What is amla?

Amla is the fruit of Phyllanthus emblica, a small to medium-sized deciduous tree that grows from about 1 to 8 metres tall. It is also known as emblic, amalaki or amloki, and its native range is tropical and southern Asia.

The fruit is almost round, light greenish-yellow, smooth and firm, with six faint vertical stripes. Fruits ripen in autumn and are traditionally harvested by hand, by climbing into the upper branches. Amla is naturally rich in vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and also contains polyphenols such as ellagic acid and gallic acid. Its taste is famously sour, bitter and astringent, which is why it is often mixed with something sweet.

Amla in tradition and culture

Amla holds a special place in South Asian culture. In Ayurveda, the traditional system of Indian herbalism, both dried and fresh fruits are a common ingredient, and amla is an ingredient of the well-known Ayurvedic blend Triphala.

The fruit also appears in religious tradition. There are many references to it in Buddhist texts, where the Buddha’s knowledge of all things is compared to an amla fruit held in the palm of the hand. In Hinduism the tree, called āmalaka in Sanskrit, is considered sacred, and the festival of Amalaka Ekadashi honours it. A stone element named after the fruit, also called an amalaka, sits at the top of temple towers such as the Lingaraj temple in Bhubaneswar.

How people enjoy amla

In South Asia fresh amla is often pickled with salt, oil and spices, added to dal, or made into murabba, a sweet preserve of whole fruits soaked in sugar syrup. Amla powder is the easiest way to enjoy the fruit outside its home region. Popular ideas include:

• In a smoothie. Its sharp flavour works well with banana, mango or berries.
• With juice or water. Stir a little powder into orange or apple juice, or into water with a spoonful of honey.
• Over breakfast. Sprinkle it over yoghurt, porridge or granola.
• In a warm drink. Mix with warm (not boiling) water, honey and a squeeze of lemon.

Start with a small amount, such as half a teaspoon, so you get used to the taste, and always follow the directions on the pack.

How to choose and store amla powder

• Check the botanical name. Look for Phyllanthus emblica on the label.
• Look for a single ingredient. Pure amla powder should not need added sugar or fillers.
• Colour and texture. Good amla powder is fine, dry and light brown to greenish in colour, with a sharp, fruity smell.
• Store it airtight. Powders take up moisture from the air, so reseal the pack straight after use and keep it in a cool, dry, dark place. Use a dry spoon every time.

Frequently asked questions

What does amla powder taste like?
It is sour, bitter and astringent, with a fruity edge. Most people enjoy it best mixed with juice, honey or fruit.

Is amla the same as the gooseberry grown in the UK?
No. The British gooseberry is Ribes uva-crispa, a different plant. Amla is called “Indian gooseberry” because of the fruit’s size and sharp taste.

Can I add amla powder to hot drinks?
Yes. Many people find it most pleasant in warm rather than boiling water, with a little honey.

Is amla suitable for everyone?
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking any medication or have a health condition, speak to your GP or pharmacist before using a herbal product regularly.

Try amla from HPDC Nutrition

Our Organic Amla Powder (Indian Gooseberry) is made from Phyllanthus emblica fruit and comes in 50g, 100g and 150g packs, so you can start small or stock up. Discover more ways to add plants to your day in our range of herbal powders, or explore our vitamins and food supplements.

Sources

• Wikipedia: Phyllanthus emblica (amla)
• HPDC Nutrition: Organic Amla Powder product page

Featured image: Fruits de Phyllanthus emblica à Pushkar (Rajasthan) (2).jpg by Ji-Elle, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

This article is for general information and is not medical advice.

The post Amla (Indian Gooseberry): History, Uses and How to Use Amla Powder appeared first on HPDC Nutrition.

What is cod liver oil?

Cod liver oil is an oil taken from the liver of the Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). Like other fish oils, it contains the omega-3 fatty acids EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). Unlike most fish body oils, it also naturally contains vitamin A and vitamin D, because these vitamins are stored in the liver.

