And the winner is....

Congratulations to Ms. Maria Grobbelaar of Napier. We will be delivering your tin of Biedouw Valley Rooibos to you soon.

A big THANK YOU to everyone who took the time to complete our survey and for the very positive feedback that we received.

*Winner was drawn using Random.org

Herbs for Health

The following herbs are powerful promoters of good health and can tackle many everyday health problems in both good times and bad. Think of them as Mother Nature’s medicine chest!

Strengthen Your Immunity

From preventing the common cold to keeping cancer at bay, maintaining a healthy immune system is critical. But a poor diet, lack of sleep and stress can undermine your immunity, leaving you vulnerable to both short- and long-term illness.While many herbs help enhance immunity, the following three are immune-boosting superstars:

1. Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus): This traditional Chinese herb has gained a reputation as an antiviral and potent immune booster because it increases the activity of natural killer cells and macrophages (large white blood cells that gobble up viruses).In one study, researchers found that astragalus helped promote and maintain respiratory health—an important consideration for fending off colds and the flu. For general immune strengthening, take 100 to 150 mg of a standardized astragalus supplement daily.

2. Echinacea (Echinacea spp.): This popular herb is used for both the common cold and for upper respiratory tract infections. Echinacea supports the immune system by activating white blood cells—immune cells that defend the body from infectious disease.  The trick to echinacea’s effectiveness is to take 300 mg of supplemental echinacea every two hours at the first sign of the sniffles, then three times a day for a total of seven to 10 days. For best results, look for a standardized product that contains 4 to 5 percent echinacoside.

3. Green tea (Camellia sinensis): Another way to mount a good offense against illness is with green tea. Along with being a potent antioxidant, green tea stems the growth of viruses by inhibiting their absorption by the body. This tasty brew also attacks the membrane of viral cells, which effectively prevents the creation of new cells that spread the virus.
This tasty beverage also has been shown to guard against a wide variety of cancers, including breast, lung, stomach, pancreatic, prostate and skin cancer. Drink several cups of green tea daily or take a green tea supplement that provides a concentrated source of polyphenols. 

Maintain a Healthy Heart

Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer in the United States—it kills more people each year than cancer, diabetes or accidents. Fortunately, many of these risk factors can be prevented or controlled by combining a healthy diet and exercise with heart-helping herbs.

4. Garlic (Allium sativum): This  pungent herb lowers blood pressure and improves the elasticity of blood vessel walls. Garlic also reduces cholesterol and acts as a natural blood thinner. It’s so effective that one trial showed that people taking 600 mg of garlic daily slashed their risk of dying from heart disease over a 10-year period. The same study found that taking 300 mg of supplemental garlic daily prevented the development of atherosclerosis.

5. Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.): If you could rely on just one herb for heart disease, this would be it. Hawthorn contains large amounts of flavonoids that stabilize capillaries and strengthen weak blood vessels. Researchers at the University of Chicago note that antioxidant-rich hawthorn significantly reduces blood pressure and unhealthy cholesterol levels. The recommended dose is 100 mg taken in two or three divided doses daily.

The Question of Digestion

Heartburn, indigestion and nausea definitely can cramp your style. But two herbs can provide fast relief.

6. Ginger (Zingiber officinale): It doesn’t matter whether you suffer from motion sickness or morning sickness—ginger offers a safe way to soothe nausea. While ginger is available in capsule form, the best way to ease nausea is with a cup of ginger tea.

7. Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra): Long before Tums burst onto the scene, herbalists relied on plants to treat indigestion. The most effective and well-known herb was licorice. But not any licorice will do. Licorice contains a chemical called glycyrrhiza that can raise blood pressure. Fortunately, this dangerous compound can be removed and the resulting deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) tablets are safe and effective. Popping a couple of DGL tablets before meals not only helps prevent heartburn, it’s reputed to soothe and heal the esophageal tissue by decreasing inflammation and ulceration. And unlike other forms of licorice, DGL is safe for people with high blood pressure. Most herbalists recommend chewing the equivalent of 760 mg (2 tablets) three times a day with meals.

