Tag Archives: Antioxidants

Dollop of honey please

Dollop of Honey Please Dec2020

Dollop of Honey Please!

Raw natural golden goodness
aids our health & skin!

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Don’t you just love a spoonful or a dollop of honey?

Historically, honey was used by the ancient Egyptians as a sacrifice to their gods/deities.It was also added as a sweetener and in making honey cakes, which were then offered to the gods.Honey was also used to embalm their dead. The ancient Egyptians included honey as a topic ointment as its antibacterial properties helped treat infected wounds.They were aware of the secrets contained in a dollop of golden goodness, way back then!

Did you know that Honey contains amazing attributes for our health?Let me share some of them:

Provides a natural source of Energy – Honey contains around 80% natural sugars, 18% water with 2 % consists of minerals vitamins, protein and pollen.It obtained the nickname as ‘a perfect running fuel’, forming liver glycogen, which can be easily absorbed to boost the start of your day.It’s one of the best carbohydrates to consume before exercising, and often found in health bars used by sports-people.Taking a spoonful of Honey first thing in the morning on an empty stomach can give you an immediate kick start to boost your energy levels for the whole day.

Aids with Sleep – Having a spoonful of honey at night time can aid digestion, relax the mind and body as well as assist with obtaining a great night’s sleep. This is because the liver’s glycogen supplies are restocked, preventing the brain from triggering a panicking search for fuel when you wake up.Also, eating raw honey allows the brain to release melatonin, creating small spikes of insulin levels. This stimulates tryptophan in the brain, which converts to serotonin, that converts to melatonin, boosting immunity, rebuilding tissues and cells whilst resting and sleep.Being a natural aid for sleep, honey lowers the risk of other more serious health problems, including hypertension, which can arise from poor sleep.

Powerhouse of Antioxidants – Raw honey taken on a daily basis can promote the levels of antioxidants in your body, which help block free radicals that can create havoc or illness in our system.These powerful antioxidants found in honey contain polyphenols which can reduce the risk of heart disease, whilst boosting the immune system.

Assisting with Weight Management – Replacing sugar with honey can not only lower blood sugar levels, but can also prevent piling on extra kilos.This is due to raw honey activating the hormones to suppress the appetite.However, this does not suggest or recommend the over-consumption of honey as the substitute.To assist with losing weight:Start your day with a high protein breakfast, reduce the refined carbohydrates, add fatty fish to your diet, drink plenty of water, reduce your salt intake and include soluble fibre as well as some exercise to your daily routine.

Aids Allergies to Pollen – Working as a natural relief for allergies due to the bee pollen contained in raw natural honey.It helps boost immunity, as the pollen collected from various flowers in the gardens forms the honey’s genetic make-up. By consuming raw honey like an allergy shot that contains pollen, many sufferers become desensitized to these flowers which would otherwise cause them to have an allergic reaction.

Assists healing wounds – Bandages that have been infused with honey are known to provide healing effect.This is because honey has natural antibacterial properties, making hydrogen peroxide when it reacts with the body’s fluids, which creates an unwelcome environment for bacteria.Honey has also been used in some parts of the world to dress wounds, as well as treating various kinds of ulcers.

Images: Unsplash flowers & bees by Michael Held & Anthony Lee, Bee Hive Wolfgang Hasselmann, Swiss Bees.

On our many travel journeys, we have seen numerous beehives along rugged coastal terrain, with a wonderful selection of plants for the bees to collect.The taste of this raw, organic honey is unlike anything else; it’s like being amongst the flowers that the bees have had the pleasure of pollenating.

What’s the differences between Raw Honey and commercially produced honey?

• Raw honey is the purest form when its crude form is taken immediately from the cells of the honey comb within the bee hive.It will contain bee pollen and propolis two very healthy additions.It may also contain beeswax, together with impurities and dead bees. However, these bits are normally strained out before the raw honey is bottled.

