A cousin of the culinary European and Thai basils, holy basil has been the subject of numerous research studies. It is shown to help reduce stress, anxiety, over stimulation, excess inflammation and hypersensitivity by helping the body to regulate cortisol, a chemical released by the adrenals when we’re upset, deeply stressed, fearful and have repeated negative thoughts. Excess cortisol levels have been linked to conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, IBS, arthritis and numerous autoimmune disorders.

A wealth of information is known about this gentle, yet powerful adaptogenic herb. It first appeared in ancient texts on health nearly 8,000 years ago and has been widely consumed on a daily basis ever since.

Now grown and used throughout much of Asia, Central & South America, holy basil is beginning to catch on in North America and Europe, as well.

Traditionally used to support the digestive, immune and nervous systems, holy basil is now also recognized for helping the body toward healthy cholesterol levels, increased stamina, and slowing the aging process. According to the research, it is said to possess “potent antioxidant activities”.

Researchers state “Holy basil possesses both anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer activity” and is “comparable to ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin” for pain relief. Holy basil has also been the subject of numerous studies demonstrating a protective effect on the liver and support of liver detoxification. Because of these reports of safety and effectiveness, Holy basil is often used by people who experience ADD, ADHD, headaches, anxiety, poor sleep, a restless mind or the blues. According to the research, there are no known side effects or known contraindications.

Another powerful benefit involved exposure to radiation. The radio-protective effect of the leaf extract is noted in several studies. They confirmed “Pretreatment resulted in faster recovery”, and almost completely eliminated abnormal cells.

Another study cited “O. sanctum leaf extract blocks or suppresses the events associated with chemical carcinogenesis by inhibiting metabolic activation of the carcinogen”, meaning that it can likely prevent harm to the body when we are exposed to various cancer causing toxins.

My older daughter lived in Brooklyn, went to NYU and worked in Manhattan when the terrible tragedy took place in 2001. Unable to reach her for an excruciatingly long while here in Vermont, I found holy basil calmed my anxiety and fears remarkably well, more than anything I had previously experienced. It has also helped my daughter’s ‘test anxiety’ in school, helping her to receive the good grades she’s capable of but feared she could never achieve.

You will find the entire line of Tulsi Teas, made by Organic India, in the tea aisle of your local co-op or health food store. With delicious flavors such as ‘Sweet Rose Tulsi’, ‘Lemon Ginger Tulsi’ and ‘Red Chai Tulsi’, you may want to try them all. In the Wellness section, look for holy basil tincture from Herb Pharm, New Chapter’s supercritically extracted holy basil in gel caps or their extract in veggie caps. I have found the tincture and extract in veggie caps to work wonders for emotional difficulties, with the supercritical extract in gel caps to be most helpful for my excess inflammation issues.

For more information on Holy Basil, please visit: www.holy-basil.com and click on the “Maimes Report” or check out the book “Tulsi, the Mother Medicine of Nature” by Drs. Narendra Singh and Yamuna Hoette.

A peaceful sigh and a smiling heart to you all.

Both the neem seeds and leaves are pressed for their valuable oils; neem seed oil is widely used for pest control in the home, garden, commercial farms and industrial food storage warehouses. Neem seed oil is approved for organic gardening, and when properly diluted, it is considered safe for children, pets, birds, butterflies, and has even been shown to help increase earthworm populations. Please check out the Thera Neem brand organic Neem Oil for the Garden, produced in Florida by Organix South, found in the flower or natural health department of your local co-op or health market.

Neem extracts were tested by the Malaria Institute and found to keep mosquitoes from biting for up to twelve hours. According to John Conrick, author of the book, Neem: The Ultimate Herb, it is also helpful for defending against ticks, fleas and biting flies. The lemongrass scented

Thera Neem Herbal Outdoor Spray is regarded as safe for the entire family, including babies. I have used this product, as well as the straight neem oil, with my family, friends and dogs for years to fend off bugs with very good results.

The neem leaf oil is used extensively in body care products and many cosmetics. Numerous studies confirm what the Indian people have known for centuries; neem is very helpful for improving and maintaining beautiful skin and overall good health. Straight neem leaf oil is used to prevent infection in wounds and for bacterial and fungal infections including impetigo, athlete’s foot, nail fungus, yeast infections (candida), jock itch and ringworm. Neem leaf oil has also been used for cold sores and herpes outbreaks for decades.

Neem cream or lotion is wonderful for diaper rash, bug bites, acne, skin irritations, ulcerations and rashes. Two separate studies have shown neem cream to significantly reduce symptoms of eczema, psoriasis and extremely dry or cracking skin for months. Try applying after swimming in a chlorinated pool or when you’ve gotten too much sun. It’s wonderfully cooling and nourishing! You’ll find Thera Neem Leaf and Oil Cream or their Neem Leaf and Oil Lotion to really feel like it’s helping your body calm, sooth and heal your damaged skin.

Neem shampoo and coconut-scented conditioner can help provide relief for an itchy, irritated scalp, and are widely believed to help prevent or rid us of dandruff and head lice. I’ve known teachers, day care workers and nurses who swear by these products. For more serious results, you may want to add a few drops of the pure neem leaf oil to your shampoo in your hand to help loosen nits. It is generally suggested when one is known to have lice to leave the shampoo and oil mixture on the scalp (wrapped in a towel) for 30 minutes before rinsing.

Both modern research and ancient writings show neem bark powder to support a healthy mouth, teeth and gums. It is high in beneficial antioxidants and leaves the mouth feeling fresh and lively. TheraNeem Herbal Toothpaste and Herbal Mouthrinse are formulated with organic neem to refresh the mouth and support the digestive tract, (which is often the real cause of bad breath, rotting teeth and receding gums.)

