Using Boswellia to combat inflammation and muscle pain

Boswellia

Boswellia is a large branching tree native to India, Northern Africa, and the Middle East. The trunk is tapped for its resin, which is purified and used in herbal preparations. The resin, known as frankincense, has been used in religious and cultural ceremonies since antiquity.

Your genes may influence gut bacteria that cause inflammatory bowel disease

Gut microbiota is the name given today to the microbe population living in our intestine. Our gut microbiota contains tens of trillions of microorganisms, including at least 1000 different species of known bacteria with more than 3 million genes (150 times more than human genes). Microbiota can, in total, weigh up to 2 kg. One […]

The Brain-Gut-Skin Connection Series: Introduction

You must have noticed that your acne tends to flares up around stressful times—before a big test, a big meeting or during travel.  Often, the skin problems are accompanied with bowel movement problems.  I have experienced the phenomenon all my life and have heard many similar experiences from others.   For a longest time, I have […]

One hour of moderate exercise a day enough to counter health risks from prolonged sitting

exercise

Lack of physical activity has become a known risk factor for metabolic diseases and early death ever since a study back in 1953 showing that London bus drivers were at greater risk of heart disease compared to bus conductors. It is estimated that that more than 5 million people die globally each year as a […]

Gut microbiota influences the accessibility to your brain

Our brain is well protected by a barrier termed the “blood-brain barrier (BBB).” The blood–brain barrier is a highly selective permeability barrier that separates the circulating blood from the brain extracellular fluid (BECF) in the central nervous system (CNS). The stuff that can pass through the blood-brain barrier are highly selective including water, some gases, lipid […]

Seattle Beauty™ Tip: Forever 29 with miracle herb Astragalus

forever 29

Ok, I admit I lied – at least twice – as being 29 when being well passed twenty-nine. Twenty-nine is that magic age for woman when we are at our most attractive and charming with our still youthful, but acne free and not yet wrinkled complexion combined with our maturity, confidence, just enough wisdom gained […]

Ginseng is nature’s anti-inflammatory treatment

Ginseng is one of the most popular herbal medicines in the world. Ginseng has traditionally been used for a variety of of medical conditions from heart disease, fatigue, erectile dysfunction, hepatitis C, high blood pressure, menopausal symptoms, to cancer. Modern laboratory studies have suggested that that ginseng may boost the immune system. For example, there are evidences showing that American […]

Blaming both genes and gut microbes for obesity

berries

The relationship between gut microbes and human health is a hot research topic in the scientific community. Considering the number of gut microbes in one’s gut out numbers the total number of the human cells in one’s body by 10 to 1, it only makes sense that whatever the problems we might have, our gut […]

Seattle Beauty™ Tip: Common cosmetic ingredient butylparaben may have endocrine disrupting effects

I’ve always been fascinated by the generally observed phenomenon of human fertility decrease over the past two decades. Many endocrine disruptive compounds have been blamed ranging from bisphenol A in plastic bottles, phthalates plasticizer in plastic food and beverage containers to parabens in cosmetics and personal care products. Parabens are a class of compounds that […]

Ginseng provides training like effect on athletic performance

ginger consumption

If there is one herbal supplement that you are familiar with, it is probably ginseng. Ginseng has been used for centuries in folk medicine as a tonic, stimulant and aphrodisiac. Modern research has shown that ginseng is capable of boosting cardiovascular, immune and nervous systems. In addition, researchers have shown the beneficial effects of ginseng […]