Spices are usually a big no-no when you have oxalates in your body. But cooking with a wide variety of no oxalate spices is possible with Spice Drops!
Oxalates – no, not a trendy new coffee promoted by your friendly barista, but a simple molecule found in many plants and fruits we eat and especially high in almost all seeds, nuts and many herbs and spices. For most of us, their presence may not cause any ill health but for some, they can make life very difficult and painful. Scientific research investigating the impact of oxalates is still developing but there is evidence that they both drive inflammation in the body, and will link with calcium to form crystals (as with kidney stones). These crystals can be irritating and painful to tissues where they may cause or increase damage and are especially painful if lodged in the tissues or organ, as occurs with both kidney and gallbladder stones.*
People unfortunate enough to suffer from oxalate symptoms may need to follow a low oxalate diet. This can result particularly in reducing the use of herbs and spices, some of which contain extremely high levels of oxalates; this means food can taste quite bland.
However, there is hope for anyone craving spicy curry, herby pasta or sharp lemon drizzle cake! Holy Lama Spice Drops® are highly concentrated natural extracts of herbs, spices, fruits and flowers. While they retain the goodness of the raw ingredient, the oxalates have been largely removed during the extraction process so the user can enjoy the authentic taste and aroma but without the oxalate. That’s right – no oxalate spices! Holy Lama Spice Drops® are also vegan, contain no added salt, sugar or alcohol and are gluten free. They’re easy and quick to use, with no need to grate, grind, peel or chop, and no waste – just instant genuine flavour; simply add one or two drops to any recipe or drink to transform it into a delicious, flavoursome sensation.
There are 36 varieties in the Holy Lama Spice Drops® range and only turmeric, cumin and garam masala have been tested, (all being found to have zero oxalates per drop). However, because these were the varieties expected to have the highest rates of oxalate, the doctor who tested them, (Dr Michael Liebman, Department of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Wyoming,and a published researcher in the field of oxalate), generally considers that the others will contain zero oxalates too.
One grateful customer summed up the relief with which Holy Lama Spice Drops® are being greeted by those who need to be careful about no oxalates in spices: “I just wanted to say thank you for making these drops available, I’ve just ordered pretty much all of them. I have oxalates in my body which prevent me from being able to eat most spices and herbs. But as extracts there are zero oxalates, so this is very exciting for me. I am going to be able to bake again, make curries, herby soups and be excited about my food again. Thanks so much!”
One way that many enjoy spice is through various types of chilli. Toronto based, Certified Holistic Nutritionist Monique Attinger, who works specifically with clients who need to lower oxalate under the name “Low Ox Coach” (www.lowoxcoach.com) has been busy developing recipes using the Holy Lama Spice Drops. A simple way to have a low oxalate chilli is: brown about a pound of ground meat with a little oil, salt and onion; then add tomato paste and butternut squash puree with about 1 cup of water to make a rich, thick sauce. To this mixture, as a final step, add your favourite Holy Lama Spice Drops: Monique uses about 8-12 drops Cinnamon, 4-6 drops Oregano, 8-12 drops Cumin, 3-4 drops Clove, 6-8 drops Garlic and 12-14 drops Coriander. Add drops, stir and taste test. Start with less, as you can always adjust as needed!
Holy Lama Spice Drops® are ethically sourced and ethically produced; the products are handmade in the factory in Kerala which is a women’s enterprise and ‘manned’ 80% by disadvantaged women. They may have been widowed, deserted by a partner, abused or left as a single parent, and under normal circumstances would have been rejected in a traditionally male dominated society. Work at the factory provides these women with much needed self-confidence and financial independence. Holy Lama Naturals is like a family to its employees and women of all ages, castes and religions are welcome, working together in harmony.
Individual 5ml bottles containing around 150 drops can be purchased on line at www.holylama.co.uk or on Amazon and Ocado or in store at Whole Foods Market stores for around £5 per bottle.
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