Overheated this summer? Cool anger, anxiety, stress and more with chrysanthemum tea

Long revered by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), chrysanthemum tea balances the system in a variety of ways. Especially useful during the spring and summer months, it cools the body and clears the liver. The tea also supports immunity, reduces high blood pressure, relaxes the nervous system and curbs aging. Cultivated by the Chinese for over 3,000 years and readily prescribed by TCM practitioners, this trusted herb can heal a multitude of health complaints.

Nectar of poets, tisane of the common man

Chinese poetry reflects the exceptional respect paid to the humble chrysanthemum flower in its ability to heal an imbalanced body and mind. The Chinese poet Tao Yuanming (CE 365-427) writes in Drinking, "While picking chrysanthemums beneath the easter fence, my gaze uptown the southern mountain rest," indicating a serene retreat away from the bustling world. Likewise, TCM utilizes the herb to quiet anxiety and balance the nerves. Since chrysanthemum supports a healthy liver, "wind" ailments such as anger, stress, headache and dizziness are eased as well. Greer's Health & Wellness affirms the herb is used to "sharpen the vision and hearing, calm the nerves and clear the brain."

Live your bliss by boosting brain dopamine levels

If you're blue, can't seem to shed those extra pounds or suffer from malaise, you may be lacking adequate dopamine. As a powerful brain neurotransmitter, dopamine regulates movement, feelings of pleasure, cognitive ability and appetite. When levels are low, zest for life plummets and we become prone to neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's - even schizophrenia. But not to worry. Keeping dopamine flowing freely is easy with a few dietary recommendations.

Food as Medicine

14 Ways to Cleanse the Body from Environmental Toxins

(World Mathaba)
by Christina Sarich

Our blood and bones contain over 85,000 different toxins Our blood and bones contain over 85,000 different toxins
From the chemtrails being sprayed over our neighborhoods to the poisons killing our bees and making our food toxic ‘medicine’ we need a way to purge the deadly elixirs of a greedy government, owned and run by corporate interests. For the sake of keeping your attention, I won’t go on ad nauseum about fluoridated water, oil spills, and contaminated air and water due to fracking and mining.

It’s not a fairytale: Seattle to build nation’s first food forest

By Clare Leschin-Hoar

Forget meadows. Seattle's food forest will be filled with edible plants, and everything from pears to herbs will be free for the taking.

(take part) Seattle’s vision of an urban food oasis is going forward. A seven-acre plot of land in the city’s Beacon Hill neighborhood will be planted with hundreds of different kinds of edibles: walnut and chestnut trees; blueberry and raspberry bushes; fruit trees, including apples and pears; exotics like pineapple, yuzu citrus, guava, persimmons, honeyberries, and lingonberries; herbs; and more. All will be available for public plucking to anyone who wanders into the city’s first food forest.

Gardasil continues to devastate lives around the world, Obama administration responds by pumping another $1.2 million into HPV vaccine push

"After receiving her second dose of Gardasil ... she could crawl but ... needed to use crutches or a wheel chair ... She experienced problems breathing and had 'super migraines' that never went away ... She had swelling in her face, jaw and wrists. The patient was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome, myelin sheath degeneration and peripheral neuropathy. Patient was hospitalized twice ... patient has not recovered from symptoms," states a press release by Judicial Watch regarding documents obtained from the FDA's Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Regrettably, this is only one of more than 6,000 registered adverse reactions connected with the vaccine, including over 100 deaths.

Troubled history

Seeking a low-cost solution to cardiovascular troubles? Hibiscus may be the answer

If you have traveled to Mexico, then chances are that you've seen the vibrant, scarlet-hued herbal tea known as hibiscus. Commonly referred to as "sour drink" in Iran, hibiscus not only is a refreshingly tart brew but also has been used worldwide as an effective medicinal beverage. Rich in vitamin C, alkaloids and bioflavonoids, this bright-red elixir is traditionally used for supporting respiratory and cardiovascular health, lowering blood pressure, maintaining fluid balance and alleviating insomnia. And now, contemporary research has validated the herb as a health-promoting tonic in a variety of areas.

Historical uses, modern applications

Originally grown in Angola, the cultivation of Hibiscus sabdariffa has spread around the world to such subtropical regions as Sudan, China, Egypt, Mexico and Thailand.