Start your day the right way

Waking up late does not put anyone in a good mood. When you wake up early, it gives you a chance to really wake up your mind and body. Don’t let yourself fall into stressful patterns or end up being late and rushed. 

If you wake up and pick up your phone straight away, that is also an unhealthy habit. Let your mind and your eyes take in the world around you before getting absorbed into social media or work emails. 

Get up and drink water before anything else goes into your body. Water with some lemon, cold or warm, is a great way to wake up your digestive system and perk up your immune system. When taking supplements like vitamins and minerals, you should always take them with water. Dairy can stop your body from absorbing some of these, so if you are having them with your morning coffee, they might not be able to do their desired job. This simple switch can make a world of difference.

Herbal tea is a great alternative to caffeine in regular tea and coffee. It not only tastes good, but has vitamins and minerals that will make you healthier and happier in the long run. Caffeine is not the only thing that can boost your energy in the morning! 

The rest is just like your mother said: make your bed, brush your teeth (don’t forget to floss) and freshen up before the day starts. Bathing or showering in the morning is better than at night – it will refresh your body and mind. If you wake up early, you will have the time for all of these important routines of successful people. 

Prepare for your day in advance

It is good practice to prepare for your day the night before. Making school and work lunches in advance will give you more time in the morning and make you feel more relaxed and ready for the day ahead. 

If you have children returning to school, this is especially helpful, as you can have more time to help them get ready. Have your lunches, snacks and bags packed and ready to go! Having relaxed, organised parents makes for more relaxed, organised and confident children. You can even have clothing laid out the night before – no more spending the morning searching for shoes and socks! 

Writing to-do lists can be great to get your mind in order for everything you plan to accomplish for the day. Try to keep them short and manageable and split up tasks for bigger things – it is such a good feeling to tick things off as you go. You will feel more successful as you go through your day. You can always add to the list – which tends to happen – as you go. This works for personal tasks as well as at work. Writing is also better than having a list typed on your phone – when we write, we tend to remember things better, which is just the way our brains work. 

Feed your mind

Ditch sugar laden cereals for fruit and more substantial meals. A smoothie or shake in the morning goes down a treat! It’s easier to digest and packs a nutritional punch. 

Fibre and protein (not only animal proteins) will keep you fuller for longer than any regular cereal. This means you will start off better and not have that awful energy dip mid morning, which usually happens while you are in the middle of an important task. Keep your brain well nourished with healthy food for a more productive day overall.

Lunch time is the best time to have a bigger meal and a break. Leftovers from dinner can make great work lunches. If you prepare lunch beforehand, this gives you more time to rest your brain.

Rest for success

It might seem counter intuitive, but taking breaks from sitting at a desk or between work tasks is actually a good way to boost productivity. Trying to cram too much work into your day can take its toll on your brain’s ability to focus and for you to do your best at what you do.

Resting your brain gives it a chance to catch up, re-focus and re-energise. If you are stuck on something tough, the best thing you can do is to walk away from it for a bit. Get some fresh air, take in your surroundings. Often, a solution will come to you in these moments. 

If you work in a regular working environment you should take that full lunch break. Get out of the office, stretch your legs and change your perspective. Not thinking about work for a while can actually make you better at the job when you get back to it refreshed and ready for more. Burn out and stress from over work is counterproductive. This is true for working from home too, especially if it’s a change from working from the office. The secret healthy habits of successful people work smart, not hard!

Work out a routine

All the above makes for the beginning of a healthy, successful routine. Our brains and bodies love routine. So do children. It makes us more confident, less stressed and happier. 

Evenings should be for winding down and connecting with those closest to you. Eating earlier in the evening is better for your digestive system, while being less stressful and giving you more time to relax overall. 

Eat early, give your body time to digest. Your mind needs time to digest your day too! Spend time talking to your family about their day, how they are feeling and what is on their mind. Kids excel when having these special moments of reflection with their family every day. Cook together, clean up together, and only after that you can indulge in some screen time.

Have a good night

Going to sleep at the same time every night is important for your body to rest well. Remember what we said about routine? This is very true for sleep. We need optimal sleep, in quality and quantity, for our brains and bodies to be healthy. 

