Many people nowadays wonder how to reduce diabetes with home remedies, since diabetes has become a major heath issue across the world. After biting into a tooth-achingly sweet treat, we may joke that this indulgence will give us instant diabetes. Unfortunately, the joke could be on us because diabetes is really no laughing matter.

Diabetes — the problem

Since the mid 1990s, the number of people living with diabetes has increased almost four times, mostly because of the way people eat, move and live. About 422 million people globally have diabetes and it directly causes at least 1.6 million deaths each year. These statistics are rather grim but the good news is that the most common type of diabetes (Type 2) — which accounts for 90 per cent of diabetes cases — is preventable. Why? Because lifestyle factors: a lack of exercise, poor diet, smoking or drinking too much alcohol are the causes of this type of diabetes.

What is diabetes?

Most of us know that diabetes has something to do with having too much sugar in the blood. For Type 1 diabetes, this occurs because our pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin, a chemical that regulates blood sugar. For Type 2 Diabetes, unhealthy lifestyle choices cause our bodies to become resistant to insulin or to not produce enough of it, so our blood sugar soars. The scary part about diabetes is that this sugary blood can lead to serious health issues. It is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks and stroke. Diabetes can also affect blood circulation, which may then cause foot ulcers. These can be difficult to treat and sometimes lead to lower limb amputation.

Can diabetes be cured?

We can prevent diabetes at the pre-diabetes stage, when blood sugar levels are slightly elevated. With exercise, a healthy diet and weight loss, one-third of pre-diabetics can revert to normal glucose levels. And for those who already have diabetes, medication and insulin can treat the condition. There’s also a lot of interest in alternative and complementary medicines that can lower blood sugar levels and treat diabetes. Black Seed oil is one medicinal ingredient that looks very promising and effective.

What is Black Seed Oil?

Black Seed oil is from the seeds of the Nigella sativa, a small plant with pale purple, blue or white flowers. It grows in Eastern Europe, Western Asia and the Middle East. Kalonji, black cumin or black caraway are other names for Black Seed. The plant has been grown for more than 3,000 years and ancient Egyptians even used it as a remedy. In fact, black seeds were found in King Tutankhamun’s tomb. At that time, people prized Black Seed oil as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. They also used it as a digestive aid to treat colds, headaches, toothache and infections. Even the Prophet Mohammed praised it, saying “Black seed heals every disease except for death.” Cooks across the Middle East and India. have also used both Black Seed oil and the seeds for millennia to spice up their dishes.

Is Black Seed oil really such a miracle ingredient?

Containing more than 100 known chemical compounds, Black Seed oil is bursting with health benefits. It contains a complex blend of ingredients, some with tongue twisting names: thymoquinone (TQ) thymohydroquinone (THQ), nigellone, chlorophyll and lignan, as well as omega 3-6-9, minerals, proteins and amino acids and calcium, folic acid, copper, zinc and B vitamins. These work in tandem to make it just like a turbo-boosted multi-vitamin for total wellness. Its main super-compound is thymoquinone, which is hard to spell but good to remember. It has definite antioxidant properties and holds promise for preventing and treating asthma, blood pressure, and even certain cancers. The huge array of health-giving compounds in Black Seed oil means that it can be used to treat a diverse range of issues. It benefits the respiratory system, immunity, circulation and digestion. More recently, it has also been used to successfully treat asthma, allergies and skin conditions ranging from acne to psoriasis.

How to reduce Diabetes with home remedies: Black Seed oil

Extensive research shows that Black seed oil is highly effective in increasing the body’s immunity and decreasing inflammation. There has also been specific research into its effects on diabetes : A review  of research in Complementary Therapies in Medicine (2015) showed that taking Black Seed oil can improve blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. It may also improve cholesterol levels. A 2016 overview in the British Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, indicated that Black Seed oil enhances insulin production and glucose tolerance. It also concluded that the seeds can play a significant role in the treatment of diabetes complications. These can include neuropathy, or numbness and tingling in the hands and feet, and narrowing of the arteries. A 2017 study found that over time black cumin seed oil reduced HbA1c — the average blood glucose level. This review considered both animal and human studies. It found that Black Seed oil and its compound thymoquinone increased insulin levels, decreased insulin resistance and decreased glucose absorption in the intestines.  

What is Activated Black Seed oil?

