Remedies

Flaxseed oil is the nutritional oil that comes from the plant Linum usitatissimum. Flaxseed oil contains the essential omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid. It is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and can be useful in easing the symptoms of arthritis.

It is also linked to the reduction of incidents of auto-immune disease such as multiple sclerosis. It is also linked to the reduction of risk of developing heart disease and high blood pressure and has been used to treat carpal tunnel syndrome and diabetic foot ulcers.

Personally, I am a big fan of flax oil and think it is just one of the things that have been beneficial for me, in terms of managing my multiple sclerosis. This dressing is one of my ‘go-to’ recipes and it honestly makes anything taste good!

My children Archie and Rissie are happy to use it as a dipping sauce for vegetables, it goes beautifully with every salad imaginable and it is heaven over roast vegetables.

It is super-easy to make too, taking only minutes to put together and it keeps beautifully in the fridge.

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Courtesy of Lara Flanagan.

Lara is the author of My Notes from New England, a blog that takes a humorous look at the adventures of a single mum with two young twins who enjoys cooking, eating well, living in the country and travelling the world looking to inspire and be inspired.

Green tea has a tremendous and irresistible amount of benefits so much so that literally millions of people around the world consume green tea almost daily, it been used for thousands of years primarily in Asia initially, It has now become a popular health beverage throughout the world.

The benefits of green tea are related to its antioxidant contents and nutritional values.

Polyphenols are a type of antioxidant thought to be even more powerful than the vitamins in our antioxidants including vitamin C and vitamin E.

Drink this tea to give your health a boost. It is tasty and healthy.

HEALTHY HEART.

Drinking green tea has been proved to significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, green tea is rich in catechins, catechins are a type of compound which are potent antioxidants.

Many of the most health benefits of green tea are attributed to its most present catechins.

Also, rich in polyphenols which are naturally occurring chemicals found in beverages and certain fruits and vegetables.

Polyphenols have strong anti-inflammatory effects. Green tea’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects work together in the body to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of strokes and coronary heart diseases.

BURN FAT.

The catechins in green tea are also responsible for giving us metabolism boost and burning fat. If you drink green tea before exercising it would increase the amount of fat you burn while you work out and for the resting period immediately afterwards as well.

In a 2008 study by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition twelve men who exercise for thirty minutes were given green tea extract and they burn  17% more fat than the men who did not take the extract.

Green tea extracts have been shown to increase fat burning during moderate to high-intensity exercise and it can also improve glucose tolerance and healthy adults. So a cup of green tea before exercise routine will give you fat burning results that last.

IT TURNS BACK THE CLOCK.

Green tea can improve your health so it natural it improves your quality of life and keeps you going well into your senior years.

A study in 2006  published in the American Medical Association concluded that green tea consumption is associated with reduced mortality due to all causes including cardiovascular diseases, the study conducted over ten years, followed over  40,000 thousand Japanese adults and found that people who consumed five or more cups of green tea a day lived longer, there were also fewer cases of heart disease and strokes.

If cardiovascular disease runs in your family it might be a good idea to start drinking green tea.

FIGHT ANXIETY.

Are you feeling anxious or stressed?  A cup of green is tea just what you need. According to a 2017 Swiss study, green tea has been proven to reduce anxiety and have robust positive effects on mental health.

Green tea contains l-theanine an uncommon amino acid that modulated brain functions in humans, it has been studied by researchers for the positive effects it can have on reducing anxiety l-theanine has strong calming effects and reduces stress without prompting drowsiness, it also increases dopamine levels and decreased depression.

So next time you feel a little blue drink up your green tea and feel a wave of calm wash over you.

KILL BACTERIA IN YOUR BODY AND TEETH.

Researches have shown that green tea can kill bacteria, the main element of green tea has anti-infective properties and has been shown to act as an antiviral agent against viruses like influenza A and hepatitis C since green tea has such strong antiviral properties, it can also do wonders for your oral health.

Green tea’s antiviral attributes have also been linked to a lower risk of cavities which are primarily caused by microorganisms these microorganisms can cause tooth pain, infections and even tooth loss, but green tea can fight them.

Green tea has an antibacterial agent inhibits the growth of these microorganisms in your mouth leaving you with strong and healthy teeth.

IMPROVE BRAIN FUNCTION AND LOWER YOUR RISK OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE.

The 2017 Swiss study also revealed that green tea develops our cognition and it beneficial to our memory and attention.

Green tea contains caffeine a stimulant.

Caffeine has been studied many times and it been shown to improve our physical alertness boost our energy levels, consolidate long-term memory and lift our overall mood and remember l-theanine the combined influence of caffeine and l-theanine is what makes green tea a brain-boosting drink.

