Healing herbs and spices you should have in your pantry

Herbs and spices may have more to offer than just flavor! Some are believed to carry some impressive healing benefits as well. We think everyone should include the following herbs and spices in their pantries. We’ve also searched the Internet for a few tasty ideas for incorporating them into your diet:

Curry—Curry contains turmeric, the yellow spice that gives curry its distinctive color. Turmeric’s active component is called curcumin, which is associated with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-tumor and anti-amyloid properties. (Amyloids are plaque-like proteins that build up in brain tissue and are thought to be responsible for diseases like Alzheimer’s and rheumatoid arthritis.) Try chicken curry for a tried-and-true favorite.

Ginger—No wonder your mother gave you ginger ale when you felt sick to your stomach as a child: Ginger is believed to help relieve nausea. It’s also thought to provide some relief from headaches, menstrual cramps, muscles soreness and arthritis. A gingery grilled salmon salad makes for a light, delicious meal that offers up ginger’s healing benefits.

Cardamom— Cardamom is thought to increase circulation as well as improve energy, digestion, asthma and bronchitis. It’s also believed to fight halitosis, perk up a bad mood and even function as an aphrodisiac. (If the aphrodisiac belief is true, we sure hope the bad breath-fighting qualities are as well!) Try baking up some cinnamon cardamom snickerdoodles for some sweet natural healing.

Garlic—Besides offering protection from Count Dracula, garlic may also support healthy cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Garlic is also thought to have antibacterial properties. It’s up to you to decide if the health benefits are worth the stinky breath, though! A delicious garlic-centric side dish that can accent pretty much any meal is garlic green beans.

Fennel seed—Fennel helps digestion in a couple ways: It stimulates the production of gastric juices and also soothes the nervous system, regulating the action of the muscles that line the intestine. Check out this recipe for beef tenderloins with ancho and fennel seeds: The combination of ground ancho, fennel seeds and star anise make for a brilliantly mouthwatering flavor fusion.

Cinnamon—Cinnamon may support healthy blood sugar levels and is also thought to detoxify the system. Did we also mention that it may support brain function and have antiseptic properties as well? While these benefits aren’t proven, sprinkling a little cinnamon on your oatmeal or toast adds a sweet kick (and possibly some impressive healing properties) to your morning. If you’re not watching your waistline you could also treat your taste buds to a cinnamon roll.

Try this sweet recipe for increasing your vitality

Honey is more than just a natural sweetener. In many parts of the world, it is more prized for its health benefits than its use as a culinary ingredient. Malaysian men have been using honey to increase their physical strength and liven up low libido for centuries.

In Malaysian tradition, medicine and food are interchangeable and intertwined; both are part of the daily process for seeking and maintaining balance, a concept the Malays consider essential for overall wellness.

Malay knowledge refers to honey as the “enemy of diseases” and is considered an especially powerful anti-aging tool, especially for those who have passed middle age. Men are encouraged to consume it whenever possible. This natural pick-me-up is best straight from the honeycomb, but commercial honey works as well. There’s even a special recipe Malays use to enhance physical strength: a mixture of honey, egg and saffron. This formula is recommended as a pick-me-up for newlyweds and those with low libido.

Other foods that are encouraged in Malay culture include dates, garlic, ginger, milk, beef, rice, eggs and salt.

New Ramuan Health Online Store and Micro Sites Help Consumers Turbocharge Their Health

Here's something to be naturally energized about this holiday season: with the holidays just around the corner, Biotoprics Ramuan has completely revamped its online store to offer consumers a more pleasant, information-rich and convenient online shopping experience. 

The user-friendly online store breaks out Ramuan Health's products by categories, beginning with Men's Health, Women's Health, Overall Wellness and Spa. Shoppers can either opt to learn more about the product or quickly add products to their shopping cart. For those who want to make their favorite Ramuan Health product part of their overall health regimen, they can also opt-in for a three-month subscription of their favorite product--and they will receive a free one-month supply.  


In addition to the new online store, Biotropics also recently relaunched two micro sites: www.tenagaformen.com and www.asmaraforwomen.com. The TenagaXX Web site provides men in three age brackets--30-45, 45-60, and 60-plus--with information about how they can turbo-charge their sexual health through all-natural TenagaXX, a daily sexual vitality supplement that contains pure, patented Tongkat Ali extract (which has been found to include compounds key to sexual health at every life stage).  In contrast, the Asmara site focuses on helping women of all ages put their lives in balance naturally with the aid of four Ramuan Health products: Asmara for Women, a daily sexual vitality supplement; Women's Blend, a phytonutrient blend for overall feminine wellness; Women's Detox, which helps naturally remove stress and toxins from the body;  and Mangis, a delicious new chewable superfruit. Both sites allow users to click through to the new online store, where they can buy the product of their choice.

