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

04/24/2026
๐๐„๐‘๐๐„๐‘๐ˆ๐๐„ is a compound found naturally in many plants. It is a popular supplement that can help promote weight loss, en...
04/24/2026

๐๐„๐‘๐๐„๐‘๐ˆ๐๐„
is a compound found naturally in many plants. It is a popular supplement that can help promote weight loss, enhance blood sugar control, and protect against several chronic conditions. Berberine has a variety of functions inside cells. One of the main functions is activating an important enzyme called AMPK, which regulates metabolism.
It has been shown to significanly lower blood sugars in people with type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes.
It works by several mechanisms:
*Decrease insulin resistance, making the blood sugar lowering hormone insulin more effective
*increase glycolysis, helping the body break down sugars inside cells
*decrease sugar production in the liver
*slow the breakdown of carbohydrates in the gut
*increase the number of beneficial bacteria in the gut
Other studied benefits include:
*Improved blood lipids-cholesterol and triglycerides
*Increase weight loss
*Improve heart health
*Depression
*fatty liver
*reduce growth and spread of various cancer types
*Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant
*Cardiovascular health, strenghthen heartbeat
*antibacterial benefits
๐๐„๐‘๐๐„๐‘๐ˆ๐๐„- a super beneficial alkaloid gift from nature!
TinaLee Foster, RHN
Essential Remedies

๐™… ๐™… ๐™Ž๐™๐™ž๐™ฃ๐™š ๐˜ฝ๐™ง๐™ž๐™œ๐™๐™ฉNEW local skincare products, featuring Tallow !!Whipped all-over/face balms:1)Silk Soothe balm with tall...
04/17/2026

๐™… ๐™… ๐™Ž๐™๐™ž๐™ฃ๐™š ๐˜ฝ๐™ง๐™ž๐™œ๐™๐™ฉ
NEW local skincare products, featuring Tallow !!
Whipped all-over/face balms:
1)Silk Soothe balm with tallow, emu oil, seabuckthorn, essential oils.
2)Everything Whipped balm unscented just local grass-finished tallow and jojoba oil.

Deeply hydrating, smoothing, healing skin issues, great for face or any dry or sensitive areas, and anywhere in need of tlc!!

๐’๐ž๐š๐ฌ๐จ๐ง๐š๐ฅ ๐€๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ž๐ซ๐ ๐ข๐ž๐ฌMany people suffer this time a year now that springtime is arriving. The green grass and the beautiful...
04/17/2026

๐’๐ž๐š๐ฌ๐จ๐ง๐š๐ฅ ๐€๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ž๐ซ๐ ๐ข๐ž๐ฌ
Many people suffer this time a year now that springtime is arriving. The green grass and the beautiful flowers are such a delight, but itchy eyes and throat, sinus congestion, and a runny nose, is certainly not for folks who suffer. There are many natural ways to help alleviate symptoms of seasonal allergies.
Depending on what type of pollens you are allergic to, it is a good idea to avoid certain foods during your symptoms. For example, those with ragweed allergy may also be sensitive to melons, bananas, cucumbers, sunflower seeds, echinacea and chamomile, as they can trigger an allergic response
in your system. Foods you are sensitive or allergic to should be avoided(like wheat and gluten, dairy) as they will dampen your immunity and cause further issues. If you're not sure what you could be extra aggravated by, try an elimination diet for some time and then reintroduce foods one at a time, for 3-5 days before the next one. Wheat, soy, shellfish, dairy, chocolate, and eggs are just a few of the common trigger foods for most. Also avoid processed foods and sugar as they cause inflammation in the body and lower your immune system.
Foods to enjoy during allergy season are raw local honey, hot and spicy foods like garlic, onion, cinnamon, ginger, cayenne, bone broth, probiotic-rich/fermented foods, pineapple, apple cider vinegar, fresh organic vegetables, and clean protein including wild fish. These strengthen your immune system and thus ease your symptoms. Helping digestion and consuming anti-inflammatory foods and herbs is beneficial.
Supplements to implement are spirulina, quercetin, probiotics, astragalus, butterbur, black cumin, bromelein(from pineapple), vitamin A and zinc. Nettle tea is great to drink for its antihistamine and antiinflammatory properties. Homeopathics and eye drops are also available!
Essential oils to diffuse are pepperment, eucalyptus, and lavender.
Remember to stay hydrated, keep yourself, the pets, and the house clean, limit exposure, declutter, and shut the doors and windows(for now). An air purifier helps too.
Be well this spring!
Tina Foster, RHN

