drlaurell

Playing in the Dirt

I didn’t write my usual blog last week because I took a week off to do some planting, but so far this is all I have to show for it: mud from the knees down. My husband and I own a small organic farm called Downstream Farm Organic Produce. I was focusing on planting ourContinue reading “Playing in the Dirt”

Nettles for Allergy Season

Like nearly everyone else in Northwest Arkansas, I suffer from seasonal allergies. Fortunately mine are pretty mild. I might wake up with a sore throat or find myself sneezing while working in the garden. My first choice herb for seasonal allergies is nettle leaf, also know as stinging nettles. Nettles can reduce the amount ofContinue reading “Nettles for Allergy Season”

Is Methylfolate for You?

I’ve been wanting to write a blog about methylfolate for a while since the genetic variation in how we process folic acid can sometimes have a huge impact on heart, mood, and overall health. I’ve been delaying because it is not a simple topic, but here is a basic introduction to it. Our bodies useContinue reading “Is Methylfolate for You?”

Herbal First Aid

Here come the summertime burns, cuts, bites and stings. I recently gave a lecture on Herbal First Aid covering these topics and more. Here are the notes for everyone who couldn’t make it. Activated charcoal– draws out and absorbs toxins. Open up capsules and mix contents with a small amount of water. Leave on bitesContinue reading “Herbal First Aid”

Build a Better Brain with the Mineral Lithium

No, I am not crazy (or no more so than the average person), but you might describe me as very excited by the potential brain benefits of lithium. While lithium is most famous for its use in large doses for bipolar disorders, lower doses can have an impressive array of benefits for mood and long-termContinue reading “Build a Better Brain with the Mineral Lithium”

Refreshing and Soothing Chickweed

Nothing says spring as much as baby chicks hatching on the farm. Every year, I think they are even cuter than last year’s chicks. In addition to the organic chick feed at Ozark Natural Feeds, I make sure my chicks get some fresh foods too. I find worms and wild plants for them to eat.Continue reading “Refreshing and Soothing Chickweed”

More on Oil Pulling

When I first heard about oil pulling, I thought it sounded weird. I didn’t try it until my mother in law, who is a dental hygienist, told me that she had seen a patient with particularly healthy gums. When she asked that patient what she was doing to keep her gums in such good shape,Continue reading “More on Oil Pulling”

Why Try Oil Pulling?

Why is oil pulling is popular right now? I think it is because it catches people’s attention because it is a little usual, but when they try it they start seeing results right away, often within a week. Here is a link to a story I did for the local news on oil pulling yesterday:Continue reading “Why Try Oil Pulling?”

Sleep Tight, Think Right: The link between insomnia and Alzheimer’s disease

I love to sleep and will sleep nine hours a night if I can. Maybe to justify this indulgence, I pay attention to research on the benefits of sleep and recent studies are showing that sleep deprivation likely contributes to Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. So maybe my eight to nine hours of sleep is moreContinue reading “Sleep Tight, Think Right: The link between insomnia and Alzheimer’s disease”

Parkinson’s Prevention: The roles of antioxidants, iron, and pesticides

I remember telling my first patient with Parkinson’s disease that she needed to move because she lived in a subdivision that was built on an old landfill. Not only was she suffering, but she also reported that an unusual number of her neighbors had cancer or other very serious diseases that may be linked toContinue reading “Parkinson’s Prevention: The roles of antioxidants, iron, and pesticides”