ACHS sponsors 30 AHA memberships for the first 30 students who enroll

Portland, OR — On May 27, 2009, the American College of Healthcare Sciences pledged to sponsor 30 memberships to the American Herb Association (AHA) for the first 30 new students who enroll at ACHS in a degree or diploma program.

ACHS is committed to the American herb industry and supports the goals of the AHA, to promote the use, understanding, acceptance, and ecological use of herbs. In the winter edition of the American Herb Association Quarterly Newsletter, editor Kathy Keville told readers that the AHA is “feeling the [economic] crunch,” and needs 30 more members to cover operation costs for the Quarterly Newsletter.

So ACHS is stepping in. The first 30 new students who enroll at ACHS in a degree or diploma program will receive an AHA membership, including a one-year subscription to the Quarterly Newsletter packed with industry and research news, book reviews, an herbal calendar, and many other tips from a wide range of contributors like: David Hoffman, ACHS Governing Advisory Board Member Mindy Green, James Duke, Christopher Hobbs, and Jeanne Rose.

The American Herb Association “reviews over 60 medical journals, 40 international herb related newspapers/magazines, and 28 major magazines and newspapers to bring you the latest reliable and factual herb information. That amounts to more than 100 hours of research all bought to your door four times a year.”

Call ACHS Admissions at (800) 487-8839 to be one of the next 30 students who enroll and receive this valuable membership, or email for program information: admissions@achs.edu.

No Bones About it!

According to recent studies on bone loss our North American diet is so acidic it is destroying our bones! Most people increase calcium intake when we hear we need denser bones- but we are missing some steps. Diets high in proteins and cereal grains cause more calcium to be excreted than retained. So, we are just peeing away our added calcium rather than building a stronger structure to combat aging. To fight the acidosis we can increase our magnesium as well as potassium in our diets. A diet high in vegetables and fruits increases potassium and magnesium levels in the body, reduces calcium output and shows an increase in our bone mineral density. Balancing your food can increase bone health!

Symptoms of magnesium deficiency can be anxiety, muscle twitches, confusion and disorientation. This makes me wonder how many neurological problems can be attributed to Magnesium deficiency. It is also thought that a deficiency in this mineral is closely related to heart disease, blood clots and kidney troubles. A diet too proteins, coffee, and refined sugars can lead to a Magnesium deficiency(fast food anyone?). Excellent sources of this mineral are; almonds, citrus fruits, bananas, seafood, molasses and baked potatoes.

Potassium deficiency can go unnoticed in a mild case but more severe cases can cause muscle weakness, hypertension, abnormal heartbeat, and fatigue. Excellent sources of potassium in foods are; avocado, beans, melons and squash.

If you start to demand that the foods be as natural as possible you will be able to better balance your body. A lot of health advocates teach "If it did not have a mother or grow from the earth do not eat it!" This is so basic and such an easy tool to use when we look at our food as medicine for the body. We can increase longevity and the quality of our life as well.

Make your own whole food granola bars

Making your own healthy, natural granola bars is fun and easy. Here's one recipe that will take you about half and hour from start to finish.


Happy Hippie Granola Bars

2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup packed brown sugar ( store bought or make your own)
1/2 cup honey
1 cup dried fruit (any kind)
1 tbsp butter
1 cup wheat germ

Toast the oats and wheat germ on a cookie sheet for ten minutes (until lightly browned). Then
melt honey, butter, and brown sugar. Once it is melted, remove from heat and add oats, wheat germ, and dried fruits. Put into a square glass pan and let cool. Once cooled, cut into squares. You can store your granola bars in the refrigerator for about a week.

Have your own recipe to share? Please post to the blog so we can all build up our recipe boxes.

*Happy Hippie Granola Bars submitted by Melissa Klevans, Eng 101

May Newsletter

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Foraging for wild, medicinal plants and herbs

Foraging for wild food is not a "I just happened to see it" activity anymore. More and more websites are sprouting up with tips about what and how to forage native plants in your local neighborhood. So, what does "forage" mean? Generally, to forage for wild food is to search for and identify natural food sources safe for eating.

