An increased risk of moderate or serious liver dysfunction is an adverse effect of statin drugs used to treat high cholesterol (hyperlipidaemia).  This risk increases where high doses are taken, and fluvastatin and atorvastatin in particular appear to have the strongest association with hepatitis and liver failure.  However liver dysfunction appears to be a rare but potentially serious adverse effect for all statin types, and other statins such as simvastatin, pravastatin and lovastatin have also been associated with liver injury when taken in high doses.

Studies have shown that long term ingestion of Ginger has been shown to have hypoglycaemic, hypolipidaemic and anti-atherosclerotic effects in test subjects.  Hepatoprotective (liver protective) effects have also been reported for Ginger extracts.  These effects may extend to chemopreventative effects against hepatocellular carcinoma, according to the results from other animal studies following administration of Ginger extracts.

A team of Egyptian researchers have recently evaluated the effects of combined administration of Ginger and the statin drug atorvastatin on the lipid profile, and atorvastatin-induced hepatic injury.  Ginger root was prepared and given orally on a daily basis, with and without concurrent atorvsatatin administration for four weeks.

Compared to the control group, cholesterol levels dropped in  those treated with either Ginger extract or atorvastatin.  Atorvastatin alone produced a 15% decrease in cholesterol levels & a 23% decrease in triglycerides.  Ginger alone produced an 11% decrease in cholesterol levels & a 5% decrease in triglycerides.  Combined administration of atorvastatin and Ginger produced an even bigger decrease 28% decrease in cholesterol levels and a 25% decrease in triglycerides.  'Hepatic malondialdehyde' (marker for oxidative stress) and 'nitric oxide' (low levels needed to protect the liver) levels were also found to be decreased and levels of (protective) liver antioxidant enzymes 'superoxide dismutase' and 'catalase' were increased.  There was a significant lessening of the severity of liver damage normally seen.

This study shows that Ginger could be an advantageous combination treatment to atorvastatin, and possibly other statin drugs,  especially in those more susceptible to liver function abnormalities.

To get started on helping support your liver & cholesterol levels while on statin drugs, click on the following teas now:

Liver Tea
Ginger Tea then click on the drop down box to choose Ginger

Certified Organic Sustainable Palm Oil (COSPO) is produced by palm oil plantations which have chosen to be a part of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). The RSPO was established in 2004 to promote the production and use of sustainable palm oil for People, Planet, and Prosperity…..

….their top principles are…

1. Commitment to transparency.
2. Compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
3. Commitment to long-term economic and financial viability.
4. Use of appropriate best practices by growers and millers.
5. Environmental responsibility and conservation of natural resources and biodiversity.
6. Responsible consideration of employees, and of individuals and communities affected by growers and mills.
7. Responsible development of new plantings.

The RSPO is supported by many environmental and social activists including WWF, Oxfam, the Rainforest Alliance and Greenpeace. Do watch this video debate between Greenpeace, WWF, RSPO & Mongabay about Palm Oil -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBwTIP9Hc0k. Here’s what Greenpeace has to say:

“We’re not against palm oil or the palm oil industry. What we are against is any palm oil that comes from plantations converted from forest and peatland areas.” 

We personally use Certified Organic Sustainable Palm Oil (COSPO) sourced from the Daabon Group in Colombia - who work with Greenpeace. DAABON is a family owned and managed company built on the passion and commitment of three generations of the Davila Family. Its headquarters and farms are located in Santa Marta, Colombia. The company's first few hectares of banana in the Magdalena region, established back in 1914, have today grown into one of the world's leading suppliers of organic tropical crops, including banana, coffee, palm oil and cocoa. They employ more than 2,500 people directly, and also support local employment by providing assistance to over 450 palm and cocoa smallholders who are organised as smallholders (co-ops). 

So you can feel rest assured that the Palm oil we use at Naturalus is helping make a change, helping small farmers & their families, helping the environment and the communities that surround them. If you still feel that you would like to avoid even “Certified Sustainable Palm Oil”, then feel free to email us and we can personally make soap for you to your specifications…tanya@naturalus.co.nz


Links:

(Highly Recommend Watching)
Palm Oil Debate with Greenpeace, WWF, RSPO & Mongabayhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBwTIP9Hc0k


WWF:https://wwf.panda.org/our_work/food/sustainable_production/palm_oil/responsible_purchasing/

RSPO:https://www.rspo.org/en/who_is_rspohttps://rspo.org/about

Figs we all know are delicious as a treat on their own or in a dessert. But did you know that Fig Leaves made into a tea are very beneficial for our health. Upon first opening your bag of Fig Leaf tea you will notice it smells a bit like that unbaked cookie dough, sweet but with a hint of coconut, vanilla & cinnamon spice. Our Fig Leaf Tea is spray-free & grown by Dale & Lorraine Jones from the Whakaaio Orchard. 

Consuming fig leaves can provide several healthy benefits for the body. Among these benefits, its anti-diabetic properties are among the most recognised. When drunk as a tea first thing in the morning, fig leaves actually lower the amount of insulin required by the body. These extraordinary effects allow the diabetic to administer less insulin by injection. (See study link below)

Along with their anti-diabetes properties, fig leaves also have been shown to lower the body's triglyceride levels. A triglyceride is the storage form of fat inside the body. Although a certain supply of triglycerides is required for proper health and body function, too many triglycerides greatly increase the risk for obesity and heart disease. However, a diet with regular fig leaf consumption may help lower these health risks as it gradually lowers triglyceride levels.

Fig Leaf Tea can also be used to help treat bronchitis and asthma. Eating the leaves (up to 2 leaves per day) has also been shown to help cure gastric ulcers & indigestion, but due to the stringy nature of this it is often preferred drinking as a tea. Fig Leaf Tea is also very soothing in a sitz bath, as well as applied directly for haemorrhoids, genital warts & ringworm.

Other areas of health it has been shown to be helpful are: insomnia; tumours; fungal infections; low libido; constipation; indigestion (hyper-acidity), fatigue; ulcers; liver cirrhosis; high blood pressure & liver damage in general (See study link below)

It’s antioxidants and anti-inflammatory activity has shown it to help relieve arthritis, myositis (muscle inflammation) and other inflammatory conditions i.e. shingles, eczema & psoriasis. Topically it works its wonders too, used as a wash for acne, eczema, psoriasis, shingles, skin conditions of unknown cause. Its rich contents of antioxidants i.e. quercetin, luteolin, Vitamins A, B, C, carotenes, zinc, magnesium, copper, manganese, potassium, calcium & more helping to reduce the severity of symptoms & decrease the chances of debilitating disease taking hold.

FIG LEAF TEA

STUDIES
Fig Leaf & Diabetes

Fig Leaf & Liver (Hepato) protective effects