Deep underground in the mountainous part of Southern Siberia there are pockets of granitization. From there, from 6-10 miles away, extremely valuable enriched with trace minerals, fulvic and humic acids waters rise to the earth's surface and absorbed by plants and vegetation, including milk thistle.
The effect of these waters on health has been studied relatively well. But how many more extraordinary secrets are hidden there, in the depths! Almost all chemical elements present on Earth come up. They are absorbed by herbs and converted by them into the most useful compounds.
So the vegetation growing in the Siberian region certainly cannot be called ordinary! Oil from Siberian milk thistle is much better than oil from herbs growing in Europe. This region is unique in its ecological parameters - the Siberian nature, despite the long history of development by Russian researchers and urban planners, is still little studied by man. Sometimes you cannot meet a single living soul for hundreds of kilometers here! Aren't these ideal conditions for the growth of environmentally friendly milk thistle? The oil made from the extract of this plant is an excellent source of the famous Siberian longevity.
Both the medical and nutritional value of hawthorn seeds is due to the increased content of active but at the same time easily digestible substances.
Each of the hawthorn berries contains 3-5 seeds of a triangular shape. They do not sit very tightly in the pulp and can be easily removed when a fruit is fresh, but when it’s dry – it’s almost impossible to take out. Both - berries and seeds – have great therapeutic effect, whether hawthorn are fresh, frozen, or dried.
It is recommended to prepare teas, balms, drinks, and compotes based on extracts from solid natural raw materials (whole berries with seeds) since its useful components, contained in berries and seeds will stay with the liquid during processing. Hawthorn tea, drink, compotes are much tastier and healthier in comparison with those prepared from berries without seeds. For a basic compote from whole dried hawthorn berries, let dried berries to stay overnight in liquid, then bring it to boil, and now you can eat much softer berries with honey or as-is, and you have a ready to drink healthy hawthorn compote.
Hawthorn seeds are also used in Siberia for making flour, from which you can then bake cupcakes, buns, cakes, etc - pretty much like bird cherry flour, very popular in Siberia. There is also a method of using ground hawthorn seeds for the purposes of fortification (adding vitamins and useful nutrients) in wheat flour and baking mixes products in Siberia.
In the East, the healing properties of Shilajit were known since ancient times. It found recognition in other countries as well. The ancient Greek philosopher and pharmacist Aristotle and the Central Asian scientist Biruni, the Arab philosopher and physician Ibn Ruschts, the medieval French pharmacist Guy de la Fontsne, and the brilliant Italian Leonardo da Vinci paid tribute to this natural remedy.
Here's an interesting fact for you: in southern Siberia and Altai, people of the past also studied the beneficial properties of Shilajit. Moreover, the results of their research are in no way inferior to the research of ancient Greek and Arab sages.
Shamans of the tribes that lived in the Altai mountains in the 11-12th century used "Black Gold" (as they called this unique mountain resin) in the treatment of wounds of hunters, treatment of diseases of the elderly, increasing the immunity of women of the tribe, etc.
In this article, we will look at the several recipes from Shilajit that we inherited from the indigenous people of Altai.
It’s important to mention that today shilajit is recognized as a dietary supplement, not a drug that is supposed to prevent or cure a disease. However, please consult with your physician or healthcare provider before taking this or any other dietary supplements. Even following shamans’ advice requires a good judgement and proper consultation with a medical expert. Be Healthy!
The use of the resin is predominantly external. Inside, it is allowed to use only an oil solution of turpentine with an active ingredient concentration of up to 10%. Specifically pine nut oil with pine resin and sea buckthorn oil with pine resin – amongst the most popular mixes of resin with oil. More saturated balms (20-50%) are suitable exclusively for external use.
There are many options for how to use pine resin, depending on the existing diseases and the state of the body. The most common problems for which it is recommended to use pine resin are:
If you plan to use the resin orally, as a supplement with oil (capsule form, for example) therapy begins with recommended doses. Pine resin is taken 3-5 drops per day, preferably in the morning, 20-35 minutes before breakfast.
With obesity, the presence of cellulite, and general laxity of the skin, rubbing in a steam room using an oil solution of resin helps.
Pine resin is also used in the beauty industry for hair care. The main effect of this substance when caring for curls is to strengthen the roots and stimulate growth. Additionally, cedar gum normalizes the function of the sebaceous glands and improves the appearance of the hair. It produces a weak antifungal effect, therefore it can be used in the complex treatment of seborrhea and dandruff.