Whether in the country or an urban setting, wild foraging is a good way to incorporate local foods, including medicinal plants and herbs, into your everyday diet. For example, dandelion is a common weed found in many backyards. Medicinally, dandelion has a long history of use as a diuretic, tonic, and aperient. The tops can be eaten fresh in salads and the root, when dried, makes an excellent coffee substitute. (Before eating from the wild, make sure you have correctly identified the plant. For this, you may want to go foraging with a local expert or reference a reputable guidebook. Also, avoid plants that may have absorbed harmful toxins, such as plants growing by the roadside.)

In Portland, Oregon, where ACHS is based, some of the most commonly foraged foods include, pears, berries, walnuts, lavender, mint, and rosemary. (The ACHS Botanical Teaching Garden, for example, invites locals to cut fresh herbs. such as rosemary and chives, for personal use, and will host a U-Pick Lavender event in July.)

For information about wild foraging in Portland, check out the Urban Edibles website, and for foraging wild and edible plants in your area, check out foraging.com.

Click here for more information about upcoming ACHS community classes and to download free information about growing, harvesting, and using medicinal plants to support your health.

Grow your own herbs in a few easy steps

You don't have to have a big garden to grow your own fresh herbs. For those who live in apartments, don't have a backyard, or only like to garden small-scale, most herbs can be grown in ceramic planters.

If that's good news, you'll like what Master Gardener and ACHS Senior Vice President Erika Yigzaw had to say Saturday, May 9, at the ACHS From Your Garden to Your Kitchen Open House.

Although each herb is different, most are fairly easy to grow and use at home. There are just a few key things to remember. 1. Unless otherwise specified, herbs like full sun. 2. Herbs potted into planters should be watered about once a day. 3. Don't over water. As a general rule, water herbs so that the soil remains moist approx. one inch from the top.

Once your herbs are potted, what can you use them for? Most easily, herbs can be used on a meal-by-meal basis and either cooked into hot foods or eaten raw in salads. You also use fresh herbs to make your own herbal teas and infused oils for cooking and/or body care, as well as herbal medicine infusions and tinctures.

Click here to download free information about making your own herbal remedies, herbal teas, and organic gardening.

Additional tips for growing your own herbs include:

• When planting in peet pots, break up the peet and roots before planting.
  
• Do not plant above the base of the plant. Adding a top layer of soil can cause fungus.
  
• To keep bugs from your plants, include a decoy plant in your garden like artichoke.
  
• Before harvesting, find out the best method for that herb (for example, rosemary likes to be plucked, but peppermint can be snipped).
  

Click here for more information about dried herbs and herbal medicine classes.

Grow your own garden herbs in a few easy steps

You don't have to have a big garden to grow your own fresh herbs. For those who live in apartments, don't have a backyard, or only like to garden small-scale, most herbs can be grown in ceramic planters.

If that's good news, you'll like what Master Gardener and ACHS Senior Vice President Erika Yigzaw had to say Saturday, May 9, at the ACHS From Your Garden to Your Kitchen Open House.

Although each herb is different, most are fairly easy to grow and use at home. There are just a few key things to remember. 1. Unless otherwise specified, herbs like full sun. 2. Herbs potted into planters should be watered about once a day. 3. Don't over water. As a general rule, water herbs so that the soil remains moist approx. one inch from the top.

Once your herbs are potted, what can you use them for? Most easily, herbs can be used on a meal-by-meal basis and either cooked into hot foods or eaten raw in salads. You can also use fresh herbs to make your own herbal teas and infused oils for cooking and/or body care, as well as herbal medicine infusions and tinctures.

Click here to download free information about making your own herbal remedies, herbal teas, and organic gardening.

Additional tips for growing your own herbs include:

• When planting in peet pots, break up the peet and roots before planting.
  
• Do not plant above the base of the plant. Adding a top layer of soil can cause fungus.
  
• To keep bugs from your plants, include a decoy plant in your garden like artichoke.
  
• Before harvesting, find out the best method for that herb (for example, rosemary likes to be plucked, but peppermint can be snipped).
  

Click here for more information about dried herbs and herbal medicine classes.