The rapidly growing neem tree has been planted along thousands of avenues in tropical cities around the globe for shade, beauty and firewood. It has also been planted throughout many of the world’s deserts and arid regions, helping to restore a more diverse ecology. Used for malaria, diabetes, viral and bacterial infections, and so much more, the neem tree could be the most valuable tree for the health of our planet and its inhabitants.

For more information, please read

Neem: A Tree for Solving Global Problems, compiled by the U.S. Office of International Affairs and Neem: The Ultimate Herb by John Conrick.

Most of the vitamin and mineral products found on the shelves of vitamin shops, pharmacies, grocers or health food stores are made of isolated purified chemicals. We’ve been told (lied to) for about four decades that these chemicals are ‘natural’, but it’s simply not so. Minerals are essentially powdered rocks, while the vitamins can be chemically purified substances from many sources, including genetically-engineered corn, fish heads, skin or brains and even photo finishing chemicals! Seems odd, doesn’t it?

Many have come to believe that most of the vitamins and minerals in the health food stores, whether they’re multi’s or single nutrients, are more natural than the grocery store, pharmacy and big box store brands. It’s a myth, however, in most cases. What’s true about many of these more expensive vitamin and mineral supplements is that these companies often choose to use the ‘better’ chemical forms.

If you would prefer to use real whole food supplements, you’ll need to do more than read and believe the words on the label. Many products state that they’re made with whole food, but what they’re actually saying is that there might be 2% or more of a dehydrated whole food added to several chemical ingredients.

Vitamin A
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin used by the body for vision, growth, development, skin, hair, mucous membranes, immune function and reproduction.

Vitamin A in its purified form is called Vitamin A retinol, palmitate or acetate, and in excess, is considered toxic. Newer research shows that these forms may increase risk of birth defects and osteoporosis. Yet most vitamin companies continue to use these forms, even in their prenatal and seniors’ products.

The mixed carotenoids, pigments that make our vegetables and fruits colorful, are found in complex whole foods and shown in research to be safe and easily utilized within the body. Several carotenoids are converted by the body into the necessary Vitamin A for optimum health. Sea vegetables and algae are rich in carotenoids, as are the orange, red, pink, green and other brightly colored vegetables and fruits. Cultured whole foods are another excellent source of easily utilized mixed carotenoids.

Since most Americans and people in developed countries are believed to get an ample amount of Vitamin A in their diets, there are few real whole food sources in supplement form. These products offer numerous nutrients and are rich sources of mixed carotenoids. If you’re interested in a supplement form of Vitamin A, you may want to check out most of the certified organic algae products from Pure Planet or Nutrex, any of the multi’s from New Chapter or Megafood and a delicious liquid multi from Flora, called Floradix Epresat Multivitamin.

Vitamin B Complex
The B Complex of vitamins are water soluble and are also mostly isolated, purified chemicals in the majority of products on the market. If we have sufficient numbers of beneficial bacteria in our intestines, we should have ample B Vitamins for our bodies’ needs, as these beneficial bacteria manufacture B Vitamins as they support our digestive and immune health.

B Vitamins are essential for the nervous system, energy production, muscle tone of the digestive tract, and skin, hair, eyes, mouth and liver health.

Ideally, we want to consume plenty of complex cultured whole foods and be sure to keep healthy colonies of beneficial bacteria in the gut so as to provide the body with plenty of B Vitamins. If you are looking for truly natural sources of supplementation, however, I believe that the New Chapter Coenzyme B Food Complex is the best of the best! In fact, all of their vitamin and mineral products provide easily utilized B vitamins, since they’re all made from complex, cultured whole food!

Vitamin C
Most Vitamin C is isolated from corn, and much of that corn the past few years is believed to be genetically modified. If you’re interested in only consuming the very best, most easily assimilated, honestly natural Vitamin C, there are only a few on the market. They tend to be lower milligrams than you’re used to. That’s because, when the vitamin or mineral is easily utilized on a cellular level (more potent), you no longer need to consume exaggerated amounts of milligrams, as with the purified chemicals.

Vitamin C is well-known for its support in protecting cells from free radical damage to help lower cancer risk, improving iron absorption, help with wound healing, prevention of frequent colds or infections and lung-related conditions.

There are a few products that are made predominantly from whole food ingredients and, therefore, easily assimilated (utilized on a cellular level). Pure Planet offers a great Amla berry Vitamin C. Megafood and New Chapter both offer complex whole food supplements. (With the Megafood brand, be sure to choose the yellow label products, as the Megafood Essentials contain significantly less complex whole food than the yellow label products.)

There are also many herbs and whole foods that contain reasonable amounts of Vitamin C in its usable form. In nature, as in the true whole food supplement products, a variety of bioflavonoids are always present as co-factors for the utilization of the Vitamin C.

These herbal and whole food choices include: rose hips, acerola fruit, bitter melon, all the other peppers, including hot pepper species, mango, horseradish, cashews, walnuts, parsley, strawberries, citrus fruits, watercress, kale and Brussels sprouts.

For years, my younger daughter, Mollie’s, favorite after-school snack was a red pepper, a vegetable very high in Vitamin C. She would core it and eat it like an apple, especially when she was feeling on the verge of getting sick! Red pepper is significantly higher in Vitamin C than oranges, grapefruits, tangerines or lemons. Her intuition must have caused her to choose the red pepper the first time, and the improvement she experienced in her health drew her back time and again.

We will continue this topic soon, discussing Vitamin D, E, etc. I hope this has helped you to be able to distinguish between the truths and myths that we’re told about health and nutrition, and the products that truly are most ‘natural’.

