The Garden Apothecary

22/11/2025

Early start in the dark and festive beginnings.

There are murmurs of festivities in the town with the unlit tree (in the background) and council sponsored window decorations across 10 businesses* for the Landmark Wreath Trail.

*other festive window displays are also available.

You’re looking at of two Todmorden landmarks in this shot but only one is on the Landmark trail 😜.

Anyway, it feels far too early to talk about that.

Maybe next week as the coordinated shop light switch on is Friday 28th November at 6pm.

Until then, have a great weekend 💚

19/11/2025

Herbs for Emotional Balance

Some herbs don’t sedate or stimulate — they soften
They take the sharp edges off the day and help the emotional body settle.

Lemon Balm – eases worry, lifts mood, and settles digestion when stress lands in the gut.

Avena sativa (Oat) – nourishing, grounding, deeply supportive for tired nerves.

Reishi Mushroom – a heart-soothing tonic in Chinese herbalism, supporting emotional steadiness.

Herbal support that feels gentle but genuine

17/11/2025

Nourish Your Nerves 😬

The nervous system is hungry — it relies on steady nourishment to stay calm, focused, and adaptable.
When stress builds, we often think we need to push through… but what we usually need is fuel.
Minerals, B-vitamins, and gentle herbal tonics help the nerves fire smoothly and recover from strain.

Suppliments that can help:
• Magnesium Bisglycinate with Aben Sativa (Terranova) — supports relaxation, eases tension, helps muscles unclench.
• B-Complex (Terranova) with Adaptogens — feeds the nerves, supports mood, steadies energy.
• Plant Omegas (Ahiflower) — healthy fats that support brain and nerve tissue.

A calm mind starts with a well-fed nervous system.

15/11/2025

The Mighty Boosh & Store of the Week 🐙🌸🐇💚

Despite driving cold winds, it’s been another busy week with lots to say on social media.

It started with the awesome omega 3,6,9 with a woman’s winter wellness webinar by

Then there was World Echinacea Day/ Echinaforce 70th anniversary, in which the Echinacea “hat” made myself (and others) look like Tony Harrison from The Mighty Boosh. (Thanks Tim).

Then there was the pleasure of being Viridian’s Store of the Week.

Go give the posts some love ❤️ and tell them how good the valley is.

Have a great weekend 💚

15/11/2025

14/11/2025

I think it's a hat? 🌸🎩
Saturday is World Echinacea Day, marking the 70th anniversary of A.Vogel Echinaforce.

To celebrate you can get 20% off any A.Vogal Echinacea product tomorrow, Saturday 15th November - World Echinacea Day

🌸Echinacea — quick benefits snapshot
• Supports a strong, rapid immune response
• Shows antiviral activity — helps reduce viral replication
• Stimulates natural defences (macrophages & NK cells)
• Eases sore throats, swollen glands, and that “coming down with something” feeling
• May shorten the duration of colds when taken at the first sign
• Traditionally used to steady energy during seasonal illness
• Pairs well with vitamin C, zinc, elderberry & beta-glucans

A.Vogel UK Health

14/11/2025

Viridian Nutrition’s nationwide campaign to educate about knowing how clean your supplements are.
Comment and get a FREE 30 day multivitamin at The Garden Apothecary, that’s junk, muck and junk FREE.

13/11/2025

🌿 Ahiflower – Nature’s Regenerative Omega Source

Meet Ahiflower (Buglossoides arvensis) — a small British-grown wildflower with a remarkable gift.

It’s the richest plant-based source of Omega 3, 6 & 9 oils — but what makes it truly special is its regenerative story.

✨ Unlike fish or flax, Ahiflower naturally contains stearidonic acid (SDA) — a rare omega-3 that converts far more efficiently into EPA, the active anti-inflammatory form your body uses.

This means real, usable omega-3 benefits — without taking anything from the sea.

🐝 Grown sustainably on regenerative farms, Ahiflower supports pollinators and soil health — nourishing both planet and person.