๐†๐จ๐ญ๐ฎ ๐Š๐จ๐ฅ๐š ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ญ๐ž๐œ๐ญ๐ฌ ๐˜๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐„๐ฒ๐ž๐ฌ ๐Ÿ๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ ๐Œ๐š๐œ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐š๐ซ ๐ƒ๐ž๐ ๐ž๐ง๐ž๐ซ๐š๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐งMacular degeneration is a product of free radical damage and decli...
04/10/2026

๐†๐จ๐ญ๐ฎ ๐Š๐จ๐ฅ๐š ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ญ๐ž๐œ๐ญ๐ฌ ๐˜๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐„๐ฒ๐ž๐ฌ ๐Ÿ๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ ๐Œ๐š๐œ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐š๐ซ ๐ƒ๐ž๐ ๐ž๐ง๐ž๐ซ๐š๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
Macular degeneration is a product of free radical damage and declining antioxidant protection. It can cause difficulty seeing things directly in front of you. In the U.S., it is the leading cause of visual impairment in people over 60. A well known traditional herb from South and Southeast Asia can help, according to a new study.
Your retina is especially sensitive to oxidative damage. Macular pigment filters damaging light and protects your retina from oxidative damage. It is mostly composed of the carotene antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin. Degeneration of the macula caused by this free radical damage is a common cause of visual impairment.
This double-blind study gave 75 men and women who were between 45 and 65 either a placebo or 300mg of gotu kola extract a day for 6 months. The study wanted to see the effect of gotu kola on macular pigment optical density (MPOD), a marker of the antioxidant status of the macula.
At the end of the study, supplementing gotu kola led to a significant increase in MPOD compared to placebo in the left eye, in the right eye and in the average of both eyes. Significantly more people in the gotu kola group responded than in the placebo group with 32.43% of the placebo group responding versus a significantly better 94.74% of the gotu kola group.
There were fewer adverse events in the herb group than in the placebo group. There were no serious adverse events, and none were related to the treatment.
This study suggests for the first time that gotu kola can help maintain macular health.
Nutrients. 2026 Mar 12;18(6):905.

๐€๐ฌ๐ก๐ฐ๐š๐ ๐š๐ง๐๐ก๐š ๐ˆ๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐ฏ๐ž๐ฌ ๐‚๐จ๐ ๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐งLow energy and stress can have a detrimental impact on cognition. Ashwagandha is a powerfu...
04/10/2026

๐€๐ฌ๐ก๐ฐ๐š๐ ๐š๐ง๐๐ก๐š ๐ˆ๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐ฏ๐ž๐ฌ ๐‚๐จ๐ ๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
Low energy and stress can have a detrimental impact on cognition. Ashwagandha is a powerful adaptogenic herb that has been shown to help energy, stress and cognition.
This new double-blind study gave 115 people with low energy who were also experiencing attention or memory issues either a placebo or 300mg of ashwagandha extract twice a day for 8 weeks.
Compared to placebo, ashwagandha safely led to significant improvement in memory, working memory, attention and learning. The people taking ashwagandha also had significant improvement in mood, energy and executive function.
J Psychoactive Drugs. 2026 Jan-Mar;58(1):45-57.

04/07/2026

Customer Appreciation day today 15 percent off!๐Ÿ˜Š

๐„๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ž๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐š๐ฅ ๐Ž๐ข๐ฅ๐ฌ ๐Ÿ๐จ๐ซ ๐’๐ญ๐ซ๐ž๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐š๐ง๐ ๐’๐ฅ๐ž๐ž๐ฉOur scent-sense is extremely powerful and is directly wired to the part of the brain ...
04/02/2026

