Healthy Product News

Report by Julia Woodford

In the world of Ayurvedic medicine, there are certain herbs favoured for health issues specific to women. One such herb is called Shatavari, also known as Asparagus racemosus. It is the root of this plant in particular that addresses infertility, debility of the female organs, and menopausal symptoms.  According to the Yoga of Herbs by Dr. David Frawley and Dr. Vasant Lad, Shatavari is the main Ayurvedic rejuvenative for females, just like Ashwagandha is for males (though both have some action on both sexes).

In breastfeeding women, Shatavari increases milk production, and for all women it nourishes and cleanses the blood. In India, Shatavari is named as the “herb who possesses a hundred husbands” as its tonic and rejuvenative action on the female reproductive organs is said to give women the capacity to have a hundred husbands. This herb is also a good food for menopause or for those who have had hysterectomies, as it supplies many female hormones.

Because of its tonic and cooling action, Shatavari is soothing for those of Pitta constitution, and also tonifies the blood.

This herb is also an effective demulcent (soothing and protecting) for dry and inflamed membranes of the lungs, stomach, kidneys, and sexual organs. And its thirst-relieving and fluid-protecting powers make it a good medicine for chronic diarrhea and dysentery.

Shatavari seems to have a particular affinity for healing the stomach, due to its antacid properties which help to counteract hyperacidity and stomach ulcers. There is also evidence to suggest that its bitter and cooling properties make it an effective Ayurvedic treatment for lung abscesses, coughs, cancer, herpes, and chronic fevers. And Ayurvedic consultant Francis Ashwa-gandha likes to add Shatavari to his omelette in the morning. He says it works as a yin tonic for males and increases mental alertness.

The usual method of preparation involves adding 3 grams of the powder to a cup of warm milk sweetened with raw sugar, or combining it with ghee to make a paste.

The powdered root of Shatavari is now being imported from India by Advantage Health Matters, and can be purchased at the Big Carrot Dispensary in Toronto, as well as other selected health food stores. It comes in a 200 gram bag, is certified organic by EcoCert, and is priced at 11.49.

For more information, contact Francis Ashwagandha, MH, at the Big Carrot Dispensary, 320 Danforth Avenue, Toronto (416) 466-8432. To contact Advantage Health Matters, call 1-800-304-1497, or www.advantagehealthmatters.com.

ACAI BERRY – A Hot New Superfood
Report by Rick Simone

The Acai berry is the fruit of the Euterpe Oleracea plant. It is an amazing food from the Amazon rainforest that can provide both immediate and long-term benefits to the human body. It has a rich nutritional makeup of significant key vitamins and minerals, excellent protein content, potent antioxidant flavonoids, monosaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, dietary fiber and phytosterols. These all act synergistically to help build and maintain a stronger immune system, promote cardiovascular and digestive health, help increase energy, and potentially slow down the aging process. It is truly a super food for the 21st century.

Freeze-dried Acai powder is a premium food that has been shown to have the highest total ORAC (Oxygen radical absorbance capacity) assay of any food tested. The ORAC assay test is a measure of the antioxidant capabilities of different foods, cosmetics, supplements and pharmaceutical agents. Acai has a very dense nutritional profile and is well known for its high flavonoid content, very high fatty acid content and excellent amino acid, vitamin and mineral content. All these components and more act synergistically to provide humans with one of the best superfoods that is known to us today.

In particular, Acai contains very potent flavonoid components known as anthocyanins (ACNs). Anthocyanins are red-blue phenols which have been shown scientifically to exhibit extremely high antioxidant properties. Acai is one of the richest known sources of anthocyanins. Excellent research has shown the positive potential therapeutic effects of anthocyanins on the human body; they have the capacity to boost the immune system, aid in maintaining good cardiovascular health, increase the energy capacity of the human organism, and provide anti-aging effects.
One of the other major key components of Acai is its wonderful fatty acid profile. It is very rich in oleic acid (Omega 9) and linoleic acid (Omega 6) which research has shown acts directly to maintain good HDL cholesterol levels and lower bad LDL cholesterol levels. Omega 9 fatty acids are also important because they work in conjunction with Omega 3 fish oils to help Omega 3 penetrate cell membrane walls. The Acai fruit also has excellent quality vitamins and minerals, an almost complete amino acid profile, a strong sterols presence, plus excellent protein and fiber.  
The Acai fruit loses a lot of its nutritional goodness shortly after it is harvested. Once the Acai is crushed into a puree it must be frozen or it will quickly spoil. Freeze-drying Acai allows it to be converted into powder and this process allows it to retain all its nutritional contents.

Freeze dried Acai powder is now being imported from the Amazon rainforest of Brazil by Earth Notions, a Canadian distributor, and sold through the Big Carrot Dispensary. Earth Notions freeze-dried Acai powder is a premium quality product grown without any pesticides or herbicides and contains no fillers, preservatives or citric acid. Manufactured in Brazil for Earth Notions using a special proprietary freeze-drying process, the freeze-dried powder has the highest Acai concentration ratio at 8:1, requiring a full 8 kilograms of fresh Acai berries to make just 1 kilogram of freeze-dried powder. It is packaged in 100 gram bags.

Contact Earth Notions at 519-651-3433, or go to their website at www.earthnotions.ca. Distributor inquiries welcome.

OIL OF OREGANO – Powerful Weapon Against Viruses and Bacteria

Oregano, a humble herb that grows wild in the Mediterranean, has recently gained popularity in North America due to its powerful  antiviral and antibacterial properties. Wild Oil of Oregano is a potent health aid. Its primary active ingredient, Carvacrol, when laboratory tested proved to be one of the strongest antiseptics known to humankind, according to the International Journal of Food Microbiology. Carvacrol and other components of Oregano quickly and naturally eliminate a wide variety of pathogens such as bacteria, yeast, fungi, parasites, and viruses. A great advantage of Oregano Oil is that pathogens cannot build up immunity to it, as is the case with drugs.

Internally, it can be used to treat colds, flu, sore throat, candidiasis, bladder and kidney infections, headaches, indigestion, and parasites including Cryptosporidium and Giardia. The suggested dosage is 1 - 6 drops taken under the tongue or in juice, water, or a teaspoon of honey 2 - 6 times per day.

Externally, Oil of Oregano can be used to treat gum disorders, toothache, dandruff, acne, warts, cold sores, puncture wounds, athlete’s foot, boils, head lice, ringworm, and eczema. For these disorders, apply a small amount of the oil to affected areas; dilute 50% or more with olive oil if skin is sensitive. Do not use on mucous membranes and sensitive skin areas.

This medicinal herb oil that has kept people in the Mediterranean healthy over the centuries is now available in health food stores across Toronto. Look for these high quality brands:

1) Wild Oil of Oregano by Hedd Wyn Essentials, comes in 4 different sizes (look for them at CHFA show April 5th and 6th). Information: 250-335-3061, www.WildOilOfOregano.com

2) Oreganum Plus Supreme Wild Oregano Oil by St. Francis Herb Farms, information: 1-800-219-6226, www.stfrancisherbfarm.com

3) Oil of Oregano by Joy of the Mountains, 30 ml bottle. For information call 1-866-547-0268, www.joyofthemountains.com

4) Wild Oregano C 93 by New Roots Herbal, 30 ml bottle. For information go to www.newrootsherbal.com.