Health benefits of sweet potatoes

Originating in South America the sweet potato was cultivated in a similar manner to corn or maize by the native Inca and Aztec population long before the arrival of European settlers, in fact sweet potatoes were mentioned as far back as 750 B.C. In Peruvian records. The sweet potato was first taken back to Europe by the Spanish, but soon spread across the content where it remained more popular than its pale Irish cousins that have become so popular today.

“Sweet potatoes produce more pounds of food per acre than any other cultivated plant, including corn and the Irish potato”

The top 6 Health benefits of sweet potato

• Sweet potatoes are known to improve cardiovascular health - Sweet potatoes are packed full of a vitamin known as B6, it’s this key substance that reduces the level of homocysteine chemical throughout our bodies helping to keep our hearts in tip top condition

• High levels of vitamin D  can be found in sweet potatoes - The high levels of vitamin D found in sweet potatoes make them great at improving  the health of many parts of our bodies including; thyroid gland, teeth, bones, nerves, and skin.

• Sweet potatoes help to boost our immune system - Sweet potatoes can increase the production of white and red blood cells within our bodies, not only that but the high Iron content of this versatile vegetable make it great at maintaining energy levels throughout the day

• Sweet potatoes can also help to regulate blood sugar levels - sweet potatoes can be of help to people suffering from type 2 diabetes due to the way they help regulate the release of insulin throughout our bodies.

• Sweet potatoes are great for digestive health - The high fiber content of sweet potatoes make them perfect for people suffering from an upset stomach or looking to clean their digestive track.

• Sweet potatoes can be used to reduce the chances of stomach ulcers - Regular consumption of sweet potatoes is known to dramatically reduce the chances of developing stomach ulcers, this is due to the high levels of vitamin C, beta-carotene, B vitamins, potassium, and calcium found in the vegetable

Health benefits of Milk Thistle

Health benefits of Milk Thistle

Milk thistle has been a popular medicinal plant since around the time of the first century, greatly favoured by the Romans they would use its extract as a treatment for many conditions, including the treatment of snake bites. Many years later a British herbalist named Culpepper was famed for his work in which he recommended the use of milk thistle for the treatment of liver complaints. Milk thistle has also long been used by breastfeeding mothers.

“it is said that the Milk thistle is a breeder of milk and of help to nursing mothers.”

Top 5 health uses of milk thistle

Milk thistle improves liver health - Milk thistle has long been used as an herbal treatment for many liver conditions, including jaundice, this is largely due to the high quantities of flavanoids that help to stabilize cell membranes and control the function of cells throughout the body.

Cancer fighting properties -  although a lot more research needs to be carried out, there are some indications that milk thistle could be beneficial to people currently undergoing treatment or recovering from cancer. “One active material called silymarin found in milk thistle has powerful anti-oxidant qualities, and has been proven to inhibit the development of breast, human prostate, and cervical cancer cells in test tubes. “

Help to reduce cholesterol - A number of recent studies have confirmed milk thistles ability at reducing cholesterol, in a side my side test against protocol (a well known cholesterol drug) Milk thistle came out on top.

Skin Health - Our skin is our biggest organ, but very often it's the last thing we think about when it comes to our health. Milk thistle can help with many skin conditions ranging from Psoriasis to the treatment of acne.

Protection from gallstones and bladder infection - Consumption of milk thistle helps to increase the solubility and circulation of bile, it is much harder for gallstones to form in a bile rich environment making milk thistle a great preventative for this problem.

Where can I find milk thistle?

Milk Thistle can be found in abundance across the UK often favouring grassy slopes and sea cliffs the flowering season is late may right up until the end of august giving you plenty of time to put on your walking boots and get out foraging.

Thistle tea is one of my favourite ways of including milk thistle into my diet and the best thing about thistle tea is that it's readily available both online and in health shops across the country, although it isn't the tastiest tea in the world the amazing detox properties will keep you coming back for more.

If you have any questions or know any uses of milk thistle have haven't included drop us a comment below.

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Health benefits of hazel nuts

Health benefits of hazel nuts

Hazel nuts were first cultivated in China around 5000 years ago, although they are said to have first originated in parts of Asia. Hazel trees are known to grow from a main stem, but more often take the form of a multi stemmed shrub favouring dry, slightly alkaline soil. The nuts of the hazel tree become rip around the end of August and have been used as a main component of many health remedies since pagan times.

