Growing up on the sunny shores of the Black Sea meant that sunburn was part of our childhood. I remember coming home one day after a ‘fun in the sun’ day with bright red burning skin and a sun blister on my eye which made it hard to close. My Grandma suggested I smear pickle juice on my skin and hold a pickle on the blister. Desperate, I did it, and almost immediately, my skin stopped stinging and the blister went down. I stank but it was a small price to pay - I was no longer hurting! I later found out that vinegar is an old remedy for sunburn. People soak paper bags in vinegar and water, applying them onto burned skin to soothe it. My Grandma used apple cider vinegar, and another favorite of her remedies for sunburn was cold yogurt - it is silky on tender skin and takes away the sting (nutritious too!). Cold fizzy mineral water helps relieve the pain. Applying grated raw cucumbers or potatoes to the skin feels good too. Read more »

Summer... Finally it is hot and sunny and flowers are blooming everywhere, but instead of enjoying the ‘great outdoors’ some people are totally miserable because of seasonal allergies, reactions to triggers that are typically only present for part of a year, usually spring or fall. This type of allergy refers to a pollen allergy, such as trees, weeds and grasses that for the most part are not pollinated by insects, but release their pollen right into the air for us to breeze in and have teary eyes, running noses, sneezes and so on. Most plants with bright, vibrant flowers (such as roses) are insect pollinated and do not generally cause seasonal allergies since the pollen is not usually present in the air. Read more »

Some researchers think that flaxseed oil might have some of the same benefits as fish oil, but the body is not very efficient at converting ALA into EPA and DHA. And the benefits of ALA, EPA, and DHA are not necessarily the same. Omega-3 fatty acids, usually from fish oil, have been shown to reduce inflammation and help prevent certain chronic diseases such as heart disease and arthritis. Studies are mixed about whether flaxseed oil is useful for the same conditions. Read more »

The Lioness In Me Roared… Eight years ago my life changed forever. My youngest son, 15 at that time, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in the most dramatic fashion: after several days of illness, he became incoherent, and an ambulance had to be called. The doctors at Sick Kids Hospital in downtown Toronto saved his life, and for that I am eternally grateful. However, when it came time for them to recommend strategies for his day-to-day life and health management, their only solution was insulin injections… for the rest of his life! They told us that, even though his pancreas is still functioning at about 10 percent, it will not last. I asked if there is anything we can do to help his pancreas recover, and our doctor’s response was rather categorical: “Many people tried,” he said, “but failed, and there is no scientific proof that it is possible.” Guess what? The Lioness in me roared and leaped up to protect my child from such a painful fate. As I have a medical education - graduated Odessa’s Medical Institute, - and an investigative mind, I started my own research into diabetes. As it turns out, help is out there, one just has to want to find it. Read more »

It may be tiny, but it’s mighty: The flax seed carries one of the biggest nutrient payloads on the planet. And while it’s not technically a grain, it has a similar vitamin and mineral profile to grains, while the amount of fiber, antioxidants, and Omega-3 fatty acids. Additionally, flax seed is very low in carbohydrates, making it ideal for people who limit their intake of starches and sugars. And its combination of healthy fat and high fiber content make it a great food for weight loss and maintenance -- many dieters have found that flax seed has been a key to keeping them feeling satisfied. Read more »

Spring is almost over and we can't help but throw open our windows and clean every inch of our house to get a fresh start on the new season. So why not take it further? After all, we have spent the winter in hibernation mode, eating more, exercising less, and getting less sunlight and fresh air. Wouldn't you like to peel away the stale, tired layers from your body just as you cleaned the junk and dust from your home? Read more »

Herbal Medicine, sometimes referred to as Herbalism or Botanical Medicine, or phytotherapy is the use of herbs for their therapeutic or medicinal value. Read more »

Health holds different meanings for different people, but is important to everyone, because it affords a person a world of freedom, freedom from pain, depression, irritability, freedom from medication and hospital visits. Read more »