Suggested products for fitness and movement

Fitness is key to healthy living, but this depends on a good degree of mobility and ease of movement. If the human body cannot move without pain, stiffness or aching, then achieving a healthy level of fitness is very challenging. There are medicinal plants and herbal remedies that can improve joint movement, reduce muscle soreness and promote fitness.

Source of Health has numerous products available, under the Isiphethu Sempilo brand, that help to boost energy levels, reduce muscle swelling and allow consumers to move with more ease. These herbal remedies can be used by people who want to start exercising more regularly or who are looking to improve symptoms of arthritis and cramps. The following remedies have been specifically designed to tackle these mobility and fitness issues.

Source of Health products for fitness

Black pepper and turmeric are perfect partners as black pepper helps the body to absorb more curcumin – the active ingredient in turmeric that helps to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. A study published in Planta Medica found that pairing 20 milligrams of piperine (found in black pepper) with two grams of curcumin increased the amount of curcumin that could be absorbed by the body by 2000 percent.

Plants used in these suggested products

Here is a list of plants and natural substances and some of their beneficial properties, that are used in the, suggested fitness and mobility, products above.

• African basil is a hybrid plant that can only be grown from cuttings – it does not produce seeds. It has antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. 
• African ginger (or wild ginger) is a highly sought-after plant for many traditional remedies. Our African ginger is sustainably obtained from agricultural projects as it is almost totally depleted in the wild. It is used to treat asthma, colds, coughs and flu.
• African potato is a native potato to South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland and Botswana. It is a popular herbal supplement that is full of antioxidants and is known to boost the immune system.
• Aloe is a famous South African plant, renowned for its healing properties. The hard, black, resinous extract from the plant is used mainly for its laxative properties.
• Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an ancient medicinal herb. The species name somnifera means “sleep-inducing” in Latin. This plant is an adaptogen, which means that it helps your body to manage stress and promote relaxation.
• Black pepper is a household spice that has numerous health benefits. It is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. It can also help to lower cholesterol levels which improves blood circulation. It is combined with turmeric, together they have a synergistic effect and increase absorption of beneficial compounds.
• Cinnamon is a common spice that can help to lower blood sugar levels for an anti-diabetic effect on the body. It prevents unhealthy sugars from entering the bloodstream, which can cause heart disease, diabetes and weight gain.
• Devil’s claw gets its name from its fruit, which has several hook-like claws projecting outward. It is used in traditional medicine to treat fever, pain, arthritis and indigestion.
• Ginger is well-known for its medicinal properties, not just in Africa but all around the world. It is used widely to treat colds, flu, nausea and to fight infections.
• Honeybush is commonly consumed as a tea. It grows naturally in the lowland areas of the Western Cape, but we source our honeybush from sustainable suppliers. This plant is rich in antioxidants and minerals, giving it a wide range of health benefits.
• Hoodia gordonii is a well-known medicinal plant that is believed to support weight loss. The spiny succulent has become threatened in the wild due to its popularity, but we source it from sustainable agricultural projects.
• Liquorice is that peculiar-flavoured black sweet, but it is actually made from plants. The liquorice plant contains the unique flavour, which is extracted from the roots. It is used in herbal remedies due to its potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects.
• 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.
• MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) is a supplement that can be used to decrease joint pain and speed up recovery after exercise. It has anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce pain and stiffness of the joints and muscles.
• Pineapple flower is not actually from a pineapple plant – it is a unique species called Eucomis autumnalis, but the flowers resemble yellow pineapples. This plant has anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties and is often used to treat back pain and improve post-workout recovery.
• Propolis extract is a wax-like substance, sustainably sourced from bee hives. It is a substance produced by bees that is commonly used to provide protection from viruses, bacteria and fungi. Propolis is also an excellent wound healer.
• 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 where dried plant material is steeped hot water. The resulting tea is used as an antimicrobial to treat colds and sore throats.
• Turmeric is a common household spice that comes from a root, similar to ginger. It has been used around the world for thousands of years as a medicinal herb. It is an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant remedy used to treat aches and pains.
• Wild dagga (also called lion’s ear or lion’s tail) is actually part of the mint family of plants. It is native to South Africa and is known for its medicinal properties; it has strong antioxidant and heart-protecting properties. Wild dagga has no hallucinogenic effects on the mind, so the name can be misleading. 

These Source of Health products will help to boost your energy levels and reduce stiffness and pain after exercising. They will also help to promote healthy digestion, weight loss and prevent the harmful effects of obesity. 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. 

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.

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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. 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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