Turmeric (Curcuma longa) has a long history of use in traditional medicine. The primary active component of turmeric—and the one that gives the spice its characteristic yellow colour—is curcumin, the source of turmeric’s superpowers.

Turmeric is showing promise as an effective treatment and/or management tool for a surprisingly wide range of health challenges. This is because curcumin is a powerful anti-inflammatory and a potent antioxidant.

Piperine, found in black pepper, enhances curcuminoid absorption and magnifies the effectiveness of curcumin from turmeric.

Research suggests that curcumin can help in the management of oxidative and inflammatory conditions, metabolic syndrome, arthritis, anxiety, respiratory conditions, and hyperlipidaemia. It may also help in managing exercise-induced inflammation and muscle soreness, thus enhancing recovery and performance in active people.

Early studies indicate that turmeric may help keep your heart, joints, and brain healthy. It may also play a role in protecting against cancer and diabetes, although further research is needed.

Here are some areas in which the potential therapeutic benefits of both turmeric and curcumin are being evaluated by scientific research:

• Arthritis

• Depression

• Respiratory Conditions

• Diabetes

• Alzheimer’s

• Weight Loss

• Muscle Recovery Post Exercise

• Antiviral (some research suggests turmeric has potential as a therapeutic treatment for COVID)

• Bacterial Infection

• Cancer / Chemotherapy Support

• Liver Health

• Anti-Ageing

• Skin Health

• Wound Healing

• Cholesterol / Heart Disease

• Metabolic Syndrome

• Digestive Health Support

Not only is curcumin an extremely powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant in its own right, but turmeric actually contains over 300 different compounds, many of which are also beneficial for health. Some studies have shown that whole turmeric is more effective against a range of health issues than curcumin supplements alone. This is a great reason to drink turmeric juice rather than just taking tablets.

Research suggests that turmeric can help in the management of multiple oxidative and inflammatory conditions, including metabolic syndrome, arthritis, anxiety, respiratory conditions, and hyperlipidaemia. It can help to protect the heart, brain, and joints, and although more research is needed, it may also help to prevent both cancer and diabetes.

New research is being conducted on turmeric all the time but so far, studies have suggested wide ranging potential therapeutic benefits:

• Improves endothelial function (the layer of cells that lines the heart and blood vessels) as much as 30-60 minutes a day of exercise! *One human’s endothelial cells lined end to end would stretch 74 times around the surface of the Earth!

• Highly effective in preventing mortality in COVID 19 patients with a 77% reduction on average across multiple clinical trials. This is higher than leading drugs used against Covid 19 in a clinical setting.

• As effective as NSAIDs against osteoarthritic knee pain but without the negative side effects.

• More effective than NSAIDS in managing symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

• Effective in reducing post-surgical pain.

• Anticancer action against breast cancer cells, pancreatic cancer cells, colon cancer cells, myeloma (cancer of blood cells) and myelogenous leukaemia.

• Helps to prevent cancer by three different mechanisms; reducing/preventing cancer cell proliferation, anti-oxidant activity reducing cell/DNA damage and blocking carcinogens. These mechanisms act on every stage of cancer transformation, proliferation and invasion.

• Helps to reprogram natural cell death mechanisms in kidney, skin, nose/throat, lung and colon cancer cells while not harming healthy cells.

• Halves DNA damage scores in people exposed to carcinogens (such as tobacco).

• Reduces exercise-induced inflammation and muscle soreness, therefore enhancing recovery and subsequent performance in active people.

• Effective in preventing prediabetic patients from going on to develop diabetes (in a recent study 16% of the placebo group developed diabetes while none of the group taking daily turmeric did).

• Reduces the risk of cognitive impairment in elderly individuals and decreases the chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

• May decrease symptoms of dementia (when taken as whole turmeric).

• Can be helpful in reducing symptoms related to depression and anxiety.

Increases the rate of wound healing.

