Thursday, June 23, 2011
St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum)
When people whose only knowledge of herbs comes from popular media think about the properties of St. John’s wort, they see it as an antidepressant. It’s not a new idea as the herb was used traditionally to drive away evil spirits and relieve melancholy, mental illness and epilepsy. However, to think of St. John’s wort as simply an antidepressant is to do injustice to the uses of this versatile herbal remedy.
St. John’s wort comes to us with a legacy steeped in Christian tradition. Early Christians named St. John’s wort to honor John the Baptist. They linked the blood-red oil, that the flowers and leaves release when pinched, to the saint’s beheading. According to tradition, this herb is collected on St. John’s Day, June 25. Maybe this is because it blooms around the summer solstice (mid June) and the flowers are the most potent part of the remedy.
Don’t Be “Full of It”
The Link Between Colon Health and Mood
by Steven Horne, RH(AHG)
When a person has a foul mood, people often say that they’re “full of it.” Although they’re talking about the person’s emotional state, this phrase may be physically true. A person in a bad mood may actually be constipated or at least have serious issues with the health of their intestinal tract.
Most people are not aware of how the health of their gastrointestinal system affects their mental health, but it does. Irritability, depression and anxiety have all been linked with problems in the gastrointestinal tract. Researchers now realize that we have a “gut brain” that produces neurotransmitters that directly influence our emotional state.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Soy to You and Me
Don’t Judge this Wonder-Bean Too Quickly
by Tad Turgeon, Health Sciences Dept.
Soybeans (Glycine soya) are an important part of the food chain in many Asian countries. They have high protein content and have been consumed in times of food shortage. Humans can survive and thrive on soybeans when animal protein is scarce or not preferred.
How Does Soy Protein Stack Up?
Soy protein is a complete protein—it contains all of the essential amino acids required for human growth and maintenance. Proteins are evaluated by a “protein digestibility corrected amino acid score” (PDCAA). This score rates proteins for their amino acid content and the body’s ability to digest and absorb these amino acids when compared to a standard: egg whites. Egg whites have a PDCAA score of 1. Soy protein, whey protein and milk (casein) also have a PDCAA of 1.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
When we talk about licorice, most people think of licorice candy. I remember when I was young going to the ice cream store and getting licorice flavored ice cream, too. It was blackish colored and one of my favorite flavors. Most licorice candy is made with anise these days, although you can get real licorice candy at the health food store. Read licorice colors your tongue black (that licorice ice cream used to do that), but the licorice flavored with anise doesn’t.
But, we’re not talking about the candy (or the ice cream) here, we’re talking about the herb and licorice root is a fabulous medicinal plant that just happens to balance blood sugar levels and counteract the craving for sweets. So, instead of thinking of licorice as a candy, think of it as the anti-candy herb!
HY-C
Bu Yin (Nourish Yin)
HY-C treats a deficiency of yin by replenishing fluids, relieving heat, and repairing organ damage, especially when caused by prolonged fevers or drug use. It’s Chinese name, Bu Yin, means “nourish yin.”HY-C also normalizes hormonal imbalances thus regulating sugar metabolism, menopause, aging, and dryness of the skin, throat and bowel and relieving constipation.
Here are the herbs in this formula and what they do for health.
Dendrobium increases the production of digestive fluids and enzymes, reduces fever and pain, raises blood sugar and lowers blood pressure. It has been used to treat hypoglycemia, thirst, dry mouth and dry cough.
Hydrate Your Way to Better Health
by Steven Horne, RH(AHG)
Water is the foundation of life, and next to air, the most important nutrient you need to stay alive. Yet, when it comes to healing the body, people don’t often think of water as a “cure” for disease. Water, however, may be one of the cheapest and most important disease cures you’ll ever use.
While being held as a political prisoner in Iran Dr. F. Batmaghelidj discovered that water alone can help to heal many chronic ailments. Having no medicines to work with, he learned that peptic ulcers could be healed with water alone. Following his release from prison, he continued his research on the healing power of water. In his book, Your Body’s Many Cries for Water, he claims that the body signals its water shortage by producing pain.
Men’s Health Issues
The general topic of men’s health is quite broad and can include issues that are part of women’s health too. Good examples here are cardiovascular wellbeing and weight loss. However, prostate health and conditions such as erectile dysfunction (ED) are peculiar to men.
In men, vascular health and sexual function are very closely related. Erectile dysfunction not only adversely affects intimate relationships but it can also indicate potential cardiovascular health problems. In many cases, erectile difficulties may be a sign of an underlying cardiovascular disorder. Because vascular health reflects erectile function, it’s not surprising that nutritional supplement ingredients that support healthy erectile performance also contribute to cardiovascular health.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Liver Health – Why You Should Love Your Liver
As the second largest organ in the body, liver health plays a significant role in the body’s overall health. The liver is a part of the hepatic portal system, which controls essential glucagon and insulin secretion throughout the body, monitors metabolism and digestion, acts as a detoxifying organ and produces cholesterol as well as blood-clotting substances. If the health of the liver is jeopardized, all other systems in the body are affected.
If you’re not careful, your liver health can be diminished. Alcohol, medications, pollutants and even viral infections can damage the liver. Symptoms of liver problems may include chronic fatigue, yellow discolored skin and eyes, nausea or loss of appetite.
