Author: 'Mother Jai'

Jennifer Lawson, aka Mother Jai Mother Jai has been blending and personally using aromatherapy products since 2012 and herbal remedies since 2003. The knowledge and experience she obtained over the years provides you with a well rounded, educated, and informed platform to base your own health and wellness on.
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Kelp

Kelp & Seaweed

Kelps are seaweeds that grow in particular shallow and nutrient-rich waters around the world. They’ve been eaten and used medicinally for hundreds of years in various forms, and are processed today, with some by-products commonly used in ice cream, salad dressings and even chocolate milk.

According to nutritionist Vanessa Stasio Costa, M.S., R.D.N., C.D.N., kelp “is often considered a ‘superfood’ due to its significant mineral content. It’s especially concentrated in iodine, which is important for optimal thyroid function and metabolism.”

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) say that seaweed such as kelp is one of the best natural food sources of iodine, an essential component in thyroid hormone production. A deficiency in iodine leads to metabolism disruption and can also lead to an enlargement of the thyroid gland known as goiter.

TYPES OF SEAWEED

Scientists have categorized types of seaweed into different categories based on their pigments, cell structure, and other traits. The groups (or phyta) of seaweed that are commonly consumed include:

  • Green algae such as sea lettuce or ulva, and sea grapes
  • Brown algae such as kombu, arame, kelp, and wakame (the miso soup seaweed)
  • Red algae such as dulse, laver, and nori (the sushi seaweed)
  • Blue-green algae such as spirulina and chlorella

BENEFITS OF SEA KELP & SEAWEED

Anti-ageing: The iodine content of kelp also appears to have other benefits. A 2008 study showed that the form of iodine in kelp effectively removed free radicals – chemicals that accelerate ageing – from human blood cells.

Anti-cancer: Researchers found that kelp can slow the spread of colon and breast cancers. A compound found in kelp called fucoidan may also prevent the spread of lung cancer and prostate cancer. The presence of fucoxanthin was found to be effective against a number of types of prostate cancer. In addition, fucoxanthin can help remove drug resistance in cancer patients undergoing dangerous chemotherapy treatments, thereby reducing the amount of harmful drugs introduced into one’s system in order to treat cancer.

Anti-inflammatory: Kelp is naturally high in antioxidants, including carotenoids, flavonoids, and alkaloids, which help to fight against disease-causing free radicals. Antioxidant vitamins like vitamin C, and minerals like manganese and zinc, help to combat oxidative stress and may offer benefits to cardiovascular health. Fucoidan, found in kelp, has also been shown to work as an anti-inflammatory and also to improve cholesterol levels in the blood, responsible for heart conditions.

Anti-radiation: Livestrong noted: “Sodium alginate derived from kelp reduced radioactive strontium absorption in the intestines by 50 to 80 percent … (allowing) calcium to be absorbed through the intestinal wall while binding most of the strontium, which is excreted from the body.”

Blood thinner:  Fucoidan has shown effectiveness in preventing blood clots that can lead to dangerous health problems, including stroke and heart attack. It’s so effective, in fact, that researchers cite it as having potential to be used as an oral antithrombotic agent, potentially reducing the need of prescription drugs to treat clotting problems.

Bone Loss: a rich source of vitamin K — you get almost a quarter of the daily recommended intake of vitamin K in just one serving. One of the many benefits of vitamin K is its role in creating denser bones that don’t as easily succumb to arthritis and osteoporosis. However, people on blood-thinning drugs ought to avoid extra vitamin K, as it can affect how the drugs work. Fucoidan also contributes to healthy bones. Low molecular weight fucoidan helps prevent age-related bone loss and improves the mineral density in bones.

Brain health: seaweed provides glutamic acid, known in your body as glutamate, central to the nervous system and most aspects of cognition, memory, learning and normal brain function.

Hair growth: There’s plenty of anecdotal evidence suggesting taking sea kelp supplements can boost hair growth. Whether or not it actually boosts growth, it contains nutrients involved in hair health and strength, so it may help reduce split ends and breakages.

Iodine: helps regulate your thyroid gland to produce strong, healthy hair, skin and nails, as well as to form thyroid hormones, thyroxine and triiodothyronine. It’s also essential for proper formation of your skeletal framework and regulating your body’s energy and brain metabolism in a process regulated by your pituitary gland. The myelination process in the central nervous systems of newborns is another key function of the thyroid hormone. Balanced iodine in the mother’s body is imperative in pregnancy and breastfeeding for optimal development of the baby’s brain cells. Specialists usually recommend around 150 micrograms (mcg) daily. Consuming too much could lead to either hypo- or hyperthyroidism.

Nutrients in Sea Kelp

Sea kelp is a natural source of vitamins A, B1, B2, C, D and E, as well as minerals including zinc, iodine, magnesium, iron, potassium, copper and calcium. In fact it contains the highest natural concentration of calcium of any food – 10 times more than milk.

Below is the average iodine content of three different dried seaweeds:

  • Nori: 37 mcg per gram (25% of the RDI)
  • Wakame: 139 mcg per gram (93% of the RDI)
  • Kombu: 2523 mcg per gram (1,682% of the RDI)

Generally, 1 tablespoon (7 grams) of dried spirulina can provide:

  • Calories: 20
  • Carbs: 1.7 grams
  • Protein: 4 grams
  • Fat: 0.5 gram
  • Fiber: 0.3 grams
  • Riboflavin: 15% of the RDI
  • Thiamin: 11% of the RDI
  • Iron: 11% of the RDI
  • Manganese: 7% of the RDI
  • Copper: 21% of the RDI

One serving of raw kelp (about 28 grams) contains about:

  • 12 calories
  • 2.7 grams carbohydrates
  • 0.5 gram protein
  • 0.2 gram fat
  • 0.4 gram fiber
  • 18.5 micrograms vitamin K (23 percent DV)
  • 50.4 micrograms folate (13 percent DV)
  • 33.9 milligrams magnesium (8 percent DV)
  • 47 milligrams calcium (5 percent DV)
  • 0.8 milligram iron (4 percent DV)
  • milligram manganese (3 percent DV)

Benefits of Nutrients in Seaweed

Seaweed also contains small amounts of vitamins A, C, E and K, along with folate, zinc, sodium, calcium and magnesium.

If you have a family history of diabetes, you should know that kelp is rich in a little-known mineral called vanadium, which is being studied as an important regulator of insulin and blood sugar.

The protein present in some seaweeds, such as spirulina and chlorella, contain all of the essential amino acids. This means seaweed can help ensure you get the full range of amino acids.

Seaweed can also be a good source of omega-3 fats and vitamin B12. In fact, it appears that dried green and purple seaweed contain substantial amounts of vitamin B12. One study found 2.4 mcg or 100% of the RDI of vitamin B12 in only 4 grams of nori seaweed.

Alginic acid in the seaweed kombu is known for its positive effects on diabetes, as well as its ability to coagulate blood. It prevents dental cavities, promotes digestive health, protects against flu, aids digestion, protects vision and maintains heart health.