Top 6 benefits:

• Good source of B vitamins - Our bodies use B vitamins to help absorb proteins, fats and carbs and convert them into energy, vitamin B also plays a key role in the health of our nervous system

• Improve digestive health - Eating hazelnuts regularly helps to stimulate the synthesis of fatty acids and cholesterol.

• Strong healthy bones - Hazel nuts are a rich source of both magnesium and manganese, both of which help us to form strong healthy bones. This can be especially useful for post Post-menopausa women.

• Help to prevent some forms of cancer - Studies have shown that hazel nuts contain a type of vitamin E known as alpha-tocopherol, this powerful vitamin could cut the risk of bladder cancer in half.

• Improved cardiovascular health - Hazel nuts are packed full of unsaturated fats, in paticular one known as oleic acid that is shown to lower LDL also known as ‘bad cholesterol’ while promoting good cholesterol throughout the body.

• Strong muscles - The magnesium found in hazel nuts helps to regulate calcium supply to our muscels According to one Italian study, higher magnesium levels also increased the strength of the muscles.

Where and when to find hazel nuts?

Hazel nuts come into season towards the end of August here in the UK but can be gathered right up until mid November, store collected nuts in a cool dark area and they should last for over a year. If getting out in the woods isn't your thing hazel nuts are readily available in supermarkets and health stores alike, if you know of any benefits we haven't mentioned please drop us a comment below.

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Elder Berries & Flowers - What Are Their Benefits?

The name Elder, come from the Anglo-Saxon word 'Aeld' meaning fire. In 1644 a Latin book was translated English that contained 230 pages dedicated to the health benefits of just this one tree. Elder had been used in traditional medicine for centuries due to its powerful antiseptic and anti inflammatory properties that can help with healing wounds and respiratory problems. Both the flowers and the berries of the Elder tree can be eaten and used to make food and beverages.

Top 4 Health benefits of Edler:

• Colds and Flu Remedy - Elderberries are packed full of powerful flavonoids, these useful antioxidants help to ramp up our bodies natural defenses at a cellular level. Elderberries also includes vitamin A, B, C, and aminoacids.

• Weight Loss  - A number of recent studies have shown elderflower extract to be effective for those looking to lose weight.

• Sinus Infections - Elderberries have been used as a treatment for sinus infection since folk law records began, simply add some berries and flowers too warm water and inhale the steam for instant relief.

• Gout and arthritis - It was way back in 1899 that an American sailor first wrote about the benefits of elderberry wine for his gout, and for good reason, elderberries contain a number of anti inflammatory compounds that are known to improve joint movement throughout the body

Elderberry Nutrition Facts Serving Size: 1 cup (145 grams) of elderberries
Amt. Per Serving
Calories	106
Carbohydrates	27
Fiber	10 g
Protein	1 g
Fat	1 g

Where can i find elder?

Elder trees grow natively in the UK so we recommend getting out in the wild and collecting your own, Elderberries bloom from mid-to-late June through August. The individual white flowers are about 1/4" in width and can be made into champagne when brewed correctly, Elderberries start to ripen in late July through September. First just small green berries, then gradually darken to a ripe juicy purple. They're nearly black-purple when fully ripe.

Elder berries can be frozen for use in the kitchen all year round and if getting out in the woods sounds like a little too much hard work you can pick up elder flowers and berries at many health food stores.

If you know any uses of the Elder tree we haven’t included please let us know.

Hawthorne uses and benefits

Hawthorne uses and benefits

Popular legend tells us that the body of King Arthur is buried under a hawthorn tree in Glastonbury Abbey, although this is impossible to confirm there is firm evidence proving  that Hawthorne was first cultivated way back in the 1st century BC throughout the Mediterranean.

The bible writes of Jesus being crowned with a ring of hawthorn on the cross, this was due to the sharp thorny nature of the plant.

Hawthorne first made its way to the new world along with the first settlers from England, hawthorn is often also referred to as ‘the Mayflower’ which also happens to be the name of the boat first used to cross the Atlantic.

