A quick look at calocurb’s ingredients list (and it will be quick!) is all you need to figure out why it’s just a bit special.

The world of weight management supplements can be a murky one, we’ll be the first to admit that! Most products fall into one of three categories:

• Fillers (fibre compunds that expand in your stomach and are generally associated with bloating)
• Fasters (or metabolic stimulators – think caffeine and other nasties that give you the jitters)
• Farters (or laxatives that … you get the idea).

Where does calocurb fit into this mix? It doesn’t. You can count the number of plant-based ingredients found in calocurb on one hand.

Each capsule only contains a specific hops flower extract (sourced from beautiful New Zealand), rosemary extract (a natural preservative) and canola oil (which makes calocurb easy to absorb).

That’s it.

You probably already know a bit about hops, rosemary and canola oil - but there’s still plenty more to learn about each of these ingredients. So let’s take a closer look at them.

HOPS

Most people’s experience with hops involves a cold beer on a hot summer’s day.
Hops - the cone-shaped flowers from the female Humulus Lupulus plant - have long been used to cut through the sweet flavour of beer, adding a much-needed bitter taste to a brew. As well as delivering the aroma and flavour that beer aficionados know and love, hops act as a natural preservative, extending a beer’s shelf life.

But as history shows, this hasn’t been the only use for hops over the years.

Historical uses of hops
Dried hops have long been used for health purposes, most notably for supporting sleep, with sufferers stuffing the plant into their pillows at night. 

Hops have even been used to nourish the hair follicles. Historical documents have mentioned washing hair daily with hops tea – the oil, it’s been said, can nourish a full head of hair! Unfortunately for those of us who might be interested in such a treatment, the exact formulation of these historic remedies remains a mystery.

The health benefits of hops
Before the weight management supporting properties of calocurb’s specific hops flower extract were discovered by Kiwi scientists, hops were also used for other health purposes.

Hops tea can help with digestion, for example, while the plant is also used as a herbal remedy for digestive issues. Recent studies also show evidence that hops can be an effective sleep support aide and relaxant.

Where it grows
Hops were originally introduced to New Zealand around the 1840s as settlers from the UK and Germany brought them into the country to brew their much-loved beer. 

There are 20 varieties of hops grown in New Zealand these days, many of which are now unique to the country. These climbing bines (vines without tendrils) are mostly found in Motueka and Riwaka, near Nelson at the tip of New Zealand’s South Island.

And did you know…?

• Once upon a time, hop field workers would tire out more quickly than other farm workers, which was thought to be due to the calming effects of hops resin.
• Britain’s King George III is one of the most famous patients to be treated with hops. It’s believed his pillows were stuffed with hops in order to keep him calm.
• The hops plant is also a cousin to cannabis (without the THC!).

ROSEMARY
While this herb is best known for going hand-in-hand with a classic rack of lamb or for adding fragrance to soaps and other cosmetics, it’s had many other uses over the last few thousand years.

Historical uses of rosemary
Rosemary has long been used in herbal remedies, most notably for supporting mental clarity.

During the Middle Ages, the herb was also believed to be good for banishing evil spirits – sprigs of rosemary would be placed under pillows to ward off nightmares and anything else going bump in the night.

The health benefits of rosemary
Like hops, rosemary has also been used to nourish healthy hair, however it’s usually hailed for its many antioxidant capabilities.

These days rosemary is used in herbal remedies for supporting digestive issues, uric acid balance, clearing the head and liver and gallbladder issues, amongst other things. It’s also used for easing muscle stiffness and healing wounds.

Where it grows
This woody, perennial herb is native to the Mediterranean, but is now grown all over the world.

And did you know…?
Ancient Greek scholars used to wear a wreath of rosemary on their head in order to improve their clarity during exams.

CANOLA OIL
Canola oil, which aids in the absorption of calocurb, was developed in the 1970s by Canadian scientists and is made from pressed canola seed.

The health benefits of canola oil
Canola oil has long been favoured by health-conscious home cooks, as it contains less saturated fats and more plant-based omega-3 fatty acids than other common cooking oils.

Where it grows
Canola seed has been grown in the US and Canada for more than 30 years. As a cool season crop, it thrives well on those countries’ prairies, where hot days and cool nights are the norm.

And did you know…?
The word ‘canola’ is a contraction of Canada and ola, meaning oil. Products need to meet an internationally regulated standard before they can use the name ‘canola’.