Trilight Health Reviews and GIVEAWAY!

We’ve been talking lately about homeopathic and natural remedies to use instead of the standard OTC remedies.  Today, we’re delving a bit more into the realm of herbal remedies!  I personally love herbal remedies.  I know some gravitate more towards homeopathy, or aromatherapy, or accupuncture — various other “natural” forms of care — but herbal remedies are what make the most sense to me.  (Not that there’s anything wrong with any of the others — I use those too, at certain times.)

So today I’m bringing you a bunch of different herbal remedies that are based on Chinese medicine and sold by a company called Trilight Health.  We’ve been working with them over the last several weeks to bring you this review and giveaway.  And actually, this time we’ll be sharing with you six different product reviews, so you get a really well-rounded view of the company and what they do!  I, and five readers, each tested a different product and will be bringing you our thoughts on that product.  (And if you wish you could have gotten in on that…you really need to join us on Facebook.  I frequently offer opportunities like this just to my Facebook fans!)

Trilight Health is a company dedicated to bringing you 100% natural, herbal formulas to treat a variety of different conditions.  They are blends of different herbs targeted for specific uses, like immune boost, “female issues,” and so forth.  They are completely safe, even for pregnant women and small children.  Most taste good, too!

From the company:

Why Do We Offer Liquid Herbs?
Consider Six Superior Reasons:

1. Time Honored
For centuries herbs have been utilized in liquid form, from teas and tonics to extracts and tinctures. Wherever you find herbal medicine more highly evolved, liquids continue to be extremely popular and utilized frequently.

2. Taste
According to traditional medicine, tasting the herb plays an important role in effectiveness and assimilation. In Germany, for example, studies suggest that the immune stimulating properties of Echinacea begins when the active ingredient comes in contact with sensors in the mouth. Bitter flavors are particularly valued by herbalists who know that these stimulate and benefit the digestive tract.

3. Bioavailable
By extracting the active constituents of herbs from both indigestible cell wall components and inactive constituents such as starch, herbs in a concentrated liquid form enter the body in a more pre-digested state.
This is especially useful for more efficient absorption by those with weak digestion, for children, the elderly, pregnant women and for active people who don’t want energy loss through longer digestion periods.

4. Quick Assimilation
There is some question as to whether dry or pressed herb tablets break down well in the body, if at all. At best, dry herbs may take more than an hour to digest, where liquids begin assimilation in about 15 to 20 minutes, even less if held under the tongue. Absorption through the tissue under the tongue allows the active ingredients to enter the bloodstream directly.

5. Fast Acting
Because the active components are concentrated and more “bioavailable,” absorption is more thorough and results are quicker. Noticeable effects on the body will be much greater than with encapsulated dry herbs or tablets.

6. Superior Extraction Method
We use a unique and trademarked TincTract PlusTM extraction process. Compared to one stage, high heat extraction methods used for most glycerites on the market, our lengthy, painstaking process preserves and extracts more active constituents and naturally occurring vitamins, enzymes, minerals and volatile oils. These are concentrated and preserved into liquid electrolyte form.

Now, on to the reviews!  Because that’s what’s most important, right?  Do they actually work?

NR Glow

This was my product.   It’s supposed to boost immunity, help with colds, eczema, and so on.  I chose it in case we got any colds, and because we’ve had a bit of a history with allergies.  I wasn’t sure we’d get a chance to test it, but of course….  We got a couple colds!

Luckily, because we were taking our fermented cod liver oil, we didn’t suffer too much — they were minor.  But it still gave us the chance to take the NR Glow and give it a shot.

The NR Glow seemed to boost the efficacy of the FCLO, actually.  If I took a dose of each before bed when I first felt a cold coming on, I might not get it at all.  Or, I might, but just as the symptoms set in, they’d start to disappear.  It’s definitely helped.

It tastes like kind of a slightly thick, syrupy mix — almost like a cough syrup (with a different flavor, but that sort of texture).  It is sweet and tastes nice.  My son wanted to just drink it, which of course I didn’t let him do.

A lot of the formulas are kind of expensive — this one included — but it seems like this would be a good one to have around, and since it’s not a “daily use” kind of thing, just “as needed,” that it would be worth it.  We liked it.  I am definitely considering purchasing more products in the future, especially their “tri-iron formula,” if my iron levels are low at my next prenatal appointment.

Fire 4 Men

Name: Michael

Formula chosen: Fire-4-Men

Reason for choosing formula: I had been having some hormone issues with low testosterone.

How did the formula taste?  Was it easy to take? Honestly? It tasted horrible, and I could barely stomach it.

Did you notice any differences immediately?  no

Did you notice any differences as you continued to use it?  not really

Overall, how effective was this for you? I honestly didn’t finish it because it was so hard to take. It made me gag. I would try a capsule version, though, if they ever offer that.

How would you rate this vs. other treatments you have tried? I was happy to try a natural treatment because my doctor has pushed for steroid shots, which neither me nor my wife are comfortable with, but I couldn’t stand the taste. I have tried some other natural treatments at our health food store that came in pill form, and I much preferred these.

