​In 1991, something strange happened. A so-called Iceman, a naturally mummified body was discovered by hikers in the Italian Alps. The mystery surrounding a dead body frozen 5300 years before did not end there. Researchers found two lumps containing bracket fungus. Why he carried them with himself was to be discovered 7 years later. In 1998, an autopsy revealed that Iceman had intestinal parasite in his rectum and that he treated his condition with bracket fungus. The case of a mysterious Iceman is the first documented example of herbal medicine in the world.

A long tradition

The four major herbal traditions in the world, Chinese, Ayurvedic, European and Native American tell us about the importance of herbs throughout history. The Devine Farmer’s Classic of Herbalism, compiled 2000 years ago is the oldest book on herbalism. The roots of this type of medicine in Australia reach 1905, when naturopathic services were advertised in newspapers. 

​Even though synthesized drugs have revolutionized medicine as we know it, a large number of people in developing countries still use herbs to treat various conditions. 90% of population in Africa and 70% of population in India still rely on traditional medicine. The situation is similar in developed countries. According to the estimates by the World Health Organization, 80% of people worldwide use herbal medicines. 

Multiple active compounds

​Major advantage of botanicals over drugs is that botanicals contain multiple active compounds. These compounds taken together may have a positive effect on our bodies no drug can have. Even though this may seem to you an advantage of herbs, separation of the active compounds is a serious challenge when it comes to scientific evidence. On the other hand, the type of environment, how and when the plant is harvested and processed can determine the effectiveness of the herb. This means that plants should be grown specifically for the purpose of research. 

Other benefits

​Another reason why people opt for medicinal herbs is that they cost less than drugs. Furthermore, they are effective for various conditions. For example, kava kava can be used for elevating mood and treating insomnia. Finally, they are usually available without prescription.

Some of the most commonly used herbal medicines:

Echinacea- decreases the odds of catching a flu by 58%;

Ginkgo- improves blood circulation and slows down Alzheimer’s disease;

St. John's wort- strong scientific evidence that it is effective for mild to moderate depression because it contains a chemical, hyperforin, which plays a role in depression;

Garlic- produces a chemical, allicin which makes it effective in treating the conditions related to the heart and blood system, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, coronary heart disease, heart attack and atherosclerosis;

​Chamomile- used for treating chest colds, slow-healing wounds, abscesses, gum inflammation and skin conditions, including psoriasis, eczema, chickenpox, and diaper rash;

Ginger- used for stomach problems, such as motion sickness, morning sickness, colic, upset stomach, gas, diarrhea, nausea caused by cancer treatment, nausea and vomiting after surgery and loss of appetite;

Ginseng- lowers blood sugar levels, improves concentration and learning; when it comes to studies of mental performance, ginseng was combined with ginkgo;

​Saw palmetto- used for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia, a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland;

​Valerian- a common medication for sleep problems; has fewer side effects compared to sleeping pills

Milk thistle- provides benefits when it comes to liver problems, such as cirrhosis, jaundice, hepatitis, and gallbladder disorders;

Evening primrose- used for eczema, psoriasis, and acne, rheumatoid arthritis, weak bones, Raynaud’s syndrome and multiple sclerosis;

​Cannabis- the  latest cannabis news link this herb to the treatment of epilepsy.

​

Regulations in Australia

​Herbal medicines are referred to as complementary medicines in Australian law and they regulated under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989. The risk-based approach includes that lower-risk medicines can be listed, while higher risk medicines must be registered on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods. 

​Even though herbal medicines are safe to use in most cases, some of them can have side effects as they can interact with prescription medications and as they may worsen certain medical conditions. Before you choose herbal medicines, research about them online. Make sure you look for scientific studies proving health benefits of the plant. Finally, if you are unsure about their usage, contact a healthcare professional. 

When I received my bottle of Amazonia Raw Sugar Crave Release Spray to review, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, I hadn’t heard of this before and wondered if it would really work. I started using this after the Christmas holidays, a time when I gave up all healthy dietary habits and ate a lot of sugar filled desserts!

The spray contains many different herbs, flowers, leaves and seeds which are anti-parasitic and help to fight sugar and carb cravings.

It does have a distinctive taste, the flavour which stands out to me is the oregano herb, if you’re used to drinking and eating herbs, you will know what I mean. They're not going to taste sweet, but they work!   Occasionally I use oregano oil on it’s own to help with intestinal issues. 

All of the ingredients are well known herbs which have amazing health benefits, normally known to treat stomach problems.

This spray works by balancing the intestinal flora in your body, which in turn, helps to stop unhealthy cravings,  I go through stages of the month where I do crave sweets and carbs, the times I used this for cravings I found myself wanting different types of healthy foods, all of a sudden I'm enjoying salad sandwiches, which isn't the type of food I usually crave, to be honest I haven't had a salad sandwich in years (that's probably not something I should be admitting!).

I also found this spray extremely helpful for treating an upset stomach,  this is because the herbs contained in the spray kill off nasty germs and targets bad digestive bacteria, which is very good for people like me with food sensitivities.   

Whether you are trying to lose weight and cut back on sugar or just want to keep your insides working smoothly, this is a handy spray to have. I’ve been using it every day to keep things balanced.

Developed with the help of naturopaths and nutritionsist, this spray was created by a hands on Australian company called Amazonia, creators of premium organic health products which have developed a huge following, both in Australia and Internationally.


Following are a list of all ingredients and their health properties - 

Green Black Walnut Hull - stomach infections and parasitic infections 

Clove Flower - upset stomach, nausea, bad breath

Pumpkin Seed - intestinal parasites, infections

Gentian Root - germ killer, intestinal parasites, muscle spasms

Hyssop Leaf, - digestive and intestinal problems 

Cumin Seed - digestion, bloating

Cramp Bark - fluid retention, cramps

Peppermint Leaf - digestion, heartburn, ibs, upset stomach, bacterial overgrowth

Chinese Rhubarb Root - stomach upset and pain, fine cleanser  for the intestines, bowels, liver and blood, helping to rid the system of accumulated toxins.

Thyme Leaf  - germ killer, breath freshener, parasitic infections, sore throat, upset stomach and pain

Oregano Leaf  - heartburn, bloating, cramps, intestinal parasites, allergies

Fennel Seed - digestive problems, bloating, gas

Available at Vitamin King 

It's good to know that the spices we've grown to love in our holiday food (and any other time for that matter), are also great for our health.   

Depression is a horrible, sinking feeling which can be hard to shake.   This article lists some herbs which might help ease the symptoms of depression, along with some very good resources linked to each herb.