According to the NHS, vitamin D helps to regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body, which are needed to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy. Vitamin A helps the body’s natural defences work properly, helps vision in dim light and helps keep skin healthy.

A long history

Cod liver oil has a long history of traditional use in northern European countries. In the 1800s it became popular as a bottled product, taken by the teaspoon each day, and in northern Europe and the United States giving children cod liver oil remained a common practice well into the 1950s. One photograph from 1944 shows children in Cambridgeshire, England, being given their daily dose.

Cod liver oil also played a part in the story of vitamins. In 1914 the American researchers Elmer McCollum and Marguerite Davis found a substance in it that was later named vitamin A, and research using cod liver oil led to vitamin D being identified and named in 1922.

The famously strong taste is the reason many people now prefer softgel capsules, which are easy to swallow and have no fishy flavour on the spoon.

How people use cod liver oil today

Most adults take cod liver oil as a daily capsule, often with a meal. Autumn and winter are a natural time to think about it. The NHS explains that between October and early March we do not make enough vitamin D from sunlight in the UK, and government advice is that everyone should consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement during the autumn and winter. Adults need 10 micrograms of vitamin D a day.

A few sensible points to keep in mind:

• Do not take cod liver oil if you are pregnant. The NHS advises not to take cod liver oil or any supplement containing vitamin A (retinol) during pregnancy.
• Watch your total vitamin A. The NHS advises that people at higher risk of osteoporosis, such as older men and women after the menopause, should have no more than 1.5mg of vitamin A a day from food and supplements combined, including fish liver oil. If you eat liver or liver pâté once a week, the NHS suggests not taking supplements that contain vitamin A.
• Do not double up. Check the labels of any multivitamins you take, so that you are not taking extra vitamins A and D by accident.
• Follow the label. Do not take more than the stated dose.

How to choose and store cod liver oil

• Check the source. Look for cod liver oil from Gadus morhua on the label.
• Read the vitamin content. A good label tells you how much vitamin A and D each capsule contains, so you can stay within NHS guidance.
• Choose a pack size that suits you. If you are new to cod liver oil, a smaller pack lets you start simply.
• Store it well. Keep capsules in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight, with the lid closed, and out of reach of children.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between cod liver oil and fish oil?
Fish oil usually comes from the body of oily fish and mainly provides omega-3 fatty acids. Cod liver oil comes from the liver of the cod, so as well as omega-3 it naturally contains vitamins A and D.

When is the best time to take cod liver oil?
Many people take it with a meal, which can make capsules easier to take. Follow the directions on the pack.

Can I take cod liver oil when pregnant?
No. The NHS advises not to take cod liver oil, or any supplement containing vitamin A, during pregnancy.

Can children take cod liver oil capsules?
Our capsules are not recommended for children unless a healthcare professional advises it.

Cod liver oil at HPDC Nutrition

Our Cod Liver Oil 1000mg capsules are made with oil from wild Atlantic cod, in easy-to-swallow softgels. The 65-capsule pack is a popular choice, and the same capsules come in 35, 95 and 125-capsule packs. Adults usually take 1 to 2 capsules a day with water, ideally with a meal. You might also like our Evening Primrose Oil 1000mg, or you can browse all of our vitamins and food supplements.

Sources

• NHS: Vitamin D
• NHS: Vitamin A
• NHS: Vitamins, supplements and nutrition in pregnancy
• Wikipedia: Cod liver oil

Featured image: Omega 3 Fish oil softgel capsules.jpg by Gpkp, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

This article is for general information and is not medical advice.

The post Cod Liver Oil: History, Vitamins A and D, and How to Choose It appeared first on HPDC Nutrition.

What is peppermint?

