Experiencing chest pains can be a scary feeling — especially since it's one of the most common symptoms associated with having a heart attack. But there's another heart condition called pericarditis that can cause ongoing chest pains, which are sometimes sharp and can make it difficult to breathe. Pericarditis (or inflammation of the sac that holds…
Cassia is considered one of the 50 fundamental herbs in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It's an evergreen tree native to China and Burma. Cassia is commonly known as Chinese cinnamon, and its scientific name is Cinnamomum cassia. Cassia essential oil, or cassia bark oil, is derived by steam distillation of the cassia bark, leaves and twigs. Cassia is…
Most people I meet think that they're pretty healthy. But when I probe a little deeper into their diets, I quickly find out that they are eating a lot of health foods you should never eat. I can’t blame them. With all of the confusion surrounding labeling and advertising, buzzwords like "sugar-free," "all-natural" and even "organic" can…
I remember it like it was yesterday — I was 16 years old and my mother was taking me to the gynecologist because of my heavy, irregular periods and face full of hormonal acne. After she examined me and asked a few questions, I was given a prescription for birth control pills without a second…
Reye's syndrome is an incredibly rare and serious illness that affects the brain, liver and other organs in the body. It most often occurs in children while they are recovering from common childhood viral infections such as chickenpox, influenza, mumps or the measles. (1, 2) While it is most common in children between the ages…
Gallstone surgery is one of the most commonly performed surgeries there is today. Estimates show that more than 750,000 surgeries to remove gallstones are performed every year and, in North America, around 10 percent to 15 percent of the adult population has gallstones (more woman than men). Surprisingly, many people suffering from gallstones who choose to…
Do you have any idea what dragon's blood is? I'm not talking about the blood of a mythical creature, but rather the blood-red resin of a tree that has been known to heal wounds, stop bleeding and may even improve some gastrointestinal health problems such as ulcers. With scientifically proven abilities to lower inflammation and…
According to a 2018 statement made by the American Academy of Pediatrics, "a baby's nutritional environment during the first 1,000 days of life is critical to lifelong mental health and development." We can all agree that feeding babies the most nutrient-dense foods from a young age is ideal, but it can be hard to navigate…
Having bleeding gums is a common oral health problem. In many cases, it may be due to simple, temporary causes, like brushing too hard or just starting a flossing routine. In others, it may be a warning sign for a serious health issue. On top of going to the dentist, there are many ways you…
The quest for perfection has never been higher. Reality TV, advertisements and the media constantly promote a “perfect” body. The result is more and more women (and men) are turning to plastic surgery. In fact, in 2015 over 1.7 million cosmetic surgical procedures were performed in the United States. (1) Breast Augmentation: 279,143 Liposuction 222,051…
