Herbs & Botanicals

Subcategories

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  Apricot

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  Garlic

  <h5><span>What are the Health Benefits of Black Garlic?</span></h5> <p><span>The ageing process that turns white garlic into black garlic leads to a decrease in the compound allicin (which is responsible for garlic's unique odour) and an increase in other compounds such as water-soluble S-allylcysteine (SAC). SAC is a potent antioxidant, plus it is easily absorbed and less toxic than other compounds typically found in garlic. Many of the benefits of black garlic are based on SAC, which becomes the most abundant component following the ageing process.</span></p> <p><span>Here are some of the key health benefits that black garlic seems to offer…</span></p> <h5>Reduced Cholesterol Levels</h5> <p>High cholesterol levels are part of modern life for many of us. Poor diets comprising of many high fat premade foods can boost levels of “bad” cholesterol, while a lack of exercise can further worsen the problem. Black garlic, however, seems to have a positive impact on cholesterol levels in the body.</p> <p><span>In one study, sixty volunteers were either given black garlic or a placebo twice a day for 12 weeks. The researchers found that the group taking black garlic saw a significant increase in high-density lipoproteins (“good” cholesterol) and theorised that it may offer benefits to the cardiovascular system.</span></p> <p>In another experiment, black garlic was provided alongside a high fat diet, to see whether it impacted the cholesterol levels in the blood. The findings largely mirror the previous study; good cholesterol levels rose, while bad cholesterol fell. Total cholesterol levels also fell in those being provided with the garlic extract.</p> <p><span>One final piece of evidence comes from Korea, in which scientists tried to assess the potential benefits of black garlic on obesity sufferers. They too found that black garlic resulted in both reduced triglyceride levels and total cholesterol when compared to the control.</span> </p> <p><span>While it is still early days, the limited number of studies carried out so far suggest that black garlic may help to support healthy cholesterol levels in the body.</span> </p> <h5><span>Boosts the Immune System</span></h5> <p><span>Garlic has been suggested to support the immune system through stimulating the white blood cells involved in the immune response. Garlic's role in catching a cold has also been investigated with some suggestion it may reduce the occurrence of colds, though more studies are needed to confirm this.</span></p> <p><span>One study tried to compare the immune stimulatory abilities of white and black garlic. Healthy subjects consumed either of the two substances before having their blood drawn. The experts then assessed the impacts of the garlic extract on white blood cells. They found that black garlic extract “showed stronger immune stimulatory activities than raw garlic”. Furthermore, they claim that their results indicate a strong correlation between the activity of black garlic and “antioxidant and anticancer activities”.</span></p> <p><span>Another group of scientists investigating how black garlic seems to boost the immune system found evidence that the action occurs by stimulating the so-called “Natural Killer” cells. These are a type of white blood cell which, according to the British Society for Immunology, are “best-known for killing virally infected cells, and detecting and controlling early signs of cancer”.</span></p> <h5><span>Lower Inflammatory Response</span></h5> <p><span>Inflammation is implicated in a range of different health complications, from rheumatoid arthritis to asthma, so any substance capable of reducing the inflammatory response is potentially exciting. A study in Korea investigating the anti-inflammatory effects of black garlic found enough evidence to suggest that it “could contribute to the prevention and improvement of inflammatory disease”.</span> </p> <h5><span>Fights Bacterial Infection</span></h5> <p><span>Increasing interest in black garlic's potential health benefits have led to investigations of it's ability to control tumours. A study from Japan, however, made a rather startling discovery during one of their experiments. They found evidence that black garlic extract demonstrates antibacterial activity, specifically in response to so-called “medically relevant” pathogens such as MRSA and E.coli.</span></p> <h5><span>Provides Antioxidant Protection</span></h5> <p><span>Black garlic possesses a variety of antioxidant mechanisms which may inhibit damage involved in ageing and the development of various diseases. It has also been shown to increase glutathione levels, another antioxidant which serves a number of important purposes in the body. These antioxidant effects have shown promise for various health conditions in animal studies, including type 2 diabetes and liver health, but further studies involving humans are needed to confirm these benefits.</span></p> <h5><span>Supports a Healthy Heart</span></h5> <p><span>There has been much research looking into the effects of garlic on factors of heart health including cholesterol and blood pressure. For instance, a recent 12-week trial looked at the effects of aged garlic extract in individuals with high blood pressure. The researchers found the garlic supplementation to be effective and potentially useful alongside conventional medical treatments.</span></p> <p><span>More research is needed to clarify the effects of garlic, especially as many studies have only been carried out using animals so far, but it looks promising as being a beneficial addition to a healthy diet.</span></p> <h5><span>Provides Plenty of Vitamins</span></h5> <p><span>One final analysis is worthy of mention here, in which scientists aimed to assess how the curing process affects vitamin levels. Water soluble vitamins are of particular interest because they cannot be stored in the body; as a result they must be regularly consumed in the diet if deficiencies are to be avoided. The experts found that the heat used to turn raw garlic into black garlic seems to concentrate the vitamins, finding that the “the total water-soluble vitamin content increased by about 1.15 to 1.92 times in black garlic than that in fresh garlic”.</span> </p> <h5><span>Ready to Try Black Garlic?</span></h5> <p><span>Black garlic is a versatile ingredient so can be used in a range of meals to suit different tastes. You could start off by including it in a marinade to use for coating meat or vegetables or adding it into a soup or salad dressing. If you're looking for just the potential health benefits of black garlic then it is now available as a high quality supplement.</span></p>
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  Sea backthorn