Shilajit has a bitter taste, it has a specific smell similar to oil. Interestingly, it almost completely dissolves in water, leaving only small sediment. Not everyone likes the taste of pure Shilajit. For this reason, remedies based on Altai resin are a mixture of Shilajit and all kinds of natural additives that change the taste to a pleasant one.
Those who prefer pure Shilajit often mix it with water, coffee, milk, and honey. One of the most popular drinks is herbal tea. It is customary for them to finish almost any meal, and in general, the daily consumption of tea for a modern person is very high. So, is it possible to mix Altai Shilajit with tea?
Mixing Altai Shilajit with green tea, you deal a double blow to many unpleasant diseases. In addition, this combination is an excellent tool for preventing health disorders and increasing the body's immunity.
It is a black tea that perfectly reduces the feeling of nausea and is actively working to create beneficial microflora in the intestines. In combination with Altai Shilajit, black tea is an effective remedy for intoxication of the body.
Which tea is tastier with Shilajit?
It depends. If you are truly concerned about health benefits of tea – definitely pick green tea and variations of it – herbal tea, even pine needle tea which we discussed later in our blog. But not everyone is only interested in the beneficial properties of tea - for some, the taste and color of the drinking matter. Black tea has a richer taste and a much brighter color due to the thearubigins (polyphenols) it contains, which are formed during the fermentation of black tea.
Sea buckthorn berries have become popular in the last decade due to their rich chemical composition. They are used in various spheres of life to help maintain and improve health. Unusual taste, smell, and appearance attract many fans of exotic. But why does sea buckthorn have such a unique vibrant color?
Sea buckthorn has a very specific taste. In ripe berries, it is sour with a little bitterness. Fruits nailed by freezing become sweetish-bitter. Some varieties have a bright sweetish note.
The scent of the fruit is a mixture of the freshness, sourness, and bitterness of a resinous tree. It has a quite acidic flavor. Many say that the scent of sea buckthorn is similar to the scent of a Siberian pine forest during a rainy season. Honestly, we don’t know why but the smell is definitely interesting.
Researchers from the University of Ulm (Germany) have collected data on exactly how ultraviolet radiation is reflected from the fruits and leaves of 97 plant species around the world. The study also included some berries from Siberia, including sea buckthorn.
The science team found that the colors of the berries of related species have nothing to do with this relationship, which means that their color is independent of the genetic relationship. Scientists write that the fruits are mainly eaten by mammals (primates), which better perceive colors from the green part of the spectrum. Birds that prefer bright berries, on the other hand, notice red and orange colors faster, which are easier to spot in green foliage, including sea buckthorn bushes.
Shilajit is a mountain resin with a complex multi-component composition. As a means for losing weight, it began to be used not so long ago, however, due to its proven effectiveness, the healing substance quickly gained popularity among the people who care about their health, weight, and condition of the skin.
In its natural form, the Shilajit is a kind of outgrowths and deposits of a resinous mass in hard-to-reach gorges and cracks of alpine rocks. The main deposits of raw material (the so-called primordial Shilajit) include the reliefs of the Russian Transbaikalia (Dauriya), Southern Siberia, and the Altai Mountains.
Most reports of shilajit assisting in weight loss are associated with higher energy and as a result more activity and less stress - less cortisol level that we all know contributes significantly to excess weight problem. Regular intake of shilajit reduces stress level and improves mental stability of user. Shilajit relaxes nerve cells and reduces the occurrence of nervous disorders like anxiety, depression and stress.
Keep in mind, before taking this or any other dietary supplement, please consult with your healthcare provider. It's just wise!
Fireweed (Ivan-Tea, Chamaenerion angustifolium, Great willowherb, Rosebay willowherb) is a miraculous herb that, before the appearance of Indian and Chinese teas, saved many northern Europeans and American colonists from serious ailments. In this article, we will tell you the most interesting facts about fireweed collected in Russian Siberia:
The first researcher of Siberian Ivan-Tea lived a long and happy life.
Petr Aleksandrovich Badmaev, a Russian doctor who studied Fireweed, lived one hundred and ten years, and ten years before his death he once again learned the joy of fatherhood. The biographers of the Russian scientist agree that Badmaev owes such a long life path to the constant drink of fireweed tea.