Seaweed is an excellent source of fiber, which is known to promote gut health. It can make up about 25–75% of seaweed’s dry weight. This is higher than the fiber content of most fruits and vegetables. Fiber can resist digestion and be used as a food source for bacteria in your large intestine instead.

Particular sugars found in seaweed called sulfated polysaccharides have been shown to increase the growth of “good” gut bacteria. These polysaccharides can also increase the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), which provide support and nourishment to the cells lining your gut.

The iron in kelp helps form healthy blood and prevent anemia and the antioxidants fight free radicals, altogether ensuring the growth of strong bones and optimal muscle function.

Weight loss

Iodine is a trace mineral vital for the operation of the thyroid gland which plays an important part in body development and metabolism. It combines with tyrosine – an amino acid – to create T3 and T4, thyroid hormones that regulate metabolism and other physiological functions throughout the body. As sea kelp is the richest natural source of iodine it can help to regulate metabolism and in turn affect weight loss and gain.

In recent years, researchers have looked into kelp’s potential fat blocking properties. Because kelp contains a natural fiber called alginate, studies suggest that it may halt the absorption of fat in the gut. A study published in Food Chemistry found that alginate could help block fat absorption in the intestines by 75 percent. In order to reap the benefits of alginate, the research team plans to add the thickening compound to common foods such as yogurt and bread.

Kelp may have great potential for diabetes and obesity, although research is still preliminary. A study published in the journal Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism found that a compound in the chloroplasts of brown seaweed called fucoxanthin may promote weight loss in obese patients when combined with pomegranate oil. Studies also suggest that brown seaweed may influence glycemic control and reduce blood glucose levels, benefitting people with type 2 diabetes.

RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH SEA KELP

Heavy Metals: Sea kelp grown in polluted waters may well absorb toxic heavy metals which if ingested can cause major health problems. The potential for this means it isn’t recommended to be taken if pregnant or breastfeeding, or by children or people with health issues, especially liver or kidney problems. It should be possible however to make sure a particular supplement comes from kelp grown in clean waters.

Iodine: the iodine within sea kelp is easily absorbed by the body so it can quickly become too much for the body to process. Most people get enough iodine from table salt alone, adding kelp to the diet can greatly increase iodine levels. Too much iodine in the system can cause hyperthyroidism, Grave’s disease, and thyroid cancer. The amount of iodine in each type of kelp food product and supplement vary greatly.

According to the Daily Mail: “Deficiencies can be treated with 150 mcg of iodine daily. Prolonged use of large amounts of iodine (6 mg or more daily) may suppress activity of the thyroid gland. A safe upper limit of iodine is 1,000 mcg per day.”

Unpredictability: There are a large number of sea kelp supplements available containing a variety of different types of algae that all come under the name ‘kelp’, which may affect your body in different ways. For instance, bladderwrack can cause or worsen acne, and there is a single reported case of it causing kidney failure. The effects depend completely on your individual health status and your body’s overall make-up.

HOW TO EAT KELP & SEAWEED

Nutritionist Lisa Moskovitz, R.D., C.D.N., C.P.T., recommends that you try to eat your nutrients, versus taking them in supplement form. She suggests including kelp in a balanced diet with plenty of vegetables, from both the land and sea. Kelp can be one small part of a broader healthy diet that includes a variety of unprocessed, nutrient-dense foods.

Moskovitz says that one of the easiest ways to incorporate kelp into your diet is to add an organic, dried variety into soups. You could also use raw kelp noodles in salads and main dishes or add some dried kelp flakes as seasoning. It is usually found in Japanese or Korean restaurants or grocery stores and can be enjoyed cold with oil and sesame seeds, hot in a soup or stew, or even blended into a vegetable juice.

You can find kelp at most health-food markets or the Asian section of your regular grocery store. If you don’t eat gluten or are cutting back on carbs, try kelp noodles instead of your regular pasta. They’re raw and work great as a substitute in any regular noodle dish. If you can only find dried kelp, reconstitute it with a little water (this doesn’t take long), then drain it and mix it with thinly sliced cucumbers, a splash of sesame oil and Asian vinegar.

As a food, kelp aficionados laud its flavor as the ultimate, seawater-laced brine that’s the essence of umami. Nori, one of the most popular seaweed species, is dried in sheets to make sushi rolls. Other varieties include dulse, arame, which is black; deep green wakame; kombu; and spirulina.

HOW TO COOK & EAT SEAWEED

Dried seaweed would need to be soaked in hot water, and rinsed well before use. Some thicker and tougher seaweed like kombu might be better sliced thin or boiled. Seaweeds are very versatile. Here are a few different ways to enjoy them:

  • Snacking out of a bag – Nori and dulse can just be eaten out of a bag. You will want to check the labels and watch out for some brands of snacking nori that contain a lot of MSG though.
  • Salads – Most types of seaweed can be made into a Japanese-style salad with vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic.
  • Soups – Seaweed tastes delicious in bone broth, which makes it seaweed soup.
  • Sprinkled on other foods – Seaweed flakes can be sprinkled on salads, rice, soups, or any other dishes.

Most seaweed is not bitter. Some types are a bit sweet and may even have umami flavors, which means that it may be easier to get some picky eaters to eat seaweed than vegetables.

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Detox Tea

Mother Jai’s Herbal Tea Blends

Mother Jai’s Detox Tea

A wonderful blend of herbs that nourish the liver and kidneys and help promote the excretion of waste from cellular activity. While helping the liver remove the buildup of toxic chemicals absorbed from processed foods and our environment. This blend of dandelion root and leaves, nettles leaves, red clover flower and leaves, and yarrow flower is truly all natural.

Dandelion Root & Leaf – strong liver tonic and diuretic

Nettles Leaf – strong anti-inflammatory and reduces allergic reactions

Red Clover Flower & Leaf – boosts immunity and helps body prevent infection

Yarrow Flower – promotes liver function and healing of tissue damage

Together these herbs work synergistically to improve waste removal functions.

This tea only needs to be consumed ONCE a week.

Get your Detox Tea here.

How can Mother Jai’s Detox Tea help us now?

One reason our immune systems are compromised is because of the increasing buildup of man-made chemicals in our environment. We can reduce our intake of some of them through healthier choices, definitely not all of them. Our environment, or everything we come into contact with (air, water, yard, furniture, clothing, utensils, appliances, etc), is filled with toxins that we can do nothing about.

Going beyond self isolation we can help our bodies remain strong in any environment, with any exposure, simply by nourishing them. This is where Mother Jai’s all natural Detox Tea comes in. The plants mixed in this tea are known to be nourishing, supportive, strengthening and healing to the body’s waste removal systems. In other words, drinking this tea, even once a week, can help the body remove toxins and be healthier and stronger overall, no matter your health status when you start drinking it.

As with any detoxifier, to avoid dehydration, you must increase your water consumption to help the body flush out the toxins when removed from the body’s cells. Most commonly the fat cells. One benefit for some while drinking this tea is weight loss, simply because you’re increasing your water consumption (automatically reduces fat storage through proper hydration) and because you’re removing toxins from the body (usually stored in the fat cells).

