Essential Remedies

Essential Remedies 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

Supplementing Curcumin HelpsCholesterolCholesterol problems are an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease.Seve...
02/02/2026

Supplementing Curcumin Helps
Cholesterol

Cholesterol problems are an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Several studies have suggested that curcumin can help fight cholesterol. This
new meta-analysis put the data on curcumin to the test.
This new meta-analysis gathered research that was published up until August
2025. In all, 16 controlled studies of 1038 people were included. The curcumin
was combined with piperine to improve absorption.
The pooled results showed that curcumin significantly reduced triglycerides and
total cholesterol. The reduction in the heart harmful LDL-cholesterol was not
significant, but the even more important increase in the heart healthy HDL
cholesterol was.
The researchers concluded that the benefits of curcumin are clinically
meaningful. The benefits are greatest for people with cholesterol problems,
metabolic disorders or who are overweight. They also say it works best with
prolonged supplementation.
Lipids. 2026 Jan;61(1):91-107.

๐๐ž๐ž๐ ๐š๐ง ๐ˆ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ง๐ž ๐๐Ž๐Ž๐’๐“?๐“๐‘๐˜ ๐๐‹๐€๐‚๐Š ๐’๐„๐„๐ƒ ๐Ž๐ˆ๐‹Powerful immune booster, antiinflammatory and super-antioxidant!Black Seed Oil is...
01/30/2026

๐๐ž๐ž๐ ๐š๐ง ๐ˆ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ง๐ž ๐๐Ž๐Ž๐’๐“?
๐“๐‘๐˜ ๐๐‹๐€๐‚๐Š ๐’๐„๐„๐ƒ ๐Ž๐ˆ๐‹
Powerful immune booster, antiinflammatory and super-antioxidant!

Black Seed Oil is fairly new to some of us, but it has been around for centuries, and has a long history of medicinal use such as calming upset stomachs, diarrhea, coughs, fever, and also as a health and beauty aid. Black seeds were found in King Tut's tomb and then used by ancient Eqyptians and by Ayurvedic physicians. They since have been well-researched by modern science with many published medical papers. Studies have shown it can provide benefits for diabetic neuropathy, IBD(irribable bowel disorder), non-ulcer dyspepsia, and liver and digestive support. Black seed oil has no known toxicity or negative side effect.
Black seed oil can majorly support your body ! It is loaded with over 100 active compounds that enhance your health, including crystalline nigellone and thymoquinone that contribute to its immune, antioxidant, and antibacterial, and antiviral effects.
Some important Black Seed Oil Facts:
- Anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial
- Crystalline nigellone increases immune function and targets respiratory health
- Contains beta-sitosterol, beneficial for urinary/prostate health, and gallstone and cholesterol reduction
- Beneficial for colds, flu, allergies, sinusitis, bronchitis, coughs, digestion
- Thymoquinone studied for its anti-carcinogenic properties
- Contains beneficial omega essential fats for cardiovascular health
- Can be used topically as a beauty oil for skin and hair
- Useful for psoriasis, fungal infections, dry skin, and scars
- Helps with allergies and asthma
- Lung function
- Supports weight loss
- Blood sugar control
- Immuno-modulatory

Many many uses, internal and external. Such a gift from the plant world!
Be well,
Tina Foster, RHN
Essential Remedies

๐€ ๐๐จ๐ฏ๐ž๐ฅ ๐€๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐š๐œ๐ก ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ซ๐ž๐ฏ๐ž๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐  ๐Œ๐ข๐ ๐ซ๐š๐ข๐ง๐žA billion people in the world suffer from migraine headaches. New hints are emerg...
01/16/2026

๐€ ๐๐จ๐ฏ๐ž๐ฅ ๐€๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐š๐œ๐ก ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ซ๐ž๐ฏ๐ž๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐  ๐Œ๐ข๐ ๐ซ๐š๐ข๐ง๐ž
A billion people in the world suffer from migraine headaches. New hints are emerging that can help remedy that.
Migraines can be triggered by a number of factors. Many of them, it turns out, are associated with mitochondrial function. And several nutrients that have been suggested to protect against migraine are involved in mitochondrial function.
This well-designed study set out to see if getting enough of those nutrients could play a role in the prevention of migraines.
The study followed 202,656 people who did not suffer from migraines for an average of 13.25 years. Over that time, 0.9% of them were now diagnosed with migraine.
The study measured dietary intake of 7 nutrients associated with mitochondrial function: magnesium, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12 and folate.
The people who developed migraine had lower dietary levels of all 7 nutrients and, especially, of niacin and B12.
This study suggests that getting more of these nutrients, perhaps especially magnesium and, most importantly, B3 and B12, may help prevent migraine headaches.
J Headache Pain. 2025 Nov 11;26(1):250.

