Did you know that elderberry is one of the most commonly used medicinal plants in the world? It’s true! Native Americans used the berry as a treatment for infections (1). Ancient Egyptians, meanwhile, relied on it for clear skin. But is there any validity to elderberry’s use in these ways? Research suggests that yes, these…
Few things can ruin your morning quite like an intense migraine. The nausea, sensitivity to light and pulsating pain can make it hard to function, let alone thrive. It may seem like migraines pop up without warning or cause. In reality, though, migraines are often the result of a nutrient deficiency. Research has confirmed this.…
The Buckminsterfullerene or Carbon 60 (C60) molecule is a unique, oil-soluble molecule with an amazing power to prolong lifespan. This miraculous molecule, remarkable as it is, wasn’t discovered until 1985. However, scientists now understand that such a molecule has always existed in Nature. For the past 25 years, scientists have spent a great amount of…
One of the best things about summertime is the opportunity for outdoor activity that it brings. But you know what’s not so cool? When unexpected guests show up at said gatherings – particularly when they’re of the non-human variety. Insects. They’re annoying. They swarm, they bite, they sting and sometimes, like ants, they cluster around and…
We often look at high anxiety as a dreadful disorder that makes one’s life miserable and accomplishes very little in the way of positivity. But what if we instead looked at anxiety as a sort of superpower? We’ve written in the past about anxious individuals’ increased empathic abilities. But what other evidence is there to…
Mosquitos suck. Literally. They can reduce even the most relaxed of backyard barbecues into a frenzy of swatting and knee-slapping. And then there are allergies and serious viruses like Zika that can be transmitted by the annoying little buggers. But you know what sucks even more than mosquitos? Some of the commercial repellants out there that’ll suck…
The body’s circulation system is responsible for sending blood, oxygen and nutrients through the body. When blood flow to a specific part of the body is reduced, symptoms of poor circulation can arise. Poor blood circulation is most common in the extremities, such as the arms and legs. The most common causes of poor circulation…
Turmeric comes from the root of the Curcuma longa plant. It has a tough brown skin, deep orange flesh and it works great in the kitchen to spice up your dishes with a warm and peppery flavor. Turmeric is known for it’s strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It’s been used for centuries to naturally treat…
Whether we acknowledge it or not, we are responsible for bringing positive and negative influences into our lives. The Law of Attraction can be understood when we realize that “like attracts like.” The things you focus on can have an intense impact on what happens to you. If you surround yourself with negative thoughts, negative…
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that helps control the reward and pleasure centers in the brain. It helps regulate movement and emotional responses, enabling the brain to see rewards and move toward them. Dopamine provides enjoyment and reinforcement to motivate a person to do or continue doing certain activities that provide pleasure. It’s a key factor…
Indoor tanning is all the rage, primarily amongst women, despite countless warnings regarding the dangers of using tanning beds. More than 400,000 cases of skin cancer per year in the United States alone are related to indoor tanning. Tanning beds are placed under the Group 1 class of cancer-causing agents, the same category as cigarettes and…
Lots of jobs are hard. But parenting might just be the hardest. Despite all of the books, pamphlets and research that parents can delve into before their child is born, parenting often ends up being a “learn as you go” process. Most parents have a subtle but constant fear that something might go wrong. The…
Pain in the spine, legs or joints can make your daily routine much more difficult and uncomfortable. Research has shown that chronic pain, often in the form of fibromyalgia, could be due to central sensitization, where neurons in the spinal cord become sensitized by inflammation or cell damage. Certain chemicals in foods can trigger the…
With all the information available about just how bad Coca-Cola is for you, it’s amazing people actually still buy the stuff and put it into their bodies. Every single day, 1.9 Billion bottles of Coca-Cola are consumed worldwide. Why is that so concerning? One large reason is that each bottle of Coca-Cola contains an alarming amount of…
Birth control pills aren’t just being used to prevent pregnancy. They’re also often prescribed for acne and irregular menstrual cycles. They’re advertised as safe, easy to use, and they’re extremely common among women. After a quick check-up, a woman is handed her prescription, possibly along with a small pamphlet about safe sex and reproductive health,…