Frequently Asked Questions

Ingredients

What exactly is Yamoa™?

Yamoa™ Powder comes in 30gm containers of pure Funtumia elastica ground bark powder. The Yamoa™ Capsules contain 500mg pure Funtumia elastica ground bark powder, 10mg Magnesium stearate B.P., and a vegan cellulose capsule.

What added ingredients are in Yamoa™?

Yamoa™ powder 30gm contains pure Funtumia elastica bark powder. The capsules are pure powder with a small amount of magnesium stearate as an anti-caking agent, and a cellulose (vegan) capsule.

Dosage

How do I take Yamoa™?

POWDER: Mix the entire contents of the 30gm bottle thoroughly with an average size jar of honey, about 1lb (454gm). Stir well until the powder is completely mixed, also stir the mixture each time you use it. Adults: One 5 ml standard teaspoonful twice a day for one month continuously. Children: under the age of 12: Half a 5ml teaspoon twice a day for one month continuously. OR take 1/4 of a 5ml teaspoon of powder twice a day with a glass of water or fruit juice, tea or any beverage, an eighth of a teaspoon for children. FOR BEST RESULTS, FINISH ENTIRE MIXTURE EVEN IF RELIEF IS FOUND AT AN EARLY STAGE OF TREATMENT.

CAPSULES: Adults: 1 capsule twice a day (morning and evening) with water. Children aged 12 and under: 1/2 capsule twice a day (morning and evening) mixed in honey or jam, maple syrup or other foodstuff to mask bitter taste. If the child is old enough to swallow the capsule, only half of the powder will require mixing with honey (or other). IT IS IMPORTANT NOT TO STOP YOUR OR YOUR CHILD'S CURRENT MEDICATION WITHOUT YOUR DOCTORS ADVICE.

What are the optimum times for taking Yamoa™?

The guide is really just twice a day, at a decent interval of a good 6-8 hours - it does not have to be specifically at mealtimes, although people usually find it easier not to forget to take the dose if taken at these benchmarks in the day.

Do I mix it in honey as and when required, or all in one go when I first receive it?

The pure Yamoa™ should be emptied completely into the honey and mixed thoroughly, then stirred before each dose is taken. Using the right amount of honey/jam (approx. 1lb/454gm) ensures that the correct dose is taken. Please remember a child's dose is half a teaspoon of the mixture, and the mixture will be taken over approximately 2 months in all for a child.

Can it be taken with anything else other than honey?

Originally taken as a tea, you just add boiing water to the appropriate dose and drink as a tea.

You can also mix it with a jam, brown rice syrup, pure maple syrup, water or any beverage. It can also be sprinkled into baby cereals or yoghurt for young children or babies - honey is not recommended for babies under 1 year due to the risk of Botulism (bacteria in honey). Yamoa™ tastes bitter, so it is better mixed with something sweet. If you are a diabetic, you are best advised to mix it with a low sugar carrier. We have Yamoa™ in Capsule form, which is ideal for people who cannot take Yamoa™ mixed in honey.

How many pots will a complete treatment consume?

Most people find they get results within the first two months. Some people obviously need more than two months, but some people do take the powder for longer for a variety of reasons. Many people experience changes in their condition within the first two weeks, but it is best to take the mixture until the course is finished entirely.

Efficacy

Is it a permanent solution or does the treatment need to be repeated every year for hay fever sufferers?

It has been a long-term solution for many people. We tend generally to supply second courses to people who are re-ordering on behalf of their friends or relatives rather than themselves, but obviously some people may require follow-up treatment consecutively or the following season. Others tend to buy again for themselves to have the product to hand 'just in case'. It is a very subjective remedy, and we cannot categorically say that you will only need the one course.

I have had asthma for many years, and I am in the senior age bracket, will Yamoa™ help me?

We have found that people who have had their condition for many years, and who are in the senior age bracket, have generally required more than one course of Yamoa™ before beginning to feel substantial benefits. This may be down to the fact that the condition is long-standing, and that an older person has a longer history of illness and stress, which may mean a reduced immune system capacity, which may make it harder to recover from a condition as quickly as a younger person or a child.

With this in mind, it may mean that although Yamoa™ may not appear to improve your condition within a month, it may need longer to establish its healing properties and boost your immune system against the triggers which cause your asthma. Persevering with Yamoa™ for more than one month may therefore bring better results.

How far in advance of the hay fever season should I take Yamoa™?

Hay fever sufferers have been known to take Yamoa™ in the winter, and it has remained effective for the following hay fever season. Others have found relief from their symptoms after taking it at the beginning of the season. Others find they take it at the beginning of the season each year. Most people who take it whilst they are suffering symptoms, find relief within a couple of weeks of taking it. It is always recommended to take the dose every day until the course is finished completely even if relief is found early on in treatment. One course (two months) is usually enough for one person.

Safety

Does it have any known side effects?

We have had isolated reports (from single people) of a reaction of a rash, water-retention, a tickly cough, stomachache and palpitations (when taking blood pressure tablets also).

