Author: Scott & Rhonda

A bit about Turmeric

Todays post is about Turmeric.

This is a plant that grows very successfully in our garden. Scott needs to harvest it quite regularly to stop it from taking over the vegetable bed.

Turmeric is something that has received much interest from both the medical/scientific worlds as well as from the culinary world.

I thought I would share some information about it and it’s uses.

Is it herb or spice?

Turmeric is actually a spice. The plant is part of the Ginger family and its botanical name is Curcuma longa.  Curcuma is native to Southern Asia and it’s used for both medicinal and religious applications. Like ginger, the root or rhizome of the plant is mainly used.

For centuries it has been used  in various ways. As early as 600BC, Turmeric was listed as a colouring an Assyrian herbal text. Documents record that it had reached China by the seventh century AD. By the 13th century it was being used as a dye in West Africa.

What about health applications?

Worldwide, the health applications of Turmeric or Curcumin, vary greatly. It is used as an antiseptic in Malaysia, as an anti-inflammatory agent in Pakistan and in Thailand it is used in cosmetics.

Recently, science has started to back up what the Eastern cultures have known for a long time. Turmeric really does contain compounds with medicinal properties. These compounds are called curcuminoids, one of which is curcumin.

What is Curcumin?

Curcumin is the main active ingredient in turmeric. It has powerful anti-inflammatory effects and is a very strong antioxidant.

Studies have revealed that curcumin aids in the management of various health conditions. These include inflammation, metabolic syndrome, arthritis and anxiety. It may also help in the management of exercise-induced inflammation and muscle soreness. Scientists have concluded that may enhance recovery and performance in active people. In addition, relatively low doses can provide health benefits for people that do not have diagnosed health conditions.

Actually, the body has difficulty with absorbing curcumin into the bloodstream. However there are ways to improve this situation. It is fat soluble, so consuming it with some healthy fats will increase the absorption. Add to this some piperine, a substance in black pepper, to increase absorption of curcumin by up to 2000%.

Interestingly, the curcumin content of turmeric is not that high. On average it contains only around 3%.

Most of the studies on this spice are using just the curcumin compound  itself, with dosages usually exceeding 1 gram per day. It would be very difficult to reach these levels just using the turmeric spice in your foods.

With this in mind, it is easy to supplement your diet. Health stores sell capsules,  drink mixes and chewable vitamins. It is readily available in different concentrations that already blended with the ingredients that assist with absorption.

There are even pet supplements now with turmeric!

Turmeric as a food spice

It is remarkable how versatile its flavour becomes in a wide variety of dishes. United States manufacturers use it as a preservative and a colouring agent in mustard sauce, cheese, butter, and chips.

Turmeric makes significant contribution to the flavours of Indian style curries. However, many Asian dishes use fresh grated turmeric. Fresh rhizomes are also used in making commercial and homemade pastes. Recently, it has been making an appearance in salad dressings, smoothies and teas.

Conveniently, turmeric powder will always be a stronger flavour. This is because the active ingredients becoming concentrated with the removal of the water content. Should you wish to use turmeric powder as a substitute for fresh, use about one quarter of the amount in the recipe for fresh.

Try adding some Turmeric to your diet. It doesn’t matter what form it is in, any will be beneficial.

Till the next post,

Live clean n Prosper.

Sources – Wikipedia, National Library of Medicine –

 

A Look at Ginkgo Biloba

Todays post is about Ginkgo Biloba.

Scott recently completed an assignment on this herb and it’s use for treating dementia. So we thought that we would share some of the information he found while researching this topic.

First, what is Ginkgo biloba?

Native to China, Ginkgo biloba, has many common names such as as ginkgo or gingko, fossil tree, Japanese silver apricot, and the maidenhair tree.

Now considered endangered, it is one of the oldest living species of tree. It is the last living relative of a plant which first appeared over 290 million years ago.

The tree was cultivated early in human history and the leaf extract remains commonly used as a dietary supplement.

What is it used for?

Ginkgo biloba extract is collected from the dried green leaves of the plant and is available as liquid extracts, capsules, and tablets.

The extract is used as an herbal remedy to treat many conditions including anxiety, allergies, dementia, eye problems, tinnitus, and other health problems.

How the extract works is not well understood. Scientists believe that this is mostly due to its synergistic effects on the whole of body systems. However, it is thought the antioxidant properties of the ginkgo are a major factor.

