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 …

By Dori Cranmore RN If you’ve ever gotten “stung” by a nettles plant, you’ve no doubt gained quite a respect for the lingering pain and possibly a fear for the plant. Hopefully I can show you the stinging nettle is probably one of the most important herbs available to us and if harvested correctly, you can avoid getting stung. In Alaska we are abundantly blessed with Urtica dioica. There are over 500 species world wide. Spring is the best time to harvest the top 6-8” before they flower (summer solstice in Alaska). Note: ingesting flowered nettles have been known to …

By Dori Cranmore RN The liver is the largest organ inside the body with an amazing number of essential functions to perform. The liver transforms toxic compounds into non-toxic substances, filters blood from the intestines, produces bile, mixes essential nutrients, inactivates disease causing microorganisms, regulates glucose levels, stores fat-soluble vitamins, activates and deactivates hormones, provides a significant amount of the body’s heat and energy, helps regulates cholesterol and many other functions. How amazing! Unfortunately when the liver becomes damaged or congested, it can adversely affect these functions causing a deterioration of one’s health. Poor liver function can directly affect metabolic …

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 …

By Dori Cranmore RN Rose hips are the seed pods of roses. If you leave the spent flowers on the rose bush at the end of the season, you should see these small, berry-sized, reddish seed balls, left on tips of the stems. Both rose hips and rose petals are edible. Roses are in the same family as apples and crab apples, so the resemblance of their fruits is not purely coincidental. Rose hips also have a bit of the tartness of crab apples and are a great source of vitamin C. All roses should produce hips, although rugosa roses …

By Chris Kilham The use of red clover as an herbal remedy goes back centuries, and the plant enjoys a history of both topical and internal applications. As a topical aid, red clover is often an ingredient in liniments and balms, for relieving the pain of both eczema and psoriasis, for sores, burns, and as an aid against skin cancer. The pain-relieving properties of red clover are likely due to the presence of the anti-inflammatory compounds eugenol, myricetin and salicylic acid in the flowers. Salicylic acid also demonstrates activity against eczema. Red clover has long been used as a “blood …

By Dori Cranmore RN Elderberry juice was used to treat a flu epidemic in Panama in 1995.Elderberries (Sambucus) have been a folk remedy for centuries in North America, Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa, hence the medicinal benefits of elderberries are being investigated and rediscovered. Elderberry is used for its antioxidant activity, to lower cholesterol, to improve vision, to boost the immune system, to improve heart health and for coughs, colds, flu, bacterial and viral infections and tonsillitis. Bioflavonoids and other proteins in the juice destroy the ability of cold and flu viruses to infect a cell. People with the …

By Dori Cranmore RN Scientific name: Taraxacum officinale. The word dandelion comes from “dent de lion” which is French meaning Lion’s tooth, referring to the jagged leaves that resemble Lion’s teeth. The leaves are considered to be one of the most nutritious greens available. The greens are high in potassium, which creates a natural diuretic action that helps relieve water retention and bloating associated with PMS. Every part of the dandelion can be used: the root, leaves, and flower. The above ground parts, i.e. the leaves, flower, and stem are used as a laxative, for healthy circulation, blood vessel cleanser …

By Dori Cranmore RN Omega 3, Omega 6, Omega 9, EFA’s, EPA’s, DHA’s, Good fats, Bad fats….can be confusing and what does it all mean to our overall health? EFA’s are the Fatty Acids that are Essential for our body’s many functions and come in many forms. At one time fats were hard to find as there were no processed oils and wild game is naturally lean. Fats used to be a luxury so if you were prosperous enough you were considered in “fat city” or “living off the fat of the land”.  Today, fats are easy to obtain, but …

By Dori Cranmore RN If you’ve ever gotten “stung” by a nettles plant, you’ve no doubt gained quite a respect for the lingering pain and possibly a fear for the plant. Hopefully I can show you the stinging nettle is probably one of the most important herbs available to us and if harvested correctly, you can avoid getting stung. In Alaska we are abundantly blessed with Urtica dioica. There are over 500 species world wide. Spring is the best time to harvest the top 6-8” before they flower (summer solstice in Alaska). Note: ingesting flowered nettles have been known to …