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Around the holidays, or anytime you’ve over-indulged, consider sweet and zesty ginger for nourishing the digestive organs. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a knobby, horn-shaped rhizome with a long history of supporting metabolism, aiding digestion and reducing inflammation. It helps heal upset stomach, diarrhea, nausea, motion sickness, and morning sickness. I

For many of us, gift giving is the biggest stress of the holiday season – from finding time to shop, to selecting the right gift, to getting the best price. We struggle emotionally knowing gifts often hold symbolic meaning for the recipient; yet, not having other ideas, we go to

Over the years, the media has paid lots of attention to apple cider vinegar (ACV) and for good reason. An ancient health remedy, it’s known as a panacea for what ails us, aiding in weight loss, managing blood sugar, reducing cholesterol, lowering cancer risk, supporting digestion, and facilitating natural detoxification.

Exploring Natural Antibiotics: Protecting yourself against infection can be done naturally. But where do you begin? Foremost, if you suspect you have an infection (you’re coughing, expelling mucus, are feverish, etc.), now is not the time to experiment: You absolutely should be working with a doctor to treat the infection.

When it comes to our health, there are two schools of thought: the Germ Theory and the Terrain Theory. Understanding the differences is critical, particularly because it involves the use of antibiotics, which should be used sparingly and for the right reasons. So let’s examine this often confusing topic. The

Calcium Does a Body Good: Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the human body and you might think that’s because of the essential role it plays in building strong bones; calcium’s importance, however, goes beyond preventing fractures and osteoporosis. Calcium also supports healthy functioning of the cardiovascular, endocrine, and

Nutrient IV Therapy: Don’t Believe the Hype: They go by names such as Vitamin Drip Bar and Liquid Vitamin Lounge. You’ve probably seen these store fronts right next to your local Target, and you’ve maybe wondered what exactly it is that they’re offering. What they’re selling is nutrient IV –

Like their leafy green cousins, turnip greens contain an abundance of nutrients important to good health. Scientifically known as Brassica rapa, turnip greens are a cruciferous plant in the same family as other nutrient-dense vegetables, including broccoli, cauliflower, kale and cabbage. Cruciferous plant consumption is associated with lower risk of

Of all the health products available, nutritional supplements are the most widely used, consumed by people of every age and every lifestyle. While supplements should not be used as a replacement for healthy lifestyle choices, whether prescribed by a physician or self-administered, even those of us who eat well and

Got Sprouts? Health Benefits of Alfalfa: What makes a sprout so good for you? Sprouting is the moment of greatest vitality in a plant’s life cycle, the phase in which the seed activates and makes its way through the topsoil and sprouts into the fresh air above. At this high

Tips for Going Vegetarian: There’s Vegetarian. And there’s Vegan. Most people know these diets are related, but some may not know exactly what differentiates them from one another. Both diets eliminate meat, fish, and poultry. Vegans don’t eat any dairy, eggs, or other products derived from animals. Sub-types of vegetarianism,

Addressing Vegetarian Vulnerabilities: Vegetarianism has many health advantages, but it can present certain health risks. Research shows that vegetarians (and vegans) are vulnerable to deficiencies in two important B vitamins: B12 (cobalamin) and B6 (pyridoxine). If ever a group of vitamins could be considered “the Force” within you, it’s the

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Restoring Hormonal Harmony: In Refuel, I wrote a great deal about testosterone, the vital sex hormone that in men can play a crucial role in the regulation of visceral fat and the severity of its effects. It’s essential to women, too, in whom it helps maintain libido, and effects bone

The Power of Vitamin D: not only is it powerful, it’s vital for good health. Although it’s called a vitamin, D is actually a steroid hormone that acts as a catalyst for processes that protect our cells. Interestingly, the Vitamin D introduced into the body through food, supplements, and sun

When those painful, itchy patches of eczema and psoriasis erupt, doctors of natural medicine ask, ‘what is causing this condition to present at this time?’ The Greek translation of eczema means “to boil out,” so the question makes sense: holistic physicians look for the underlying root causes that bring about

Succulent cherries, both sweet and tart, provide wonderful health benefits. And they are of course delicious when fresh, which is why I planted two varieties of cherry trees: a Lapins that was first harvested this year, and a white Tartarian, which will harvest in 3 years, I hope. Cherries contain

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is the golden-orange spice that gives curried foods pizzazz. In Traditional Chinese and Indian Medicine, turmeric is used to treat allergies, digestive ailments, and pain. The active chemical component of turmeric is curcumin, known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Today, research is focused on the role curcumin plays in diseases

People living with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) compare the pain and inflammation to a fire raging out of control. RA is a chronic, systemic autoimmune disease causing swelling, stiffness, and pain in the joints. It can result in joint deformity and damage to other organs, including the nerves, heart, and lungs.

Crisp, sweet red bell peppers are versatile and packed with nutrients. They’re loaded with the antioxidants Vitamin C and A, which support immunity and help the body fight free radicals – molecules implicated in inflammation and many disease processes. These crimson beauties also contain Vitamin B6 and folate, nutrients that