Essential Remedies

Essential Remedies We are a specialty health food and supplement store located in Downtown Duncan, serving the greater Cowichan Valley for over 50 years.
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Formerly Mercia's Vitamins. We carry a wide variety of nutritional supplements, natural cosmetics, oils and snacks. 141 Craig Street
Duncan, BC
V9L 1V8

Formerly Mercia's Vitamins

๐“๐ก๐ž ๐’๐ž๐ฅ๐Ÿ-๐‚๐š๐ซ๐ž ๐‚๐ข๐ซ๐œ๐ฎ๐ข๐ญ๐€ ๐ƒ๐จ๐ฐ๐ง๐ญ๐จ๐ฐ๐ง ๐ƒ๐ฎ๐ง๐œ๐š๐ง ๐๐ˆ๐€ ๐–๐ž๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ง๐ž๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐–๐š๐ฅ๐ค๐š๐›๐จ๐ฎ๐ญOn March 12, Essential Remedies will be participating in th...
02/07/2026

๐“๐ก๐ž ๐’๐ž๐ฅ๐Ÿ-๐‚๐š๐ซ๐ž ๐‚๐ข๐ซ๐œ๐ฎ๐ข๐ญ
๐€ ๐ƒ๐จ๐ฐ๐ง๐ญ๐จ๐ฐ๐ง ๐ƒ๐ฎ๐ง๐œ๐š๐ง ๐๐ˆ๐€ ๐–๐ž๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ง๐ž๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐–๐š๐ฅ๐ค๐š๐›๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ

On March 12, Essential Remedies will be participating in the Downtown Wellness Walkabout, for product demo of New Roots skin oils. Sign up at www.downtownduncan.ca/selfcarecircuit,
and for a list of stores participating!

๐’๐œ๐ข๐ž๐ง๐œ๐ž ๐‚๐จ๐ง๐Ÿ๐ข๐ซ๐ฆ๐ฌ ๐‚๐ก๐š๐ฆ๐จ๐ฆ๐ข๐ฅ๐žโ€™๐ฌ๐“๐ซ๐š๐๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐š๐ฅ ๐๐จ๐ฐ๐ž๐ซ๐ฌThis systematic review and meta-analysis of 11 controlled studies found th...
02/06/2026

๐’๐œ๐ข๐ž๐ง๐œ๐ž ๐‚๐จ๐ง๐Ÿ๐ข๐ซ๐ฆ๐ฌ ๐‚๐ก๐š๐ฆ๐จ๐ฆ๐ข๐ฅ๐žโ€™๐ฌ
๐“๐ซ๐š๐๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐š๐ฅ ๐๐จ๐ฐ๐ž๐ซ๐ฌ
This systematic review and meta-analysis of 11 controlled studies found that chamomile significantly reduces inflammation and ulceration of the mucous membrane lining the digestive tract as well as pain, validating its traditional reputation as a natural anti-inflammatory and wound healing herb.
Pharm Biol. 2025 Jul 15;63(1):490โ€“502.

๐•๐ˆ๐“๐€๐Œ๐ˆ๐ ๐‚๐Œ๐จ๐ซ๐ž ๐ˆ๐’ ๐๐ž๐ญ๐ญ๐ž๐ซ!๐Ÿ๐Ÿ“๐Ÿ‹๐ŸVitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that cannot be produced in the body, and needs to be co...
02/06/2026

