Calling all Philadelphia and New York-area residents! Don’t forget to RSVP for Boiron’s special evening events happening over the next two weeks! Gain global insights into the world of health and medicine from pharmacists Michèle Boiron, a family member/owner of Boiron Inc., and François Roux, a leading university authority responsible for preparing France’s future pharmacists. The pair are also celebrating the release of their new book for pharmacists, Homeopathy and Pharmaceutical Care, a follow-up to their 2008 consumer guide, Homeopathic Solutions Made Easy. Both books are available for purchase—pre-order your copy today and have it signed by the authors at the event!
WHEN: Thursday, April 4 at 6 p.m.
WHERE: WHYY Studios, Philadelphia, PA 19106
WHEN: Thursday, April 11 at 7 p.m.
WHERE: French Institute Alliance Française, New York, NY 10022
Complimentary cocktails & hors d’oeuvres will be served at both events. Attendance is free, but reservations are greatly appreciated. For more details, visit www.boironusa.com/hpc/. We hope to see you there!
Despite recent snowfalls, warmer weather is fast approaching, and many of us have already taken out our buckets, rags and rubber gloves in preparation for an all-out spring assault on our apartments and homes. 
But before we start reaching to wipe dusty ceiling fans or bending to lift stacks of old magazines, tune in to “Public Affairs with Yary Uhing” tomorrow on KMNY 1360 AM (Dallas/Fort Worth, Tx). Pharmacist Dr. Luis Caban and Uhing will discuss how we can get the job done without triggering the muscle aches and pains often associated with the spring cleaning season.
“Springtime, with its warmer temperatures and longer days, often makes us feel as though we need to get lots done, and therefore we often attempt to do too much too quickly,” says Dr. Caban. “Rushing makes us overuse or over-stretch our muscles, and the result of that typically is myalgia (muscle pain), soreness and stiffness.” Dr. Caban’s tips will keep us from being sidelined by pain during 2013’s “get-r-done” season, especially if we remember to have a natural pain-relieving gel like Arnicare Gel on hand at all times.
KMNY 1360 AM is a Hispanic radio station in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Not a local resident? Listen to KMNY live on the web.
If you are in the Colorado Springs area this Friday, tune in to “Tron In the Morning” on KCMN 1530 AM to hear Dr. Vincent Pedre’s interview with host Tron Simpson. Dr. Pedre and Simpson will discuss ways baby boomers can look young and feel younger. The key to it all? Exercise, says Dr. Pedre, founder of Pedre Integrative Health in New York City. “According to the National Institute of Aging, next to diet and shunning tobacco, nothing a person can do increases life expectancy more than exercise.” And if this increased activity brings on muscle pain, swelling or bruising, Dr. Pedre suggests baby boomers use a natural pain reliever such as Arnicare Gel. “Tron In The Morning” airs weekday mornings from 6-8 a.m. MT. Not from the Colorado Springs area? Listen to KCMN live on the web.
Spring is an ideal time to have a tube of Arnicare Gel on hand to help with muscle pain and stiffness from playing catch with your kids, testing out your green thumb, or simply stretching your legs in the park. It’s also the perfect time to win a 2.6 oz tube of your favorite natural pain reliever! Enter the Feel Better Faster! Sweepstakes now through April 30, and you’ll also be entered for a chance to win the grand prize: a Basket of Health filled with your favorite Arnicare products and merchandise ($200 value). There are plenty of chances to win—one winner of the gel will be drawn daily! For more information and to enter Arnicare’s Feel Better Faster! Sweepstakes, visit Arnicare’s Facebook page, and good luck!
Calling all El Segundo runners! Looking for a race this weekend? Then sign up for the 22nd El Segundo Run For Education 5K/10K tomorrow at 8 a.m., and try your luck at one of the more unique USATF certified courses in southern California. Hosted by El Segundo’s PTA Council as a major fundraiser for the K-12 public schools, the course features a moderate coastal climate and a tour of downtown El Segundo and its local residential neighborhoods. Top finishers will receive Arnicare Gel in their swag bags to help relieve those sore, stiff muscles post-race.