  <p><span>Also called the sea berry, sand thorn, and sallow thorn, sea buckthorn (Hippophae Rhamnoides) is a deciduous shrub native to Europe and Asia.</span></p> <p><span>The berries and their usage were mentioned in China, 1,200 years ago, and in Tibetan medical texts around 1,000 years ago. From there, Sea Buckthorn spread over Russia and the Ukraine into Europe, finally reaching the British Isles.</span></p> <h5><span>Health benefits of Sea Buckthorn</span></h5> <p>Sea Buckthorn is becoming progressively popular for its impressive range of healing properties! Sea-Buckthorn is a thorny shrub that grows near rivers and in sandy soil along the Atlantic coasts of Europe and throughout Asia, where it has been used for centuries in traditional medical applications. The leaves, flowers, fruits and oils from the seeds are all used for remedies. Listed below are some of the popular health benefits of using sea buckthorn</p> <h5>Stomach Health</h5> <p><span>Buckthorn berry juice is one of the best cures if you suffer from upset stomach or gastric distress of any kind. Apart from that buckthorn berry juice can rapidly relieve discomfort and calm inflammation. The anti-inflammatory capacity of this super berry also helps relieve joint pain and sore muscles.</span></p> <h5>Vision Health</h5> <p><span>Carotenoids are another important antioxidant compound that is found in buckthorn berry, and this important nutrient protects your vision in a major way. Carotenoids help to slow down the progression of macular degeneration, and prevent the development of cataracts along with improving night vision!</span></p> <h5><span>Brain health</span></h5> <p><span>The B vitamins and healthy fats contained in sea buckthorn are outstanding for maintaining brain health, and may assist in preventing or healing conditions such as Alzheimer’s and dementia.</span></p> <h5>Strong antioxidant</h5> <p><span>Buckthorn berry consists of high antioxidant content that help to neutralize free radicals, the dangerous byproducts of cellular metabolism. </span></p> <h5><span>Aging Process</span></h5> <p><span>Buckthorn berry is quite important because of its impact on the aging process. For those people seeking younger-looking skin, or who want to remove age spots and wrinkles, the free radical-neutralizing antioxidants in buckthorn berry are perfect! Drinking buckthorn berry juice, adding the concentrated oil to other foods, or eating the berries themselves are all practical ways to stay young!</span></p> <h5>Diabetes Control </h5> <p><span>Although research is still on this particular topic, buckthorn berry is good at regulating blood sugar. It means including this delicious fruit to their diet is the wonderful choice for people suffering from diabetes. By eliminating the peaks and drops in blood sugar, super berries like buckthorn can help people live a more normal life!</span></p> <h5>Vitamin C Boost </h5> <p><span>Apart from boosting immune system, buckthorn helps to improve the health of the skin, the strength of your bones, and flexibility of gums and teeth. Vitamin C contained in buckthorn berry is an essential part in the formation of collagen, which is a vital component of growth and repair throughout the body. Therefore, the high concentration of vitamin C in buckthorn berry makes it an all-around body booster that helps to speed wound healing and recovery from injuries.</span></p> <h5>Circulation</h5> <p><span>Several research have proven that the high levels of vitamin C in buckthorn berry help to increase the uptake of iron by the body, thus confirming a high, steady blood flow, as iron is a key ingredient in red blood cells.</span></p>
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  Milk thistle

