Have you ever tasted cardamom? Maybe you enjoyed it in a dish like garam masala or in a cardamom bread. Often referred to as the "queen of spices," cardamom, or elaichi, is one of the most common spices seen in Indian households, and it's loved and used all around the world. The seeds have a…
Heart disease continues to be the No. 1 cause of death in the United States, and it's led health and nutrition researchers to investigate both the causes and methods to prevent and combat this chronic condition. One factor recently unearthed that appears to play a role in heart disease risk is sleep, according to a…
Although it's only a small part of the brain in terms of volume, the limbic system has some of the most basic, life-sustaining and meaningful roles of all brain structure. The word limbic comes from the latin word limbus, meaning "border." That's because the limbic system forms a curved border around the subcortical parts of…
Whether you realize it or not, you’ve probably eaten cocoa butter many times in your life — plus smeared it onto your skin. It’s the fat source used to make chocolate, giving it its alluring, melt-in-your-mouth, silky feel. It can be found in basically all types of chocolate, including dark, milk or white. What else…
Did you know that chronic stress can affect your body's ability to recuperate from physical, mental or emotional stress? This is likely why most people have dealt with adrenal fatigue at some point in their lives. Many proponents of this condition estimate that almost every person can experience adrenal fatigue, also known as hypoadrenia, to…
The dangers of synthetic scents aren't always evident, but we have the science to prove that everyone, regardless of age or health, needs to make avoiding fake fragrances a major priority. A report from the 1980s by the National Academy of Sciences pointed out some vital facts: Up to 95 percent of chemicals used in…
Many people have heard that foods with antioxidants protect us from free radical damage, which is responsible for many of the effects of aging on both the body and mind. But what exactly are free radicals, why are they bad and where do they come from? When antioxidant levels in the body are lower than…
If you are one of the millions of people who has prediabetes, diabetes, metabolic syndrome or any other form of “insulin resistance,” maintaining normal blood sugar levels can be challenging. Over the past several decades, these chronic disorders have swept through the U.S. and many other nations, reaching epidemic proportions and causing serious, but often…
The clary sage plant has a lengthy history as a medicinal herb. It's a perennial in the genus Salvi, and its scientific name is salvia sclarea. It's considered to be one of the top essential oils for hormones, especially in women. Many claims have been made as to its benefits when dealing with cramps, heavy menstrual cycles, hot flashes and…
Flaxseeds, sometimes called linseeds, are small, brown, tan or golden-colored seeds. In fact, linseed, flaxseed or “flax seed” are different names for the same seed. These seeds a great source of dietary fiber; minerals like manganese, thiamine and magnesium; and plant-based protein. Flax is also unique because it's one of the richest sources of plant-based omega-3…