• Raw honey should not be heated above 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) as it’s the temperature of a bee hive.Raw honey can be strained, but it’s never filtered or pasteurised, nor will it contain other additives.
The colour of raw honey should be opaque, not clear or golden or syrup-like.

• Organic honey will have passed the country’s set of standards and conditions to have the title ‘Organic’ granted.
It is otherwise raw organic honey, not heated above 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit). It would have been processed similarly through the straining process.

• Commercially generated honey requires excessive heat, is chemically refined and processed heavily to obtain the clear, sparkly colour.
This process can destroy and remove the phytonutrients like pollen, vitamins and minerals and enzyme-rich propolis which are beneficial for our health.

• Other non-raw honey or commercially produced jars can be sourced from bees that are treated with antibiotics.The bees may have been given other ‘nourishment’ ingredients including forms of sugar, low-cost syrup, or high fructose corn syrup.Some of these commercial hives may have non-organic materials and additives, and will not have bee pollen in them.

Manuka honey is produced in New Zealand from the 1830s, when bees were brought from England to pollinate the Manuka bush.
Manuka is naturally sweet, has a rich but earthy flavour, containing many beneficial compounds with antibacterial properties. It can be found in its pure form, or added to herbal creams and antibiotics, masks and skincare products.It contains:

•Carbohydrates/sugar,
• Methylglyoxal (MG) and hydrogen peroxide,
• Enzymes such as diastase and glucose oxidase,
• Amino acid proteins which are the building blocks,
• B Vitamins (including B6, thiamine, niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid)
• Organic acids
• Trace minerals such as calcium, folate, phosphorus, potassium
• Flavonoids, polyphenols, alkaloids and volatile compounds.

If you haven’t already tried this honey, see if you can get your hands on it!

Making your own sugar scrub for weekly pampering:

You’ll need 1 teaspoon of raw honey, 4 tablespoons of brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of Olive oil and around 6 drops of essential oil. Choose from Lavender, Tea Tree or Mandarin.
Add the oil and honey, add the sugar and blend well before adding the essential oils. Store in a tight jar and keep in a cool dark place. Use when needed!

BLOG PARTICIPATION:

    • Have you always included Honey in treating coughs and colds?
    • Have you tried using honey in your pampering sessions?
    • Do you use Honey as an alternative to sugar & cooking?

“About Lili & Why I make Essentially Lili Products.”

About Lili & Essentially Lili – My Health Studies include from 2016-2019 Diplomas in Aromatherapy, Holistic Skincare Products, Clinical Nutrition, Stress Management, Reflexology, Holistic Pain Management.I’m aMember of International College of Holistic Medicine.I’m currently studying Clinical Nutrition for Over 50s.

My aim is to help you get the results you want as I have already been on that hard journey to overcome the autoimmune disorder. If you wish to know more about Clinical Nutrition and how to kick start your health, book a private Consultation. Please send an email to info@essentiallylili.com should you need further assistance.  At Essentially Lili, the products made are all using 100% Natural Ingredients.  See the wide variety of Products available on the webpage.

Should you need help in deciding, start by reading the Reviews & Testimonials about other Customers who have enjoyed using the products.We have had some amazing Before & After results from Clients using the All-Natural Skincare products.  Please don’t forget to write your comments and reviews on our pages to share the love with others.

See the Blog Library for previous writings about Alopecia Areata, Face Mapping, Dry Skin in Winter, Raiding Your Fridge, Keratosis Pilaris Tips, Anguish of Acne/Rosacea, How to deal with Cystic Acne & Understanding Your Body. Your feedback allows us to improve the content and information provided and products made.

We look forward to hearing from you, With Love Essentially Lili.

 

Pumpkins are more than Halloween

Pumpkins are More than Halloween

Pumpkins are more than Halloween

Or Cinderella’s Carriage Ride!
There are so many health benefits for you!

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Pumpkins are more than Halloween, or Cinderella’s carriage ride! They are loaded with health benefits, making it a great all-rounder!

