Theanine for Stress Support
The calming properties of L-theanine Each year the American Psychological Association conducts a survey of stress among Americans. According to their March 2022 report, “The number of people who say they’re significantly stressed… is stunning relative to what we’ve seen since we began the survey in 2007.”[1] Stress and anxiety are inter-related, and they…
How to Reduce Stress and How it Affects Our Health
What Causes Stress Whether physical, mental, or emotional, stress stimulates a biological response that creates a chemical and hormonal surge throughout the body.[1] This response, known as the activation of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), allows us to deal with the stressor by generating more strength to fight it or better cardiovascular output to…
Magnolia Bark for Nervous System and Stress Support
Honokiol and magnolol to soothe stress, mood, and neuroinflammation The bark of the magnolia tree (Magnolia officinalis) is native to China, where it is known as Hou Pu and has been used as a health supplement for thousands of years. Traditionally, magnolia bark has been shown to help with conditions of “nervous tension.”[1] This…
Adaptogens for Stress Support
The stress-balancing action of adaptogens We’ve all been there at least once. Whether it be a list of deadlines, a high-stakes presentation the next day, early morning travel, or a crying infant keeping you awake all night, we’ve all had to pour that morning coffee, push through those frazzled nerves, and hope for the…
A Resinous Extract For Liver Health and Repair
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has quickly become the leading cause of liver disease in the Western world.[1] The current recommendations upon first diagnosis of NAFLD are diet and lifestyle management. While these are certainly the most important places to start, as a clinician, I find these recommendations to be difficult for some of…
Herbs for Times of Stress
Herbs from around the world to help with stress, fatigue, and the chaos of life “What doesn’t bend breaks,” as the saying goes, and the degree to which we are expected to “bend” is ever increasing. Our ability to stay focused, adaptable, and calm is of the essence in our fast-paced, outcome-oriented culture. Although…
Memorize That Mushroom: Lion’s Mane
Food for cognitive health My grandmother lived to be 98 years old, and her mind remained sharp to the very end. When asked to divulge her secret, she proudly explained that she completed a New York Times crossword puzzle every day in order to keep her brain active. (Luck may also have been a…
Herbal Approaches to Low Libido in Menopause
Menopause is associated with many often-lamented symptoms that can have drastic effects on a woman’s comfort, happiness, and daily life activities. Hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings are commonly discussed because of their prevalence (up to 80% of women experience hot flashes during menopause[i]). Though less often discussed, low sexual desire is another…
Calming Cortisol with Botanicals
Cortisol is our body’s predominant stress hormone.[1] Think of it as our built-in alarm system that lets our body know when potential dangers arise and then equips us to deal with them. Under stress, cortisol puts us on high alert in case of impending danger. It increases our blood pressure, elevates our blood sugar,…
Clinical Approaches to Herxheimer Reactions
Lyme disease is one of the fastest growing insect-borne infectious diseases in the United States. [1] The majority of infections occur following a bite from a deer tick carrying Borrelia burgdorferi, or one of its subspecies. Acute Lyme disease is often treated relatively easily when caught early, but newer research suggests that Lyme disease…
Easing Pain, Naturally
Drug-free, natural remedies for pain Just about nobody likes to be in pain. That may be why there are so many drugs out there nowadays that effectively treat it, and why we so consistently seek them out. While synthetic analgesics like opioids, NSAIDs, and acetaminophen can be effective in quieting pain, these drugs also…
Herbs for Female Libido Support
5 herbal remedies to rev a woman’s engine In the Greek myth, Tiresias struck two snakes in the act of mating and was himself then transformed from a man into a woman. When the Gods Zeus and Hera were later debating whether men or women experienced more pleasure during sex, they called upon Tiresias…
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