Category Archives: Integrative Medicine

Coronavirus contagion spreads by just talking

Forsythia is a plant that produces fruits called Lian Qiao, which has been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to help treat various symptoms including fever, nausea, swelling, and sore throat.

There is limited evidence to prove the forsythia's effectiveness. The Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine suggests that Lian Qiao can be used to treat or prevent Coronavirus. The journal also lists Radix astragali (Huangqi), Radix glycyrrhizae (Gancao), Radix saposhnikoviae (Fangfeng), Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae (Baizhu) and Lonicerae Japonicae Flos (Jinyinhua) for Coronavirus treatment.

As of now the majority of studies on forsythia's medicinal properties were conducted either in animals or in vitro, performed with microorganisms, cells, or biological molecules outside their normal biological context. That is why there is very little scientific evidence on its effectiveness in humans. But from animal and vitro studies, scientists have found many properties that could help explain some of its benefits in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

A 2017 study found that in vitro dried Lian Qiao has shown a potential to combat bacteria such as staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and streptococcus, while a 2013 research revealed the effects of both forsythia and Japanese honeysuckle on the influenza virus, the researchers found that they both restrain the virus from multiplying and boost immune cell function.

A vitro study, which came in 2010 in the Journal of Medicinal Plant Research, said that the plant, mostly native to eastern Asia, could be effective against H1N1. As per another 2017 study, which was conducted on mice, forsythia has shown promising signs in treating intestinal inflammatory conditions like ulcerative colitis.

Forsythia has been studied in treating certain cancers. In a study published in Molecular Medicine Reports, esophageal cancer cells were put into mice, and researchers found that forsythia inhibited the growth of the cancer cells. But further study is needed to completely understand the effectiveness of this herb.

The Use of Natural Remedy

The name 'forsythia' may sound familiar because it was mentioned in the 2011 movie, "Contagion," which became highly popular during the Coronavirus pandemic. There is no solid proof that forsythia can be useful to treat or cure Coronavirus. But, for its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties, the plant is used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat bacterial and viral infections.

As per the experts, the safest and best way to take forsythia is to discuss dosage with an herbal medicine expert, as there is not enough and reliable information to know the side effects of this herb. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the U.S. has not approved forsythia products.

Deborah Ann Ballard, MD, MPH, internal medicine doctor at Duke Integrative Medicine said she does not prescribe forsythia to her patients and does not recommend anyone to take forsythia without consulting a Traditional Chinese Medicine doctor. "Proper use of this or any remedy requires an individualized assessment and approach," she added.

Original post:
Can Forsythia Cure Coronavirus? Herb With Antibacterial, Antiviral Properties Is Popular in TCM - International Business Times, Singapore Edition

The event will feature free acupuncture demonstrations, immune-boosting wellness shots and mini-treatments for stress reduction, as well as more than $500 in giveaways, according to a news release.

The 4 p.m. ribbon cutting, with Mayor Brandon Bocheski and members of the local Chamber of Commerce, will be followed by the drive-by healing event during which guests may receive services without getting out of their car. Guests also may choose to mingle, wearing masks, onsite.

The clinics general practitioners are Korina St. John Rongitsch and Megan Bolek, licensed acupuncturists.

Rongitsch, who holds a masters degree in acupuncture and Oriental medicine, earned the doctor of acupuncture and Chinese medicine degree from the Pacific College of Health and Science in San Diego, California.

Bolek earned a doctor of physical therapy degree at the University of Mary in Bismarck and a masters degree in traditional Chinese medicine from the American Academy of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in Roseville, Minn.

Together, they have more than 12 years of graduate level training and 26 years of clinical experience, Rongitsch said.

Before opening the Healing Tree Integrative Health Clinic, Rongitsch operated a clinic in East Grand Forks, called Healthy Happy Whole, for several years. She partnered with Bolek to launch a clinic that provides an integrated medical approach to treating patients, many of whom have tried other treatments but nothing has worked, according to Rongitsch.

We want to provide sustained health and sustained relief," Rongitsch said.

Clinic services range from acupuncture and physical therapy, to nutrition and telehealth consultations. The most common conditions the acupuncturists address are pain, anxiety, fertility, weight loss and cancer-related symptoms.

Bolek, who treats orthopedic disorders, has completed extensive training in chronic pain and vestibular rehabilitation; the vestibular system, which is part of the inner ear, helps the body maintain balance and spatial orientation. She also helps patients with pelvic floor dysfunction regain bladder control, improve sexual function and recover after giving birth.

