You may see it listed on labels as calendula but better recognize its common name: marigold. These decorative yellow and orange annual flowers are native to Asia and southern Europe. They have a history of medicinal use and calendula is the common name found in supplement form. The main active components that may be health promoting in calendula are antioxidant triterpenoids and flavonoids. In a lab setting, calendula has shown antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, and antiviral effects. This extract can lower blood pressure as well as blood sugar. It is sedative and aids in wound healing when applied topically. Preparations […]
Your brain’s history is not its destiny. Even if you have brain fog or trouble remembering now, it doesn’t mean you always will. Although the problem is common as we age, it is not inevitable. And memory loss can be treated most effectively in the early stages. If you or a loved one is struggling with recall or memory, no matter how significant it seems, now is the time to get serious about your brain’s health. Memory Rescue by Daniel G. Amen, M.D. is based on an amazing simple idea: The best way to sharpen your memory, reverse brain energy, […]
Most nutritionists agree there is no one dietary pattern that’s ideal for everyone. In addition to your unique combination of genes, medical history, cultural and family background, taste preferences and daily living patterns, you apply your own set of values to your eating approach. Some people may focus on preventing or managing disease, others on protecting the environment, some on managing weight, others on enjoying what they eat and so on. Prioritizing what matters to you can help determine your eating style. The six dietary patterns discussed here have dominated headlines over the past few years. We’ve tapped nutrition experts […]
The term amino acid might sound a bit strange, but the definition is straightforward: Strands of these molecules form the building blocks of protein. When you digest protein, your body breaks it down into individual amino acids and then reconstitutes them as needed. Amino acid supplements are most often associated with bodybuilders. After all, muscle consists of protein, and amino acids do help build muscle, and not just in young men. But individual amino acids also serve a variety of health-promoting roles in the body. For example, they can influence mood, reduce stress and boost immunity. As a consequence, shoppers […]
Feeling stressed? Take a time out to practice easy stress soothers. You’ll find you can alleviate the symptoms of
Mystery and intrigue surround the cannabis sativa plant — also known as marijuana — and its possible medicinal properties though it has been used since ancient times. Utilized for food, fiber, oil, medicine and recreation, there are many things the cannabis plant provides us, but perhaps the most intriguing for health is cannabidiol or CBD oil. This compound is the non-psychoactive part of the cannabis sativa plant. Medicinal preparations made from the flowers and resin of the cannabis plant have been used in ancient Chinese medicine, medieval times, Ayurvedic medicine, and even in modern Western medicine into the 1800’s when […]
Though the recipe for a latte follows the same formula—X ingredient(s), plus dairy or non-dairy milk alternative, and of course, espresso—the combinations to create the perfect latte are endless. What’s coming down the pike are superfood lattes, or the milk of choice mixed with a superfood ingredient that offers specific health benefits. You might have stumbled upon some of the more popular or visually arresting sensations; if you haven’t yet, check them out on Instagram because you will be seeing more of them. During a three-month period at the end of 2017, #roselatte occurrences grew just over 11 percent; #tarolatte, 12 […]
Sorrel is a fascinating herb to add to your food repertoire. It’s slightly tart, tangy, and slightly lemony flavor is appreciated all around the world and is cultivated for a number of uses. Although primarily grown for use in food, sorrel also has a vast array of health benefits. There are a number of varieties of sorrel that grow in different regions of the world, and while many of them have slightly different characteristics and associated health benefits, they are generally the same. Some of sorrel’s benefits include: Improves eyesight Slows the aging process Reduces skin infections Strengthens immune system Improves digestion Increases […]
Why do we love Avocados? Let us count the ways! They’re a great source of fiber, delivering between 11 and 17 grams per fruit. They contain more potassium than bananas, and potassium
For such a delicate-looking and innocuous herb, cilantro, which is the leaves of the coriander plant, is a little bit controversial. People seem to either love it or hate it. Cilantro looks like flat leaf parsley, but it has a tangy, almost citrusy flavor. Long used in Asian, Indian, Caribbean and Latin American cooking, cilantro gives a bright taste to salads, salsas, meat, chicken and fish. I think it’s the secret ingredient to summer dishes, though you can find it fresh in supermarkets all year round. Given the chance, even the most skeptical can acquire a taste for cilantro. But […]