  <h5><span>Benefits of Milk Thistle</span></h5> <p><span>Milk thistle is an herbal remedy derived from the milk thistle plant, also known as Silybum marianum.</span> </p> <p><span>This prickly plant has distinctive purple flowers and white veins, which traditional stories say were caused by a drop of the Virgin Mary’s milk falling onto its leaves.</span> </p> <p><span>The active ingredients in milk thistle are a group of plant compounds collectively known as <strong>silymarin</strong>.</span></p> <p><span>Its herbal remedy is known as milk thistle extract. Milk thistle extract has a high amount of silymarin (between 65–80%) that has been concentrated from the milk thistle plant.</span></p> <p><span>The silymarin extracted from milk thistle is known to have antioxidant, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties.</span> </p> <p><span>Traditionally it has been used to treat liver and gallbladder disorders, promote breast milk production, prevent and treat cancer and even protect the liver from snake bites, alcohol and other environmental poisons.</span></p>
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  Lingonberries

  <h5>Lingonberry</h5> <p>Scientifically known as Vaccinium vitis-idaea is a short evergreen shrub that bears edible fruits. The lingonberry fruit, also known as foxberry, quailberry, bearberry, beaverberry, mountain cranberry, red whortleberry, lowbush cranberry, cougarberry, mountain bilberry, partridgeberry, redberry and alpine cranberry is native to boreal forest and Arctic tundra throughout the Northern Hemisphere from Eurasia to North America. </p> <p>Other berries such as blueberries, cranberries, and raspberries are more popular and well-known; lingonberries are gaining massive popularity in the world due to their health benefits. Lingonberries are smaller, juicier and slightly sweeter than their cousins – cranberries. They have been used for centuries both as food and as medicine. Also known as foxberries or cowberries, these tart red berries can be eaten raw or they can be processed into delicious lingonberry jam or syrup (popular in Sweden and other Scandinavian countries). When used primarily for their health benefits, lingonberries are also often juiced or ingested in supplemental form.</p> <h5>Nutritional Value of Lingonberry</h5> <p>Apart from their acidic to sour taste, Lingonberry is a good source of nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Consuming 100 gram of Lingonberry offers 3.2 mg of Manganese, 2.4 mg of Vitamin B5, 11 mg of Vitamin C, 3.7 g of Total dietary Fiber, 11.5 g of Carbohydrate, 0.07 mg of Copper, 0.4 mg of Iron, 0.12 µg of Vitamin B-12 and 0.05 mg of Vitamin B1.</p> <h5>Health benefits of Lingonberry</h5> <p><span>Lingonberries have been used as both food and medicine for centuries. Compared to any other berries, they are of no less value and it fights against the effects of a high-fat diet and blocking weight gain. Spaced out from that, they fight against diabetes and obesity as well. Coming to the nutritional profile of these berries, whole Lingonberries or the juices of it have been accepted to have certain beneficial compounds like Quercetin and proanthocyanidin which is also abundant in cranberries. Additionally, the leaves of Lingonberry have been shown to be full of bioactive compounds like arbutin- a phytochemical. In traditional Austrian medication the fruits have been managed internally as jelly or syrup for healing of disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys and urinary tract, and fever. </span></p>