Native to Europe and parts of Asia, lemon balm has a super rich and interesting history of use in traditional medicine systems around the world! Its leaves, which contain a variety of bioactive compounds, have been valued for their calming, antioxidant, and potential medicinal properties.
As interest in natural remedies and holistic wellness continues to grow, lemon balm has garnered attention for its role in promoting relaxation, supporting cognitive function, and contributing to overall well-being.
Check our site on where to buy lemon balm, and read below about the amazing health benefits of lemon balm, exploring the science behind its various uses and its historical significance in the realm of herbal medicine.
Reduces stress and promotes calmness. Lemon balm contains compounds that have relaxing and calming effects. Taking lemon balm supplements or tea can help relieve stress and support relaxation.
Improves sleep. The calming properties of lemon balm may also help improve sleep quality. Some studies show it can help reduce occasional insomnia and promote deep, restful sleep.
Boosts cognition. Some research indicates lemon balm can enhance memory and information processing.
Soothes occasional indigestion. Lemon balm is thought to soothe and relax the digestive tract. Drinking it as tea may help ease occasional gas, cramping and bloating.
Boosts skin health. Applied topically, lemon balm may protect skin from damage and reduce symptoms of certain skin disorders. It has antioxidant and skin-soothing properties.
Eases menstrual cramps. The antispasmodic and soothing properties of lemon balm may help soothe menstrual cramps.
Supports ideal blood sugar levels. Some evidence shows lemon balm can help promote optimal insulin and blood sugar levels.
Improves heart health. Lemon balm supports ideal blood pressure and cholesterol levels due to its antioxidant content.
Boosts immunity. The compounds in lemon balm may strengthen the immune system during times of stress.
May help with nausea. Lemon balm is used to help with nausea related to stress, motion sickness and medical procedures. It has antiemetic effects.
Supports thyroid function. Lemon balm may promote thyroid health.
Has antioxidant effects. The antioxidant compounds in lemon balm can help neutralize free radicals and protect against oxidative stress.
The medicinal compounds in lemon balm like rosmarinic acid, eugenol and geranial can provide therapeutic effects when consumed as a tea, extract or supplement.
More research is still needed, but current evidence indicates lemon balm may be a valuable therapeutic tool for promoting overall wellbeing.
With few side effects, lemon balm is generally considered safe when used appropriately. Incorporating lemon balm into one's health regimen may provide natural relief for both mind and body.
]]>From promoting relaxation and aiding digestion to providing relief during colds and flu, this herb has garnered attention as a holistic option for children's health.
However, lemon balm should always be used carefully in children and dosage recommendations from a pediatrician or herbalist should be followed. Large doses or long-term use is not recommended for kids. Consult a doctor before giving any herbal supplement to a child.
One of the most well-known benefits of lemon balm tea is its calming effect on the mind. Studies have shown that lemon balm can help to reduce stress and anxiety.
According to a study published in Nutrients, “Effects of Chronic Consumption of Melissa officinalis L. on Anxiety-like Reactivity and on Circulatory and Metabolic Parameters in a Rat Model”, 2014., participants who consumed lemon balm reported a 15% reduction in stress and a 42% reduction in anxiety symptoms. Its natural calming effects can help you unwind after a long day, making it a perfect bedtime beverage.
Lemon balm tea is often recommended as a natural remedy for insomnia and other sleep disorders. Research has shown that when combined with other herbs like valerian root, lemon balm significantly improves sleep quality. In a study published in the European Journal of Medical Research, 81% of participants who took a combination of valerian root and lemon balm reported improved sleep quality, compared to only 16% in the placebo group.
Lemon balm has been used historically to treat a variety of digestive issues, including occasional indigestion, gas, and bloating.
Drinking lemon balm tea can help to relax the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract, which can ease occasional discomfort and promote healthy digestion.
Lemon balm is rich in antioxidants, which are compounds that help protect your cells from damage by free radicals. Check out our website to see where to buy lemon balm.
Research suggests that lemon balm may support memory and cognitive function.
A study found that participants who consumed lemon balm showed improved memory performance and increased calmness. This makes lemon balm tea a great choice for when you need to focus or be on your A-game.
For women who experience painful or uncomfortable menstrual cycles, lemon balm tea might offer some relief. It is believed to have muscle-relaxing effects, which can help to ease cramps and reduce discomfort.
Emerging research indicates that the antioxidants in lemon balm may have a positive effect on heart health by reducing inflammation, blood pressure, and promoting healthy circulation.