Pain Relief

Pain, whether it’s from a pulled muscle or arthritis, not only makes you miserable, but limits what you can do. The next time you are hurting, try one of these topical remedies:

8. Cayenne (Capsicum annuum): Pain is caused by Substance P, a neurotransmitter that tells the brain when we are injured and triggers inflammation. Cayenne’s primary anti-inflammatory component, capsaicin, reduces levels of Substance P. Look for a topical cream containing .075 percent capsaicin. Just take care since cayenne can burn sensitive skin. Test it on a small area first and don’t apply near the eyes or on broken skin.

9. Arnica (Arnica montana): Athletes have long relied on arnica to reduce the pain, swelling and bruising that accompany sprains and strains. But this homeopathic remedy can be a powerful weapon against osteoarthritis. A comparison of ibuprofen and a topical arnica gel found that the arnica was just as effective for pain and hand function in people with osteoarthritis of the hands. 

Allay Seasonal Allergies

Allergic rhinitis—the medical name for hay fever—affects more than 50 million Americans every year, making it the sixth leading cause of chronic disease in the United States. But, while these drugs temporarily relieve your symptoms, prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) allergy medications can cause adverse reactions, including drowsiness, headache and sore throat. Fortunately, natural remedies can nip seasonal allergies in the bud without the side effects of conventional allergy drugs.

10. Butterbur (Petasites hybridus): If you suffer from chronic hay fever, you might try butterbur instead of your prescription allergy medication. Butterbur may help even if you only suffer from occasional allergies. For best results, take 50 to 100 mg twice a day with meals.

11. Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica): This prickly plant offers relief from itchy, watery eyes, sneezing and respiratory symptoms—often within 15 minutes. The key is the herb’s anti-inflammatory effect. And unlike OTC allergy medicines, taking stinging nettle won’t make you drowsy.

Stress Busters

In an analysis of nearly 300 studies, researchers at the University of Kentucky confirmed that stress alters immunity, and that seniors and sick people are much more vulnerable to the adverse impact of chronic stress. Here are two of the most effective herbs to soothe stress:

12. American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius): This adaptogen can help your body resist the negative effects of stress by suppressing stress hormones like cortisol. When compared to ginkgo—which can help with acute stress—ginseng was found to be a better option for long-term stress. How effective is it? A Chinese study recently showed that the herb worked as well as the anti-anxiety drug diazepam (Valium). Look for a standardized ginseng supplement that provides 4 to 7 percent total ginsenosides. The typical dose to relieve stress is 100 to 200 mg a day.

13. Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea): Russian research indicates that rhodiola reduces stress and fatigue; improves memory; enhances concentration and physical fitness; and increases overall well-being. Better yet, rhodiola stimulates the immune system, enabling the body’s own defenses to ward off the effects of stress. The recommended daily dose is 100 mg of a rhodiola supplement standardized to contain 3 percent rosavin.

Be Happy and Catch Some Zzzz

Is the economy keeping you up at night? Are you feeling anxious or depressed? Two herbs might help lift you out of your doldrums and help you get a good night’s sleep.

14. St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum): Unlike prescription antidepressant drugs, St. John’s wort can gently and safely alleviate mild to moderate depression. In a new meta-analysis comparing the herb with prescription selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, researchers found that both were equally effective for mild to moderate depression. The big difference was safety: St. John’s wort had far fewer side effects. But be aware that St. John’s wort can make you more sensitive to sunlight. If you use this herb, make sure to slather on sunscreen before going outdoors. Also, St. John’s wort reduces the effectiveness of birth control pills and some other drugs. Consult your health-care provider if you take prescription medications and want to try St. John’s wort. The standard recommendation for mild to moderate depression is 500 to 1,000 mg of St. John’s wort extract daily.

