Did you know that most vitamin C supplements available today are synthetically made? When you buy a bottle of vitamin C you are usually buying ascorbic acid (unless it says otherwise on the label), which is the chemical name for vitamin C. It is named after a disease it treats, scurvy, a- signifies no, and -scorbutus is the Latin word for scurvy. Many juices and fruit products are loaded up with ascorbic acid. It seems that if a product is labeled “high in Vitamin C,” it sells better. You may be asking yourself, is ascorbic acid bad for you? As an Herbalist, I would say that I prefer vitamin C derived from food and plants than if it is synthetically made. Ascorbic acid makes your body acidic, and many people report side effects, such as canker sores. When you take your vitamin C from natural sources, such as rosehips, it is easily absorbed and leaves your body in an alkaline state. (For more information about the acid/alkaline balance check out "Are Your Acid Or Alkaline?")
The best way to get your daily amount of vitamin C is through your diet. I like to start my day with the juice from one lemon or lime in a glass of warm water, on an empty stomach. I wait for about a half hour to one hour to eat breakfast. In this way it allows my body to absorb the vitamin C and all the other goodies the lemon contains, and most importantly it alkalizes the body. But, if you eat your breakfast right after you drink the lemon juice, your body will become acidic. This morning routine also cleanses the liver, which gives me a boost of energy. Have you ever noticed how your mouth feels after a sip of lemon juice (without sugar)? Your tongue feels squeaky clean. The same effect happens in your liver. It cleanses the liver of toxic waste, giving it a fresh new start on a fresh new day! There are many benefits of drinking lemon water in the morning on an empty stomach.
Plant based vitamin C has many other benefits. My top 9 reasons for using vitamin C include:
- Boosts the immune system
- Fights free radicals
- Reduces recovery time from the flu, colds, etc.
- Protects your eyesight
- Supports the cardiovascular system
- Improves moods
- Boosts collagen and connective tissue production
- Plumps up your skin
- Speeds up wound healing
The Herb Stop offers a certified organic Herbal C containing herbs known for their high vitamin C content, such as
Acerola fights cellular aging as it also contains a great amount of minerals, which have shown to aid re-mineralize tired and stressed skin, while the mucilage and proteins hydrate the skin and promote capillary condition.
Rosehip is known for its high vitamin C content, but this little fruit from the rose bush has many vitamins, pectin, beta-carotene, bio-flavonoids and minerals. A powerful anti-oxidant, rosehips have been used by herbalists against colds and the flu, shielding the immune system and various organs and tissues from oxidative stress.
Amalaki is also known as Indian gooseberry. One berry contains about 3000 mg of vitamin C, is 99.9 % absorbable, and it stays in the body for up to 36 hours. Amalaki enhances the vitality of every cell in the body, boosts the immune system to fight colds, the flu, and infections. It is also an excellent tonic for your eyes. Triphala, a popular herbal blend to cleanse and rebuild the entire digestive system, contains Amalaki.
Camu Camu is a fruit that contains the highest amount of vitamin C found on Earth. Camu camu may be helpful for cold sores, herpes, shingles, colds and the flu, wound healing, repairing and maintaining the health of your bones and teeth, and much, much more. Research suggest it may also boost cognitive function.
Orange peel has more vitamin C than its flesh. One ounce of organic orange peel contains approximately 40 mg of vitamin C, while the flesh contains only approximately 20 mg of vitamin C. Orange peels are also rich in bioflavonoids, calcium, copper, magnesium, vitamin A, folate and other B vitamins and dietary fiber. Learn more about why eating organic orange peels have many health benefits. Orange peel are also being used for weight-loss, as it burns fat.
Each herb in Herbal C has an affinity with specific organs and organ systems. For example, amalaki has an affinity with the entire digestive system and the eyes, while rosehip targets the adrenal glands. A blend with all the above herbs in one capsule, Herbal C works together in synergy to maximize the delivery of vitamin C to the whole body.
If fresh fruits are not available to me, I take two to six capsules of Herbal C in the morning with my breakfast. If you prefer to take your daily C in powder form to add to smoothies, you may check out All-C-ing, a similar formula to Herbal C.
Tschau mitenand,
Leilah