The mechanisms are known. When L-theanine is absorbed in the intestinal tract and delivered to each organ, it is also delivered concentration-dependently to the brain. Increase of dopamine levels and changes of serotonin levels by L-theanine have been observed. (Yokogoshi H et al, Biosci, Biotech Biochem, 62(4), 1998); (Yokogoshi H et al, Neurochem Res, 23(5), 1998);(Yokogoshi H, Terashima T, Nutrition, 16(9), 2000). In various behavioural tests, improvements in memory and learning performance with the administration of L-theanine have been observed. In human subjects, the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system increased. Also, alpha waves in the brain increased significantly, inducing relaxation. (Kobayashi K et al, Nippon Noegikagako Kaishi, 72 (2), 1998); (Lekh R et al, Trends Food Sci Technol, 10 (6-7), 1999); (Kakuda T et al, Biosci, Biotechnol Biochem, 64(2), 2000)

Gaia Research have identified Chamomile as the perfect companion to green tea to set consumer’s minds at ease over the widely assumed issue of caffeine in green tea disturbing sleep, which unnecessarily limits their use of green tea to daytime only. To encourage consumption of sufficient green tea throughout the wakened state so as to extend and optimise its well-established considerable health benefits, Gaia have blended some of our Green Tea with ¼ German Chamomile to take advantage of the synergistic calming and digestive settling properties of both, making the blend more than suitable for afternoon and even evening consumption and complement and synergise the already considerable beneficial properties of green tea, without any of the hazards attendant to tranquillisers.

These two beverages have not been used together until now, due to an incorrect notion of expected conflict of principal properties, whereas the reverse is true, in particular towards the end of a busy day as one prepares to ‘actively unwind’. The combination teabags make convenient effective warm eye compresses, perfect for treating our hard working windows to the world that reflect the strains of our hectic lifestyles and chronic lack of quality sleep. Whilst Chinese green tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world, Chamomile is still an official traditional medicine recognised by government authority in the pharmacopoeia of 26 countries and it has been estimated that over one million cups of Chamomile tea are ingested daily worldwide, making it the most widely consumed herb tea. (Foster, S. Chamomile, Botanical Series, No 307, Amer Bot Council, Austin, Texas, 1991)

Animal studies have demonstrated German Chamomile's ability to reduce inflammation, speed wound healing, reduce muscle spasms, and to serve as a mild sedative to help with sleep. In Europe, Chamomile was traditionally and is commonly used as a digestive aid, to treat mild skin conditions, menstrual cramps, insomnia, and as a tension reliever. Chamomile has also been used successfully to provide comfort in cases of the common cold, sore throats, abscesses, gum inflammation (gingivitis), psoriasis, acne, eczema, psoriasis, minor first-degree burns, inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis), stomach ulcers, diaper rash, and colic. Laboratory studies have also confirmed some anti-microbial properties. (Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckmann J, Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs, Integrative Medicine Communications, Newton, MA, 57-61, 2000)

Chamomiles have been used for centuries in teas as a mild, relaxing sleep aid. In the Developed World, oral chamomile is used primarily for relaxation and sleep. Low doses produced a calming effect, while higher doses are more likely to cause sleep, sedating and anti-anxiety effects. Chamomile also has antispasmodic effects, relieving or preventing uncomfortable muscle contractions, especially in the gastrointestinal tract and has also been used to treat minor gastrointestinal complaints such as gas, motion sickness, and stomach cramps. Topically, Chamomile can be applied to the skin as a wash or a poultice (hot teabag) for haemorrhoids and minor skin irritations. (DrugDigest.com April 17, 2006) No medicinal use is intended or implied. These properties are an added bonus.

A uniquely micronised and defatted flaxseed based foodstuff, pioneering optimal bioavailability of the lignans, which are even more health protective and beneficial than the already well-established beneficial oils, purposely largely removed from this product to enhance bioavailability and assimilation of the water soluble- and bacterial conversion-dependent lignans. Flaxseed is the most significant dietary source of vital dietary phyto-hormonal precursors known as lignans. Studies in humans have shown flax lignans to play an important role in avoidance of menopausal symptoms, osteoporosis, cancer, and heart disease (Kurzer M & Xu X, Annu Rev Nutr, 17, 1997).

