Happy Mother’s Day! And And Happy Women’s Health Week! The week of May 10-16, 2020 is dedicated to reminding women and girls to prioritize health and take care of their bodies, minds and spirits.

When we sample our product at markets and retail stores, I’m always struck by the number of women at different points of their lives, and with different health challenges, who tell us how beneficial they’ve found Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) and our other ingredients. 

One woman, a health care professional herself who was six months pregnant, told us that it helped her manage morning sickness, gastro-intestinal issues (especially gas), and heartburn. Her experience is supported by clinical research: 

• Ginger (a main ingredient in all of our offerings) has been proven to mitigate nausea; the same has been found of dandelion root (the star of our Wilder Earth Cider).  
• There’s research suggesting that curcumin — the main compound in turmeric root (also present in all of our offerings) — could reduce inflammatory markers in pregnant women that helps prevent preeclampsia. 
• The proven anti-inflammatory benefits of dandelion root in our Wilder Earth Cider may help with swollen feet. 
• (For more info on the benefits of ACV during pregnancy click here.) 

There’s also promising research linking our ingredients to improvements in other areas of women’s reproductive health. For example: 

• Studies indicate that the curcumin in our organic turmeric can successfully reduce endometrial cell proliferation in endometriosis, and may function as a treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

• And dandelion root has been used traditionally to reduce water retention symptomatic of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) 

I’ve also been struck by how popular our products among older women, who report that our ingredients help reduce hot flashes and excessive sweating -- two of the telltale signs of menopause.

And beyond hormonal health, our recipes support other critical health concerns for women.

Dandelion (Wilder), is a particular powerhouse. Its root has been used for hundreds of years from China to the Mediterranean to tone the liver, spleen, stomach, pancreas, kidneys, gallbladder, skin, and entire nervous, glandular, digestive, urinary, circulatory, immune and lymphatic systems. It is high in polysaccharides, which help to balance blood sugar levels, as well as inulin, a soluble plant fiber that helps to regulate blood sugar, especially in prediabetic individuals. Dandelion has been clinically shown to have promising impact treating and preventing Type II Diabetes, prevalent in 25% of the population over 65 years old, as well as lowering levels of cholesterol and fat in the liver.

Dandelion has even been found to healthy skin -- specifically protecting it from the impact of UV light.

Other benefits extend far beyond the physical. Burdock root, for example, is understood by herbalists to be a powerful source of support for emotional stability. In her book Healing Wise herbalist Susun Weed writes that the root “nourishes the most extreme, buried, and far-reaching aspects of ourselves…breaks the ground for deep transformation...is slow, steady, and ready to nourish you deeply as you transform and heal.”

This is just the tip of the iceberg. Much more clinical research is called for to prove the host of benefits that have been attributed to our ingredients in herbal lore for hundreds of years.

Have questions or comments? We'd love to hear from you! Please reach out here.