Some people may respond initially to Yamoa™ with what is termed as a 'healing reaction' (sometimes known as a healing 'crisis' or Herxheimer reaction). This is when symptoms seem to worsen before they start to improve, and it can be quite alarming for some people, particularly asthma sufferers. Please bear this in mind, and although it is rare with Yamoa™, it is common with many complimentary therapies. Please be sure, particularly if you suffer from respiratory attacks such as in asthma, that you always carry your emergency medication with you at all times, even if you feel Yamoa™ has helped you combat your condition.

We do not recommend you take Yamoa™ if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you are on blood pressure medication.

We also do not recommend mixing the powder with honey or another sweet carrier if you suffer from fungal infections in the respiratory tract (see Powder versus Capsules questions below).

If you find you are experiencing any adverse symptoms from taking Yamoa™, please let us know. Please see our 'drug interactions' question.

Are there any known drug interactions with Yamoa™?

We have had feedback from one lady regarding a possible interaction between Yamoa™ and her daily dose of 0.5mg of Norvasc (blood pressure medication), resulting in palpitations which increased in severity the longer she used the powder. She ceased use of the powder, and her palpitations disappeared after a few days. This is the only drug interaction we know of to date.

Tests to establish whether it could interact with any one medication taken by any given individual are impossible to conduct due to the enormity of the task (there are so many drugs and drug combinations being taken), that we cannot give a conclusive guarantee that this will never happen, therefore it is strictly your decision as to whether you will go ahead and use Yamoa™ whilst on your current medications.

If you experience any signs that an adverse reaction is happening to you when you take Yamoa™, you must stop immediately and consult your healthcare specialist, and inform us so that we can advise others of possible interactions.

Is there anyone Yamoa™ is NOT suitable for?

We do not recommend that pregnant or breastfeeding women or people on High Blood pressure medications take Yamoa™

I am pregnant. Can I take Yamoa™?

We recommend that you wait until you have had your baby and finished breastfeeding before you start to take Yamoa™.

Is it safe? What tests have been done on it?

Yamoa™ has been microbiologically analysed to clinically confirm that it is free from nasties such as Salmonella and E-Coli, Faecal Coliforms and Faecal streptococci. The conclusion to the tests was: "The analyses undertaken provided no evidence of the presence of pathogenic bacteria on any of the samples examined".

Further research (Graff JC et al, Polysaccharides derived from Yamoa™ (Funtumia elastica) prime γδ T cells in vitro and enhance innate immune responses in vivo, Int Immunopharmacol (2009), doi:10.1016/j.intimp.2009.07.015) found that Yamoa™ in fact "may be effective as therapeutic innate immunostimulants in Salmonella enterica serotype typhimurium infection and potentially other infectious disease settings."

It has also been tested by the Centre for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine (MINISTRY OF HEALTH), Ghana, by S. Osafaro-Mensah MSc. These tests were performed between 1996 and 1998. Mr Osafaro's conclusions to the tests were "The investigation and clinical trials conducted have shown that Yamoa™ is safe for human use...and when the bark is dried it can be safely stored for up to 6yrs before being ground for use".

A peer reviewed scientific research paper, (Graff JC et al, Polysaccharides derived from Yamoa™ (Funtumia elastica) prime γδ T cells in vitro and enhance innate immune responses in vivo, Int Immunopharmacol (2009), doi:10.1016/j.intimp.2009.07.015) conducted by Montana State University's Molecular Biology department determined that Yamoa™ "appears safe" with "no evidence of toxic or other adverse effects".

Jodi Hedges, one of the lead researchers on Yamoa™ explained when interviewed, "We think that in vivo the main response to polysaccharides is that they prime the cells, to better respond to other signals. They do not overtly stimulate the cells, and they do not induce inflammatory cytokines. Targeting these gd T cells and NK cells is nifty because these cells are not the source of strong damaging cytokines like IL-1, IL-6 and TNFa, these come from macrophages. gd T cells and NK cells are anti-inflammatory in many situations, and polysaccharides may enhance that capacity as well. Macrophages are not known for this, but also do not appear to be a primary target for these polysaccharides (if they were, we would see more inflammation not less).”

Practicality

What are the benefits to taking the capsules over the loose powder?

The main differences are the ease of use, the ability to maintain an accurate dosage and the compatibility with a strict sugar or carbohydrate free diet, such as that of a diabetic or someone trying to lose weight, or even someone who needs to avoid sugars due to candidiasis, etc.

If you suffer from fungal infections in the respiratory tract, it is better to take the capsules than the honey mixture, or at least do not mix the loose powder into honey or a sweet carrier as the sugar will only exacerbate the condition and it may become worse rather than improve. If you do not know whether you are suffering from a fungal infection, it may be better to opt for the capsules to err on the side of caution.

What are the benefits to taking the loose powder over the capsules?

The loose powder is better for those suffering from seasonal allergies or hay fever when mixed with a local honey, as the honey will itself help to strengthen the immune system against local pollens. It is also more suitable for those suffering from conditions such as MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivity) as it does not have the added presence of magnesium stearate, as in the capsules.