One study found that people with generalised anxiety disorder who took ginkgo experienced better anxiety relief than those who took a placebo. Researchers also found positive study results for ADHD, autism, and generalised anxiety disorder, but indicated more research is needed.

In regards to Dementia,

A research group determined that the use of ginkgo extract was useful in the prevention of various dementias. in particular when standard medical treatment was ineffective.

In 2016 a clinical trial was conducted involving 410 patients over 24-weeks. The patients were given a dose of ginkgo extract (known as EGb 761) to alleviate non-psychiatric symptoms associated with dementia such as anxiety, sleep disturbance and apathy.

The results determined that the EGb 761 was safe and effective at alleviating the symptoms associated with dementia without the side effects associated with conventional medication.

Further review determined the extract was in fact able to stabilise or slow the decline in cognition over 22-26 weeks.

There is a large amount of research that indicates early intervention works best. While it is debatable whether Ginkgo biloba extracts will reverse dementia it does appear clear that it will stem the progression of the disease.

Are there side effects?

Ginkgo is generally safe for healthy people to use in moderation for up to six months.

However, it may cause an allergic reaction in some people. Your risk may be higher if you’re allergic to urushiols. Urushiols are the oily resin found in poison ivy, sumac, poison oak, and mango rind.

The extract may increase bleeding. Don’t use ginkgo if you have a bleeding disorder or take medications that may increase your risk of bleeding.

Don’t replace a current medication or commence taking ginkgo to treat a serious condition without consulting your health professional.

We hope that you have found this information interesting.

Till the next post,

Live clean n Prosper.

Sources – Wikipedia –  National Centre for complementary and Integrative Health –  Drugs.com – Medical News Today –

 

Atmospheric Ions and Health

Todays post is about the affect of atmospheric ions on our health.

Recently Scott and I were discussing the benefits of spending time outdoors, in a relaxed environment. As with most people, we have found that just spending time at the park or at the beach improves our mood and sometimes our health.

This prompted me to consider if there was any documented science to support this theory.

So, I did a bit of research and am sharing what I found.

I found several scientific studies and articles discussing the relationship between the atmosphere and its influence on health and mood. I am not taking about the attitudes of others around us either, though this can play a part.

First, what are Atmospheric Ions?

Science has found that the atmosphere we breathe normally is full of positive and negative ions. Air ions are invisible, electrically charged molecules or atoms in the atmosphere. Some particles are positively charged and some are negatively charged.

Negative air ions (NAIs) were actually discovered more than 100 years ago.

These ions are also present in our bodies, the positive and the negative ones.

NAI’s are abundant in nature. In fact, you will find the highest concentrations of negative ions around waterfalls, on the ocean, at the beach and after a storm. They are widespread in mountains and forests.

In polluted cities, crowded areas and in confined spaces such as offices, industrial areas, schools and cars, you will find the highest concentration of positive ions. These “Concrete Jungles” minimise the natural production of negative ions by disrupting the delicate electrical balance between the atmosphere and the earth.

Positive ions have been found to have a disruptive influence on our health. Headaches, sleepiness, low attention spans and a general sense of feeling unwell are just some of the side effects of spending too long indoors.

Atmospheric ions and health

Once they reach our bloodstream, ions are believed to produce biochemical reactions. Research has found that negative ions contribute to overall well-being and health.

High concentrations of negative air ions are essential for high energy and positive mood. This is why fresh air and sunshine have an invigorating effect. Alternatively, being closed in with little light corresponds with depressed feelings.

Scientists are now working with manufacturers to develop NAI generation systems. Systems that can be used to freshen indoor air and in addition to enriching oxygen content in homes, schools, hospitals, airports, and other indoor areas.

Health benefits of NAI’s include:

  • Decreased blood pressure
  • Increased concentration and productivity
  • Improved psychological health
  • Revitalised cell metabolism.
  • Enhanced immune function.
  • Purify the blood.
  • and finally they balance the autonomic nervous system, promoting deep sleep and healthy digestion.

There was so much more information available, but it is too confusing to share.

Basically, this explains why we feel so much better after spending some relaxing time outdoors, in the fresh air.

So, we are not imagining it. It’s important to schedule a date with nature to upload on negative ions.

Till the next post,

Live clean n Prosper

Sources: Study Resource – National Library of Medicine – The Owner’s Manual for the Brain, Everyday Applications from Mind-Brain Research –