A 2010 study saw an improvement in attentiveness a decline in tiredness, higher attention focus and improved accuracy during task switching. With the combined power of caffeine and l-theanine, green tea can improve your brain function.

DECREASE YOUR RISK OF DIABETES

Type 2 diabetics are the most well-known type of diabetes. According to the CDC, more than 29 million Americans live with a type 2 diabetes and 25% of adults in the US don’t know they have it.

Researchers tested the effects green tea would have on none diabetics to see if there was a correlation between green tea consumption and a lower risk of diabetics a study conducted in Japan over a period of five years with over 17,000 found who were regular drinkers of green tea were less likely to develop type 2 diabetic  versus people who drank very little or none.

A different study has shown that the EGCG compound found in green tea also has the potential to increase insulin sensitivity, in addition during a series of controlled trials 1,132 people were tested for the effects of green tea on glucose control and insulin sensitivity, the trials showed that green tea consumption significantly reduces fasting glucose, haemoglobin and insulin concentrations.

IT LOWERS BLOOD SUGAR.

Blood pressure isn’t the only thing that we want to lower as we age, for those who are borderline diabetic green tea could naturally help you lower your blood sugar and avoid becoming a full-blown diabetic.

By decreasing the liver’s production of glucose, green tea’s phenol’s (also known as tannins) work like insulin, assisting all types of people with diabetics.

HEALTHIER HAIR.

Green tea contains high levels of vitamin B-the same vitamin responsible for strong healthy hair.

This vitamin put important minerals in hair that been mistreated or neglected. Plus it could slow down hair loss.

This wonderful drink blocks the production of dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, which is known as the principal culprit in male and female pattern baldness

The benefits of green tea are many and we should all be drinking more.

Staying healthy is a fine balance of many different things from eating well & exercising regularly through to getting enough sleep and lowering those stress levels.

In today’s fast-paced world where people are often burnt-out and run-down, everyone is always on the look-out for that quick health fix, but there is no ‘magic pill’ or special potion for endless health & vitality.

Like anything else in life, cultivating good health and wellness relies on small consistent choices over an extended period. Food is arguably the most critical factor in maintaining good health, but as I’m sure you know, not all food is created equal.

Eating a balanced diet of fresh and unprocessed ingredients is essential, but beyond this, it’s also incredibly important to make sure you’re adding products that help boost your immunity, reduce inflammation, aid food digestion and boost brain health at the same time.

Unfortunately, modern agriculture has left a lot of our food nutrient-depleted, so it’s more important than ever to make sure you’re giving your body everything it needs to fire on all cylinders.

The products we have put below are ‘tried-and-tested’ favourites from us and our wonderful suppliers, perfect to give your body that daily boost needed to optimise your health and ward away illness.

They’ve been listed based on their best-known health benefit, but many of the ingredients in these blends are ‘adaptogens’ – meaning they work with your body to improve and aid many other processes.

1. Inflammation

Golden Latte Mix

Golden Turmeric Lattes have become somewhat famous over the last couple of years, being introduced to cafes across the world and not just because of how tasty they are.

Turmeric has been used medicinally for over 4000 years with traditional western medicine only really taking notice over the past 25 years.

The essential compound in turmeric which delivers the fantastic health benefits is called curcumin.

Curcumin is a powerful antioxidant and an amazing anti-inflammatory, known to cause dramatic reductions in chronic inflammation throughout the body.

Even though our bodies need inflammation to help fight foreign invaders and repair damage when the swelling can’t be removed and becomes a chronic issue is when it will begin to damage the body’s tissues leading to heart disease, Alzheimer’s and even cancer.

With over 10,000 peer-reviewed studies, turmeric has been shown to have an extensive list of health benefits including:

Supports cognitive function, cardiovascular system and weight-loss

• Fights against cancer, Alzheimer’s and ageing
• Aids with arthritis, depression and diabetes
• Boosts Digestion, wound healing and immune system function

…and that’s just scratching the surface!

The Bircher Bar Golden Latte Blend has been designed to get the most out of these miracle spices as we possibly can.

Combined with ginger, cinnamon and black pepper our Golden Blend is designed to increase the bio-availability of curcumin (up to 2,000%) as well as deliver a perfect flavour balance.

2. Digestion

Hilbilby Fire Tonic

The Hilbilby Fire Tonic by the awesome folks at Hilbilby in Torquay is a potent immune booster and metabolic stimulant.

Adapted from a traditional gypsy recipe, Fire Tonic is a herbal infusion combining the best of raw and unfiltered apple cider vinegar (ACV) with 24 other incredible natural ingredients – all included for their various health benefits.

