Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) is a small palm native to the southeastern United States that is characterized by its sprawling trunk and large, spear-like leaves. The plant bears dark red, olive-sized berries that have a long history of use as both a food and medicine. The American Indians particularly revered saw palmetto berries for their significant healing properties. Though saw palmetto has been used throughout history to treat coughs and colds, asthma, migraines, bronchitis, and…
The leaves of the Moringa oleifera tree are one of Asia’s most nutrient-dense foods. In fact, just one serving of these leaves in powdered form contains almost 50 types of antioxidants and almost 90 different nutrients. Unsurprisingly, then, numerous studies have linked long-term consumption of moringa leaves to the treatment of countless health conditions such as osteoporosis, macular degeneration, high blood pressure, obesity, and even cancer. A recent study published in Acta Histochemica in March…
There are many good reasons to add more cilantro, also called coriander or Chinese parsley, to our diets. This aromatic green herb, which is popular in Mexican cuisine, is bursting with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytonutrients. It is also a proven antiseptic, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory, and long-term consumption of it has been known to treat digestive disorders, fatigue, heart disease, and autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. Cilantro is, in short, far more than just…
The health supplement industry, which includes vitamins, minerals, weight management products and whole food supplements, is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. Indeed, according to the Council for Responsible Nutrition, the industry is worth $32 billion in the United States alone, and more than 150 million Americans take dietary supplements annually. While health supplements should be viewed as a positive development in today’s world of ongoing soil erosion, it is true that…
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, acne is the most common skin disorder in the United States, affecting an estimated 40 to 50 million people across the nation. While acne usually begins in puberty, this unpleasant inflammatory condition – which manifests as pimples, lumps and plugged pores across the body, especially the face and back – is not restricted to a specific age group, and can occur at any time. In fact, almost 85 percent of…
