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 …
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 herbs …
By Dori Cranmore RN For many years the benefits of chlorophyll have been discovered in the field of science and research. What is chlorophyll, what makes it so special and what benefits can we get out of it? Chlorophyll is the single most critical substance in plants that allows them to absorb light from the sun and convert that light into usable energy. All green plants contain at least one type of chlorophyll. It is usually easy to tell when a food has significant amounts of chlorophyll because chlorophyll provides the green color that is found in grasses, leaves and …
It looks like butter; it’s made with butter; it smells like butter; so how healthy can ghee really be?
By Rallie McAllister 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 to …
By Dori Cranmore RN We’ve all heard how healthy it is to include olive oil in our diet, and from a health perspective, the oil may not even be the most important product of the olive trees. The omega-9 monounsaturated fat called oleic acid is considered a “healthy” fat and it is even said that those who use it regularly are less likely to have heart disease. The Mediterranean Diet hierarchy says it not only protects the heart but also the brain! A bestselling author, Dr. Wildman asks, “What is the secret behind olive trees living thousands of years and …
Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds
By Dori Cranmore RN When we think of marshmallows, generally the image of a white, sugary fluff ball comes to mind, right? Or a big fire with a bag of sugary fluffed candy ready to go on the end of a stick to roast to a toasty brown, melting the insides, then squished between graham crackers and a Hershey bar, calling it a smore. They are made into shapes to match each holiday season, colored ones and just recently I saw ginormous fluff balls on the grocery shelf. At first I thought it was a joke, but no, it really …