Not a runner, but still interested in participating? Stop by the Health & Fitness Expo from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Free to the public, the expo gives community members the opportunity to meet local health & fitness professionals, retailers and service providers offering the latest in running and fitness products available. Exhibitors will provide free samples, give demonstrations, and showcase sports apparel, health and nutritional products, and fitness services. For more information on the race and the expo, visit www.esrun4education.com/.
Michèle & François
Calling all Philadelphia and New York-area residents! Boiron is honored to host two special evening events this April, and you’re invited! Gain global insights into the world of health and medicine from pharmacists Michèle Boiron, a family member/owner of Boiron Inc., and François Roux, a leading university authority responsible for preparing France’s future pharmacists. The pair are also celebrating the release of their new book, Homeopathy and Pharmaceutical Care, a follow-up to their 2008 book, Homeopathic Solutions Made Easy. Both books are available for purchase—pre-order your copy today, and have it signed by the authors at the event!
WHEN: Thursday, April 4 at 6 p.m.
WHERE: WHYY Studios, Philadelphia, PA 19106
WHEN: Thursday, April 11 at 7 p.m.
WHERE: French Institute Alliance Française, New York, NY 10022
Complimentary cocktails & hors d’oeuvres will be served at both events. Attendance is free, but reservations are greatly appreciated. For more details and to RSVP by Friday, March 22, visit www.boironusa.com/hpc. We hope to see you there!
Celebrated everywhere whether you are Irish or not, St. Patrick’s Day is one of the busiest days of the year for most bars and restaurants. If you’re heading out to your favorite Irish pub this weekend to enjoy traditional food, drinks and Celtic music, be prepared to relieve that inevitable upset stomach or heartburn the next morning with these natural Boiron medicines. Acidil relieves heartburn, acid indigestion and upset stomach, while Gasalia relieves bloating, pressure and pain associated with gas. Both are available in quick-dissolving tablets. If you experience nausea and an upset stomach from overindulgence in food and drink, as well as hangover symptoms, try Nux vomica pellets. Nux also works well when you feel a bit drowsy after a heavy meal, or if you tend to eat too much spicy or rich food.
How will you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? Share your favorite spots or traditions with us, as well as your own healthy recovery tips. And here are some fun facts from Discovery News about the holiday’s traditions:
- 850,000 people attend the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Boston each year. That’s almost 22 times the capacity of Fenway Park.
- 83% of U.S. adults will wear green this year on St. Patrick’s Day. Shoulder to shoulder, those 102 million people would stretch from California to New York four times.
- 1 in 161 Americans is named Patrick. That’s almost two million people—more than the entire population of Dublin, Ireland.
- An estimated 13,000,000 pints of Guinness are consumed around the world on St. Patrick’s Day. That’s enough beer to fill 60% of the Empire State Building.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day from all of us here at Boiron!
Calling all new and expectant parents in the Los Angeles area! Head over to the Taglyan Cultural Complex in Hollywood tomorrow night for the “Biggest Baby Shower Ever,” hosted by Big City Moms.
The expo will feature a wide variety of top products and services in the baby industry, along with several seminars from some of the most highly-regarded figures in the pregnancy and parenting worlds, including author of The Experts’ Guide book series, Samantha Ettus; the Guncles—Bill Horn and Scout Masterson; and pediatrician and co-founder of MD Moms, Dr. JJ Levenstein. And don’t forget to make time to enjoy a sweet treat and one of the Big City Moms’ signature mocktails. Boiron is a proud exhibitor at this expo, and Boiron’s Deborah and Ana will be on hand to meet with attendees and share information about our Camilia teething medicine. Look for conference updates and photos on Twitter via @DeborahBoironPR.
What: The Biggest Baby Shower Ever LA
When: Thursday, March 14 – 6 – 9:30 p.m.
Where: Taglyan Cultural Complex, 1201 N. Vine St., Hollywood, CA 90038
How: A standard pass is $75 (includes gift bag, one Baby Shower Bingo card and complimentary parking). Click here to buy your tickets now!
Heading to the event? Make sure to stop by our Camilia booth and say “hello” to our team. We would love to meet you!