All Wrapped Up And Ready for Your Feedback

Now that our Malaysian Rainforest Secrets Gift Basket sweepstakes is all wrapped up (winner Lisa Grassetti wrote in and told us the basket was "great…even the basket it came in was really nice! Thank you!”), we want to take a brief moment to 1) sincerely thank everyone who participated in our Malaysian Rainforest Secrets Sweepstakes last month (it was a great success and we hope to run another one very soon!!)  and 2) ask for your feedback in order to make our online community better.

What would you like to see from Ramuan Health on Facebook, Twitter and livingramuan.com?

• More general health news?

• More Ramuan information?

• More product spotlights?
• More coupons and special deals? 
• More fun stuff (contests and giveaways)?

• Something else?

We want to hear from you so we can better serve you as a Ramuan resource!  Please share your thoughts with us…we value your opinion! 

And the Winner of the Magic 700 Sweepstakes Giveaway is...

We are excited to announce the lucky winner of the Malaysian Rainforest Secrets Gift Basket! It's the lovely Lisa Grassetti of Agawam, MA. Please join us in congratulating Lisa, and welcoming her to the Ramuan family!  Halo! 


Once again, THANK YOU to everyone who participated in Ramuan's Magic 700 Sweepstakes Giveaway...we had more than 422 entries and exceeded our goal by reaching 711 "likes" on Facebook. You are the reason why we are committed to sharing the Ramuan way to wellness.  

UPDATE: Ramuan's Magic 700 Sweepstakes Giveaway

What a difference a week makes! We're on Day 9 of our Magic 700 Sweepstakes Giveaway, and we already have more than 140 entries, 615 fans...and growing!  A huge Ramuan THANK YOU to all of our fans, followers and loyal customers for their support. Make sure to enter the sweepstakes by June 11 for a chance to win a special Malaysian Rainforest Secrets Gift Basket of 7 essential Ramuan items (approximate retail value $187), which includes:  

• Couples Vitality Pack: TenagaXX and Asmara

• Mangis (7 superfruits blend) 

• Ulam (7 natural extracts, vitamins C and E blend) 

• Cleansing Pack: Men’s and Women’s Detox

• Green Coffee Moisturizing Body Oil 

• Coconut Body Polish 

• Malaysian Coffee Scrub 

And don't forget to join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter!

Ramuan's Magic 700 Sweepstakes Giveaway

700 is the magic number… for the perfect sweepstakes giveaway!  We've officially launched our Magic 700 Sweepstakes Giveaway. After we reach 700 fans, we’re going to raffle off a special Malaysian Rainforest Secrets Gift Basket of 7 essential Ramuan items (approximate retail value $187), which includes:  

• Couples Vitality Pack: TenagaXX and Asmara
• Mangis (7 superfruits blend) 
• Ulam (7 natural extracts, vitamins C and E blend) 
• Cleansing Pack: Men’s and Women’s Detox
• Green Coffee Moisturizing Body Oil 
• Coconut Body Polish 
• Malaysian Coffee Scrub 

The winner will be chosen on June 11, 2010. Make sure to connect with us on Facebook and Twitter to keep up with the contest, Ramuan Rewards, natural health news and more!

Here are the official rules: 