Bolek, an orthopedic certified specialist, has advanced clinical knowledge and skills in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, according to the website, http://www.healthyhappywhole.com.

The Healing Tree Integrative Health Clinic also employs a client coordinator, who will answer questions and schedule visits, and an intern who is pursuing a masters degree in acupuncture in the Twin Cities, said Rongitsch, whose plans include hiring other practitioners, such as a massage therapist, to provide more preventive therapeutic services.

We are excited to have a new business thats thriving, Rongitsch said. I am so grateful to be able to help people.

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Healing Tree Integrative Health Clinic to hold drive-by healing event to mark opening - Grand Forks Herald

TORONTO, Aug. 25, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CB2 Insights Inc. (CB2 or the Company) (CSE: CBII; OTCQB: CBIIF), will be hosting its Q2 2020 earnings call on Tuesday, September 1st, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).

CB2 will issue a press release and file its interim financial statements and interim Quarterly Management Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) for the quarter ended June 30, 2020 (the Q1 2020 Filings) after the close of markets on August 31st, 2020.

Conference call details:

A replay of the earnings call will be available on the companys website 24 hours after the call takes place.

Submitting Questions:

Those interested in submitting questions for the earnings call can do so by emailing investors@cb2inisghts.com prior to the start of the call. CB2 Insights will attempt to answer all questions submitted, however some questions may not be answered during the call due to time constraints.

The Company looks forward to providing additional discussion on its Q2 2020 Filings, as well as providing an update on the business and preliminary expectations for Q3 2020. Further, the Company will update shareholders on its future outlook and plans for growth in the coming quarters.

About CB2 Insights

CB2 Insights (CSE:CBII OTCQB:CBIIF) CB2 Insights is a healthcare services and technology company, working to positively impact patient health outcomes. Our mission to mainstream alternative health treatments into traditional healthcare by recognizing the need for patient treatment diversity, and the impacts of integrating alternative and conventional medicine. The Company works primarily to roster and treat patients who are seeking alternative treatments due to the ineffectiveness of conventional medicine, and the inability to find support through their existing care network, or in some cases, inability to access a primary care network. Medical services offered by the Company are defined as Integrative medicine, where we work to understand the real world evidence for the safety, impact and effectiveness of medical treatments including plant based medicines that often lack sufficient research and therefore adoption by conventional healthcare providers.

To support patient care and positive health outcomes, the Company is also focused on advancing safety and efficacy research surrounding alternative health treatments by monitoring and assessing Real-World Data (RWD) and providing Real-World Evidence (RWE) through our proprietary technology, data analytics, and a full service contract research organization.

The Companys primary operations are in the United States, with application to its insights, technology and research services deployed in other International markets including Canada, United Kingdom and Colombia.

The Companys disciplined operating model allows patients to receive access to care in a time efficient and cost-effective manner. Utilizing virtual telehealth and over 30 physical brick and mortar clinics, the Company currently treats over 100,000 patients across 12 States. Utilizing proprietary technology and data analytic platforms, the Company is able to monitor, study and assess a variety of healthcare treatments and products for the safety, efficacy and effectiveness. The Company believes it is well positioned to be the research and technology partner of choice for multiple stakeholders including Big Pharma, Life Sciences, Regulatory Bodies and Payors within the traditional and integrative medical industry.

Forward Looking Statements

Statements in this news release that are forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties concerning the specific factors disclosed here and elsewhere in CB2s filings with Canadian securities regulators. When used in this news release, words such as "will, could, plan, estimate, expect, intend, may, potential, believe, should," and similar expressions, are forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements may include, without limitation, statements regarding the Companys unaudited financial results and projected growth.

Although CB2 has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, there can be other factors that cause results, performance or achievements not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, including, but not limited to: dependence on obtaining regulatory approvals; investing in target companies or projects which have limited or no operating history and are subject to inconsistent legislation and regulation; change in laws; reliance on management; requirements for additional financing; competition; hindering market growth and state adoption due to inconsistent public opinion and perception of the medical-use and recreational-use marijuana industry and; regulatory or political change.

There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate or that management's expectations or estimates of future developments, circumstances or results will materialize. As a result of these risks and uncertainties, the results or events predicted in these forward-looking statements may differ materially from actual results or events.

Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this news release are made as of the date of this release. CB2 disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise such information, except as required by applicable law, and CB2 does not assume any liability for disclosure relating to any other company mentioned herein.

No securities regulator or exchange has reviewed, approved, disapproved, or accepts responsibility for the content of this news release.

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CB2 Insights to Host Q2 2020 Earnings Call on September 1st, 2020 - GlobeNewswire

My introduction to plant-based eating began with curiosity: People I knew and respected in the food world were advocating for it, and as a writer and food lover, I decided to investigate. Id check it out, get a story, somehow survive, and then move on. The fact thatmy investigation transformed me into a mostly plant-based eater had me all the more curious.

My physical health was fine. No medical conditions. So why was I continuing with the mostly plant-based diet beyond my expected experimentation phase?

My mental health was not in great shape. The intersection of middle age and profound personal challenges had me suffering. And then came COVID-19, and more personal challenges heaped on top. It was almost comical (not in a Ha-Ha way!), all that I had going on, but somehow I felt more grounded as the days and weeks and months on a plant-based diet passed.

As time went on, I started to suspect that my new plant-based eating habits were inspired by the wellness it provided me, mentally. My mother used to talk to our plants, claiming that doing so made her happy; maybe eating plants was having the same effect on me?

Mental health is complicated, especially for amateurs, so I decided to run my theory by some experts.

Dr. Jeffrey Morrison, of The Morrison Center in Manhattan, is both an MD and a CDN (Certified Dietary Nutritionist). Hes also a widely recognized leader in the field of integrative medicine with an emphasis on nutrition. We spoke on the phone, and I ran my theory of eating well to be mentally well by him. He agreed.

Plant proteins, such as whole grains and vegetables and legumes, can keep blood sugar in the right zones, preventing swings in adrenaline that trigger the nervous system into fight or flight mode, Dr. Morrison said. So its really a matter of keeping blood sugar at a point where stress hormones, such as adrenaline, arent aggravated.

His point made sense. Being chill is one of the defining characteristics of the vegans or vegetarians I know.There certainlymust be a balance that comes from not having adrenaline randomly triggered every time we eat.

Lindsay Wengler is a Registered Dietitian (RD) and a CDN, (found on Instagram at@nutrizionista.in.cucina)practices nutrition in NYC, so we met for a (socially distanced) spritz to talk about my theory.

Food not only supplies the calories and macro-nutrients needed to fuel the bodys basic functions, but it also provides a variety of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that contribute to our overall well-being and mental health, Lindsay informed me. People often tell me that they feel better when following a healthier diet or when they cut back on processed foods - and this is with good reason. The foods we eat (or dont eat) influence our energy and mood.

Shealso explained that there are now a number of studies that connect gut function to brain function. Basically, a healthy digestive system, which you have when eating plant-based, improves mood and overall mental health. (Id like to add having a spritz to that theory, but my evidence is purelyanecdotal.)

So the argument that plant-based diets are beneficial to mood is clinically sound, according to two reputable expertswho usescience and logic for their conclusions. I had another sense of eating well that leads to feeling well that was not directly related but is linked to the benefits of eating with other people as a communal act (something I adore).

How we eat plays an important role in mental health as well,"Wengler agreed."Mindful eating patterns have become increasingly popular in our busy world. Small steps such as limiting distractions like cellphones, television, and other technology can increase the enjoyment of meals and decrease anxiety. Mediterranean lifestyle practices - preparing and sharing food with others - can contribute to a sense of community and satisfaction that enhances our mental well-being. For sure.

It reminded me of something Dr. Morrison had said along similar lines. I 1000% believe that eating with other people, in a communal manner, as opposed to everyone staring at a screen of some sort, makes a difference in our well-being, he had told me. The pacing of the meal slows down in a social setting, as opposed to when eating alone or not collectively when we tend to rush through our meal which triggers stress hormones.

MaybeI should have been a doctor. Or a nutritionist. I guess Ill just keep writing and eating well and being well as a result, despite the challenges. Hopefully, otherswill do the same.

Read more:
Eating Well and Feeling Well: Mental Health and Diet Connection - 929nin.com

Smoky weather have you stuck inside? Here are some fun things to do while hunkered down at home.

Dr. Anna OMalley speaks on personal health and resilience during the pandemic, and how to prepare for respiratory illnesses in Breath and Health: Respiratory and Immune Function at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday on Zoom. The free talk by OMalley, who practices integrative family and community medicine in West Marin, is the latest of the Coastal Health Alliance and Natura Institute for Ecology and Medicines Community Medicine Circles series. To sign up, contact sophie@naturainstitute.org.