๐‘ฐ๐‘ต๐‘ถ๐‘บ๐‘ฐ๐‘ป๐‘ถ๐‘ณA B for Brain health and moreInositol is a B vitamin sometimes, also known as B8, and it is an important part of...
01/16/2026

๐‘ฐ๐‘ต๐‘ถ๐‘บ๐‘ฐ๐‘ป๐‘ถ๐‘ณ
A B for Brain health and more
Inositol is a B vitamin sometimes, also known as B8, and it is an important part of the B-Complex family. It, like other B vitamins, has a wide range of benefits and roles to play in the body. Inositol is an important part of the structural basis for cells and thus works in many cellular functions, such as storage and metabolism of amino acids, and helping in chemical reactions that convert food into energy. It aids the immune system, and helps nail and hair growth too. It is largely involved in brain mechanisms, and so has been found to be quite useful for mental health. It is found in many foods such as bran/grains, nuts, beans, fruit especially melons and cantaloupe, oranges, and raisins. In higher amounts it has been shown to be an effective preventative and as intervention for depression, anxiety, panic, ADHD, obsessive compulsive disorder, and other brain issues, Alzheimers included. It also helps insulin work better, benefitting blood sugar stabilization and diabetes. This helps those with polycystic o***y syndrome as well, and womens health. Symptoms helped through this include reduced cravings, decreasing androgens and hormone balance, regulates menstrual cycles, improved ovarian function, promotes egg health, PMS, and reduces gestational diabetes risk. Other conditions that supplementing inositol can benefit are diabetic nerve pain, high cholesterol and lipid levels, psoriasis, insomnia, and bowel regularity.
Myo- and d-chiro forms are two forms of inositol most studied for their abilities. Myo-inositol by True Hope is an excellent ready to use powder, that actually tastes quite yummy being naturally sweet. A scoop can be had straight into the mouth and held, dissolved under the tongue. Upon anxiety or before bedtime, it works quickly to ease the mind and brain. And, be sure to adequately top up your B complex vitamins, as they are not readily stored in the body and we need more especially in times of stress, illness, etc.
Be well,
Tina Foster, RHN

๐˜พ๐™ž๐™ฃ๐™ฃ๐™–๐™ข๐™ค๐™ฃ ๐™„๐™ข๐™ฅ๐™ง๐™ค๐™ซ๐™š๐™จ ๐™‚๐™ก๐™ฎ๐™˜๐™š๐™ข๐™ž๐™˜ ๐˜พ๐™ค๐™ฃ๐™ฉ๐™ง๐™ค๐™ก ๐™ž๐™ฃ ๐˜ฟ๐™ž๐™–๐™—๐™š๐™ฉ๐™ž๐™˜๐™จCinnamon is not only one of the most promising toppings for your breakfas...
01/09/2026

