St. John’s wort seems best used temporarily to improve mood, and thus prevent depression-related overeating. The usual dosage is two capsules daily (200 mg to 300 mg) of a capsulized product standardized to 0.3 percent hypericin. Teas and tincture usually don’t deliver reliable doses. It takes about 2 to 4 weeks for the herb to […]
I housands of herbs are available worldwide for a dizzying array of diseases and disorders. And consumers are sold on them: A recent survey found that one in three people spends an average of $54 a year on herbal remedies. Without question, herbs do work wonders in treating many illnesses and improving health. But herbal […]
Alfalfa Alfalfa is a nourishing legume used worldwide to feed animals. Many people eat alfalfa sprouts on salads or in sandwiches. Nutritionally, alfalfa is rich in protein; vitamins A, B, D, and K; and several minerals, including iron and copper. As a food supplement, alfalfa is sold by health food stores in powder, tablet, juice, […]
Buckthorn The bark of the thorny buckthorn shrub is used to make various herbal preparations, including tea. Its berries go into the manufacturing of dyes and syrups. Like aloe, this herb contains powerful laxative chemicals called anthraquinones which is why herbalists sometimes recommend it for chronic constipation. Buckthorn is not a gentle laxative! It can […]
Cornsilk The long, fibrous filaments on an ear of corn are cornsilk. As an herbal preparation, it is dried into powder and placed in capsules. Cornsilk does not affect fat loss but is a natural diuretic to help rid the body of excess water. The Chinese use it to reduce swelling (edema) caused by kidney […]
Fennel Fennel is a member of the same plant family as carrots and parsley. Its seeds, roots, and stems are made into herbal preparations. Herbalists recommend fennel for treating a variety of ailments, including asthma, upset stomach, angina, and breast-feeding problems. You may find it listed on the labels of a few natural weight-loss supplements, […]
Gotu Kola A member of the parsley family, gotu kola is a common weed that grows in drainage ditches in Asia and orchards in Hawaii. Folk tradition says that if you eat a leaf of gotu kola every day, you’ll live to be 1,000! It’s reputed to be an anti-aging herb, an aphrodisiac, a memory […]
Hawthorn Hawthorn preparations are made from the flowers, leaves, or berries of a thorny plant grown in Europe. In Germany and other parts of Europe, hawthorn extracts are widely prescribed to treat heart problems, high blood pressure, and arthritis. The herb is usually sold in capsule form, and infrequently is used as a filler in […]
Nowadays more and more people want to know what to expect when they die. They also ask me, “Where am I going to go when I die?” What is it like in spirit? Do we get to see people we loved? Do we get to meet other spirits? Do we have bodies? The list of […]
A memorable photograph is similar to a remarkable dinner. The right ingredients blend together flawlessly to create an unforgettable visual encounter. Even when a composition is refined and the points of interest are nondescript, a picture can nevertheless leave an indelible mark on the viewer’s memory. The key is comprehending the individual components – or […]
