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Community Corner

Vitamins And Herbs For A Healthy Summer Body

Murphy's Health Foods recommends natural allergy relief, Vitamin D supplements, and Vitamin B to deter mosquitoes.

Although the word “summer” generally brings to mind images of flip-flops and beach bags, it also means outdoor activities, mosquitoes, and sun. To help find a natural way to rejuvenate and protect our summer bodies, we asked owner Lori Murphy for her insight into all of the supplements, creams, and drops on the market.

Vitamin D

“Although we’d like to think that while we’re shedding more of our clothing and exposing more of our skin that we’re going to be manufacturing more Vitamin D3, we’re still so far from the equator that we are still not getting adequate amounts,” Murphy says.

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She stresses that people from Midwestern states have lower than adequate levels of vitamin D even in summer months. Since vitamin D affects the immune system, cardiovascular system, mental health, stress reduction, and shows abilities in reducing cancer risks, she says that people should take a supplement year round.

Allergy Relief

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Warmer months also bring high levels of outdoor allergens. For allergy relief, Murphy suggests cleansing nasal passages with a neti pot, an irrigation device that pushes a salt water solution through sinus cavities.

“You literally are pouring this solution very comfortably through your nasal passages and you’re cleansing out the pollens, bacteria, or viruses that are perhaps trapped in there,” she explains.

For those who prefer using a nasal spray, she says there are several simple mist sprays that can act as decongestants with anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. One spray, Xlear, uses a mixture of xylitol and saline solution.

“Xylitol is known as a sweetener in the industry,” Murphy says. “But it’s really pretty amazing because it has these properties that actually make bacteria grab onto it. So you can use the Xlear spray several times throughout the day, and it almost puts up an invisible barrier.”

Murphy says there are additional herbs, supplements and compounds that help with allergy relief, such as nettle and probiotics.

Pesky Bug Defense

Summer brings bugs, particularly mosquitoes. Murphy suggests avoiding sprays containing DEET, the active ingredient found in most bug repellants, and opting for simple and effective natural products.

“DEET is a very dangerous compound,” she says. “It attacks the central nervous system. Anything we put on our skin goes into our blood stream.”

Murphy says that essential oils like citronella, eucalyptus, tea tree, lemongrass, and sandalwood are effective in repelling mosquitoes. She also suggests increasing vitamin B intake.

“Vitamin B is one of the stinkiest vitamins out there,” Murphy says. “We emit the aroma through our skin, and the mosquitoes smell it, but we don’t.”

She says, besides supplements, bug repellant vitamin B patches can be worn on the skin. When applied two hours before exposure, the waterproof patches can keep the bugs away for up to 36 hours.

Topically, she also encourages people to seek out natural sunscreens and use homeopathic bug bite ointments.

Rejuvenate and Protect

“People are more active in the summer, they’re outside more and while they’re sweating, they’re losing minerals,” Murphy says.

She suggests using electrolyte droppers to infuse either gallons of water at home or portable water bottles.

Heightened activity can also be hard on joints, and Murphy says lubricating the joints with fish oils and flax seed oils can protect the joint fabric and reduce inflammation.

“It’s so easy. You can get it in a liquid form and put it in a frozen smoothie. You won’t even taste it,” she says. “You’re lubricating the body from the inside out.”

According to Murphy, season changes are ideal times to perform full body cleanses which help rejuvenate the entire body by releasing toxic buildup which can prevent disease, breakouts and auto-immune problems She says there are different types of cleanses that can last from five to 30 days.

When in Doubt, Ask the Experts

Navigating the vitamin and supplement shelves can be overwhelming. Murphy says since she uses many of her products herself, she tries to give personal referrals whenever possible. She and her staff want the public to know that health food stores are a resource for health education as well as products.

“I like to be able to say, ‘I took this and this is how I felt.’ We know these products from top to bottom,” she says. “This is what we do.”

is located at 400 N. Milwaukee Ave. in downtown Libertyville. For more information on health food products call their store at (847) 362-4664.

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