From the cultures of the Amazon and Brazilian rainforests comes a small dark purple berry that’s been ranked as one of the new superfoods.

Açai (pronounced ah-sigh-ee) berries, also known as cabbage palm berries, grow on the Acai Palm Tree and are related to the saw palmetto berries, and are extremely rich in antioxidants.

The acai berry is especially rich in the antioxidant properties by its concentration of anthocyanin, a colour purple antioxidant, also found in red wine that prevents oxidants from harming connective tissue while repairing damaged proteins in blood vessel walls. However, the dosage of anthocyanins in acai berries is 10-33 higher than in red wine.

The acai berry also contains 19 essential amino acids, two essential fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-9), calcium, iron, phosphorus, manganese, potassium, copper, zinc, vitamins A, C, E, a range of B vitamins, plus trace minerals, fibre, protein, and phytosterols beneficial for prostate and urinary tract health.

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Berries, small in size and vibrant in colour, are associated with amazing health benefits. They are packed with phytochemicals and flavonoids, as well as vitamins, minerals and fibre.

Eating a diet rich in blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, cranberries and strawberries may help to reduce the risk for certain cancers.

One cup of strawberries contains over 100 mg of vitamin C, almost as much as a cup of orange juice.

Raspberry, strawberry, cranberry, elderberry, blueberry and bilberry have been found to significantly inhibit H. pylori bacteria. Researchers believe that H. pylori is responsible for the majority of peptic ulcers.

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Honey has been used as a natural remedy for thousands of years. Nature’s nutritious sweetener contains vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, and is also used to nourish skin and hair.

Honey is used topically as antiseptic to disinfect and speed the healing process in sore throats, wounds, ulcers scrapes and burns. Some of the healing proponents and antibacterial agents in honey are enzymes, antioxidants and flavonoids.

A spoonful of honey is more effective than cough syrup containing DM for children over 12 months old, according to Archives of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. Don't give honey-containing products to infants less than one year of age. Honey may contain certain spores and toxins that can cause infant botulism, a life-threatening disease. However, honey is considered safe for children over 12 months and adults.

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Infrared energy, also known as radiant heat, is a form of energy that heats objects directly through a process called conversion, without having to heat the air in between. Our sun is the principal source of radiant energy.

Far-infrared rays are part of the sunlight spectrum which is invisible to the naked eye. They are also known as biogenetic rays. Scientists have proven that these rays promote the growth and health of living cells in humans, animals and plants.

Far-infrared light penetrates beyond the skin level and is absorbed by cells below, whereas visible light is mostly bounced off the skin surface. Near-infrared is mostly absorbed at the skin level and raises the skin temperature. Far-infrared can penetrate up to 4 centimetres, causing resonance with water molecules and resonating with cellular frequencies. Thus, FIR can revitalize human cells and tissue by warming the body from the inside.

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Vitamin D has been received much attention in recent months. While natural health practitioners have long integrated vitamin D in the treatment of certain health issues, the Canadian Cancer Society now recommends all Canadians to supplement with vitamin D during winter months.

Vitamin D is produced naturally by the body. People get most of their vitamin D from sunlight. After being exposed to adequate amounts of sunlight, the skin produces vitamin D, which is then converted to its active form by the kidneys. Studies suggest that as we age, we tend to produce less vitamin D.

You can also find good amounts of vitamin D in certain kinds of fish that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as cod liver oil.

Some supplements use synthetic vitamin D2. A much better form is the natural and bioavailable vitamin D3 which is more effective and stays longer in the system.

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Tea comes in all colours and varieties, from black and green to white and oolong to red and herbal. So which one offers the most health benefits?

Drinking tea has been regarded in China and India as a healthy tradition for thousands of years. Western research studies tea for the prevention and treatment of different health concerns. Tea contains high levels of antioxidants, some of which are called polyphenols, flavonoids, and catechins. Antioxicants fight the free radicals in our body and protect healthy cells.

Even though researchers can’t quite agree on the exact benefits of tea, numerous studies support a broad spectrum of health promoting qualities in tea.

Studies have found that polyphenols help prevent blood clotting and lower cholesterol levels. According to the Archives of Internal Medicine tea drinkers have lower blood pressure.

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More people are turning to herbal medicines in their search for more natural and gentle health care. Herbal remedies are cost-effective and offer relief from an abundance of ailments.

However, self-medication is cautioned, as herbal remedies can have short-term or long-term effects.

Most spices are not consumed in large amounts so the average person will not notice their effect. Large or long-term doses of any spice or herb to achieve a desired health benefit should not be taken without consulting a physician.

As every human has individual needs, the health benefits of all herbs and spices may vary from person to person. Also potencies vary among the many different preparation methods and brands.

Always follow label directions, unless otherwise prescribed by a herbologist, traditional Chinese doctor, Ayurvedic doctor, naturopathic or homeopathic doctor or other certified natural health care provider.

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A shot of wheatgrass might just be one of the healthiest beverages to have. Wheatgrass refers to the grass of the common wheat plant. It can be grown indoors in trays for 7 - 14 days until it is approximately 6-8 inches tall. It is then harvested and pressed into fresh juice.

Winter wheat takes more than 200 days of slow growth in cold temperatures to reach its peak nutritional content. Wheatgrass is harvested, dehydrated at a low temperature and sold in tablet and powdered forms. Wheat grass juice powder (fresh squeezed with the water removed) is also available.

Some feel that wheat grass grown outdoors in its natural climate has much higher levels of vitamins, minerals, and chlorophyll than tray-grown grass.

The average adult consumption of wheatgrass is 3.5 grams in form of powder of tablets. Some consumers drink a freshly-squeezed ounce daily. For more therapeutic benefits up to 2 to 4 oz 1-3 times daily can be consumed on an empty stomach and before meals. For detoxification, some users increase their intake to 3–4 times daily. Some people may experience nausea on high dosages of wheatgrass.

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Spring is rejuvenating and energizing. It awakens in us the desire to take out the old and move in with the new. Just as spring cleaning includes airing out the bedding and wiping off windows and corners, it also calls for cleansing our body to support health and longtivity. And according to Chinese medicine, the liver’s detoxification process is most active during spring.

Why fast?

Due to daily exposure to environmental poisons, drugs, and pesticides, we all have toxins in our bodies. Therefore it is good practice to cleanse and detoxify the body on a regular basis. Cleanses are designed to support the body to clean itself more deeply than during its daily cleansing process.

However, one must use caution when fasting as toxins are being released. A gradual and safe approach is incremental. It is better to do several short fasts than to endure a long one if you don’t fast regularly.

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In Live Blood Analysis a small drop of blood is taken from the fingertip by a quick poke. The fresh blood is then placed on a microscope slide and observed through a high powered microscope using a dark field condenser.

This type of microscope illuminates the blood sample from the side and details appear against a dark background (hence the name dark field). This technology illuminates nearly invisible micro organisms, which then can be seen.

Standard lab microscopes, using the brightfield method, shine light straight through the specimen. Through this angle tiny particles remain invisible. Plus, the direct heat of the light tends kills the red blood cells faster.

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