There is a wide array of processing methods used in the nutritional and herbal supplements industry, providing a great variety of possible effects on the body. Herbs, foods, mineral water and nutritional concoctions have been used for thousands of years to help the body prevent or recover from illness. This was, and still is today, the primary ‘medicine’ of the majority of the people around the globe. Today’s supplement industry has flooded the market with products labeled ‘natural’ and ‘from real food’, but these statements may refer to only 10% or less of the products’ total components. And many of the ingredients may actually be ground rocks, chemical compounds or may have been processed with chemical solvents such as acetone (nail polish remover) or PERC (dry-cleaning fluid). This sure doesn’t qualify as ‘natural’ in my book!

This will certainly be an ongoing series of posts, as I attempt to help you to better comprehend the similarities and differences between the products available in the supplements aisle and their processing methods, with a brief description and history of each process. Let’s begin today with the herbal products.

Herbs, spices and medicinal mushrooms have been used as teas and food flavorings for all known time. The ancient uses were traditionally passed down verbally or in writings, and modern science is now proving the validity of many of the properties and benefits that have been believed, sometimes for centuries or thousands of years. Although it is illegal to make specific health or curative claims for any herbal or nutritional products, the scientific research is beginning to build a very good case for the safety and potential effectiveness of the ‘cream of the supplements crop’.

What is so deceiving to the consumer is that inferior companies’ products may be advertised as possessing the same research and benefits as the ones studied, which are often those very best products. These deceptive advertising and marketing practices are commonplace in this country and in much of the world.

There is a wide range of growing methods for the raw materials used in herbal and nutritional supplements. Certified organic products have much stricter standards of growing than commercial crops, and biodynamically grown herbs may be even more potent than organic ones. Fresh or recently dried herbs and foods will be significantly more potent and effective than old, dried out, lifeless herbal material, harvested years ago..

Of course, until less than 100 years ago, there were no chemicals applied to vegetable and herb crops. But even back then, many farmers followed the common farming practices of the day, where crops were not rotated as often as needed for optimal soil nutrients. It was known that the soil in much of the heartland of America was considerably depleted of many of the minerals and trace elements necessary for optimal health a century ago.

Fresh herbs are often used during the growing season and autumn harvest. Fresh herbs compliment foods with their delicate flavors. Teas made with fresh herbs are also delicious with their light, refreshing flavors and aroma. The conversion for using fresh herbs and spices in a recipe that calls for dried herbs is 3 to 1, so if a recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of dried mint, for instance, you would use 3 teaspoons (1 TBSP) of fresh mint instead.

Dried herbs – But for the manufacture of most commercially prepared products, we must dry the herbs or super foods. Drying herbs properly is important for the quality of the finished product. Too much heat, light or too little air circulation during drying will produce a product with very little vitality and activity. When drying is optimally performed, the color will be bright, the scent pungent, the texture and taste strong and vital, and effectiveness potent and powerful.

For some herbal and nutritional products, the processing ends here. Most herbs are believed to be much more effective when they are put through an extraction process, creating an herbal concentrate. Again, there is a wide variety of possibilities here. The following will help to differentiate those variables so as to better understand, as a consumer, what we are really getting.

The most common herbal extraction methods include:

Chemical solvents – These products, usually produced by pharmaceutical or chemical companies, are often referred to as ‘standardized extracts’. The more common chemical solvents used are hexane (removes grease from a cement floor in five or ten minutes), acetone (nail polish remover), PERC (dry cleaning fluid), methanol, methylene chloride and ethyl acetate. With these chemical solvents, a chemist may alter the plants’ constituents to almost any desired specifications. Please see: Myths in Nutrition – Part Two – An Active Ingredient is Not the Same as the Herb Itself, posted on Dec. 15, 2006 for more information about this practice of altering herbs.

One of the big concerns with these standardized extracts is that there is always residue of the chemical solvent left behind in the herbs. There may be 65 parts per million (PPM) of dry cleaning fluid in your Echinacea or 44 PPM of acetone in your Ginkgo. Either way, it is likely not what we were bargaining for when we purchased a ‘natural’ herbal product.

Water extracts – An example of a water extract is herbal tea. There are also products that are water extracts in capsules or tablets that are made by dehydrating a tea until it is a concentrated powder. These are often very potent products, but it will really depend on the reliability of the company producing the product. If there was high heat applied or if the herbs were grown poorly, the finished product will be of little value.

Alcohol extracts (Also called Ethanolic or Hydro-ethanolic extracts) – Alcohol is an excellent solvent for extracting the constituents from herbs and delivering them into the bloodstream in approximately 90 seconds. Tinctures, alcohol (or more often, alcohol and water extracts), may be diluted with a small glass of water or tea for increased palatability.

Tinctures are considered safe for most people, with the probable exception of recovering alcoholics. It is a myth that tinctures are unsafe for children. The amount of alcohol in an adult serving of tincture is significantly less than the alcohol contained in a ripe banana! We feed bananas to babies as one of their first foods, so this minute amount of alcohol is considered to be safe. I do suggest than we never offer a tincture to a child without diluting it first, so they do not feel the burn of the alcohol on their tender mucosal tissue in the mouth and throat.

Glycerine – Vegetable glycerine is a sweet medium for carrying the vitality and phytochemicals from the herbs into the body. Some companies will first extract the herbs in alcohol or alcohol and water, remove the alcohol, and add the vegetable glycerine. Other companies use the glycerine directly for extraction purposes. Children, recovering alcoholics and elders may be good candidates for these herbal glycerites.