We’re celebrating good news here at Boiron! Our pain-relieving Arnicare Gel and our honey-based Chestal cough syrup were recently honored with 2013 Kids’ Essentials Awards by Taste for Life Magazine.
For these awards, parents on the Taste for Life staff nominated their own families’ essentials. Then the editors read labels and their colleagues’ reviews, and selected winners in four categories. Both Arnicare Gel and Chestal were chosen as winners in the “Everyday Remedies” category and are featured in the March 2013 issue of Taste for Life. To view the full list of winners, click here.
Arnicare Gel relieves muscle pain and stiffness and reduces swelling and discoloration from bruises. This non-sticky, non-greasy gel is quickly absorbed by the skin for fast pain relief. Chestal relieves all types of common coughs, and its honey base coats and soothes the throat. It’s non-drowsy and won’t interact with any other medications. Arnicare and Chestal are safe for everyone ages two and up, and both products work best when taken at the first sign of symptoms. Use our store finder to find a retailer nearest you that sells these medicines.
Calling all Chicago-area residents! Looking for new ways to improve your family’s overall health and wellness? Then head to Cantigny Park in Wheaton on Sunday from 1-5 p.m. for the Holistic Living Expo, sponsored by the Holistic Moms Network’s Chicago Western Suburbs chapter. Celebrating the chapter’s five-year anniversary, this expo will offer the community the opportunity to meet and interact with local chiropractors, massage therapists, health and wellness coaches, midwives, and nearby organic restaurants and farmers, as well representatives from several natural health and beauty companies. And don’t forget to participate in the fundraisers for your chance to win a Boiron gift basket! For more information, visit http://chicagowestsub.holisticmoms.org or email hmnchicagowesternsuburbs@gmail.com.
Natural Products Expo West, the world’s largest natural, organic and healthy products trade show kicks off Friday! With so many consumers now interested in health and sustainability, Expo West, held March 8-10 in Anaheim, Calif., is a forum for over 60,000 industry professionals to share ideas and introduce new products that are healthy and environmentally sound. A major exhibitor at Expo West for many years, Boiron is looking forward to interacting with our colleagues, supporters and retailers to find ways to improve our business to better serve you! You can find us in the middle of all the action at Booth 1216.
We’ll also be hosting some exciting social media events throughout the course of the show. Join us for a #MomsandBrands Twitter party on Thursday, March 7 at 7 p.m. EST for your chance to win some great prizes, including your own Arnicare Gel! Hosted by Kemi Ingram LLC, this Twitter party will highlight the best family-friendly products from this year’s expo. All prize winners will be chosen at random from the event’s RSVP list, so to register, click here to leave a comment and send a tweet to @MomsandBrands with the party hashtags #ExpoWest and #MomsandBrands.
Looking for a family-friendly outing this weekend? Then head to your local Vitamin Shoppe store tomorrow to participate in the National Share the Health Expo from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event is a great opportunity to find out more about the products Vitamin Shoppe offers, including Boiron’s homeopathic medicines, and to sample healthy goodies. You’ll also have the chance to meet with local gym representatives, chiropractors and massage therapists, just to name a few, and learn how each of them can support your quest for improved health and wellness. The first 50 customers at each store will receive a Vitamin Shoppe goodie bag, with a sample of our top-selling flu medicine, Oscillococcinum. Click here for more information and to RSVP at your local store!
Test Your Flu IQ & Get A Coupon!
Flu season may be coming to a close, but it’s always a good idea to have a box of Oscillococcinum on hand just in case you need to nip those symptoms in the bud. 
So head over to the Oscillo Facebook page to test your flu knowledge with our “What’s Your Flu IQ?” trivia game, and receive a $2 off coupon for your next purchase of Oscillococcinum. We’re also posting a few hints to help you correctly answer some of the trivia questions. Click here for information and to access the quiz. Thanks for playing, and don’t forget to share the quiz with your friends!
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is a major problem in the United Sates, but it is preventable and controllable. To celebrate February as American Hearth Month, here are some tips from the CDC for starting your own journey towards better heart health:
- Eat a healthy diet.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Monitor your blood pressure.