Activated Black Seed oil, from Botanica Culture, turbo charges the benefits of black seeds by adding four more superfood ingredients. This blend is a unique, carefully researched formulation which adds additional powerful oils to black seed oil. This creates the perfect blend of Omega 3, 6 and 9, which you can’t get from black seed oil on its own. The blend includes Oregano oil to boost ABS’ antibacterial and antiviral effects. Lemon oil works to detoxify the liver. The formulation also includes rare Styrian pumpkin seed oil, made by preserving hull-less pumpkin seeds. This ingredient has numerous benefits for the heart, skin, brain and prostate. It also contains high levels of cholesterol-fighting phytosterols. Activated Black Seed oil is a targeted mix of omega fatty acids, proteins and vitamins that significantly reduce inflammation — the body’s worst enemy.

How to reduce Diabetes with home remedies: Black Seed oil

To use Activated Black Seed oil for diabetes, take 1 teaspoon internally in the morning on an empty stomach. Check first with your doctor before taking Black Seed oil for diabetes. The oil may slow blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding. If you have a bleeding disorder or are taking medication that affects blood clotting, Black Seed oil is not for you. Stop taking black seed oil at least two weeks before surgery. Pregnant women (or women trying to become pregnant) and those breastfeeding shouldn't use black seed oil. Treating diabetes holistically The World Health Organisation is tackling and treating diabetes through early diagnosis and lifestyle changes. A healthy diet, exercise and stress relief can definitely keep diabetes at bay. Active interventions: prescribing insulin, oral medication, blood pressure control and foot care to prevent ulcers are also helpful. Black Seed oil brings a tried and trusted remedy from the past (even good enough for King Tut) to the growing demand for more holistic, natural treatments. It is the perfect addition to existing diabetes treatment options. By helping to prevent some of the fatal complications that can occur with diabetes, perhaps Black Seed oil may even become the oil that can heal everything, including death itself.  

While “Gingivitis” sounds like an exotic new concoction from a swanky cocktail bar, it actually refers to something more sinister, and slightly scary. 

What is gingivitis?

Gingivitis refers to inflammation and bleeding of the gums, and can be an early form of periodontal disease, definitely a scary-sounding term. Periodontal disease, destroys the tissues that support the teeth — the gums, the periodontal ligaments, and the tooth sockets, and can lead to bone loss, which is irreversible. The nasty endpoint of all this? Our teeth can fall out, just like that.  But how do we get from bleeding gums to no teeth? If we don’t treat gingivitis early, the area can become so infected that the gum attachment and bone around the tooth is destroyed. It sounds icky, but food can then get trapped under the gums and tartar builds up at the base of the tooth. The tooth finally becomes loose and it’s denture time for us!  So, it is crucial to treat gingivitis before it causes periodontal problems.

How common is gingivitis?

According to the US’ National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 47 per cent of adults have gum disease. In adults 65 and older, this increases to 70 per cent.* As with many other annoying ailments, gingivitis becomes more of an issue with age, but we all need to be kind to our teeth and watch out for the signs of gingivitis. The tricky thing about gingivitis is it’s rarely painful in its early stages, so it often goes unnoticed until there is severe irritation or receding gums. Many people have gingivitis to some degree.

How do I know if I have gingivitis?

If gingivitis is so common and can be so invisible, what are the signs that it’s creeping up on your teeth and gums? Some telltale signs are: 

• - swollen gums
• - soft, puffy gums
• - receding gums
• - tender gums
• - gums that bleed easily when you brush or floss (you can see this as redness or pinkness on your toothbrush or floss)
• - a change in gum colour from a healthy pink to dusky red
• - bad breath

 

Where does gingivitis come from? 

Gingivitis is due to the long-term effects of plaque deposits. Plaque is the sticky stuff that sits on our teeth. It’s a delightful combination of bacteria, mucus, and food debris that naturally develops on the teeth and it is a major cause of tooth decay. If we don’t remove plaque by brushing and flossing, within 72 hours it will harden into a deposit  that becomes trapped at the base of the tooth. That’s what the dentist chips away at when you’re lying in the chair trying to open wiiiiiiide! Plaque and tartar (P&T) irritate and inflame the gums. Bacteria and toxins produced from P&T cause the gums to become infected, swollen and tender. P&T is definitely not a new beverage from that cocktail bar!

What else causes gingivitis?

