How Australian Aboriginal culture has helped our health

Aboriginals are the indigenous people of Australia who have lived down-under for approximately 50,000 years. The word comes from the Latin words—ab and origine—which means "from the beginning”, historically the Aboriginals are famed for their skill working with the earth and using nature efficiently: they discovered that ashes from a fire acted as a natural fertilizer, providing nutrients for new plants to grow and the secret health benefits of a number of natural resources.

Tea Tree

Tea Tree oil was first used by the Bundjalung Aboriginals of eastern Australia by applying the crushed leaves to wounds and scrapes and its natural antiseptic properties has been documented since the 1930s. Tea Tree also acts as a natural insect repellent perfect for use on holiday and if you unfortunate enough to be bitten or stung it can help reduce the disagreeable symptoms. The terpenoids within Tea Tree oil have antiviral and antifungal properties, and have been used to help clear up veruccas and other common unpleasant conditions as athlete's foot and fungal nail infection. Nelsons Tea Tree cream is made using the finest Australian Tea Tree Oil.

Macadamia

Australia’s indigenous people have always known the benefits of the secret fruit of the tree they call “Kindal Kindal” and in 1853 two European botanists discovered it growing in the rainforests of Eastern Australia and named it the macadamia tree after their colleague Dr John Macadam. Macademia nuts have fantastic health benefits due to their exceptionally high proportion of monounsaturated fats and unusually low percentage of saturated and polyunsaturated fats. Reported benefits include helping lower raised cholesterol levels and reducing the incidence of coronary heart disease[v]. Macadamia nuts can be eaten raw, roasted, coated in chocolate, in cakes, as butter, or used as an oil.

Didgeridoo

Possibly the oldest woodwind known is the didgeridoo. Called a Yidaki by it’s Aboriginal inventors, it is a drone instrument made from naturally hollowed eucalyptus branches which is used in their ceremonial rituals. The ‘didge’ can be played by anyone from 8 to 80 and can provide many health benefits including helping lower blood pressure, easing respiratory problems and sleep apena.

Boomerang

Australian Aborigines have used both boomerangs and hunting sticks for many thousands of years. The name of the boomerang comes from the Indigenous Australian Turuwal tribe of Aborigines who lived south of Sydney. Today Boomerang throwing is an international sport which requires athletes to be in top physical condition. A world cup is held every second year with teams from Germany and the United States dominating international competition.

Nelsons Tea Tree cream is a best-selling natural antiseptic prepared using the finest, purest Tea Tree oil from Australia. Nelsons Tea Tree cream is priced at £4.35 for 30g and £5.90 for 50g and is available from Boots, Holland and Barrett, selected Lloyds pharmacies and all good independent health food and pharmacy stores.