Ginger is a well-known spice often used in Asian cuisine, especially in Indian, Thai, and Chinese cooking. Also known by its scientific name Zingiber officinale, ginger belongs to the same family as other medicinal spices like cardamom and turmeric. In traditional medicine, the root of the ginger plant is used to alleviate digestive problems, relieve nausea … Continue reading Natural antibiotic: Research looks at potential of ginger against superbugs
Used for thousands of years in TCM, Psoralea corylifolia treats a variety of diseases from heart disease to cancer
Psoralea corylifolia or babchi is a medicinal herb that is popular among traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda practitioners. It is used to treat various skin diseases, including rashes, psoriasis, leprosy, and leucoderma – a condition that causes the appearance of white patches due to loss of melanin. However, several studies have reported that P. corylifolia has other clinical applications, and these can … Continue reading Used for thousands of years in TCM, Psoralea corylifolia treats a variety of diseases from heart disease to cancer
Prevent and fight cancer with allium and cruciferous vegetables
Whenever studies report about anti-cancer foods, fruits and mainly vegetables top their lists. These fibrous, plant-based foods are rich in chemical compounds that can prevent, halt the progression of, and even fight several diseases. After years of investigating, researchers have finally identified these valuable sources of cancer-fighting chemicals as cruciferous and allium vegetables. What’s even better is that both types of vegetables can … Continue reading Prevent and fight cancer with allium and cruciferous vegetables
Sugar: Cheap, effective wound treatment with a long shelf life
Processed sugar is bad for the health when consumed in sugary foods or sweetened beverages. However, it can potentially save lives when applied to wounds as a disinfectant and healing ingredient. In ancient times, Egyptian healers used sugar to speed up the healing of injuries. During the Napoleonic wars, soldiers stuffed sugar into wounds inflicted by muskets until … Continue reading Sugar: Cheap, effective wound treatment with a long shelf life
Herbal medicine has antiviral effects that effectively treat the flu
There has been a scramble in the scientific community to find more natural medicines that can combat viruses. In particular, the influenza virus has become a significant threat to society. This virus is capable of mutating rapidly, so new strains of influenza that are resistant to conventional treatments are discovered each year. To address this threat, scientists are now … Continue reading Herbal medicine has antiviral effects that effectively treat the flu
Can essential oils prolong the shelf life of bread?
Essential oils are commonly used for aromatherapy and pain relief, but due to their wealth of active components, they can also be used for other things. Studies reveal that essential oils are also potent food preservatives. Researchers from Ghent University in Belgium further explored their potential, particularly in the preservation of bread from fungal spoilage. Their review, which … Continue reading Can essential oils prolong the shelf life of bread?
Eat your veggies: 6 allium vegetables and their health benefits
The allium vegetable family includes kitchen staples like onions, garlic, and chives. These vegetables aren’t just full of flavor, they also offer many health benefits. Alliums contain organosulfur compounds that possess antioxidant, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. These compounds can also help prevent blood clots. They are responsible for most of the health benefits offered by alliums. Alliums are versatile, and … Continue reading Eat your veggies: 6 allium vegetables and their health benefits
Carvacrol, a compound found in oregano, exhibits powerful antimicrobial properties
Essential oils are commonly used today for aromatherapy. It is a form of alternative medicine that is used to treat mild ailments and improve a person’s emotional well-being. Aside from being aromatic, essential oils also contain compounds that possess antimicrobial properties. One such example is carvacrol, a volatile chemical that can be found in oregano, thyme, … Continue reading Carvacrol, a compound found in oregano, exhibits powerful antimicrobial properties
Shiitake mushrooms are a powerful medicinal superfood
A study published in the journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that a formulation of fermented shiitake mushroom with added rice bran can inhibit the growth of Salmonella typhimurium in infected mouse organs. In the study, researchers developed a novel antimicrobial food-compatible formulation. A team of researchers from Korea and the U.S. examined the effect of the formulation … Continue reading Shiitake mushrooms are a powerful medicinal superfood
Essential oil of bald cypress can prevent food spoilage
Researchers from Egypt have a good reason to be excited about the essential oil of bald cypress (Taxodium distichum). They say that the powerful antimicrobial activity of the oil makes it the perfect solution to the problem of food spoilage. When food becomes spoiled, it is no longer fit for human consumption. It must be thrown out before … Continue reading Essential oil of bald cypress can prevent food spoilage
Dr. Eddy Bettermann MD 