Herbs

Tip from Cooking Magazine: Whole wheat flour should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 8 months or frozen up to two years. Unlike white flour, whole wheat flour contains natural oils that will turn rancid fairly quickly at room temperature.

Having a strong immune system may be your best defense against catching the flu this season. Dr.Andrew Weil suggest a mushroom extract supplement daily will help to insure a healthy immune system; his recommendation is Host Defense from New Chapter. 

Turmeric is not only used to add color and spice to your foods but in Ayurvede medicine for abdominal ailments and arthritis.

Consumer Labs just tested 13 of the turmeric supplements you will find in your local health food stores or on line. What I find disturbing is that not only did some of the products not live up to their claims as far as content, the lead content in a couple of the brands far exceeded what is considered a safe level. Is there any amount of lead in your food or supplements safe?

Caution:

• Turmeric stimulates the gallbladder and should be avoided by people with gallbladder disease.
• Turmeric has an anti-platelet activity, avoid using turmeric while taking blood thinners.  

Have you strained your back from maybe over doing a certain exercise or from lifting something too heavy, poison ivy may be your answer.

Rhus Toxicodendron a homeopathic remedy made from the leaves of the poison ivy plant is beneficial for many different conditions and back pain is one of them. How often you take this and the potency depends on the severity of your pain.

Please remember this is used for minor back strain; if you are suffering from a serious or re-occuring back pain please see your physician.