Virtual Weed Walk: Purslane
by Karyn Maier Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) is an annual creeping groundcover thought to be original to the Middle East, North Africa and the Indian subcontinent, but is now naturalized throughout the world. In addition to its successful migration, the tiny but hardy herb has been cultivated for food and medicine for more than 4,000 years, although many gardeners resent its habit of persistently cropping up in unwanted places, such as in cracks in paved driveways or cement s
Ayurvedic Medicines & Type 2 Diabetes
by Karyn Maier In the first comprehensive systematic review of any traditional medicine, scientists from the University of Nottingham have determined that several Ayurvedic traditional therapies effectively maintain blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. The study, published in Frontiers in Pharmacology, also detailed the observation of additional benefits, including improvements in blood pressure, cholesterol levels and body weight. To conduct the review, the r
Resveratrol Reduces COVID-19 Hospitalizations
by Karyn Maier New research indicates that supplementation with resveratrol, a compound found in certain berries, nuts and herbs, in combination with vitamin D3, may reduce the incidence of hospitalization in people 45 years of age in older who contract COVID-19. Resveratrol is a polyphenol found in grapes (and consequently wine), blueberries, cranberries, mulberries, cocoa, peanuts, pistachio and Japanese knotweed. This substance, produced by plants in response to an injury
