Many people do not know that children, teens, adults and seniors (for its  significant anti-aging properties) can benefit from colostrum (the thin yellowish fluid produced during the first few milkings of a mammal after she has given birth). Most people do know that this “liquid gold” is crucial for an infant’s first few days, but did you know that cow colostrum is just as beneficial? Colostrum contains growth factors, lipidic and glucidic factors, oligosaccharides, antimicrobials, cytokines and nucleoside. Basically, it contains immunoglobulins which are certain types of protein involved in power boosting the immune system and fights off foreign bacteria and germs.

The neem tree is also known as the “tree of the 40” in East Africa (for its ability to treat 40 different diseases). Neem trees that produce neem leaf and neem oil is native to tropical and semi-tropical regions of the Asian subcontinent. Neem oil has been widely used in ancient and modern Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine. In fact, all parts of this amazing tree have anti-infection properties and most people use the neem oil that the tree produces. From relieving dry and chapped skin, treating acne, psoriasis, eczema, bacterial infections (without promoting bacteria resistance like antibiodics do), boils, ulcers, insect repellant and head lice, this amazing natural oil soothes and heals, problems with people and animals. Some may even call it a miracle oil. Because of its immune boosting capabilities and the abundance of trees in the world, people can buy neem oil in most health food/supply stores now.

Eat these foods every week to boost up the fat burning potential of the body (increase immunity power and digestive wellness, too). Try to limit or cut out processed foods and high “bad” and trans fat foods that are deep fried and processed with damaging oils. Examples of both include: white pastas, packaged snacks, crackers (raw and sprouted are fine), cereals, high sugar or artificial sugar ANYTHING that does not come from mother nature (like fruit) and foods that spike and drop insulin without any other added benefits. There is a very very long and involved list of food additives and common foods that do the opposite of burning fat, but I want this article to highlight all the foods we should be focusing on.

According to a recent article in CNN Health, there are some 30 to 50 million Americans taking psychiatric drugs and a growing number of those are for treating depression. The “sad” but statistically sure skyrocketing rates of these medicine taking patients are not all becoming “happy” and well after taking them, however. As researchers are finding out, the majority of those taking anti-deppressants are not beaming with joy. Actually, in a study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, only one-third of patients achieved remission of depressive symptoms, defined as becoming symptom-free.

Whether you are of Irish decent or not, it seems like everyone around the United States is celebrating the nation’s day of green. Most people know of St. Patrick’s day as a day to wear green clothes, joke with the kids about Leprechaun, start yet another excuse to down some green beer and eat some hearty Irish foods. Though this mid-march practice seems like the farthest tradition away from a spring detox, there ARE some healthy options when having your jolly O’ time. Below are some of the healthiest Irish food and drink options on this day of (bar) hoppin’ and (arm) pinchin’.

With the thousands of over the counter miracle-in-a-bottle pill bottles we face at the grocery stores and conventional markets (not to mention tens of thousands more prescription drugs that promise to alleviate symptoms of daily and chronic ailments), how do you know which chemical concoction is the best and most reliable? Remember that every drug (over the counter, generic or name brand) does not carryout in the body and deliver results-whether good or bad-without side effects. In Oriental, Ayurvedic and Eastern Asian medicines, most healing and chronic infection prevention can be found in our modern kitchen cabinet. Make sure you are well versed in the following herbs and spices, for they may just be the ingredient to stave away disease and booster health to optimum levels!

More than 95 million Americans suffer from digestive disorders ranging from constipation, diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome to more serious conditions such as acid reflux (GERD), ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.  In fact, more than 35 million physician office visits a year are due to gastrointestinal complaints.  Reports confirm that acupuncture and Oriental medicine can offer relief from even the most complex digestive problems.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Digestive Disorders
Evidence that Oriental medicine has been used for digestive disorders can be found in early medical literature dating back to 3 AD, where specific acupuncture points and herbal formulas for borborygmus (rumbling or gurgling in the intestines), abdominal pain and diarrhea with pain are discussed.
According to Oriental medical theory, most digestive disorders are due to disharmony in the spleen and stomach. The spleen plays a central part in the health and vitality of the body, taking a lead role in the assimilation of nutrients and maintenance of physical strength. It turns digested food from the stomach into usable nutrients and Qi (energy). Many schools of thought have been formed around this organ; the premise being that the proper functioning of the”‘middle” is the key to all aspects of vitality.
By taking into account a person’s constitution and varied symptoms, a treatment plan is designed specifically for the individual to bring their “middle” back into harmony and optimize the proper functioning of the digestive system. A variety of techniques can be used during treatment including acupuncture, lifestyle/dietary recommendations and energetic exercises to restore digestive health.

Ayurveda is an Eastern Indian medical system based off of the foundations of conscious, self-awareness and natural healing that has been practiced for over 5,000 years and is literately translated as “the science of daily life.” Very different from the Western aspect of medical symptom-addressing and (unfortunate) modern medical paradigm shift into ignoring underlying causality of chronic disease and infection, Ayurveda takes mother nature’s natural rhythms, earthly bountiful fruits and foods and uses the understanding of the individual’s body make up and life condition routine to promote optimal function, balance, disease prevention and a evoke a state of intentional gratefulness and happiness.

There are so many different types of teas available on the market these days and just as many studies and reports boasting their antioxidant, immune-boosting qualities. To a non-tea master that devotes hours upon hours studying, steeping and drinking teas, it is pretty hard to know which ones are truly the authentically ones with healing powers. Tea masters joke and point to traditional Lipton and other American tea bags and call them “sweepings from the floor.” I do have to admit, there are so many different types of teas out there, but to make it easy on consumers, I suggest coffee and tea lovers to start drinking matcha green tea as part of their daily regiment because of the amazing energy and healing potential it delivers. This Japanese tea is different because it is grown in the shade to increase the chlorophyll content, hence its emerald and bold green color. The health benefits of matcha tea exceed those of green tea because when you drink matcha you ingest the whole leaf, not just the brewed water. It is so powerful that Zen Buddhist monks drank it to remain alert and calm during long hours of meditation.

There is a popular Chinese saying that if one eats a plentiful amount of seaweed and sea vegetables, the hair grows stronger, thicker and blacker (which is always heavily sought after for Asians, as black voluminous and thick hair was a sign of beauty and youth). Though sea vegetables do wonders for the body and hair, there is another mineral Mother nature created that is often overlooked and not talked about as much—silica. Silica is a trace mineral that strengthens the body’s connective tissues – muscles, tendons, hair, ligaments, nails, cartilage, and bone – and is vital for healthy skin and bones.