Apart from the build-up of plaque and tartar, gingivitis can occur whenever our gums are injured. We can even cause gingivitis ourselves being too eager when clean our teeth; overly vigorous brushing or flossing can damage sensitive gums and lead to bleeding and infection. We must treat our gums and teeth with TLC (now, that could be a new cocktail!) Unfortunately, your risk of developing gingivitis increases if you have: 

• - General illness

• - Hormonal changes, such as pregnancy or menopause, which increase the sensitivity of the gums
• - Uncontrolled diabetes
• - Misaligned teeth, rough edges of fillings, or ill-fitting or unclean mouth appliances
• - Braces, dentures, bridges and crowns

Medication such as phenytoin and birth control pills, and heavy metals such as lead and bismuth are also associated with gingivitis. 

What happens if I don’t treat Gingivitis?

Since that scary periodontal disease (periodontitis) evolves from gingivitis, it is vital to tackle gingivitis symptoms before they cause irreversible problems.  We really don’t want periodontal disease because it can literally take the smile off our face by making our teeth fall out. Tooth loss makes everyday things like talking, chewing and swallowing more difficult. Tooth replacement options are often hard to adjust to and are just never as comfortable as your natural teeth.  Remember, bone loss from gum disease is irreversible, so it is vital to treat gingivitis as soon as any symptoms appear. 

More Gingivitis dangers  – sorry!

Apart from being the cause of periodontal disease, gingivitis and gum disease have a clear link to heart disease. Those with gum disease have a 25 per cent greater risk of heart disease than those with healthy gums and 2004 study found that 91 per cent of patients with cardiovascular disease also had moderate to severe periodontal disease†.  This seems like a weird correlation but researchers have begun to uncover possible causes for the link. They now believe that gum disease, which is inflammatory, causes the release of pro-inflammatory chemicals into the bloodstream and this triggers an inflammatory response throughout the body.  The theory was further supported by a recent study of 5,000 participants, which showed that oral inflammatory markers entering the bloodstream also encouraged systemic inflammation♢. This large study also confirmed that when assessing the risk of heart disease, periodontal disease and body mass index are both associated with increased levels of CRP (C-reactive protein), which is made by the liver and increases when there inflammation somewhere in the body. So it seems Gingivitis and gum disease are bad news for the whole body, and not just our gums and teeth. 

How Do I Prevent Gingivitis?

Now that we’re scared into action, let’s get to the solution. And no, the solution is not a P&T cocktail to calm your nerves. Even if you already have some symptoms of gingivitis, don’t despair, just make sure you get started with the following steps: 

• Proper Brushing Brushing the gumline (at the base of the tooth) helps remove bacteria. Use a high quality, soft toothbrush with gentle bristles for your delicate gum tissue. Brush at least twice each day for two minutes each time.

 

• Flossing No matter how well you brush, you’ll never be able to remove bacteria under the gums without flossing. Wrap the floss around the tooth and slide the floss up and down under the gumline. You can also use a floss pick or water flosser. Floss at least once a day to remove debris from under the gums and between the teeth, where a brush won’t reach

 

• Healthy diet A diet rich in key vitamins and fresh vegetables can improve your immune system and reduce infection in the body. DHA, vitamin C, iron and fibrous fruit all increase blood supply, boost the immunity and speed up healing.

 

• Stop smoking If you’re suffering from gum disease, smoking is one of the worst things you can do for your mouth. It is rare to see any type of healing take place in smokers’ mouths. The sooner you kick the habit the better for you and your oral health.

 

• Regular Dental Checks Regular visits to the dentist for cleaning will remove plaque and tartar build-up. If your mouth is healthy, visit the dentist for cleaning every 6 months. If you have active gum disease, you may need to have a dental check 3 to 4 months until the symptoms are reversed. 

Use Oral Botanica Classic to prevent Gingivitis!

Oral Botanica Classic liquid toothpaste is a completely safe and effective oral care product. It is 100% organic, made with food-grade botanical oils and prevents the signs of gingivitis.  Daily use of the Oral Botanica Classic as a 3-in-1 toothpaste, mouthwash and breath freshener eliminates bacteria commonly associated with destructive gum disease.  The six potent botanical oils in Oral Botanical Classic can reach bacteria living in gum pockets, on the tongue and on the roof and walls of the mouth, place conventional toothpaste cannot reach. Once you use Oral Botanica Classic regularly, plaque builds up more slowly than for those using conventional toothpaste.

Treating Gingivitis step by step

Step 1: Floss your teeth after every meal.

Step 2: Brush your teeth with 2 drops of Oral Botanica Classic on a wet toothbrush.

Step 3: Dilute 3-5 drops Oral Botanica Classic with half glass of water to replace your mouthwash.

