Golden FAQ

GOLDEN QUESTIONS

We at Wunder Workshop believe in transparency and want you to know as much as possible about our products, so you know what you're consuming and what you're supporting with every penny you spend. There is a lot of misinformation out there about turmeric, CBD and health foods in general, so we would like to share some facts and our further research with you.

WHERE ARE OUR INGREDIENTS GROWN?

At Wunder Workshop we ethically source high quality, organic ingredients predominantly from family and community farms from the heart of Sri Lanka.

Our single origin turmeric, invigorating tea blends, cinnamon, black pepper, cardamom, ginger and coconuts are all sourced directly from Sri Lanka, disrupting the traditional spice trade by working directly with small community and family farms. 

We have however since then expanded our sourcing network and have found further home gardens and farms in line with our ethos.

Peru 

Our raw cacao sourced from the Asháninka tribespeople, who harvest the pods from the lush rain forest, then open them to ferment the beans. Next comes drying them out on bamboo racks to pack them up for their journey.

Our beautiful maca found in Golden Glow is sourced from small forest garden farms in the very cold fields of the Peruvian puna in Huancayo and Junin. 

China

Our mushrooms are sourced from traditional Chinese mushroom growers, and our wild-harvested Superior Chaga is sourced from birch trees up in the Greater Khingan Range, which is a volcanic mountain range in the Inner Mongolia region of Northeast China.

Spain

Our organic liquorice in Golden Balance is wild harvested from local farmers of the Zaragoza region in northern Spain. 

The community run farms that we work with use a technique known as Forest Gardening, which imitates the native biodiversity of the region’s flora and fauna, by planting in the shade of tree canopies to assist in replenishing the nutrition and moisture of the soil. This farming style goes beyond the conventional mono-culture techniques and even beyond our Organic logo. Besides guaranteeing pesticide and chemical free production, Forest Gardening helps to rebuild a sustainable ecosystem and empowers rural communities.

“it is a system of ecological restoration that focuses on increasing biodiversity by imitating natural forest systems in order to create economically productive and environmentally mature forests. The methodology is based on traditional forest gardens, which are human-created analogs of the natural forest that serve needs such as food, fiber, timber, medicine, and water.” (International Analog Forestry Network)

In conventional farming, flora and fauna struggle to survive on the land used for production, which has a far-reaching effect on the local ecosystems. High-demand for a crop throughout the year puts stress on conventional farmers to use more land and thus reconstruct more of its natural vegetation for agricultural use. In choosing organic and Forest Gardening, one is helping to limit further damage to the ecosystem.

WHAT IS TURMERIC?

Turmeric powder stems from the dried rhizome of the Curcuma longa plant, whose roots are planted between March - April, just before the monsoon season kicks in. 7 to 9 months later they are ready to be harvested, and the hotter, drier climate from December - January causes the leaves to wilt pushing the nutrients in to the root. This root/rhizome is removed and dried at low temperatures then ground in to a fine powder. 

WHY DO WE USE COCONUT MILK POWDER & BLACK PEPPER?

Even though turmeric has proven to have anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and even cancer-inhibiting properties (1,2), it is still not yet widespread in western medicinal practices because of its poor bio-availability (ability for body to use it) on its own. Consumed alone, it metabolizes too quickly in your liver and intestinal wall for your body to reap any of the benefits. However, paired with piperine, a compound in black pepper, the bio-availability of turmeric increases 2000% by slowing the metabolization of the curcumin (3). Pink pepper-corns or cayenne unfortunately don't have this effect, as their main compound is cardanol which doesn't aid absorption of curcumin. Also, turmeric's nutrients are fat soluble, so consuming it with a healthy fat such as coconut enables your body to use the nutrients.

WHAT ARE TURMERIC'S MAIN BENEFITS?

Anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, antioxidant, antibacterial, used in cancer treatment and for inflammatory skin conditions. 

Cancer Research UK: (5)

A number of laboratory studies on cancer cells have shown that curcumin (a protein found in turmeric) does have anticancer effects. It seems to be able to kill cancer cells and prevent more from growing. It has the best effects on breast cancer, bowel cancer, stomach cancer and skin cancer cells. 

A July 2017 study by researchers at Baylor Scott & White Research Institute found that curcumin may even be able to break through chemo-resistance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), an aggressive form of pancreatic cancer. (6) Doctors commonly face the challenge of patients initially responding to chemotherapeutic drugs and then later developing resistance. Curcumin appears to re-sensitize these patients’ cancer cells to the drugs, although the exact mechanisms of curcumin’s chemo-sensitization remain ambiguous. Study author, Ajay Goel, PhD, director of gastrointestinal research and translational genomics and oncology at Baylor Scott & White Research Institute stated: (7)

Food-based botanicals have the potential to restore a healthier gene expression in patients but without the toxicity of certain drugs.

Please find some further studies below. 

HOW MUCH TURMERIC SHOULD YOU HAVE?

The daily recommended dose is between 500mg -2000mg. Our Instantly Golden Turmeric Latte blends have 800mg per serving. Making it the ideal way to enjoy a couple of cups a day if you're in need of a higher dose. 

ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS TO HAVING TURMERIC?

If taken in high doses it has been observed in very few cases to cause:

  • Nausea
  • Increased liver function
  • Hyperactive gallbladder contractions
  • Hypotension (lowered blood pressure)

Turmeric may interfere with anti-coagulants like aspirin, clopidogrel and warfarin. It also can affect medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). As with any herb or supplement, use as directed and consult with your physician if in any doubt.

Also, when applied to the skin, turmeric can temporarily stain the skin or leave a yellow residue. This is normal. But if you are allergic, direct skin contact can cause irritation, redness, and swelling.

WHAT IS CBD OIL? 

Our TURMERIC CBD is hand-crafted in an ISO 5 certified laboratory in the centre of London, using the finest organic turmeric extract and olive oil, it’s designed to have maximum impact on inflammation. Incorporated in the daily rituals of athletes, C-level executives and world-class performers, this is your new go to wellness formula. 

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of 113 active cannabinoids that form the chemical structure of the Cannabis sativa plant, yes more commonly known as cannabis, weed, marijuana... you name it. It is a major component of this, accounting for up to 40% of the plant's extract. Whilst much of the past research on Cannabis sativa has focused explicitly on Tetrahydrocannibinol (THC), the chemical responsible for the psychoactive effects that the plant is more renowned for, research supporting CBD is beginning to emerge.

WHAT ARE ADAPTOGENS?

Adaptogens are a unique class of plants, herbs and mushrooms that promote hormone balance and protect the body, especially from excess stress. When one is stressed your body's cortisol levels are elevated which can affect every physiological system in your body, including your thyroid and adrenal glands. It can make you anxious and irritable, lead to weight gain and bone loss, contribute to diabetes and heart disease risk and deplete your energy levels.

In addition to combating stress and boosting immune function, research shows that various adapotogens — such as Ashwagandha can:

Adaptogens include ashwaganda, reishi, maca, siberian ginseng, liquorice root, holy basil (tulsi), and many more.

ARE ALL OUR PRODUCTS ORGANICALLY CERTIFIED?

Yes, all our products are certified by the Organic Food Federation. 

SOME STUDIES: