By Dori Cranmore RN Rhodiola rosea is not a common herb but it’s getting more popular every year.  It typically grows at high altitudes in the Arctic and mountainous regions throughout Europe and Asia and has over 200 different species. Rhodiola rosea is now being grown and harvested in Alaska under the Alaska Grown label and is available at All About Herbs, Inc. in Wasilla. One of Rhodiola’a attributes is that it is an adaptogenic herb. This means that it acts in non-specific ways to increase our body’s resistance to stress, without disturbing normal biological functions. There are many recognized …

By Dori Cranmore RN Yarrow or achillea mille folium can grow to about 3 feet tall and is found worldwide, yet is native to California and found in abundance in Alaska. The flowers are quite colorful in whites, yellows and pinks. The Latin name achillea comes from the Greek legend of Achelles, as he used it as a poultice to stop the bleeding of his fellow soldiers during the Trojan War. Chinese physicians used yarrow to treat snake bites, bleeding and inflammation. In India, it was used to treat fevers. Early American settlers used yarrow for diarrhea, dysentery, hemorrhaging, bloody urine …

By Dori Cranmore RN All salt is not created equal! About 250 million years ago, at the base of the Himalayan mountain range, there were crystallized sea salt beds covered with lava. Because this salt was covered in snow and ice it was protected from modern day pollution and preserved in an untouched, pristine environment. Many people believe that this pink salt is the purest salt that can be found on the planet. What is so impressive about Himalayan salt is that it contains the same 84 trace minerals and elements that are found in the human body. The minerals …

By Dori Cranmore RN Sprouts are the ultimate locally grown food. Growing them yourself assures no unwanted chemicals are added. The list is quite impressive of the health and nutrition benefits of sprouts. They have been known to help alkalize the body, improve the digestive process, be a metabolism booster, promote energy, increase enzyme activity throughout the body, help prevent anemia, assist with weight loss, help lower cholesterol, reduce stress on the heart and vessels, help prevent neural defects in infants, be a protector against cancer, work to boost skin health and vision while supporting the immune system and helping …

By Dori Cranmore RN Melatonin in the natural form, is a hormone produced by the pineal gland in the brain, to help control your daily sleep-wake cycles. Melatonin is used to reset the body’s internal clock, or circadian rhythm. This rhythm influences how much melatonin the pineal gland makes, along with the amount of light you are exposed to each day. Typically, melatonin levels start to rise in the mid-to-late evening, after the sun has set. They can stay elevated for most of the night while you’re in the dark. Then, they can drop in the early morning as the …

By Dori Cranmore RN Goji berry is the commercial name for wolfberry or Lycium barbarum. They are a bright orange/red berry with a sweet, slightly tangy taste and native to China.  In Traditional Chinese medicine, goji berries are eaten raw, cooked, dried like raisins (most common way to eat), made into wines, brewed as a tea, made into liquid extracts or added to soups and other foods. They have been eaten for generations with the hopes of living longer. The nutrients are very rich in the goji berry. They carry all 8 essential amino acids, vitamins A and C (helping …

By Dori Cranmore RN The wild leafy plant yellow dock (Rumex crispus) is found growing throughout the world and belongs to the buckwheat family. This flowering perennial is characterized by the narrow leaves that curl along the edges, which is why it is also called curled dock, narrow dock, narrow-leafed dock and garden patience. The name of the plant is associated with the yellow color of the herb’s fleshy root, which shows when it is slightly scraped. The root of yellow dock is the major source of its medicinal properties. However, its sour-sweet leaves are not only added to salads, …

By Dori Cranmore RN Garlic has been used in many cultures for both its culinary and medicinal properties. Folklore shows garlic to bring good luck or protect against evil, ward off vampires and at the same time guaranteed to transform any meal into a bold, aromatic and healthy experience. Native to central Asia, garlic is one of the oldest cultivated plants in the world and has been grown for over 5000 years. Garlic was placed in the tomb of Pharaohs, and was given to the slaves that built the Pyramids to enhance their endurance and strength. From a medical history …

By Dori Cranmore RN This sometimes ‘pesty’ weed growing in our gardens and lawn is actually edible and medicinal. Chickweed got its name because it’s a favorite food for chickens and other small birds. It is very nutritious for us as well, high in vitamins and minerals and can be added to salads or cooked as a pot herb, tasting a bit like spinach. Unlike other herbs that utilize just a part of the plant, Chickweed’s entire plant is used. As a leafy vegetable it is high in chlorophyll, calcium, iron, niacin, selenium, GLA, thiamine, zinc , vitamin C and …

By Dori Cranmore RN GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid) is a non-essential amino acid found mainly in the human brain and eyes.  It is considered an inhibitory neurotransmitter, which means it regulates brain and nerve cell activity by inhibiting the number of neurons firing in the brain. GABA is referred to as the “brain’s natural calming agent”. By inhibiting over-stimulation of the brain, GABA may help promote relaxation and ease nervous tension. Mostly GABA is used for overactive brain activity such as those with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and Autism. ADHD is one of the most common behavioral disorders in …