- Don’t smoke.
- Limit alcohol use.
- Have your cholesterol checked.
- Manage your diabetes.
- Take your medicine.
And here’s one last tip: don’t forget your Arnicare! Starting a heart-healthy program, like a new exercise regimen, is likely to cause sore muscles, so keep a tube of Arnicare Gel on hand to relieve muscle pain and stiffness, and to reduce swelling and discoloration from bruises. For more information, visit Arnicare.com or check us out on Facebook and Twitter.
How are you celebrating American Heart Month? Leave us a comment, and let us know your fitness goals, and how you hope to achieve them.
Even though roller derby got its start in the early twentieth century, it only recently began its modern revival. It’s now an international sport, dominated by all-female amateur teams and 1,200 amateur leagues worldwide, and it’s currently under consideration as a roller sport in the 2020 Olympics. Boiron Arnicare has proudly supported roller derby teams across the United States for the last several years, supplying its members with Arnicare products to help relieve their nasty, yet inevitable, bruises, muscle pain and swelling.
“When I started playing roller derby, using Arnica was a necessity!,” says Mellfire, a member of Central New York Roller Derby’s Rome Wreckers. “I end up with a new bruise almost every week, and Arnicare cuts the healing time in half. Bruises are a badge of honor in the derby world, but they don’t need to last for weeks. I recommend Arnicare to my leaguemates. We love it, and we use it. I carry it in my purse everywhere I go!”
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- Members of the Rome Wreckers team show off their Arnicare Gel
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- Mellfire
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- One of Mellfire’s many bruises relieved by Arnicare
Arnica, one of the most popular homeopathic medicines worldwide, is the active ingredient in Boiron’s Arnicare pain relievers, available in both topical and oral forms. For more information on Arnicare and to print a $1 off coupon, click here.
Keep Aches & Pains at Bay This Winter
Whether you’re shoveling the driveway, walking the dog on an icy sidewalk, or taking your first run down the slopes, winter conditions often bring the risk of accidents and injuries. Extra precautions need to be taken to avoid aches and pains and other more serious health conditions that can occur when the temperature drops and physical activity increases.
Muscles that have been warmed up with proper stretching and light exercise will work more efficiently and will be less likely to sustain an injury during strenuous outdoor activity, according to Manhattan-based family practitioner, Albert Levy, M.D. “You can increase your natural flexibility through a regular program of stretching,” says Dr. Levy. “A good warm-up is necessary before any outdoor activity as it will prepare the muscles, including the heart, for more strenuous physical challenges, such as skiing, snowboarding or shoveling snow.”
In sedentary people, particularly those older than 60 years of age, activities such as snow shoveling can result in a rapid increase in heart rate and blood pressure, as well as muscle strains and aches. “As you get older, you tend to be less active and not get as much exercise, so activities like snow shoveling could cause potential problems,” says Dr. Levy. “You should start out shoveling slowly to avoid placing a sudden demand on your heart, as well as to avoid injuring muscles that are not used to this activity. You should take frequents breaks and stop immediately if you experience any difficulties. Always remember to protect your back muscles by engaging in proper bending and lifting techniques and avoiding any twisting movements.”
Even with the best of precautions, muscle soreness from overexertion or bruising from falls and blows can occur. Dr. Levy recommends treating these injuries by taking a hot bath, stretching gently and applying Arnicare Gel to naturally relieve muscle aches, stiffness and bruising. “For pain and swelling due to minor injuries, I always recommend a product like Arnicare Gel because it does not contain methyl salicylate or camphor, which can be toxic if applied in large doses,” he says, adding that the gel also helps lessen discoloration from bruises, which is especially helpful after a slip on icy walkways and streets.
Prior to any strenuous outdoor activity, Dr. Levy advises staying away from stimulants, such as caffeine or nicotine, which increase heart rate and cause blood vessels to constrict. He also recommends avoiding eating heavy meals or drinking alcohol and drinking plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. However, he adds, engaging in regular exercise year-round and taking a multivitamin or mineral supplement daily will help the body better handle the demands of winter activity. He also recommends that individuals who are inactive or who have a history of heart trouble or other risk factors talk to their physicians prior to engaging in vigorous wintertime activity.
