Hi everyone and welcome to my February Newsletter.
I hope that this letter finds you fit and well. January was a very busy month not only for me, but many others as well, especially Mums and Dads. Now that schools are back things can hopefully be a little less hectic as we get back into our routines.
I am very excited this month as my daughter Lexi and her partner Darcy will be coming up to visit for a week or so mid-month. She had to work over Christmas, so I am sure that we will have a belated Christmas dinner. That will be so much fun. 😊
The other big news – and this is a proud Mum moment - Mike, is now a fully qualifies Flying Instructor, for both recreational and general aviation. He’s worked hard to achieve this; and passed both of his flying exams first time. Great achievement. Now on to the next chapter. 😊
When life is so hectic, it’s very easy to find that our sleep patterns and routines can get out of kilter and as a result we end up tired and on edge. I have known anecdotally that turmeric is good to help you to get a good night’s sleep, but I thought that I would look into the science behind it. I found several interesting studies into the use of turmeric to help with sleep and the one I have used below I felt gave a comprehensive introduction without getting too technical. There were some that had me reaching for my dictionary, which if you’re not scientifically inclined tends to make you switch off and that’s not what I wanted. 😊 Anyway, I hope you enjoy this newsletter and that you find it of help.
Turmeric and Sleep: Are They Connected?
Turmeric has gained a lot of attention in the natural health world. it seems like a multi-purpose herb that benefits almost everyone in some capacity.
But what about those looking to improve their sleep? There’s no question that sleep is one of the most important things you can do for your body, but the reality is that few of us actually get what we need, both in terms of quality and quantity.
So, if you’re looking for a way to get the good night’s rest you deserve, we will look at the benefits of turmeric and whether it’s something that you should add to your bedtime routine.
Turmeric itself contains several bioactive compounds, including turmerin (a water-soluble peptide), essential oils (turmerones, atlantones, zingiberene), and several curcuminoids, including curcumin. Curcuminoids, are phenolic compounds that possess strong anti-inflammatory properties, as well as act as powerful antioxidants to combat free radicals and prevent increasing levels of oxidative stress.
Turmeric has an extensive list of uses where its powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties may be beneficial, but what can it do for sleep?
Sleep is controlled by a complex mix of brain chemicals, as well as being influenced by various lifestyle and dietary factors. But what you may not know is that there is an intricate link between sleep, inflammation, and the immune system, and research suggests that cytokines may provide the answer to this link.
Cytokines are a type of regulatory glycoprotein that act as intercellular chemical messengers of the immune system. Some cytokines help promote sleep, while others can cause major disruptions to sleep patterns.
The cytokines, inflammatory markers, and hormones affected by sleep exhibit diurnal variation, which means that levels are impacted when we don’t sleep enough.
Herbal therapies targeting insomnia and sleep disorders generally involve a multi-faceted approach aimed at modulating cytokines, managing neurotransmitters, reducing inflammation, and re-regulating the immune system, which is why curcumin/turmeric often come into the picture.
Curcumin has a powerful indirect effect on combating many of the underlying imbalances that contribute to sleep disruption in the first place. More specifically, curcumin acts as a powerful cytokine modulator that can downregulate the expression of several pro-inflammatory cytokines, to modulate levels of cytokines and promote sleep. So maybe adding a warm turmeric drink to your bedtime routine could help to give you a good night’s restful sleep.
Turmeric Latte or Golden Milk Recipe
INGREDIENTS:
2 cups milk, almond milk, or coconut milk
1 heaped tsp Health2all Turmeric
1 teaspoon raw honey or maple syrup to taste
Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
Blend all ingredients in a high-speed blender until smooth.
Pour into a small saucepan and heat for 3 – 5 minutes over a medium heat until warm but not boiling.
Drink immediately, whilst warm and fresh.
Aunty Mona's Turmeric Latte
INGREDIENTS
2 chopped dates
1 tsp Health2all Turmeric
Cup of your favourite milk (coconut or almond milk works well)
METHOD
Place 2 chopped dates in cup with a small amount of boiling water and soak while you are warming milk up on stove.
Place 1 teaspoon of Turmeric in cup and add warm milk.
All done – one of my favourites. You can add a little honey if you want.
½ teaspoon turmeric chai (or the Health2all turmeric powder)
Enjoy😊
THIS MONTH’S EVENTS AND MARKETS
The school holidays are over – phew, that was a busy month. Things are not as hectic, with fewer markets and we can get back to all our “normal” markets and routines. I am excited to have Lexi and her partner Darcy with me this month so do come along to see us at the markets.
Saturday 1st Feb – Kempsey Riverside Market – 8am – 1pm Held down by the river.
Sunday 2nd Feb – Blackhead Bazaar - 8am – 1pm. Great market for all the family, I will be along the top row as before, and I shouldn’t be too hard to find with my bright orange gazebo.😊
Saturday 8th Feb - Gloucester Farmers Market - 9am – 1pm. Held at Billabong Park. Lots of great local produce and wines so, something for everyone.
Sunday 9th Feb – Forster Town Market - 8 am – 1pm. Near the campsite on Head Street.
Saturday – 15th Feb - Forster Farmers Market – 7am – 12pm Along the river by the Police Station. You might even be lucky enough to spot my daughter, Lexi, who will be up for a visit.
Sunday 16th Feb – Laurieton Market - 8am – 1pm down by the river on Short and Tunis Streets. Another chance to Lexi spot. 😊
Saturday 22nd Feb – Tuncurry Market – 8 am – 1pm See you over the bridge at the John Whiley Park. Plus, you get a final chance to meet Lexi before she heads back to Melbourne.
Sunday 23rd Feb – Pacific Palms Market - 8am – 1pm. At Elizabeth Beach, another great market for all the family and dog friendly, so come along for a fun day out.
For those of you who can’t get to those markets all you need to do is ring me on 0406 036 845 or you can now go to my website – www.achealthysolutions.com and order from there, and I will arrange for it to be posted or delivered to you. The cost is the same as at the market and postage/delivery is free on all orders over $100 with a flat rate of $10 below that.
Yours in Health and Happiness
Alison Carroll
aka The Turmeric Lady
AC Healthy Solutions
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