๐˜พ๐™ž๐™ฃ๐™ฃ๐™–๐™ข๐™ค๐™ฃ ๐™„๐™ข๐™ฅ๐™ง๐™ค๐™ซ๐™š๐™จ ๐™‚๐™ก๐™ฎ๐™˜๐™š๐™ข๐™ž๐™˜ ๐˜พ๐™ค๐™ฃ๐™ฉ๐™ง๐™ค๐™ก ๐™ž๐™ฃ ๐˜ฟ๐™ž๐™–๐™—๐™š๐™ฉ๐™ž๐™˜๐™จ
Cinnamon is not only one of the most promising toppings for your breakfast bun, it is also one of the most promising treatments for diabetes. This new study keeps the evidence piling up and reveals important benefits.
Rates of diabetes continue to rise. According to the authors of this new study, conventional treatment is limited by progressive ฮฒ-cell dysfunction, poor adherence to therapy because of complex regimens, adverse effects and inadequate long-term efficacy. These limitations have led to increased interest in natural, herbal remedies. Much research suggests that cinnamon is one promising herb to look to.
This new double-blind study gave a placebo or either 250mg or 500mg of cinnamon extract to type 2 diabetics. Cinnamon has compounds that seem to mimic insulin. The form of cinnamon used was Cinnamomum zeylanicum, also known as Ceylon cinnamon or true cinnamon.
The cinnamon significantly reduced fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c, showing that cinnamon improves glycemic control. Cinnamon also significantly reduced insulin resistance and significantly improved ฮฒ-cell function. These are important results.
The 500mg dose of cinnamon also significantly lowered total cholesterol and the dangerous LDL cholesterol.
This study shows that supplementing cinnamon extract significantly improves glycemic control, insulin resistance and even ฮฒ-cell function while improving cholesterol in type 2 diabetics.
-Diabetes & Metabolic S

๐‘ด๐‘จ๐‘ฎ๐‘ต๐‘ฐ๐‘ญ๐‘ฐ๐‘ช๐‘ฐ๐‘ฌ๐‘ต๐‘ป ๐‘ด๐‘ถ๐‘น๐‘ฐ๐‘ต๐‘ฎ๐‘จMoringa Oleifera is an exceptionally nutritious green plant leaf, rich in vitamins, minerals, amino ...
01/02/2026

๐‘ด๐‘จ๐‘ฎ๐‘ต๐‘ฐ๐‘ญ๐‘ฐ๐‘ช๐‘ฐ๐‘ฌ๐‘ต๐‘ป ๐‘ด๐‘ถ๐‘น๐‘ฐ๐‘ต๐‘ฎ๐‘จ
Moringa Oleifera is an exceptionally nutritious green plant leaf, rich in vitamins, minerals, amino acids, antioxidants and bioactive plant compounds. It comes from a tree native to Northern India, where is is consumed as an important source of nutrition. It is a whole food and can be taken as a supplement to any diet- added to water, smoothies, sprinkled on cereal, etc.
Moringa has many science-backed health benefits. Just some of its many high nutrients include protein, vitamins B2 and B6 along with other B vitamins, magnesium, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and iron. Being rich in antioxidants, Moringa helps combat free radicals and oxidative stress in the body. In addition to vitamin C and beta-carotene, these include quercetin(a potent anti-inflammatory) and chlorogenic acid(useful for lowering blood sugar and weight loss). Having chronic elevated blood sugar leads to diabetes and inflammation, and Moringa has been found in several studies to greatly help this. Sustained inflammation also poses a problem for health and is linked to many chronic issues and disease. Moringa's main anti-inflammatory compound is isothiocyanates. Like most plant foods to some degree, Moringa in particular(like flax, oats, and almonds), lowers blood cholesterol effectively, reducing heart disease risk. Also it has been shown to protect against arsenic toxicity, showing how powerful its beneficial compounds are for your body, as it can detox harmful substances.
Indeed, Moringa can offer you and your body super-nutrients for improved health and well-being, including energy, stress-relief, skin health, metabolism, bowel regularity, and much more. The more fruits and vegetables, herbs and spices, and superfoods such as this green, that we include in our diet, we will be increasing and varying our antioxidant and anti-inflammation profile- Moringa is a marvelous body aid! Try it and feel it, I recommend about 1/2-1 tbs a day. Powder and capsules available.
Be well,
Tina Foster, RHN

๐‡๐ž๐ซ๐›๐š๐ฅ ๐‡๐ž๐ฅ๐ฉ ๐Ÿ๐จ๐ซ ๐‘๐ž๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ฏ๐ž๐ง๐š๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐  ๐˜๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐’๐ค๐ข๐งThis new study shows that a combination of two herbs that are traditionally used f...
12/24/2025