15. Valerian (Valeriana officinalis): Valerian can help send you to dreamland because of its calming and sedative action. Unlike prescription sleep aids, taking 300 to 500 mg of valerian 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime isn’t addictive and won’t leave you feeling groggy the next morning.

Source: Mother Earth Living

How to Make Basil-Mint Oil

Here is the recipe:

• 3 cups mint leaves
• 1 cup basil leaves
• 1 ½ cups canola or olive oil
• Coarse salt to taste
• 1 or 2 green chillies (optional)

Clean, wash, and finely chop the leaves. Blanch them in rapidly boiling water for about 20 seconds, and immerse into an ice bath.

Blend them with the green chillies and oil in a blender. Strain through a cheesecloth and pour the herbalicious oil into a clean glass jar.

Tip: Don’t discard the herb solids: you can add them to stew, soup or rice for extra flavor.

5 exciting ways to use this oil

• Toss cooked pasta in this oil, along with finely chopped garlic and salt. Simple and delicious!
• Heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a pan and stir-fry vegetables in it.
• Drizzle it over grilled tomatoes and soups.
• Instead of the usual rosemary sprigs, try roasting potatoes tossed in this minty oil.
• Fill baked mushroom caps with this oil, minced garlic, and season to taste.
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Nature's Sweetener - The health benefits of Honey

1. Prevent cancer and heart disease:

Honey contains flavonoids, antioxidants which help reduce the risk of some cancers and heart disease.

2. Reduce ulcers and other gastrointestinal disorders.
Recent research shows that honey treatment may help disorders such as ulcers and bacterial gastroenteritis. This may be related to the 3rd benefit…

3. Anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-fungal:
“All honey is antibacterial, because the bees add an enzyme that makes hydrogen peroxide,” said Peter Molan, director of the Honey Research Unit at the University of Waikato in New Zealand.

4. Increase athletic performance.
Ancient Olympic athletes would eat honey and dried figs to enhance their performance. This has now been verified with modern studies, showing that it is superior in maintaining glycogen levels and improving recovery time than other sweeteners.

5. Reduce cough and throat irritation:
Honey helps with coughs, particularly buckwheat honey. In a study of 110 children, a single dose of buckwheat honey was just as effective as a single dose of dextromethorphan in relieving nocturnal cough and allowing proper sleep.

6. Balance the 5 elements: 

Honey has been used in ayurvedic medicine in India for at least 4000 years and is considered to affect all three of the body’s primitive material imbalances positively. It is also said to be useful in improving eyesight, weight loss, curing impotence and premature ejaculation, urinary tract disorders, bronchial asthma, diarrhea, and nausea.

Honey is referred as “Yogavahi” since it has a quality of penetrating the deepest tissues of the body. When honey is used with other herbal preparations, it enhances the medicinal qualities of those preparations and also helps them to reach the deeper tissues.

7. Blood sugar regulation:

Even though honey contains simple sugars, it is NOT the same as white sugar or artificial sweeteners. Its exact combination of fructose and glucose actually helps the body regulate blood sugar levels. Some honeys have a low hypoglycemic index, so they don’t jolt your blood sugar.  

8. Heal wounds and burns:

External application of honey has been shown to be as effective as conventional treatment with silver sulfadiazene. It is speculated that the drying effect of the simple sugars and honey’s anti-bacterial nature combine to create this effect.

9. Probiotic:

Some varieties of honey possess large amounts of friendly bacteria. This includes up to 6 species of lactobacilli and 4 species of bifidobacteria. This may explain many of the “mysterious therapeutic properties of honey.”

10. Beautiful skin:

Its anti-bacterial qualities are particularly useful for the skin, and, when used with the other ingredients, can also be moisturizing and nourishing! 