Limit screen time before bed for children and adults alike. The blue light from screens stop our brains from producing enough melatonin, which is the hormone your body makes in response to darkness. We produce melatonin naturally at night when the sun goes down, in indication to our bodies that it will soon be time to sleep. The usual lights in our homes don’t disrupt this as much as the lights from screens do. 

It is recommended to avoid phone and TV screens for at least an hour before going to bed. This allows your brain and body time to release enough melatonin to have a good night’s sleep. Lack of sleep and insomnia can cause serious problems for your body and mind. In fact, it can even lead to depression and anxiety. 

More healthy habits of successful people

• Exercise often, even if it’s just a walk or stretching. Daily exercise will give you more energy in the long run.
• Read! It flexes your brain muscles and is a good replacement for screen time.
• Keep learning and investing in yourself. Take short courses to upskill in your career, or just research something you are interested in.
• Listen to podcasts as you drive. This is another great way to keep learning, or just hearing the perspective of professionals and peers.
• Take your health seriously. Don’t be afraid to take supplements to help for things like sleep issues and low immune systems. This is better than trying to tough it out and ending up with a more serious illness or disease.
• Save money and budget wisely. It will safeguard you for the future and make you happier than splurging and living in debt ever will. Successful people don’t waste their earnings!
• Practice self care. Keep everything in balance. Look after yourself while working towards your goals – there is good reason these are healthy habits for successful people!

The post Healthy habits of successful people appeared first on Isiphethu Sempilo - Source of Health.

There is much cause for low energy in the world we live in today. Stress is a huge factor, as it actually takes its toll on our energy levels and even affecting our immune systems. Lack of quality sleep, too much screen time, lack of physical activity and food lacking in essential nutrients can all take their toll on your body. 

Luckily it isn’t that hard to add some easy habits to your routine that boost energy levels naturally! Let’s look at what you can do to add more energy into your daily life. 

Lifestyle changes for a natural increase in energy 

Although our lifestyles may be lacking, we can always add more positives to keep a balance. These 4 simple things can make a big difference to how you feel when you wake up every morning.

1. Breathe more and stress less:

It might not be as simple as “just relax”, but there are many ways to manage reactions to stressful situations without depleting your energy. Healthy breathing exercises have been proven to help reduce stress and muscular tension while promoting better oxygen delivery throughout the body. Meditation and yoga can help too, and can become part of a lovely daily ritual. If you have a very stressful lifestyle, a relaxing natural remedy like sceletium could help. 

2. Sleep tight:

You can never catch up on sleep. Sleep doesn’t just affect energy for the coming day, but your overall energy in weeks to come. Keeping a consistent sleep cycle has a big impact on your mental and physical stamina and boosts energy and vitality naturally. How? Less screen time before bed is a good start!

3. Exercise to energise:

It actually increases energy production on a cellular level. Exercise also increases energy by improving circulation, stabilising blood sugars, and increasing endorphin and hormone production. Even some gentle yoga or walking daily can do wonders for your overall energy levels – the most natural energy boost!

4. Fill up on the right fuel:

Food is a big influencer on how we feel. We actually use a lot of energy digesting food, so make sure what you put in is what you want to get out. The fresher the food, the fresher you feel. Fruits and vegetables contain nutrients which support cell function, and ultimately, energy levels. Making sure you are eating food that will give you energy for longer is also important –  foods with a low glycemic index like whole grains, high-fiber vegetables and nuts release energy slowly. 

Natural remedies to boost energy and vitality

When you need a little extra help to get a boost, natural remedies for fatigue and low energy can really be the key to finding that happy balance. Here are a few natural remedies to give you energy and vitality:

Energy

• Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an ancient medicinal herb. This plant is an adaptogen, which means that it helps your body to manage stress and promote mental performance. It helps to improve focus and motivation.
• Marula is famously known for its fruit which ferments when it falls from the tree. Wild animals eat the rotting fruit and become intoxicated. The marula fruit also contains essential oils, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.
• Resurrection plant (Selaginella lepidophylla) is named as such because of its ability to survive complete desiccation and drought. It is commonly used in traditional medicine as an infusion to stimulate the immune system.