Get your Detox Tea here.

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Juniper Berry

Juniper Berry (Juniperus communis)

Juniper berries actually aren’t berries at all. They are female seed cones that come from juniper plants — a type of conifer (Pinophyta), which is a cone-bearing plant or tree. Juniper plants vary in appearance and can grow low and wide like a shrub or tall like a tree. Their uniquely fleshy, merged scales make them look like a berry, thus the name.

In addition to their slightly misleading name, juniper berries are also not a berry you would generally eat with breakfast, like blueberries (even though they’re similar in size). Instead, juniper berries are often used as a bitter spice. In fact, they give gin its distinctive flavor. Juniper berries are officially the only spice to come from a conifer tree.

You will find Juniper Berry in Mother Jai’s Products, click below to shop.

Bath & Body Oils - 8oz Bottle

Bath & Body Oils – 8oz Bottle

Add natural moisture and aroma to any bath. Simply pour and enjoy!

$26.00
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One of the major uses of these berries is in juniper berry essential oil. Known in folk medicine and some modern research as a natural antiseptic and antioxidant, the essential oil of juniper berries is a popular therapeutic oil. It’s also one of the essential oils the FDA approves for limited internal use.

Juniper is used for digestion problems including upset stomach, intestinal gas (flatulence), heartburn, bloating, and loss of appetite, as well as gastrointestinal (GI) infections and intestinal worms. It is also used for urinary tract infections (UTIs) and kidney and bladder stones. Other uses include treating snakebite, diabetes, and cancer.

Juniper Essential Oil Uses

Colds, flu, acne, cellulitis, gout, hemorrhoids, obesity, rheumatism, toxin build-up. [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 58-61.]

The essential oil of juniper is obtained through steam distillation of the needles, wood and powdered fruits of juniper, bearing the scientific name Juniperus communis.

Major Constituents: a-Pinene, Sabinene, B-Myrcene, Terpinene-4-ol, (+)-Limonene, B-Pinene, Gamma-Terpinene, Delta-3-Carene, a-Terpinene. See Essential Oil Safety for more complete list of constituents. [H. Schilcher, D. Emmrich, C. Koehler. Gas Chromatographischer Verleich von Atherischen Wacholderolen und Deren Toxikologische Bewertung. (Pharmazeutische Zeitung 138, 1993), 85-91. Source cited in Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, Essential Oil Safety (Second Edition. United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2014), 314.]

Blending: Juniper essential oil blends well with the essential oils of Bergamot, Cedar Wood, Cypress, Grapefruit, Geranium, Lavandin, Lavender, Lavandin, Lime, Lemon, Lemongrass, and Vetiver.

Benefits of Juniper Berries:

  • Relieve Oxidative Stress and Prevent Disease: juniper berries are full of antioxidants that help your body prevent and fight disease by relieving oxidative stress caused by too many free radicals in your system. They contain 87 different distinct bioflavonoids.
  • Natural Antiseptic: strong antibacterial and antifungal qualities. Powerfully destroys black mold (aspergillus), candida and staphylococcus, kills antibiotic resistant strains, and eliminates bacteria and reduces inflammation in the mouth without toxic side effects.
  • Improves Skin Conditions: juniper berries, specifically in essential oil form, is to treat skin issues like rash or eczema. The antioxidants they contain are probably one major reason this can be effective. Helps treat skin pigmentation disorders like vitiligo. The essential oil of juniper berries has also been used for some time to reduce the appearance of cellulite, a harmless cosmetic issue involving fatty deposits that are often found on the thighs, hips and buttocks.
  • Helps Improve Digestion: Juniper berries have long been considered a digestive aid in folk medicine, but few studies have examined these effects at length. Because they function as diuretics, juniper berries can help relieve bloating in some cases.
  • Aids in Restful Sleep: juniper berry essential oil as a relaxant and has a positive impact on brain chemistry, encouraging rest.
  • Effective Against Cancer: juniper berry essential oil or extract has been found to cause apoptosis (cell death) in a drug-resistant strain of leukemia, HepG2 (liver cancer) cells and p53 (neuroblastoma) cells.
  • Good for Heart Health: due in part to its antioxidant qualities, juniper berries can help to improve heart function. For example, juniper berry essential oil has been found to reduce high blood pressure in animal studies, related to the antioxidants it contains. A similar study stated juniper berry’s function as a natural diuretic (in its original or essential oil form) also contributes to its blood pressure-lowering activity. Juniper berries also function as an “anticholinesterase agent.” This is important for heart function because anticholinesterase agents (natural or pharmaceutical) help to build up acetylcholine in the nervous system, which in turn can slow heart action, lower blood pressure, increase blood flow and induce contractions of the heart.
  • Should Be Part of Diabetic Diet Plan: An ethanol extract and a tea of juniper berries seem to have the potential to reduce high blood sugar in diabetic rats. Juniper berry essential oil also seems to limit the amount of malondialdehyde produced by animal bodies. Although malondialdehyde’s role in diabetes isn’t understood entirely, its concentration is much higher in people with diabetes (and cancer).
  • Relieves Pain:  is numbing when applying to painful joints and muscles to relieve pain and inflammation.
  • Fights Arthritis: Juniper essential oil promotes and improves blood circulation. It also helps in the removal of toxins like uric acid from the body. Both of these properties help fight ailments like rheumatism, arthritis, gout, and renal calculi, all of which are related to improper circulation and the accumulation of toxins in the body. This essential oil also relieves swelling.
  • Relieves Cramps: Juniper essential oil is also effective in nearly all forms of cramps, whether it is muscular, intestinal, respiratory or any other area. It relaxes muscle cramps and helps cure spasmodic cholera as well. Being an antispasmodic, it helps cure many other problems related to cramps or spasms.
  • Improves Breathing:  reduces inflammation in respiratory tissues and improves breathing.
  • Relieves Stress and Improves Emotions:  is calming and helps to ease stress without imparting the sedative effects that clary sage and the chamomiles are known for. Spiritually, Juniper Berry Essential Oil used in a room mist, diffuser or candle burner cleanses and purifies the air. It is a good choice for use during prayer or meditation.
  • Insect Repellent: like citronella oil, the scent of juniper may naturally repel bugs like mosquitoes according to scientific research. Spray it on your clothes, mix it with a carrier oil and massage into your skin, or diffuse it indoors and outdoors to purify the air and help prevent bug bites. You can even include it in your own homemade bug spray.
  • Might Reduce Cellulite: You can also use juniper oil as a cellulite remedy. It may help to reduce the appearance of cellulite thanks to active components like alpha-pinene, sabinene and juniperene. Add 100 percent therapeutic grade juniper berry essential oil to grapefruit cellulite cream to decrease cellulite.
  • Promotes Sweating: A sudorific substance is an agent which can bring about heavy sweating or perspiration. This is nothing to get annoyed at. The occasional perspiration makes you feel lighter and healthier and helps in the removal of toxins, excess salt, and water through sweat. This cleans the skin pores and openings of sweat and sebum glands, which prevents acne and other skin diseases.
  • Healing Tonic: Have you ever heard of health tonics? Have you had any? Juniper oil is also considered a tonic, because it tones up everything, including the muscles, tissues, skin, and various other systems inside the body. This includes the respiratory, circulatory, nervous, digestive, and excretory systems. This tonic effect helps retain youth for a long time and maintains proper health for all your years.
  • Speeds Up Healing Process: If a diluted solution of this oil is applied on wounds or blended with a skin cream and applied, it helps your wounds heal faster and keeps them protected from infections. This oil is equally beneficial in healing internal wounds, cuts, and ulcers.
  • Other Benefits: It disinfects air and helps cure kidney stones, inflammation, urinary tract infections, acne, eczema, other skin diseases, dandruff, and enlargement of the prostate gland.