๐‡๐ž๐ซ๐›๐š๐ฅ ๐‡๐ž๐ฅ๐ฉ ๐Ÿ๐จ๐ซ ๐‘๐ž๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ฏ๐ž๐ง๐š๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐  ๐˜๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐’๐ค๐ข๐ง
This new study shows that a combination of two herbs that are traditionally used for skin increases collagen and hydration and improves skin elasticity, pores and wrinkles.
The study included 150 men and women over the age of 20. 30% of them were between 20 and 40, and 70% of them were over 40. The herbs being studied were astragalus and gotu kola in equal combination. One group used the herbs topically twice a day for 4 weeks, one group used the herbs orally twice a day for 12 weeks, and one group used both the topical and the oral formulas. Each group was compared to a placebo group in double-blind fashion.
In the topical group, skin brightness increased by 2.5% versus 1% in the placebo group, elasticity improved by 6.5% versus 1.2%, collagen increased by 8.7% versus 6.8%, melanin decreased by 5.2% versus a 0.2% increase on placebo, visible pores dropped by 10.6% versus a 0.9% increase on placebo. Skin texture improved by 8.7% with the herbs compared to 2.3% with placebo, and moisture retention improved by 7.6% compared to 1.8% with placebo.
In the oral supplement group, skin brightness improved by 2.5%, elasticity by 4.7%, collagen increased by 13.2%, melanin decreased by 6.3%. Rough skin improved by 18.5%, and visible pores dropped by 10.5%.
Even better results were seen when people used the herbs orally and topically. There was โ€œremarkable and statistically significant improvements across all measured skin parameters,โ€ including a 4.2% increase in brightness, a 12.9% improvement in moisture retention, a 9% increase in skin elasticity, a 13.7% increase in collagen, an 8.2% decrease in melanin, and a 28.5% decrease in pore count. Rough skin improved by 19.8%.
The study provides โ€œcompelling evidenceโ€ that astragalus and gotu kola enhance skin health. The herbal combination improves both collagen and hydration, rejuvenating the skin. The researchers conclude that the herbal combo is โ€œa promising natural solution for individuals seeking a holistic, evidence-based strategy to support and enhance skin health.โ€
Cosmetics. 2025;12(4):131.

๐˜ฝ๐™ค๐™จ๐™ฌ๐™š๐™ก๐™ก๐™ž๐™– ๐˜ฟ๐™ค๐™š๐™จ๐™ฃโ€™๐™ฉ ๐™…๐™ช๐™จ๐™ฉ ๐™†๐™ž๐™ก๐™ก ๐™ฉ๐™๐™š ๐™‹๐™–๐™ž๐™ฃ, ๐™„๐™ฉ ๐™ƒ๐™š๐™ก๐™ฅ๐™จ ๐™๐™š๐™ซ๐™š๐™ง๐™จ๐™š ๐™๐™๐™š ๐™Š๐™จ๐™ฉ๐™š๐™ค๐™–๐™ฉ๐™๐™ง๐™ž๐™ฉ๐™ž๐™จ.A new double-blind study of 98 people with mild...
12/24/2025

๐˜ฝ๐™ค๐™จ๐™ฌ๐™š๐™ก๐™ก๐™ž๐™– ๐˜ฟ๐™ค๐™š๐™จ๐™ฃโ€™๐™ฉ ๐™…๐™ช๐™จ๐™ฉ ๐™†๐™ž๐™ก๐™ก ๐™ฉ๐™๐™š ๐™‹๐™–๐™ž๐™ฃ, ๐™„๐™ฉ ๐™ƒ๐™š๐™ก๐™ฅ๐™จ ๐™๐™š๐™ซ๐™š๐™ง๐™จ๐™š ๐™๐™๐™š ๐™Š๐™จ๐™ฉ๐™š๐™ค๐™–๐™ฉ๐™๐™ง๐™ž๐™ฉ๐™ž๐™จ.

A new double-blind study of 98 people with mild-to-moderate osteoarthritis found that boswellia extract (30% 3-acetyl-11-keto-ฮฒ-boswellic acid ) at a dose of 300-600mg a day significantly improves scores of pain, stiffness and physical function on the WOMAC Arthritis Index, walking distance and quality of life.
But thatโ€™s not all it does. Remarkably, boswellia even improved joint space in the knee in 44.1% of the 600mg group, suggesting that boswellia can actually help reverse osteoarthritis.
Front Pharmacol. July 18, 2024;15:1428440.

12/24/2025

15% off Christmas EVE

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141 Craig Street
Duncan, BC
V9L1V8

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