Spray pour la gorge à la propolis d'abeille

Did you know that bees give us more than honey? You may already know that honey has many immune-boosting benefits. However,  you may be surprised to learn that bees also give us something called Propolis. In fact, bee propolis hosts a whole other list of superfood properties that you should know about! Propolis may also be referred to as “bee glue” because it is actually used to line the walls of the hive. It is collected from parts of plants and buds, but has a waxy texture that helps with the construction of the hive. In fact, the name propolis comes from the greek words “pro”, meaning “at the entrance”, and  “polis”, standing for “city” or “community" (1). Today, we mainly use propolis for its antimicrobial properties, for everything from colds to wound treatments, and even skin repair. Historically, it has even been used by ancient Egyptians to embalm cadavers, and Greeks and Romans used it as a mouth disinfectant and an antiseptic in wound treatments (1). Propolis also acts as a potent anti-inflammatory because of its naturally-occurring components, including: Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3 and B7, amino acids, fatty acids, and minerals like magnesium, calcium, potassium, and sodium, etc. (1).  So how can bee propolis help us in our daily lives?  1. Colds and throat infections At Organika, many of us swear by a few sprays of our Bee Propolis Throat Spray to ward off the first signs of a cold. With both antioxidant and antimicrobial benefits, Bee Propolis can help to boost immunity. This lets us fight off colds a little easier and possibly keep us from catching it altogether! Alongside this, propolis is composed of a compound called caffeic acid phenyl ester (CAPE) (1), which shows anti-inflammatory properties. With a cold, this inflammation can show up as a puffy face, stuffy nose, and irritated throat. 2. Allergies If you suffer from seasonal allergies, you may think that there is no hope. Sure spring flowers are beautiful, but a runny nose and watery eyes don’t feel so great. While there hasn’t been a lot of scientific research around this, many people find that bee propolis, honey and pollen are beneficial for allergies. By incorporating locally harvested honey, or bee propolis (Organika’s comes from the Okanagan in British Columbia!), you can expose yourself to some of the things that cause seasonal allergies to start with. You can also help to prepare your immune system for when allergy season hits. 3. Oral Health Our mouths are actually pretty gross. While it does a pretty good job on its own to clean everything out, bacteria and infections can be stronger than we think. This is especially important if our immune system is down. Bacteria can cause issues like halitosis (a nicer way of saying “bad breath”), gingivitis, and can create infection if you have any type of surgical procedures on your teeth or gums. Due to the antimicrobrial and antibacterial properties of propolis, it can help reduce our risk of mouth diseases and infections. 4. Wound Healing Bee propolis has long been used in skin care products. It has been used in both first-aid treatments and in our beauty care. With high levels of antioxidants, it works against free-radical activity that occurs in wounds, ultimately assisting with healing. There have also been studies that have shown propolis’ role in assisting with collagen production in the wound (2). There is still significant research to be done around the use of propolis to truly understand its various benefits. However, looking back on our history can give us a few clues like they have above. Try for yourself and see the effects of bee propolis!

Profitez des bienfaits de la ruche pour votre santé grâce à 4 produits apicoles exceptionnels ! Les abeilles font bien plus que fabriquer du miel. Elles sont en fait des travailleuses acharnées. Elles pollinisent les nombreuses plantes qui nous nourrissent, protègent leur ruche et soutiennent leur reine, tout en se préparant aux périodes de pénurie. Elles fabriquent également avec talent quatre produits différents à usage médical. Les produits apicoles et leurs bienfaits pour la santé peuvent vous aider lorsque vous vous sentez mal, tout en vous apportant une dose d'antioxydants et de nutrition. 4 produits apicoles à essayer 1. Honey Il n'y a pas que les ours qui aiment le miel, la plupart d'entre nous aussi. Pouvez-vous nous le reprocher ? Le miel est délicieux. Pour faire du miel, les abeilles récoltent le nectar des plantes à fleurs. Le nectar est stocké dans leur estomac, et mélangé à des enzymes le transformant en une forme de miel plus liquide. Une fois que les abeilles retournent à la ruche, le liquide du miel est déposé dans le rayon de miel. Mais le travail n'est pas encore terminé, le miel est ventilé par les ailes des abeilles pour évaporer l'excès d'eau, créant ainsi le délicieux miel collant que vous voyez lorsque vous achetez du miel cru au marché de votre agriculteur local. Il existe de nombreux types de miel différents, qui peuvent varier en termes de goût et de nutrition. Pour obtenir les meilleurs résultats en matière de santé, la première chose à rechercher dans le miel, c'est qu'il est "cru". Le miel cru n'est pas pasteurisé, ce qui signifie qu'il est riche en minéraux et en enzymes vivants. Le miel est souvent utilisé pour soulager les maux de gorge, mais il peut aussi être appliqué sur les brûlures, voire utilisé comme nettoyant pour le visage. Si vous achetez du miel produit localement, la teneur en pollen peut même vous aider à vous adapter aux allergènes de votre région si vous en prenez avant la saison des allergies. 2. Pollen d'abeille Le pollen d'abeille est souvent considéré comme un super aliment. C'est une riche source de vitamines et de minéraux, et il constitue la principale source de protéines pour les jeunes abeilles. Il est fabriqué à partir du pollen doré et poussiéreux que les abeilles recueillent sur les fleurs. Elles le combinent avec du miel et le pressent en granulés. Le pollen d'abeille peut être utilisé comme complément alimentaire sous forme de granulés ou pris en complément. 3. Propolis d'abeille La propolis d'abeille est aux ruches ce que le calfeutrage est aux maisons. C'est une substance résineuse que les abeilles utilisent pour remplir les fissures et les trous de la ruche. Elle contribue également à protéger la ruche contre la contamination et les envahisseurs grâce à ses propriétés antiseptiques. La fabrication de la propolis demande du travail. Les abeilles recueillent les résines des arbres, les mélangent avec du miel et de la cire d'abeille, puis mâchent le mélange en y ajoutant l'ingrédient final, leur salive. La propolis crue est parfois appelée "colle d'abeille" car elle est plutôt collante et de texture épaisse. La propolis d'abeille est une grande source d'antioxydants, mais elle est aussi souvent utilisée en phytothérapie pour les maux de gorge et les infections buccales ou de la bouche. La prochaine fois que vous aurez un rhume, donnez de la teinture de propolis d'abeille ou vaporisez-en une. 4. La gelée royale La gelée royale est la nourriture royale des abeilles royales. Elle est également donnée aux larves et aux abeilles destinées à devenir des reines. C'est une sécrétion laiteuse qui provient de glandes spéciales situées dans la tête des abeilles ouvrières. C'est une source d'antioxydant et il est utilisé comme tonique nutritif en phytothérapie. Des études montrent également que la gelée royale aide à maintenir un taux de cholestérol sain. Les abeilles sont des petites créatures étonnantes, et leurs médicaments naturels en sont la preuve. Promouvez votre santé directement depuis la ruche et essayez les produits apicoles. Votre système immunitaire vous en remerciera. Quels produits apicoles utilisez-vous pour votre santé ?

