Vitamin Supplements

Vitamin supplements are habitually misused and taken without professional guidance as a form of medicinal treatment for ailments such as colds, or to counteract lifestyle issues such as stress. Contrary to popular belief, vitamins are not miracle cures, they are organic compounds that contribute to various metabolic functions.

Consuming large doses of these organic compounds can actually be detrimental to your health, and high dosing of vitamin supplements should not even be entertained unless recommended by a healthcare professional or under medical guidance.

Vitamins are nutrients essential for encouraging normal growth, vitality and general wellbeing. There are numerous misconceptions about vitamins and the healthy benefits they present. Vitamins play a significant role in maintaining healthy body functions. In the absence of regular vitamin intake, many vital body functions would fail and disease may occur. Most individuals would prefer to obtain the vitamins our bodies require by consuming a variety of healthy, unprocessed foods rather than by ingesting supplements.

Remedial Dandelion

While most people consider the dandelion plant ‘Taraxacum officinale’ as an annoying garden weed, the truth is that this common garden weed is packed full of vitamins as well as minerals.

The young dandelion leaves are generally used to flavour salads or sandwiches, while the more mature (bitter) dandelion leaves are more suitable for use in brewed teas. The dandelion roots are better if dried and ground before steeping or infusing, and have proven to be an excellent coffee substitute for those trying to reduce their caffeine intake. It has also been reported that the dandelion flowers have been used in the production of certain beers and wines.

The dandelion plant is a common garden plant consisting of a rosette of leaves extending approximately 25cm with a distinct yellow or orange daisy like flowering head. The smooth uneven bright green leaves have jagged edges, of what looks like, backward facing teeth, and for this reason the plant was given the name dandelion which derives from the French ‘dent de lion’, meaning lion’s tooth. The hollow flower stem rises to approximately 30cm with one yellow daisy like flower head that sets into a puff-ball looking seed head with fluffy parachutes designed to carry each seed in the wind.

Manuka Honey Heals

Manuka honey has long had a reputation as a "healing" honey. The bees that produce this ‘mono floral’ honey only gather pollen from the Manuka bush (Leptospermum Scoparium) indigenous to New Zealand. This particular bush is more commonly known as a variation of the Tea Tree plant.

Most honeys contain a naturally occurring active agent that is believed to support good health, but is easily destroyed when exposed to heat and light. Manuka honey contains an extra, naturally occurring active ingredient that makes it distinctive from other honeys. This additional component is stable and doesn't lose its potency when exposed to heat, light or dilution. The quality is detected through laboratory testing in order to gain the UMF (Unique Manuka Factor) rating that decorates jars of medical grade honey. Aligning with the UMF rating, the type of Manuka honey to keep in the medicine cabinet is that which has an ‘Active’ quality, meaning that its enzymes create chemical reactions within the honey. For the Manuka honey to be properly effective you should be looking at ‘Active UMF 10+’ or higher.

Beneficial Coconut Oil

Coconut oil received criticism regarding its high volume of saturated fats and how they impact on heart health, cholesterol levels and body weight.

Recent medical studies have shown that the exact opposite may now be true. Virgin oil extracted from coconuts actually has some extraordinary health benefits.

Most significant among these is lauric acid, something not found in any other natural source. In addition, coconut oil contains the anti-oxidant properties of vitamin E, vitamin K, and minerals.

The health benefits of coconut oil include proper digestion and metabolism, weight loss, maintaining cholesterol levels, diabetes, stress relief, high blood pressure, hair care, skin care, dental care, bone strength, and stimulation of the immune system. These benefits of coconut oil can be attributed to the presence of lauric acid, caprylic acid and capric acid, and its properties such as anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, and anti-fungal.

B Complex Vitamins

Should vitamins and minerals be served up on your plate or shaken out of a bottle? Currently, most experts believe that a combination of both - that is, a varied, healthy diet backed up by a daily multivitamin is the recommendation.

Undoubtedly, it's important to start with a healthy diet. A profusion of in-depth studies have consistently shown that whole grains, legumes, fish, fruits, vegetables, and vegetable oils have the potential to protect your body against cancer and heart disease. Some essential nutrients are packed into every food group, and certain foods such as flour, and cereal, are fortified with specific nutrients. It is also true that even the best supplements cannot encompass all the biologically active compounds abundant in a well-stocked pantry.

Another advantage of a healthy diet through natural foods is that it's difficult to overdose on vitamins and minerals. When people take several vitamin and mineral supplements, it's easier to ingest potentially harmful amounts of some nutrients.

Propolis for Longevity

Throughout history Bee Propolis has been known to be one of nature’s most unique & exciting substances.

Propolis comes from resins collected from trees and plants by bees. The resin collected is then combined with wax to make bee propolis.

The bees use the sticky propolis to fill crevices and to seal and varnish honeycombs to create a sterile environment, free from microbes and other invaders. It is said that a bee hive is one of the most sanitary and sterile environments on earth.

 

Propolis consists of a combination of resinous substances with a pleasant aroma. Propolis is processed by worker bees after collection of organic products from at least 20 species of trees that produce resinous secretions, including the buds of alder, ash, beech, birch, chestnut, pine, and poplar trees – and also the young stems, branches, petiole (leafstalks), leaves and bark of the willow and plum tree. The worker bees then add secretions from their salivary gland (containing enzymes), wax and other biochemical compounds. Colour, aroma, and also chemical composition of bee propolis will vary depending on the foliage from where the raw materials were collected.

Spice Up Relations

Evidence points to the many health benefits of an active sex life. When a couple has a desire discrepancy for sex, it can create a great deal of stress, and for some who don't ask for help in dealing with the problem, it can even result in a breakdown of the relationship. One partner may reach breaking point, start looking elsewhere, or begin pressuring their partner for a change. Ultimatums escalate distress levels and make it even more likely that the pair will split.

Trying to create a sexy relationship once it has gone stagnant takes a gradual shift and both partners need to feel comfortable each step of the way. We might not find ourselves alone with our partner as often as we would like. Exhaustion, stress, hormonal fluctuations and less than optimal health can all leave you feeling less than your sexiest, which can adversely affect your sex life. Perhaps you find yourself saying “not tonight babe” more often than you’d like.

Since a healthy sex life is stress diminishing and a great way to connect with your partner, sex itself, is not something that you want to forfeit. The yogis would say not to overdo it, but finding a good balance is the key. If you’ve been turning your partner down a little more in the bedroom that you’d like, perhaps it’s time for some natural spices to Spice Up your Sex Life!