๐„๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ž๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐š๐ฅ ๐Ž๐ข๐ฅ๐ฌ ๐Ÿ๐จ๐ซ ๐’๐ญ๐ซ๐ž๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐š๐ง๐ ๐’๐ฅ๐ž๐ž๐ฉ
Our scent-sense is extremely powerful and is directly wired to the part of the brain center of memory and emotion. As you have no doubt experienced, a particular scent can spark a special memory or association, and promote a strong emotion-like joy, nostalgia, excitement. Cells in our nose pickup smells and send this information to the brain via an olfactory nerve. It is a direct and quick process, and so the idea of using the scent organ for helping our mind and body, it makes sense!
The use of essential oils for medicinal purposes, as aromatherapy, dates way back to ancient Egyptians, Chinese, and the Romans. Now, scientific studies show the sleep and relaxation promoting, stress-relieving, pain-reducing, and mood-regulating benefits of essential oils. Aromatherapy can be used in mind-body connection therapy to create better sleep, both by helping sleep directly, and by relief of stress, anxiety, mood, and physical discomfort.
You can apply the oils directly(like to wrists, temples, wherever you feel you need) and use in massage, add to bath, use a diffuser, and make your own mist/spritzer for linens, etc.
Try these for sleep and stress:
- Lavender
- Lemon, citrus, or Bergamot
- Ylang-ylang
- Jasmine
- Clary sage
- Sandalwood
- Rose and Geranium
- Rosemary (my personal anti-stress favourite)

Be well,
Tina Foster, RHN
Essential Remedies

๐™ƒ๐™ค๐™ก๐™ฎ ๐˜ฝ๐™–๐™จ๐™ž๐™ก/๐™๐™ช๐™ก๐™จ๐™ž"Queen of Herbs"Native to Southeast Asia, holy basil tulsi has long been used in ancient Indian medicine...
03/27/2026

๐™ƒ๐™ค๐™ก๐™ฎ ๐˜ฝ๐™–๐™จ๐™ž๐™ก/๐™๐™ช๐™ก๐™จ๐™ž
"Queen of Herbs"
Native to Southeast Asia, holy basil tulsi has long been used in ancient Indian medicine as a treatment and aid for many afflictions and conditions. Holy basil is a tonic for the whole body, mind, spirit. Different parts of the plant from seed to leaf are recommended for different issues, from bronchitis malaria, stomach issues, eczema, eye diseases, ringworm, to anxiety. The entire plant is supported by studies for human use and therapeutic value. Nutritionally it contains vitamins A and C, calcium, zinc, iron, and chlorophyll.
Holy Basil works as an adaptogen, helping your body and mind adjust to its needs, and as such is great for stress reduction and anxiety, and worry and depression. It also helps with sleep problems, sexual problems, memory, exhaustion and stamina, immunity, detoxification, and enhances metabolism too. It fosters clear thoughts, relaxation, and a sense of well-being. It is high in antioxidants and protects your body against toxic chemicals. It can help to prevent cancer by inhibition of cancerous cell growth, It promotes detoxification of the body. Leaf extracts are used to treat infections and boost wound healing speed and strength. It is antibacterial/viral, and anti-inflammatory. It lowers blood sugar and so is useful for insulin resistance, prediabetics, or type 2. It also benefits the circulatory system as it lowers cholesterol and hypertension. It helps with digestion and weight gain prevention. Being a good anti-inflammatory, it can help those with arthritis and joint pain. Holy basil protects the stomach by many means, including counteracting stress-induced ulcers, increasing defenses by increased mucosal cells, and enhancing immunity. Wow, yes it can do a lot for you! Here is a recap:
Holy Basil/Tulsi:
- Powerful antioxidant
- Liver protectant
- Anti-inflammatory
- Immune enhancer
- Brain and cognition
- Stress and anxiety
- Heart/circulatory protectant
- Insulin regulator
- Metabolism
- Digestive aid
- Wound healer
- Anti-cancer and radiation
- Anti-bacterial,viral, and fungal
- Anti-histamine
- Boosts testosterone
- Eye, skin,and hair health..and more!
I like to have an afternoon tulsi tea to instantly melt the stress away...It truly is a gift from nature.
Be well and sip to your health,
Tina Foster, RHN
Essential Remedies

๐™ˆ๐™Š๐™Š๐˜ฟ ๐˜ฝ๐™Š๐™Š๐™Ž๐™๐™„๐™‰๐™‚ ๐™Ž๐™๐™‹๐™‹๐™‡๐™€๐™ˆ๐™€๐™‰๐™๐™Ž*๐‘ฉ ๐’„๐’๐’Ž๐’‘๐’๐’†๐’™ ๐’—๐’Š๐’•๐’‚๐’Ž๐’Š๐’๐’”: produce important brain chemicals that affect mood and other brain functio...
03/23/2026

