Echinaforce - cold & flu herbal remedy from A.Vogel

'Tis the season to be jolly, but alas it is also the season when many people suffer from cold and flu. Now I would rather cut off my arm than have a flu shot. This is a personal choice, of course, and I would never give unsolicited advice to anyone who religiously does flu shots every winter. For me the side effects far outweigh the unproved promised protection. With two kids going to school and catching all kinds of viruses, it is almost impossible for me to avoid catching a cold. Life is miserable when you have a cough and a runny nose, when your throat feels sore and a nose is so congested you can hardly smell anything. Not a big fan of over-the-counter medicines, I am always interested in finding alternative ways of alleviating cold and flu symptoms. Unable to shift a cough for a few weeks on an on and off basis, I was glad to test a new for me medication from A.Vogel - Echinaforce Hot Drink and Echinaforce Forte Cold & Flu tablets.

I have tried Echinaforce Hot Drink first. This soothing hot drink tastes lovely. Sometimes with herbal remedies you almost force yourself to take them, as they taste vile. Not this drink.
It combines Echinacea root and herb extracts with Black Elderberry (Sambucus nigra).
I have had a very sore throat, when I tried it first. It is also good to help fighting off such symptoms as aching limbs and headaches. While my limbs weren't affected, my head was a bit fuzzy.
The hot drink actually cleared my head pretty well, as well as soothed my throat. And though it wasn't an overnight miracle, in a few days I felt much-much better.

As you can see from the photos, the hot drink has a dark ruby red colour. You only need a spoonful for a cup of hot water.
Like all medicines, this product can cause side effects, but I haven't experienced them. My stomach is quite sensitive, and I usually have a stomach discomfort with the usual over-the-counter cold medicines. I can only say that Echinaforce Hot Drink didn't cause me any trouble.

Echinaforce Forte Cold & Flu tablets is made from the same herbal extract of freshly harvested, organically grown Echinacea purpurea. As it comes in tablets, it might be an easier way to carry a pack with you. Very convenient to take on a trip.
This traditional herbal medicinal product is used to relieve the symptoms of the common cold and flu type infections.
Sadly both products are not suitable for children under 12 because of its high strength formulation.

I have been taking both the tablets and hot drink for over a week, and they certainly helped me to shift that darned cold and cough. I am feeling human again.

Disclosure: I received two A.Vogel products for the purposes of testing and reviewing. All opinions are mine.

Summer Health Week and giveaway (c/d 22 July 2014)

"Hot town, summer in the city!" Summer is a wonderful season, with long evenings in the garden, holidays abroad or pleasures of a staycation. Yet it also brings along such "bonuses" as hayfever, sunburn, insect bites etc.

"Staying healthy is vital when enjoying fun in the sun, wherever you are", says A.Vogel and invites you to sign up to their Summer Health Week, which starts next Monday, 7th July. What exactly is a Summer health week, you might ask. If you sign up, you will be receiving daily emails for a week, each day covering a different health issue like sunburn, insect bites, tired legs, immune system and so on.

To coincide with Summer Health Week, lovely people from A.Vogel have offered a prize for my blog readers. One lucky person will win a selection of A.Vogel products, which will feature in daily tips and health advice which you will receive by email if you join in.

The Summer Health Kit consists of: Molkosan Fruit (200ml), Pollinosan nasal spray (20ml), Venagel (100ml), Echinacea lozenges (30g), Soothing Neem Cream and an Insect Repellent (50ml), valued at over £30.

Due to licensing issues, the sponsor has replaced Atrogel with Pollinosan nasal spray (a product of similar value). 

To be in with a chance of winning this super prize, please use the Rafflecopter entry form.

T&Cs:
Only the first step is mandatory: all you need is answer the question by leaving a comment (if you login as Anonymous, please leave you Twitter name or FB name, so that I could identify you, I do not suggest leaving the email address in the comment)

All the other steps are optional, you don't have to do them all. All it takes to win is just one entry. 
Only one entry per person is allowed (however, you can tweet daily to increase your chances). 
The giveaway is open to the UK residents only. 
Once the Rafflecopter picks the winners, I will check if they have done what was requested. I will contact the winners, if they do not reply within 28 days, the prize will be allocated to another person. I will pass on the winners' details to A.Vogel Herbal Remedies who will dispatch the prizes. 

The giveaway will close on 22 July midnight (from the 21st to the 22nd).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Molkosan Fruit from A.Vogel Herbal Remedies

I was eagerly anticipating the arrival of a new Molkosan Fruit, which is a new whey drink. I first tried Molkosan Vitality back in January, and have discovered it really improved my digestion problems, especially the heartburn. Our local health shop only sells the original Molkosan, and I have been buying it but cannot say I enjoy the original flavour very much. It does taste very "healthy". Yet it works wonders for my stomach. I knew that the people behind the brand were working on a new flavour of Molkosan, and Molkosan Fruit is a new juicy twist on a classic whey product.