Further reading:

• Turmeric and its health benefits

• Curcumin: A Review of Its Effects on Human Health

• Fijian Turmeric: Next Year's Superfood

• Antioxidant effects of turmeric

• The effects of curcumin on exercise - induced inflammation and muscle soreness

• Curcumin for muscle recovery post-exercise

• Curcuminoids exerts glucose-lowering effect

• Curcumin and its potential effects on prediabetes

• Curcumin's role in diabetes management

• Clinical effects of curcumin in enhancing cancer therapy: A systematic review (2020)

• Effects of curcumin on cancer and chemotherapy

• Turmeric and cancer: A scientific review

• Turmeric's effects on arthritis

• Curcumin in the management of respiratory conditions

• Curcumin and Alzheimer's disease

• Turmeric's role in liver health

Sustainably sourced and naturally occurring, local New Zealand floral honeys, including Manuka, have a 30+ MGO rating that guarantees the level of Methylglyoxal (MGO) – the naturally occurring compound that gives Manuka honey its unique activity.

Honey has been used since ancient times to treat multiple conditions. It wasn't until the late 19th century that researchers discovered that honey possesses natural antibacterial qualities.

Honey protects the body against damage caused by bacteria, and some varieties also boost the production of special cells that can repair tissue damaged by infection. Manuka honey has anti-inflammatory properties that can help ease pain and inflammation.

Scientific research has evaluated the potential therapeutic benefits of honey and Manuka honey in several areas, including:

• Cardiovascular Disease

• Coughs and Cold Symptoms

• Gastrointestinal Disease

• Neurological Disease

The scientific research conducted on honey and Manuka honey has shown a wide range of promising therapeutic benefits, including:

• Effectiveness in treating coughs and colds, often proving to be at least as effective (and in many cases more effective) than over-the-counter medicines and antibiotics.

• Reducing the growth of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a bacterium found in the stomach that is thought to be responsible for the development of stomach ulcers.

• Promoting a healthier gut microbiome by providing beneficial species of bacteria with prebiotic oligosaccharides that support their growth.

• Potential cancer prevention; studies have shown that honey can prevent the proliferation of multiple cancer cell types and ultimately reactivate apoptosis (programmed cell death) while not being cytotoxic towards normal, non-cancerous cells. Most of this research has been conducted in vitro or on animals, and further research is ongoing but promising.

• Protective effects in patients undergoing chemotherapy, for example, safeguarding against chemotherapy-induced nephrotoxicity (kidney damage).

• Possible assistance in diabetes management and prevention of cardiac issues due to its antioxidant effects.

• Protection against cardiovascular disease by helping to counteract atherosclerotic plaque formation.

• Reduction of oxidative stress in athletes engaging in high levels of activity.

Further reading:

• BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine: Effectiveness of Honey
  A study discussing the effectiveness of honey as a treatment in various contexts.

• MDPI: Antioxidant Activity of Honey
  Research on the antioxidant properties of honey and its implications for health.

• Taylor & Francis: Honey as a Treatment for Cough
  An article exploring the efficacy of honey in treating cough compared to traditional medications.

• Royal Society of Chemistry: Honey's Nutritional Benefits
  A study reviewing the nutritional benefits and potential health applications of honey.

• Cureus: Honey vs. Cough Medication in Pediatrics
  A systematic review comparing the effectiveness of honey consumption with anti-cough medications in paediatric patients.

We use pure undiluted, unpasteurised lime juice, ensuring that all the naturally occurring vitamins are retained.

Limes are a good source of antioxidants, vitamin C, and other nutrients, which research suggests may help to:

• Boost your immunity

• Reduce heart disease risk factors

• Prevent kidney stones

• Aid iron absorption

• Promote healthy skin

Citrus fruits are well known for their high levels of vitamin C, but did you know they contain a wealth of other beneficial phytochemicals, such as flavonoids, that can lead to a wide range of health benefits?

Two of the main flavonoids in limes, hesperidin and eriocitrin, have been shown to be beneficial in everything from cancer to colitis and cold tolerance.

The benefits of vitamin C also shouldn’t be overlooked; it’s no wonder we’re encouraged to drink citrus to keep our immune systems healthy.

Although individual chemicals can be isolated and taken in pill form, the unique combination of compounds found in citrus fruits often proves to be more beneficial than any single phytochemical. Real food is usually best and offers the most advantages.