๐•๐ˆ๐“๐€๐Œ๐ˆ๐ ๐‚
๐Œ๐จ๐ซ๐ž ๐ˆ๐’ ๐๐ž๐ญ๐ญ๐ž๐ซ!๐Ÿ๐Ÿ“๐Ÿ‹๐Ÿ

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that cannot be produced in the body, and needs to be consumed in the foods we eat, thus being super essential. It also gets readily used up within the hours of the day, especially with increased activity, illness, or stress. Being water-soluble it not only gets used up quickly, but it is also very sensitive to heat and light. The better food sources of it are raw and fresh fruits and vegetables. To prevent scurvy, set basic amounts required are minimal. However, for increased wellness and benefit that most of us desire for ourselves, you need more! Often our diets really are not sufficient in providing us with sufficient C, and so a supplement comes in handy once or twice a day. Aim for about 1000-2000 mg at least, supplementally/day, and increase your intake of healthful antioxidant rich fruits and veggies!!
Some BENEFITS of more C:
- Strong antioxidant that prevent many ailments and diseases
- Speed healing of tissues
- Heart and circulatory health. Lowers LDL cholesterol and blood triglycerides, decreases risk of heart attack and stroke
- Reduce uric acid in blood, preventing gout
- Aids iron absorption greatly
- Boost immunity and helps white blood cells function better
- Protects brain health, including memory and thinking as we age
- Eye health
- Bone health
- Skin health and collagen production
- Reduce cancer risk
- Prevents cold and flu
- Chronic inflammation
Some GREAT sources:
- kiwi
- strawberries and berries
- citrus fruit
- cantaloupe
- mango
- papayas
- bell peppers
- kale
- spinach
- broccoli
- brussels sprouts
- kaduki plum, acerola cherry, camu camu, rosehips, amla
-goji berries
- thyme and parsley
BOOST YOUR VITALITY, ENERGY, AND EXCELLENCE OF HEALTH!!!๐Ÿ˜
Be Well,
Tina Foster, RHN
Essential Remedies

Supplementing Curcumin HelpsCholesterolCholesterol problems are an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease.Seve...
02/02/2026

Supplementing Curcumin Helps
Cholesterol

Cholesterol problems are an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Several studies have suggested that curcumin can help fight cholesterol. This
new meta-analysis put the data on curcumin to the test.
This new meta-analysis gathered research that was published up until August
2025. In all, 16 controlled studies of 1038 people were included. The curcumin
was combined with piperine to improve absorption.
The pooled results showed that curcumin significantly reduced triglycerides and
total cholesterol. The reduction in the heart harmful LDL-cholesterol was not
significant, but the even more important increase in the heart healthy HDL
cholesterol was.
The researchers concluded that the benefits of curcumin are clinically
meaningful. The benefits are greatest for people with cholesterol problems,
metabolic disorders or who are overweight. They also say it works best with
prolonged supplementation.
Lipids. 2026 Jan;61(1):91-107.

๐๐ž๐ž๐ ๐š๐ง ๐ˆ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ง๐ž ๐๐Ž๐Ž๐’๐“?๐“๐‘๐˜ ๐๐‹๐€๐‚๐Š ๐’๐„๐„๐ƒ ๐Ž๐ˆ๐‹Powerful immune booster, antiinflammatory and super-antioxidant!Black Seed Oil is...
01/30/2026

๐๐ž๐ž๐ ๐š๐ง ๐ˆ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ง๐ž ๐๐Ž๐Ž๐’๐“?
๐“๐‘๐˜ ๐๐‹๐€๐‚๐Š ๐’๐„๐„๐ƒ ๐Ž๐ˆ๐‹
Powerful immune booster, antiinflammatory and super-antioxidant!

Black Seed Oil is fairly new to some of us, but it has been around for centuries, and has a long history of medicinal use such as calming upset stomachs, diarrhea, coughs, fever, and also as a health and beauty aid. Black seeds were found in King Tut's tomb and then used by ancient Eqyptians and by Ayurvedic physicians. They since have been well-researched by modern science with many published medical papers. Studies have shown it can provide benefits for diabetic neuropathy, IBD(irribable bowel disorder), non-ulcer dyspepsia, and liver and digestive support. Black seed oil has no known toxicity or negative side effect.
Black seed oil can majorly support your body ! It is loaded with over 100 active compounds that enhance your health, including crystalline nigellone and thymoquinone that contribute to its immune, antioxidant, and antibacterial, and antiviral effects.
Some important Black Seed Oil Facts:
- Anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial
- Crystalline nigellone increases immune function and targets respiratory health
- Contains beta-sitosterol, beneficial for urinary/prostate health, and gallstone and cholesterol reduction
- Beneficial for colds, flu, allergies, sinusitis, bronchitis, coughs, digestion
- Thymoquinone studied for its anti-carcinogenic properties
- Contains beneficial omega essential fats for cardiovascular health
- Can be used topically as a beauty oil for skin and hair
- Useful for psoriasis, fungal infections, dry skin, and scars
- Helps with allergies and asthma
- Lung function
- Supports weight loss
- Blood sugar control
- Immuno-modulatory

Many many uses, internal and external. Such a gift from the plant world!
Be well,
Tina Foster, RHN
Essential Remedies

๐€ ๐๐จ๐ฏ๐ž๐ฅ ๐€๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐š๐œ๐ก ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ซ๐ž๐ฏ๐ž๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐  ๐Œ๐ข๐ ๐ซ๐š๐ข๐ง๐žA billion people in the world suffer from migraine headaches. New hints are emerg...
01/16/2026

๐€ ๐๐จ๐ฏ๐ž๐ฅ ๐€๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐š๐œ๐ก ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ซ๐ž๐ฏ๐ž๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐  ๐Œ๐ข๐ ๐ซ๐š๐ข๐ง๐ž
A billion people in the world suffer from migraine headaches. New hints are emerging that can help remedy that.
Migraines can be triggered by a number of factors. Many of them, it turns out, are associated with mitochondrial function. And several nutrients that have been suggested to protect against migraine are involved in mitochondrial function.
This well-designed study set out to see if getting enough of those nutrients could play a role in the prevention of migraines.
The study followed 202,656 people who did not suffer from migraines for an average of 13.25 years. Over that time, 0.9% of them were now diagnosed with migraine.
The study measured dietary intake of 7 nutrients associated with mitochondrial function: magnesium, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12 and folate.
The people who developed migraine had lower dietary levels of all 7 nutrients and, especially, of niacin and B12.
This study suggests that getting more of these nutrients, perhaps especially magnesium and, most importantly, B3 and B12, may help prevent migraine headaches.
J Headache Pain. 2025 Nov 11;26(1):250.

๐‘ฐ๐‘ต๐‘ถ๐‘บ๐‘ฐ๐‘ป๐‘ถ๐‘ณA B for Brain health and moreInositol is a B vitamin sometimes, also known as B8, and it is an important part of...
01/16/2026

๐‘ฐ๐‘ต๐‘ถ๐‘บ๐‘ฐ๐‘ป๐‘ถ๐‘ณ
A B for Brain health and more
Inositol is a B vitamin sometimes, also known as B8, and it is an important part of the B-Complex family. It, like other B vitamins, has a wide range of benefits and roles to play in the body. Inositol is an important part of the structural basis for cells and thus works in many cellular functions, such as storage and metabolism of amino acids, and helping in chemical reactions that convert food into energy. It aids the immune system, and helps nail and hair growth too. It is largely involved in brain mechanisms, and so has been found to be quite useful for mental health. It is found in many foods such as bran/grains, nuts, beans, fruit especially melons and cantaloupe, oranges, and raisins. In higher amounts it has been shown to be an effective preventative and as intervention for depression, anxiety, panic, ADHD, obsessive compulsive disorder, and other brain issues, Alzheimers included. It also helps insulin work better, benefitting blood sugar stabilization and diabetes. This helps those with polycystic o***y syndrome as well, and womens health. Symptoms helped through this include reduced cravings, decreasing androgens and hormone balance, regulates menstrual cycles, improved ovarian function, promotes egg health, PMS, and reduces gestational diabetes risk. Other conditions that supplementing inositol can benefit are diabetic nerve pain, high cholesterol and lipid levels, psoriasis, insomnia, and bowel regularity.
Myo- and d-chiro forms are two forms of inositol most studied for their abilities. Myo-inositol by True Hope is an excellent ready to use powder, that actually tastes quite yummy being naturally sweet. A scoop can be had straight into the mouth and held, dissolved under the tongue. Upon anxiety or before bedtime, it works quickly to ease the mind and brain. And, be sure to adequately top up your B complex vitamins, as they are not readily stored in the body and we need more especially in times of stress, illness, etc.
Be well,
Tina Foster, RHN

๐˜พ๐™ž๐™ฃ๐™ฃ๐™–๐™ข๐™ค๐™ฃ ๐™„๐™ข๐™ฅ๐™ง๐™ค๐™ซ๐™š๐™จ ๐™‚๐™ก๐™ฎ๐™˜๐™š๐™ข๐™ž๐™˜ ๐˜พ๐™ค๐™ฃ๐™ฉ๐™ง๐™ค๐™ก ๐™ž๐™ฃ ๐˜ฟ๐™ž๐™–๐™—๐™š๐™ฉ๐™ž๐™˜๐™จCinnamon is not only one of the most promising toppings for your breakfas...
01/09/2026

