Tag: nutrition
-
Bai Tou Weng, The Decisive Herb That Clears Heat and Restores Balance
Bai Tou Weng, known botanically as Pulsatilla chinensis, is a classic heat clearing and toxin resolving herb in traditional Chinese medicine. It is most famous for its strong action against damp heat lodged in the intestines, particularly when heat and toxicity create diarrhea, dysentery, or inflammatory bowel patterns. Historically, it was reserved for conditions where…
-
Question of the Week: 9.5.25
Q: How does the health of your gut microbiome influence not only digestion but also mood, sleep, and immunity? A: Most people think of the gut only as a place where food is broken down. Yet within this living system exists trillions of microbes—tiny organisms that act like gardeners, tending to the soil of our…
-
AMA Wednesday: The Power of Seasonal Eating: Nature’s Rhythms for Health
Q: How can seasonal eating (choosing foods aligned with each season) influence energy levels, immunity, and mood throughout the year? A: Nature moves in cycles. Spring blossoms, summer abundance, autumn harvest, and winter rest. Seasonal eating is the practice of aligning our diet with these natural rhythms, choosing foods that grow and ripen in each…
-
Breath as Medicine: Qi Gong and Mitochondrial Health
Ask Me Anything Wednesday: Q: How can practices like Qi Gong breathing influence mitochondrial health and fat metabolism in a way that modern research can measure? A: The ancients spoke of breath as the bridge between heaven and earth, the unseen rhythm that nourishes both body and spirit. In Taoist practice, Qi Gong breathing is…
-
The Healing Power of Dragon’s Blood
Dragon’s blood may sound like a mythical potion, but it’s a very real and potent natural remedy. This deep crimson resin is harvested from the bark or fruit of several distinct plant species, most notably Croton lechleri in South America and Daemonorops draco in Southeast Asia. For centuries, indigenous cultures have used it for its…
-
Tylophora Indica: The Ayurvedic Ally for Lungs, Immunity, and Inflammation
Tylophora indica, commonly known as Indian Ipecac or Antamul, is a traditional Ayurvedic herb recognized for its powerful therapeutic effects, particularly on the respiratory system. Native to India and Southeast Asia, the plant is a climbing vine with distinctive purple flowers and soft, oval leaves. For centuries, Ayurvedic physicians have used its leaves to support…
-
Privet Fruit: A Potent Ally for Longevity and Immunity
Privet fruit, also known in Traditional Chinese Medicine as Nu Zhen Zi, is a small, glossy black berry harvested from the Ligustrum lucidum plant. Long revered for its restorative properties, this herb is especially valued for its ability to nourish the liver and kidneys—organs central to vitality and aging in Eastern medicine. Often prescribed for…
-
Ask Me Anything Wednesday for July 2, 2025
QUESTION: What forgotten or lesser-known ancient remedy—once used by indigenous cultures but now rarely discussed—could hold the key to solving a modern chronic illness without pharmaceuticals? ANSWER: One such forgotten remedy is pitcher plant extract (Sarracenia purpurea), a carnivorous plant once used by Native American tribes, particularly in the northeastern regions of North America. The…
-
Ramulus Cinnamomi: The Great Digestive Warmer
Ramulus Cinnamomi, known in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as Gui Zhi, is the tender twig of the cinnamon tree. While many are familiar with cinnamon bark for its culinary uses, the twig itself holds a special place in classical herbal formulas. Harvested when the branches are young and pliable, Ramulus Cinnamomi is considered warm, sweet,…
-
Spirulina: Nature’s Ancient Superfood
Spirulina is a blue-green algae that has been consumed for centuries due to its exceptional nutritional value and health benefits. Originating from alkaline lakes and warm, mineral-rich waters, this microscopic organism is often called a “superfood” because it contains an extraordinary concentration of protein, vitamins, and minerals. Just a small amount of spirulina delivers a…
Dr. David Orman 