The topic of this week’s Twitter Thursday is the interplay between the body and mind. There is an erroneous perception out there that we have body related health issues and brain related health issues – the physiological and the psychological. However, an increasing body of research suggests that how we care for our body has both positive and negative consequences on many aspects of mental health and vice versa. Read more »

In the United States we’re very fortunate to have access to a wide variety of “dietary supplements” that can be acquired without a prescription. However, this same availability can foster a less than serious attitude towards supplements. Many times the result is wasted money when consumers choose products that are inappropriate for their individual needs. In other instances, there can be more profound consequences such as drug-nutrient or drug-herbal interactions and, possibly, even side-effects that are directly attributable to specific natural remedies themselves. Read more »

There’s always something new to learn about old herbs. The trouble is, sometimes it takes a very long time for scientists to test new applications for herbal remedies. The traditional medicinals know as Taraxacum officinale (dandelion) and Ginkgo biloba are two such examples. These ancient healing plants have recently been investigated for a few modern day health issues. Dandelion is proposed as a natural diuretic and ginkgo as an aid in managing PMS symptoms. On the other side of the spectrum, there are certain botanicals that are scientific darlings. A brew known as “sour tea” falls into this category. The more research that is released about it, the more it seems that sour tea could lend powerful support for the cardiovascular system and beyond. Read more »