It comes concentrated, so you need to dilute it with water or add to juice of your choice. It is much nicer taste-wise than the original Molkosan. The colour is very pretty pink.

The original formula is enhanced with a juice of aronia berry and pomegranate, two super foods which are known for health benefits from lowering the high blood pressure to boosting the immune system.
I have a little aronia plant in my garden, and hoping to have some berries this year.
There are two types of aronia, with red and black berries. The red ones are sweet, while the black berries have a lovely tang to them. They are great in compotes and jellies.

Molkosan Fruit is sweetened with stevia. It is rich in L+ lactic acid and "has the added benefit of calcium, which helps the normal function of the enzymes needed for the digestion of food".

As a foodie blogger, I do get to test and try all sorts of products, some of which disagree with my stomach (like very hot spices). If I am cooking a rich meal, I have a glass of diluted Molkosan before dinner to save myself from any possible discomfort later.

Molkosan Fruit tastes lovely, and it would not be difficult to convince even the fussy eaters to have it added to drinks or smoothies.

Looking at my keywords recently, I noticed that someone came to read my blog, looking for information if Molkosan is safe to drink during pregnancy. Actually I didn't know the answer, and asked an A.Vogel representative.
The answer is: No, it is not advisable to take Molkosan during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

You can find more information on A.Vogel Herbal Remedies site.

Disclosure: I received a bottle of Molkosan Fruit for the purposes of testing and reviewing. All opinions are mine.

Golden Rod & Knotgrass cleansing herb tea blend (A.Vogel)

I have successfully finished my 14Day Detox plan, and can pat myself on the head for sticking to it. It wasn't difficult, as I didn't have any impossible targets. I have cut down my coffee and black tea intake, and was drinking a lot of herbal infusions and tea blends instead. Golden Rod & Knotgrass cleansing tea blend (A.Vogel) was one of my little helpers, which kept me hydrated and refreshed.

I have also been taking Molkosan Vitality which I reviewed recently. I liked the effect so much that I visited our local health shop and bought a bottle of Molkosan Original (they didn't have Vitality). Taste-wise, the Original flavour is just like drinking whey, so not everyone's cuppa tea, and once this bottle is finished, I will order Molkosan Vitality as I prefer its flavour. But both of these products work really well to prevent from feeling bloated and sluggish.
These products from A.Vogel helped me with my Detox plan.

What is Golden Rod & Knotgrass cleansing herb tea blend?
"A gentle blend of five herbs, known for their positive effect in kidney and bladder function, will relieve fluid retention and contribute to an overall cleansing of the system, without strong detoxification reactions.  It is an ideal adjunct to other detox treatments.
How to take: 1 cup twice daily"

It is a pleasant tea blend of amber colour, very refreshing. Unlike some cleansing herbal teas, it is very easy to drink (you know what I mean, some teas do taste like a bitter medicine and it takes an effort to consume them).

This tea blend contains golden rod, birch leaves, knotgrass, horsetail and wild pansies.
I can easily see this tea becoming a part of my daily routine.

Disclosure: I received a box of Golden rod tea for the purposes of testing and reviewing. All opinions are mine.

Molkosan Vitality and 14 Day Detox Plan

Christmas meal is probably the most calorie-laden meal of the year for many families. We had a big feast on Christmas, and after eating the leftovers for a couple of days, I felt totally lacking in energy and as stuffed as the turkey. You know that feeling of being bloated, sluggish, apathetic and lethargic? Yes, that's how I felt after trying to polish the remains of Heston Blumenthal's pudding with a champagne cream (well, nobody wanted to finish it, that was my excuse anyway). Well, why don't I try some Molkosan Vitality?!

What is Molkosan® Vitality?
It is a powdered prebiotic drink used for easing bloating and promoting better digestion. It is a more convenient version of Molkosan Original. Made from organic milk, it is lactose and calorie free and is suitable for vegetarians.
We are all familiar with a nursery rhyme about Little Miss Muffet who sat on a tuffet,eating her curds and whey. But how many people nowadays actually know what whey is or use it? My grandmother used to make her own cottage cheese (she kept the best milking cows in her village and people came from the other villages to buy milk and cottage cheese). I know she kept the whey in the fridge and washed her face with it.
But I digress.
Going back to Molkosan Vitality. "Made from fresh whey, Molkosan Vitality is made using Molkosan Original, naturally fermented concentrated whey rich in L+ lactic acid".
How to take it?
Just add a sachet of the powder to a glass of water (or apple juice), stir well and drink immediately.
Do this at least 20 minutes away from food intake.