Supercritical extraction – The supercritical extraction process was developed in Germany in the last twenty years. Rumor has it that some food scientists were hired to work on a new extraction process that may work with hops to make a better beer. It worked! Soon thereafter, other herbs were being extracted with this newest of the extraction methods. There are only a few companies in the US employing the supercritical extraction process and they offer only very high quality products. They are all using full spectrum extracts, which means that they maintain the integrity of the herb’ constituents in the same balance that nature provided. The supercritical extracts may be refined or altered in the future, but for now, we receive the benefits of high-grade concentrated herbs in these powerful full spectrum extracts.

Vinegar extracts – Apple cider vinegar may be used for extracting herbal constituents for those who choose to use a liquid herbal extract, but are unable to consume alcohol. Vinegar extracts are not commercially available due to their very short shelf life.

Freeze drying – The process of freeze drying begins with freshly harvested herbs. They are frozen at very low temperatures, and while frozen, the moisture is removed. The herbal material is then powdered and encapsulated or tableted. These concentrated products can be as much as 200:1, but can be very sensitive to heat and light. My favorite freeze dried herb is nettles.

Syrups and pastes – Most of us think of cough syrup when we consider a healthful herbal syrup. Syrups can be a very pleasant way to take herbs for a wide variety of health concerns. Today, they’re offered for cold and flu, bone health and a wide variety of health concerns. Pastes are often used in Ayurveda and occasionally in Chinese medicine. A small amount of the herbal pastes may be added to warm water for a potent, pleasurable herb tea.

Oil infusion – Some herbs are extracted with oil, usually extra virgin olive oil, and although they are often used topically, some may also be ingested.

Some of the most pure and potent herbal and nutritional products may be found in the following trustworthy, honorable and reliable companies’ lines of (mostly) organic products. Many of these companies have been pioneers in organic and biodynamic growing practices, and developing and improving both new and ancient technologies. Some have worked tirelessly toward protective legislation for our right to consume nutritional supplements, and for products to be required to be labeled honestly, as well as fighting bad legislation jeopardizing our rights to buy and take supplements by educating the public. Their commitment to excellence is strong, and the products they produce are of exceptionally high quality.

New Chapter,
Flora- Floradix, Bija, Udo’s Choice and Dr. Dunner,
Organix South- Thera Neem and Thera Veda
Gaia Herbs,
Pure Planet
Renew Life,
Eclectic Institute, (most of their product line)
Avena Botanicals,
Nordic Naturals,
Herb Pharm,
Megafood

Many small herb companies owned and run by regional herbalists could also be added to this list, as well.

Remember, it is considered ideal to consume most herbs and herbal products on an empty stomach. This means that we would consume liquid herbal extracts, capsules or tablets at least 15 to 30 minutes before our next meal and two hours after our previous meal.

There are several interesting health myths that have their origins in medical and scientific journals. These myths trickle down to the articles that we read in news journals, alternative health and women’s magazines. These myths stem from the scientific reductionist viewpoint that looks at the isolated parts of the whole as if they were actually the whole itself.

Now, I certainly do not mean to imply that the study of the separate constituents has no value; this is exactly how many pharmaceutical medications originate. Instead, what I’m attempting to do is to dispel the confusion about several very different types of herbal products. When an herb is comprised of hundreds of complex constituents, a single one of those constituents cannot and should not be considered to be the same as the whole herb, being spoken about and used interchangeably.

Here is my favorite (or should I say ‘least favorite’) example of this; turmeric, according to research, has approximately 100 constituents. One of those constituents is called curcumin, and curcumin has been considered by some researchers to be the one ‘active constituent’ (or the curcuminoids are considered the ‘group of active constituents’). Research has shown that, although curcumin provides noted activity against excess inflammation, the extract of the whole turmeric, with all its other active and inert constituents, has significantly more activity. And although curcumin supports detoxification of the liver and blood, the full-spectrum turmeric extract has been shown to provide us much greater detoxification than the isolates alone.

In fact, isolated constituents have never been found to work more effectively than the whole herb, spice or mushroom without also having potentially harmful side effects. With virtually all herbs and fungi, the whole provides the benefits along with the checks and balances to prevent possible side effects.

Many of the turmeric products on the supplements market are not really turmeric at all. These products are labeled as turmeric on the front, but if you read the fine print on the ‘Supplement Facts Panel’ (the fine print box found on the back), you would see that there is 95% curcuminoids (including the curcumin). According to nature, 5-11% of the root is comprised of curcuminoids. This means that most of the turmeric root was disposed of and the capsule was filled with a small fraction of turmeric’s actual constituents. Personally, I would prefer these kinds of products be labeled as over-the-counter drugs with clever names than to mistakenly refer to them as herbal products.

Another concern with these altered products is that those curcuminoids were isolated from the whole root through one of the chemical extraction processes used by the pharmaceutical industry. Hexane, acetone or (my favorite) PERC (dry-cleaning fluid) may have been used to isolate the chosen constituents, and small amounts are usually left behind in the finished product. I think it ironic that dry-cleaning fluid might be contained in our daily detoxification product!

Green tea contains more than 500 constituents. Again, as a result of research, there is one special constituent that has been deemed by scientists to be the most active. This constituent is called EGCG, and the story is really quite similar. EGCG is in the family of catechins, which are potent antioxidants.

Green tea has been shown to support weight loss, reduce oxidative damage caused by free radicals, prevent cancer and heart disease and improve immune function. Products containing the isolated EGCG are often sold with claims of the same benefits as the whole, complex green tea.

Research was done on both green tea consumption and green tea extract usage. Just as with the whole turmeric root, the complex whole herb of green tea appears to support health and detoxification more effectively than the isolated EGCG. In fact, it seems that when you remove even one ingredient, caffeine for example, green tea has little, if any effect on detoxification and inflammation.

Saccharides, some of the important building blocks of our healthy cells, are found in several herbs and in all medicinal mushrooms. One of the most common sources for some of the Saccharides being isolated for products on health food store shelves is the Aloe vera plant. I repeat the running theme here; these Saccharides, so essential for our healthy cells, are not the same as the whole Aloe vera, Shiitake or Maitake. They cannot be; one is singular, simple; the other complex, multifarious.

Here is another important example, a nutrient that’s recently gotten a lot of press. Lycopene, a powerful antioxidant in the carotenoid family, is usually found in red fruits and vegetables. Lycopene has gotten quite a bit of publicity in the last few years for its potential to protect us from cancer, especially cancer of the prostate, diabetes and osteoporosis. Research showed that men who ate the greatest amount of tomatoes seemed to have fewer prostate issues. Researchers determined that the activity in the tomatoes was due to the Lycopene. Upon the release of this important new information, many new Lycopene products arrived in stores and were selling out in no time. But a funny thing happened when the researchers looked at the isolated Lycopene; it had no antioxidant activity. It didn’t work. Lycopene, it seems, must be present in the tomatoes, watermelon, papaya or avocado to help protect our health.

So, if it sounds like a chemical, it is most likely a chemical. If you can go out in nature and pick it or dig its root, then it’s really natural. And when it is isolated from something that formerly lived and grew in nature, it was probably separated with a chemical solvent, and is therefore no longer truly natural.

Most of the nutritional supplements on the market are called ‘natural’, but in reality, they aren’t even close. Please stay tuned for more on how vitamins and other supplement products are processed and made, and which supplements are truly the most natural, safe and effective.

Many of the women that I speak with about nutrition are concerned about whether their loved ones are getting enough of all the right nutrients to nourish their bodies and minds. The USDA has focused on the minimum nutrients necessary to prevent illness, but we also want to be sure that our loved ones experience optimal health!

There are several improvements in your family’s health that may be occur naturally by simply setting a good example. Reducing sugar intake, eating more vegetables and regular exercise are some of the powerful changes we can make for ourselves that often take hold in those we love without the need for harping.

There are several other little ‘secrets’ that I’ll share with you that can significantly improve your family’s nutritional intake without any whining or complaints. You can choose to let them in on these small changes aimed to improve their health, or you may want to just keep it to yourself for now.

Providing a variety of hot or iced herbal teas is a delicious way to consume lots of vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients. Companies such as Traditional Medicinals, Yogi and Choice Teas provide a wide variety of tasty choices that may support improved health and greater detoxification. Remember to always place a cover over the cup or teapot; because as much as 90% of the nutritional value and health benefits contained in the herbs will rise up with the steam from an uncovered cup.

Herbal teas may provide us with a wide array of benefits. Herbs are very complex and therefore assist the body in a variety of ways. They really never offer only one or two advantages. Rather, an herb can support the liver and heart, and detoxify the blood as it improves bone health. Let’s take marshmallow root for example; an herb that has been used to support the repair of the mucosal tissue that lines the digestive tract for anyone who has any of the chronic digestive complaints (IBS, Crohn’s, heartburn, etc) or food sensitivities (allergies).

For centuries, marshmallow root has also been used to support a sore throat, a chronic lung concern and/or bladder/urinary troubles. Other traditional uses also include helping with sprains, bruises and muscle aches.

So, we may drink an herbal tea, such as the following delicious recipe for my favorite Traditional Medicinals tea called Herba Tussin, formulated by a master herbalist for helping the body with a cough or chest congestion. These herbs have also been used for centuries for digestion, urinary concerns, sore throat, sinus issues and cardiovascular health, as well.

Eucalyptus leaf
Licorice root
Slippery elm bark
Wild cherry bark
Elecampane rhizome
Marshmallow root
Spearmint leaf
West Indian lemongrass leaf
Lemon peel
Stevia leaf
Lemon myrtle leaf

Some of the best herbs for increasing the nutrient value of our daily diet are listed below. You may choose any of the herb tea bag combinations created for the previously mentioned tea companies (or others) and then add any of the following herbs for increased nutritional value. Please remember to be sure to buy organic herbs and teas. The benefits of commercially grown herbs may be less than desired.

Nettles – Considered the most nutrient dense land plant on Earth, nettles is loaded with vitamins, minerals, trace minerals, enzymes and phytonutrients. Some of the common uses include asthma, allergies, sinus infections, rashes, bone health, chest congestion, bug bites and stings. Nettles has a pleasant flavor that compliments most herbal teas.

Alfalfa – Rich in minerals and vitamins, alfalfa has a mild flavor and is a pleasant addition to most teas.

Raspberry leaf – Calming and nourishing, raspberry leaf has been used for centuries to balance the hormones, and calm and relax the individual. Raspberry leaf is commonly used during pregnancy and supports the teenage years of both boys and girls.

Horsetail – The horsetail stalk is very rich in silica. Silica supports good skin, connective tissue, bone and cartilage health.

Mints, including peppermint, spearmint, lemon balm, horse mint and pennyroyal, provide vitamins and minerals while supporting digestion and alertness.

My daughters grew up drinking herbal teas daily. Kaia usually preferred to add Nettles to all of her teas, while Mollie always requested that hers be made with the addition Raspberry leaf with her favorite tea bags, Throat Coat.

Because we drank very little fruit juice, and almost no soda, I would often make up herbal teas for the family, one, two or even three quarts at a time, usually at night before I went to bed. In the morning, we would warm some delicious, refreshing mint, lemon, licorice or fruity flavored tea and enjoy them throughout the day. To make tea by the quart, follows these easy instructions:

Boil the water.
Choose a clean one quart mason jar, and rinse with hot water (to prevent cracking when boiling water is poured into the jar).
Place tea bags, tea ball or bulk herb into the jar.
Pour boiling water over herbs to top.
Cover.
Let steep for at least 15-30 minutes, or overnight. (Some herbs, lemon balm for example, become very bitter when steeped for more than 15 minutes.)
Using a sieve, strain the tea into a second quart jar.
Serve warm or iced.
Enjoy!