Did you know that the word Pumpkin comes from the Ancient Greek word, ‘Pepon’ which means melon? And that they are amongst the longest domesticated plants, having been cultivated as far back as 7,500 to 5,000 BC?

Over the centuries, the term ‘pepon’ into Latin (peponem), French (pompon), English (pompion) when it was eventually referred to as ‘pumpkin’ by 17th century English colonists when they arrived in north-eastern USA.
Being native to southern United States and north-eastern Mexico, half the world’s production of pumpkins is now grown in China and India.

According to Wikipedia, “ In 2018, global production of pumpkins, which included squash and gourds, topped 27.6 million tonnes with – China 8.1m, India 5.3m, Ukraine 1.3m and Russia 1.2m each”. These volumes are astounding!!The only place it’s not grown is Antarctica!

It’s considered as a winter squash, with its smooth but ribbed exterior, often orange in colour though there are variations of yellow and green.
Regarded as a fruit because it’s a botanical berry known as a pepo, which has seeds and pulp inside, that are consumables, together with the exterior rind of some types.Pumpkins usually weigh anywhere between 3 and 8 kilograms, though some have tipped the scales over 34 kilos. Recently, my uncle in Sicily told me that his neighbour grew a 1.2 metres wide pumpkin weighing over 95 kilos!!

Consumed in the autumn months, traditionally for Thanksgiving in the US in a Pumpkin Pie.But for some of us, we love it whenever we can get our hands on it!!It’s one of my all-time favourite vegetables!
Other favourite dishes include pumpkin soup, roasted pumpkin, risotto, or in a Moroccan filo pastry with peppers and spices.

If you’re interested in trying out new recipes, besides roasted pumpkin and delicious soup, see:see the recipes on Taste webpage: Pumpkin Recipes, or alternative recipes at Favourite Pumpkin Recipes.

Gallery of Pumpkins varieties at the market, Unsplash Cayla1 Pumpkin Soup, Dichromatism of Pumpkin Seeds, Unsplash Nick Fewings Trick or Treat.

What’s so great about Pumpkins, its seeds and oil?

Using cold pressed Pumpkin Seed Oil (Cucurbita pepo L) is far better as the nutrients and antioxidants are maintained in the extraction process. Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds and using the Oil:

• Because of the orange carotenoid pigments, alpha and beta carotene, pumpkins have the wonderful colour, offering provitamin A, which our bodies enjoy when consumed. The seeds are also great for consumption and provide wonderful benefits for our overall health and well-being too.

• It is rich in Vitamins A, B, C, D & E, with minerals and proteins, containing over 60% unsaturated fatty acids, Omega 3 & 6.

• The high vitamin and mineral content makes Pumpkin Seed oil a wonderful inclusion for cosmetics and skincare products, improving the overall appearance of your skin.

• The colour of Pumpkin seed oil can vary from light to very dark green or red in colour. This depends on the sample’s thickness – where thin layers appear green, with thicker layers red. This is known as ‘dichromatism’ where varying colours can be seen depending on how it’s observed. Image shown below in the Gallery of images.

Pumpkin seeds are rich in Antioxidants, which help protect the body’s cells, assisting the prevention of chronic conditions like diabetes, autoimmune disorders and heart disease.

• Pumpkin seed & the oil derived from the seeds can help maintain a healthy heart . Tests conducted after using the seeds showed that cholesterol levels and blood pressure dropped, both contributing to a healthy heart. The levels of nitric oxide in our bodies can also rise from consuming the seeds, which encourage blood flow, assisting the efficient functionality of the heart.

• For women, the menopausal symptoms can be improved as diastolic blood pressure is reduced, increasing good cholesterol.

• Including the seeds in our diet can improve the functioning of the bladder reducing its over activity.

• Daily addition of pumpkin seeds to your diet can help improve the quality of your sleep. They contain nutrients and amino acids like magnesium and tryptophan, aiding with insomnia, restlessness, how quickly you fall asleep as well as the length of time sleeping.

