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Cannabis use associated with lower blood sugar
Published May 22, 2013
A new study published in the American Journal of Medicine has revealed a potential benefit from the use of cannabis. The article investigated the blood sugar-related effects of cannabis use among participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2005 to 2010.
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New herbal handbook helps to inform health care professionals
Published May 08, 2013
Many patients have gone to their doctor to ask about the safety of herbal supplements they are taking, but often times doctors won't know and advise the patients to stop taking the herbs. Now, thanks to the recent publication of the new edition of the American Herbal Products Association’s (AHPA) Botanical Safety Handbook, no health professional needs to make an uninformed decision like that ever again.
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Making the right health preparations for international travel
Published May 01, 2013
As travel season begins to warm up, knowing how to prepare yourself from a health standpoint is part of being savvy on the road. Especially if you are planning to travel internationally, taking the right precautions and observing certain rules can make the difference between happy travel and a spoiled trip
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Chemicals out: Botanicals now topping cosmetic ingredients
Published April 24, 2013
Chemical science led the way for cosmetics, and petroleum provided a plethora of ingredients for skin and hair care. But those days are fading fast, as a whole new range of older ingredients are becoming trendier – and much more in demand
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Sea buckthorn oil: The nutritional supplement for you?
Published April 11, 2013
A relative new-comer in the nutritional scene is sea buckthorn oil (Hippophae rhamnoides), which is pressed from the fruits and seeds of the orange-colored sea buckthorn berry. New to us in the West, sea buckthorn is a staple super food and adaptogenic plant, which helps to mitigate the effects of both mental and physical stress
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The Apus Boat: Providing free dentistry for Amazonian natives
Published April 03, 2013
Two years ago, while I was in the Peru, I sat with Sergio Cam, whose company Chakarunas Trading Company sells Peruvian botanicals to companies around the world. He told me of an idea that I found audacious: He wanted to build a boat that would bring free dentistry to people up and down the Ucayali River
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Guarana: A healthy source of caffeine
Published March 27, 2013
The name guarana derives from the Amazonian word “varana,” meaning a tree that grows on top of another. Guarana is the dried paste of the seeds of the climbing Amazonian evergreen liana Paullinia cupana, which is used primarily as a stimulant due to its caffeine content
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Are superbugs linked to the meat you eat?
Published March 14, 2013
Even now, when a direct connection between the use of antibiotics in livestock and the proliferation of super germs is well established, the USDA is failing to act, choosing instead to err on the side of meat industry profits
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Deer antler velvet: Miracle health enhancer or disappointing dud?
Published March 06, 2013
A favored medicine in the ancient Traditional Chinese Medicine system, deer antler velvet is considered a first-class tonic that imbues the user with energy, stamina and greater overall vitality. But does it actually provide the health-enhancing qualities marketers say it does?
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Psychedelic science conference highlights therapeutic benefits of mind-altering drugs
Published February 27, 2013
The use of mind-altering drugs has been intensively studied for their unique benefits to health – especially mental health. Enter the MAPS Psychedelic Science Conference, which has functioned as a clearing house, bringing to light the many published scientific and medical studies that document therapeutic uses of psychedelic drugs