๐™ˆ๐™Š๐™Š๐˜ฟ ๐˜ฝ๐™Š๐™Š๐™Ž๐™๐™„๐™‰๐™‚ ๐™Ž๐™๐™‹๐™‹๐™‡๐™€๐™ˆ๐™€๐™‰๐™๐™Ž

*๐‘ฉ ๐’„๐’๐’Ž๐’‘๐’๐’†๐’™ ๐’—๐’Š๐’•๐’‚๐’Ž๐’Š๐’๐’”: produce important brain chemicals that affect mood and other brain functions. Also boost energy production and proper metabolism.
*๐‘ฝ๐’Š๐’•๐’‚๐’Ž๐’Š๐’ ๐‘ซ: the sunshine vitamin(which we are lacking in the winter months!). Regulates mood and decreases depression, as well as being a vital vitamin for all aspects of health.
*๐‘ถ๐’Ž๐’†๐’ˆ๐’‚ 3๐’”: play a role in sharpening memory and improving mood, as well as protecting your brain against cognitive decline.
*5-๐‘ฏ๐‘ป๐‘ท: helps raise serotonin levels in the brain. Since serotonin helps regulate mood and behavior, 5-HTP has a positive effect on sleep, mood, anxiety, appetite, and pain sensation.
*๐‘ฎ๐‘จ๐‘ฉ๐‘จ: known for producing a calming effect. It's thought to play a major role in controlling anxiety, stress and fear.
*๐‘บ๐’•. ๐‘ฑ๐’๐’‰๐’'๐’” ๐‘พ๐’๐’“๐’•: increases the activity of brain chemicals such as serotonin and noradrenaline, helping to stabilize mood, and is a well-studied natural anti-depressant.
*๐‘ฏ๐’๐’๐’š ๐‘ฉ๐’‚๐’”๐’Š๐’: an ayurvedic remedy that has antidepressant and antianxiety properties. Studies have shown that it can help people feel more social and less anxious.
*๐‘ฎ๐’Š๐’๐’ˆ๐’Œ๐’ ๐‘ฉ๐’Š๐’๐’๐’ƒ๐’‚: in addition to increasing brain circulation and helping memory, Ginkgo also increases the turnover of both serotonin and dopamine, neurotransmitters often low in those with depression. Ginkgo extract can reduce symptoms of anxiety and stress by reducing levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
*๐‘บ๐’‚๐’‡๐’‡๐’“๐’๐’: a natural antidepressant, studied for effectively helping depression, anxiety, and stress. It works by increasing neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine in the brain, while its antioxidant properties reduce oxidative stress that contributes to low mood.




๐ˆ๐Ÿ ๐˜๐จ๐ฎ ๐’๐ฎ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ๐ž๐ซ ๐…๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ ๐Œ๐ข๐ ๐ซ๐š๐ข๐ง๐ž๐ฌ, ๐˜๐จ๐ฎ ๐Œ๐š๐ฒ ๐๐ž ๐‹๐จ๐ฐ ๐ˆ๐ง ๐“๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐•๐ข๐ญ๐š๐ฆ๐ข๐งMigraine headaches are ridiculously common. They can cause i...
03/20/2026

๐ˆ๐Ÿ ๐˜๐จ๐ฎ ๐’๐ฎ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ๐ž๐ซ ๐…๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ ๐Œ๐ข๐ ๐ซ๐š๐ข๐ง๐ž๐ฌ, ๐˜๐จ๐ฎ ๐Œ๐š๐ฒ ๐๐ž ๐‹๐จ๐ฐ ๐ˆ๐ง ๐“๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐•๐ข๐ญ๐š๐ฆ๐ข๐ง

Migraine headaches are ridiculously common. They can cause intense, throbbing pain; nausea; vomiting and sensitivity to light and sound that can seriously affect your quality of life. This new study suggests that getting more of one simple vitamin could help.
This study compared levels of vitamin B12 in people who suffered from migraines to the levels in people who didnโ€™t. The migraine group was further divided into people who suffered chronic migraine and people whose migraines were episodic.
The migraine group had significantly lower levels of B12, and the chronic migraine sufferers had significantly lower B12 levels than people with episodic migraines.
Adding to the evidence, lower B12 was significantly associated with greater severity of migraine attacks.
This study offers the possibility that low levels of B12 are associated with migraine headaches and their severity. It is the second recent study to find an association between low B12 levels and migraine (J Headache Pain. 2025 Nov 11;26(1):2500.
Neurol Res. 2025 Mar;47(3):195-200.

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

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