• Including the seeds can stabilise & regulate blood sugar levels, preventing the sudden rise, spikes and crashes. When blood sugar levels are high, they can create symptoms similar to diabetes, like nausea, needing to urinate often, fatigue and an overwhelming thirst.Being rich in protein and fibre, pumpkin seeds slows down sugars being absorbed in the bloodstream;

• The contents of zinc which helps balance hormone levels that can benefit hair re-growth, reversing loss;

Image – Varying colours of Pumpkin Seed Oil.

dichromatism of Pumpkin Seeds

Historical facts about Halloween.

• The ancient Celtic festival of Samhain is the where the tradition started. People would light bonfires, wearing costumes to scare away ghosts;

• When the Romans had conquered the Celtic regions circa 43 A.D, ruling for over 400 years, the combined their own festivals with the ancient Celtic Samhain.

• The Romans celebrated and remembered their dead during ‘Feralia’ .They also commemorated the Roman goddess Pomona of fruit and trees. Pomona’s symbol is the apple which was incorporated with the Samhain festivities.It’s believed the bobbing apples in Halloween started because of this tradition.

• November 1 was dedicated to honor All Saints by Pope Gregory III, which included some of the traditions commenced by the Celtic festival of Samhain;

• The night before All Saints Day was called ‘All Hallows Eve’ which later became known has ‘Halloween’;

• Eventually, the tradition developed where carving ‘Jack-o-lanterns’ , gathering together for festivities, wearing costumes, eating treats collected from trick-or-treating;

• Did you know that over ¼ of annual candy sold in the USA is bought for Halloween?

• The American festivities included gatherings sharing stories about their dead, fortune-telling, dance and sing, as well as pull pranks of each other;

• The arrival of the Irish immigrants to America helped make Halloween a popular festivity.

For more fun interesting information, check out Halloween History.

Unsplash Yulia Chinato Halloween fun, Carvings in the garden.

Unsplash Nick Fewings Pumpkins

BLOG PARTICIPATION:

    • Did you know that the tradition of Jack O Lanterns started in Ireland?
    • What’s your favourite pumpkin recipe?
    • What do you love the best about Pumpkins?

“About Lili & Why I make Essentially Lili Products.”

About Lili & Essentially Lili – My Health Studies include from 2016-2019 Diplomas in Aromatherapy, Holistic Skincare Products, Clinical Nutrition, Stress Management, Reflexology, Holistic Pain Management.I’m aMember of International College of Holistic Medicine.I’m currently studying Clinical Nutrition for Over 50s.

My aim is to help you get the results you want as I have already been on that hard journey to overcome the autoimmune disorder. If you wish to know more about Clinical Nutrition and how to kick start your health, book a private Consultation. Please send an email to info@essentiallylili.com should you need further assistance.  At Essentially Lili, the products made are all using 100% Natural Ingredients.  See the wide variety of Products available on the webpage.

Should you need help in deciding, start by reading the Reviews & Testimonials about other Customers who have enjoyed using the products.We have had some amazing Before & After results from Clients using the All-Natural Skincare products.  Please don’t forget to write your comments and reviews on our pages to share the love with others.

See the Blog Library for previous writings about Alopecia Areata, Face Mapping, Dry Skin in Winter, Raiding Your Fridge, Keratosis Pilaris Tips, Anguish of Acne/Rosacea, How to deal with Cystic Acne & Understanding Your Body. Your feedback allows us to improve the content and information provided and products made.

We look forward to hearing from you, With Love Essentially Lili.

 

Kiwifruit the fury oval goodness

Kiwifruit Seed Oil Sep2020

Kiwifruit the Fury Oval Goodness

It might look like a potato, but tastes amazing
with super nutritional benefits
making up for its appearance!

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I found the comment describing Kiwifruit the fury oval goodness that looks like a potato rather funny!!

Note: This is not meant to offend lovers of Kiwis or the people from New Zealand, but more to show a humorous way of describing it, which I had never noticed before!When I asked my son if he thought the same, he had that ‘ah-ha’ moment, laughing out loud.This fruit has become his latest obsession, as he cuts it in half neatly, scooping the inner parts out with a spoon.
He loves the taste of Kiwi so much, that we’ve been buying them more regularly than usual.