💚 Benefits:
– Supports skin hydration and elasticity
– Aids mood, focus & hormonal balance
– Helps maintain healthy joints and heart function
– 100% vegan, non-GMO, and naturally grown in the UK

🌼 Available in-store this November:
– Regenerative Omegas Ahiflower Capsules
– Regenerative Omegas Ahiflower Liquid Oil

✨ Both on offer throughout November

Ahiflower proves you don’t need fish to flourish.

It’s the future of sustainable omega nutrition — beautifully balanced, inside and out.

12/11/2025

ALA, SDA, EPA & DHA — What’s the Difference?

Ever wondered why not all omega-3s are equal?

Here’s the quick science:

🌱 ALA (from flax, chia, h**p) is the parent omega-3.
The body must convert it to active forms.

🌼 SDA (found in Ahiflower) is a step closer — the body converts it 3–4x more efficie

🌊 EPA & DHA (found in algae and fish oils) are the end-forms your cells use directly for inflammation control, mood, and heart health.

That’s why Ahiflower and algae oil together offer the best of both worlds — sustainable, potent, and plant-based.

12/11/2025

FREE Women’s Winter Wellness Webinar - TODAY 7pm

Comment below for the link 🔗

11/11/2025

🌿 Omega Fatty Acids – Nourish from the Inside Out

Not all fats are created equal — some are essential for life itself.
Meet the omegas: vital fatty acids that keep your heart, hormones, skin, and mind in balance.

✨ Omega-3 – The calm communicator
Found in flaxseed, chia, Ahiflower, and algae oils, omega-3 helps cool inflammation, supports focus, and steadies mood.

🔥 Omega-6 – The spark of repair
Essential for hormone balance and skin vitality, omega-6 (from evening primrose, sunflower, and safflower oils) helps the body respond to stress and renew itself. Balanced with omega-3, it keeps the skin supple and emotions smooth.

🌸 Omega-9 – The harmoniser
Naturally produced by the body, omega-9 (from olive and macadamia oils) supports heart health and steady energy — like a grounding influence that anchors the system.

💧 Together, these fatty acids form a symphony of nourishment — keeping every cell membrane flexible and alive, supporting joint comfort, radiant skin, and emotional ease.

🐟 Why non-fish sources matter:
Plant-based omegas like Ahiflower and algae oil (Omvit Omega-3) are vegan, sustainable, and regenerative — protecting marine ecosystems while delivering the same essential fats your body needs.

Ahiflower provides stearidonic acid (SDA) — a rare omega-3 that converts efficiently to EPA.

Algae, meanwhile, is the original source of EPA and DHA — it’s where the fish get theirs.

So when you take algae oil, you’re simply cutting out the middle fish — no byproducts, no depletion, just pure, clean omega nutrition.

🌼 Try:
– Regenerative Omegas Ahiflower Oil – well absorbed, regenerative, rich in omega 3, 6 & 9
– Omvits - Ethical Supplements Algae Omega-3 – direct source of EPA & DHA, sustainably grown

Balance your fats — and your body will thank you.

08/11/2025

Lighter opening, darker closing. 🌄

The days soundtrack randomly opened and closed with a Terry Reid classic (Instagram)

Plenty of discussions regarding the recently popular ancillary mind benefits of Creatine powder. Customers are confirming greater clarity as well as the more well known muscular improvements.

Another interesting secondary and somewhat unknown benefit has come up for Inulin, a dietary fibre.

In the BBCs’ ‘The Truth About Sleep’, Dr Michael Mosley took Prebiotic Fibre to see if it could help promote better sleep (take 90 mins before bed), and improve gut bacteria.

After a 5-day experiment with prebiotic fibre for the BBC, Dr Mosley was so impressed by the improvements that he rated its effectiveness for enhancing his sleep 9 out of 10.

Sleep on that ……. 😴

Have a great weekend 💚