Mugwort leaves have been integral to ancient healing practices around the world. In Traditional Chinese medicine Mugwort leaves have been used for digestive support, menstrual regulation, pain, inflammation, and as a calming agent.

Modern medicine has an integral part in our health and life, however, we should have an approach to it “in case of emergency break glass”. This means that looking after ourselves and our health should be our primary responsibility, which is where many foods, such as herbs and spices can make a significant difference.

Food additives such as artificial food colours and intense sweeteners might be one of the causes of conditions such as gut permeability, IBS and hyperactivity in children. This means that it would be perhaps best to avoid them. However, with nearly 60% of foods found in a supermarket being processed or ultra-processed, this is rather difficult.

Recent statistics show that there is a significant increase in cancer in people under 50, such as cancer of colon, breast, liver and esophagus. Whether this can be attributed to poor diet and lifestyle remains to be seen. Nonetheless, it’s important to know what foods to avoid and which herbs and spices to include into our diet, which is where we continue our discussion today.

Food additives are chemical substances that are added to food to keep it fresh and enhance the colour, flavour or texture. Some are found in nature and wholefoods, however, food additives are regularly present in high amounts in processed foods. Also, some food additives are used more than others, posing questions about continuous exposure and long-term consumption.

Having a variety of different wholefoods in our diet makes a big impact on our healthspan. Today we talk about 11 types of nuts that have shown to have an anti-cancer effect, making nuts a definite addition to our menu.

It seems that nutrition labels on the back of food products are getting longer and more complex to understand, which leaves many of us wondering — what is really in our food? Food processing and food manufacturing have brought many areas in the world out of starvation by making food items last longer and more available. But in our modern world of convenience, have we become too reliant on semi-prepared and fully processed foods, and what long-term effects might this have on our health?

Lavender is one of the most versatile essential oils, and throughout history it was used in the kitchen for cooking, as an antiseptic and antibacterial aid, and recently research has focused on its use as a relaxing aid during heart surgery.

A food product being “Plant-Based” sounds great, and they are often given a label or claim as being “healthy”. But what is really in these products – carbohydrates that are a part of real, whole foods or carbohydrates that are highly processed?

Today, we continue our journey as we search for the most healing, protective, and well-researched anti-cancer herbs and spices. We have covered another 10 herbs that you should have in your pantry or in your garden, and preferably use daily and rotate often for best effects.

With summer already here, we should fully enjoy it, instead looking to stay indoors. However, if we are dealing with allergies it makes it challenging getting out in nature. Allergies can be a sign that our immunity and other body systems, such as our digestive system, are out of balance and might need additional support.

With its camphor-like smell, eucalyptus is a versatile essential oil for everyday use. It calms both the mind and body, as well as assisting with respiratory issues, skin irritations, fever and fatigue.