Note: For a one quart jar, you will want to use:
4 or 5 tea bags if you plan to serve hot tea or
6-8 tea bags for iced tea.
When using bulk herbs, try
4-5 rounded teaspoons for hot tea or
6-8 rounded teaspoons for iced tea.

Here are some other safe, delicious and convenient ways to add easily utilized nutritional foods to the diet.

Sea vegetables are the most nutrient rich plants on Earth. Sea Vegetables include kelp, kombu, nori, dulse and wakame. With a rich, salty flavor, they may be added to everything that we cook; soups, stews, rice, vegetables, etc. If you’re new to eating sea vegetables, you may want to try the shakers from Maine Coast Sea Vegetables, available at most health food stores. They may be sprinkled onto salads, sandwiches and popcorn. Including sea vegetables in your family’s daily diet will help to significantly improve everyone’s nutrient intake.

Nettles, in powdered form, may be sprinkled into everything, too; pasta sauce, soups, salads, stir-fries and lasagna. Start with a scant amount, say ½ tsp in pasta sauce for four, and with time, increase it to 1 or 2 tsp.

Reduce sugar, fruits and fruit juices, as much as you can, from your family’s daily diet. High in sugars, these foods tend to cause us to crave more of the same, and then we eat fewer vegetables and other nutritious foods. Our ancestors tended to eat only seasonal fruits once a week or twice monthly. I’ve known well-meaning parents who had given their children fruits or juices three or four times before noon. This may contribute to difficulty with digestion and immune health. If you currently consume a lot of fruit, try buying only local organic apples for awhile, and eating them only once or twice weekly. Other times when a snack is desired, try vegetables such as carrots, celery, sunchokes or red peppers. You may be surprised as to how satisfying they can be!

Increase your family’s intake of fresh, filtered water. We should consume 1/2 our weight in ounces daily, (excluding teas, juices, etc). So, a 150 pound adult should drink 75 ounces daily, or just over (9) 8 ounce glasses! A good filter, (not those pitchers or other very inexpensive filters) is superior to buying bottled water in plastic jugs, and costs significantly less per gallon, too. Drinking more clean, pure water seems to support a desire for more nutritious foods, and good water has trace amounts of vital nutrients to support our family’s health.

Cellfood, from Lumina Health, is an amazing way to support nutritional intake. Just two-eight drops added to water three times a day can support overall health and detoxification. Cellfood, available at most health food stores, contains 78 minerals and trace minerals, 34 enzymes (mostly metabolic with some digestive), 17 amino acids, electrolytes and nascent (enhanced) oxygen. It gives the water a slightly lemony flavor, and is useful for supporting the body in hundreds of valuable ways.

Good luck to you. There will be other useful tips for increasing our families’ health and well-being soon. Until then, I hope these ideas help your loved ones to feel as healthy and vibrant as we do!

When it comes to using herbs and nutritional supplements to support health and prevent or care for an illness, there is one feature that is unconditionally most important, and that is QUALITY! If we are interested in good health, and we invest our money, time and energy into a supplement program, it is imperative that we select the most pure, potent and effective products available to us for the desired results. Choosing products wisely can make all the difference in whether or not we experience optimal health and a considerable improvement in our condition, as confirmed by uplifting vital energy, vitality, inner calm, greater motivation and less pain.

Much of the information found in the following paragraphs, I want to share with all of you who are attempting to get well, but have trouble choosing a program because there are so many choices. There are thousands of books and tens of thousand of articles out there to explain to us that Ginkgo may help improve your memory, and elderberry is a powerful herb used to fight viruses for more than a thousand years. What these articles usually don’t share with the reader is that if we choose an inferior quality product; grown in poor soil, harvested before the peak of ripeness, then processed with dry-cleaner fluid, it may not work well, and it may even contribute to our problems. In 35 years of reading articles and books on holistic health, herbs and nutrition, I have never found one source that explains how to make the best choices by using only the highest quality products available. Wouldn’t this help to explain why a half dozen friends take Saw palmetto for their prostate health and some find results, while others don’t see any results? Here is the information that it took me years to gather, often through trial and error, offered to you so that your journey to vibrant health will be an easier, gentler one.

We will begin by discussing herbal products, but much of this information may be applied to other nutritional supplements and foods, which we will discuss in more detail in future posts.

Most people do not realize that there are a wide variety of choices in how a product was grown, formulated, processed (powdered, extracted, etc) and offered (capsules, tablets, teas, tinctures, syrups, lozenges, salves, fresh or dried), and each of these choices impacts its ability to be effective.

Let’s begin with the importance of how an herb is grown. It is very important to choose certified organic herbs (or organically grown by a very reputable farm or company), as herbs grown with commercial practices may contain trace amounts of herbicides, fungicides and some of the very toxins that we may be trying to eliminate through the use of herbs, nutritional foods and supplements.

We should always choose certified organic products which have received certification from a reputable organization. Some of the most trusted certifying groups include Oregon Tilth, Northeast Organic Farmers’ Association (NOFA) and Ecocert. There are more than 150 more certification bodies, including the USDA Organic certification program. The superior nutritional value of organically grown produce has been established in numerous studies, and the increase in starch, along with diminished nutrient value of commercial crops may indeed contribute to the dramatic increase in diabetes over the last several decades. Research suggests that organic herbs would likely serve us better, as well.

