The Berrylicious Benefits of Black Elderberry
Pleasant-tasting purple berries provide powerful immune protection Black elderberry (Sambucus nigra), much like echinacea, takes its place in our botanical medicinal cabinet seasonally when the seasonal colds and flu are at large. Because of elderberry’s naturally appealing taste, it is a botanical that we commonly find as a pleasant tasting syrup or chewable. But…
The Power of Echinacea
A natural alternative for sneeze and sniffle prevention Perhaps you know it for its distinct flower – a pronounced brown central cone, surrounded by delicate purple petals – and its common botanical name, purple coneflower. Or maybe, you know it as a natural remedy to take for protection against the sniffles and sneezes of…
Hemicellulose – A Natural Immune Enhancer?
Plant and Mushroom Blend Provides Gut and Immune Support Hemicellulose isn’t a new thing. In fact, it is as timeless as the plants and fungi that cover the face of our planet. Within plants, much like cellulose, hemicellulose is structural in function. It differs from cellulose in that it is a polysaccharide comprised of…
Melatonin, Immune Function, and Inflammation
The many levels on which melatonin regulates inflammation and immune function Although we primarily think of melatonin as a regulator of the circadian rhythm and our most primitive protective antioxidant,[1],[2] the role it plays in the body is far more encompassing than this. In addition to regulating the sleep cycle, melatonin impacts reproductive function,[3]…
Vitamin E and Immunity, Part 2 of 2
The role that tocotrienols play in inflammation, immunity, and lung health In addition to the tocopherol members of the vitamin E family, of which α-tocopherol dominates research, α-, β-, γ- and δ-tocotrienols also exist. Numerous studies suggest that tocotrienols have superior antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, they account for less than 5% of vitamin…
Vitamin E and Immunity, Part 1 of 2
The aging immune system and vitamin E Many are familiar with the antioxidant principles of the vitamin E family, and their importance for the protection of cellular membranes and prevention of cholesterol oxidation.[1],[2] Vitamin E also is important for a healthy functioning immune system, and deficiency can play a role in declining immune function,…
Stress and Psychological Resilience
How the ability to “bounce back” affects our overall well-being Whether you have consciously thought of it or not, in the last months you have inevitably demonstrated some aspects of emotional and psychological resilience out of sheer necessity. In February of 2020, nary a handful of us anticipated the blows which March of 2020…
The Healing Power of Colostrum
From infants to top-notch athletes to the critically ill, this “first milk” provides immune and gastrointestinal benefits What’s the nutritional superfood almost all of us have had at some time in our life, and new mothers, dairy farmers, and Ob/Gyns know best? It’s colostrum, the first milk that comes at birth. It actually comes…
Fitting Exercise into Your Day
How to Fit Excercise Into a Busy Schedule Many of us struggle to find time for exercise, yet exercise is crucial for cardiovascular health, weight management, detoxification, and even mental and emotional health. The work day is long, and just fitting in the basics of grocery shopping, laundry, and getting from point A to…
Lutein and Zeaxanthin: Blue Light Interceptors
Just what we need to protect our eyes and skin in 2020 and beyond? Perhaps you have heard of lutein or zeaxanthin, or the term “carotenoids”, which describes the larger family they belong to. Better known members of this family are lycopene, found at high levels in tomatoes, and beta-carotene, precursor to vitamin A….
Bile Acids: Beyond Gut Health
The role bile acids play in metabolic and liver health The use of bile therapeutically dates to ancient times. Bile from many different animals, and even humans in the time of battle, have record in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) beginning in the Zhou dynasty from 1046-256 BCE.[1] In TCM, bile acids are used for…
Chios Mastiha: Prized by the Greeks Since Antiquity, and We Now Know Why
Research suggests Chios mastic gum may be a solution for difficult-to-treat gastrointestinal disease and metabolic syndrome In the U.S., all too often, major players in the botanical world that are native to other countries and regions are easily overlooked. Not surprisingly, we tend to learn the most about botanicals that are right in front…