Ivan tea is a devoted symbol of Ancient Rus`.
In Kievan Rus, fireweed was used for a variety of purposes. The fluff from its seed boxes was used as weaving material, the roots were eaten or dried, then ground into flour, and fresh shoots and leaves were sometimes placed in different salads.
For centuries, people have used the healing power of natural herbs to solve various health problems. Being overweight is one of the most pressing problems of a modern person.
With the accumulation of fatty deposits, the general condition of the body worsens, the work of vital organs becomes difficult. Therefore, competent herbalists often use the ancient secrets of Siberian healers and prescribe special herbs to their clients to break down subcutaneous fat.
Below we list the 3 most popular herbs from Siberia to support your weight loss activities:
Sea buckthorn. (Hippophae rhamnoides)
Studies have shown the presence of special substances in the sea buckthorn bark, leaves, buds, and fruits - anthraglycosides. Also in the chemical composition of buckthorn is:
Sea buckthorn dried fruits can be used to brew tea or prepare a decoction. It is taken in combination with other remedies, primarily those that reduce intestinal gas formation in the gastrointestinal tract.
The peculiarity of buckthorn preparations is that they act directly in the large intestine. The action of the herb is primarily aimed at enhancing the peristalsis of the large intestine. The result of a decrease in the motor activity of the intestine is that the mucous membrane ceases to absorb fluid. By emptying the intestines, weight is lost, and the body is cleansed of toxins.
Bioflavonoids are necessary for the general maintenance of immunity, stabilization of the functions of the nervous system, as well as the normal functioning of blood vessels.
But what bioflavonoids are contained in Siberian herbs so popular today in traditional medicine? In this article, we will try to answer this question.
Siberia is the birthplace of many medicinal plants. Chokeberries, buckwheat, rose hips, dandelions, bergenia, burnet, valerian, hawthorn, and much more grow here rich in bioflavonoids. Here are some of the beneficial bioflavonoids found in these herbs:
It is perhaps the most powerful antioxidant among bioflavonoids. It also prevents the formation of atherosclerotic plaques and thus contributes to the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Recently, there have been recommendations for the use of quercetin along with zinc for the treatment of patients with flu and viral infections.
The maximum concentration of this substance is in red onions. Quercetin is also found in apples, tomatoes, broccoli, bell peppers, red grapes, dark cherries, lingonberries, and raspberries.
Bird cherry flour - Siberian superfood
Flour made from bird cherry berries is considered a great superfood today. That is a product containing many useful substances for the human body.
"Prunus padus" or common bird cherry in Western Siberia is very common. It is not surprising that in conditions of a deficiency of vitamins, it was from there in the 19th century that the tradition of harvesting black fruits for the winter began. They were used for the following purposes: cooking jelly, compotes, pies, and other baked goods. In addition, a very tasty jam is obtained from bird cherry. Often, the powder made from dried bird cherry berries (combined with fish oil) was used by fishermen to bake crispy salty cakes.
Bird cherry flour is not only ideal for making muffins and biscuits. It is perfect for making tasty coffee.
This coffee has an amazing chocolate-almond aroma. It is not at all like the classic tart aroma of fresh bird cherry. A cup of divine Bird Cherry coffee will invigorate the body and tune in the right way.
Horny Goat Weed is a medicinal herb that is a natural aphrodisiac that has a positive effect on the body as a whole. Remedies made from it can restore and maintain sexual activity.
In the traditional medicine of China and Siberia, medicine based on Epimedium herb has been used for more than one century, maybe this is the secret of such a large number of Chinese residents and ingenious people of Siberia. A concentrated extract is made from the leaves of the plant for the preparation of healing remedies and food supplements.
This evergreen herb grows in mountainous and hilly areas. Horny Goat Weed belongs to the Barberry herb family. Epimedium herb cuttings are up to half a meter high with spectacular large dense heart-shaped leaves and delicate flowers. The shape of the Horny Goat Weed inflorescences is not similar to other garden plants. For the originality of the flowers, the Horny Goat Weed is sometimes called the “pink elf”.
Ancient Chinese healers said that the Epimedium herb "tones the gates of life". Traditional medicine has been using the properties of the Horny Goat Weed for several centuries, but scientists continue to study this extraordinary plant and its effect on the human body.