If you suffer from fungal infections in the respiratory tract, it is better to take the capsules than the honey mixture, or at least do not mix the loose powder into honey or a sweet carrier as the sugar will only exacerbate the condition and it may become worse rather than improve. If you do not know whether you are suffering from a fungal infection, it may be better to opt for the capsules to err on the side of caution.

I am on a colon cleanse. Should I finish the cleanse before I start Yamoa™?

Yes, you should wait in case the Yamoa™ is evacuated from the body before it has a chance to work. Your digestive system should also be given a few days to recover and rest from the cleanse before Yamoa™ is started, so it would be ideal to wait for about four days to a week after the cleanse is over before starting Yamoa™

General

Yamoa™ hasn't helped me. What do you advise?

We are very sorry to hear when someone has not responded at all to Yamoa™ as it is so rare that no improvement at all is experienced. We cannot give a guarantee that it will work for everyone with every respiratory condition, but it does help many, many people. If this happens to you, we would be grateful if you could contact us and elaborate on your 'story' regarding the history of your condition, the method in which you took Yamoa™, your age and how long you have had the condition, any underlying health issues you may also have, what other medications you were taking at the time, and any other relevant information, as it would really help us to understand who Yamoa™ possibly can and may not help in greater depth. This in turn will help us to advise our customers more accurately. It is so important that we hear any negative stories as well as the positive.

I have found some loose powder being sold on the internet as Yamoa™. Is it genuine?

The Yamoa™ trademark has become very well known, and now that Yamoa™ has become a popular, trusted and reliable product, it has also become targeted as a lucrative way for unscrupulous individuals to try to make money by selling counterfeit products using or alluding to the Yamoa™ name. Cheap bulk quantities of powder being sold under the name of Yamoa™ in loose quantities on the internet is NOT GENUINE Yamoa™ Funtumia elastica. Genuine Yamoa™ is fit for human consumption. All legitimate Yamoa™ Funtumia elastica and Capsules retailers can be contacted through us. If you are concerned, please contact us and ask. Other companies are releasing products onto the market with similar names, and passing off their product as Yamoa™ by copying our website information. Please be aware that these products do not have a long history of use, and should not be mistaken for genuine Yamoa™. It is not possible for us to vouch for the quality of these powders.

If like most consumers you would like to buy the genuine article, please either purchase from us, or contact us for a genuine reseller near you. We cannot vouch for the safety or reliability of any products passing themselves off as Yamoa™.

Ordering, Payment Shipment and Distribution

I'm in the UK. Can I buy Yamoa™?

You can order online from Tasty Superfoods. Shipping is only free for US orders. Use discount code NOTTHENORM5 on your first order for 5% off.

I'm in Ghana. Where can I get Yamoa™?

Seventh Pharmacy in Accra usually stock Yamoa™ (Tel: 0242143122). If they are out of stock we can send it to you, simply order here.

How do you ship, how long does it take?

All orders are normally processed and mailed within 2 working days of receipt.

Normal Service:

US & Rest of the World:

Standard International service: 7 - 10 working days.

International Tracked services: 4 - 7 working days.

These packages may need a signature on receipt and could be trackable through the Royal Mail website if you have purchased a trackable service and have received a tracking number by email from us.

We ask all overseas customers to allow up to four weeks for delivery before packages can be considered lost in the mail and replacement packages sent out. Replacement orders will be sent only if the delivery address supplied by the customer is accurate.

Can I order by email, post or by telephone and order that way?

Yes, if you call us between 9.30 GMT and 16.00 GMT Monday - Friday on +44 (0)1865 355515.

To send your order by post, please include the following information with your order:

Your daytime contact telephone number and your email address, your full delivery address including postal or zip code, and enclose a cheque (we cannot accept postal orders or money orders) made out to Not the Norm Ltd. If you are unsure as to the cost of your order, please contact us for an invoice. Mail your order to us at: Not the Norm Ltd, Units 1-3, 27 Bankside, Kidlington, OX5 1JE, United Kingdom.

To place orders outside this time, please use the website.

Sending your payment card details by email is not safe as emails can be intercepted by hackers, so this is not a recommended method.

Can I order by Credit or Debit card online?

Yes you can. Simply go to our Shop page and fill in the form. Our online purchasing facility is supplied by WorldPay. Payments can also be made through PayPal or Bank Transfer where you will be sent an invoice via email with our bank details.

We will process your order within 48 working hours of receipt of payment.

How do I check up on the progress of my order?

You can send an email using the email address you used when you placed your order and we will be able to quickly find information for you. Please do not use this facility for the first 10 working days after you placed your order if you ordered from the US or Canada.

How do I become a retailer? Do you have trade prices?

If you are a retailer or practitioner and would like to order Yamoa™ at trade prices, please email us with your enquiry detailing your company or practice information. Please tell us about your business, state how you heard about Yamoa™ and what experience you have of it and we will get back to you with our trade terms and prices.

How can I check if another website is selling genuine Yamoa™?

Contact us with a link to the website in question and we will be able to tell you if they are supplying genuine Yamoa™.