Did you know that Kiwifruit, (Actinidia deliciosa ‘Hayward’) is also known as Chinese gooseberry, is native to central and eastern parts of China?The people from New Zealand began cultivating it at the beginning of the 20th Century. To avoid paying export taxes on berries, the name Chinese gooseberry was changed to Kiwifruit, as it resembles the New Zealand small native brown bird!

In 2012, Italy was the top producer of kiwis, whilst in 2018 China was responsible for half of the world’s output!!There’s more fun trivia at the end of the Blog!

The fruit grows to between 5-8 centimetres in length and grows like apples from a woody climbing shrub.The light brown fuzzy skin can also be eaten.It would be similar to eating a peach without peeling off the skin!!Ironically, the skin contains bountiful levels of fibre, antioxidants and Folate if you choose to include it when indulging in this magical fruit! The internal green or golden flesh has loads of edible black seeds.

Consumption benefits about Kiwifruit:

• The best time to consume the Kiwifruit is in the morning on an empty stomach. The fibre and minerals provided by the fruit will give your daily energy boost, whilst detoxifying your body’s system.

• It can aid digestive illnesses like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), decreasing symptoms with its anti-inflammatory properties.

• Kiwifruit has antibacterial and antimicrobial capabilities.

• Due to the high potassium, fibre and Vitamin K content, Kiwifruit can assist lowering blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease. It can also assist with reducing the symptoms linked to upper respiratory sickness.

• Kiwifruit is a dynamic antioxidant which fights free-radials.The extensive amount of nutrients are vital for our well-being.It can improve the immune system’s functionality, reducing the risk of becoming ill or becoming infected.

• It’s an excellent addition for assisting weight loss as it’s high in energy whilst being low in calories.

• In addition to this, Kiwifruit has high levels of fat-free Vitamin E, which also helps fight free-radicals and lower cholesterol.

• Kiwifruit can contribute to maintaining bone strength and growth, improving the health and vision of our eyes. The high levels of serotonin help regulate anxiety and moods, whilst assisting with providing better quality more restful sleep.

The tiny fury potato looking fruit is such a wonderful treat to add to your 5 a day.Makes a delightful contrast to fruit salads and platters too!For alternative ideas on how to Kiwifruit, see the recipes on Taste webpage: Kiwifruit Recipes.

Images: Kiwifruit growing; Food pics Courtesy Unsplash by Brenda Godinez, & Alexander Mils.

Is Kiwi Seed Oil (Actinidia Chinensis) beneficial for our skin’s health?

There are so many wonderful benefits from using Kiwi seed oil that I’ve been happy to learn about. Here are some of the amazing attributes for our skin:

• Kiwi seed oil can be absorbed quickly into the skin as its texture is very light.

• Extremely rich with high natural levels of Vitamins C & E, potassium, magnesium, Omega 3 & 6, together with Alpha Linolenic Acid (ALA), these all help improve and maintain the skin’s elasticity.

• Including the oil undiluted to weekly skincare routines can improve the condition of your overall skin.

• It can provide a gentle calm from irritating skin problems like Psoriasis and Eczema, blotches, wrinkles, open or large pores, spots or acne.

• It can be used for treating your hair whilst promoting elasticity, bounce and averting loss of moisture from the scalp.

• We need protein for maintaining our skin, muscles, bones and tendons.Collagen depends on Vitamin C, which is generously found in Kiwifruit, aiding the maintenance and boosting process.

• Kiwifruit also contains carotenoid and lutein, which is an antioxidant. These both support and safeguard our skin from UV light. Please Note:This does not mean not wearing sunscreen or protecting from harmful rays.

• Check out the Home Spa tips shared below.