Elixir of life

• Ipomoea pellita (commonly known as ubhoqo) is a plant found in the Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga. It is commonly used as an anti-inflammatory for treating diabetes, rheumatism, constipation and kidney ailments. 
• Small knobwood is an indigenous tree that grows across most of South Africa. The leaves produce a strong citrus smell when crushed and the tree produces an oil-rich seed contained within its fruit. It is used to treat flatulence, stomach ache, fever and even epilepsy.

Clear lungs

• Clear lungs (Ukuhlanza Isifuba) is made from African herbal ingredients African Ginger (Indungulo), Pelargonium (Ikubalo), African wormwood (or Artemisia / African Wormwood /Umhlonyane) a sweet-smelling shrub that is traditionally used as a herbal remedy for overall lung health and breathing and Pepper-Bark Tree (Isibhaha).

Immunity

• African potato is native to South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland and Botswana. It is a popular herbal remedy that is full of antioxidants and is known to boost the immune system.
• Propolis extract is a wax-like substance, sustainably sourced from beehives. It is a substance produced by bees that is commonly used to provide protection from viruses, bacteria and fungi. Propolis is also an excellent healer.

Disclaimer: These medicines have not been evaluated by SAHPRA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. These plants have been used in various cultures for many years, by traditional healers, to treat certain ailments. Our 100% natural products contain herbal concentrates and last up to 20 days for R185, making them a cost-effective option in the traditional African medicine industry.

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To learn more about African medicines and traditional plant-based remedies, please do not hesitate to contact us. Source of Health is a manufacturer of Traditional African Medicines under the brand Isiphethu Sempilo. We use biomedicine processes to create herbal remedies, combined with scientific methods to ensure the finest quality and trustworthy herbal extracts.

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Source of Health offers a range of herbal products that are effective as natural remedies for pain, depression, illnesses and more. The use of medicinal plants as part of traditional African healthcare is one of the oldest and most assorted of all therapeutic systems.

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To stay up-to-date with the latest news and Isiphethu Sempilo product launches, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Take a look at our blog for more informative articles on traditional medicines and healing plants in Africa.

The post Suggested remedies to boost energy and vitality appeared first on Isiphethu Sempilo - Source of Health.

Modern medicines usually take the form of dissolvable capsules, pills or liquid syrups. They have, without a doubt, made a significant contribution to human health, rehabilitation and disease prevention. However, none of these medicines would have existed without the tried-and-tested use of herbal remedies in ancient cultures around the world. 

“Long [traditional] use of many herbal remedies and experiences, passed on from generation to generation, has brought about reliance by the people on herbal remedies,” says the World Health Organisation (WHO) in a dissertation titled Traditional herbal remedies for primary health care. “At present, the use of medicinal plants for health benefits is increasing worldwide,” adds the WHO. 

An article written by Professor Ciddi Veeresham, titled Natural products derived from plants as a source of drugs, states that “Up to 50% [of] the approved drugs during the last 30 years are from either directly or indirectly from natural products…To date, 35 000 to 70 000 plant species have been screened for their medicinal use.”

Modern medicines that were developed from plants

The WHO publication contains 28 examples of common illnesses that can be treated with herbal remedies, instead of pharmaceutical drugs. The dissertation also lists numerous modern medicines that have been developed from plants. Here are just a few examples, which highlight the importance of plants in the development of modern medicines:

• Aspirin – Possibly the most well-known medication, Aspirin was developed from the Salix alba plant (white willow). It was the first semi-synthetic pure drug to hit the market in 1899. Aspirin is commonly prescribed to reduce pain, treat fever, and minimise inflammation.
• Morphine – One of the most renowned modern medicines for its pain relief. Morphine is used in hospitals and clinics around the world. It is found naturally in a number of plants and animals, including humans. It acts on the central nervous system to decrease pain. It was developed from the Papaver somniferum plant (opium poppy).
• Artemisinin – Artemisinin and its semisynthetic derivatives are a group of drugs used to treat malaria. It is developed from the Artemisia (or African wormwood) plant and is used in tropical regions around the world. Artemisinin was developed in 1972 by Tu Youyou, who was co-recipient of the 2015 Nobel Prize in Medicine for her discovery.
• Penicillin – Penicillin was the first form of antibiotic ever discovered. It is derived from a mould called Penicillium chrysogenum. This mould is able to kill off bacteria and the active ingredient that achieves this was finally isolated by Alexander Fleming in 1928. However, it wasn’t until 1940 that penicillin was used in conventional medicine and mass produced.
• Digoxin – Digoxin (also called Lanoxin) is a medication used to treat a number of heart conditions. Most frequently, it is used for atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter and heart failure. Digoxin was developed in 1930 from the Digitalis purpurea (Foxglove plant). 
• Colchicine – Colchicine is a common medicine prescribed by doctors to treat gout. Other uses include the prevention of pericarditis and familial Mediterranean fever. It was developed from Autumn crocus (meadow saffron) plants, which have been used since 1500 BC to treat joint swelling and inflammation.
• Paclitaxel – This drug was developed from the Taxus brevifolia (Pacific yew tree) and is prescribed for lung, ovarian and breast cancer. It was first isolated from the tree in 1971 but was only approved for medical use in 1993.
• Vinca alkaloids – Vinca alkaloids are a set of anti-mitotic and anti-microtubule alkaloid agents that are originally derived from the periwinkle plant (Catharanthus roseus). These compounds, including vinblastine and vincristine, are used in the treatment of leukemia and Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

These are just a few of the many thousand examples of pharmaceutical drugs that can trace their roots back to medicinal plants. Traditional remedies truly formed the foundation upon which modern medicine is built. For almost every modern drug available at pharmacies, there is a natural remedy that can be used in its place.

Mainstream medicine usually isolates single compounds from the plants and concentrates them into a tablet or syrup form. However, herbal remedies usually include all the compounds found in a plant, which is sometimes more beneficial. Certain chemicals in a plant have the sole purpose of unifying the other compounds for medicinal effect. Therefore, a traditional herbal remedy may be more effective in certain situations.

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To learn more about African medicines and traditional plant-based remedies, please do not hesitate to contact us. Source of Health is a manufacturer of Traditional African Medicines under the brand Isiphethu Sempilo. We use biomedicine processes to create herbal remedies, combined with scientific methods to ensure the finest quality and trustworthy herbal extracts.

___

Source of Health offers a range of herbal products that are effective as natural remedies for pain, depression, illnesses and more. The use of medicinal plants as part of traditional African healthcare is one of the oldest and most assorted of all therapeutic systems. It has been used through the ages to maintain health, as well as to prevent, diagnose, improve or treat physical and mental illnesses.

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To stay up-to-date with the latest news and Isiphethu Sempilo product launches, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Take a look at our blog for more informative articles on traditional medicines and healing plants in Africa.

The post Examples of modern medicines that were developed from herbal remedies appeared first on Isiphethu Sempilo - Source of Health.

Here is a simple 10-step guide to help you make your first online purchase of our traditional African remedies:

1. Click on a product that you want to buy from the online shop. This will open a new page with more information on the product and its ingredients.

2. Underneath the product information, there is a box with the number “1”. This is the number of bottles that you wish to buy and can be changed to any number you like.

3. When ready to buy the selected number of bottles, click ‘Add to cart’. A pop-up notification will appear saying that the product has been added to your cart.

4. On the right-hand side of this pop-up, click ‘View cart’. Alternatively, you can click on the shopping basket icon at the top right-hand corner of the page (there will also be a value in rands next to the shopping basket icon).

5. Once you are on the cart page, you can apply a coupon code to activate a discount, if you have one. You can also adjust the number of bottles once again. 

6. Next, scroll down and add your address (next to the red delivery truck icon). A flat delivery fee of R69 is added to online purchases. However, for an 18% discount, free shipping is offered on two or more remedies purchased. It is worth buying more products at one time.

7. When ready to place your order, click on the red ‘Proceed to checkout’ button at the bottom of the page.

8. Fill in all the boxes that have a small red dot next to them. These are compulsory – without them, you will not be able to place your order. Don’t worry, all your private information is kept secret and will not be used for marketing.

9. When all your details are filled in, click on the red ‘Place order’ button. This will direct you to the PayFast payment website. You will need to select your preferred payment method and fill in the relevant boxes with your banking details. This information is strictly confidential and secure on the trusted website.