ACV is the powerhouse of this tonic due to its acetic acid content that helps the body absorb minerals, aids in digestion, decreases inflammation and also assists with controlling blood glucose levels.

Packed with endless good juju, this fantastic tincture feeds the good bacteria in your gut to help your body restore its optimum balance and get the most out of your days.

There are countless ways to take your Fire Tonic such as straight up shots, poured with soda over ice, in salad dressings or stir-fry sauces! However you choose to get it in, we recommend aiming for 10-15ml 1-3 times per day.

3. Brain Activity

SuperFeast Mason’s Mushrooms

This one is our favourite from the SuperFeast crew! Mason’s Mushrooms is an expert blend of various medicinal mushroom extract powders such as Chaga, Reishi, Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps CS-4, Agaricus Blazei, Shiitake, Poria and Maitake.

Among numerous other things, many medicinal mushrooms are widely known as a powerful ‘nootropic’ – essentially a substance that improves cognitive function, particularly memory, creativity and motivation.

They have been celebrated and utilised in ancient cultures for thousands of years due to their wide-ranging and potent effects.

Mason’s Mushrooms is a powerful adaptogenic blend and the most potent nootropic we’ve come across. It also has a host of other benefits including:

• Protection from viruses, parasites and bacteria
• Potentiated immunity
• Increased capacity to detoxify pathogens
• Increased energy, reduced fatigue
• Unification of the body and organs
• Hormonal balancing

If you’re looking to improve your health and well-being or just maintain that base that you’ve worked so hard to achieve – the above blends are an invaluable addition to your routine.

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1. Guggenheim AG, Wright KM, Zwickey HL. Immune modulation from five major mushrooms: application to integrative oncology. Integrative Med Clin J. 2014;13(1):32–44.
2. Mind Body Green, 2017 – Source: www.mindbodygreen.com/0-29234/want-to-start-taking-a-turmeric-supplement-heres-exactly-what-you-need-to-know.html
3. Kris Gunnars, 2018, Healthline -Source: www.healthline.com/nutrition/top-10-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-turmeric

The views expressed here belong to The Bircher Bar and should not be construed as medical advice.

There are several types of teas that you can choose to drink. Some people might assume that each type of tea comes from a different type of plant.

The truth is that all common (or ‘true’) teas come from the same plant species called Camellia Sinensis.

The differences between these various teas pertain to how they were processed, the conditions they were grown in, and the geographical location of where they come from.

Even though Camellia Sinensis originally comes from Asia (so it is most widely held), it is being cultivated in subtropical and tropical regions throughout the globe. For this reason, there are actually thousands of different varieties of tea.

With the exception of water, no other beverage is consumed more than tea.

Now let’s learn about the most popular teas. The first five are true teas which come from the Camellia Sinensis plant. The second five are alternative teas which come from other natural sources.

These are not as popular as the true teas, but they do provide people with amazing health benefits.

True Teas

Black Tea

This is the most common tea that people drink.

It goes through a complete oxidation process where the leaves’ water evaporates, allowing them to absorb excessive amounts of oxygen.

Once the process is finished, the tea leaves are left looking black and brown. It has 50% the amount of caffeine that coffee has.

Green Tea

This tea is considered to be one of the healthiest drinks in the world.

Since it is not put through an oxidation process like black tea, all the natural healthy properties of the tea leaves remain intact.

It is treated with heat to prevent oxidation. Green tea has only 20% of the caffeine that coffee has.

As the name indicates, the tea will appear to have a green colour to it.

White Tea

This is the least processed tea out of all the others. White tea is not put through an oxidation process. It is manually processed by hand with the plant’s youngest shoots.

There is hardly any caffeine in white tea either. Overall, it is naturally sweet and very good for your health.

Oolong Tea

This is partially oxidized as the Oolong tea leaves get harvested after the green tea leaves during the same season. It’s great to drink in winter, but also quite a popular spring tea.

The tea leaves are put through a withering process and then shaken around in baskets, leaving them bruised.

Once oxygen hits the leaves, they change into a darker colour.

Pu-erh Tea

This is older black tea. The Chinese like this tea because it contains medicinal properties and has gone through the most extensive oxidation process.

This makes the tea look very dark. While the tea is ageing, it is put through a fermentation process too.

The most expensive Pu-erh Tea is about 30 years old.

Other Popular Teas

Barley Tea

The tea comes from the popular cereal grain called barley. When it is prepared, the barley is toasted and then placed in boiling water for about 20 minutes.

People will consume the tea in a cup of ice so that it is cold.

Chai Tea

This is a combination of black tea, Indian herbs, Indian spices, and steamed milk.

The spices could be anything, such as cardamom or cinnamon.

This allows the preparer to make a unique type of chai tea by experimenting with different spices.

