Herbs, Seeds & Spices

Growing your own medicinal herbs is easier than you might imagine. From an indoor seedling to an outdoor plant, you need nothing fancy – just good organic soil, water, sun, and some old containers. These following herbs are not only fragrant and beautiful to look at, they offer surprising health benefits as well…

A new study published in the Pharmacognosy Magazine titled, “Curcumin attenuates neurotoxicity induced by fluoride: An in vivo evidence,” adds experimental support to the suspicion that fluoride is indeed a brain-damaging substance, also revealing that a natural spice-derived protective agent against the various health effects associated with this compound is available.

Mainstream cancer prevention research is targeting milk thistle. Colorectal cancer stem cells thrive in conditions of inflammation. A University of Colorado Cancer Center study presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2014 shows that the chemical silibinin, purified from milk thistle extract, affects cell signaling associated with inflammation and thus also the formation and survival of colorectal cancer stem cells.

Not all ‘cinnamons’ are created equal. The kind you find in your local grocery store may be able to reduce your blood sugar, but a more expensive variety could be even better. Cassia cinnamon is the kind of cinnamon you likely have in your kitchen right now. It’s more abundant and is the type sold in most grocery stores. Ceylon cinnamon is a milder cousin to Cassia, and may be safer to take in higher doses.