drlaurell

Pomegranate to Protect the Prostate

This blog was inspired by a recent talk I presented on nutrition for a local prostate cancer support group. As well as talking about other dietary basics, I brought a jar of pure pomegranate juice for them to try, being inspired by some recent research on pomegranates for prostate cancer prevention. Compounds in pomegranate haveContinue reading “Pomegranate to Protect the Prostate”

Lavender for Sleep and Anxiety

Nearly all of us suffer from occasional sleeplessness. For those who experience it more often, insomnia may be taking a serious toll on their health. In the short term, lack of sleep causes fatigue, irritability, and reduced ability to concentrate the next day. Long-term insomnia can also contribute to serious health conditions like heart disease,Continue reading “Lavender for Sleep and Anxiety”

Probiotics for Women’s Health

Most of the time when I am discussing probiotics with my patients, we are talking about them in connection with their many benefits for gut health. While the formulas I recommend for gut health will often also benefit urogenital health, emerging research is showing that different organisms work better for different parts of our bodies.Continue reading “Probiotics for Women’s Health”

Fight Stress with Magnolia and Relora

Because of the serious impact stress can have on our health, stress-reducing herbs are becoming nearly as important as a multivitamin. An example that might be right for some people is Magnolia, a relaxing herb that has been shown in studies to be effective at reducing nervousness and anxiety in 78% of participants. Magnolia wasContinue reading “Fight Stress with Magnolia and Relora”

Invigorate and Protect with Cordyceps

When I added cordyceps to my morning supplements, I noticed a substantial increase in my energy levels. Other people have shared with me that taking cordyceps improved their endurance while exercising. These experiences made me curious to investigate this medicinal mushroom further. Cordyceps falls in the category of traditional herbs known as adaptogens that increaseContinue reading “Invigorate and Protect with Cordyceps”

The Scoop on Two Popular Weight Loss Supplements

Dr. Oz has really been promoting weight loss supplements on his show recently. His motivation seems to be a good one: if Americans shed some pounds it may have a big impact on our health as a nation since obesity can contribute to diabetes, heart disease, gallstones, and arthritis. Occasionally, it seems like Dr. OzContinue reading “The Scoop on Two Popular Weight Loss Supplements”

Wild Cherry for Gout and Coughs

I remember spending hours during the summer as a child eating black cherries off a tree in our yard. It wasn’t until years later that I learned of the medicinal and nutritive benefits of this plant that is also known as wild cherry. The juice from the berries is a popular folk remedy for goutContinue reading “Wild Cherry for Gout and Coughs”

Keep Calm with Skullcap

Skullcap is one of the relaxing herbs that are native to the Southeastern United States. These herbs are known as nervines, and they both calm and tone the nervous system. Because of this calming effect, skullcap is used for mild cases of anxiety. Its active components have also been shown to bind serotonin receptors inContinue reading “Keep Calm with Skullcap”

Willow Bark: Herbal Aspirin?

Many people consider willow bark to be an herbal aspirin substitute. This is true for many of its actions, but there are some differences that are important to know about. The main commonality is that willow bark has analgesic and inflammation modulating effects that make it useful for pain. Willow bark is used for headachesContinue reading “Willow Bark: Herbal Aspirin?”

Detoxifying Yellow Dock

Yellow dock root is a great addition to a New Year’s detoxification plan by working gently to stimulate multiple organs involved in getting rid of toxins. Yellow dock is a mild acting laxative herb that can help with constipation or making sure the bowels are functioning well for the elimination of toxins. It is alsoContinue reading “Detoxifying Yellow Dock”