Independent health store advice on natural sleep solutions
Looking for advice on natural health and wellbeing? Your local independent health store can offer a wealth of expertise. This month we talk to Mel Ratcliffe, founder of Bare Health in Congleton, Cheshire
Here at Bare Health we speak to a lot of customers who are having sleep problems. It’s a very common issue. For me, the starting point is always a quick chat so that I can get a bit of background. Is there any stress going on? Are they going through the menopause? What are their lifestyle and nutritional habits like? I try to build up a bit of a picture before recommending anything.
Stress, in particular, plays a huge role. And menopause is right up there too, with hot flushes, night sweats and hormonal changes. Once I know what’s going on, I can point them toward natural products that might help.
Popular products
One of our most popular products right now is NaturesPlus Magnesium NightTime. We can barely keep it on the shelves. I’ve used it myself and found it really effective. It contains magnesium glycinate, which is known to support sleep and is gentler on the stomach than some other forms. It also includes calming ingredients like L-theanine, lemon balm and ashwagandha, which can be helpful if stress is a factor.
We’ve also had great feedback on Doze and Dream by The Herbtender, which is a blend based on adaptogenic herbs and medicinal mushrooms. I’m using it myself at the moment and it’s really helped me sleep through the night. Dormeasan from A.Vogel is a product that we regularly recommend for sleep and it’s always popular among our customers.
Magnesium, in general, is one of my go-to recommendations. Besides NaturesPlus, we stock magnesium from Viridian and Terranova, which get consistently good feedback. There are also some lovely topical products, like magnesium lotions and sprays, which you can massage into the skin. These can be very soothing.
For people whose sleep problems are linked to stress or low mood, products containing saffron or lemon balm can be really helpful. Lemon balm is so soothing; it’s available as a tea or tincture and is great to take before bed.
The full picture
When menopause is a factor, we often recommend A.Vogel Menosan sage drops for night sweats and hot flushes. Diet also plays a big role: eating too late, drinking alcohol or caffeine in the evening, or high cortisol levels can all disrupt sleep. Again, that’s why it’s important to get a full picture of someone’s lifestyle.
Lifestyle changes
I always recommend reducing screen time, creating a wind-down routine, and little things like not keeping your phone in the bedroom. We hold a regular meditation group at the store on a Thursday evening, and that can be a great way to relax and prepare for sleep. Personally, I like to drink a little CherryActive juice from Active Edge just before bedtime. It’s made from Montmorency cherries, which are a natural source of melatonin. This is a compound that controls the body’s natural sleep cycles.
Lastly, essential oils can be very soothing and can help to promote sleep. A few drops of lavender in a diffuser can work wonders. Hopefully these tips will help YHL readers to get a better night’s sleep!
Bare Health
Bare Health is based at 34 High Street, Congleton, Cheshire.
Mel says: “I opened Bare Health back in 2011, but I’ve been in the health food trade for 26 years now. I started working for a local chain of health stores called Herbies in the late 90s, then took the plunge to open my own store. My mum, who has over 20 years of experience in the natural health industry, still works in the shop two days a week. She’s a holistic therapist and sees clients in our treatment room. We have a lovely team working at the store.
We hold regular events such as workshops, guest speaker evenings, and our popular ladies’ wellness nights with talks, goodie bags, and special discounts. It’s all about bringing the community together around natural health. In fact, today we’re receiving a local award recognising businesses that have been part of the high street for five years or more. It’s a real honour, and I think it reflects the trust and care we’ve built up with our customers over the years.”
Contact details: Call the store on 01260 408413, visit www.barehealth.co.uk or follow them
on social media Facebook @barehealth.shop
Instagram @barehealthstore
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