Lemon balm tea is more than just a flavorful and comforting beverage - it is a versatile herbal remedy with a long history of medicinal use.
From its impressive ability to reduce stress and improve sleep to its potential benefits for digestion and heart health, this herbal tea is a standout. So, the next time you’re in need of a little calm and comfort, consider brewing a cup of lemon balm tea!
Please Note: While lemon balm tea is generally safe for most people, it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new health regimen, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.]]>Mesenchymal Stem Cells - can renew bone cells, fat cells, muscle cells, and cartilage cells.
Epithelial Stem Cells - regenerate skin.
Neural Stem Cells - revive nerve tissue in the brain and spinal cord.
A variety of lifestyle changes may be implemented to ensure that your body is sufficiently rejuvenated and able to fight injury and disease:
Getting sufficient rest - The recommended amount of rest is eight hours for adults and up to 11 hours for children. As mentioned above, the body is in a constant state of restoring and regenerating itself and a large portion of this happens when we are asleep and our body’s energy is not being redirected towards everyday chores and tasks. Lack of sleep is a sure way to weaken one’s immune system.
A healthy diet - Consuming nutrient-rich, whole foods has numerous benefits as opposed to heavily-processed foods high in colorants, preservatives, and sugar. A consistently bad diet may put an enormous amount of pressure on the immune system. Heavily processed diets can lead to inflammation and gut problems later on in life.
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Ginger is an effective anti-inflammatory and is recommended to treat nausea and headaches. Grating ginger into your tea is a perfect way to get your daily dose of ginger and experience all the benefits it has to offer. Another benefit of consuming ginger as a supplement or in its natural form is that you are guaranteed to not experience any of the risks associated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Headaches and migraine attacks are extremely uncomfortable and are not pleasant to deal with, especially on a regular basis. If you suffer from these ailments, Lavender may be the solution for you. It may also be used to treat stress and general feelings of restlessness. Interestingly, when combined with other plants for aromatherapy, such as sage and rose it can have additional healing properties such as easing premenstrual syndrome systems.
Making the transition from traditional supplements to more herbal-centric supplements is one that can gradually happen. As shown above, many herbal products with healing properties are readily available in our pantries and fridges. Add them to teas to experience their benefits in a more diluted form or even add some ingredients to meals. Considering taking natural supplements? Gummy supplements are a tasty introduction to herbal supplements and may be taken daily. At Nature’s Craft, we pride ourselves on the quality of our ingredients and the rigorous research and quality assurance that each ingredient undergoes. Choosing one of our many supplements is choosing to invest in your body’s longevity and to ensure that you know exactly what you are consuming and where it comes from. Taking a daily supplement has never been easier or tastier.
Hewlings, S. 2017. Curcumin: A Review of Its’ Effects on Human Health. Foods.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5664031/
Jun, Yang Suk. 2013. Effect of Eucalyptus Oil Inhalation on Pain and Inflammatory Responses after Total Knee Replacement: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Hindawi.
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The health of your gut plays a critical role in the function of your immune system as 70% of it resides in your gut. A staggering 100 trillion bacteria within our gut directly affect our health and metabolism. The role of this bacteria is to consume and break down dietary fiber while also producing vitamin B and K vitamins. Breaking down dietary fiber helps to release helpful anti-inflammatory acids that our bodies rely heavily on for energy. Problems with our immune systems may often be traced back to the health of your gut not being in balance.
The best indicator of a healthy gut is often found in your stool. Firm, brown stools that pass with little to no effort or pain are a sign of a healthy gut. Also, keep an eye on how bloated and gassy you feel during your day as excessive gas and persistent bloating may be cause for concern.
Obvious indicators of poor gut health include:
Nausea and vomiting
Bloating
Constipation
Loose stools
Heartburn
There are also a variety of other symptoms that may not be linked to the gut but may be indicators of a more serious underlying problem. These symptoms include feeling fatigued and experiencing poor sleep quality. Surprisingly, skin irritation is also an indicator of an unhappy gut (Ellis et al, 2019). Continued bad breath is also an indicator of problems with the digestive system. (Mudge, 2022)
Eating highly processed, high-fat, and sugary foods and drinks regularly are not conducive to a healthy microbiome and encourages harmful bacteria. Foods that encourage the growth of useful bacteria include:
High fiber foods - These foods include legumes like chickpeas and black beans, whole grains like quinoa and oats, and vegetables like asparagus and broccoli.