Uses of Juniper Berry Oil

The fresh and calming aroma of juniper berry oil is widely renowned for relieving stress and anxiety. When diffused, it can also cleanse and purify the air. If you want to use juniper berry oil to get its healing and calming effects, try these methods:

  • Vapor therapy. Use a burner or vaporizer to diffuse the oil, which helps relieve emotional issues, such as addiction, nervous tension and hangovers.
  • Massage oil or added to bath water. This works well for pain relief, such as for arthritis, pain in passing urine, swollen joints, gout and muscle fatigue.
  • Add to lotions and creams. Try this for skin-related problems, such as oily skin, acne, dermatitis, psoriasis and weeping eczema.
  • Use in a compress. Ideal for eczema, arthritis and general infections.

RECIPES

Juniper Berry Tea: by adding 1 cup of boiling water to 1 tablespoon of juniper berries, covering, and allowing the berries to steep for 20 minutes. The usual dosage is 1 cup twice a day. However, juniper is said to work better as a treatment for bladder infections when combined with other herbs. Combination products should be taken according to label instructions.

Juniper Berry Oil: made by steam distilling the berries. However, you can make your own infused berry oil at home. Here’s a step-by-step procedure from Lisa Lise:9

  1. Put juniper berries in a clean and sterilized jar. Fill at least three-quarters of the container.
  2. Fill the jar with your oil of choice. Choose a safe oil, such as olive oil or coconut oil.
  3. Close the lid tightly and place the jar in a cool and dark place. Give it a good shake every day for four to six weeks.

Note: Check the jar regularly for any unpleasant smell, which may indicate bacterial growth. If it smells strange, throw it out and make a fresh batch.

PRECAUTIONS

Juniper, juniper berry, and juniper extract are LIKELY SAFE when consumed in normal food amounts.

Juniper is POSSIBLY SAFE for most adults when taken by mouth in medicinal amounts short-term, when inhaled appropriately as a vapor, or when applied to the skin in small areas. Using juniper on the skin can cause some side effects including irritation, burning, redness, and swelling. Avoid using it on large skin wounds.

Taking juniper by mouth long-term or in a high dose is LIKELY UNSAFE as it can cause kidney problems, seizures, and other serious side effects.

First, pregnant women should never consume juniper berries in whole or essential oil form as it may potentially cause damage to the unborn child or force uterine contractions. Juniper is also not recommended for those with poor kidney function.

It is possible to develop an allergic reaction to juniper berries, which could manifest with skin issues (like a rash) or breathing issues. If you experience any of those conditions after using juniper berries, discontinue use and consult your doctor immediately.

Juniper berries may also interact negatively with certain medications, according to a 2014 study. The berries seem to inhibit a drug metabolizing enzyme in the human body known as CYP3A4. This enzyme metabolizes about half of the drugs on the pharmaceutical market, while the other half of medicines actually inhibit the enzyme.

There is a fairly extensive list of medications that could result in toxicity when taken in conjunction with juniper berries. If you are taking any medications, you should first consult with your doctor before using juniper berries or juniper berry essential oil.

Surgery: Juniper might affect blood sugar levels, making blood sugar control more difficult during and after surgery. Stop using juniper at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

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Jasmine Tea

Health Benefits of Jasmine Tea

Along with the unique aroma and taste, jasmine tea has many beneficial qualities that help to reduce stress and heart attack and improve the digestive system. Let’s take a look at them in detail.

Weight Loss: Everyone is looking for the secret to reduce their weight easily and quickly, and jasmine tea can be a good addition to any diet as an aid in weight loss. The antioxidant properties of jasmine tea help to increase your metabolism. This increase in the metabolic efficiency makes your exercise effective and helps your body to process the nutrients quicker. Faster or more efficient metabolism helps with weight loss, but it must be used in addition to other weight loss techniques, as a complementary element, not as a stand-alone solution.

You will find Jasmine Flowers in Mother Jai’s Herbal Tea Blends.

Herbal Tea Blend - 4oz Bag

Herbal Tea Blend – 4oz Bag

Herbal remedies to use instead of over-the-counter chemicals.

$12.00
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Antioxidant Properties: Perhaps the most praised aspect of jasmine tea is the high level of antioxidants in this delicate and delicious beverage. The most notable antioxidants found in jasmine tea are catechins. Green tea is the most commonly used base flavor for jasmine tea, but depending on which type of tea is used as a base, different antioxidant properties can be accessed. For example, black tea has high levels of theaflavins, while green tea has high levels of catechins.

Antioxidants work within the body to detect and destroy harmful agents or free radicals that can cause diseases and compromise the immune system. Catechins, as mentioned above, are the antioxidants most jasmine tea users are seeking, since they have been shown to be integral in preventing certain serious diseases in the body.

Protects Heart Health: For those with a personal or family history of cardiovascular issues, jasmine tea can be a huge help in preventing further problems. The catechins found in jasmine tea are a key factor in inhibiting LDL-oxidation, which is when “bad” cholesterol in your arteries gets inflamed after being oxidized. This inflammation of veins and arteries can lead to heart attack or stroke. The catechins found in jasmine tea inhibit this oxidizing process, so blood pressure and cholesterol levels decrease, and long-term threats like heart diseases can be prevented.

Prevents Cancer: The fight against cancer is one of the unifying health problems around the world, so anything that can help prevent cancer is always popular. Research studies suggest that consumption of tea, such as jasmine tea, may help in preventing cancer. All the green teas made of jasmine have been widely shown to have cancer preventive properties, because they contain polyphenols, like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Polyphenols like EGCG are key lines of defense against free radicals and other harmful or carcinogenic invaders in the body. Green/Jasmine tea has been shown to reduce risks of breast cancer, lung cancer, and many other diseases.

Besides the addition of EGCG to the system, elements of green tea also inhibit the overexpression of dangerous enzymes commonly found in cancerous tumors and cells.

