Reflecting our ‘food as medicine’ philosophy, we’ve created a ‘Home Remedies’ collection on our app, featuring an immune booster, flu elixir, liver tonic, fatigue fighter, inflammation buster, gut soother, stress regulator and sleep tonic. All of these remedies / tonics can be made at home and frozen to optimise freshness.
As we have written about previously, nutritional panels are useful, however only tell part of the story. This is due to the fact that quality is not measured or calculated, and neither are phytonutrients, which possess powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. We look at food as nourishment and health promoting, far beyond the simplistic calorie, macronutrient profiles that we are bombarded with. Virtually every disease process is initiated and fuelled by inflammation, so it is not something to ignore.
From the panel generated for this elixir, we can see there is a good dose of Vitamin A (in precursor beta carotene form), essential for our healthy cellular growth, immune function, lung health and of course, our vision.
In addition, the phytonutrients in each of the ingredients create a synergistic formula to help combat inflammation in a pure and cost effective way, without any of the excipients contained in supplements.
“The whole [food] is better than the sum of its parts”
-Aristotle
Here are a few ‘extras’ included in this potent elixir which are not reflected in the panel.
Carrots: Along with the well known Beta carotene and Vitamin A content in carrots, which is in itself antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, a range of other phytonutrients augment this activity. A very recent study demonstrated a positive impact on inflammatory processes as a result of polyacetylenes, falcarinol and falcarindiol.
Passionfruit: In addition to vitamin A, potassium, magnesium, Vitamin C and dietary fibre, studies have demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity via inhibition of inflammatory pathways known as cyclooxygenases. This activity is most likely due to particular phenolic compounds within the passionfruit pulp and seeds, including ferulic acid and epigallocatechins. Antioxidant, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties have also been reported, along with improved insulin sensitivity, thus improving blood sugar metabolism, which will also have a positive impact on reducing inflammation.
Whole Lemon: Again an impressive nutrient profile including potassium, magnesium, B vitamins and of course high levels of Vitamin C, in its most complete form, meaning it is not simply ascorbic acid, but the entire Vitamin C complex, incorporating the bioflavonoids, contained mostly in the skin and pith. It is essential to use organic lemons to ensure you are not including pesticide residue in your elixir. Lemons also have also been shown to have a significant positive impact on glycemic response, when consumed with carbohydrate (bread), which ordinarily spikes blood glucose.
Red Onion: Onion and its constituents, has also been shown to reduce inflammation andoxidative stress while improving immune function. Again there is a complex array of phytonutrients, which include a range of saponins, quercetin, flavonoids and phenolic compounds.
Turmeric Root: Probably one of the most researched foods of the last decade due to its profound anti-inflammatory activity, largely attributed to its constituent, curcumin.
Details
16
10 minutes
Easy
Print
Directions
- Combine all ingredients in a juicer
- Pour the juice into a silicone ice tray mould and freeze
- If consuming as a juice, allow to melt. Alternatively you can add an ice block or two to soups or pasta sauce for a nutrition boost
We hope you enjoy this and other recipes in our latest collection ‘Home Remedies’ on the Healthy Luxe app!
