Author: Dr. David Orman

Q: What is one powerful natural remedy most people overlook, and why does it work so well?

A: One of the most overlooked remedies in natural medicine is Schisandra berry (Wu Wei Zi). In Taoist medicine, it is called the “five-flavor fruit” because it contains all five tastes—sour, sweet, bitter, salty, and pungent—symbolizing its ability to nourish every organ system in the body. While ginseng or turmeric often get the spotlight, Schisandra quietly works in the background, strengthening the liver, calming the mind, and enhancing resilience to stress. It is both adaptogenic and protective, a rare combination that helps restore balance when the body is worn down.

Schisandra works so well because it addresses multiple layers of health at once. On the physical level, it improves liver detoxification and supports the adrenals, giving the body greater endurance. On the mental and emotional level, it enhances focus and steadiness, calming the nervous system without sedating it. This is why Taoist practitioners used it in meditation and martial training—to sharpen awareness while maintaining inner tranquility. Few remedies carry this dual effect of energizing and grounding, making it a unique tool for modern life where stress is constant.

In today’s terms, Schisandra could be thought of as a natural performance enhancer for both the body and the mind. Athletes use it for stamina, students for concentration, and healers for restoring depleted energy. Yet it remains hidden from mainstream awareness, often overshadowed by more “popular” herbs. For those willing to explore beyond the familiar, Schisandra is a true gem of natural medicine—quiet, subtle, and deeply powerful in its ability to harmonize the human system.

Coptis, often referred to as “Golden Thread” for its striking yellow roots, has been treasured in traditional herbal medicine for centuries. Known for its cooling nature, Coptis helps restore balance when the body is overheated—whether through inflammation, fever, or a restless mind. Its powerful detoxifying properties are said to cleanse the system of excess heat and toxins, creating harmony between the body’s inner fire and its natural cooling mechanisms.

Beyond its cleansing qualities, Coptis is renowned for supporting digestion and calming the stomach. It aids in regulating the body’s response to stress, easing irritability, and soothing a fiery temper. By promoting smoother digestive function and reducing internal heat, this herb not only restores physical balance but also helps settle the emotions, linking gut health and mental clarity in a way ancient physicians understood well.

For the modern wellness seeker, Coptis offers a reminder that healing is about returning to harmony with the body’s natural rhythms. Its golden energy symbolizes illumination and purification—teaching us that true health is not only the absence of illness but the presence of balance. In Taoist terms, Coptis works like a bridge between yin and yang, cooling what is too hot, clarifying what is clouded, and guiding the body-mind back to its natural state of flow.

In natural medicine, timing is not merely a matter of convenience but an unseen partner in healing. The same chamomile flower, gentle and golden, may soften a restless body differently at sunrise than it does at sunset. At dawn, the body awakens with rising yang energy, the breath deepening, the pulse growing stronger. Drinking chamomile then can harmonize this surge, easing the stomach and calming nervous energy before it builds. By nightfall, yin rules. The quiet hours call for release, for letting go of thought and tension. Chamomile at sunset does not awaken—it invites surrender, helping the spirit fall into stillness.

The Tao teaches us that every action belongs to a rhythm. The Earth breathes in cycles, and so does the body. When we align our medicine with these cycles, we magnify its effect. Chamomile taken at sunrise works like a gentle compass, guiding the day toward centeredness. Taken at sunset, it softens the edges of the mind, dissolving the day’s weight. Both are effective, but in different ways—one prepares, the other restores. The plant itself has not changed, but its relationship to time alters the depth of its gift.

Thus, herbal medicine is not only about what we consume but when we receive it. To drink with the rising sun is to call forth energy with balance. To drink with the setting sun is to sink back into the embrace of yin. In this way, a humble cup of tea becomes more than a remedy. It becomes a dialogue between nature’s rhythm and our own—an act of listening, of attunement, of walking in step with the Tao.

Food is far more than calories on a plate—it is a living dialogue between you and your body. Each bite carries information, signals, and codes that instruct your cells on how to function. When you eat whole, natural foods, you are essentially sending messages of vitality, repair, and balance. On the other hand, processed and artificial choices deliver mixed or harmful instructions, leaving the body confused, overworked, and depleted.

Understanding food as language shifts the focus from counting numbers to listening for meaning. Instead of obsessing over carbs, fats, or proteins, you begin to ask, What message am I giving my body right now? A crisp apple says “clean energy and hydration.” Dark leafy greens whisper “strength and mineral balance.” Sugary snacks shout chaos and inflammation. By tuning into this dialogue, you take conscious control of your cellular environment and long-term health.

This perspective also reconnects eating with mindfulness. When you pause before each meal and recognize the message you are about to send, you transform eating into a sacred act. Every meal becomes a chance to write a new sentence in the story of your health. Choose your words wisely, for your body is always listening.

Bergamot (Monarda species), also known as bee balm, is a strikingly beautiful herb native to North America, long valued for both its medicinal and spiritual properties. With its vibrant blossoms and aromatic leaves, it has held an important place in traditional healing practices of Indigenous peoples, who used it for respiratory issues, fevers, and digestive complaints. The plant contains natural antiseptic and antimicrobial oils, making it a useful ally for soothing infections, sore throats, and wounds. Over time, bergamot’s reputation has expanded into modern herbalism as a versatile remedy that supports vitality and resilience.

One of bergamot’s greatest strengths lies in its ability to ease the body and mind simultaneously. Its uplifting fragrance has a calming effect on the nervous system, reducing tension and stress, while its medicinal compounds help open the lungs and support clearer breathing. Herbal infusions made from bergamot flowers and leaves can act as a tonic for the immune system, bolstering natural defenses and restoring balance. In this way, it works on both the physical and energetic levels—clearing stagnation and encouraging the free flow of qi, or life force, throughout the body.

Beyond its medicinal role, bergamot carries a symbolic and spiritual presence. Often associated with vitality, clarity, and the energy of renewal, it embodies the natural connection between breath, spirit, and well-being. To sit with this herb, whether by sipping a warm infusion or simply breathing in its fragrance, is to invite a reminder of nature’s healing rhythm. In Taoist terms, bergamot harmonizes the external and internal worlds, offering not just a cure for symptoms but a restoration of wholeness. In this way, the humble flower reveals itself as both medicine and teacher.

QUESTION: Can the timing of when you eat certain foods (like proteins, carbs, or fats) impact hormonal balance and energy levels throughout the day?

ANSWER: Yes, the timing of your macronutrient intake can significantly influence hormonal balance, energy levels, and even emotional well-being. This concept, called chrononutrition, blends the science of circadian biology with how and when you eat. For example, starting your day with protein-rich foods can support dopamine production, which helps increase focus and motivation. Eating carbohydrates later in the day may promote serotonin activity, encouraging relaxation and restful sleep.

Your body runs on internal clocks that regulate hormones like insulin, cortisol, melatonin, and ghrelin. Eating a high-carbohydrate breakfast can cause a quick rise and fall in blood sugar, which often leads to energy crashes and increased hunger. On the other hand, a breakfast rich in healthy fats and proteins supports stable blood sugar and consistent energy. Large or heavy meals eaten late in the evening can interfere with melatonin production and reduce the release of growth hormone during sleep, both of which are important for recovery and repair.

In traditional natural medicine and Taoist thought, these rhythms are well respected. Morning is considered a time for activity and building, which aligns with eating foods that nourish and energize. Evening is viewed as a time for rest and reflection, so lighter and more calming foods are recommended. Eating in harmony with your natural rhythm helps keep the body in balance and allows hormones to work in your favor rather than against you.