About Dr. Levy: A respected and recognized figure in the field of international family medicine, Albert Levy, M.D. is in private practice at Manhattan Family Practice, and holds academic appointments at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York Medical College and Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Dr. Levy has appeared on The Today Show, ABC and CNBC News, Brazilian TV and Swiss radio. He is featured regularly in Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who in the World, as well as lists of top family doctors in Town & Country and New York Magazine. Most recently, Dr. Levy appeared on The Dr. Oz Show to talk about the benefits of pain-relieving Arnica montana.
Some of us suffering from cold and flu symptoms this season are also dealing with a nasty cough. Fortunately, everything you need to know about coughs is outlined for you by board-certified physician Kenneth Redcross, M.D., in this month’s issue of Change Your Attitude…Change Your Life: 24/seven.
Most coughs fall into two categories: nonproductive (dry or spasmodic cough) and productive (wet cough). Dr. Redcross advises that productive coughs should not be suppressed, since they promote expectoration of bronchial secretions from the air ducts. He also gives some tips on how to help the nonproductive coughs eventually become more productive. Drinking water or other liquids helps to think mucous secretions. Honey is great for soothing a raw throat. And of course, Dr. Redcross likes Boiron’s Chestal, especially for children, ages 2 and up. Its honey base helps to make it a tasty and soothing cough syrup, while the blend of safe homeopathic medicines works to loosen chest congestion. Dr. Redcross also lets us know when you should see a doctor for a cough, including coughs that persist for more than 10 days.
Launched in November 2010 by Joan Herrmann, host and executive producer of the “Change Your Attitude…Change Your Life” radio show, Change Your Attitude…Change Your Life: 24/seven is a free monthly digital magazine for “personal growth and self-empowerment.” For more information and to read past issues, click here.
About Dr. Redcross: Kenneth Redcross, M.D., is a board-certified physician in internal medicine currently practicing in Manhattan’s Physician Group, Inc. (MPG). He most recently practiced at the renowned Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Beverly Hills, Calif., and he has appeared on several television programs, including “The Doctors” and the E! teledocumentary, “What’s Eating You?” in addition to his work with MPG, Dr. Redcross is active in his concierge medicine practice, personally serving patients from Los Angeles to New York.
“The 2012-2013 influenza season started early and activity remains high in the United States. This may continue for some time,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Forty-two states continue to report widespread influenza activity. So with many of us still suffering from flu and flu-like symptoms, take advantage of these exciting promotions at your local Walgreens or Rite Aid, and be prepared to nip those symptoms in the bud.
- This week at Rite Aid, Oscillo 6 Dose is featured at a “hot price” of $7.99.
- Through February 23, save $18 when you purchase TWO Oscillo 12 Dose at Walgreens with card.
Plus, for those families suffering from flu AND a teething baby, restore the peace with Camilia. Buy a box of Camilia 15 Dose at Walgreens through February 23, and Balance Rewards members will earn 500 points!
Don’t have a Walgreens or Rite-Aid in your area? Head to our store locator to find the retailer nearest you.
We hope you enjoy this post from guest blogger Kevin Burke, CEO of WholesomeOne.com.
I vividly remember being a 12-year-old boy and standing on the sidelines, watching my sister’s soccer games. The memories are not vivid for the quality of play, competition or her skills, but about how standing there made me feel. Not an emotional feeling, but a physical one.
After a half-hour of standing, my lower back inevitably starts aching and becoming stiff. It is uncomfortable and confusing because I’m an athlete. I find the most joy when competing or practicing sport. During these times, my lower back is never an issue. Why does my back tighten when I’m just standing?
Doctors attribute the pain to growth spurts or they don’t even have a guess. On a visit to a podiatrist, he says my legs are different lengths–aha! He gives me a shoe lift. I religiously transfer it from shoe to shoe according to what I am wearing at the time. I am hopeful, but it is short-lived. I realize that after weeks of using the lift, it’s not helping at all. Standing still for periods of time still causes me much discomfort.
