Since high school, my mother has warned me about “burning the candle at both ends”.  I’ve always been one to work and play hard, and sometimes it catches up to me before I can take the time to take care of myself.  I sometimes end up sick or less than pleasant to be around…  These days, rather than drown myself in an endless fountain of coffee and take a Tylenol PM every night, I’m responsible about my uppers and downers… 😉

I discovered The Dragontree Apothecary a couple of months ago, and I wanted to tell you about some of their products that have become favorites of mine.  The collection of supplements is 100% holistic and formulated according to Chinese medicine.  When I’m running on fumes, these lil’ guys have really helped, and I think they should be a part of every busy woman’s secret arsenal.   A major plus: the tinctures are just 1 ounce, so they’re great for travel or just throwing in your bag.  You can add them to water or just take them straight from the dropper.

The first thing that you need to know about The Dragontree Apothecary’s Energy Support tincture is that it’s caffeine-free; it is not a stimulant – caffeine actually depletes adrenal glands and the thyroid and can lead to adrenal burnout over time.  (Think you’re tired and irritable now?  Just wait until your metabolism is shot from abusing caffeine.)  This tincture is actually most effective when taken over a period of time, like a during a stressful week or month.  I took this a lot during the month of May, and it really helped to keep me focused and alert without being jittery.

The Sleep Support tincture is amazing.  On nights when I’ve stared at a screen for too long and too close to bedtime, I take a dropper full of this and I fall into a deep sleep – quickly!  I get some serious R.E.M. action and I actually wake up feeling refreshed; how often does that happen once you’re a mother?  And, if you take it regularly, you won’t become addicted.  Actually, when taken regularly, even during the day (!) it “evens out” your nerves, making you more calm both day and night.

Sore?  Bruised?  Achy?  Stiff?  Muscle spasms?  Tweaked neck?  Muscle Melt Liniment will help, seriously.  Every one of the 37 ingredients in this liniment (which is basically a targeted, medicinal body serum) are there for a reason, and many have been used in the Eastern martial arts world for hundreds of years.  Unlike Icy-Hot or Bio-Freeze, this formula doesn’t numb the problem, it actually employs powerful anti-inflammatories as well as ingredients that enhance circulation and reduce muscle spasms.  Richard and I both swear by it.

So, what if your whole body hurts?  Muscle Melt Herbal Bath uses many of the same ingredients as the Muscle Melt Liniment.  It’s one of the most effective herbal bath soaks I’ve ever used.  I feel like a hot, wet noodle when I’m done, and the next day my soreness is gone.

The Dragontree Apothecary has lots of other holistic remedies, too.  I’ll be stocking up on their tinctures and tonics come cold and flu season…

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