Controls Diabetes: In the fight against diabetes, jasmine tea has shown itself to be a valuable tool. The ability to metabolize glucose is the fundamental mechanism that causes diabetic conditions. Drinking jasmine/green tea can reverse the negative effects that diabetes has on certain serum proteins, working as a regulator for those with diabetes, and as a preventive measure for those not diagnosed but still consuming it as a regular part of their health regimen.

Relieves Stress: The olfactory system is often something we overlook, but it can be a very powerful sense, and studies have shown that the odor of jasmine can be very beneficial to certain test subjects. Those test subjects who have a natural predilection for the smell of jasmine have a parasympathetic response to the odor and their body releases chemicals that allow them to naturally relax or improve their mood. However, the smell of jasmine is what some call “an acquired taste”, and some of the studies have shown that people who don’t enjoy the smell of jasmine can actually become anxious if exposed to it in high intensities.

Prevents Gastrointestinal Disorders: Adding jasmine tea to your normal diet can improve your chances of having a healthy stomach, better digestion, and prevention of gastrointestinal forms of cancer. Catechins present in jasmine tea have positive effects on multiple areas of health, including the gastrointestinal system. They activate a number of intracellular antioxidants and interact well with the gastrointestinal enzymes to promote healthy bowel function.

Boosts Immune System: Many forms of cancer and carcinogenic diseases can have an immunosuppressive effect, meaning that the body’s overall immune system is compromised, making the body vulnerable to pathogens that complicate the treatment of cancer. It has been shown to protect the immune system due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The immune system is the first line of defense against all types of illnesses, so bolstering it can benefit the body in countless ways.

Reduces Pain: One of the positive effects of jasmine tea is the reduction in chronic discomfort associated with joint pain and arthritis. The anti-inflammatory nature of certain organic elements in jasmine tea can reduce swelling and inflammation of joints by inhibiting unwanted cellular oxygenation.

Antibacterial Properties: Jasmine tea, which is occasionally formed by simply adding jasmine essential oil to tea buds, can provide a defense against bacterial infections, making jasmine tea an unexpected antibiotic that you can safely add to your diet. Studies have shown that the properties of jasmine oil can eliminate the effects of E. coli in certain test subjects, which can be a very dangerous bacterium commonly found in poorly preserved foods or unsanitary cooking conditions. It may also provide relief from a cough, cold, and throat infections.

Side Effects of Jasmine Tea

Pregnancy: Although many aromatherapy techniques are popular during pregnancy, the strong odor and chemicals of jasmine tea are not recommended while you are pregnant. There have been cases where the use of jasmine tea or essential jasmine oil (sometimes used to make jasmine tea) has caused premature contractions in pregnant women. Consult your doctor before adding this tea to your diet.

Intestinal discomfort: Many people choose to use jasmine tea to boost their metabolism or even as a workout aid to stimulate additional weight loss, but it is highly acidic, so consuming it on an empty stomach to spur on weight loss or metabolic function can cause intestinal pain or discomfort.

Caffeine: Despite its relaxing and mood-altering properties, jasmine tea is a source of caffeine, which is a stimulant that affects people in different ways. Caffeine is meant to block certain neurotransmitters in the brain, which cause the feelings of alertness or energy that most people want from caffeine. However, some people are very sensitive to the effects of caffeine, particularly in large doses. Consult your doctor or use your experience with other caffeinated products before adding jasmine tea to your diet or buy a caffeine-free version of jasmine tea instead. Loose-leaf varieties of jasmine tea are typically not available without caffeine, but teabag varieties are.

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Jasmine Oil

Jasmine Absolute & Essential Oil (Jasminum grandiflorum, officinale, and sambac)

Jasmine is known as the King of Oils, Rose is the Queen. This is because of its masculine floral scent that it possesses. It has been known as the King of Oils since ancient times. This highly concentrated oil has many health benefits that may prove beneficial for your life.

You will find Jasmine Absolute in Mother Jai’s Aroma Sprays & Bath Oils.

Aroma Spray - 8oz Spray

Aroma Spray – 8oz Spray

Water based sprays with 5% essential oils for personal Aromatherapy.

$26.00
Shop now

Origins of Jasmine

Jasmine, also known as the “Queen of the Night” or “King of Oils” is a highly intoxicating plant. Its strong, heavy yet sweet scent has been used for years to invoke love and happiness.

Jasmine belongs to the Oleaceae family. The jasmine plant can grow upwards of 10-15 feet in height or 3-5 meters. The plant has dark green leaves with white flowers. These flowers are what are harvested to be used in the making of the jasmine essential oil. There are over 200 species of jasmine that can get made into essential oil, however, commonly used jasmine for essential oil purposes is common jasmine or Jasminum Officinale Though Spanish or Royal jasmine, Jasminum Grandiflorum , is sometimes also used.

Jasmine grows in the summer and into the fall and the flowers bloom overnight. Because the flowers bloom at night this is when they are harvested to produce the essential oil. Fun fact: it takes nearly 8000 carefully picked jasmine blossoms to produce about 1 gram or 1 mL of Jasmine Absolute essential oil. The flowers have a powerful scent that explodes into the air as they bloom at night. The scent may be strong but it is also sweet in nature and pleasing to the senses. The extracted essential oil is thick in consistency and is a light reddish brown in color.

Jasmine essential oil is extracted from the flowers of jasmine, and it has various scientific names including Jasminum grandiflorum (Royal jasmine) and Jasminum officinale (Common jasmine). The oil is extracted mainly from the latter variety.

Its main components are benzoic acid, benzaldehyde, benzyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, indole, benzyl benzoate, cis-3-hexenyl benzoate, cis-jasmone, ceosol, eugenol, farnesol, geraniol, linalool, methyl anthranilate, p-cresol, nerol, gamma terpineol, nerolidol, isophytol, and phytol.

Blending: Essential oil of jasmine blends well with the essential oils of bergamot, sandalwood, rose, and citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits.

  • Planet – Mercury, The Moon
  • Element – Earth, Water
  • Quality – Feminine
  • Zodiac – Cancer, Capricorn, Pisces
  • Chakra – Heart

Health Benefits of Jasmine Essential Oil (OrganicFacts.net)

The health benefits of jasmine essential oil can be attributed to its properties as an antidepressant, antiseptic, aphrodisiac, antispasmodic, cicatrizant, expectorant, galactagogue, emmenagogue, parturient, sedative, and a uterine substance.

Relieves Depression: The aroma of jasmine essential oil has a pleasing and uplifting effect on the mind and it actively fights depression. This makes a person feel happy and potentially awakens romantic and poetic feelings, just as it has done in literary and musical history! The aromatic effect of jasmine oil stimulates the release of certain hormones in the body, including serotonin, which results in the boost of energy and the uplifted mood. A study published in Natural Product Communications found that jasmine oil used on the skin over an eight-week period helped participants feel an improvement in their moods and a decrease in both physical and emotional signs of low energy.

Prevents Infections: It is also a very good antiseptic and disinfectant. Its constituents like benzaldehyde, benzoic acid, and benzyl benzoate have very effective germicidal, bactericidal, fungicidal, and antiviral properties. When externally applied to wounds, it prevents them from becoming septic and effectively eliminates potential infections from tetanus. It can also have internal applications, and when inhaled, it is known to reduce infections in the respiratory system and can relieve colds and coughs.