I eventually just learn to live with it and avoid standing still for long. Obviously, this isn’t normal for a healthy and active teenager, but I easily deal with it because I am young. Years go by, and I’m semi-regularly reminded of my lower back pain. I chalk it up to a family history of lower back pain. Not a big deal.
One day, out of nowhere, my right eye becomes mildly bloodshot. A few eye drops have no effect. Strange. The next morning I wake exceptionally early to an eye that is extremely bloodshot, grossly swollen and throbbing. Yuck! What is going on?
I immediately get myself to an ophthalmologist. With my head and eye throbbing, I sit for the examination. The first thing he asks is, “Do you have back pain?” and I nearly fall over. “Doc, let’s focus buddy. My eye is killing me!” (But obviously, at the same time, I am intrigued by his question.)
He helps heal my eye over a period of weeks, thankfully with no permanent damage. I am grateful and enlightened by what he has told me about the eyes. He says that often the eyes act as signals of unaddressed health issues within the body – and many times it is a patient’s back. Wow! This is a revelation to me, because at this point in my life, I’m only familiar with conventional Western medicine. “Eyes are the window to the soul” immediately takes on new significant meaning, and the idea of holistic health is seeded in my consciousness.
With my eye healed, it’s time to figure out the long-standing lower back issue that I’ve been ignoring all these years. I end up at a rheumatologist who confidently diagnoses my condition as ankylosing spondylitis. I am excited about the knowledge, but not necessarily the diagnosis. It’s a disease that is basically arthritis of the spine. My joints become swollen and inflamed. The cause is unknown, and there’s no cure. Over time, the affected bones join together. If untreated, I become severely hunched over and eventually lose my capacity to breathe. I decide I won’t let this happen to me.
I happily follow the rheumatologist’s advice. She prescribes daily doses of pills and weekly needle injections of a popular pharmaceutical drug that has unknown long-term side effects. I don’t care about side effects, because my back is going to get better! But like with the lift in my shoe, nothing feels better. My lower back remains the same, even worse at times.
Then, during an evening out with friends, a close friend says with concern, “You’re too young to be taking all those drugs.” Bam! A light goes off in my head. He’s right! This approach doesn’t feel right, nor is it working. I think back to my “eye showing me I need to take action.” My body knows how to do this better than I do intellectually. I look for alternatives, and I find yoga.
Initially, I find it strange. It’s doesn’t feel like exercise, as I know it, where my muscles are burning or my heart is pounding. I also find it challenging, interesting, relaxing and therapeutic. It’s the secret-sauce. It’s the oil that lubricates the machine. It allows my hips to rotate, my back to arch, and my legs to swing. It’s amazing! I’ve found what I needed.
Now, well into my forties, I’ve never felt better or had more flexibility. And those prescription drugs are no longer part of my life. I don’t need them, and the rheumatologist, whom I still see, agrees that yoga has been more effective for me and safer than any pill.
Guest blogger Kevin Burke
I’ve since gone on to apply many other holistic approaches to health. I find them more beneficial and effective. I wish that I was aware of holistic options sooner and that it didn’t take so much effort to find the therapy that worked for me. This is why I created WholesomeOne.com. I believe that there are millions of people, like me, who are searching for natural approaches that can help them heal and experience good health. WholesomeOne.com is a guide to holistic health.
This might seem strange, but having ankylosing spondylitis has been a gift. It’s taught me how to care for my body and opened my eyes to holistic health. My experience has come full circle. When I stand on the sidelines now, at my son and daughter’s soccer games, I do so without pain, and I’m able to enjoy the quality of play, competition and skill.
Teething is a frustrating time for the entire household. So to help calm your baby’s teething pain and restore the peace in your home, try Camilia, a safe, natural teething medicine with no side effects and no risk of overdose. Check out our new 90-second video to learn more about the benefits of Camilia, and share it with your friends and family looking for an one-product teething solution.
Available in 15 or 30 sterile single-use doses, Camilia is available at Walgreens, Whole Foods, Vitamin Shoppe, or your local natural products or health food store. You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter.
