In this series, “Herbal First-Aid Kit,” we look at natural alternatives to modern first aid kits, which usually consist of medications made from synthetic chemicals. If you are looking for natural solutions for acute conditions, these herbs are safe, effective, and easily available. The “King of Essential Oils,” frankincense is one of the world’s most…

A new study finds that plant extracts used by indigenous people hold promise for the treatment of ataxia. Extracts from plants used by the Kwakwaka’wakw First Nations peoples in their traditional botanical medicine practices rescue the function of ion channel proteins carrying mutations that cause human episodic ataxia, the researchers report. “Episodic Ataxia 1 (EA1)…

“The doctor of the future will give no medication, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, diet and in the cause and prevention of disease.” This famous quote of inventor and businessman Thomas Edison may strike us as prescient given the explosion of information about the lifestyle factors of disease….

“The doctor of the future will give no medication, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, diet and in the cause and prevention of disease.” This famous quote of inventor and businessman Thomas Edison may strike us as prescient given the explosion of information about the lifestyle factors of disease….

Most people don’t know that two compounds found in this perennial plant are the second most-used class of chemotherapy meds, and have been in use since the 1960s. Plus, they’re essential for treating diabetes and hypertension, too. Once you know, you won’t look at this flowering plant the same way again. STORY AT-A-GLANCE Compounds found…

A study published in the September 2022 edition of the renowned international journal Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity” showed that an herbal medicine made from Harpagophytum procumbens, commonly known as “devil’s claw” has the effect of improving spinal stenosis. The study was conducted by a research team led by chief researcher Hong Jin Young at…

Common Names: passionflower, maypop, apricot vine, maracuja, water lemon Latin Names: Passiflora incarnata Background Passionflower is a climbing vine that is native to the southeastern United States and Central and South America. Native peoples of the Americas used passionflower as a sedative. Sixteenth-century Spanish explorers in South America learned of passionflowers. The plant was then brought to Europe, where it became…

Common Names: saw palmetto, American dwarf palm tree, cabbage palm Latin Names: Serenoa repens, Serenoa serrulata, Sabal serrulata Background Saw palmetto is a shrublike palm native to the southeastern United States. Historically, it was used for a variety of conditions, including disorders of the male and female reproductive organs and coughs due to various diseases. Currently, saw palmetto is promoted as…

Food has been the medicine of humanity since the dawn of time. Many herbs that we associate only with seasoning our food are, in fact, potent herbal medicines. There is a wide area of overlap between the two categories, with the distinction between food and herbal medicine being quite subjective. * Click the “Save” button…

After the Autumn Equinox, many people have symptoms such as dry skin and itchy throat. Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners(TCM) recommend taking care of the body from the four aspects of clothing, food, living and transportation, and massaging acupuncture points. After the Autumn Equinox, in the northern hemisphere, the night gets longer and the weather gets…