Nowadays Hawthorne is a popular garden and hedge shrub that is hardy enough to grow in most climates worldwide.

Top 5 health benefits of Hawthorne & Rose hips:

• Promotes cardiovascular health - Many studies have shown Hawthorne to be amazing at helping our heart to pump more blood around our bodies, not only this, but regular consumption of Hawthorne I thought to help repair damage to the heart after surgery.

• Beneficial for people suffering from arthritis or gout - Hawthorne offers our bodies a steady supply of collagen and protein that aid our joints to move more freely. Hawthorne has been used as a natural treatment for gout since the 1300’s.

• Treat and sore throat or cough - Hawthorne leaves and berries can be made into a tea that is used for the treatment of a sore throat and loss of voice. The powerful astringent properties mean that it can even be used to promote the healing of cuts and grazes.

• Treatment for people suffering from IBS -  This remedy dates back to the turn of the century, but is still recommended by many expert herbalists to this day, simply add hawthorn berries to warm water a brew for around 5 minutes before drinking.

• Great source of natural antioxidants - Free radicals enter our bodies in the form of toxins in food, stress, alcohol, environmental pollution and the list goes on. These so called; free radicals are unpaired electrons that travel around the body causing oxidative stress. Antioxidants can remove these from our blood by offering up the needed electron to make the molecule stable.

Caution: When eating rose hips, be sure to never eat the seeds, as they contain cyanide bonded with sugar, called amygdalin.

If you know any uses of the hawthorone we haven’t included please let us know.

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Health benefits and uses of Coltsfoot

Health benefits and uses of Coltsfoot

Native to Europe, but later taken to the new world Coltsfoot has a rich history of medical use, In fact, the genus name "Tussilago" means "cough dispeller."

A 17th century herbalist from England wrote about this about the plant;

"The fresh leaves, or juice, or syrup thereof, is good for a bad dry cough, or wheezing and shortness of breath. The dry leaves are best for those who have their rheums and distillations upon their lungs causing a cough: for which also the dried leaves taken as tobacco, or the root is very good. The distilled water hereof simply or with elder-flowers or nightshade is a singularly good remedy against all agues, to drink 2 OZ. at a time and apply cloths wet therein to the head and stomach, which also does much good being applied to any hot swellings or inflammations. It helpeth St. Anthony's fire (erysipelas) and burnings, and is singular good to take away wheals." - Nicholas Culpeper

Many of the natural coltsfoot remedies involved smoking the dried leaves of the plant, this is said to have a calming effect on the body and was often used throughout the middle ages to increase visions during scrying (the act of seeing things yet to happen in reflective surfaces such as a crystal ball) Nowadays coltsfoot can also be used to help smokers give up tobacco based products.

The top 6 health benefits of coltsfoot:

• Powerful antioxidant properties - The antioxidant properties of coltsfoot help to avoid excess oxidation within the body, many facial creams and cosmetic products now contain coltsfoot for this reason and it is even thought to help slow the visible signs of aging.

• Antiseptic and antibacterial properties - The antiseptic and antibacterial properties of coltsfoot make it ideal for wound care, padding an open wound with the leaves of the coltsfoot plant is a reliable way to reduce chances of infection and promote healing.

• Coltsfoot can help to fight depression - There is growing evidence to suggest coltsfoot can function as a completely natural antidepressant, consuming a small amount of coltsfoot a day can not only elevate your mood but improves immunity and reduce the risk of urinary infection.

• Coltsfoot has been used for centuries to treat respiratory problems - Smoking coltsfoot is thought to aid with asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, colds and coughs, chest ailments, congestion, and sinus problems. Not only this, but if you are looking for a nicotine free tobacco alternative coltsfoot could be just the thing to rid yourself of a nasty habit.

• Relief from bacterial vaginosis - The powerful antibacterial properties have shown to be useful in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis, to do this leaves are boiled in water and the mixture is left to cool, once cold strain the mixture and add the liquid to a douche bag. Regular douching is not recommended so only use this option sparingly.

• Coltsfoot can help to treat colitis - The anti inflammatory properties of coltsfoot make it useful for colitis sufferers as well as the treatment of other duodenal problems. It is also worth remembering that coltsfoot can help clear a blocked nose and treat sinus issues when inhaled.

