Posted in Herbal Medicine

Korean ginseng’s genus name, Panax, is derived from the Latin panacea meaning “cure all”. Traditional Chinese medicine textbooks describe near-mythical qualities for the human shaped root (the word ginseng is derived from the Chinese word for person) such as restoring balance to one’s life force and increasing longevity. In the East, where it is considered to be the most important of all medicinal herbs, wild mountain ginseng was a revered plant (it is now almost extin...

The loss of a child may be the most significant grief any person can experience in life. It comes as no surprise that bereaved parents experience a decline in physical and mental health.They utilize healthcare services more, call in sick more often, miss more work, and report more sleep problems than non-bereaved parents. There is no doubt that grief is a major stress; it is hard on people and hard on their health. Past research has demonstrated an association between grief and dying of...

The Ayurvedic herb adhatoda is well-known for its effectiveness in treating a wide range of inflammatory and respiratory conditions. In modern practice, it is recommended for its strong bronchodilator, antitussive, antispasmodic and expectorant effects. It has been used for centuries with much success to treat asthma, chronic bronchitis and other respiratory conditions. It is also a popular plant for digestion due to its extremely bitter taste.  An April 2021 study, published in the Res...

Many Chinese herbs have strong immunity-enhancing effects. Astragalus is very well-known for its powerful “non-specific" immune system stimulating capacity, which works by increasing the numbers and activity of roving white blood cells.  A study conducted at the University of Texas Medical Centre in Houston showed that astragalus extracts were able to completely restore the function of immune cells in cancer patients. Research has confirmed repeatedly that astragalus increase...

Ginseng benefits the most common form of chronic fatigue, a persistent state of low energy known as idiopathic chronic fatigue, for which there is no underlying medical cause. A 2013 study has identified ginseng as a valuable treatment for this condition. What is Ginseng?
Ginseng is one of the best known medicinal plants worldwide. The term “ginseng” actually refers to several species of the genus Panax, slow-growing plants from eastern North America and Asia that have aromatic,...

For sweet, salty, sour, and umami flavours, the tongue has only one type of receptor. For bitter compounds, the human tongue possesses at least 25 different chemoreceptors—and most of these bitter receptor types have multiple genetic variants, resulting in considerable individuality in responsivity to bitter substances. Though our understanding of bitter receptor function is limited, bitter receptors may have evolved to discourage the ingestion of toxins. However, their presence in many...