Peppermint (Mentha × piperita) is a hybrid mint, a natural cross between watermint and spearmint. It belongs to the mint family, Lamiaceae, alongside herbs such as basil, rosemary and sage. Native to Europe and the Middle East, it is now grown in many parts of the world, and it is occasionally found growing wild beside its parent species.

The plant has square stems, dark green leaves with reddish veins and toothed edges, and small purple flowers from mid to late summer. Its distinctive cooling taste comes mainly from two natural compounds in the leaves, menthol and menthone.

An English discovery

Peppermint has a particularly British history. It was first identified in Hertfordshire by a Dr Eales, and the naturalist John Ray described it in 1696 in his book Synopsis Methodica Stirpium Britannicarum. Ray later gave it the name “Peper-Mint” in his Historia Plantarum; it was added to the London Pharmacopoeia in 1721, and in 1753 Carl Linnaeus gave it the name Mentha piperita, meaning “peppery mint”.

Peppermint and its close relatives are counted among the oldest herbs used in both cooking and traditional herbal preparations, and over the following centuries peppermint became one of the most widely grown mints of all. Several commercial varieties grown today still carry the name “Mitcham”.

How people enjoy peppermint

Dried peppermint leaves are wonderfully versatile:

• Peppermint tea. The classic. Fresh or dried leaves are used on their own or blended with other herbs in herbal infusions. Peppermint tea is naturally caffeine free and is traditionally enjoyed after meals.
• Herbal blends. Peppermint pairs well with chamomile, lemon balm, nettle, liquorice or fennel, and brightens up heavier, earthier herbs.
• In the kitchen. A pinch of dried peppermint adds freshness to yoghurt dips, desserts, fruit salads and even hot chocolate.
• Iced tea. Brew it strong, cool it and pour over ice with a slice of lemon in summer.

Beyond the teapot, peppermint is used to flavour ice cream, sweets, fruit preserves and chewing gum, which is one reason its taste feels so familiar.

To make a cup of peppermint tea, add a teaspoon of dried leaf to a mug, pour over freshly boiled water, cover and steep for 5 to 10 minutes, then strain. Covering the cup helps to keep the aromatic oils in your tea rather than in the air.

How to choose and store dried peppermint

• Check the name. Look for Mentha × piperita (sometimes written Mentha piperita). Other mints, such as spearmint, taste sweeter and milder.
• Use your senses. Good dried peppermint is green rather than brown and has a strong, clean scent as soon as you open the pack.
• Store it properly. Keep the leaves in an airtight container, away from light, heat and moisture. Stored like this, the aroma stays fresh for longer.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between peppermint and spearmint?
Peppermint is a hybrid of spearmint and watermint. It contains more menthol, so it tastes stronger and cooler, while spearmint is sweeter and milder.

Does peppermint tea contain caffeine?
No. Peppermint tea is a herbal infusion and is naturally caffeine free.

Can I reuse peppermint leaves for a second cup?
You can, although the second infusion will be lighter. Many people simply use a little more leaf for a stronger single cup.

Is peppermint tea suitable for everyone?
Most people enjoy it as an everyday drink. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking any medication or have a health condition, speak to your GP or pharmacist before using herbal products regularly.

Find peppermint at HPDC Nutrition

Our Dried Peppermint Leaf (Mentha piperita) is a premium loose herb, ready for your teapot or your own blends. It comes in 30g and 50g packs. While you are here, explore our other dried herbs, including our Dried Organic Calendula Petals, which make a colourful addition to herbal tea blends.

Sources

• Wikipedia: Peppermint (Mentha × piperita)
• HPDC Nutrition: Dried Peppermint Leaf product page

Featured image: Peppermint-tea hg.jpg by Hannes Grobe, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

This article is for general information and is not medical advice.

The post Peppermint Tea: History, Uses and How to Enjoy Dried Peppermint appeared first on HPDC Nutrition.

What is Scots pine?

Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) is the only true pine native to the UK and one of only three native conifers. It is the national tree of Scotland, and the old Caledonian pine forests are home to red squirrels, capercaillie and Scottish crossbills.

Mature trees can reach around 35 metres and live for up to 700 years. You can recognise Scots pine by its orange-red bark near the crown and its needles: blue-green, slightly twisted and growing in pairs on short side shoots. Because it is evergreen, the needles are on the tree all year round.

A tree with many traditional uses

Scots pine has been useful to people for centuries. Its timber is one of the strongest softwoods available and has long been used in building, joinery, fencing and telegraph poles. The tree can be tapped for resin to make turpentine, its roots have been used for tar, its inner bark for rope, and its cones for a natural dye.

Pine needles have been brewed into tea in many parts of the world. In Korea, a traditional tea called sollip-cha is made from the needles of native red pines, and in North America teas have been made from the needles of local pines such as the eastern white pine. Pine needle tea is naturally astringent, which is why a little honey is often added.

How to make Scots pine needle tea

Pine needle tea is simple to make at home with dried needles:

• Add a teaspoon or two of dried pine needles to a cup or teapot.
• Pour over hot water that has cooled slightly from the boil.
• Cover and leave to steep for 5 to 10 minutes. Covering the cup keeps the aromatic oils in.
• Strain, then add honey or a slice of lemon if you like.

The result is a pale, golden tea with a fresh, resinous, slightly citrusy flavour. It is naturally caffeine free, which makes it a pleasant choice for the afternoon or evening, and a comforting warm drink in the colder months. Many people also add pine needles to their own herbal blends, for example with mint or lemon peel.

Choosing and storing pine needles

If you are tempted to forage, take care. Several trees look similar to pine, and some conifers, including yew, are highly poisonous. Unless you are completely sure of the tree, it is safer to buy needles from a supplier who names the species.

• Check the species. Look for Pinus sylvestris on the label.
• Look and smell. Good dried needles keep a green colour and a clear pine scent.
• Store well. Keep them in an airtight container in a cool, dark, dry place, and use them within the date shown on the pack.

Frequently asked questions

What does pine needle tea taste like?
It has a light, fresh, resinous flavour with a gentle citrus note and a slight astringency. Honey or lemon rounds it off nicely.

Does pine needle tea contain caffeine?
No. Pine needle tea is naturally caffeine free.

Can I use any pine or conifer?
No. Only use needles you are sure come from a true pine. Some conifers, such as yew, are toxic. Buying dried needles from a named species is the safest option.

Is pine needle tea suitable for everyone?
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking any medication or have a health condition, speak to your GP or pharmacist before trying any herbal tea.

Brew your own at HPDC Nutrition

Our Dried Scots Pine Needles are a single herb, Pinus sylvestris, gently dried to keep their natural aroma and colour. They come in 30g and 50g packs, ready for your teapot. If you prefer pine in other forms, take a look at our Pine Needle Powder, or browse our full range of dried herbs.

Sources

• Woodland Trust: Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris)
• Woodland Trust: Yew (Taxus baccata)
• Wikipedia: Pine needle tea

Featured image: Pinus sylvestris 2020 G2.jpg by George Chernilevsky, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

This article is for general information and is not medical advice.

The post Scots Pine Needle Tea: History, Uses and How to Brew It appeared first on HPDC Nutrition.

What is blue lotus?

Blue lotus is the common name for Nymphaea caerulea, a water lily that botanists now often list as Nymphaea nouchali var. caerulea. Despite the name, it is not a true lotus (the genus Nelumbo) but a member of the water lily family. It is also known as the Egyptian blue water lily or the sacred blue lily of the Nile.

The plant grows in still, shallow water, with round floating leaves and pale sky-blue petals around a bright yellow centre. Its flowers rise to the surface over two or three days, open in the mid-morning and close again near dusk. Each flower lasts around four days, closing up every night.

Blue lotus naturally contains aporphine alkaloids such as nuciferine, which is one reason it has drawn so much interest from botanists and historians.