Honey Cautions:

• Best not to feed to infants. Spores of Clostridium botulinum have been found in a small percentage of honey in North America. This is not dangerous to adults and older children, but infants can have a serious reaction of illness in the first year. Do not add honey to baby food or use as a soother to quiet a fussy or colicky baby. 
• Honey is a sugar, so do not eat jars full of it if you value your good health and want to maintain a healthy weight. It has a high caloric value and will put you on a sugar high and low.

Source: http://realfoodforlife.com/health-benefits-of-honey/

Live a Healthy Life

Here are 10 things you should do to make this the healthiest year of your life. Make these choices a habit and you'll feel the difference within days.

1. Drink plenty of pure water.

Drinking enough water strengthens the immune system, promotes weight loss, improves the skin, and carries waste from the body. Drink spring water from a trusted source or tap water that has been filtered to remove chlorine, lead, and fluoride.

2. Increase your physical activity.

Many of the diseases we are prone to are the result of a sedentary lifestyle as well as an unhealthy diet. Your body is meant to be used and will quickly deteriorate if it's not. Physical activity should be as high a priority as eating and sleeping. Do the things you enjoy, but be sure to engage in some form of aerobic and resistance exercise at least two or three times per week.

3. Limit your carbohydrate intake.

Learn about the glycemic index and avoid carbohydrates that are too high on it. This includes potatoes, corn, grain products, baked goods, sugars, and other sweets. Stick to low- and mid-range glycemic-index foods, such as non-starchy vegetables, greens, nuts, berries, beans, and fruits.

4. Consume good sources of natural fats.

Completely avoid any products made with hydrogenated oils. Start reading the ingredients on the labels of the foods you eat. Replace vegetable oils with olive oil and organic unrefined coconut oil. Increase your intake of omega-3 fats found in fish oil, grass-fed meat, walnuts, olives, organic eggs, and flaxseeds.

5. Eat protein at every meal.

Your body needs protein every day. A lack of protein sends your brain the signal that food is scarce and prompts the body to protect itself from this "famine" by storing excess fat. If you're a vegetarian, rice protein powder is an excellent source of pure protein with no carbohydrates to raise insulin levels. Also consider spirulina, a microalgae that is 60% protein.

6. Eat a natural diet.

Whenever possible, insist on organic fruits, vegetables, and berries. Organic produce is more nutritious, free of harmful pesticides, and it even tastes better than conventional produce. Also, choose grass-fed meats, organic eggs and poultry, and wild-caught fish known to be free of contaminants.

7. Eliminate artificial sweeteners.

As bad as sugar can be, artificial sweeteners are worse. The worst offender is aspartame. It has been responsible for more adverse reactions reported to the FDA than all other foods and additives combined. It has been linked to tumors, seizures, headaches, altered brain function, chronic fatigue, optic-nerve damage, and a host of other maladies. For an all-natural, no-calorie sweetener, use Xylitol sugar.

8. Get enough rest.

While the body is at rest, your brain organizes memories, muscles are repaired and restored, and the immune system is rejuvenated. The right amount of sleep will boost creativity, improve your mood, and even decrease your chances of obesity. For optimum health, most people need seven hours of uninterrupted sleep each night.

9. Expose your skin to sunlight.

There are numerous health benefits associated with moderate sun exposure -- and despite what you may have heard or read to the contrary, populations with the most exposure to sunlight actually exhibit the lowest rates of cancer. The key is to never allow your skin to burn -- which means that it's generally best to enjoy the sun before 10 a.m. and after 2 p.m. when UV rays are lower. If your lifestyle does not allow you to be in the sun for a short time each day, consider supplementing with cod liver oil. Among its other outstanding benefits, the cod liver oil will compensate for the vitamin D you may be lacking as a result of not getting enough sun.

10. Take a few sensible supplements.

You should get most of your nutrients from high-quality whole foods, but any nutritional program can be enhanced by supplementing with appropriate vitamins and minerals.

The road to total health and wellness is not about making a single decision that will take you to your goal. It is about making many small decisions every day. Decisions that become habits. Habits that lead to success.