Harvest of the herb should ideally take place at the peak of ripeness for an ideal nutrient and phytonutrient value, which is more likely assured in organic products from reputable companies. The herbs found in many commercial or low-priced products contain little or none of the plant constituents believed to be some of the active elements, and sometimes they are even the wrong species of plant entirely. (This happened with Scullcap, a delightful stress reducing herb, a few years ago. Many products were found to contain little or no scullcap, but a plant that is known to be potentially toxic to the liver instead. Please read the future article for additional information called: Myths in Herbalism, posted to this site shortly.)

Formulation is an art, a gift really, that only a few are bestowed with. Thousands of years of empirical evidence, as well as some more recent research, show that herbs combined into a synergistically blended formulation have a greater effect on health and wellness than do single herbs. The weight of the individual herbal ingredients used becomes less important in an herbal formulation.

The processing of the herbs is of greatest importance. The majority of herbal products found on grocer, big box store and pharmacy shelves fall into two basic categories; dried powdered herb (often found to be poorly effective) in a capsule or tablet, or chemically extracted herbs. The latter may have been extracted with chemical solvents such as hexane (used to remove grease or oil from floors or mechanical parts), acetone (fingernail polish remover), PERC (dry-cleaning fluid), ethyl acetate, methylene chloride or methanol! If these chemicals sound scary to you, you are not alone. Such solvents are employed regularly in the pharmaceutical industry or in the processing of commercially prepared foods and food ingredients. Research shows that some of these solvents may not be as safe in the body as once believed.

Ironically, these chemically extracted herbs are often referred to as ‘standardized extracts’, and a media campaign over the last decade has touted standardized extracts as being of higher quality. They are certainly a consistently produced product, but of higher quality? You be the judge. Now that you’re a better educated consumer, you will make a more informed choice. (Remember, how and where we spend our money directly impacts the world we live in.) Such chemical solvents may not extract the nutrient profile of the plant as nature has provided for us, and are feared to react with some of the phytonutrients, causing them to work differently (or not to work at all) within the body. Worse yet, trace amounts of these solvents often remain in the finished product. I’m not sure any of us need 44 parts per million of dry-cleaning fluid with our Ginkgo every morning!

Because there are no labeling requirements to allow for a better comprehension of the product for the consumer as to the processing method(s) used, I will be sharing with you which companies use the various processing methods discussed in this article in the very near future. Please read: Processing Methods Employed by Various Companies, posted to this site very soon.

What we want to look for is an organically grown herbal formulation that has been extracted in some of the following ways:

Supercritical extraction (of full-spectrum herbs)
Alcohol (often called ethanolic) extraction
Water extraction
Alcohol and water (hydro-ethanolic) extraction
Any of the four above may be dried and encapsulated or tableted
Freeze-dried
Cultured (fermented)
Culinary herbs and spices, fresh or dried
Teas
Tincture
Glycerite (alcohol-free tincture)
Salves (petroleum free)
Syrups (without refined sugar or chemical sweeteners)
Dried herbs (in capsules or tablets)*

*I previously discouraged you all from choosing dried herbs (in capsules or tablets), but if the list of superior quality products above is unavailable, dried herbs may be of better quality than chemical solvent extractions.

The following brief descriptions of the various processing methods will help you to understand how very different two products with similar names and similar labels may really be.

Supercritical Extracts – The Supercritical extraction process was first developed by German scientists as they made a new type of hops extract in an attempt to create a better beer! They were successful! They were also successful with creating an extraordinary new herbal extraction process, particularly effective for herbs with a high content of oily compounds. This technology uses carbon dioxide (the same as we exhale with each breath) under very high pressure and at a particular temperature to produce a gentle, easy-to-use, concentrated, potent and effective herbal extract. These concentrates may be as high as 300:1, (or 300 pounds of fresh herb will produce one pound of Supercritical extract,) making them a powerful choice.

Please note: It is important to choose a Supercritical extract that is full-spectrum, meaning that the plant constituents were extracted as nature provided them to us, and not to a chemist’s specifications (differing from nature’s balance). A full-spectrum extract offers the full benefits of the herb, with all the checks and balances to help prevent uncomfortable side effects or side discomforts.

Alcohol (Ethanolic) extract – Pure grain alcohol is used rarely as an extraction menstrum. Very few herbs require pure alcohol, and they are often taken in minute amounts.

Water extracts – A water extract is usually a tea. Sometimes, though, the water extraction (the tea) may be reduced to a syrup or dehydrated to a powder and then encapsulated or tableted. Ideally, this would be done using low heat and significant air movement, as heat may damage the delicate plant constituents.

Alcohol and water (hydro-ethanolic) extract – Most tinctures are hydro-ethanolic extracts and many use only certified organic herbs. Tinctures deliver the herbal extracts into the bloodstream within approximately 90 seconds. Most herbalists suggest the use of tinctures, in part because a small amount is often highly effective. One of the mechanisms believed to be at work here is tasting the herbs. This is believed to have a positive effect within the limbic brain, the part of the brain in charge of emotions, feelings and mood. Many believe that this sets a positive healing response in motion within the entire body, even if the taste of the tincture were very bitter, sour or pungent. (These more strong tasting herbs may be mixed with water or chased with a piece of bread to minimize the unpleasantness of the flavor.)

Any of the four methods described above may then be dried (dehydrated) and encapsulated or tableted – Herbs extracted with one of the four methods above, then dried and either encapsulated or tableted, are likely to be much more beneficial than herbs that are simply dried and encapsulated or extracted with chemical solvents.

Herbal teas, fresh or dried – Herbs may be picked in the garden or the wild, then dried or used fresh. They may also be purchased in bulk or in tea bags to make delicious, refreshing, nutritional and healthful herbal teas. There are a few things that one should know if they are choosing to use herbal teas for health benefits, and not just for sipping a pleasant beverage.