๐˜พ๐™ž๐™ฃ๐™ฃ๐™–๐™ข๐™ค๐™ฃ ๐™„๐™ข๐™ฅ๐™ง๐™ค๐™ซ๐™š๐™จ ๐™‚๐™ก๐™ฎ๐™˜๐™š๐™ข๐™ž๐™˜ ๐˜พ๐™ค๐™ฃ๐™ฉ๐™ง๐™ค๐™ก ๐™ž๐™ฃ ๐˜ฟ๐™ž๐™–๐™—๐™š๐™ฉ๐™ž๐™˜๐™จ
Cinnamon is not only one of the most promising toppings for your breakfast bun, it is also one of the most promising treatments for diabetes. This new study keeps the evidence piling up and reveals important benefits.
Rates of diabetes continue to rise. According to the authors of this new study, conventional treatment is limited by progressive ฮฒ-cell dysfunction, poor adherence to therapy because of complex regimens, adverse effects and inadequate long-term efficacy. These limitations have led to increased interest in natural, herbal remedies. Much research suggests that cinnamon is one promising herb to look to.
This new double-blind study gave a placebo or either 250mg or 500mg of cinnamon extract to type 2 diabetics. Cinnamon has compounds that seem to mimic insulin. The form of cinnamon used was Cinnamomum zeylanicum, also known as Ceylon cinnamon or true cinnamon.
The cinnamon significantly reduced fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c, showing that cinnamon improves glycemic control. Cinnamon also significantly reduced insulin resistance and significantly improved ฮฒ-cell function. These are important results.
The 500mg dose of cinnamon also significantly lowered total cholesterol and the dangerous LDL cholesterol.
This study shows that supplementing cinnamon extract significantly improves glycemic control, insulin resistance and even ฮฒ-cell function while improving cholesterol in type 2 diabetics.
-Diabetes & Metabolic S

๐‘ด๐‘จ๐‘ฎ๐‘ต๐‘ฐ๐‘ญ๐‘ฐ๐‘ช๐‘ฐ๐‘ฌ๐‘ต๐‘ป ๐‘ด๐‘ถ๐‘น๐‘ฐ๐‘ต๐‘ฎ๐‘จMoringa Oleifera is an exceptionally nutritious green plant leaf, rich in vitamins, minerals, amino ...
01/02/2026

๐‘ด๐‘จ๐‘ฎ๐‘ต๐‘ฐ๐‘ญ๐‘ฐ๐‘ช๐‘ฐ๐‘ฌ๐‘ต๐‘ป ๐‘ด๐‘ถ๐‘น๐‘ฐ๐‘ต๐‘ฎ๐‘จ
Moringa Oleifera is an exceptionally nutritious green plant leaf, rich in vitamins, minerals, amino acids, antioxidants and bioactive plant compounds. It comes from a tree native to Northern India, where is is consumed as an important source of nutrition. It is a whole food and can be taken as a supplement to any diet- added to water, smoothies, sprinkled on cereal, etc.
Moringa has many science-backed health benefits. Just some of its many high nutrients include protein, vitamins B2 and B6 along with other B vitamins, magnesium, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and iron. Being rich in antioxidants, Moringa helps combat free radicals and oxidative stress in the body. In addition to vitamin C and beta-carotene, these include quercetin(a potent anti-inflammatory) and chlorogenic acid(useful for lowering blood sugar and weight loss). Having chronic elevated blood sugar leads to diabetes and inflammation, and Moringa has been found in several studies to greatly help this. Sustained inflammation also poses a problem for health and is linked to many chronic issues and disease. Moringa's main anti-inflammatory compound is isothiocyanates. Like most plant foods to some degree, Moringa in particular(like flax, oats, and almonds), lowers blood cholesterol effectively, reducing heart disease risk. Also it has been shown to protect against arsenic toxicity, showing how powerful its beneficial compounds are for your body, as it can detox harmful substances.
Indeed, Moringa can offer you and your body super-nutrients for improved health and well-being, including energy, stress-relief, skin health, metabolism, bowel regularity, and much more. The more fruits and vegetables, herbs and spices, and superfoods such as this green, that we include in our diet, we will be increasing and varying our antioxidant and anti-inflammation profile- Moringa is a marvelous body aid! Try it and feel it, I recommend about 1/2-1 tbs a day. Powder and capsules available.
Be well,
Tina Foster, RHN

Address

141 Craig Street
Duncan, BC
V9L1V8

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

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