Its important these days to know how to use Zoom. Learn the ins and outs of Zoom at Community Media Center of Marins free workshop at 7 p.m. Wednesday on Zoom. The event, taught by Omid Shamsapour, CMCMs director of education and production, was brought back by popular demand. They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Filmmaker Dain Bedford-Pugh teaches some tricks of the trade in CMCMs How To: Frame Your Shot at 7 p.m. Thursday on Zoom. To sign up for both or either of the events, email jill@marintv.org.

Genealogy junkies, learn about immigration records and race and identity in genealogy, and share stories about your ancestors at the Marin County Genealogical Societys online genealogy roundable at 7 p.m. Thursday. To sign up for the free meeting, email info@maringensoc.org.

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4 things to do at home this week - Marin Independent Journal

By Deepak Chopra, TM MD

The allure of living in the present moment is popular but also endangered. The pandemic lockdown has forced millions of people into cramped living conditions that disrupts normal life, puts strain on relationships, adds stress to families, and introduces depression and anxiety. Escaping the present moment is likely to be everyones dream.

But the situation will eventually change, and phrases like the power of now are embedded in peoples aspirations. The present moment has wound up being a problem and a solution at a same time. The most basic question needs answering, then. Why live in the present moment and how is it achieved?

Sometimes the present moment brings experiences of love, kindness, creativity, beauty, and insight. In those moments no one needs to ask why its good to live in the now. (The bodys trillions of cells, including brain cells, dont ask the question, because they are designed to only live in the present, occupied with thousands of chemical reactions and electrical signaling every second. Even when you recall a past event, your brain is strictly confined to the now in order to retrieve the memory.)

The first thing to notice when you are overtaken by the now is that you didnt have to work for it. The present moment is always present. The real question is why we arent in the present moment. Countless people ae working hard on themselves to stay in the now. But if it takes no work to get a glimpse of the beauty, love, and fulfillment that dawns in the present moment, can we expect that working to get back there is really necessary, or even effective?

If you break the whole thing down, the difference is between a temporary experience of the present moment and a constant, unbroken experience. The now is either sometimes or all the time. Sometimes is what all of us experience, those passing moments of bliss, love, beauty, etc. Id argue that these privileged experiences come and go of their own accord. They are as unpredictable as your next thought.

This doesnt preclude working on yourself to expand your awareness through meditation and yoga, going inside to heal old wounds, rising yourself of self-judgment, and all the other things people do in the human potential movement. If you are stuck in worry, depression, fear of aging and death, and other kinds of stuckness that create pain and suffering, then finding a way out is absolutely necessary.

But no amount of personal work is going to change sometimes to all the time. The healthiest, happiest, sanest person in the world doesnt necessarily live in the present moment, because the present moment is timeless. No matter how expensive our Rolex is, it doesnt tell the timeless. To be in the present moment all the time requires a shift in identity, which can be specified as follows:

I am me, a separate person changes to I am, without reference to a separate person.I am here in this location changes to I am unbounded and have no location.I am young (or old or middle-aged) changes to I have no sense of time passing.I want changes to I am without desires, fulfilled in myself.

If there was a mechanism like a cars gear shift to handle these change, we would be machines ourselves. But in reality the I that wants to live in the present is a mysterious creation of the mind, which itself is a mysterious creation of God-knows-what (insert any theory you want here, religious or secular), and the God-knows-what transcends everyday life.

The normal approaches we take to explain I unfortunately were constructed by I, and therefore theres a true Catch-22. If I investigates itself with the intention of going beyond I, the result is simply to reinforce I, making sure it sticks around. Giving your ego the project of going beyond the ego wont succeed, because all youve done is add another project to a self that undertakes a hundred other projects (work, family, relationships sex, hobbies, vacations, gossip, and keeping up with the news are only the beginning).

In my forthcoming book, Total Meditation, I offer a way to escape this Catch-22. It begins with the idea that the whole bodymind is naturally set up to live in the present. When it is subjected to stress, the body adapts temporarily until the stress subsides, and then it returns to a dynamic state of balance known as homeostasis. The mind does the same thing. Between every thought or feeling, the mind returns to readiness for the next thought or feeling. This state of readiness is just as balanced as homeostasis. But we fail to notice it because we are entirely focused on mental activity rather than mental silence.

Yet silence is only a superficial clue. In a stressful world peace and quiet acquire a special value. But in reality, the state of readiness is the source of everything we value in our lives. Love, bliss, compassion, creativity, and insight all have the same origin in pure, unbounded awareness. The whole bodymind has the same source. Knowing this, you can consciously return to the readiness state the minute you notice that you arent in it.

This openness to let your mind regain its balance is the key to total meditation. Unlike occasional meditation, which requires a set time every day that needs to be set aside, total meditation keeps up with our life from moment to moment. You always keep your eye on the prize, which is to live from your source. Theres no struggle or effort involved. You simply allow your mind to obey its own nature.

Theres much to say about this topic, but when it comes to living in the present moment, total meditation changes sometimes to all the time. The beauty of such an approach is that you experience change with the support of existence itself. To be here now looks like some kind of deep spiritual challenge. In reality it is just the opposite. Living in the present moment involves a state of awareness that the mind gravitates toward if you leave it alone and let the nature of the mind be what it is. In fact, this is the secret behind all spiritual attainments. The less you try, the closer you get. One could hardly wish for a more propitious setup.

DEEPAK CHOPRA TM MD, FACP, founder of The Chopra Foundation, a non-profit entity for research on well-being and humanitarianism, and Chopra Global, a modern-day health company at the intersection of science and spirituality, is a world-renowned pioneer in integrative medicine and personal transformation. Chopra is a Clinical Professor of Family Medicine and Public Health at the University of California, San Diego and serves as a senior scientist with Gallup Organization. He is the author of over 89 books translated into over forty-three languages, including numerous New York Times bestsellers.His 90th book, Metahuman: Unleashing Your Infinite Potential, unlocks the secrets to moving beyond our present limitations to access a field of infinite possibilities. TIME magazine has described Dr. Chopra as one of the top 100 heroes and icons of the century.

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What It Takes to Live in the Present Moment - SFGate

Kombucha is everywhere from supermarket shelves to cafes, the local bar scene and even your health-conscious friend who has a jar of the stuff brewing at home.

But if you think its a new beverage, people in China were already making and drinking it thousands of years ago.

The fermented sugared tea (thats what it is essentially) is probably the latest drink to join detox juices, smoothies, protein shakes and a menagerie of health beverages in recent years.

Its slightly tart, mildly sweet and fizzy nature is thanks to weeks of fermentation by the SCOBY, short for the symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast added to the tea.

Kombucha is sometimes called mushroom tea because of the micro-organism-rich, mushroom-like film found on the surface of the liquid.

But thats not the only part of kombucha where the supposedly beneficial bacteria or probiotics is found. The friendly microbes are also thought to growin the mixture and thats whats getting enthusiasts excited about the drink.

But how much do we all really know about it? Here are some questions you might have.

CAN KOMBUCHA REALLY HELP WITH DIGESTION?

Remember when yoghurt first hit the health food scene as the fermented food du jour? If its cool, creamy, rich texture didnt already win you over then, its litany of health benefits might have gotten you intrigued.

And it seems history is repeating itself with kombucha.A quick Google search on the drinks benefits would get you a list ranging from better digestion to weight loss, improved blood sugar levels, lower heart disease risks and even cancer prevention. But can it really do all that?

Pregnant and breastfeeding women, and individuals with compromised immune systems or known allergies to alcohol should avoid kombucha.

The drink does have several species of lactic acid bacteria, according to a study published in Food Microbiology. However, the study noted that thereis still no evidence that support the probiotic benefits of kombucha.

"There are few controlled studies examining the health benefits of kombucha in humans," said dietitian Goh Qiu Le with Changi General Hospital's Dietetic & Food Services.

Dr Brent Bauer, the director of the Department of Internal Medicine's Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program at Mayo Clinic, also doubted its probiotic function: Limited evidence suggests kombucha tea may offer benefits similar to probiotic supplements, including promoting a healthy immune system and preventing constipation.

WHAT ABOUT OTHER"BENEFITS" SUCH AS PREVENTING CANCER?

There areclaims that kombucha could help your bodydetoxas well as preventand managehealth conditions, from blood pressure to cancer.What do the experts think? Most of kombuchas claims appear to be overstated, said Jaclyn Reutens, the founder and dietitian at Aptima Nutrition & Sports Consultants.