Images: Kiwi Nutrition courtesy Herbazest

Kiwi Nutrition

Instead of comparing ‘Apples and Oranges’, let’s check out ‘Kiwi and Oranges’, which I found pleasantly surprising.They are a great addition to your family’s diet but did you know that there are higher levels of Vitamin C found in Kiwifruit than what’s found in Oranges? Here are some other Similarities:

• Both can boost your immune system, and have strong antioxidants for fighting free-radicals;

• Both aid digestion – Oranges help draw out toxins, acting as a diuretic, whilst Kiwifruit decreases digestive related illnesses with its anti-inflammatory properties;

• Both assist with lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of heart disease.

Differences between these Vitamin C fruits:

• Kiwifruit has more sugar than Oranges;

• Oranges are better for reducing pain and inflammation;

• Kiwifruit also contains Vitamin A and lutein, which helps fight ageing and free-radicals;

• Kiwifruit is great for building and maintaining our bones, reducing risk of eye disease or problems with the respiratory system.

Adding these super-fruits to meals, smoothies and the family diet ensures we get the best from both of them! How about adding them to your weekly Home Spa routine, mixed with clays or other goodies from your cupboards? Try either of the following recipes – all from home, without any preservatives or nasty ingredients!!!

Fun skincare tips to include in your weekly Home Spa routine:
• 1 Kiwifruit cut up,
• 1 tablespoon of Yoghurt
• 3 tablespoons of Oatmeal
• Mix together, gently scrub onto your face and allow to dry.
• Wash it off with warm water.
• Apply your Serum and Face Balm to treat and rehydrate your skin.

Option two:
• 1 Kiwifruit cut up,
• 1 tablespoon of Aloe Vera
• Mix together, apply to your face and neck for approximately 10-15 minutes.
• Wash it off with warm water.
• Apply your Serum and Face Balm to treat and rehydrate your skin.

Please let me know how your skin feels after trying either or both of these home spa tips!

Image: Kiwis cut & ready to eat or add to Home Spa routine!

” The first time I saw a Kiwi, I thought it’s a Potato with fur!!” – Cool Funny Quotes

Trivia About Kiwifruit:

The Kiwifruit was named after the bird because it has similar looking features to the brown feathers.Over 700 years ago, it was originally from China and known as Yang Tao. When the fruit was shipped to New Zealand around 1906, the fruit was renamed Chinese Gooseberry.

The fruit symbolises plentiful and a tiding of good things are coming. Ironically, the fury exterior symbolises the obstacles in your way.

Kiwifruit is a great addition for treating and maintaining healthy hair.It’s packed with the mineral Zinc, necessary for hair growth, preventing hair loss and dandruff!

BLOG PARTICIPATION:

    • Are you surprised about the history of Kiwifruit and where it’s produced for global consumption?
    • Have you tried Kiwifruit oil for treating problem skin?
    • Would you consider the Home Spa treatment to test how it feels on your skin?
    • What do you love the best about Kiwifruit?

“About Lili & Why I make Essentially Lili Products.”

About Lili & Essentially Lili – My Health Studies include from 2016-2019 Diplomas in Aromatherapy, Holistic Skincare Products, Clinical Nutrition, Stress Management, Reflexology, Holistic Pain Management.I’m aMember of International College of Holistic Medicine.I’m currently studying Clinical Nutrition for Over 50s.

My aim is to help you get the results you want as I have already been on that hard journey to overcome the autoimmune disorder. If you wish to know more about Clinical Nutrition and how to kick start your health, book a private Consultation. Please send an email to info@essentiallylili.com should you need further assistance.  At Essentially Lili, the products made are all using 100% Natural Ingredients.  See the wide variety of Products available on the webpage.

Should you need help in deciding, start by reading the Reviews & Testimonials about other Customers who have enjoyed using the products.We have had some amazing Before & After results from Clients using the All-Natural Skincare products.  Please don’t forget to write your comments and reviews on our pages to share the love with others.