Chaga Tea

The Chaga mushroom is used to make Chaga tea. It contains bioactive compounds which are believed to have excellent health benefits.

You can make the tea by merely boiling the mushroom.

Chamomile Tea

The Matricaria chamomilla plant contains edible flowers which are used to make this tea.

It is well known as a relaxing tea that encourages a more peaceful sleep – you be the judge!

Matcha Tea

A popular green tea in Japan. It is prepared by grinding green tea leaves until they become a powdery substance.

The powder is then added to water and whisked. The tea is often served during Japanese celebrations and events. Matcha tea is one of the healthiest green teas on the market.

 

What’s Your Tea Ritual?

No doubt there are many more teas we could mention – we have not even scratched the surface on Chinese Teas.

These are just a selection of some of the most well known and well loved teas from around the world.

Do you have a favourite winter tea? What do you like to add to your tea? Do you have any special rituals when it comes to tea making and drinking? Let us know in the comments below.

This makes it a great drink to have before going to sleep.

When the temperature drops, joint aches intensify. It’s a dance as old as Arthritis itself, for some reason the symptoms of Arthritis intensify during winter months.

Even our brightest medical minds are yet to figure out the relation between joint aches and winter.

Below, we’ll share a few ways we can all reduce the burden that comes with suffering from Arthritis during winter.

Add a few More layers

This might be the most straightforward and most cost-effective way to ease the burden that comes with suffering from Arthritis.

This activity is particularly important as it keeps your body temperature constant while you’re outdoors. You should also wear an extra layer or two while indoors, and you would appreciate the extra comfort.

Workout

This might seem like a generic tip but there’s no underestimating the power of a good sweat, light daily exercises are sure to relieve your pain and keep you happier for longer.

The good thing about these workouts is that they range from being done on the comfort of a reclining chair to full on rock-styled workouts. Try working on more activities to force you to sweat more. Your joints will thank you.

Apply Heat to your Joints

This activity might be a little tricky at first, but that shouldn’t deter you, you can apply heat pads or even dry ice to the affected joints.

The trick to this activity is moderation, and nothing gets the job done more than applying warm heat pads for 5- 20 minutes a day, avoid overusing these.

Monitor Your Weight

We all know that our weight can affect our general health and well-being.

And though we’re not saying you should do anything crazy like running cross country or start lifting weights, you will benefit from having your weight to a more manageable level.

Try your best to maintain your a balanced diet. Light workouts and dieting are your best allies in this scenario.

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Exercise Indoors

We know how cold the weather get outdoors, and you’re doing everything within your power stay inside.

You should try engaging in workouts that require minimal physical impact.

Walking on the treadmill, yoga, and even squats are all examples of indoor exercises that make a huge impact.

Get a Massage

You should try to get a full body massage or joint on a regular basis. Try once or twice a week during winter months.

Massages are very soothing, and they may affect our joints positively. Several studies have supported the claim that a good massage reduces pain.

Acupuncture not only relieves joint pain, but it also relieves you of stress. It’s very easy to get stressed out during winter months, and the gnawing pain in several of your joints wouldn’t help your situation.

Try Acupuncture

This isn’t for everyone, and a few of us might be sceptical about trying new things.

This activity is a dream come through for those of us that are willing to try an unorthodox treatment or two, after all, is said and done.

Acupuncture has been linked with improved joint function in a large number of its users. All we’re saying is that it’s worth trying, that’s all.

Take extra Caution

This tip is mainly aimed at those that just recently started suffering from arthritis; you need to understand the fact that a few of the activities that you’re used to doing might just be a little too much at this point.

Taking extra precaution ensures that you not only avoid exacerbating your condition, but you also help your situation by taking necessary precautions.

Keep on Stretching

As the weather changes, so should your workouts too. Try participating in exercises that force you to stretch more.

Indoor Aerobics, walking on treadmills, playing with exercise balls are just a few of the exercises that require you to stretch a little more than you’re used to.

We know we’ve said this before, but ensure that you engage in as much Yoga as possible, it’ll do your joints wonders.

Swimming can be your best friend, this is a workout that is easy to do, and once you get the hang of it, you’re good to go.

Try taking a dip in a heated pool at least three times a week or more; constant swimming is one of the most effective exercises for your joints.

Make Peace with your Condition

After all, is said and done, there is nothing as important as coming to terms with the fact that you have arthritis.

Increased joint pains during winter months can also be psychological, we might have heard about how bad it is during winter months from other patients of arthritis, or it might even be what we read on the internet.

The bottom line is that you should go into the winter months with an open heart, without any prejudices or the likes.

There you have it, ten tips for managing arthritis during winter. You can rest assured that when the temperatures drop, you’ll be ready to weather the storm.