"Further studies are needed to validate and/or debunk these otherwise anecdotal and hypothetical health claims," said Goh.

Dr Bauer also wrote on mayoclinic.org that these claims are not backed by science. At present, valid medical studies of kombucha teas role in human health are very limited.

IS HOME-BREWED KOMBUCHA SAFE?

If youre brewing your own kombucha, be careful. Letting nature take over sugar-rich solutions can sometimes invite harmful pathogens such as Ecoli to grow, too, said Li Zhaoping, a professor of medicine and the chief of University of California, Los Angeless Division of Clinical Nutrition.

Reutens cautioned that you can inadvertently add other bacteria from poor food handling or allow pathogenic bacteria and mould to multiply when the kombucha has not been sealed and stored adequately.

Furthermore, there is no standard to benchmark good or safe kombucha against because there is no gold standard recipe of tea, sugar and SCOBY to be used, said Reutens. Andthere isnt a home kit to let you test your brews nutritional value or safety, except maybe smell and taste.

So how should kombucha taste like then? "Itsflavour profileis comparable to that of apple cider vinegar tart yet slightly sweet," said Goh.

Another way to gauge your home-made kombucha's safety is to test its pH, he said."The fermentation process lowers the sugared tea's pH from 5 to approximately 2.5 over seven to 10 days.If a pH of 2.5 has not been reached by Day 10, the liquid should be discarded."

In fact, Prof Li advised against home brews, especially if theyre made for older people or those with compromised immune systems, as they are notpasteurised.

"Pregnant and breastfeeding women, and individuals with known allergies to alcohol should also avoid kombucha," added Goh.

You cannot get kombucha without sugar because sugar is the substrate for the SCOBY.Your best bet is to look at the per 100ml column and pick the one with the least amount of sugar.

Those who dont imbibe and those with severe irritable bowel syndrome should avoid kombucha as well sinceit contains alcohol and can exacerbate diarrhoea, said Reutens. If you are drinking a highly sweetened kombucha in large quantities, you could end up putting on some weight.

CAN STORE-BOUGHT KOMBUCHA REALLY BE SUGAR FREE?

Speaking of weight gain, just how many calories does kombucha have? A 500ml store-bought bottle can have up to 100 calories, which come mainly from sugar;flavoured options may have more, said Reutens.

Kombucha definitely has a lower calorie count than soft drinks but even so, it is not sugar-free. You cannot get kombucha without sugar because sugar is the substrate for the SCOBY, said Reutens. The sugar can be listed as sucrose, honey, cane sugar, brown sugar, beet sugar, maple syrup or agave."

Goh highlighted that "excessive sugarissometimes added to mask the tangy taste of kombucha" and make it moreappealing to consumers.

Your best bet? Look at the per 100ml column and pick the one with the least amount of sugar,advised Reutens.

WHAT ELSE IS IN THAT BOTTLE OF KOMBUCHA YOU GOT FROM THE SUPERMARKET?

Because the beverage is made of tea, kombuchacan contain polyphenols the antioxidants that tea is known to have.But if that's your reason for drinking kombucha, you might be better off drinking plain black or green tea without sugar, said Reutens.

Neither is kombucha alcohol-free, despite claims on the bottle, as it can contain anywhere from 0.5 per cent to 3 per cent alcohol. Manufacturers are allowed to label the drink as non-alcoholic if it contains less than 0.5 per cent alcohol, said Reutens.

As for kombucha-infused cocktails and drinks at bars and wellness cafes, Gohdoubted their nutritional benefits. "The addition of kombucha to alcohol does nothing for the beverage from a nutritional standpoint."

Also, ensure that the kombucha isrefrigerated and not placed on the shelf at room temperature,said Goh. "Authentic kombucha, which is essentially a symbiotic collection of bacteria and yeast, should look murky with floating strands."

Excerpt from:
Is kombucha safe to drink and is it really healthy for you? - CNA

New York will likely be added to the list of states that ban the sales of dogs, cats and rabbits at pet stores.A New York bill to limit pet store sales just passed the State Senate, and next will proceed to the State Assembly (but due to the pandemic, this may not be introduced until 2021). Steve talks with the bills Assembly sponsor, Linda Rosenthal about preventing these pet store sales its because the dogs are procured from puppy mills. And New York has more pet stores that sell dogs/cats than any other state. Still, public officials there are set to do whats right.