Inhaling jasmine oil, either directly or by infusing it in your home, can help clear mucus and bacteria within the nasal passages and respiratory symptom. Applying it to your skin can also reduce inflammation, redness, pain and speed up time needed to heal wounds.

Mix 5 to 10 drops of jasmine essential oil into your favorite hand lotion and use it as a hand sanitizer. You can make the mixture stronger, or even use it straight from the bottle, too. Run a diffuser with 2 to 3 drops of jasmine oil to kill viruses in the air and fill the room with its wonderful fragrance.

Fight Fungal Infections: Apply jasmine essential oil to sites of fungal infections for quick healing. This oil often doesn’t need to be diluted with a carrier oil. Just put a few drops on your fingers and massage it into the affected area. The fungal infection should clear up within 2 weeks. Be sure to wash your clothes thoroughly to kill the fungal spores there, too. Put 5 to 10 drops of jasmine EO into your laundry along with your favorite detergent or make your own.

Mix 5 to 6 drops in 1 cup of warm water, put the mixture into a spray bottle and thoroughly spray your sneakers if you are fighting athlete’s foot. After the fungal infection clears up, mix a few drops of jasmine EO into your favorite lotion and use it as a moisturizer to keep the fungus from coming back.

Stimulates Sexual Desires: It is actually the aphrodisiac property of jasmine essential oil that makes you feel romantic or in love. This oil enhances your libido and feelings of sexual desire. Due to the aroma, the use of jasmine flowers in bridal accessories and room décor of the newlywed, especially in the Indian Subcontinent is often seen. It also helps cure problems such as premature ejaculation, frigidity, impotence, and other sexual disorders.

Compared with a placebo, jasmine oil caused significant increases of physical signs of arousal — such as breathing rate, body temperature, blood oxygen saturation, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure — in a study done on healthy adult women. Subjects in the jasmine oil group also rated themselves as more alert and more vigorous than subjects in the control group. The study results indicate that jasmine oil can increase autonomic arousal activity and help elevate mood at the same time.

Fades Scar Marks: Are you worried about the scar marks and after spots left by boils, acne, or other wounds? You should definitely try jasmine essential oil. Since it is a cicatrizant, it can help fade those scar marks and after spots. It can also help eliminate the fat cracks that often happen in pregnant mothers.

Reduces Cough: The expectorant property of Jasmine Essential Oil can help you have an undisturbed night of sleep, even when you are suffering from a cough or cold. It provides relief from a cough by helping clear out the accumulation of phlegm in the respiratory tracts. It also eliminates snoring by clearing the congestion from nasal and respiratory tracts. With jasmine essential oil working in your system, you will be kept away from coughing and snoring endlessly through the night.

Treats Insomnia: The properties of jasmine essential oil make it an ideal tool for inducing long, restful, and undisturbed sleep. Its behavior as an expectorant, sedative, and antispasmodic combine to help you indulge in a peaceful good night’s sleep. By reducing signs of insomnia and sleeplessness, you can get more productive at work and in your personal life.

A 2005 study published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology found that jasmine tea odor had sedative effects on both autonomic nerve activity and mood states. Inhaling jasmine along with lavender helped reduce heart rate and bring on feelings of calm and relaxation, which are all important for dosing off and avoiding restless nights.

Emmenagogue: This property is meant to give relief to those women who suffer from irregular, obstructed, or painful menses or an untimely menopause. The emmenagogue property of jasmine oil regulates period cycles, and makes the periods clear and less painful, while also helping to push back menopause. It also provides relief from other problems associated with menses such as fatigue, annoyance, nausea, and mood swings. Regulating your period is also a great way to balance the hormonal levels of your body. It also helps to keep other bodily functions working in a systematic manner, keeping you healthy and fit.

In a study published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, when menopausal women applied jasmine oil to their skin over an eight-week period, they showed improvements in energy levels, mood and menopause-related symptoms, including hot flashes, pain and depression, compared to women who weren’t using jasmine oil.

Use jasmine essential oil to balance your hormone levels during menopause and get relief from menopausal symptoms. Practice aromatherapy several times a day or put a few drops into a carrier oil or lotion and massage it into your abdomen and back. Actually, you can apply it as an all-over body lotion, if you like. There is a lovely blend for this that includes 1 drop each of jasmine and angelica, 2 drops clary sage, 5 drops geranium and 6 drops lemon essential oil.

Skin Care: Jasmine oil has long been associated with skin care, particularly in terms of treating dry, brittle, or dehydrated skin. However, since it does have certain non-sensitizing effects, it is not always pleasant to use on cracked or open wounds on the skin, as it can cause an allergic reaction, or irritation. That being said, it is still frequently used for the treatment of eczema and dermatitis.

Gently apply jasmine essential oil to bruises to speed healing. You can apply it several times a day.

Mix 2 to 3 drops of jasmine essential oil into 1 teaspoon of a light carrier oil and use this blend to moisturize acne-prone skin. You can also add jasmine oil to your favorite facial cleanser. For individual pimples, put a drop of jasmine oil on your fingertip or a cotton swab and apply it directly on the pimple. Jasmine’s antibacterial, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties will clear it up quickly.

Massage jasmine oil into scars and stretchmarks. You will be amazed at how quickly they fade. You can use it straight or mix it into a carrier oil like argan, jojoba, sweet almond or coconut.

Use jasmine oil to clear up eczema and dermatitis. Its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties will give quick relief from these uncomfortable skin conditions.

Facilitates Lactation: Jasmine essential oil increases milk secretion from the breasts and is therefore very good for lactating mothers and their new babies. This property also helps protect from breast tumor and cancer.

Promotes & Eases Childbirth: The essential oil of jasmine facilitates and eases parturition and reduces labor pains. This feature can be very beneficial in today’s situations when a normal delivery is a rare sight and most of the cases are handled with caesarean sections. For many women who choose to use jasmine essential oil, they find that the recovery process is less painful and the post-natal period is also shorter. Furthermore, it can strengthen contractions and shorten the time it takes to deliver a baby. At that point, many women suffer from post-partum depression, but jasmine essential oil also combats that tragic condition due to its antidepressant and uplifting qualities.

Practice jasmine essential oil aromatherapy for 30 to 60 minutes several times a day to help get your hormones regulated after having a baby. It will relieve anxiety, boost your energy levels and lift your spirits. Apply the PMS blend to sore abdominal and back muscles for quick relief. You can also fade stretch marks. If you are breastfeeding, wait until after the baby is weaned before you begin using jasmine oil.

Treats Spasms: Jasmine essential oil is very good for treating and relaxing spasms. It provides quick relief from spasmodic coughs, cramps, congestion, asthma, breathlessness, and even spasmodic cholera. It also alleviates intestinal cramps and pains resulting from spasms in other parts of the body. Spasms can be dangerous, disruptive, and even deadly, so any substance that can alleviate this serious condition quickly should be respected.