In general, eating (or drinking) citrus fruits such as limes has been shown in scientific studies to:

• Help people better cope with cold temperatures/winter by improving blood flow.

• Decrease the risk of ischaemic stroke by 10–25% (equivalent to consuming two extra servings of fruit/veg per day).

• Reduce inflammation across various diseases.

• Boost the immune system by supporting various immune cells, thus protecting against and shortening the duration of seasonal illnesses.

• Protect the brain against neurodegenerative disorders.

• Guard against DNA damage thanks to powerful antioxidant activity.

• Aid in cancer prevention by inhibiting tumour proliferation and reactivating healthy signals that cause cells to undergo apoptosis (cell death), with studies showing a 10% reduction in breast cancer risk among those who consume citrus.

• Inhibit multiple stages of colon, breast, prostate, lung, and pancreatic cancers.

• Suppress the oxidative and inflammatory effects of modern high-fat diets (helping to prevent metabolic issues and cardiovascular disease).

• Regulate glucose and lipid metabolism, improving insulin sensitivity.

• Protect against obesity and atherosclerosis.

• Support healthy tendons.

• Inhibit colitis and other inflammatory conditions.

• Prevent muscle loss during periods of disuse (e.g., during bed rest).

• Protect diabetic patients from the damage caused by chronic hyperglycaemia.

• Prevent prediabetic patients from developing diabetes (with around 415 million diabetic patients worldwide!).

• Reduce triglyceride levels in individuals with high levels or cardiovascular disease.

• Exhibit antiallergic benefits.

• Aid in iron absorption, helping to prevent anaemia.

• Prevent liver damage.

• Protect against kidney stones.

• Promote healthy skin.

Further reading:

• Flavanones in Grapefruit, Lemons, and Limes: A Compilation and Review of the Data

• Impact of Flavonoids in Fruits and Vegetables

• Citrus Fruits and Stroke Risk

• Nutritional Reviews on Citrus and Health

• Citrus Consumption and Its Effects

• Citrus and Immune Response

• Antioxidant Activity in Citrus Fruits

• Nutritional Benefits of Citrus

• Flavonoids and Health: Evidence from Citrus

• Citrus and Metabolism: A Nutritional Review

• Citrus Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Effects

• Citrus and Muscle Atrophy Research

Ginger has a long history of use in various forms of traditional medicine. It has been employed to aid digestion, reduce nausea, and help fight the flu and common cold, among other purposes.

The unique fragrance and flavour of ginger come from its natural oils, the most important of which is gingerol.

Gingerol is the main bioactive compound in ginger, responsible for many of its medicinal properties. Research indicates that gingerol possesses powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, potentially helping to reduce oxidative stress caused by an excess of free radicals in the body.

Some areas in which the potential therapeutic benefits of ginger have been evaluated through scientific research include:

• Immune support against bacteria and viruses

• Reduction of symptoms of osteoarthritis, particularly in the knee

• Digestive health

Studies conducted thus far have demonstrated a wide range of impressive therapeutic benefits associated with ginger:

• As effective as sumatriptan (a prescription medication) against migraines, without the side effects.

• As effective as over-the-counter painkillers and NSAIDs in relieving pain from menstrual cramps, knee osteoarthritis, and post-surgical pain.

• Antinausea effects that are often comparable to prescription medications.

• Reduces damage and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) after heavy or intense exercise.

• Promotes healthier gut microbial populations with a greater diversity of beneficial bacteria.

• Each gram of ginger consumed per day may reduce the risk of hypertension and coronary heart disease by approximately 8% and 13%, respectively.

• Can alleviate chemotherapy side effects, including a 60% reduction in acute vomiting and an 80% reduction in fatigue.

• May help to reverse or protect against obesity by reducing body weight, fat accumulation, and appetite.

Further reading:

• Ginger and its Effects on Health

• Therapeutic Uses of Ginger

• Ginger's Role in Digestion and Health

• The Antioxidant Properties of Ginger

• Ginger's Impact on Nausea and Vomiting

• Ginger and Muscle Soreness

• Clinical Evidence on Ginger

• Ginger for Pain Relief