Welcome to our brand new home on the Web!
Behold, our new website! Many of you — especially my own students — will notice that it looks considerably different. Our goal has been to give it the emphasis, look and feel befitting one of the f …
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An Herbalist’s Autumn, plus Herbal Cold and Flu Prevention Tips
Autumn Parched over …Sun’s heated passion …Causing plants to ripen…Squirrels to scamper and work, …And many colored leaves to fall. …What was once innocence, joy and abundance …
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Dietary Cold and Flu Prevention Tips
An old method my mother used to prevent my catching airborne colds and flus was to go to the pharmacy and purchase a camphor cube, which she would wrap in a thin muslin cloth and pin inconspicuously …
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Looking back … and forward, at Natural Products Expo East
In 2008, Planetary Formulas (now renamed “Planetary Herbals” to account for many of the single herbs that have been incorporated into the line) turned 25 years old. In honor of this occasion, Lesley a …
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Crafting an Effective Treatment for Cancer Using Conventional and Complementary Methods
When someone is diagnosed with cancer, they of course seek the help of an oncologist. The oncologist, in turn, is bound to follow what is sometimes an antiquated standard of care incorporating surgery …
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Amazing Grace: President-elect Barack Obama
Like many of our friends, Lesley and I are ecstatic about Barack Obama’s winning the American presidency. It lifts a dark cloud of cynicism from American politics and represents new hope. Personally, …
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My Favorite (Herbal) Things for Holiday Giving
With the holidays and the season for gift-giving upon us, I thought I’d put together an Oprah-style list of “My Favorite (Herbal) Things” for all you generous hearts out there. Here goes: ESSENTIALS F …
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Lemon balm and other mints for the treatment of herpes
It is well known that oils of aromatic herbs which include all the mints, lemon balm and sage serve the function of putting up a protective barrier to plants against infective agents such as bacteria …
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The Botanic Gardens of Kauai and Humankind’s Infatuation with Plants
Lesley and I recently returned from a relaxing vacation on Kauai. Granted, it’s not a large island, but by pure coincidence we often seemed to find ourselves situated in places that were especially su …
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Celebrating the Seven Days of Kwanzaa: Cyperus for Self-Determination
The meditation for yesterday, the first day of Kwanzaa, was: Umoja (Unity): To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race. I tried to meditate on this theme yesterday afte …
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Celebrating the Seven Days of Kwanzaa: Comfrey for Unity
Many of us have heard of the African-American celebration called Kwanzaa, but I must confess that I along with the majority have not known what it actually is. Reading a recent article published in th …
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Celebrating the Seven Days of Kwanzaa: Goldenseal and Marijuana for Collective Work and Responsibility
The meditation theme for today, the third day of Kwanzaa, is Ujima — Collective Work and Responsibility. I can hardly reflect on this theme without considering my own experiences as a Digger — a hi …
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Celebrating the Seven Days of Kwanzaa: Ginseng and Astragalus for Cooperative Economics
The meditation for today, the fourth day of Kwanzaa, is Ujamaa — Cooperative Economics: To build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses and to profit from them together. In meditatio …
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Celebrating the Seven Days of Kwanzaa: White Atractylodes for Purpose
The meditation for today, the fifth day of Kwanzaa, is Nia — Purpose: To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional …
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Celebrating the Seven Days of Kwanzaa: Skullcap for Faith
The theme for today, day seven of Kwanzaa, is Imani — Faith: To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle. The …
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New Year’s Resolution: don’t just lose weight, get healthy
It’s the new year and guess what’s on (almost) everyone’s minds: Losing weight and dropping some of the pounds they put on, especially during the holiday season…. … Of course, there are a nu …
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An Appeal for Complementary, Integrated Health Care Modalities to Be a Part of Any Future American Health Care Plan
Please copy and sign the following petition and submit it to change.gov. Then please send or forward it to as many people as you know, asking them to do the same. Or …
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Fasting for Detoxification and Weight Loss
We’re already halfway through January! How are you doing with your health-centered New Year’s resolutions? In my last post on diet and weight loss, I discussed exercise and making reponsible food choi …
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“Birds Do It, Bees Do It:” Foods and herbs to spice up your love life
… When the little bluebird… Who has never said a word… Starts to sing Spring … When the little bluebell … At the bottom of the dell … Starts to ring Ding dong Ding dong … When the litt …
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The Age of the Piano Recital is Not Dead!