Contains: micronised defatted flaxseed meal and the high potassium and antioxidant Nutri-Spice (See item E). The cyanide precursor that remains in ground flaxseed and flaxseed sprouts has been removed by centrifuging. Suggested use: a mere smear or finger-lick daily; possibly a little more initially, will exceed all meals in provision of these valuable nutrients. Can be refrigerated for preservation of optimal integrity, though it will keep very well even at room temperature.

A Gaia Research short literature review is available in our Health Care Research departments here and here.

Trace elements are essential to all critical life-dependent enzyme pathways, including cellular immunity, but are increasingly deficient in modern foods. All earth elements leached from our soils are bio-accumulated by kelp in an optimum chelated form. Avoidance of nutrient damaging irradiation (ozonisation sterilised instead) and focussing on ultra-micronisation, ensures that critical nutrients are up to 1000 times more bio-available than with kelp tablets.

Suggested use: up to ¼ of a teaspoon daily in water, fruit juice / smoothies, vegetable juices and cool food. Ensures that mineral deficiencies from widespread soil depletion, cooking and processing are more than recovered. Nature’s richest source of calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, iodine and manganese. An exceptional source of all other nutrients.


A Gaia Research short literature review is available in our Health Care Research department here.

As with H) above, but optimally fortified with selenium. Maximum usage: ¼ teaspoon (200ug selenium) daily.

A Gaia Research short literature review is available in our Health Care Research department here.

Our ‘first 25kg seed cold-pressing of the day’ standard is unique in the industry. ‘Cold’ presses soon run at temperatures at around 40 degrees Celsius or more. The term "cold-pressed", rather than equating to a ‘cold’ press, merely indicates that the press does not utilise thermal elements to artificially increase the temperature beyond the frictional temperature as is commonly done commercially to reduce the oil viscosity even further so as to maximise the yield that can be expressed from the seeds. Our oil is always pressed first, when the equipment is started stone-cold in the morning and is never more than the first 25kg seed yield, to avoid exposure to inevitable increasing temperatures as the built in metal heat sinks saturate and can no longer draw heat away from the screw and barrel.

Absolutely no one but Gaia Organics supply a flaxseed oil of such outstanding quality and integrity, period.

Use as a dose or salad dressing – initially up to a teaspoon daily for a few weeks and thereafter 15-35 drops daily, depending on the amount of competing oil and fat in the diet - to fill a major nutritional gap in the natural food chain, without the organo-chlorine PCB toxicity attendant to Salmon oil, the only other rich source of omega-3 besides nearly always suspect rancid hemp oil. The dietary n-3 fatty acids in high integrity flaxseed oil can confer a novel approach to improving arterial function (Nestel P, et al, Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, 17(6), 1997), has anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, anti-arrhythmic, hypolipidemic and vasodilatory properties (Simopoulos A, Am J Clin Nutr, 70(3 Suppl), 1999) and can markedly prevent or reduce the development of hypercholesterolemic atherosclerosis and related heart attack and stroke (Prasad K, Atherosclerosis, 132(1), 1997), to list but a few benefits over and above basic nutrition.

A Gaia Research extensive literature review is available in our Health Care Research department here.

Magnesium peroxide (MgO2) is 43% powdered magnesium (Mg) and 57% pure ‘solid phase oxygen’ (O2). Magnesium is an ideal carrier for the oxygen, since it is an antacid and alkalizes the gut fluid, enabling the oxygen to dissolve. Magnesium peroxide progressively liberates the oxygen upon contact with the acids in water and also imparts a beneficial high alkaline reaction to water to which it is added. Oxygenated magnesium has additional advantages over other forms - such as significantly greater mineral ionisation. Normally Gaia Research would not recommend elemental minerals, preferring food sources, but in this case there is considerable scientific evidence that it is uniquely well utilised as a water additive, especially since it is ionised.

Directions: We recommend a pinch of powder in every glass of water or up to a heaped teaspoon early morning in a glass of water/dilute fruit juice on an empty stomach at least 30 minutes, if not longer, before breakfast, continued daily until the bowel completely empties, after which halve the dose daily until 1/8th of a teaspoon is reached. Magnesium peroxide is also useful for coating seeds for gardening and adding to sprouting seeds to improve germination and alkalise, oxygenate and sterilise the young roots as it slowly liberates hydrogen peroxide and oxygen.

Please see also next entry for Hydrogen Peroxide which may be safely added at 3 drops to a pinch of Magnesium Peroxide per glass of drinking water.

A Gaia Research short literature review is available in our Health Care Research department here.