Fermented foods - They are a great source of probiotics and include sauerkraut, kimchi, and yogurt
Garlic - A study conducted on mice revealed that garlic may improve gut microbiome diversity and gut health (Chen et al, 2019)
Collagen-rich foods - This includes bone broth, salmon skin, meat, eggs, citrus fruits, and nuts.
Ellis, S. (2019). The Skin and Gut Microbiome and Its Role in Common Dermatologic Conditions. Microorganisms.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6920876/
Mudge, L. (2022). What is gut health and why is it important? Live Science. https://www.livescience.com/what-is-gut-health-and-why-is-it-important
Understanding Gut Health: Signs of an Unhealthy Gut and What to Do About It. (2022). Healthline.
https://www.healthline.com/health/gut-health#takeaway
The quest for a good night’s sleep has led many people down the path of numerous sleep aids, with melatonin often becoming the go-to choice. However, Nature’s Craft introduces a healthier, more effective alternative with Magnesium Sleeplex, a powerful formulation designed to offer a wholesome night's rest without the common side-effects associated with other sleep aids. Let’s uncover the unique benefits of this novel supplement and the incredible synergy of its components.
Magnesium Sleeplex proudly boasts a generous 1000mg of magnesium l-threonate, a type of magnesium that's specially designed for superior absorption and has unique benefits for the brain. Unlike other forms, magnesium l-threonate can easily cross the blood-brain barrier, ensuring it reaches where it's needed most.
Research has shown that this particular magnesium can enhance brain plasticity, leading to improved memory and cognitive function. Additionally, it plays a crucial role in regulating neurotransmitters, which directly impacts your sleep quality and mood.
Next up, Magnesium Sleeplex includes 250 mg of L-Theanine, an amino acid found in green tea. It is well-known for promoting relaxation without causing drowsiness, making it an ideal ingredient in a sleep supplement.
L-Theanine boosts alpha brain waves, enhancing creativity, focus, and a calm, alert state of mind. Furthermore, it assists in regulating the stress response by moderating levels of cortisol, the body's primary stress hormone. By aiding stress and anxiety reduction, L-Theanine sets the stage for a peaceful sleep.
In each serving of Magnesium Sleeplex, you'll find 50mg of Apigenin, a natural compound found in many fruits and vegetables. Its primary benefit? Acting as a gentle, natural sedative.
Studies show that Apigenin can help reduce anxiety and initiate sleep by interacting with GABA receptors in the brain. This interaction slows down brain activity, preparing your body for a restful night's sleep.
Rounding up the formula is 100mg of Lemon Balm Extract, a perennial herb from the mint family with a lemony scent and flavor. This herb is widely appreciated in traditional medicine for its calming and sleep-promoting properties.
Lemon Balm Extract can increase GABA levels in the brain, just like Apigenin. It's also known for its ability to alleviate stress and anxiety, further promoting relaxation and preparing your body and mind for sleep.
One of the standout features of Magnesium Sleeplex is how these ingredients work in synergy. The combination of magnesium l-threonate, L-Theanine, Apigenin, and Lemon Balm Extract complement each other, enhancing their individual benefits and ensuring a more restful and refreshing sleep.
But what makes Magnesium Sleeplex a healthier and more effective alternative to melatonin and other sleep aids?
Unlike melatonin, Magnesium Sleeplex doesn’t simply replace a sleep hormone your body should naturally produce. Instead, it aids in creating a conducive environment for sleep, encouraging your body to follow its natural sleep cycle. This means no morning grogginess or the risk of becoming dependent on a supplement for sleep.
Magnesium Sleeplex stands out as a more effective solution due to its ingredient profile. Each component not only contributes to better sleep but also provides other health benefits, such as enhanced cognitive function, stress reduction, and improved mood. In essence, it's a sleep supplement that also contributes to your overall wellness.
As the demand for natural sleep aids continues to grow, Nature's Craft leads the way with Magnesium Sleeplex, providing a potent yet balanced formulation. It's more than just a sleep aid; it's an ally in your pursuit of holistic health and wellness.
The market offers a great variety of pills and capsules for just about every health concern you can think of, but here comes the question:
What about the quality? It’s very clear that some companies put more research into their products and use better ingredients than the others, so how do you choose the best one?
Another issue that arises over and over again: Why do supplements have fillers in them? Does this mean they are less potent and I’m just paying for some oils added to my supplement for no reason? Let us explain…
First of all, not everything that you think might be a filler is actually one. Many of those “unfamiliar” ingredients are actually “excipients”, which are important for the functional and often structural properties of the products. They make the supplement easier to take and help your body get the maximum out of the active ingredient, enhancing the absorption.
However, it’s important to choose the excipients wisely. Nature’s Craft ONLY uses those ingredients when they can contribute to the formula of the product. Whenever possible we reduce or completely eliminate excipients from our products and our teams are in a constant process of research, making sure that you ALWAYS receive the best quality and the highest potency possible. We also make sure that you are aware of what goes into the product you take, so the full list of ingredients is placed on the bottle, we do not hide anything. For our formulas we only use food grade or pharmaceutical grade, and non-GMO excipients, in most of the cases our products are also vegan-friendly.
]]>We know that our food is not as nutritional as it once was, mainly as a result of changes in agricultural practices which have degraded the vitamin content of our fruits and vegetables in exchange for increased yield. Changes in our modern lifestyle have also helped contribute to deficiencies in our intake and absorption of vitamins and minerals. And if you have low absorption rates of minerals and vitamins then you may be low on the following:
According to dietitian Mira Ilic, RD, LD, “Certain medical conditions, economic or demographic factors that influence access to food, life stages and special diets can increase the risk for vitamin insufficiencies that can compromise your health” (5 Vitamins You May Need More of and Where To Get Them, 2020).
What are Important Vitamins?
Although this article is not exhaustive as to the list of all vitamins that a person requires, we do focus on a number of the most important ones.
So, Do We Need Supplements?
The short answer is—No! Not if you live in the tropics where there is lots of sunshine and where you can get hold of all the foods mentioned above regularly AND if you are sure that it is cultivated properly and contains all the nutrients that are needed...
Tricky? Thought so. At the core of Nature’s Craft it is our belief that there should be a symbiotic relationship between consuming good and healthy food and taking supplements. The point of dietary supplements is just that - to supplement your diet. In other words, our products are designed to fill in the nutritional gaps that lead to health problems for so many people, but not to replace a healthy diet altogether. And with our vitamins, you can always rest assured that you are getting a meticulously designed, research backed formula which is made from top-quality natural ingredients and rigorously tested in 3rd party labs.
References
5 Vitamins You May Need More of and Where To Get Them. (2020). Cleveland Clinic. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/5-vitamins-you-might-be-missing/
Dietary Supplements: Make Sure You Get the Benefits. (2020). KnowYourOTCs.Org. https://www.knowyourotcs.org/dietary-supplements-make-sure-get-benefits/
Wiginton, K. (n.d.). Pick the Right Vitamins and Supplements for You. Web MD. Retrieved 2021, from https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/what-vitamin-should-i-take#3]]>Vitamins are essential for maintaining a proper level of health and are important for living. This is true throughout a person’s life cycle, although there are certain stages where it is especially important, like for pregnant women, young children, adolescents, and the elderly.
The word ‘vitamin’ was first used in 1911 by the Warsaw-born biochemist Casimir Funk. Funk isolated a substance at the Lister Institute in London that prevented nerve inflammation by observing chickens raised on a diet that was deficient in the substance. He termed this substance ‘vitamine’ because he believed it was necessary for life to exist. The letters (A, B, C, etc.) were assigned to the vitamins in the order of their discovery.
What is the Problem?
The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that there are globally about 2 billion people at risk for suffering from vitamin deficiencies. This includes approximately 125 million preschool children with vitamin A deficiency, as well large populations at risk of deficiencies of folate, thiamin, vitamin B-12, niacin, other B vitamins, and vitamin D (Bailey et al., 2015). The latest UN estimates are that there are 821 million people globally who are undernourished. These people are especially at risk of vitamin and other micro- and macro-nutrient deficiencies (Mannar & Hurrell, 2017).
What are the Symptoms?
Symptoms of vitamin deficiency tend to vary between individuals but the following are some of the most common:
The potential to develop vitamin deficiencies is exacerbated by certain risk factors.
What are the Risk Factors?
Risk factors may be referred to in layman’s terms as causal factors. Risk factors are generally classified into two categories–predisposing factors and precipitating factors. Predisposing factors are those that you have relatively little control over. These are the factors like your parents’ DNA make-up, their history of alcohol abuse, and other genetic ‘traits’ that you may have inherited.
Precipitating factors are those risk factors that directly contribute to the manifestation of certain illnesses or diseases. The factors that we discuss here fall mainly under this category. Vitamins are an important source of preventive measures to prevent certain illnesses and symptoms, as discussed above, from materializing. Your risk of vitamin deficiency is increased if you:
The Nature’s Craft Approach
At Nature’s Craft, we believe that the more natural the solution, the better. Hence, we firmly promote taking your daily vitamin and mineral requirements through healthy doses of good and natural food. We all know of course what the problem with this is. Firstly, our hurried lifestyles militate, in many cases, against us having the time to shop around for proper fruits and veggies, hence why we quickly turn to junk food. And of course, the fact that the quality of the food that we get nowadays is, with certain exceptions, not what it used to be in years gone by.