Would you purchase this product again?  not unless it came in capsules

Would you recommend it to others? no–not unless it came in capsules

Liquid Light Original Minerals

Name: April Price

Formula chosen: Original Herbal Minerals – “Liquid Light”

Reason for choosing formula: I’m a nursing mom and have been feeling very rundown lately. While I try to eat as healthy as possible, to be completely honest, most of the time I am on the go and eat what I can! I felt confident that what I was missing was a good dose of vitamins. The Liquid Light is safe for nursing mom’s, so I thought it couldn’t hurt to try!

How did the formula taste?  Was it easy to take?  I loved the taste! It tasted like a strong tea, but sweet. I actually looked forward to taking it each day.

Did you notice any differences immediately?  If so, what?  Yes! Within a couple days I started feeling more “me” – less sluggish and tired, more upbeat and happy.

Did you notice any differences as you continued to use it?  If so, what?  The longer I took it, the more aware of my new level of energy I became. It’s a clean, natural energy.. Like the liquid light unlocked the key to my own energy, not like taking a stimulant at all.

Overall, how effective was this for you?  Very effective! It has been amazing to feel good again! I still can’t believe how well it has worked. “Liquid Light” is such an appropriate name! I stopped taking it a couple times for several days and again for a week and noticed a definite decrease in energy. It was proof to me that the supplement was indeed working.

How would you rate this vs. other treatments you have tried?  This is the best. I’ve tried over-the-counter vitamins and none have been as effective as this one. I do wish Trilight could write up a “Nutritional Facts” about it giving the specific amount of what kinds of vitamins are in it.

Would you purchase this product again?  Would you recommend it to others? I would absolutely recommend it! Sadly, I won’t be purchasing it anytime soon. The dosage is 1/4 tsp per 25 lbs, taken 3-6 times a day. I skimped on the dosage to make it last. I took 1 tsp, 3 times daily. At this rate, an 8 ounce bottle (which costs $39.95) would last 16 days. Simply put, I can’t afford that and don’t know many people that can. Of course if it was being given to a child, they would take less at a time, so it would be more affordable.

Dulse Thyroid Support

My name is Michelle.  I chose the Trilight Health Dulse formula which is for Thyroid Support.   6 months ago, I was diagnosed with sub-clinical hypothyroidism.  My biggest symptom was fatigue and I blamed my fatigue on being a wife and mom to 4 kids.  I was thrilled to know that the fatigue was not just from motherhood, there was another reason; but, I did not want hypothyroidism.

My doctor takes a more natural approach to medicine so she put me on armour thyroid & my thyroid levels were retested 6 weeks later.   After the re-testing, my levels were back within acceptable range and I was advised to continue with the prescription.   It was not long & I discovered I was able to easily wake up in the morning.  It was so refreshing to feel awake again; however, in every other way I was not feeling ‘right’.  It took me a little way to deduce, the medication may be helping my fatigue, but in other ways I was not feeling good.  I was definitely looking for a more natural way to heal and assist my thyroid.  I was thrilled to try the Dulse Formula to see if it could replace my thyroid medicine.

I initially began taking the Dulse combined with my current prescription.  No significant changes were noticed.  A couple of weeks ago, I decided to stop taking my prescription.  (Remember, to please consult your doctor.)

I faithfully, continued with the Dulse and still was not noticing much of a difference, although my ‘not-right’ feeling was no longer an issue, but I attributed that to not taking the prescription.  Last week, the most amazing thing happened… one day, all of a sudden, I felt energetic.  Energy that I have not felt in months.   This same day was a day that I fully expected to need a nap since I had been up with my 20 month old 5 times in the middle of the night with teething issues.   No nap was needed.  The days that have followed have also been better, but there is still much improvement that needs to occur.

My final thoughts about the Dulse formula.  It is somewhat inconvenient to take.  For example, my dosage was ½ tsp. 3 times a day.  This was no big deal if I was home, but impractical if I was gone for the day.  My body definitely needs this formula 3 times a day.  The taste was very sweet.  I personally felt like it was too sweet, but I was able to tolerate it.

I do not feel this will be as effective as I need it to be, although it is a step in the right direction.  I think if someone is suspicious of low thyroid this would be great to try.  The cost seemed really high to me.  But, the 8 oz. bottle that I have used 3 times a day for the past month is just over halfway gone – so, I expect I could easily get 2 months out of that supply.  I will continue with this until the bottle is gone and will look for another natural alternative to try.  

Giveaway

So, the reviews are a mixed bag — but most people seem to think that this made some difference to them, and no one complained about side effects!  I think it entirely depends on you, because everyone is different, but these products are worth a shot.

Want a chance to win some?

Trilight Health has graciously offered $100 in free products to one lucky winner!  To enter:

1. Visit Trilight Health and tell me which products you would most like to try and why
2. Subscribe to me via RSS or email (or tell me you already do)
3. Follow me on Twitter and tweet this giveaway (tag me @Modernamama)
4. “Like” me on Facebook (seriously, if you haven’t yet…you are missing out.  We have a REALLY awesome and active community over there and I frequently ask questions and give opportunities to my Facebook fans only!)
5. Email this giveaway to 5 friends

That’s it!  Please leave each entry in a SEPARATE comment (if you don’t, you will only get one entry).  This giveaway will close on Wednesday, April 27th, and I will announce the winner on Thursday, April 28th.  Good luck!