Drink! Drink! Drink!

The temps soar, you want to run, bike, or even swim, but you feel awful after just an hour or so. Dehydration is deadly – and sneaky. You might not think you’ve lost as much moisture as you have, your brain begins to fog a bit, and next thing you know, you can hardly move. Even swimming will dehydrate you; you might be in water, but you don’t absorb it through your skin. Keep a water bottle on hand for regular sips throughout your time in the sun. If you choose to use plastic or steel, don’t leave it in the car because the added heat can accelerate chemicals leaching into the water. Water is great, but you do need to replace lost electrolytes, too. Electrolytes are the trace minerals and salt your body uses and loses through sweat. Alcohol, however tasty on a hot afternoon, actually dehydrates you more because it’s a diuretic- makes you go to the bathroom more frequently. It also tends to fog your brain, which is the last thing you want to do to your poor heat-fogged brain. To make your outdoor fun a little safer, remember to drink! drink! drink! For an electrolyte boost, add a mix like Alacer Electrolytes to your water. It has no artificial sweeteners or additives and will help rehydrate you a bit better than straight water. For a home-made mix, use two to three tablespoonfuls of vinegar, one (or two) tablespoonful of honey, about a teaspoon of fresh grated ginger or a handful of fresh mint (or lemon balm, sage, lavender) in a quart of water. If you don’t mind a bit of sludge, leave the ginger or herbs in the bottle and keep topping off with plain water as needed. Drop by the shop to check out the silicone-sleeved glass water bottles we offer. They are made in the USA, 100% dishwasher safe, with or without a drink cap.


Shop info: Ravenswood Natural Health 1606 Hopmeadow St. Simsbury CT. 860-264-1587. Hours: Mon. closed; Tues. 11:00 - 5:30; Wed. & Fri. 9:30 - 5:00; Thurs. 10:00 - 6:00; Sat. & Sun. 9:30 - 5:00. Website: www.ravenswoodnaturalhealth.com

Introducing The Heretic Herbalist

"This lady isn't for burning" ~ T.J. Banks, Sketch People

Well, that should have gotten your attention, eh? But what is a heretical herbalist, anyway? Heresy, broadly, is not accepting the status quo (think the Reformation or the Inquisition). In this sense, I will not simply accept a TV "expert" personality (medical doctor, psychologist, whoever) shouting the daily cure. Further, I separate solid science and spirituality at my little shop. If your chakras are clogged or your aura is cloudy, I can't help you, I'm sorry. But if you have a particular issue and want to know the best supplement for it, I can show you websites or the PDR for Herbs to research one herb or another. Heretical, indeed!

When I was growing up, my favorite hangout was the local herb shop, run by the local hippie commune as far as I could tell. On its tidy shelves I found vitamins, supplements, local crafts, cool books - total heaven for me. I suppose anything New Age or spiritual was back behind the tie-dye curtain (made on the commune, likely) along with the bongs and pot (also likely made on the commune) and whatever it was that prompted an "Adults Only" sign at the doorway. But I can't say for certain, as I never did more than poke my nose back there once; nothing interesting, I decided, and headed for the books.Mystical? Meh. Where were the herbals?

Those years of researching the history and use of herbs finally culminated with my opening Ravenswood Natural Health in 2010. The shop reflects that same drive for solid answers I had way back when. Through the years I watched the New Age really take off - and take over the local vitamin shops. Yes, I know medicine and religion have intertwined since both began. However, there was this little episode called the Enlightenment a few hundred years ago, when the two began to separate and the scientific community started questioning the spiritual aspects. Spectral evidence, doctrine of signatures, divine wrath illnesses - all by the wayside. However, all things old are new again, or at least New Age. Starting in the 1980's, many vitamin shops added new healing methods like crystals and channeling (remember Lazaris, Mafu, and Ramtha?). What was "in" - the best practices and modalities - have vanished just a few decades on. However, the spiritual additions continued, so that today, many vitamin shops have a heavy spiritual side as well.

My shop has crafts that can have many meanings- a tiny tree sculpture may be lovely for a gardener or a Wiccan. A candle labelled Blessing as its scent smells good, blesses the owner, or both. Feng shui chimes might balance your home or just sound and look good. It's a welcome haven for all- no matter the religion or lack. A calm spot of neutrality that embraces most anyone.

So. How do you do, I'm Sara Thornton, the Heretic Herbalist. Drop by my shop to check out the vitamins, stay for the gardens!

Shop info: Ravenswood Natural Health 1606 Hopmeadow St. Simsbury CT. 860-264-1587. Hours: Mon. closed; Tues. 11:00 - 5:30; Wed. & Fri. 9:30 - 5:00; Thurs. 10:00 - 6:00; Sat. & Sun. 9:30 - 5:00. Website: www.ravenswoodnaturalhealth.com