Been to a piano recital lately? Thanks to the dedication of the impresarios at the UCSC Arts and Lecture Series and the indefatigable John Orlando of Cabrillo College’s Distinguished Artists Concert …
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Michael Moore, 1941-2009
Michael Moore, the great Southwestern herbalist of North America, left his earthly dwelling for other realms on Friday, Feb. 20, 2009. Michael leaves us a rich legacy of herbal knowledge and wisdom, t …
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Kudzu found effective for relief of cluster headaches
If you or someone you know is one of the unfortunate 0.1% of the population who suffers from cluster headaches, take heart:an herb commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and in Asian cooking ma …
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Oregano: An herbal treatment for MRSA?
Have you seen those PSAs for MRSA (methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus) that have made their way onto primetime television lately?… … ‘Staph’ infections are among the most common typ …
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Swine Flu: Media hype and a boon to the pharmaceutical industry
Who’s afraid of the Big Bad Flu? I know many of us are concerned about Swine Flu, and as I write this even the World Health Organization has declared a Level 5 outbreak; just one step away from Level …
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Herbology and Herbalism: Two Sides of the Same Coin
Recently on our East West Herb Course private student forum, a student asked about my distinction between the terms ‘herbology’ and ‘herbalism.’… … Essentially, while both terms represent tw …
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Pressed for Time: Piano and Plants in Fort Worth, Texas
Pianos… I’m in Fort Worth right now, at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. As a classical pianist, the opportunity to attend the Van Cliburn is akin to being able to attend a Super Bow …
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The Mighty Ashwagandha, Superior Aphrodisiac and Male Fertility Tonic
Ashwagandha root (Withania somnifera) is considered a most important herb in Ayurvedic medicine. Its ability to serve as a tonic and adaptogen in many of the same ways as Panax ginseng is used in Trad …
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In Search of the True Mediterranean Diet
Corfu Bay: Practically every square yard of arable land is covered with olive trees or grapevines As someone who’s worked in the health field for most of my life, I get to hear about all sorts of f …
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Miriam Lee (1926-2009): the mother of North American Acupuncture
“This is the way the world ends …This is the way the world ends …This is the way the world ends …Not with a bang, but a whimper” – T.S. Eliot, 1888 – 1965, from The Hollow Men Miriam Le …
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Universal health care for the United States?
Have you noticed the lack of health care in your area? I have, in Santa Cruz. So many GPs have retired because of the astronomical price of liability insurance they must pay to stay in practice, along …
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Beyond cranberry: Simple and effective herbal treatment for urinary tract infections
Recently a friend of mine called to say that she had a terrible bladder infection. Her doctor prescribed an antibiotic, but it had no effect; in fact, the infection worsened. She also said she tried d …
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Swine Flu Vaccinations and Antiviral Drugs: A Matter of Faith
There is mounting fear — and perhaps even hysteria — around the H1N1 virus as we usher in the fall and winter, which are the typical flu seasons. … … As I try to make sense of the plethora …
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Alleviate Grief with Albizia, “The Tree of Happiness”
Albizia is one of my favorite herbs because of its real and unique ability to nourish the spirit in a way no other herb (or chemical substance, for that matter) can. Better known as the beautiful mimo …
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Onion Poultice for Deep-Seated Coughs
Have you ever had one of those lingering, deep-seated coughs (often the last hanger-on symptom after a cold or flu) that just continually and gradually wears down your reserves of strength? …
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Bacopa monnieri: The True Brahmi
Both gotu kola (Centella asiatica and/or Hydrocotyle asiatica) and Bacopa monnieri (pictured at left) are known as “brahmi.”This has created much confusion in the literature in the use of these two pl …
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Dragon’s Eyes — Longan Berries
Driving on Highway 50, the only highway on the island of Kauai, during morning traffic, a sign advertising fresh Longan berries next to an improvised roadside fruit stand (Euphoria longana) caught my …
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UK set for herbal regulation? Say it ain’t so!
This Dec. 1, 2009, article at the BBC website entitled “Prince Charles: ‘Herbal medicine must be regulated'” points to a potential crisis for the practice of herbal medicine in the UK. Under threat of …
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10 Principles for Achieving Optimal Weight and Healthy Eating
After the period of feasting from Thanksgiving through Christmas, the New Year leads many of us to think about getting back in shape and losing some of those holiday pounds. There’s a wide variety of …
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What You See Is What You Eat: Portion Control
As I mentioned in last week’s blog, exercise and wise dieting principles aren’t enough to help you reach your optimal weight. Portion control is essential. Just how important is portion control? In on …
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20 Tips for Achieving Optimal Weight and Healthy Eating
I’m rounding out this trio of blogs on diet and weight management with the following 20 tips. Under each tip is a link to a supporting article or study…. … 1. If it’s on your plate, you will …
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Sow Some Wild Oats this Valentine’s Day
For a good ‘romp in the hay’ this Valentine’s Day, be sure the hay is oat straw! Wild oat straw and its seeds foster the right balance of relaxation and enhanced libido for both men and women. Sowing …
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Acid Reflux Disease (GERD): Causes, Treatment and Prevention
It’s no secret that acid reflux is a widespread condition. Just think of all the antacid, Nexium or Prilosec advertisements you’ve seen lately. Some people eat Tums, an alkalinizing form of calcium, l …
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The Art of Herbal Formulary
In the marketplace, it is often more difficult to sell the general public on an herbal formula as opposed to a single herb. This is understandable, because people are usually driven to single herbs wh …
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Pomegranate compounds inhibit breast cancer
The pomegranate (Punica granitum), highly touted these days as an antioxidant-rich superfruit, has an ancient metaphysical and culinary history. In fact, the image of the celebrated pomegranate was ca …
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When Does “Health-Conscious” Become “Health-Obsessed”?
My first Chinese herb teacher Foon Lee Wong once cryptically remarked: “It’s not good to be too healthy.” Since then I’ve often thought of native peoples throughout the world described by early explor …
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Forget H1N1; The real world health threat is Big Pharma
Almost exactly one year ago today, I published a blog post, ‘Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Flu,’ about the corporate-made H1N1 fraud. Now, according to Digital Online, the German news source Der Spiege …
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Triphala, Honey, and Castor Oil for Healthy Eyes
During the 1970s on one of my trips to Bangalore in southern India, I made it a point to seek teachers, schools and hospitals that were exponents of Ayurvedic medicine, which at that time was still ba …
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Honeysuckle: Taking the Bitter with the Sweet
Each spring, the honeysuckle flowers gather at the end of their stems to trumpet their sweet, gentle scent of purification and renewal. When I lead an herb walk in my backyard, I always pause with my …
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Richo Cech, Plant Whisperer and Author of “The Medicinal Herb Grower”
[caption id="attachment_3717" align="alignnone" width=""]richo cech[/caption]Above: Richo Cech in Zanzibar Just as a horse whisperer understands the particular needs and psychology of horses, a plant …
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Eat a Full Fat Breakfast and Lose Weight?
I’ve lived through 40 years of fad diets ranging from Adele Davis, living foods, Paul Bragg, juice diets, macrobiotic, low fat, low carbohydrate, Mediterranean, high protein, to the currently fashiona …
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DMSO: What’s Good for Your Horse Just May Be Good for You
For years I have known and used DMSO for the topical relief of inflammation and pain. It’s unfortunate that even after learning of the wonderful healing powers of a particular herb or substance such a …
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The Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease with Herbs: Part 1
It’s no secret that cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the #1 killer in the United States. Estimates are that 81,100,000 people in the United States have one or more forms of CVD (approximately one …
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The Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease: Part 2
Sage Advice For the treatment of Coronary Heart Disease It’s not too often that a representative of a pharmaceutical company will call an herbalist asking what herb might be worth researching for a p …
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The Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease: Part 3
Thus far in this series we have described two other powerful herbs for coronary heart disease: hawthorn from the Western herbal tradition, and dan shen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) from the Chinese herbal tr …
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Does the U.S. really have the greatest healthcare system in the world?
My friend Don Monkerud recently sent me his periodic political critique which included the following: ‘Corporate controlled politicians claim America has ‘the greatest healthcare system in the world,’ …
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EU Set to Ban Hundreds of Herbal Remedies in 2011
An article published in the UK Independent on Dec. 30, 2010, reports: ‘From 1 May 2011, traditional herbal medicinal products must be licensed or prescribed by a registered herbal practitioner to comp …
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Know Your Ferment Metabolites
Nancy Angelini, the author of the article, “What Exactly Are Ferment Metabolites?” which I’m featuring in this blog post, is the head East Coast educator for Planetary Herbals and Source Naturals supp …
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Traditional Herbal and Western Conventional Medical Treatment Options for Hypertension
If you suffer from hypertension, several avenues of treatment are available to you. How do you choose what is best for your unique condition? In this blog, I’ll explore the approaches to hypertension …
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Herbs and Supplements for Radiation Exposure
The threat of exposure from the nuclear reactors in Japan made unstable by the recent earthquake has captured the world’s attention. At maximum risk of exposure are, of course, the Japanese people, fo …
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Springtime Colds, Flu and/or Allergies
In the springtime, when birds do sing, tree pollen flings, eyes itch, noses clog, throats do hack ‘” hey ding a ding, a ding: Sweet lovers love the spring. … …
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All complementary medicine is placebo? Gimme a break!
