Facts on Herbal Nutrients

Prunes: Is commonly eaten for its Fiber content, but it has the highest level of antioxidants among all the fruits and vegetables, according to a study conducted at Tufts University

Sugar: Eating or drinking 100 grams [that is approx 8 teaspoons] of sugar can reduce the ability of white blood cells to kill germs by as much as 40%. The Immune-suppressing effect of sugar starts less than thirty minutes after ingestion and may last for five hours.

Green Tea: The Health benefits of drinking green tea are well known - it contains antioxidants and can boost metabolism - but new research shows that sitting down to a nice cup of green tea could also help dampen your appetite and reduce food cravings.

Fennel: As well as being high in vitamins B and C, fennel is also good weight-loss aid and its antioxidant, which help to neutralise the by-products of fat metabolism, helping the body to continue burning fat. It also contains anethole and chavicol, both of which play a vital role in digestive disorders such as easing irritable bowel syndrome as well as alleviating bloating and flatulence.

Mulberry: The Japanese plant helps maintain a healthy blood-sugar level, thus decreasing sweet cravings. The mulberry leaf contains moranoline, which reduces the breakdown of sugars to glucose, thus slowing the entry of sugar into the blood.

Pineapple: Is an excellent source of vitamins C, B1 and B6; with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. It's rich in bromelain, which has been shown to have significant anti-inflammatory effects, reducing swelling in conditions such as sinusitis, sore throat, arthritis. Pineapple is also credited with simulating repair mechanisms, so it's popular among athletes to help heal strains and sprains.

Beetroot: Recent studies suggest nitrate, which is the key ingredient in beetroot, reduces blood pressure, heart disease and strokes. But in the winter time beetroot can also help you overcome the winter blues, as research shows it also contains betaine, a compound thought to relax the mind and help with depression

Oregano: Scientists have shown those two main active ingredients, thymol and carvacrol, posses both anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties and contemporary herbalist use oregano for supporting respiratory and digestive health. Thymol, which is especially prominent in the oil extract of oregano, is also known to break up mucus, which accounts for many of its benefits in respiratory congestion. Some reports suggest that oregano could be effective in relieving both chesty and dry coughs. Due to its good anti-microbial and smoothing properties, oregano is an ideal choice for digestive conditions such as candidiasis, abdominal cramping, flatulence, bloating and bacterial infections.

Elderberry: Helps to boost the immune system as these berries are rich in the important class of antioxidants called polyphenols. Antioxidants neutralise free radicals caused by oxidation and prevent cell damage. Elderberry also has anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties; useful for treating cold, flu and upper respiratory infections

Echinacea: Helps to boost the immune system and has been confirmed in numerous scientific studies. Echinacea addresses a broad range of disease-causing micro-organisms such as viruses, bacteria and fungi.

Astragalus Root: Helps to boost the immune system and is one of the most widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for the prevention of flu and other respiration infections.

Olive Leaf: Helps to boost the immune system and has a very long history of use in the treatment of fevers. The leaf exhibits extraordinary effects against viruses and bacteria. The bitter compound oleuropein has been identified as the active substance within the plant that is responsible for its anti-microbial properties.

Blueberry and Acai: Helps to boost the immune system as Blueberry and acai powder have both demonstrated significant antioxidant activity. Berries contain several principal constituents, including polyphenols, carotenoids and vitamin C. In research, berries have been proven to have anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties.