Ethnobotany

Jan 18th, 2021 - رأى كثيرٌ من المصريين في مقطع فيديو مشهدا نادرًا وغير مألوف للخسائر الفعلية التي خلّفها فيروس كورونا في ذروة الموجة الثانية من الجائحة في مصر. الحسينية، مصر – من شرفة أحد المستشفيات المصرية، شقّت صرخة إحدى الممرضات سكون الليل لتعلن أن مرضى كوفيد في غرفة العناية المركزة يلفظون أنفاسهم الأخيرة.‎ أحمد نافع، الذي كان يقف خارج ... [Read More]

Jan 16th, 2021 - There are certain ingredients that pass the test of time because they really provide the benefits that come attached to their mystic. Then there are the ingredients that span multiple categories—showing up in medicine, beauty, food, and so on—because they function as an impressive multi-tasker. Turmeric happens to be both. The golden spice is beloved in ayurvedic tradition, and since many other cultures have picked up on its benefits. This is even true of modern day well-being, which puts turmeric on a much-deserved pedestal. It’s also, we might add, a much wowed-about skin care ... [Read More]

Jan 13th, 2021 - Green tea has gained immense popularity in the recent past for a variety of reasons. To some, it is the ingredient that promises to help them lose weight faster. Others love this ancient plant because it makes them more energetic and balanced. Although the hype surrounding green tea may seem too good to be true, it helps to know that this herb promises plenty of benefits for your health. Here are a few evidence-based benefits of consuming green tea. Helps To Prevent Some Cancers Green tea is rich in polyphenols. These compounds help to inhibit tumor growth, which translates to better ... [Read More]

Jan 13th, 2021 - Turmeric —a key component of many South and Southeast Asian dishes—may have already earned a prominent place on your spice rack, but this popular ingredient can do more than add depth of flavor (think: warm and bitter with a lemon-pepper zing) and mustard yellow color to your favorite curry . Indeed, this is no ordinary seasoning: Health experts suspect, and preliminary research confirms, that in addition to its well-established culinary uses, turmeric has significant medicinal potential. In other words, there are many reasons why you should be ingesting this spice on the regular—but if ... [Read More]

Aug 12th, 2020 - ‘I’m a Gastroenterologist, and This Is How To Make a Cup of Gut-Healthy Coffee’ Just in case you were having doubts about your morning coffee habit, rest assured that  coffee is, in fact, good for you . And chances are, your doctor is brewing a cup of gut-healthy coffee every morning, too. "Coffee itself isn’t the problem, but rather, it’s the garbage we add to it," says Will Bulsiewicz, MD , a gastroenterologist and the author of Fiber Fueled . While you might have heard that coffee is good for your brain and heart because it’s full of antioxidants , Dr. Bulsiewicz says it’s ... [Read More]

Jul 5th, 2020 - Of all the things to worry about in the world right now, you’d be forgiven if dementia—aka the loss of cognitive function—failed to make the top of your list. However, dementia is on the rise in the U.S; its most prevalent form, Alzheimer’s disease, is now the sixth-leading cause of death . So while you shouldn’t add this to an increasingly ceaseless inventory of things-which-prevent-sleep, it can’t hurt to ever-so-slightly tweak your diet to be more brain health-centric. Simply put, this means eating more plants , and that includes spices and herbs for brain health. While ... [Read More]

Jun 26th, 2020 - It's delicious -- that's the first thing you need to know. Boba tea (also called bubble tea, pearl milk teak, or simply boba) is a cold tea drink typically involving black or green tea, sugar or syrup, ice, and tapioca pearls. If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you either love boba and want to learn more about it, or are curious what this new craze is. Well, it’s definitely not a new craze, and yes, there is a lot you don’t know about boba. Yet. Contents The Boba Boom The word ‘boba’ itself can refer to many different things. It can be a rather loosely defined category ... [Read More]

Jun 26th, 2020 - Warm water with lemon is a popular morning drink for supporting digestion, hydration, and healthy skin. Some people will even add honey to this morning beverage for an added sweetness. It turns out, though, warm water with honey—hold the lemon—may also have some beneficial properties.  Most commonly, people reach for honey water when a cold is coming on. Though it may be soothing for sore throats and other cold-like symptoms, is it an actual remedy? Registered dietitians and Ayurvedic experts share their opinions on the topic.  What are the benefits of honey water?  Honey has ... [Read More]

Jun 26th, 2020 - With millions of people around the world still confined to their homes due to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, many have reported over-indulging in home-baking, snacks and sugary treats, potentially leading to increases in body weight. But researchers at Massey University may have found a solution by investigating a plant compound that showed a statistically significant reduction in sugar cravings . Associate Professor Ajmol Ali of the School of Sport, Exercise and Nutrition was approached by Harley Pasternak, a celebrity personal trainer in the United States and co-founder of the company ... [Read More]

Jun 26th, 2020 - 7 Great Foods to Lower High Blood Pressure Rich in potassium and fiber, these healthy foods help lower blood pressure. Blood pressure refers to the force of your blood as it moves through the blood vessel walls of the body. A normal blood pressure for most people is around 120/80 millimeters of mercury, or mm Hg. Systolic, or the measurement on top, refers to the force of the blood pumped out of the heart and into the arteries. Diastolic, the measurement on the bottom, refers to the pressure as the heart relaxes between beats. The American Academy of Cardiology and the American Heart ... [Read More]

Jun 26th, 2020 - This Is the Best Time of Day to Drink Coffee (It’s Not When You Wake Up) A morning cuppa could be more effective if you have it at this specific time. If you are like so many caffeine lovers, you drink coffee every day , probably making a beeline for the coffee machine as soon as you wake up. In fact, 90 percent of adults in the U.S. consume caffeine almost daily, with  coffee being the most popular way to get that caffeine fix. Although you might be in the habit of getting that first blast of java right after you get out of bed, some research shows that’s not the ideal time to get the ... [Read More]

Jun 24th, 2020 - Whether you favor creamy or crunchy, it’s hard to deny the satisfaction of a salty-sweet nut butter. Peanut butter is a classic, but almond butter has also gained popularity over the last few years. Both are tasty and versatile, but where do they stand in terms of nutrition? Is one better than the other, or is it just a matter of preference? Here's what registered dietitians have to say about the similarities and differences between almond butter and peanut butter.   Almond and peanut butter benefits.  "Both almond butter and peanut butter start with a naturally wholesome seed that’s ... [Read More]