Can Stress And Low Level Exposure to Toxins Improve Health And Longevity?
Almost daily, we are warned of the dangers of exposure to toxins from pollutants in our air, water, food, home, and workplace. The reality of modern life is that no matter how careful we may be, we are inevitably exposed to a variety of toxins. For many people, knowing that toxins are linked to cancer, […]
Holy Basil: An Herb With Incomparable Benefits
Closely related to the culinary herb sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum), holy basil (Ocimum sanctum) is a plant with a rich history of use as a healing herb. Because this venerable herb has so many applications, it has become one of my favorites. I often include holy basil in adaptogenic tonics, and also find it useful […]
The Wisdom of Dr. Eli Jones, One of the Greatest Physicians of All Time
“Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And departing leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time.” ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (a favorite of Eli Jones) In my opinion, one of the greatest physicians of all time—and perhaps the person that has influenced me more than any […]
An Ayurvedic Memory Tonic: Bacopa (Bacopa monniera)
Bacopa (Bacopa monniera) has long been revered in Ayurvedic medicine as a tonic for improving memory—the plant is so highly valued that it’s called “Brahmi,” referring to Brahma, the creator of the universe in the Hindu tradition. Ayurvedic practitioners regard bacopa as a rasayana (restorative adaptogenic tonic), and for thousands of years have prescribed it […]
The Downside Of Technology
“I Fear the Day That Technology Will Surpass Our Human Interaction” ~Albert Einstein There’s no question that technology has made our lives easier in many ways. I use my laptop daily for research and writing, and it’s useful to be able to communicate via email and cellphone. However, the progress that we’ve witnessed in the […]
Botanical Support For Anxiety
In my post last week, I discussed at length the use of kava (Piper mythesticum) for the treatment of anxiety. Kava is one of my favorite herbs—not only for its beneficial effects on the nervous system, but also because it appears to have unique anti-cancer properties. However, as with any herb, I recommend using it […]
Kava: Natural Relief For Anxiety
Many people feel anxious when they’re under stress, but for approximately 40 million Americans, anxiety is more than a passing state of emotion. Shortness of breath, racing heartbeat, dizziness, upset stomach, tension, irritability, sleep difficulties, memory problems, and feelings of dread are common daily experiences of people who suffer from chronic anxiety. For those who […]
The Relationship of Insulin Resistance and Cancer: A Botanical Approach
It’s well known that elevated fasting blood sugar is a precursor to diabetes. Less well known, but increasingly recognized, is that elevated fasting serum glucose and/or insulin levels are also risk factors for cancer, and the risk grows as fasting blood sugar and insulin levels rise. With the escalation of obesity and diabetes worldwide, it […]
Thoughts on Healthy Aging
This may seem to be a radical stance, but I believe it is mistake to think that illness and disease are an inevitable part of the normal aging process. Although we may think of aging in relation to outward appearance, the way we look reflects only certain aspects of age, some of which are superficial–such […]