10. Click on the red ‘Pay’ button to finish the process. The products will be delivered to your address as soon as possible.

Shipping takes on average two to three days. It can be as quick as one day in major cities and take as long as seven days for outlying areas. Buying Isiphethu Sempilo products online is as simple as that.

Get your dose of our traditional remedies without having to leave your home. For any questions and concerns regarding this payment method, or for more help using our online shop, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Disclaimer: Our medicines have not been evaluated by SAHPRA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. These plants have been used in various cultures for many years, by traditional healers, to treat certain ailments.

___

To learn more about African medicines and traditional plant-based remedies, please do not hesitate to contact us. Source of Health is a manufacturer of Traditional African Medicines under the brand Isiphethu Sempilo. We use biomedicine processes to create herbal remedies, combined with scientific methods to ensure the finest quality and trustworthy herbal extracts.

___

Source of Health offers a range of herbal products that are effective as natural remedies for pain, depression, illnesses and more. The use of medicinal plants as part of traditional African healthcare is one of the oldest and most assorted of all therapeutic systems. It has been used through the ages to maintain health, as well as to prevent, diagnose, improve or treat physical and mental illnesses.

___

To stay up-to-date with the latest news and Isiphethu Sempilo product launches, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Take a look at our blog for more informative articles on traditional medicines and healing plants in Africa.

The post How to buy Source of Health products online appeared first on Isiphethu Sempilo - Source of Health.

As such, we lend a hand in a variety of community initiatives that support families and entrepreneurs throughout the country. A large network of small-scale farms and agricultural projects form the base of our sustainable supply of raw ingredients. These medicinal herbs and plants are then dried or treated and mixed into carefully-crafted remedies and tonics.

Our community partners supply Source of Health with high-quality medicinal plants and, through these partnerships, are able to expand their projects and supply domestic and foreign markets. The support provided by our supply chain is vital for many communities, especially in remote regions of South Africa.

Knowledge is gathered in the community

The communities we work with are involved in continuous research into the chemical properties and compounds of the plants. These phytochemicals are 100% natural remedies for various ailments. This research also involves the study of new chemical components and mixtures that lead to our unique herbal remedies. 

Isiphethu Sempilo products harness African biodiversity and contain specially-formulated mixtures of natural ingredients. This is the result of the work done in the community, where knowledge is passed from generation to generation. Thousands of years of wisdom are poured into every bottle produced by Source of Health.

Source of Health currently has Benefit Sharing Agreements (BSAs) and Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs) with the Khoi and San peoples. These communities are the rightful owners of the age-old knowledge of medicinal plants and herbal remedies. Without these communities, our success would not be possible.

Taking African medicine one step further

Our community initiatives not only support local residents and growers, but they also enable our partners to create their own medicinal products. A number of plant-based pills, capsules, extracts and creams have been developed by our community partners. This is the result of knowledge gained and support provided through the partnership.

Source of Health holds biotrade and bioprospecting permits issued by the Department of Environmental Affairs. This allows us to take African medicine one step further by researching and testing new herbal compounds and extracts for our products. It also allows our partners to expand their projects with new plants to grow and test.

Source of Health relies on local communities to grow ingredients and share their wisdom. Together we have created one-of-a-kind remedies for various ailments. Our 100% natural products contain herbal concentrates and last up to 20 days for R185, making them a cost-effective option in the traditional African medicine industry.

___

To learn more about African medicines and traditional plant-based remedies, please do not hesitate to contact us. Source of Health is a manufacturer of Traditional African Medicines under the brand Isiphethu Sempilo. We use biomedicine processes to create herbal remedies, combined with scientific methods to ensure the finest quality and trustworthy herbal extracts.

___

Source of Health offers a range of herbal products that are effective as natural remedies for pain, depression, illnesses and more. The use of medicinal plants as part of traditional African healthcare is one of the oldest and most assorted of all therapeutic systems. It has been used through the ages to maintain health, as well as to prevent, diagnose, improve or treat physical and mental illnesses.

___

To stay up-to-date with the latest news and Isiphethu Sempilo product launches, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Take a look at our blog for more informative articles on traditional medicines and healing plants in Africa.

The post Source of Health community initiatives appeared first on Isiphethu Sempilo - Source of Health.