Teas made of roots and barks are ‘most always decocted.
This means that you:
Place the roots / barks into cold water preferably in a glass saucepan.*
Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat.
Simmer for twenty minutes.
Let cool for 15-30 minutes or more before consuming.

Leaves, stems and flowers (often referred to as aerial parts) are usually infused. An infusion is made by the following process:
Boil water.
Pour over fresh or dried herbs.*
Place a lid or saucer over the teapot, teacup or mug.
Let steep for 5 to 30 minutes, (most herb teas steep for 20 minutes for optimal benefits).

*Measure the herbs for bulk teas using the following measurements:
Note: Measurements are per cup 8 oz of water.

Decoctions:
1 teaspoon, level to rounded, of dried herbs, or to taste.
1 TBSP, level to rounded, of fresh herbs, or to taste.
Infusions:
1 teaspoon, rounded to heaping, of dried herbs, or to taste.
1 TBSP, rounded to heaping, of fresh herbs, or to taste.

Teas are usually drunk in 4 or more five to eight ounce servings per day for maximum benefits.

Culinary herbs and spices, fresh or dried – Herbs and spices may be used in food preparation, contributing to good health. Using cinnamon in baking and adding thyme, oregano, garlic and basil to many Italian dishes are good examples. For maximum benefits, we certainly want to choose organic herbs and spices, purchase in small quantities to ensure freshness, and always store in glass jars with tight fitting lids. Ideally, we should choose the herb as whole as possible, and crush, grind, slice or use whole as needed for the recipe.

Freeze-dried – Freeze-drying removes the water from the herbs in a vacuum at very cold temperatures. This process provides a full-spectrum of the herbs’ constituents, without compromising the nutritional value and phytonutrient content, providing a very concentrated (often as high as 200:1 concentrates) dried herb for use in foods, teas, capsules or tablets. These products are considered to be quite potent and very supportive of good health.

Cultured (fermented) – This newer technology in western herbalism is actually an ancient food processing technique used by people throughout the world for more than 6000 years. Fermentation uses beneficial microorganisms to transform foods to superfoods. Considered pre-digested, these fermented herbs and foods have increased nutrient value, support detoxification, digestion and immune health. The importance of fermented whole foods in the diet has been established by food science researchers in the past decade, once again proving the ancient wisdom of our ancestors.

Because of concerns about candida (yeast) overgrowth, cultured foods have been seriously misunderstood for about the last twenty-five years. Please read: The Power of Fermentation, posted to this site soon, for a greater understanding about the importance of fermented foods in the diet to support digestive and immune health.

Tincture – There are many excellent tincture companies in North America and Europe, both large and small. Tinctures are predominantly hydro-ethanolic extracts, (see above). Tinctures are generally used in small amounts (10-60 drops, 1/3 dropper-2 droppers respectively), usually 2-4 times daily, but some may be used 30 drops (one dropper) as often as once every hour or even once every 15 minutes. Some people feel concerned about the alcohol content in the tincture. There are approximately 80 (thirty drop) servings in a one ounce bottle of tincture (comparable to one shot of alcohol), which would usually be used over the course of 20 to 40 days. Unless we have a condition where zero alcohol is imperative, then tinctures would not pose a problem. In fact, there is more alcohol in a ripe banana than in a dropper of tincture!

Glycerite (alcohol-free tincture) – Glycerites are most often produced as hydro-ethanolic extracts which have had the alcohol and water removed, then vegetable glycerine added. They are generally sweet to the taste and are easily used by children or anyone who may prefer to avoid alcohol.

Salves (petroleum free) – As a topical or trans-dermal application, salves have the ability to deliver the herbal formulation into the bloodstream without the use of the digestive processes. Salves have been applied to the skin for thousands of years, whether on achy joints, dry itchy areas, sprains, strains, cuts, burns, acne and the like, to provide some relief.

Syrups (without refined sugar or chemical sweeteners) – Syrups can be a pleasant way to consume herbs. We immediately think of cough syrups, but syrups may also be used for nourishing, detoxifying and energy lifting formulas, as well. Children, elders and many of us will enjoy the gentle, sweet flavor and the soothing, protective coating of the throat that syrups provide.

Dried herbs (in capsules or tablets) – Some herbs, such as organic ginger, are shown to be quite effective when used in powder form. With most herbs, however, a clean pure extract is likely to be our best value, and the best approach to our wellness plan. Freshly dried herbs are likely to be more useful than older (dried out) products. (You may try checking the expiration date on a product.)

As you can see, there are so many choices that the average consumer likely has no idea what they are really purchasing, and how effective the product might be. For 35 years now, I have bought, grown and used herbs, foods and supplements to heal myself from a variety of discomforts and auto-immune conditions. My rule of thumb has always been to seek out the very best options available to me in the region where I was living. This took effort, but since I am only given one body in this life, I have always found it important to support it in every way that I can.

Another consideration when seeking out an herbal product is the form of the finished product. For about three decades, there has been a myth floating through the supplements industry. This myth implies that capsules are better than tablets, and liquids are better than both tablets and capsules. Although both of these statements are sometimes accurate, the processing methods above make much more of an impact on whether or not a product may be effective and supportive of overall health or not.

One of the greatest misunderstandings when choosing an herbal product is the comparison of the milligrams (mgs), micrograms (mcg) or IU’s. These simply measure weight, not the potency of a product. For example, 400 mgs of a Supercritical extract or a freeze-dried herb will be considerably more potent than 400 mgs of fresh or powdered herb. We need to begin to look at herbs and nutritional products in a whole new way, and stop trying to compare apples to zucchini squash! When it comes to our health, compromising on quality may not be a wise option! Without our health, we can’t fully enjoy anything else we may have.