I opened the first sachet on the 27th of December, and mixed with water.
First impressions upon drinking a glass of Molkosan Vitality:
It is an acquired taste, slightly orangey and with a vaguely sour note, but quite mild and not unpleasant. I have dissolved the powder just in water, as I wanted to find out the real taste rather than disguised in the juice. I could also taste the green tea. It is not a sweetened drink.
I think for kids, unless they are well-trained and take health products easily (which is not the case with my guys, and by that I don't mean they need it sweet and sugary), it might be advisable to dissolve the powder in apple juice.
I have quite a sensitive stomach, and do have problems with heartburn. I felt better after taking my first cup of Molkosan. I was impressed, as it definitely has eased the bloating.
I can easily see this drink becoming part of my daily routine, as I can feel the benefits.


If you have over-indulged yourself over these festive days, would you like to join in Fourteen Day Detox Plan? I am definitely taking part, and encourage you to join in. There is also a chance to win a healthy pack worth £50 if you sign up before the 6th of January 2014.
Just looking at the list of Weaknesses, I keep nodding my head in agreement - caffeine, sugar, chocolate - yes, mea culpa. Over-indulged on all fronts.
Go on, join in and see what you can do to improve your well-being. Take as much or as little from the plan, as you want.

Disclosure: I received a pack of Molkosan Vitality for the purposes of testing and reviewing. All opinions are mine.

Perchance to dream: Dormeasan Sleep Valerian-Hops oral drops review

You know the feeling: you keep tossing your head, trying to find the elusive sleep, but it doesn't come. You check the time, swear, try to count the sheep, anything really, get up, have a sip of water, maybe read, be too tired to do anything and unable to find the much desired oblivion.
I often have bouts of insomnia, and hate it. My kids often keep me awake, but even on the night when they are sleeping peacefully, I might have a problem with falling asleep. My mind is racing, I am quite angry at myself for not catching the opportunity to have a rest, but the sleep doesn't come. Of course, when the time comes to get up, you feel like a zombie.

I have tried several sleeping pills in the past, but they didn't seem to do much of a difference.

When I read on BritMums that a long established company A Vogel Herbal Remedies is looking for bloggers to test the herbal drops Dormeasan Sleep Valerian-Hops, I wanted to try it and find out if it works for me.

What is Dormeasan Sleep?
Dormeasan^® is a herbal sleep remedy made from extracts of freshly harvested, organically grown Valerian root and Hops.

Image credit: A,Vogel

Its benefits and features include the following:

Herbal sleep remedy

Helps restore natural sleep

Tinctures of Valerian and Hops

Fresh herb extract

"Dormeasan^® is not a 'sleeping pill’. It is a herbal sleeping aid and won't normally leave you feeling groggy in the morning. Unlike many sleep remedies, Dormeasan^® is available in the form of a liquid herbal tincture. Taken just half an hour before bedtime, it can help if you worry that you can't sleep - encouraging a more natural sleep, helping you sleep better and wake feeling refreshed."

What were my first impressions? When I opened the little bottle, the smell of Valerian immediately reminded me of my great grandmother who kept a bottle of Valerian drops by her bedside, "for the heart", as she used to say. As you know, the Valerian root drops have a very distinct smell that you cannot mistake for anything else. It also brought back memories of our cat Kuzya who would go crazy at the sight of the bottle of the Valerian drops. As a kid, I found it extremely amusing.

My Mum is a great believer in herbal remedies, and she also takes the Valerian drops, though she doesn't take it for the sleeping disorder, more for the calming effect when she is feeling stressed.

As for Hops, in a way, it is very similar to the Valerian as it is also used as a treatment for anxiety, restlessness and insomnia.

The first couple of nights after taking Dormeasan Sleep I wasn't able to properly test the effect as our older son was very restless and hardly slept at all, so we were all kept awake.
Then on the 3rd night, once my guys were finally asleep, I decided to read but realised that the bed was a much more alluring prospect. The drops didn't have an immediate effect but they definitely made me more sleepy and relaxed.
I have been taking it for over a week, and have to report that Dormeasan Sleep does work for me. I think the main effect is lowering down my anxiety levels, thus making the transition to sleep smoother. It does what is promises: encourages a more natural sleep.

It tastes quite bitter, even diluted in water or juice, and the smell is quite distinct too, but if you gulp it quickly, it helps.
Anyway, a bit of a bitter taste is a small price to pay for a more restful night.