See the Blog Library for previous writings about Alopecia Areata, Face Mapping, Dry Skin in Winter, Raiding Your Fridge, Keratosis Pilaris Tips, Anguish of Acne/Rosacea, How to deal with Cystic Acne & Understanding Your Body. Your feedback allows us to improve the content and information provided and products made.

We look forward to hearing from you, With Love Essentially Lili.

Essentially Lili Signature products include Nourishing Face Balm for women Over 30s and Frankincense Face Serum as Featured in TATLER UK Magazine – Bronzed Beauty Campaign.

NFB FFS Dynamic Duo

Secrets of Passion Fruit

Secrets of Passion Fruit

Secrets of Passion Fruit

A delicious summer taste with
benefits for your skin & overall health.

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I wanted to share what gorgeous benefits Passion Fruit (Passiflora edulis and Passiflora flavicarpa) have.They are often found on cakes like pavlova, in drink combinations or part of the exotic summer fruits selection. But what is it about this tiny fruit that makes us feel happy, both inside and out?

The plant and fruit is native to South America, grown in some regions of southern Brazil, through Paraguay and northern Argentina. It’s also found in other tropical regions of the world like India, Africa, Hawaii and Australia. Historically passion fruit was used for lowering inflammation, assisting and improving digestion, together with protecting the skin. Studies today are considering that it may also protect against other inflammatory conditions such as heart-related concerns and insulin resistance.

The Passion fruits are cultivated commercially for its sweet-sour, somewhat tarty, highly aromatic and seedy fruit. Round or oval in shape, it’s like a berry appearing yellow or dark purple when ready for picking, depending on where it’s grown.
It’s regarded as a Pepo, which is a fruit with a fleshy and multiple seeded interior and a harder outer rind. Melons and Cucumbers are also regarded as Pepos.

Consumption information about Passion Fruit:

• You can indulge in all the gelatinous pulp that’s full of edible but tarty tasting seeds! Either scoop out the pulp with a spoon and place it in a bowl, or brave and eat it all without sharing!!
• The fruit can be eaten, juiced, added to other combinations of summer selections to enhance both the flavour and the aroma.
• You would need to consume six (6) passion fruits to make up one portion of your 5 a day. Whilst that’s loads of seeds to ingest, the alternative is eat ten (10) blackberries or half (½) an aubergine!!
• Passion fruit is a Superfood as it is an excellent source of Antioxidants like Vitamins C and A, contains polyphenols and carotenoid.
• It contains a decent number of Essential minerals, including magnesium, phosphorous, potassium and calcium.
• Including Passion fruit in our diet can support bone health, physical, digestive and cardiovascular functionality.
• It can support digestion when consuming the rich in fibre seeds instead of just the juice.
• The fruit is high in fibre called pectin, which is lower in sugar compared to other fruits. It can provide necessary nutrients without causing blood sugar levels to spike too much.
(Note: If you have concerns with diabetes and insulin, please consult your Dietician Specialist before over-indulging).

For alternative ideas on how to Passion Fruits, see the recipes on Taste webpage: Passion Fruit Recipes.

Images: Passionfruit, Variety of Colours, Unsplash Sheng Gen Lin.

How can Passion Fruit help our skin’s health?

• Passion fruit oil is great as an anti-aging ingredient due its antioxidant content, being rich in Vitamin C and A, riboflavin and carotenoids.
• Vitamin A can protects your skin from sun damage;
• The high levels of fatty acids contained in the Passion fruit oil helps keep skin looking firm and youthful.
• The passion fruit seeds comprise of particular peptides that promote antifungal activity.
• These also encourage and stimulates the fusion and production of collagen. </br
Collagen rejuvenates and reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles slowing the aging process.
• The strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties found in Passion fruit can reduces the creation of free radicals, bacteria, pollutants or infections in our body, which can ultimately cause our skin to age.
• It promotes maintaining the skin’s health, encouraging wound healing.
• Passion fruit oil is light, is non-greasy, making it quicker for the skin to absorb.
• The non-clogging factor makes it a great moisturising addition to your beauty routine, assists skin cell exfoliation whilst treating acne-prone skin.