How to Enter: No purchase necessary to enter the Magic 700 Sweepstakes, where you can win a Malaysian Rainforest Secrets Gift Basket (approximate retail value $187). To enter, complete the on-line entry form located at http://apps.facebook.com/sweepstakeshq/contests/32321. The Magic 700 Sweepstakes giveaway will begin on or around 12:00 a.m. PST on May 12, 2010. All on-line entrants must provide a valid e-mail address. First and last name of all on-line entrants establishes the identity of the entrant and ultimately, who the winner is. Any effort by an entrant to misrepresent themselves through the use of aliases and multiple e-mail addresses will disqualify entries of that entrant. Limit one (1) entry per person. If multiple entries are received from any person or e-mail address, all such subsequent entries will be disqualified. Entries may also be made by mail on a handwritten letter or postcard. Mail-in entries MUST specify the sweepstakes being entered and must contain all information as requested on the on-line entry form (including e-mail address, if available). Mail entries to: Magic 700 Sweepstakes, c/o Weston Mason, 3130 Wilshire Blvd., 4th Floor, Santa Monica, CA. 90403. Eligibility:  The Sweepstakes is open to residents of the United States, excluding Puerto Rico and Guam. This sweepstakes is void wherever prohibited by federal, state, provincial, municipal or local law. You must be eighteen (18) or older to enter this Sweepstakes to be eligible to win. Employees and immediate families or household members of Sponsors and their respective parent companies, affiliates and subsidiaries, are ineligible to participate in this Sweepstakes. Winner Selection and Notification: The Grand Prize winner of the Malaysian Rainforest Secrets Gift Basket will be selected, in a random drawing of all eligible entries received, no earlier than the close of business on June 11, 2010. Entries will be deemed to have been submitted by the Authorized Account Holder of the e-mail address submitted at the time of entry. "Authorized Account Holder" is defined as the natural person who is assigned to an e-mail address by an Internet access provider, online service provider or other organization (e.g., business, educational institution, etc.) that is responsible for assigning e-mail addresses for the domain associated with the submitted e-mail address. All drawings will be conducted under the supervision of Sponsors. The decisions of Sponsors are final and binding in all matters relating to this Sweepstakes. Entries are the property of the Sponsors and will not be returned. The winner will be notified by e-mail and announced on www.livingramuan.com. Sponsors reserve the right to determine the method of notification. The Sponsors shall not be liable for: (1) failed, returned or misdirected notifications based on inaccurate information provided by the winner on the Sweepstakes entry form; or (2) entries, and responses to winner notifications which are lost, late, incomplete, illegible, unintelligible, misdirected, damaged or otherwise not received by the intended recipient in whole or in part or for computer or technical error of any kind. Winners will be given three (3) business days from the first day of notification to respond to claim prize(s). A non-response by the winner or non-receipt of notification response after the specified three (3) business days will be considered winner's forfeiture of prize and an alternate winner may be selected from the pool of eligible entries. If an entrant is found to be ineligible for any reason in the sole and absolute discretion of the Sponsors, an alternate winner may also be selected from the pool of eligible entries. Prize: For this Sweepstakes, there will be one (1) grand prize awarded nationally in the U.S., consisting of the following: Malaysian Rainforest Secrets Gift Basket, including: TenagaXX (30 caplets), Asmara (30 caplets), Mangis (30 caplets), Ulam (30 caplets), Men’s Detox (30 caplets), Women’s Detox (30 caplets), Green Coffee Moisturizing Body Oil (3.38 fl. oz.), Coconut Body Polish (1.42 oz.), and Malaysian Coffee Scrub (1.42 oz.). The estimated retail value of the Grand Prize package is approximately One Hundred Eighty Seven Dollars ($187.00) (value will vary according to the location of the winner). The winners shall be responsible and liable for all federal, state and local taxes on the value of their prize. General Conditions: This Sweepstakes is void where prohibited by law and is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. In the event of non-compliance by the Winner, with the official rules of this Sweepstakes, an alternative winner may be awarded the respective prize. The prize is non-transferable. Prizes may not be substituted for cash, except that the Sponsors reserve the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value if the prize is unavailable. Return of any prize or prize notification as undeliverable will result in a disqualification and an alternate winner may be selected. All prizes will be awarded. Except where legally prohibited, acceptance of any prize constitutes permission for Sponsors to use the Winner's name, photograph, likeness, address (city and state) and testimonials, in print or new media, in perpetuity, in any manner they deem appropriate in connection with promoting this or any other sweepstakes and/or promotion sponsored by them, without further compensation in connection with this Sweepstakes or the prize awarded. Releases: By participating, entrants agree that the Sponsors, those involved in the development, production (including prize suppliers), implementation and distribution of this promotion and their respective parent companies, affiliates, subsidiaries, service providers, and agencies, and their directors, officers, agents, employees, attorneys, and any other person or entity associated with such entities and/or promotion shall not be liable for any and all claims, damages, losses or injuries, including any third party claims, arising from or relating to, in whole or in part, this Sweepstakes, including entry and participation is this Sweepstakes and acceptance, possession, use or misuse of the prizes. All entrants further agree that in the event of any third party claims, damages, losses or injuries, arising from or relating to this Sweepstakes, they will indemnify Sponsors from any and all such claims, including the attorneys' fees related thereto. Sponsors shall not be liable for entries and winner notification responses that are delayed, lost, misdirected, mis-delivered, marked postage-due, illegible, mutilated, incorrect or incomplete, and such entries will be not be eligible for this Sweepstakes. The Sponsors shall not be responsible for any technical malfunctions of the telephone network, computer on-line system, computer equipment, software, program malfunctions or other failures, delayed computer transactions or network connections that are human, mechanical or technical in nature, or any combination thereof, including any injury or damage to entrant's or any other person's computer related to or resulting from downloading any part of this Sweepstakes. Any person attempting to defraud or in any way tamper with this Sweepstakes will be ineligible for prizes and may be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. The Sponsors reserve the right, in their sole discretion, to cancel or suspend this Sweepstakes should viruses, bugs or other causes beyond their control corrupt the administration, security or proper play of the Sweepstakes. The Sponsors further reserve the right to modify the rules of the Sweepstakes in any way or at any time, as long as reasonable notice is given. This Sweepstakes shall be governed by California law. By participating in this contest, entrants agree that California courts shall have jurisdiction over any dispute or litigation arising from or relating to this Sweepstakes and that venue shall be only in Los Angeles, California. Rules/Winners List: The Winner’s name may be posted on www.livingramuan.com within twenty-one (21) days of the winners' selection. To receive a copy of the Official Rules, or the name of Winner, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to: "Magic 700 Sweepstakes", c/o Weston Mason, 3130 Wilshire Blvd., 4th Floor, Santa Monica, CA. 90403. Specify Winner or rules on your request. Sponsors: The Sponsors of the Magic 700 Sweepstakes Giveaway is Biotropics Ramuan.