What are the nutritional values of coltsfoot?

• Coltsfoot is rich in various elements, including calcium, sulfur,  zinc, copper, potassium, manganese, vitamins A, B, C and P and iron.

Where can I find coltsfoot?

Colt foot grows in the UK in many areas, the best time to collect wild coltsfoot is April and March, although it can be collected in the later summer months, if that seems like a bit too much work many natural health stores now stock dried coltsfoot that is ready to use straight out the packet.

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Eden Edible Flower Guide

Flowers are a great way to add fragrance and colour to our homes and there is nothing more romantic than a bunch of red roses, however, that doesn’t even scratch the surface of what flowers can be used for. There are literally hundreds of species of edible flowers that grow across the planet, many of which are native to Europe  and can be found growing throughout the British isles. These colourful edible delights can be added to salads marinades and even deserts and many offer our bodies, health benefits that are not to be passed up on.

Our top 7 edible flowers:

Apple and Orange Blossoms - The blossom of both the apple and orange tree are in fact edible and are often combined with asparagus and other seasonal produce in top tier restaurants

Chamomile - Many of you will have drank chamomile tea in the past, it has a relaxing effect on the body and known to aid people suffering from insomnia. Chamomile flowers are also edible in their raw form and can offer our body's anti inflammatory and wound healing properties

Chrysanthemum - Not only do these flowers look great they also pack and health punch, packed full of antioxidants and minerals its thought they may be able to even ward of some types of cancer.

Dianthus - Overflowing with minerals, including potassium Dianthus makes a wonderful addition to your salad bowl and adds a sweet taste and vibrant colour to the table.

Echinacea - Known for its powerful antiviral properties, Echinacea has been used for thousands of years to promote healing and treat wounds, the flowers of the Echinacea plant can be eaten in their raw form or cooked.

Elder-flower - One of my favourite summertime drinks is made from these flowers and it is known to help increase metabolism. I regularly add elderflowers to salads and marinades to add that floral flavour punch.

Hibiscus - Perhaps the most widely researched out of all the edible flowers, hibiscus contains antioxidants, anthocyanins and is known to help lower blood pressure and cholesterol.

How do I get my hands on these flowers?

As mentioned before, many of these flowers do grow natively in the UK, however many will only be found through mid to late summer, one great tip is to stock up in these months and freeze your excess flowers in ice cube trays for use all year round.

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Top health benefits of plums

The first mention of plums in recorded history was way back in 479 B.C. It is unclear in which area of the world plums first originated, but unique species of plums have been documented coming from China, Europe and North America. Greatly prized by the Romans and Greeks alike wild plums were found already growing in the new world when European settlers first arrived.

Nowadays, in modern times plums are the second most cultivated fruit in the world, this is not only due to their sweet yet tangy taste, but also the large array of health benefits regular consumption of plums can offer our bodies:

The top 5 health benefits of plums and prunes:

• Plums are packed full of powerful antioxidants - Antioxidants help to protect our bodies from free radicals (unpaired electrons that cause oxidative stress throughout our bodies) By regularly eating plums we can help to reduce the number of free radicals and help to slow the visible signs of aging.

• Rich in dietary fiber - Plums are a great source of dietary fiber, when plums are dried, they become prunes, dried prunes contain even more fiber than fresh plums this makes them a great choice if you are looking for an easy way of becoming for regular with your bowel movements

• Plums contain essential minerals - Our body needs a steady supply of most dietary minerals in our diet and they cannot be stored, eating plums is a great way to keep your body in supply of minerals including potassium.

• Improved eye health and vision - Our eyes are very useful, plums help to protect our eyes from macular degeneration and keep our eye sight sharp, this is due to the high levels of vitamin K found in plum flesh and skin.

• Strong bones - According to a number of recent studies regularly consuming plums can help increase bone mass throughout our bodies, this can be especially helpful for people suffering from conditions such as  osteoporosis.

What time of year is best to buy plums?

Most plums ripen during the summer months the exact time depends on the variety and the climate, but here in the UK you can expect to see native plums available from early July through to late October. It's always good to buy locals, seasonal produce if possible as many imported fruits and picked before reaching their nutritional prime and furthermore coated with waxes and chemicals to preserve freshness.

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