Images: Passion Fruit Flower.

passion flower

Please note: If you are using Passion Flower for its relaxing and calming benefits, ensure you obtain your supply from a reputable herbal or Natural store.

In a past newsletter, whilst studying Holistic Pain Management Diploma I shared the benefits from using the Blue Passion Flower, or bluecrown passionflower (Passiflora caerulea).

This plant can grow up to 10 metres (33 ft) high, with fragrant leaves that look like an open handed palm, and magnificent looking flowers containing an array of colours like blue, white and brown. The edible orange fleshy fruit can grow up to 6 cms, can be somewhat bland in taste.The part of the plant that grows above the ground is used for its gentle and calming properties, consisting of natural healing, food flavouring, teas, infusions, liquid extracts or tinctures.

Blue Passion Flower can be combined with relaxing and calming herbs like chamomile, hops, kava, skullcap, lemon balm and valerian root.

Benefits from using Passion Flower include reducing:
• Insomnia & improving sleep,
• Stress & Anxiety,
• Inflammation from skin irritations and burns.

Sleep is something we all love to have a lot of.Studies performed on patients who had bipolar disorder showed that using natural herbal medicines and drinking passion flower tea over a period of time, that they showed a reduction in anxiety and improvement in their overall sleep.For insomnia, the combination found that worked best was Passion Flower combined with Valerian root, especially if you have trouble switching off an active brain at night and need your cells to become calm.

” Passion Flower can used to assists insomnia, relieve stress & anxiety ” – Holistic Pain Management Diploma Course

Trivia About Passion Fruit:

Apparently, dreaming about Passion fruits suggests that in future, you will be able to do positive and sensible things.It reflects a sign of abundance, growth and financial gain, where being in this growth stage means you’re going in the right direction!

The fruit symbolises abundance, associated with the goddesses of fertility and the harvest.It often represents earthly pleasures, temptations and over-indulgence.

Some passion fruit contains high levels of caffeine, which will make it more difficult to relax and fall asleep. Passion fruit tea, however, contains alkaloids, which can aid your nervous system relaxing, making you tired and achieving a better night’s sleep.

Whilst the seeds and flesh of purple passion fruit can be eaten, the outer skin contains small quantities of cyanogenic glycosides (cyanide) and should not be consumed.
Therefore, commercial passion fruit juice goes through a process to deacidify via electrodialysis for this reason.

BLOG PARTICIPATION:

    • What do you find surprising about Passion fruit and it’s many wonderful benefits for your health and skin?
    • Have you tried Passion fruit oil for treating acne-prone skin?What’s your feedback about using it

“About Lili & Why I make Essentially Lili Products.”

About Lili & Essentially Lili – My Health Studies include from 2016-2019 Diplomas in Aromatherapy, Holistic Skincare Products, Clinical Nutrition, Stress Management, Reflexology, Holistic Pain Management.I’m aMember of International College of Holistic Medicine.I’m currently studying Clinical Nutrition for Over 50s.

My aim is to help you get the results you want as I have already been on that hard journey to overcome the autoimmune disorder. If you wish to know more about Clinical Nutrition and how to kick start your health, book a private Consultation. Please send an email to info@essentiallylili.com should you need further assistance.  At Essentially Lili, the products made are all using 100% Natural Ingredients.  See the wide variety of Products available on the webpage.

Should you need help in deciding, start by reading the Reviews & Testimonials about other Customers who have enjoyed using the products.We have had some amazing Before & After results from Clients using the All-Natural Skincare products.  Please don’t forget to write your comments and reviews on our pages to share the love with others.

See the Blog Library for previous writings about Alopecia Areata, Face Mapping, Dry Skin in Winter, Raiding Your Fridge, Keratosis Pilaris Tips, Anguish of Acne/Rosacea, How to deal with Cystic Acne & Understanding Your Body. Your feedback allows us to improve the content and information provided and products made.

We look forward to hearing from you, With Love Essentially Lili.