5 Natural Mother’s Day Tips From Ramuan Health

Mother’s Day is just a few days away, but there’s still time to put together a plan for honoring the mindful moms out there. Here are Ramuan’s tips for making this Mother’s Day a natural and healthy one:


1. Treat mom to a massage. You don’t have to buy an expensive spa package...treat her to a wellness massage at home. For example, the traditional Ramuan massage urutan sentuhan (for post-natal women) lasts for about 15-20 minutes, and starts from the feet and gradually moves up the legs with upward strokes to the upper thighs, abdomen, lower back, and finally the hands, shoulders, neck and face before finishing with the head and scalp. It is thought to relieve cramps, loosen tense muscles and overcome fatigue. Other traditional massages include urut melayu (notice the movements in the video) and urutan sengkak. (Regardless of which massage you choose, don’t forget to use a natural herbal oil such as Ramuan Spa’s Green Coffee Moisturizing Body Oil…)


2. Cook a natural dish for her. She cooked for you all those years—now it’s your turn to return the favor. Experiment with something totally out of the box—maybe chicken curry, ulam salad or a traditional Malay dish made of rice with lemuni, ginger, turmeric and pegaga (member of the parsley family).


3. Do an activity together. Sometimes the greatest Mother’s Day gift is the gift of quality time. Can you imagine anything cooler than shopping with your mom at your local farmer’s market for an organic meal or seeing your mom in warrior pose right next to you in your yoga class? Spend the day sharing your favorite activities with each other.


4. Educate her about new traditions. There is a Chinese Proverb, “A book is like a garden carried in the pocket.” Give your mom a garden this Mother’s Day with “Health & Beauty From The Rainforest: Malaysian Traditions Of Ramuan” by Gerard Bodeker. She will learn everything there is to know about the practices and ancient herbal traditions of living Ramuan.


5. Give her the resources to take her health into her own hands. Hormonal imbalances are a part of many women’s lives, and many women today are searching for natural remedies. Asmara and Asmara Total Woman are two Ramuan women’s products (enjoy 15% off when you enter "MOTHER" at checkout) that are specifically formulated with labisia pumila (kacip fatimah) extract to enhance vitality, sensuality, balance and youthful beauty.


Do you have any natural Mother's Day tips you'd like to add to our list?   

Beauty and the Feast Gives Away 4 Relaxing Face Masks

Nice! Our friends at Beauty and the Feast are giving away four Biotropics Ramuan's Relaxing Face Masks today! Here's your chance to win a free sample... trust us... your skin will thank you for it. :)