Honeybush 100 g, 50 g, 25 g

Honeybush – 100 g ($17.99), 50 g ($10.99), 25 g ($6.99)

Benefits:
Antioxidants  Antioxidants are beneficial plant compounds that help prevent or reduce cellular damage caused by oxidative stress. Honeybush tea is rich in a group of antioxidants called polyphenols, namely xanthones and flavanones. The main type of xanthone in honeybush extract is mangiferin, while the primary flavanones are hesperidin and isokuranetin. Both mangiferin and hesperidin are attributed with potent anti-inflammatory and cancer-fighting effects. It’s likely that these compounds are responsible for most of the tea’s presumed benefits.

Diabetes  Diabetes is one of the most common global diseases, affecting more than 400 million people worldwide. It’s broadly classified into type 1 and type 2 diabetes, both of which are characterized by high blood sugar levels due to impaired pancreatic function. This can be due to reduced insulin production or low insulin secretion and insulin resistance. Research supports that honeybush tea’s polyphenols may help prevent, manage, and treat type 2 diabetes. Test-tube and animal studies investigating the antidiabetic effects of mangiferin show that it may help lower blood sugar levels by stimulating insulin secretion and promoting the regeneration of damaged pancreatic cells. As for hesperidin, animal studies suggest that it helps lower blood sugar levels by regulating key enzymes involved in sugar metabolism, as well as by protecting the pancreas from oxidative damage. It’s also worth noting that both mangiferin and hesperidin may help prevent the progression of diabetes-related complications, such as kidney and nerve damage.

Bone Health  Honeybush tea may benefit bone metabolism by affecting bone cells called osteoclasts and osteoblasts. Through bone resorption, osteoclasts break down bone tissue to release minerals into the bloodstream. In contrast, osteoblasts form new bone through bone synthesis. When bone loss exceeds formation, the risk of bone diseases like arthritis and osteoporosis is increased. Fortunately, test-tube studies suggest that mangiferin and hesperidin, which are both found in honeybush tea, may benefit bone metabolism. First, mangiferin inhibits osteoclast formation, which in turn reduces the breakdown of bone tissue. Second, hesperidin promotes bone recovery by protecting osteoblasts from oxidative damage. Therefore, honeybush tea may protect your bones.

Cancer  Certain compounds in honeybush tea may also offer cancer-fighting properties. Test-tube and animal studies suggest that antioxidants in the tea may help destroy cancerous cells, protect against cancer-promoting toxins, and inhibit the development of certain types of cancer. Among these antioxidants, mangiferin seems to have the strongest anticancer potential, as it may inhibit the initiation, promotion, and spread of cancer cells.

However, it’s worth noting that fermentation — a process common in tea production — may lower tea’s antioxidant content (although this depends on the type of tea and fermentation process), thus reducing its protective effect. For example, one study in rats found that unfermented honeybush tea reduced total esophageal cancer size by 94%, compared with 74% observed with a fermented version. Research on the tea’s cancer-fighting properties is promising.

Skin Health  Both drinking honeybush tea and topically applying a honeybush tea extract may improve skin health. Research suggests that the extract could possess anti-aging properties. It’s believed to protect skin cells from oxidation caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation, in turn reducing wrinkles and improving skin elasticity and hydration. One 12-week study in 120 people with crow’s feet wrinkles showed that receiving daily supplements of the extract significantly improved global skin wrinkle grade, compared with a control group. Additionally, animal studies show that the extract may help reduce skin thickening and signs of sunburn, such as skin reddening and peeling.

Other potential benefits
Anti-obesity  Antioxidants in honeybush tea may inhibit fat accumulation in young fat cells. It may also lower the fat content in mature fat cells by stimulating fat breakdown.

Menopause  The tea’s isoflavone content, some of which is considered phytoestrogens — compounds that mimic the effect of the female hormone estrogen in the body, may help alleviate menopausal symptoms.

Immune System Test-tube studies suggest that mangiferin may enhance macrophage activity — a type of white blood cell that sweeps up and digests foreign bodies.

Respiratory  Honeybush tea has traditionally been used as a tonic for colds, influenza, mucus buildup, and pulmonic tuberculosis due to its expectorant potential. While these benefits may seem promising, most of the research focuses on the plant’s antioxidants and concentrated extracts rather than the herb itself. It’s unclear how much of these compounds a cup of tea may hold and whether drinking it would offer the same benefits, but using it is a step in the right direction..

