Explorations In The World Of Natural Health
It’s springtime and that means cleavers herb (aka goose grass) is growing all over near my home. Not only is cleavers herb easy to forage, it is also has many health benefits and uses. Here’s what you need to know about cleavers herb to make the most of it. Read more
While living in Peru, I badly sprained my ankle while hiking in the jungle. A local friend gave me mucura – also known as guinea hen weed or anamu – to help with the inflammation and pain. While I can’t say with 100% certainty that the plant helped with the pain and swelling, the science backs it up. Read more
By far one of the coolest looking seeds, sacha inchi is getting a lot of attention as a superfood for weight loss, skin, hair, heart health and numerous other benefits. Here’s what you need to know about the superfood seed and which health benefits are really backed by evidence. Read more
You’ve heard of the Peruvian superfoods camu camu, maca, sacha inchi, and kiwicha. But, with its impressive biodiversity that includes the tall Andres Mountains and Amazon rainforest, Peru has numerous other superfoods – including these which you may have never heard of. Read more
A common weed, mullein has been used for centuries as a natural remedy. Today, mullein is one of the most well-researched medicinal plants with proven health benefits. It contains numerous saponins, flavonoids, glycosides and other compounds. These compounds are what make mullein so powerful in treating earaches, coughs, ulcers, and inflammatory conditions. Read more
When looking for herbal remedies, you will often find many different formulations of the same plant. The most common ones are tinctures, glycerin extracts, dried whole herbs, powdered extracts and standardized extracts. For health benefits, tinctures are usually best. However, each formulation has its own pros/cons which might make it a better option for you. Read more
Irish sea moss is a type of red algae which has many proven health benefits which range from boosting immunity to preventing signs of aging. There is a lot of scientific research which backs up these health benefits, which is why sea moss supplements and gels have suddenly become so popular. Read more
Deep in the forests of China – the same places where pandas and tigers live – you can find schisandra growing wild. The vine wraps itself around trees, snaking its way to the top, and produces clusters of red berries. These red schisandra berries are prized for their health benefits including boosting energy, treating adrenal fatigue, and balancing gut health.
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I recently gave myself a challenge: to walk around my neighborhood looking at people’s gardens and see which plants have health benefits. This is what initially led me to Ophiopogon (aka mondo grass). Even though it is native to Asia, mondo grass is grown throughout the world. The humble plant has many surprising health uses, including suppressing cough, reducing inflammation and boosting immunity. Read more
Even though cupuacu is mostly grown in Brazil, I first encountered it while traveling in Peru. It’s sold at juice bars along the street and an ingredient in many desserts. Lately, cupuacu has become popular around the world because of its many health benefits, especially for skin and hair. Read more