healthbriefs
March is National Nutrition Month
white tea tops Herbal charts
I
n a recent test to evaluate the health
properties of extracts from 21 plant
species, white tea considerably out-
performed them all. “We were testing
very small amounts, far less than you
would find in a drink,” says Professor
Declan Naughton of Kingston Univer-
sity, in London, one of the UK’s leading
specialists on inflammation. “The early
indicators are that white tea reduces the
Nature Walks
risk of inflammation that is character-
equal OutdOOr
istic of rheumatoid arthritis and some
cancers, as well as wrinkles.”
smarts
Evidently, the properties of white tea go beyond high levels of antioxidants to
also block the activities of enzymes that break down elastin and collagen. Naugh-
ton explains that elastin supports the body’s natural elasticity, which helps lungs,
b
ehavior and health experts
at the university of michi-
arteries, ligaments and skin to function. It also helps body tissues repair wounds
gan have found that walking
and stops skin from sagging. Collagen, a protein found in connective tissues, is
outside in parks or in nature
also key to skin strength and resilience.
helps improve attention span
Eight of the other plants and herbs analyzed also help protect against the
and memory performance by
breakdown of both elastin and collagen associated with age-related wrinkling.
After white tea, bladderwrack performed well, followed by extracts of cleav-
20 percent. the researchers,
ers (Galium aparine, also called goosegrass) rose, green tea, angelica, anise and
who published their findings
pomegranate.
in Psychological Science, be-

lieve the results may also be
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine
relevant to people suffering
from mental fatigue.
“interacting with nature
celery as
can have similar effects as
meditating,” reports marc ber-
Nutrition staple
man, a psychology researcher
at the university. He adds,
N
oted author and natural health advocate Dr.
“People don’t have to enjoy
Andrew Weil sees celery as a versatile kitch-
the walk to get the benefits,”
en staple. A biennial plant, celery is in the same
although they do tend to find
family as carrots, dill and fennel. Its versatility
spring and summer walks more
lands it in soups, stews, stir-fries and salads,
plus it’s good spread with natural nut butter.
enjoyable.
This crunchy green has long been associ-
study participants exhib-
ated with dieting, due to its natural diuretic effects
ited increased levels of alert-
and low calorie count. Rich in potassium and
ness, satisfaction and mental
natural sodium, Weil cites its important role in
tranquility after spending just
regulating fluid balance in the body and stimulat- one hour interacting with na-
ing urine production, not to mention that celery is ture. they reported that their
a good source of vitamins C and K. Its active compounds,
levels of stress had decreased
pthalides, may even help lower blood pressure.
significantly and they felt more
Always seek out organically grown celery, advises
in control of their mind. similar
Weil, as pesticides are commonly used on conventionally
benefits did not accrue from
grown varieties.
urban walks.
Source: DrWeil.com
natural awakenings March 2010

Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44