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Most of you know that ginger is a medicinal herb but its uses in preventive cardiology are not well known. Ginger is a member of a plant family that includes cardamom and turmeric. Its familiar aroma is mainly due to compounds called gingerols. At least 30 gingerol-related compounds are contained in the fresh ginger root (rhizome). The proportion gingerols depends on where it is from and how it is processed. Ginger has been used as a medicine for...

Vitamin C Vitamin C has long been known for its effects on immune stimulation and function. Because of vitamin C's role in maintaining normal immune function, many people use it for treating and preventing infectious conditions such as the common cold. Activity of several major immune cells and the messengers they produce seem to be increased by vitamin C.  An additional viewpoint is that vitamin C serves as an antioxidant and increased intake ...

NatureMed Clinic's Dr. Kirsten West contributed a study regarding topical milk thistle for Capecitabine-Induced Hand-Foot Syndrome to the Natural Medicine Journal. Forty patients diagnosed with gastrointestinal malignancy, including colorectal and esophageal cancers, who had no previous exposure to capecitabine but were scheduled to receive this medication; average age was 60 years and 60% were male. Gastric cancer was the most common malignan...

By Kirsten West ND, Lac, FABNO Like many of you, my thoughts regarding farms (at least in the past) typically transitioned into images of red barns, green pastures, the solitary cow (or two), perhaps some chickens, rows of corn, birds chirping- basically, an overall picture of serenity. In fact, living next to a scene such as this appears quite nice. Most recently, this “farm life” image has been turned on its head with the development ...

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene tested more than 3000 samples of consumer products during lead poisoning case investigations recently  and almost 40% of the samples had very elevated levels of lead. The highest concentrations of lead were found in spices purchased in the countries Georgia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, and Morocco. Make sure you ask where the spices are from before you buy. From: J Public Health Mana...