Get Set Go!!!

Its Marathon time…..gear up for the Mumbai Marathon and improve performance on the day of the race with our Good Health Always Infusion

Mountain runners Emelie Forsberg and Kilian Jornet, have been known to fuel themselves before or during a race with cookies soaked in tea. They aren’t the first to boost their endurance with tea- for centuries, people in the Andes have made tea from cocoa leaves, dried herbs and spices to be used to boost energy and performance and aid with altitude acclimatization.

Fresh and dried herbs and spices are not just flavor additions merely for taste… they are actually powerful performance aids for sportspersons! The energy enhancing properties of herbs and spices help promote vitality, decrease tissue inflammation and provide much needed antioxidant boosting- to fight inflammation, boost circulation and heal damaged tissues. In fact, the Ancient Greek word for fennel (saunf) is ‘Marathon’- they believed that fennel promoted endurance and longevity.

Marathon runners can have a tremendous amount of tissue inflammation. Inflammation is caused by a flux of free radicals in the body and can stem from issues such as diet, lifestyle choices, digestive issues, and chronic conditions like heart disease or diabetes. Exercise is also a natural cause of free radical production.

There are different teas/brews/infusions you can incorporate into your diet to manage inflammation and improve stiffness, soreness and overall well-being. These teas/brews/infusions also have performance-boosting benefits when consumed before, during or after the race.

A strong coffee provides an initial spike in energy levels which is unfortunately followed by a rapid decline in energy. It can also leave you feeling jittery and acidic and you know that you will be uncomfortable running with a sour stomach. Substitute your pre-run coffee with our special Good Health Always Marathon Infusion that provides long-lasting energy without the crash. This infusion will hydrate you before as well as during the race and boost your post-run recovery.

The Good Health Always Marathon Infusion has ingredients which will do the following:

- Help clear congestion in the respiratory system and reduce mucous formation.
- Reduce airway constriction.
- Prevent tissue inflammation.
- Provide stress-reducing amino acids which elevate metabolism.
- Provide magnesium and zinc for testosterone production( for durability and recovery)
- Provide calcium and manganese for bone health.
- Boost circulation in order to speed up the delivery of nutrients to your working muscles.
- Act as a digestive aid to help nervous runners by soothing their stomach lining.
- Promote detoxification through sweat.
- Protect from sun damage.

Recipe for the Good Health Always Marathon Infusion:

Ingredients:

3 liters water
4 sachets green tea
10 fresh tulsi leaves
1 tsp chopped parsley
10 mustard seeds
5 cloves
5 green elaichi
1 tsp dill seeds (suva)
1 tsp grated ginger
1 tsp saunf
1 inch quill of cinnamon
¼ tsp turmeric powder
¼ tsp red chilli flakes

Method:

Simply bring the water to a boil in a large vessel. Add the 12 ingredients and let them boil for 2 minutes. Set aside from the flame. Cover and let the ingredients steep in the hot water for an hour. Strain and drink small amounts at a time before, during and after the race.

Kudos to you- you have pushed yourself through all those months of training, made it through never-ending long runs, even made it to race week without any major injury- so now just go out there and do your best. May the force be with you !!!


Stay blessed with good health .…always !!!

Warm regards,

Charmaine D’Souza

Guava leaves

If you have read our blog on guavas and liked it, you will be intrigued to learn that the leaves of this fruit also have health benefits. If you have a guava tree in your building compound or garden…lucky you !!!

• The leaves contain polyphenols, tannins, carotenoids and flavonoids like quercetin which help treat various ailments.
• Since the leaves are rich in anti-oxidants, they prevent and repair cellular damage and may help in decreasing the risk of age-related ailments.
• They are highly recommended to stop nose bleeds…just crush a leaf in the palm of your hands and inhale.
• Fresh guava leaves are a natural pain reliever as they contain anti-inflammatory agents.
• They also help to cleanse the liver.
• Being a good source of dietary fibre, they help relieve constipation.
• To improve digestion, soothe the gastric lining and to relieve nausea, diarrhea and vomiting boil 10 guava leaves (or 2 tsp guava leaf powder) in 2 liters of water. Add a few slivers of ginger and drink this decoction through the day.
• Gargle with the same decoction to relieve tooth aches, heal bleeding gums, oral ulcers and sore throats….due to the anti-bacterial effect of guava leaves.
• Guava leaf tea inhibits the growth of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria…the primary cause of diarrhea.
• Make a paste of 1- 2 guava leaves and a pinch of turmeric and apply on facial skin that is prone to acne…leave until it dries, then wash off with cold water.
• Guava leaf paste will also enhance healing when applied on wounds and sores. 
• Guava leaf tea can help lower blood sugar levels because it reduces alpha-glycosidase enzyme activity in diabetics….and inhibits the absorption of dietary sugars like maltose and sucrose. 
• It also helps lower LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels…without decreasing the level of heart friendly HDL cholesterol. 
• Guava leaf tea can also help lower blood pressure.

Steep a few fresh guava leaves in boiling hot water for 4 to 5 minutes to make a refreshing brew. Guava leaf supplements in the form of teas, capsules and guava leaf powder are now available albeit at few ayurvedic stores…but their availability will soon increase as the market for these increases.
Avoid if pregnant or breastfeeding.

Stay blessed with good health .…always !!!

Warm regards,

Charmaine D’Souza