Celebrating Heritage Month with Nala Health
Synne Hemsen Berg
Heritage Month in South Africa is a time to remember and celebrate our roots, our history, and our incredibly diverse and rich culture. For us, it’s also a time to showcase the beauty of our homeland in every mouthful of Nala Health. From the yellow fields of the Overberg to the vibrant Venda communities, we trace back some of our ingredients to their origins and take pride in their sustainable harvest and cultivation.
Rooibos: South Africa’s Red Gold
Originating from the Cederberg region of the Western Cape, rooibos has for centuries been a staple of South African communities. Not just an aromatic tea for humans, this unique herb has found its way into our dog food, offering a plethora of antioxidants that boost health and improve digestion for our furry friends. Due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, rooibos can be beneficial for dogs with allergies affecting the skin. It might help soothe the skin, reduce redness, and alleviate itching.
Rooibos contains quercetin, a natural compound that has antihistamine properties. Antihistamines are often used to treat allergic reactions, as they counteract the effects of histamine, a compound released during allergic reactions that causes itching, swelling, and other symptoms.
Baobab: The Mighty Tree of Life
Our partnership with EcoProducts brings to your pet’s bowl the wondrous benefits of baobab – often referred to as the ‘Tree of Life’. This ancient tree (that is actually a succulent), with its wide trunk and delicate white blossoms, offers fruits packed with vitamins and antioxidants.
But it’s not just the fruit’s nutritional value that’s impressive. The sustainable harvest practices of EcoProducts ensure that only fallen fruits are collected, preserving the majestic parent trees. By implementing research and monitoring programs, they consistently gauge the state of baobab populations, ensuring their sustainability.
In an endeavour to preserve this heritage, EcoProducts is establishing a nursery to actively plant more of these ancient trees. Their commitment doesn’t end there. They believe in imparting knowledge, ensuring that the coming generations understand and value the importance of the baobab. Their initiatives in environmental education are building a bridge between our past, present, and future, ensuring the baobab stands tall for generations to come.
Sea Lettuce: The Ocean’s Green Gift
Our shores are surrounded by an abundance of sea life, among which thrive the sea lettuce (Ulva lactuca) – a nutrient-packed green seaweed. Rich in antioxidants, vitamin A, and minerals, sea lettuce ensures that your pets get the taste and vitality of the ocean in every bite. Sea lettuce also contains some Omega-3, an essential nutrient for our dogs’ overall health.
The Black Soldier Fly Revolution
One of the most innovative ingredients in our blend is the protein from black soldier fly larvae. These are not ordinary larvae: they are clean, traceable and highly nutritious for dogs and humans alike. It contains a complete protein profile (i.e.all essential amino acids) as well as fibre, iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. They thrive on the spent grain from local beer production, transforming waste into nutrition.
Furthermore, once the larvae have extracted all the nutrients, the remaining ‘frass’ doesn’t go to waste. Instead, it’s used as organic fertiliser, rejuvenating the earth and nurturing the growth of future crops. Forming part of a circular economy.
Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) provide an allergy-friendly protein alternative, making them ideal for dogs with food sensitivities. Not only are they nutritionally advantageous, but they also boast a more sustainable profile than traditional livestock. BSFL are cultivated in space-efficient vertical farms, consume minimal water and food, and produce significantly fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
Canola: a yellow champion
In the heart of South Africa’s bountiful regions of Overberg and Swartland in the Western Cape, grows a special plant, both robust and delicate – the Canola. Towering at about a metre high, these plants paint the fields in bright yellows during their blooming season.
From the pods of these plants come tiny brown seeds, which, when pressed, give us our cold-pressed non-GMO Canola oil.
This oil isn’t just a culinary delight but a treasure trove of health benefits. As dogs (and humans) cannot produce Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids on their own, introducing them through our diet becomes crucial. The Canola oil, in this respect, emerges as a champion. With 30% of the essential Omega-6 and Omega-3 our body requires, it maintains a golden ratio of 2:1, supporting optimal brain function and hormone production. The marine algae in Nala Health also adds DHA Omega-3 ensuring your dog receives the perfect balance from their food.
Beyond Ingredients: Supporting Communities
It’s imperative to understand the journey of these ingredients and the communities they touch. The baobab, in particular, brings economic relief to the communities of Venda and other parts of southern Africa, areas where opportunities are scant. With households often led by strong, resilient women supporting large families, collaboration with ethical businesses brings forth hope and economic sustenance. The direct sourcing method ensures maximum community benefit, lighting up households and ensuring brighter futures for many.
As we celebrate Heritage Month, it’s essential to remember that our heritage isn’t just in monuments, music, or dance. It’s in the soil that nurtures our ingredients, the hands that harvest them, and the communities that thrive because of them. At Nala Health, we join hands with other entrepreneurs to support and celebrate South Africa’s rich landscape, innovative products, and the strength of its communities. Here’s to feeding our pets the very best from South Africa, today and every day.