Botanical Name: Cyclopia spp
English: Heuningbos
Also, known as: Melkbos or Bergtee
Origin: South Africa
Harvested: Cultivated
Parts Used: Leaves

General Information:
Honeybush tea is a herbal tea that is made from the leaves of the honeybush plant (Cyclopia spp.), which is native to South Africa. The plant gets its name from the sweet, honey-like aroma of its flowers.

Here are some key facts about honeybush tea:

Health benefits: Like rooibos tea, honeybush tea is caffeine-free and rich in antioxidants, making it a healthy alternative to traditional tea. It is believed to have a variety of health benefits, including reducing inflammation, supporting the immune system, and improving heart health.

Honeybush tea has a sweet, fruity flavour that is similar to rooibos tea but with a slightly sweeter taste. It is often described as having notes of honey, caramel, and apricot. Honeybush tea is widely available in specialty tea shops and online retailers. It is also used in blends with other herbal teas, such as rooibos and chamomile. Overall, honeybush tea is a delicious and healthy herbal tea that is worth trying if you enjoy sweet, fruity flavours. It is also a great alternative to traditional tea for those who are sensitive to caffeine.

 

How to use:
We make these suggestions to help you get the best benefit from the herbs that you’re choosing to improve your health. Also we make these ideas and recommendations so that consuming them easier and better fit into your lifestyle by adding them to the food that you already eat.
For the full health benefit, it is best to consume (or use the whole herb in poultices) the whole herb. All of the compounds in the herb act best together, as nature intends. Extracts draw out the most prominent beneficial compounds and may concentrate them. What is not extracted can be helpful in ways that we do not yet understand.

Cut Pieces or Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use cut pieces or powdered herb.
Food Preparation: You can add powdered or pieces of herb (if the pieces you buy are bigger than you like, a coffee or herb grinder will quickly reduce) to any yogurt, smoothie, apple or other sauces, spreads, salads or other foods more familiar to you that don’t use heat. Heat can be damaging to the beneficial compounds in the herb. Other options like oatmeal, scrambled eggs, pasta sauce, soup, cookies and anything else that fits your lifestyle, but minimizing (by adding near the end of cooking) the heat is helpful.
Also, for children, you can mix powdered herb with honey or glycerin to make paste. The thicker the paste, the more potent and herbal in taste. The sweet taste of honey and glycerin will help medicine go down. The resulting liquid is called an electuary.
For seeds in general, but especially small seeds, it’s best to grind these to break the protective hulls a short time before consumption. This makes all the benefits available, rather than some remaining locked inside the hulls that are unbroken by insufficient chewing.
To make adding herbs even easier, you could add a week’s worth of your chosen herb(s) to an amount of, for example, yogurt that you would eat in a week. Mix thoroughly and eat this each day of the week. SO you make once /week and just eat each other day.
Hot Infusion: The basic method for dried herbs and flower is, take 2-3 tablespoons of dried herb in a cup or teapot. Pour hot water over it and cover it with lid for 10-30 minutes. The heat from making tea can degrade some of the beneficial compounds in the herb. This method minimizes this effect. For the full health benefit, it is recommended to consume what is left over after making tea.
Decoctions: Decoctions are suitable for roots, barks, large seeds & berries, and other dense material. The simple way to make decoction is, in a saucepan, add 1 tablespoon of dried herbs to 1 cup of water, Bring the water to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30-60 minutes with the pot covered. Squeeze out as much as liquid as possible. Best practice is to drink the liquid and also consume the solid material that remains. Herb pieces can also be used.
Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use powdered herb.
Capsules: HerbsCrafters makes capsules guaranteed to be filled with the pure herb with no filler or any other products. You can also use powdered herb to make your own capsules at home. These capsules are best taken with liquid to aid in digestion and absorption and to ensure it doesn’t stick in your throat.
Poultice: Poultice can be made with an herbal powder and liquid (mostly water) to form a paste which is then applied to the skin. This method is very helpful for skin conditions.
Herbal shot: Powdered herb can be mixed with water, fruit juice or other liquid to make herbal shot.

Tips:
You can sweeten your herbal decoctions with bit of honey, natural fruit juice, stevia leaves powder or licorice root powder.

Precautions:
You should consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.
All information on this website is for educational purpose ONLY.
This information has not been evaluated by Health Canada.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.