Locally, veterinary associations argue that veterinarians actually dont want to see the laws banning sales of dogs, cats and rabbits at pet stores. Well, thats crazy - as veterinary professionals (technicians and nurses included) launched the non-profit,Veterinary Professionals Against Puppy Mills. Steve talks with Dr. Adam Christman, chief veterinary officer at MJH Life Sciences (FETCH Veterinary Conferences) who is helping to lead the charge quite successfully in New Jersey for that state to ban sales of dogs, cats and rabbits at pet stores. He talks from personal experience about the horror of treating these poor animals.

Continued here:
Steve Dale Full Show 8/23/2020 | Utilizing traditional medicine in conjunction with integrative medicine - WGN Radio

With a global pandemic in full force, election season kicking in and the Jewish holidays coming up, its easy to forget that an important day is just round the corner: International Dog Day, celebrated across the world on August 26.

What started out as National Dog Day in the United States has been adopted by dog lovers around the globe, and for good reason. The day celebrates dogs of all kinds and breeds, promotes rescue and adoption and recognizes the hard work of mans best friend.

To honor all the lovable pooches out there, weve brought you three of our favorite working canines to gush over. Let us know in the comments if you know another amazing working dog.

Youre welcome.

Lucy is seven years old. I got her when she was three months old. Shes a very, very sweet dog. Im always told that shes not a useful dog because if someone would break into the house shell just go to them to be petted, Batya Jaffe says lovingly of her Cavalier King Charles, who loves snacks, particularly carrot sticks.

Jaffe, who made aliyah from Mexico at the age of 17, studied special education before learning animal-assisted therapy at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Batya Jaffe and Lucy helping crisis victims through their work at United Hatzalahs psychotrauma canine unit. Photo: courtesy

The head of United Hatzalahs psychotrauma canine unit, Jaffevolunteers with Lucy at crisis scenes to stabilize victims emotional state and help prevent PTSD.

The advantage of treating with animals is that one of the difficulties for us as therapists who arrive on the scene is that in order to initiate some kind of process we need initial contact, she explains.

Its really not easy to turn complete strangers into people that you can hug and pour your heart out to, she adds. Thats the great things about the dogs theyre great at breaking the ice.

Jaffe says Dogs can feel things that we cannot. Petting a dog and a dogs presence reduce stress hormones and blood pressure.Lucy is calm and amiable, making her comfortable to be around.

When not volunteering at the psychotrauma unit, Jaffe and Lucy provide animal-assisted therapy to elderly people. Jaffe trained Lucy herself, emphasizing the special needs of seniors. Lucy knows, for example, not to place the balls thrown around on the ground, but rather directly in the elderly persons hand so that they wont need to bend down.

These are very simple things, but theyre very important in therapy in order to create the right kind of connection and to create a therapeutic atmosphere, Jaffe says.

Lucy waits excitedly by the door on days they go out together to work.She really is a dog who loves love, being petted and playing.

Richard Saffern and his beloved pet and taste tester Phoebe. Photo: courtesy

Phoebe is one of the luckiest dogs in the world: shes the taster for the dog biscuits whipped up at Dog Mafia, the boutique dog-biscuit enterprise owned by her human, Richard Saffern.

The little Bichon Frise gets the first taste of the sugar-free and preservative-free biscuits, made from all-natural ingredients such as pumpkin and peanut butter as healthy snacks or training tools.

Saffern made aliyah from the United States back in 2003 and has been working in high-tech since. He got the idea for Dog Mafia (mafia means bakery in Hebrew) after baking a few treats for Phoebe and her doggie friends at her third birthday party. The dogs loved it, he notes.

In the States we had a family business where we manufactured biscuits, and I love dogs, he says of the coming together of these two passions.

Its all different types of products that are healthy, that are based on things that are more natural, he explains.

The little Bichon Frise Phoebe is the official taster for Dog Mafia biscuits. Photo: courtesy

Currently operating out of home, Dog Mafia was incubated in TheNest, a business accelerator operated by Gvahim for recent immigrants to Israel. There, the enterprise received the peoples choice award for best pitch and best product.

Saffern believes that the popularity of the upscale dog biscuits lies in the fact that our canine friends have really become family over the years.

People are starting to treat dogs as they would a child, he notes. And like we try to keep our kids off the junk, so people are interested in giving their dogs a wholesome and natural snack.

And whats Dog Mafias head tasters personal favorite? That would be pumpkin sweet potato, Saffern reveals. Excellent choice.

