In Part 1 of this series, we discussed the elements that define superfoods. We also discussed the fact that although there's considerable research being conducted surrounding our health and wellbeing, the results of these studies may not be entirely accurate. This is because in real life there are always various complex factors that cannot be accounted for. Fortunately, ancient cultures have been carrying out their own "studies" with research based on experimentation and experience over thousands of years! All we have to do is learn from their deep understanding of how nature has completely provided us with the means necessary for a healthy and vibrant life.
The Mapuche and Maqui
The Mapuche have used maqui berry leaves, stems, fruits and wine medicinally for thousands of years, for such wide-ranging ailments as sore throat, diarrhea, birth-delivery, fever and tumours. They are the only tribe in the Americas that were not conquered by any European country; according to the Conquistadors, the Mapuche ate very little solid food and drank a fermented beverage made from maqui berries several times a day. This is considered to be the source of the extraordinary strength and stamina that their warriors exhibited. It is only in recent years that science has given us an insight into this; we now know that the maqui berry is by far the highest source of anthocyanin antioxidants on the planet. Yet similar examples to that of the Mapuche exist in many cultures throughout the world.
{image - Maqui Berries}
The Incas and Maca
Maca has been cultivated in Peru for thousands of years. It helps balance the endocrine system and directly impacts sexual and reproductive health, in addition to overall vitality. Thus it was a central constituent of the local diet until the Incans’ rulers began permitting its use strictly amongst their royal circles. This was due to its incredible benefits and potency. Building on the foundations of generations of indigenous knowledge, many doctors in South America regularly use maca against a whole host of ailments, including impotence, premenstrual syndrome, menstrual irregularities, menopausal syndrome (which includes hot flushes, vaginal dryness, night sweats and depression), osteoporosis, infertility, anaemia, tuberculosis, stomach cancer and memory disorders.
{image - Fresh Maca Root}
The Pima and Mesquite
Diabetes was a rare occurrence amongst the native Pima tribes of Arizona prior to World War 1. The incidence of diabetes amongst these tribes is now 15% higher than the rest of the American population. The cause has been identified – it is due to the rich North American diet which the Pima Indians are traditionally unaccustomed to. Now these tribal people are being urged to return to their original diet which consisted of mesquite, beans, chia seeds and acorns.
Mesquite is considered to be one of the most effective foods tested for maintaining stable blood sugar levels. The sweetness of mesquite comes from fructose which the body can process without insulin. Mesquite is also a rich source of soluble fibres which slow down the absorption of nutrients thus avoiding the ‘spike’ usually followed by eating bread or other wheat products. This makes it a sweetener with an incredibly low Glycemic Index. The Pima Indians had long possessed the knowledge to live harmoniously with the land, traditionally using what nature had already provided to maintain health and wellbeing, thus ensuring their survival. However, they were forced from their lands and traditional diet, and since they were traditionally used to sweetening much of their food with mesquite, the substitution of a modern high-sugar diet led to dire consequences.
A Balanced Approach
At Loving Earth we believe that it’s very important to listen to your body, finding out what works for you - it is vitally important to not get caught up in the hype and follow every new health trend that comes along. We need to decide for ourselves the validity of all the information we constantly receive and be open to learning from the collective experiences of older cultures to experience a healthier, more vibrant life.
The bottom line? A spoonful of prevention is better than a ounce of cure – and this has never rung more true than in today’s age of heavily processed foods. A healthy and balanced wholefoods diet is where healthcare begins. Medicine is not health care; it is illness care. Pills are not meant to take care of your health - nutrition rich natural wholefoods are. Some of those foods just go that extra mile!
