, including significantly increased REM sleep, significantly decreased light sleep and significantly lower sleeping heart rate.
This study delivers the good news that you can improve your sleep, and the health benefits of sleep, by improving your diet. So, to sleep better, eat more fiber and more plant-based foods.
Nat. Health. 2026: doi.org/10.1038/s44360-026-00182-2.

09/22/2026

Customer Appreciation day today 15 percent off ! 😊

09/18/2026

𝐍𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐌𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓

Address

141 Craig Street
Duncan, BC
V9L1V8

Opening Hours

Monday	10am - 5pm
Tuesday	10am - 5pm
Wednesday	10am - 5pm
Thursday	10am - 5pm
Friday	10am - 5pm
Saturday	10am - 4pm

Website

https://essentialremedies.ca/

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