Lulu helped one young woman give up drugs, take care of herself and get back on track. Photo: courtesy

Like Lucy, Lulu is a seven-year-old Cavalier King Charles who helps treat people in this case, a young woman who resided in a closed facility due to drug abuse and inappropriate behavior.

For three years, she used to come to the kennel where Lulu was kept in order to spend time with her and take care of her, giving her a sense of purpose, responsibility and a lifeline, says Ofer Biton, the head of the dog therapy certification program at the Broshim Campus for Integrative Medicine at Tel Aviv University.

Due to the very special bond between them, and after many deliberations, we decided for the first time in the kennels history to give Lulu to her when she turns 18, Biton says.

She says that Lulu really saved her. Thanks to her sense of responsibility for the dog, she stopped using drugs and underwent an empowering process that made her capable of also taking care of herself and of believing that shell be able to take care of her future children, he concludes.

Do you have a working dog that deserves a special mention? Tell us about them in the comments below.

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Meet three busy Israeli dogs who have their paws full - ISRAEL21c

If a child faced trouble with maths or had difficulty memorising at school, the remedy given was simplea spoonful of Brahmi in powder or paste form.

This therapeutic herb, known as a memory booster, an aphrodisiac and a health tonic that lowers blood pressure, reduces inflammation and improves concentration, among other things, is hardly mentioned today. However, in not knowing about it enough, weve kept ourselves away from its rewards.

Multiple benefits

The herbs name is derived from Brahma aka the creator of the universe. Its been used for a variety of reasons, including reducing anxiety, improving sleep, boosting brain health, hair loss, and skin disorders like abscess, eczema and even psoriasis.

When consumed regularly, it strengthens the immune system too. The antioxidant compounds present in Brahmi supplement the nutrients extracted through food and help the body fight foreign bacteria or viruses.

"Chewing a few Brahmi leaves reduces the secretion of cortisol, the stress hormone, says Ludhiana-based Garima Goyal, dietician and certified nutritionist. The herb reduces oxidation of fats in the bodys bloodstream and is good for cardiovascular health.

Unique quotient

Brahmi is often used in cases of Alzheimers, dementia, Parkinsons, Epilepsy, and attention deficit disorder to boost cognitive health, memory, focus, and to reduce inflammation in the brain.

The research behind this herb has shown that it has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Free radicals and oxidation are often seen as a side effect of inflammation in the brain of an Alzheimers patient and Brahmi is a power herb to halt or scavenge these free radicals to prevent further damage to the brain, says Luke Coutinho, holistic lifestyle coach-integrative medicine.

The active ingredients present in it that lead to all these benefits are bacosides and betulinic acid, types of triterpenoid saponins or chemical compounds.

Bacosides are known to enhance nerve impulse transmission and repair damaged neurons, while betulinic acid is replete with anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties.

The nerve impulse transmission plays a vital role in promoting healthy cognitive functions like attention span, focus, concentration, learning and memory.

On your plate

You can add small quantities of the herb to your soup, salads, chutney powder or even roti dough or dosa batter.

Add a couple of leaves to your coriander chutney and youve given yourself a natural health supplement. Timare chutney, and Tambuli (a curd-based gravy) are popular dishes made from its leaves in the South.

We often encourage our clients to use it in the form of tea by brewing a few Brahmi leaves in water with pepper and honey, adds Coutinho.

It can also be added to lassi or neer mor. Pesto is again a great way to consume this herb.

Saut a tablespoon of onions with some garlic and a couple of chillies.

Add a tablespoon of walnuts and 1/2 cup of coconut milk and cook for a minute.

Cool this mixture and blend it along with a cup of Brahmi leaves and a pinch of hing. Toss this with cooked chilled rice noodles and you have a wholesome dish ready, says Chef Vicky Ratnani.

Boost its power

Brahmi combined with ghee works as a miracle. When used with neem, manjishtha and turmeric, it helps in skin conditions with pitta imbalance, says Goyal.

Benefits of Brahmi

Good source of Vitamin C

Used to treat cough, bronchitis and asthma

Effective in regulating blood sugar levels

Known to provide relief from arthritis, joint pain and other inflammatory conditions

Provides relief from gastrointestinal disorders and problems such asindigestion and ulcers.

Antioxidant-rich and known to possess anti-cancer properties

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From boosting memory to fighting hair loss, here's how 'Brahmi' herb can benefit your health - The New Indian Express