Soothe Sore Muscles: Massage jasmine essential oil into sore muscles for quick relief. It will quickly reduce the pain and inflammation. Mix 1 tablespoon of coconut oil with 5 or 6 drops of argan oil then add 3 to 5 drops of jasmine oil. The coconut oil has a great consistency for massage and the argan oil speeds up absorption.

Sedative Effect: Jasmine essential oil calms down the body, mind, and soul while bringing forth positive and constructive emotions. It gives relief from anxiety, stress, annoyance, anger, and depression as well as from inflammations of all sorts. Although further research is yet to be conducted, these sedative and anti-inflammatory properties are also associated with pain and discomfort of arthritis and gout.

Cognitive Ability Aide: Jasmine is a natural energy booster. Simply inhaling jasmine in the morning will help to awaken the senses allowing you to be more aware and alert for the upcoming day. It also helps to increase body temperature and heart rate along with the brain’s activity to help increase productivity and learning.

Protects the Uterus: This oil is good for uterine health because it tones the uterus and promotes the secretion of certain hormones which ensure good health and proper functioning of the organ. It also helps protect the uterus from tumors, particularly after menopause, by restricting the flow of estrogen.

Other Benefits: It can also be used to free people from narcotics and other addictions.

Word of Caution: Pregnant women should avoid using this oil until parturition since it is an emmenagogue. It is highly relaxing and sedating and thus heavy doses should be avoided. Again, those who are allergic to jasmine should avoid using it, as with any essential oil made from a known allergen.

How Does Jasmine Absolute Oil Work?

Jasmine absolute oil works in different ways, depending on how you need it. It can be inhaled, diffused or can be simply applied externally. The following are some ways to use your jasmine absolute oil:

  • Through a diffuser. Just add some drops of the essential to your diffuser to provide a relaxing and refreshing fragrance to your home.
  • External application. Apply a few drops of the oil on your neck or forehead to calm and clear your mind, or to feel a surge of hope and happiness. Applying it topically can also treat skin disorders and muscle spasms.
  • Inhalation. Jasmine absolute oil also aids coughs and relieves nervousness and stress when inhaled.

What to Look for When Purchasing Your Jasmine Absolute

What to look for when it comes to purchasing your jasmine essential oil. Well there are a few things that you should look for and note when you are looking for a company or manufacturer.

First you will want to ensure that you are purchasing your essential oil from a reputable company and/or manufacturer. You will want to ensure that this company or manufacturer harvests the jasmine flowers at the correct time, using the correct harvesting methods.

You will also want to ensure that they extract the jasmine essential oil through the process of solvent or enfleurage extraction. You will want to check the ingredients of the jasmine essential oil bottle to ensure you are purchasing true or absolute essential oil and not a carrier oil with jasmine added to it.

Note that the essential oil that is produced year to year can vary because of the environment. This is normal but is something to consider as prices could change to reflect how plentiful or devastating the harvest was that specific year. Temperature, humidity, moisture and other environmental elements can all play a factor in the production and harvest of the jasmine blossoms.

How to Make Jasmine Oil at Home

Jasmine essential oil is not an easy essential oil to produce. Since the jasmine flowers are fragile it makes for a careful harvest and extraction process. The flowers have been known to bruise easily upon harvest which can lead to an unpleasant fragrance when the oil is produced.

In order to produce the highest quality of essential oil, jasmine should be harvested at night when it is full bloom. This will ensure that the chemical makeup inside of the jasmine flowers is at their prime for extraction.

Jasmine essential oil is typically extracted through the process of solvent extraction or enfleurage extraction. Both of these processes soak the jasmine flowers to help extract the essential oil from the flowers.

Enfleurage extraction is done by soaking the jasmine flowers in odorless plant oil or animal fats. Alcohol is then added to the mixture to pull the essential oil from the fat. Then the fat is separated from the mixture and the alcohol is allowed to evaporate to leave the end result of the jasmine absolute.

Solvent extraction is like that of the above enfleurage extraction however water and organic solvents are used to extract the oil from the jasmine flowers. The water and the solvent are then separated and removed from the mixture leaving behind the jasmine essential oil.

It should be noted that the chemicals that are sometimes used in the solvent extraction process can change the chemical makeup of the jasmine essential oil. Do your research on how the extraction is done and what is used in the extraction process.

Both processes can be time consuming and difficult to perform, especially if you do not have the right equipment. That is not to say that it cannot be done, but just note the pros and cons of each process prior to trying it on your own.

Recipes

Homemade Jasmine Oil Perfume

Ingredients:

  • 30 drops jasmine oil
  • 5 drops vanilla essential oil
  • 5 drops lavender essential oil
  • 5 drops orange essential oil
  • 2 tablespoons everclear
  • 1 tablespoon orange blossom water (or distilled water)

Directions:

  • Mix the essential oil blend with the everclear in a glass mason jar or bottle and leave it to sit on a counter top for two days. Keep it covered and somewhere that’s room temperature and away from the sun.
  • Add the orange blossom water or distilled water and stir together. Add the mixture to an old perfume spray bottle or regular aluminum spray bottle. Keep the mix somewhere around room temperature, and use on your skin, clothes, sheets, rugs, etc.

That Time of the Month Massage Blend

Ingredients:

  • 2 drops jasmine essential oil
  • 4 drops marjoram essential oil
  • 10 mL carrier oil of your choice (argan, coconut, sesame, sweet almond, jojoba, grapeseed, macadamia)

Instructions:

  • In a 10 ml roller bottle combine all of the above ingredients together.
  • Mix well.
  • Massage onto the stomach and/or lower back as needed.
SKU 83556

Foaming Face Wash Blend

Ingredients:

  • 8 oz. mild unscented castile soap
  • 8 oz. distilled water
  • 1 Tbsp. sweet almond oil
  • 20 drops jasmine essential oil
  • 10 drops geranium essential oil

Instructions:

  • In a foaming soap dispenser combine all of the above ingredients together.
  • Mix well.
  • Pump one pump into the palm of your hands and massage into face. Rinse
  • Use twice daily as needed.

Bring the Romance Diffuser Blend

Ingredients:

  • 1 drop jasmine essential oil
  • 1 drop patchouli essential oil
  • 1 drop orange essential oil

Instructions:

  • Combine all of the above ingredients together in a diffuser.
  • Diffuse throughout the air to induce feelings of romance and sexual desire.

Jasmine Coconut Sugar Scrub

Ingredients:

  • 10 drops jasmine essential oil
  • ½ cup coconut oil
  • 1 cup sugar

Instructions:

  • Melt the ½ cup of coconut oil in the microwave or over the stove. Make sure it is completely melted.
  • Transfer the melted coconut oil to a bowl and add in the sugar.
  • Mix well.
  • Mix in the jasmine essential oil. Be sure it is well combined into the mixture.
  • Transfer the mixture to a Mason jar and seal.
  • Use as needed in the shower. Apply to the body, massaging it in and then rinse off.