What is Collagen? Collagen is the most abundant form of protein in our body. It provides strength, elasticity, and tone. Although we may think of collagen only in our skin, it can also be found throughout our bodies: from muscle fibres and bone matrix to our blood vessels. Collagen is the protein responsible for strong and flexible connective tissues. The collagen in our skin plays the role of improving our skin's moisture, suppleness and elasticity, and a healthy amount of collagen will give an overall youthful appearance. Our body produces its own collagen, using 3 amino acids as key "building blocks"; they are Glycine, Proline, and Hydroxyproline. Collagen formation in our body involves complex enzymatic reactions, and providing the building blocks is crucial in the process. WHY SHOULD I SUPPLEMENT WITH COLLAGEN? As we age, our collagen formation naturally decreases: starting at 1% every year in our twenties, and up to 50% by the time we hit 45. Poor lifestyle choices, such as smoking, can further decrease the collagen formation rate in our body. Less collagen leads to a loss of elasticity, strength, and tone throughout the body. You may notice this through signs of ageing, such as: Fine lines/wrinkles Brittle nails Cellulite Sagging skin Loss of moisture Weak ligaments Aching joints Arthritis Cartilage injuries There are ways to bring the collagen formation rate up again, such as providing enough "key building blocks." These amino acids are abundant in collagen-rich food, such as bone broth and chicken feet. Unfortunately, most people don't get enough collagen in their diet. Hence, collagen supplementation is beneficial for most people! It helps reduce the signs of ageing, keep the strength, tone and health of our connective tissues, and even improve the digestive tract. There are so many benefits to collagen other than beautiful skin, hair, and nails! THE MAIN TYPES OF COLLAGEN Let's break down the three most common types of collagen that you'll see in our bodies: Types 1, 2, and 3. Supplemental collagen is mainly found as Type 1, as well as a combination of Types 1 and 3. Generally, sourcing plays a role in the type of collagen that is extracted. For example, bovine collagen is sourced from the hides of cattle and is naturally high in Type 1 collagen. Here is a chart of the most common types of collagen supplements and how they are sourced. Now that you are ready to start supplementing with a Collagen powder, which source should you use? What is the difference? Is there a price difference between them? Here is a breakdown of the characteristics and benefits of bovine, marine, and poultry-sourced collagen: Bovine Collagen Naturally sourced from the hides of cattle (be sure it is sourced from the hides), this kind is very high in collagen Types 1 and 3 and contains a high amount of protein. In fact, it contains almost double the amount found in marine collagen. With a large amount of glycine (a functional amino acid), bovine collagen is excellent for hair, skin, nails, as well as our connective tissues and digestive health. In most cases, bovine collagen will give you a better bang for your buck. Marine Collagen Naturally sourced from the scales and/or skins of marine species (usually cold water fish like cod or salmon), marine collagen is very high in Type 1 collagen, which is known to increase tightness, tone, and skin elasticity. It is very beneficial for skin, hair, and nail health, and is referred to as the fountain of youth. If you are a pescetarian or prefer fish-based products, marine collagen is the one for you. Poultry Naturally sourced from chicken sternum cartilages (very high in Type 2 collagen), it is high in Hyaluronic Acid and Chondroitin Sulfate, which are essential for healthy and strong cartilages, joints and ligaments. BioCell Collagen contains a potent amount of hydrolyzed collagen which stimulates collagen production in the skin, supports the health of our joints, and keeps the moisture in our skin and lubrication around our joints. What Can Collagen Do for Me? Collagen is highly beneficial to our body for many health reasons. Mostly known for its anti-ageing effects, collagen has been researched and shown to improve more than just your skin's texture and tone. So, what are the benefits of collagen supplements? Here are a few proven benefits from collagen: Increased moisture within the body (skin & joints) Improved digestive health (leaky gut) Immune support Improved mood Stable blood sugar/weight management Connective tissue health (joints, cartilage and ligaments) Reduction in inflammation within the body Improved bone health The amazing thing about collagen is that it is a very versatile and functional supplement for all lifestyles and ages. It is also an easy supplement to include in your daily routine: add it in your morning smoothies, yogurt, coffee, and even to your baking! Organika's Enhanced Collagen Enhanced Collagen from Organika goes above and beyond to meet the needs of the modern-day health enthusiast. Stress, energy, cognitive function, etc. are all symptoms that can be addressed through Organika's collagen - hence the name "Enhanced"! Whether you are in a time crunch or need a convenient way to get some much-needed nutrients, Enhanced Collagen can help you make an event out of your morning cup, or give your baked goods a nutritious boost. It is super simple to find a product that works for you! Organika has a variety of formulas created just for your modern, on-the-go lifestyle and all can be mixed in water, smoothies, coffees, even baked goods! So find which one works best for you! Check out this handy cheat sheet.   Conclusion: With over 300 various collagen supplements on the market, choosing the collagen that is right for you can seem overwhelming and confusing. When choosing a collagen supplement, always make sure to ask or research a few important details before making your decision. Wondering what makes a great collagen supplement? Find out here in this blog. Do you still have questions about Collagen? Download our e-book to learn more about the different types of collagen and which one is for you!