Studies show the benefit of vitamin D for asthma and allergies

Vitamin D, often thought of as the "sunshine vitamin," has more benefits than a sunny disposition. For example...did you know that vitamin D can help control allergies? According to a recent study in the May 1 issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, children with lower vitamin D levels were more likely to be hospitalized for asthma and had more allergies. That means, with regular levels of vitamin D, your kid's asthma and allergy symptoms may be significantly reduced.

How do you get more vitamin D, especially if it's not sunny? There are many sources, but for kids, perhaps one of the most friendly products is Kids Chewable DHA. In addition to vitamin D, fish oil is a natural source of vitamin A and Omega-3 fatty acid, which are essential nutrients.

Other foods with vitamin D include: salmon, tuna, sardines, milk, eggs, cheese, and many ready-to-eat cereals.

Now is the time for education. Take a moment to find out what natural health can do for you.

May is National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. Founded by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Awareness Month was established to educate clients, family, friends, and co-workers about asthma and allergy challenges, as well as how to live a full, healthy life with them.

Tips for making herbal teas from ACHS President Dorene Petersen

ACHS President Dorene Petersen showed workshop participants Saturday, May 9, how to harvest fresh garden herbs for making herbal tea.

When making herbal tea for pleasure, the selection of herbs included is personal. To help make herbal selections, though, Petersen invited participants to first rub the herb between their fingers, which releases the volatile oil and aroma, then to place a small piece of the herb on their tongue. Both exercises help gauge the strength of the herb. For example, rosemary has a fairly pungent taste; therefore, when making an herbal tea blend, you may want to include smaller amounts of rosemary than, say, peppermint.

Making balanced herbal teas from fresh herbs takes a bit of practice. However, during the workshop Petersen offered these tips:

1. You can make herbal teas from fresh or dried herbs at a 2:1 ratio, because fresh herbs contain more water. (For example, 1 teaspoon dried peppermint or 2 teaspoons of fresh peppermint.)

2. If using fresh herbs, Petersen prefers an individual teapot with a built-in strainer.

3. If using dried herbs, purchase empty tea bags so you can make and store your own blends. (This is also useful when traveling. For example, you can make a stress-relieving tea if you are a nervous flier.)

4. Pour your water while it is boiling.

Here is a list of some herbs you can try for herbal tea and their use:

• Lemon balm leaves: Headache and insomnia
• Calendula flowers: Indigestion, skin troubles
• Chamomile flowers: Headaches, nervousness, indigestion, ulcers, arthritis, and infection prevention
• Lavender flowers: Headache and nervousness
• Nettle leaves: Kidney troubles, hypertension, gout, hay fever, PMS, and scurvy
• Thyme: Colds, indigestion, cough remedy
  

For more blending herbal tea tips, download this free informational packet from the workshop.

ACHS Offers Imagine American Scholarship to Veterans and Spouses of Active Duty Servicemembers

May 8, 2009—American College of Healthcare Sciences in Portland, Oregon, has been approved as a participating institution in the national Imagine America scholarship program. This scholarship offers veterans with expired military benefits and spouses of active duty servicemembers a one-time scholarship of $1,000 toward tuition. ACHS has been a participant in the Imagine America Military Award Program (MAP) since March 2009 and is pleased to have already awarded three scholarships. MAP, which is sponsored by the Imagine American Foundation, was established in 2004 for any active duty or honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. military attending a career college. Visit www.imagine-america.org for more information.

ACHS Imagine America applicants must enroll in a minimum of six credit hours and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. For additional scholarship eligibility information, please visit www.achs.edu. According to ACHS Dean of Admissions Tracey Miller, the $1,000 scholarship helps “provide a new opportunity for veterans to have successful civilian careers and a much needed tuition assistance option for spouses of active duty servicemembers. The holistic health industry continues to grow and expand, and by providing scholarships like the Imagine America Military Award Program, ACHS is making holistic health career training as inclusive, affordable, and viable as possible.”