Jasmine Bath Salts

Ingredients:

  • 15-20 drops jasmine EO
  • 3 cups Epsom salts

Instructions:

  • In a glass jar combine the above ingredients together.
  • Mix well.
  • In a warm bath add ¼ – ½ cup of the mixture. Lay back and enjoy!

Here are a few other ideas for using jasmine essential oil:

  • Try adding a few drops of the essential oil to a diffuser to diffuse throughout the room to help reduce depression and stress or to help promote rest and relaxation.
  • Try mixing a few drops of jasmine essential oil with a carrier oil and applying it to sore muscles or wounds on the skin. Also try applying this to the temples or neck to help reduce the feeling of stress and depression.
  • Add a few drops of jasmine to a bath and allow it to help soothe and relax you.
  • Try a jasmine essential oil inhaler for on the go relief.
  • Massage some jasmine onto your stomach to help relieve symptoms of PMS and menopause.
  • Mix a couple drops of jasmine essential oil with your face lotion and massage onto and into the face to help reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
  • Try some jasmine tea to help promote healing, rest and relaxation.
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Honey VS Sugar

Honey vs Sugar

Honey and sugar are the two most common sweeteners used in America today. Honey is often considered to be the healthier option. Is this true?

Honey and sugar are both carbohydrates, consisting of the two types of sugar: glucose and fructose. Both fructose and glucose are broken down quickly by the body and can cause spikes in blood sugar levels.

Table sugar is sucrose, which is made up of two molecules bonded together. When we eat table sugar, our stomach has to use its own enzymes to separate the molecules apart before we can use the sugar’s energy. Honey is quite different. The bees have added a special enzyme to the nectar that divides the sucrose into glucose and fructose — two simple sugars for our bodies can absorb directly.

The proportions of glucose and fructose in honey and sugar are different:

  • sugar is 50 percent fructose and 50 percent glucose
  • honey contains 40 percent fructose and 30 percent glucose

The remainder of honey consists of:

  • water
  • pollen
  • vitamins
  • minerals, including magnesium and potassium
  • amino acids
  • antioxidants
  • enzymes

These additional components may be responsible for some of the health benefits of honey.

Honeycomb on wooden board with honey spoon and flowers

Honey

Honey is a sweet, viscous food substance produced by bees and some related insects. Bees produce honey from the sugary secretions of plants (floral nectar) or from secretions of other insects (such as honeydew), by regurgitation, enzymatic activity, and water evaporation. Bees store honey in wax structures called honeycombs. The variety of honey produced by honey bees (the genus Apis) is the best-known, due to its worldwide commercial production and human consumption. Honey is collected from wild bee colonies, or from hives of domesticated bees, a practice known as beekeeping.

But honey has slightly more calories than sugar, although it is sweeter, so less may be required. Both sweeteners can lead to weight gain if overused. Also, honey is less processed than sugar as it is usually only pasteurized before use. Raw honey is also edible and contains more antioxidants and enzymes than pasteurized varieties.

Enzymes are biological molecules present in all living things, that serve a purpose of speeding up chemical reactions, like digestion. The following three enzymes are the most commonly found in raw honey: diastase (amylase), invertase, and glucose oxidase.

Diastase speeds up the process of transforming starches into maltose and, ultimately, glucose. With a lack of diastase in your system, you might suffer from partial digestion, which can prohibit your body from extracting all the nutritional value out of consumed food and leave you feeling bloated. As you age, the body begins to slow the natural production of enzymes, therefore the elderly and people who consume a lot of processed foods can greatly benefit from a bump in the amount of diastase in their diet.

Invertase assists in the breakdown of sucrose (table sugar) into its components of glucose and fructose. Invertase is critical to the prevention of toxic fermentation, ulcers, and other digestive diseases by reducing the stomach toxicity by quickly creating pre-digested simple sugars from sucrose which prevents the fermentation process from occurring. Fermentation in your stomach can often result in the fostering of bacteria and disease in the digestive tract.

Glucose oxidase assists in the breakdown of glucose into hydrogen peroxide and gluconolactone. The production of hydrogen peroxide within the body is critical, as hydrogen peroxide is often the first weapon the white blood cells (immune system) in your body will deploy to fight parasite, bacteria, toxins, and viruses.

Raw, unpasteurized honey contains trace amounts of local pollen, which may help desensitize allergic reactions. Honey also provides additional health benefits:

  • It may help kill off germs because it has antimicrobial properties.
  • When used as a salve in gel form, it may help promote healing in wounds and minor burns.
  • It may also help ease coughing and sore throats.
  • Alleviates allergies with pollen content.
  • Is a strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant

Sugar

Sugar is the generic name for sweet-tasting, soluble carbohydrates, many of which are used in food. The various types of sugar are derived from different sources. Simple sugars are called monosaccharides and include glucose (also known as dextrose), fructose, and galactose. “Table sugar” or “granulated sugar” refers to sucrose, a disaccharide of glucose and fructose. In the body, sucrose is hydrolyzed into fructose and glucose.

Sugar is higher on the glycemic index (GI) than honey, meaning it raises blood sugar levels more quickly. This is due to its higher fructose content, and the absence of trace minerals.

As a carbohydrate, sugar is a potential source of fast fuel. Your brain needs 130 grams of carbohydrate daily to function. This naturally occurring substance is also low in calories, with a teaspoon containing about 16 calories.

Eating too much sugar can increase your risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Sugar is a common ingredient in many processed foods, so you may eat more of it than you realize. This can lead to weight gain and obesity.

Sucrose: It is obtained commercially from sugarcane, sugar beet (beta vulgaris), and other plants and used extensively as a food and a sweetener. Sucrose is derived by crushing and extraction of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) with water or extraction of the sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) with water, evaporating, and purifying with lime, carbon, and various liquids. Sucrose is also obtainable from sorghum. Sucrose occurs in low percentages in honey and maple syrup.

Sucrose is used as a sweetener in foods and soft drinks, in the manufacture of syrups, in invert sugar, confectionery, preserves and jams, demulcent, pharmaceutical products, and caramel. Sucrose is also a chemical intermediate for detergents, emulsifying agents, and other sucrose derivatives. Sucrose is widespread in seeds, leaves, fruits, flowers and roots of plants, where it functions as an energy store for metabolism and as a carbon source for biosynthesis.

The annual world production of sucrose is in excess of 90 million tons mainly from the juice of sugar cane (20%) and sugar beet (17%). In addition to its use as a sweetener, sucrose is used in food products as a preservative, antioxidant, moisture control agent, stabilizer and thickening agent.

Conclusion

So, as you can see honey is the healthier option because sugar (sucrose) undergoes chemical processing while raw honey is typically only filtered, if that. This provides for a more nourishing and environmentally friendly product for sweetening. Raw honey simply has more micronutrient activity than sugar. And don’t forget, the more honey we collect, the more bees there are out there to make it. Sugar cane does not feed bees and it is always coated in pesticides.

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