By Dori Cranmore RN There are 20 essential Amino Acids in our body. They are considered the building blocks of protein. The most abundant is L-Glutamine, produced in the muscles and distributed by the blood to wherever it is needed. Amazingly, around 60% of your skeletal muscle is made up of glutamine and by adding this amino acid it can aid protein synthesis and help naturally balance your pH levels. In times of stress, glutamine can help the immune system, gut function and provide fuel in the form of nitrogen and carbon, to many different cells in the body. Because …

By Dori Cranmore RN The Moringa Oleifera tree can be found in tropical areas in Asia, South America and Africa. The tree has bright green leaves and covered with white flowers that turn to long flat seedpods. The tree is also known as the “Drumstick Tree” or “Tree of Life”. The leaves, bark, flowers, fruit, seeds and root are all used to make medicines.  The leaves retain many of the vitamins and minerals when dried and because it is so easy to grow it is used to fight malnutrition in India and Africa. They believe it is a sacred plant …

By Dori Cranmore RN Ginger does more than just add a snap of flavor to foods and beverages. For centuries, the root of the plant has been used as a remedy for a variety of illnesses ranging from the common cold to cancer. The spice has long been prized for its potent anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects. Ginger’s anti-inflammatory properties can work wonders in the gastrointestinal tract. Long before commercially produced ginger ale became a popular remedy for stomach upset, ancient healers prescribed ginger tea to soothe a variety of digestive symptoms, especially nausea and vomiting. Research suggests that taking up …

By Dori Cranmore RN The oil comes from the nigella sativa plant which is native to Asia. The plant has small, black, crescent-shaped seeds and is a part of the buttercup family. Its recorded use dates back to ancient Egyptian times, with Cleopatra using it to achieve her beautiful complexion and shiny hair. The oil was even found in a pharaoh’s tomb, dating back 3,300 years. Hippocrates was said to use it to treat digestive troubles.  It is often incorrectly labeled as black cumin seed. Neither “cumin” nor “black cumin” is true black seed. Always look for the botanical name Nigella Sativa …

By Dori Cranmore RN Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) is a poly pore mushroom that starts its life as a spore and finds its way to a weakness in a living tree, (birch trees in colder northern climates) where it grows and stores betulinic acid, beta glucans, beta carotines and a large number of vitamins and phyto-nutients, converting them to a usable form for humans and animals. Betulin is the white shiny powdery material that is easily identified in and on the bark of a Birch tree. The stored betulin and betulinic acid can help to build the strength of the liver …

By Dori Cranmore RN At the beginning of each year it seems many people come to the store asking about ways to clean out their body and get a handle on their health.  We have many different full body cleanse combinations and most all have Burdock root included in the formulas. Burdock has been used as a primary detoxifying agent in both Chinese and Western herbalism as it stimulates elimination of wastes via the colon, kidneys and skin. Burdock is the common name of any plant of the genus Arctium in the family Asteraceae.  It is a common weed native …

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 …