This is where our well-researched supplements come into play. We firmly believe in the dialectic between science and nature and that there is room for healthy, balanced supplements to fill in the gaps to help meet your nutritional requirements in our modern society.
References
Bailey, R. L., West, K. P., & Black, R. E. (2015). The epidemiology of global micronutrient deficiencies. Google Scholar. Published.
Darnton-Hill, I. (2019). Public Health Aspects in the Prevention and Control of Vitamin Deficiencies. National Center for Biotechnology Information. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6775441/
Mannar, V., & Hurrell, R. (Eds.). (2017). Prevalence, causes and consequences of micronutrient deficiencies. In Food fortification in a globalized world (pp. 13–28). Academic Press/Elsevier.
Petre, A. (2019). 8 Common Signs You’re Deficient in Vitamins. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamin-deficiency
Vitamin deficiency anemia. (2019). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vitamin-deficiency-anemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355025]]>In this vein, it is somewhat disconcerting to find that there is a clear break in our ecological food chain’s nutritional integrity over the past 50 years or so. Many studies back this up. We provide only a few:
There are many similar examples. Generally speaking, what all of these studies have in common is that they show a depletion in the nutritional value of our grown food over the past 50 years or so mainly as a result of new agricultural practices, a degradation in the quality of our soil due to over-exploitation, and other factors including the use of pesticides, genetically-modified crops, and an increased focus on “getting stuff out of the soil as fast as possible,” in the interests of serving an ever-expanding market. A trade-off, therefore, between yield (profit) and nutrition.
This is not the end of the problem though. Already in 2011 Cherie Calbom, a clinical nutritionist, foresaw a bigger problem related to many aspects of modern farming, stating that, “Our poor farming practices are leading to sick plants, depleted soil, and a need to use higher and higher doses of pesticides and herbicides to ward off what healthy plants would naturally ward off.” More disconcertingly though she said, “We are heading toward a dust bowl in many parts of the country if nothing changes” (Meyrs, 2011).
Calbom seems to have been remarkably prescient in her viewpoints. In a recently published study by Isaac Larsen, a geoscientist at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Larsen and his co-authors estimated that more than one-third of the Corn Belt had lost all of its nutrient- and carbon-rich topsoil with similar developments taking place on the neighboring Great Plains (Scharping, 2021).
If this doesn’t raise a red flag nothing will! It is clear that the US is quantitatively and qualitatively at risk as far as the integrity of our food supply is concerned. Some sort of intervention is therefore required.
There are some things that can be done: We could return to the good old ways of going about planting and harvesting our crops. Unfortunately, considering market exigencies and the rate at which the planet is developing this is not likely to happen soon. Or we could grow our own. Yes, indeed a very practical and good way to go. Except of course that the majority of people who live in cities do not have the luxury of available space (or know-how) about how to start their own vegetable or fruit patch.
The only other realistic option is to make sure that you take the correct, well-balanced supplements to compensate for the deficiency in your food.
Nature’s Craft is a leader in nutrition, producing world-class supplements and other nutritional aids with exactly this purpose in mind—to ensure that we restore the balance as nature had intended it to be by producing scientifically formulated supplements that assist with recouping the balance that every person needs for their daily routine. We use only the finest ingredients in our products and make sure that the benefits are properly researched before going to market.
References
Bottemiller Evich, H. (2017). The great nutrient collapse. Politico. https://www.politico.com/agenda/story/2017/09/13/food-nutrients-carbon-dioxide-000511/
Meyrs, W. (2011). Are Fruits and Vegetables Less Nutritious Today? Everyday Health. https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/are-fruits-and-vegetables-less-nutritious-today.aspx
Scharping, N. (2021). Could America be Headed for Another Dust Bowl? Mother Jones. https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2021/05/america-drought-climate-change-next-dust-bowl/
Scheer, R., & Moss, D. (2011). Dirt Poor: Have Fruits and Vegetables Become Less Nutritious? Scientific American. Published.
Vinje, E. (n.d.). Why Are Today’s Vegetables Less Nutritious? Planet Natural Research Center. Retrieved July 16, 2021, from https://www.planetnatural.com/vegetables-nutrition/]]>