Bitter melon, bitter gourd, karela, caraille, Momordica charantia; whatever you call this prickly-looking fruit, it’s useful to know about what it can do for you. A native to tropical and subtropical climates, it has been utilised for years as a remedy for a variety of ailments. You can use all ...

Milk thistle seeds are one of nature's most powerful detoxifiers. All parts of the Silybum marianum plant are able to be used, however the seeds are the most medicinally valuable, having been used as a herbal remedy for liver disorders for over 2,000 years. The name 'milk thistle' comes from the ...

The delightfully otherworldly-looking African Baobab tree is the source of the white powdery baobab fruit, which has been bestowed 'superfood' status for its host of nutritional advantages. Growing to the size of an average coconut and weighting over a kilogram, the baobab fruit is one of the most ...

Despite its name, the Brazil nut is in fact the seed produced by the fruit of the Brazil nut tree. Native to Colombia, Peru, Bolivia and of course Brasil, its nut tree is one of the largest trees known to grow in the Amazon rainforest and it reaches an average height of 160ft (49m). Brazil nuts are ...

Jackfruit is the world's biggest fruit to grow on an actual tree and can grow up to 3ft (1m) long and weigh up to 100lb (45kg)! Indigenous to the Southwestern rain forests of India, jackfruits are related to figs, mulberry and breadfruit. The trees are widely cultivated for their fruit, seeds and ...

The sociable South American tradition of passing around a gourd of Yerba (‘herb’ in Spanish) mate leaves soaked in warm water has now developed into a health craze in the Western world. With the botanical name 'Ilex paraguariensis' a member of the holly family, Yerba mate is known for its ...

Hibiscus, or Hibiscus Sabdariffa, is a tropical flower belonging to the Malvaceae family. Botanists believe that there are eight original hibiscus species that can be considered ancestors of the hibiscus hybrids found today. These are said to be native to India, China, Mauritius, Hawaii, Fiji, and ...

The sharp and hairy appearance of the Malay-Indonesian and Southeast Asian originated Rambutan might make it look like an aggressive lychee imposter, but this exotic fruit has a unique health benefit profile. The Nephelium lappaceum, (Latin) comes from the Sapindaceae family of flowering plants, ...

Sweet potatoes are readily available, inexpensive, tasty and very good for you. If you thought that chips can't be good for your cardiovascular system and blood pressure, well, the sweet potato variety is at your rescue  read on for our Top 5 Health Benefits of Sweet Potato! 1. Blood sugar ...

Mangoes are native to the South of Asia where the common or Indian mango (Mangifera indica) is exported worldwide as one of the most widely cultivated tropical fruits. Mangoes are an utterly delicious, sweet fruit, full of flavour,  juice and a soft texture that adds colour to your plate. Whilst ...