The college, which launched seven new career training certificate programs in January 2009, has a clear mission: To provide leadership in holistic health education through comprehensive professional online and on-campus education and high quality natural products with a commitment to sustainable practices and principles. As such, ACHS is the only DETC accredited, fully online college offering degrees, certificates, and continuing education programs in complementary alternative medicine. In addition to the Masters and Associates of Applied Science in Complementary Alternative Medicine, the College’s new certificate programs include: certified wellness coach, certified holistic nutrition consultant, and certified herbal retailer, in addition to the Certificate in Aromatherapy, which the college has been providing for more than 30 years.

ACHS prides itself on their flexible, online classrooms, extensive faculty of highly trained industry professionals, and commitment to sustainable practices and principles. For more information about your ACHS education and the Imagine America Military Award application, call ACHS at (800) 487-8839, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., PST. Or, visit the college website at www.achs.edu to request a catalog.

Herbal Medicine chest -for busy moms

We all know that it is important to nourish ourselves by maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, making sure we take care or our own needs as moms, and getting plenty of rest.

However, sometimes our kids have other plans for us! Whether it is a crying baby that keeps you up all night, over-committing ourselves, or just generally being off balance and on the verge of burnout- herbs can be an excellent ally! Fellow moms often ask me what herbs I like to use during busy or stressful times- below are some of my favorites! All of these herbs are safe to use while nursing and are also excellent for postpartum.*

Nutritive Herbs

• Milky Oats - Milky oats (tincture) will give me instant relief when I am on the verge of burnout and exhaustion, not thinking clearly, moody, and just plain overwhelmed. Milky oats are nourishing for the nervous system and can be taken over a long period of time. I notice the effects immediately, feeling revived and rejuvenated.
• Alfalfa- Alfalfa is packed with nutrients- a great addition to tea!
• Gotu Kola- Commonly used in Ayruvedic medicine, combined in a formula with other nervines, it reduces nervous exhaustion while at the same time promoting mental clarity.
• Nettle- One of the best nutritive herbs. This herb can be used daily. This is a great herb to use to revive yourself if you are feeling drained. The whole plant including the seeds is an excellent remedy for adrenal exhaustion, something a lot of mom's may experience when they juggling multiple tasks and don't take the time for self care. Nettles are packed with trace minerals and vitamins.
• Dandelion- Often thought of as just a weed, dandelion is a wonderful mildly bitter herb that has a long use in traditional herbal medicine as both a food and a beneficial medicinal remedy. Dandelion leaf can be eaten in salads, stir fry, the root roasted can be used as a coffee substitute and the dried root can be added to your tea blends.

Nervines

• Catnip- this herb will come in handy for both mom and baby. Not only does it have a gentle relaxing effect, it will reduce colic in your baby both through the breast milk, used alone as a tea, or used in a "gripe water" formula. Catnip in a tea along with slippery elm, chamomile, fennel, and infant massage helped my daughter with her colic symptoms tremendously.
• Chamomile- Another great herb for both mom and baby, it is not only relaxing it is a natural anti-inflammatory, and good for nervous tummies. So when your baby begins teething, chamomile is an excellent herb to have on hand to both relax you and your baby. Chamomile will also help with local inflammation of the gums when your baby is teething (apply tincture directly). I like chamomile combined with lavender as a tea for relaxation.
• Lavender- Gentle and relaxing to the nervous system, it is good for insomnia, as well as milk production & the let down reflex, combined with other herbs such as chamomile, fennel, catnip.
• Passionflower- I like this combined with other nervines in a nighttime tea, excellent for relaxation.
• California Poppy- Excellent for anxiety and insomnia.
• Lemon Balm- I like lemon balm combined with other herbs in a tea, the herb gives a general over-all good feeling. Calming effects will pass to your infant through the breast milk if you are nursing. Combines well with milky oats in tincture form.
• Motherwort- This herb is bitter, great for anxiety. I like this herb in tincture form.
• Skullcap- For the mom's with so much on their mind, new changes, over stimulation, a touch of the blues, exhaustion from lack of rest, I think this herb is one of the most valuable. It will nourish & restore your nervous system.
• Vervain- This herb will help when you are irritable and on the verge of the angry "I've had it and I just might lose it" cry. Great to combine with the skullcap and or milky oats in tincture form. Good for the emotional mood swings of PMS-safe to take over long periods of time.

