Wellness Foods + Supplements 1/2023

Innovation in a Time of

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Editorial SILKE WATKINS, Editor-in-Chief Return to traditions Dear Readers, I recently watched a documentary about the flora of South Africa’s Western Cape Pro vince that impressed me deeply and really made me think. With more than 20,000 plant species corresponding to around 10 % of all the world’s plants, South Africa has an extremely diverse flora. Cape Floral is considered the region with the world’s most diverse flora. Around 20 % of Africa’s plant species, of which nearly a third are endemic, can be found here. Many South Africans feel obligated to actively and voluntarily do something to maintain this diversity of species. It has long since become clear to them that humans are primarily responsible for the disappearance of plant species. Many of these species are also considered to be medicinal plants. Asian healing systems such as Ayurveda, Tibetan medicine and also traditional Chinese medicine have a long tradition. Their advantage is that they are not used only in case of illness, but strive to maintain health so people do not become ill in the first place. What’s more, they are holistic healing methods that consider the person as a whole, perceiving them as an entity comprising body, mind and soul. Native Americans were also good observers of nature and knew about the effects of highly effective medicinal plants on the human body. 673 Native American medicinal herbs are known today and also used successfully in modern medicine. Cayenne pepper and chilli, for example, are known to increase blood flow and have a warming effect, while cucumber, melon and pumpkin are known as cooling, water-bearing medicinal plants. Fasting has a very long tradition as well. It was and is associated with all major religions. Here one consciously forgoes food and stimulants in order to unburden the body. Various fasting regimes have become popular in everyday life today, from therapeutic fasting to the alkaline cleansing fast to intermittent fasting. Aside from weight loss, the aim is to cleanse the liver, stimulate the lipid metabolism or promote cell regeneration. This topic has been researched for quite some time in various studies. Results have shown that fasting increases the responsiveness to insulin and can therefore prevent diabetes in the long term. The liver and pancreas also benefit from fasting, since fat stored in the liver is metabolised, which can prevent fatty liver. I believe that every individual can benefit significantly from recalling ancient knowledge, combining it with new information and taking responsibility for themselves and their body, for their own health. You will find important information in this edition. I wish you an interesting read! Warmest regards, Silke Watkins No. 1 April/May 2023 3