New Zealand’s own alternative health remedies
We may be a small country but we still manage to produce some world-class health products. Here are four of the most popular for you to consider:
Deer velvet What is it? Velvet is the name given to the growing antlers of the male deer. Every year, deer shed their antlers and new ones grow in their place. Before they harden, the antlers are actually soft skin covered in short, furry hair that looks like velvet.
For over 2000 years, deer velvet has been used as a health tonic in traditional Asian medicine because of the way it regenerates and grows so rapidly. It is now becoming an increasingly popular alternative medicine in the Western world. Studies have shown that it contains a variety of nutrients such as amino acids, calcium, omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids, minerals and collagen. It also has natural anti-inflammatories such as chondroitin and glucosamine.
It’s usually available as a powder or as an extract. The velvet is removed from the deer by vets or specially trained farmers who give the animals pain relief.
Why is it good for us? The substances contained in deer velvet that make it regrow are believed to improve several aspects of human health. It may be recommended for:
Improving resistance to disease.
Easing the debilitating symptoms of arthritis and osteoporosis.
Helping wounds to heal.
Treating anaemia.
overcoming impotence.
Increasing energy.
overcoming exhaustion.
Improving heart health.
Improving strength and decreasing symptoms of fatigue.
Helping your immune system to work well.
Holding the effects of ageing at bay.
Helping improve sporting performance.
Aiding damaged tissues to recover.
Green-lipped mussels What are they? New Zealand green-lipped mussels (also known as Perna canaliculus) are renowned around the world for their health-giving properties. The mussels are farmed in pollution-free waters around the country, including the oarlborough Sounds and Coromandel Peninsula, and dietary supplements are created from extracts taken from the mussels.
- If you have a shellfish allergy, consult your doctor before taking mussel extracts.
Why are they good for us? Green-lipped mussels are a great source of protein, vitamins, minerals, amino acids and essential fatty acids. These are believed to have an anti-inflammatory effect on the body that provides a range of health benefits including:
Helping your joints to stay mobile.
Keeping your heart healthy.
Slowing down the ageing process.
Easing pain caused by inflammation.
It also appears that eating green-lipped mussels may be able to help improve conditions such as:
Arthritis.
Asthma.
Psoriasis.
Inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
ColostrumWhat is it? If you’ve breastfed a baby, you’ll know all about colostrum – it’s the first milk a new mother produces after giving birth, and is packed full of nutrients that your newborn needs to flourish.
Colostrum from cows is also full of nutritional goodness and is becoming popular as a dietary supplement. It comes as a powder, capsule or chewable tablet. New Zealand colostrum has a reputation for being some of the best in the world because it comes from cows that are pasture-fed and are free of hormones, pesticides and antibiotics, according to the Colostrum Research Institute.
Strict guidelines mean colostrum is taken from cows only after they’ve given their new calves an adequate supply.
Why is it good for us? It contains an array of goodies important for our health, including vitamins, minerals, enzymes, immunoglobins, antibodies, growth factors, amino acids and essential fatty acids.
These may help:
Fight disease.
Boost immunity.
Speed up recovery after injury.
Protect against the effects of stress.
Balance blood-sugar levels.
Improve sporting performance.
Increase mental alertness.
Relieve symptoms of bowel disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome.
Slow down ageing.
oanuka oil What is it? Maori have used the leaves and bark of the manuka tree to treat a variety of ailments for generations, since they realised it has antiseptic and antifungal properties. An infusion of the bark was used to treat scalds and burns, while vapour from the leaves boiled in water was a remedy for respiratory ailments like colds.
oanuka (proper name Leptospermum scoparium) became known as tea tree because Captain James Cook used the leaves to make tea. The most potent type of manuka oil comes from trees grown on the East Cape.
Why is it good for us? oanuka oil contains compounds that help control bacteria. It is often used to treat:
Painful or stiff muscles, joints and limbs.
Warts, cold sores and mouth ulcers.
Yeast and fungus infections.
Acne.
Dandruff.
Ringworm.
Boils.
Head lice.
Diluted manuka oil (a couple of drops in a glass of warm water) is used as a gargle to help throat and mouth infections, while soaps made with manuka oil help kill the bacteria that causes body odour. It can also be used as an insect repellant.
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