A recent article published in the Economist (May 19, 2011) entitled ‘Think Yourself Better’ claims that all alternative medical treatments are mere placebos designed to bilk the consumer out of an es …
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Walnuts: For Back Pain, Stress, High Cholesterol, Weight Loss, Longevity and Fish!
I always think it’s a good idea to learn to derive your special nutrients from foods rather than pills and nutritional supplements. Certain foods, like garlic and onions for example, are so potent tha …
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It Doesn’t Have to Taste Bad!: Administering Herbal Medicines to Children by Michael Tierra
Your child is sick and you’d like to try administering herbs rather than drugs. The reason is obvious: you correctly ascribe to the notion that most medicinal herbs are safer and have less potential s …
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Panax Ginseng: The World’s Greatest Tonic Herb
The entire class of tonics in Chinese medicine is defined as herbs that “make things normal.” They are regarded as food grade, meaning they can be taken regularly as part of a super food diet, with or …
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Aviva Romm and the AHG
Despite their shared love of nature, plants, caring for the earth, animal and human life — herbalists as a bunch have at times had an ironic history of contentiousness that seems to not always serve …
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Protect yourself from the holiday blues with an herbal talisman
A wise sage once told me “where there is great light, there is great darkness.” For many, this is especially true during the festive holiday season between Thanksgiving and New Year”s. This is a time …
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Belief, Placebo, and True Healing
Healing should always leave room for the miraculous to occur, and our belief system is usually the foundation that allows (or does not allow) miracles to happen. Our belief system is also the foundati …
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White Rice vs. Brown Rice: Which Is Best?
Despite the overwhelming evidence of the added health benefits of fiber, vitamins and minerals of whole grains, most traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic doctors recommend eating white rather than whole …
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Why Herbs Aren’t Regulated the Same Way Drugs Are
In its February-April 2012 issue, HerbalGram, one of the most reputable and distinguished journals in the world on all things herbal, published a definitive article: “The Regulated Dietary Supplement …
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Preventing and Treating Seasonal Allergies with Neti, Triphala and Honey
According to a medical researcher on the Dr. Oz show, because of the early Spring and prolonged proliferation of windborne pollens, 2012 is supposed to be on track for being one of the worst allergy s …
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Dandelion, Burdock, and Cancer
Dandelion root and burdock root are my two most commonly prescribed herbs when chronic conditions require anti-inflammatory, blood purifying alteratives for gentle detoxification. This includes condit …
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Bermuda Grass (Durva): The Second Holiest Herb; The Number One Weed!
Many of my readers will have heard that holy basil (also known as tulsi, Ocimum sanctum/tenuiflorum) is the most sacred herb in India. But did you know that the second most sacred Indian herb is so wi …
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Adulteration of Chinese Herbs: A Different Perspective
The nondescript appearance of herbs in their dried or powdered form, coupled with their high commercial value, has historically made them subject to adulteration, falsification and substitution to inc …
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Wildcrafting in the Sierra Wilderness
Michael Tierra in the Sierra, August 2012…”I’m gathering pulsatilla which is all around me. There are also stands of mule’s ears (Wyethia species) at my feet and scattered around is California os …
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Herbal Medicines: The Most Effective Ways and the Best Times to Take Them
Once upon a time, when people got sick they knew that that they must “drink their bitter brew” to get well. Presumably this meant some sort of herbal tea or other liquid potion. While native and tradi …
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Dui Yao Therapy: When Two Herbs are Better than One
Webinar Link: https://youtu.be/6IJ04AzmLWM… …
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Exploring the Rewilded Cave of Ancient Hawaii
Hawaii is the endangered species capital of the United States, according to paleoecologist David Burney, author of Back to the Future In the Caves of Kauai (Yale, 2010). Closely associated with the wo …
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How to Lose Weight: One Herbalist’s Journey
A few months ago, I found myself asking the question that so many of my students and colleagues were polite enough to not ask me: “What is an herbalist, author of multiple best-selling books and artic …
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Triphala for Ulcerative Colitis: A Case Study
Ulcerative colitis affects approximately 100 out of 100,000 people in the United States. Genetic disposition and food sensitivities are common causes. The disease can lead to colon cancer and related …
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Influenza Revisited
