Scientific research has revealed remarkable antidepressant properties in the tree from which our new Raw Organic Rainforest Honey from Brazil comes.
According to database company Exasol, doctors in the UK made more than 64 million prescriptions of antidepressants in 2016.
The UK Department of Work, Health and Pensions found that 35% of workplace absences are due to mild mental health disorders including anxiety, stress and depression.
Millions of Britons regularly take antidepressants to combat anxiety, stress and depression.
Broadly speaking, antidepressant medication is of three types: Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs), Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) and Serotonin Selective Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs).
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) work by increasing levels of two hormones in the brain: norepinephrine (a stimulating hormone) and serotonin (the "happiness hormone").
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) work by increasing these same two hormones, but also increase dopamine (the "satisfaction hormone").
Serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most common antidepressants in use today and include popular drugs such as Prozac, Cipramil and Seroxat. They work by blocking the reabsorption of the serotonin happiness hormone and thus prolonging the sense of well-being in a patient.
All of these drugs have many side effects including abnormal weight gain, low sex drive, excessive sweating, bleeding and disturbed sleep.
A laboratory pollen analysis of our new Raw Organic Rainforest Honey from Brazil revealed that at least 44% of this honey comes from bees feeding on the pink Mimosa silk tree, scientific name Albizia julibrissin.
The Mimosa tree has been used in Chinese medicine for over 2000 years to relieve anxiety, stress and depression. In East Asia, the mimosa is known as the "tree of happiness" or "happiness bark."
Some Chinese herbalists even refer to Mimosa as the "herbal Prozac."
A pharmacoepidemiologic study in Taiwan in 2002 found that Mimosa was the third most commonly prescribed Chinese herbal medicine for treating insomnia.
The active constituents of Mimosa are albitocin, b-sitosterol, amyrin, 3,4,7-trihydroxyflavone, spinasterylglucoside, machaerinic acid, lactone, methyl ester, acaci acid, and lactone.
These constituents work by increasing the secretion of the mood-enhancing hormones in the brain including serotonin, and regulating their reabsorption, thereby calming the nervous system and prolonging the "good mood" effect.
The secretion of serotonin into the brain has a sedative effect on the nervous system which promotes healthy sleep and combats insomnia.
Furthermore, there are no known side effects of Mimosa on the body, but pregnant woman should not take Mimosa without medical advice.
The introduction of Mimosa into the diet, for example, by the use of raw unprocessed honey from the Mimosa tree such as our Raw Organic Rainforest Honey from Brazil, can complement to antidepressant medication when used to combat anxiety, stress, depression and insomnia.
It is suggested that the honey is taken as a teaspoon mixed into cold or warm water first thing in the morning on an empty stomach and then twice more throughout the day, always on an empty stomach.
It is important to stress that alternative remedies should not be used to replace medically prescibed pharmaceuticals without seeking advice from a qualified medical practitioner.
This article is based on scientific research on the antidepressant properties of the Mimosa tree, from which 44% of our Raw Organic Rainforest Honey from Brazil comes.
So while we are unable to claim that this honey will cure depression, nearly half of this honey originates from a tree which is scientifically shown to have powerful natural antidepressant properties.
This thick liquid honey has tasting notes of caramelised hazelnut truffle and mocha praline with a splendid lingering aftertaste of rose and dark chocolate.