  Even though it turns out that gingivitis is not a potent new cocktail that will just lead to a hangover, with good oral care habits and Oral Botanica Classic oral toothpaste, you’ll be able to use your own healthy teeth and gums to take big bite out of life for many years to come.   *Eke, P.I., Dye, B.A., Wei L., Thornton-Evans, G.O., Genco, R.J. (2012) Prevalence of Periodontitis in Adults in the United States: 2009 and 2010. Journal of dental research.91:10. Retrieved from: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0022034512457373 † Geerts, S.O., Legrand, V., Charpentier, J., Albert, A., Rompen, E.H. (2004).Further evidence of the association between periodontal conditions and coronary artery disease. Journal of Periodontology, 75 (9), 1274-80. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15515345/ ♢ Noack, B., Genco, R.J., Trevisan, M., Grossi, S., Zambon, J.J., De Nardin, E. (2001).  Periodontal Infections Contribute to Elevated Systemic C‐Reactive Protein Level, Journal of Periodontology, 72 (9), 1221-1227. Retrieved from https://aap.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1902/jop.2000.72.9.1221

Much more than a hipster breakfast dish, there are so many benefits of avocado for the skin. So it seems that the cool cats are onto something with their avocado affair. 

What are the benefits of avocado oil for the skin? 

Apart from being yummy and in almost everything from smoothies to toasties, avocado oil is loaded with Omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins A, D and E. These power-packed compounds have exceptional skin benefits, making your skin supple, bouncy and glowy. This is why avocado oil is a key ingredient in our skin serum, Derma Botanica No.3.  According to Maya Ivanjesku, Chief Scientific Officer at LaFlore Probiotic Skincare, the fats, compounds and vitamins found in avocados can speed-up skin repair. They also heal wounds and even improve chronic skin conditions like eczema and acne.  These same nutrients also improve chapped skin and stabilise skin tone. And best of all for the ageing hipster, avocado oil can stave off wrinkles and fine lines. 

How do the benefits of avocado for my skin work? 

To find out more about why avocado is the skin’s best friend, we need to look at its key components.  Fatty Acids  Avocado’s high level of fatty acids (“good fats”) helps deeply nourish all skin types. Plus, it contains Omega-3 (linolenic acid) and Omega-6 (linoleic acid), which can’t be produced by the body. These are the moisturising fatty acids we use in Derma Botanica No.3, to hydrate and soften your skin.  These fatty acids are also marvellous healing agents and strengthen the skin’s natural barrier, creating a protective layer. Studies have shown that they even speed up wound healing.

Antioxidants

Avocado oil can also boost your skin’s immunity against stress and other environmental factors. Antioxidants such as vitamins E and C in avocado oil work to protect cells from free radical damage – which can age your skin.

Carotenoids

Definitely found in the carrots that share their name, carotenoids are also plentiful in Avocado oil. Carotenoids assist in regenerating tissue and protect against sun damage, repairing skin protein fibres after damage by UV light.  Some types of carotenoids can actually absorb UV light and protect skin against burning. They also stimulate collagen and elastin to increase skin density, elasticity and firmness. If you suffer from hyperpigmentation, carotenoids can decrease the size of melanocytes (melanin-producing cells).

How can I use Avocado oil on my skin?

You don’t actually need to smear some of your breakfast on your face to get the topical benefits of Avocado oil.  The easiest way to use Avocado oil is in our Derma Botanica No. 3 serum. Use it underneath your usual moisturiser or alone, instead of your daily or nightly moisturiser. 

Tap – Massage - Breathe (TMB) Technique 

To fully experience the benefits of Derma Botanica No.3, use it twice a day and follow our unique Tap-Massage-Breathe (TMB) technique. This method gives you a moment to slow down and be present while you take care of yourself, and allows the oils to be fully absorbed and work deeply on your body, mind and spirit.  1. Prepare your skin by cleansing, and toning 2. Place 4–5 drops of Derma Botanica No.3 serum in your palm. 3. Tap your face and neck with your palms and fingertips. 4. Massage your face, neck and chest upwards using both hands. 5. Breathe in the remaining oil from your cupped palms, and take a mindful pause as you inhale the calming scent. 

Where does avocado oil come from?

Avocado oil is pressed from the fruit of the avocado tree (Persea americana). For our Derma Botanica No.3, our Avocado oil is sourced from south-central Mexico and our suppliers use only organic avocado oil. So next time you’re about to bite into your over-priced smashed avocado brunch, don’t forget that avocado is also a treat for your skin. Using our Derma Botanica No.3 will mean that your skin can enjoy and benefit from amazing avocado oil, and you’ll still be able to afford to eat it too.