A flower of ancient Egypt

Blue lotus appears again and again in ancient Egyptian art. Because it opens with the morning sun and closes in the evening, it became closely linked with the sun and with ideas of rebirth. It was the symbol of the god Nefertem, and it played a part in religious festivals.

The flower was also found in tombs. When Howard Carter’s team opened Tutankhamun’s burial chamber in 1922, blue lotus petals were among the plant remains discovered there. Sadly, the plant has become rare along the Nile itself because of changes to the river’s ecology, but it is grown in botanic gardens around the world.

How people enjoy blue lotus today

In modern homes, blue lotus is usually enjoyed in one of three ways:

• As a tincture: a liquid extract taken as a few drops in water, juice or a herbal tea. This is the easiest way to enjoy it consistently.
• As a tea: dried flowers steeped in hot water, often as part of a wind-down routine in the evening.
• As part of a ritual: many people simply like to make time for a quiet cup in the evening, with a book, soft light and no screens.

Our Blue Lotus Tincture is made from organic Nymphaea caerulea flowers and is alcohol free. Simply add a few drops to water, juice or an evening tea, and follow the directions on the bottle.

How to choose and store blue lotus

A few simple checks help you choose a good product:

• The botanical name. Look for Nymphaea caerulea on the label, so you know you are buying blue lotus and not another water lily.
• Alcohol free or not. Many tinctures are made with alcohol. An alcohol-free extract suits people who prefer to avoid it.
• Amber glass. Dark glass protects herbal extracts from light.
• Clear directions. A good label tells you how much to use and how often.

Store your tincture upright with the cap closed, in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight, and keep it out of reach of children. Dried flowers are best kept in an airtight jar away from heat and moisture.

Frequently asked questions

Is blue lotus the same as the lotus flower?
No. The sacred lotus belongs to the genus Nelumbo. Blue lotus (Nymphaea caerulea) is a water lily, from a different plant family, even though both share the name “lotus”.

Does blue lotus contain alcohol?
The plant itself does not, but many tinctures are made with alcohol. Our blue lotus tincture is alcohol free.

When do people usually take blue lotus?
Most people enjoy it in the evening, as part of a calm routine at the end of the day. Always follow the directions on the label.

Can anyone use blue lotus?
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking any medication or have a health condition, speak to your GP or pharmacist before using any herbal product.

Discover blue lotus at HPDC Nutrition

If you would like to make blue lotus part of your evenings, our organic, alcohol-free Blue Lotus Tincture is available in 30ml, 50ml, 100ml and 500ml bottles. You can also browse our full range of alcohol-free tinctures or explore all of our herbal tinctures and flower extracts.

Sources

• Wikipedia: Nymphaea nouchali var. caerulea (blue lotus)
• HPDC Nutrition: Blue Lotus Tincture product page

Featured image: Nymphaea caerulea-20091014-RM-115245.jpg by Ermell, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

This article is for general information and is not medical advice.

The post Blue Lotus Flower: History, Uses and How to Enjoy It appeared first on HPDC Nutrition.

Camu Camu & Rosehips Organic Powder

100% pure · No fillers

From £10.95

Shop Now →

The post Camu Camu & Rosehips: A Guide to HPDC’s Whole-Food Vitamin C Powder appeared first on HPDC Nutrition.

Arnica 30C Homeopathic Remedy

6g pot · Traditional homeopathic preparation

Shop Now →

The post Arnica 30C: A Guide to the Homeopathic Preparation appeared first on HPDC Nutrition.

"Deep Sleep" Anxiety & Stress Relief Herbal Tincture

50ml · Master-herbalist formulated · Vegan · Premium UK quality

£22.50

Shop Now →

The post Can’t Sleep? The Complete Guide to HPDC’s Deep Sleep Herbal Tincture appeared first on HPDC Nutrition.