Here it is again – another influenza epidemic claimed to be the biggest in 10 years. We’re bombarded by the usual display of public health officials including TV doctor-personality Dr. Oz all dutifull …
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The “Bitter Brew” Vindicated by Science
Before there was any understanding of biochemical constituents, traditional herbal healing systems relied on flavors as indicators of medicinal properties. (Determining the properties and quality of a …
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Butterbur for Allergies
In my previous blog, I discussed the little-known use of ragweed for allergies. Another herb that can give over-the-counter antihistamines a run for their money is butterbur (Petasites hybridus). Abou …
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Moxibustion and Stomach 36
Moxibustion, commonly called “moxa,” is one of the methods used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) where the downy fluff of the leaves of Artemisia vulgaris (mugwort) is burned directly on or near …
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Moxa for Back Pain, Colds and Flu
Last time, I talked about moxibustion and its uses on the acupuncture point Stomach 36. There are several other uses and locations for moxa, which I will discuss in this and subsequent blogs. Best of …
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Moxa for Menstrual Irregularities, Infertility and Insomnia
Menstrual Irregularities and Infertility Conception Vessel 4, called guan yuan or “origin pass”is located approximately two inches above the top of the pubic bone on a straight center line down from t …
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Global Warming and My Garden
I think climate change is affecting my garden in Ben Lomond, California (a section of which shown at right). It is situated along a narrow strip in the Santa Cruz Mountains which lie some 2,500 feet a …
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Maral Root: A Lesser Known Adaptogen from Russia
“Adaptogen” is a term coined by Russian professor of medicine and physiological medicine Dr. Israel I. Brekhman and colleagues to describe herbs that have the potential to increase the body’s ability …
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Some Useful Ideas and Tips for Weight Loss
The word is finally getting out. Approximately one third of Americans are overweight. As a result, they suffer from a number of metabolic diseases such as arthritis, cardiovascular disease and diabete …
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Weight Loss Plateaus and Exercise
A close member of my family recently went on a weight loss diet and happily dropped 25 pounds within two or three months. Suddenly encouragement changed to despair as she found that try as hard as she …
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Clinician’s Corner: Pulse Diagnosis
I recently gave a free in-depth introductory webinar on pulse diagnosis. We have since published it on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6WTq0GhnyQ Pulse diagnosis is a signature diagnostic me …
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Gifts for Herbalists (and Others) on Your List
Numen: The Nature of Plants A film about the healing power of plants http://www.numenfilm.com This is the most beautiful film yet produced on what we herbalists are all about. It runs 75 minutes long …
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Premio 10: The Most Useful Healing Tool I Discovered in 2013
It’s hard to believe that only about 25 years ago computers became the thing and I and a few of my friends purchased our first new Eagle computer. At the time it seemed state-of-the-art but alas, Eagl …
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Corydalis yanhusuo for inflammatory and neuropathic pain
I’m not sure when the use of poppy for the relief of pain was made illegal for herbalists, but it certainly is. In fact, in California one can be cited and made to uproot and discard any poppy plants …
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A tiny new addition to our East West family
We are pleased to welcome to the East West family Áine Amanita Rose McCormack, born to East West graduate Anne de Courtenay and her husband, the musician Martin McCormack. Áine came into the world on …
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Simple Steps to Health and Happiness
To feel healthy, strong, vibrant, and vital each day sets the stage for all the other virtues, hope and interest. We will all eventually pass away sooner or later, but we owe it to ourselves to feel a …
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Treating Chronic, Complicated Conditions with Li Dong Yuan’s Pi Wei Lun
Chinese medicine divides diseases into two broad categories: 1. Diseases of “external contraction” (Wei Guan), which are relatively simple conditions that are acute in nature. 2. Diseases of “internal …
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Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang to treat a wide range of diseases based in Spleen Qi and Yin Deficiency
Besides the ancient traditions of Traditional Chinese Medicine based on the Huangdi Neijing and the Nan Jing, there have been subsequent important schools of thought based on the practice of great mas …
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Salmonella in Spices and the Herbal Treatment of Food Poisoning
The FDA’s recent report on “Pathogens and Filth in Spices” finding salmonella in imported spices, especially from India and Mexico, has raised questions of how to prevent or treat food poisoning gener …
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