Author Bio
Angie Goodloe graduated from the American College of Healthcare Sciences with her Diploma in Herbal Studies Master Herbalist and Holistic Nutrition Certificate in 2005. She also graduated from the East West College of the Healing Arts in 2003 and currently teaches holistic health courses online. To read more about Angie and her work, check out her blog: http://authenticmama.com/

*This is the opinion and/or claim of the author. It is always recommended that you consult with a primary health care provider before making significant changes to your diet or health care routine.

Herbal medicine chest for busy moms

We all know that it is important to nourish ourselves by maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, making sure we take care or our own needs as moms, and getting plenty of rest.

However, sometimes our kids have other plans for us! Whether it is a crying baby that keeps you up all night, over-committing ourselves, or just generally being off balance and on the verge of burnout- herbs can be an excellent ally! Fellow moms often ask me what herbs I like to use during busy or stressful times- below are some of my favorites! All of these herbs are safe to use while nursing and are also excellent for postpartum.*

Nutritive Herbs

• Milky Oats - Milky oats (tincture) will give me instant relief when I am on the verge of burnout and exhaustion, not thinking clearly, moody, and just plain overwhelmed. Milky oats are nourishing for the nervous system and can be taken over a long period of time. I notice the effects immediately, feeling revived and rejuvenated.
• Alfalfa- Alfalfa is packed with nutrients- a great addition to tea!
• Gotu Kola- Commonly used in Ayruvedic medicine, combined in a formula with other nervines, it reduces nervous exhaustion while at the same time promoting mental clarity.
• Nettle- One of the best nutritive herbs. This herb can be used daily. This is a great herb to use to revive yourself if you are feeling drained. The whole plant including the seeds is an excellent remedy for adrenal exhaustion, something a lot of mom's may experience when they juggling multiple tasks and don't take the time for self care. Nettles are packed with trace minerals and vitamins.
• Dandelion- Often thought of as just a weed, dandelion is a wonderful mildly bitter herb that has a long use in traditional herbal medicine as both a food and a beneficial medicinal remedy. Dandelion leaf can be eaten in salads, stir fry, the root roasted can be used as a coffee substitute and the dried root can be added to your tea blends.

Nervines

• Catnip- this herb will come in handy for both mom and baby. Not only does it have a gentle relaxing effect, it will reduce colic in your baby both through the breast milk, used alone as a tea, or used in a "gripe water" formula. Catnip in a tea along with slippery elm, chamomile, fennel, and infant massage helped my daughter with her colic symptoms tremendously.
• Chamomile- Another great herb for both mom and baby, it is not only relaxing it is a natural anti-inflammatory, and good for nervous tummies. So when your baby begins teething, chamomile is an excellent herb to have on hand to both relax you and your baby. Chamomile will also help with local inflammation of the gums when your baby is teething (apply tincture directly). I like chamomile combined with lavender as a tea for relaxation.
• Lavender- Gentle and relaxing to the nervous system, it is good for insomnia, as well as milk production & the let down reflex, combined with other herbs such as chamomile, fennel, catnip.
• Passionflower- I like this combined with other nervines in a nighttime tea, excellent for relaxation.
• California Poppy- Excellent for anxiety and insomnia.
• Lemon Balm- I like lemon balm combined with other herbs in a tea, the herb gives a general over-all good feeling. Calming effects will pass to your infant through the breast milk if you are nursing. Combines well with milky oats in tincture form.
• Motherwort- This herb is bitter, great for anxiety. I like this herb in tincture form.
• Skullcap- For the mom's with so much on their mind, new changes, over stimulation, a touch of the blues, exhaustion from lack of rest, I think this herb is one of the most valuable. It will nourish & restore your nervous system.
• Vervain- This herb will help when you are irritable and on the verge of the angry "I've had it and I just might lose it" cry. Great to combine with the skullcap and or milky oats in tincture form. Good for the emotional mood swings of PMS-safe to take over long periods of time.

Author Bio
Angie Goodloe graduated from the American College of Healthcare Sciences with her Diploma in Herbal Studies Master Herbalist and Holistic Nutrition Certificate in 2005. She also graduated from the East West College of the Healing Arts in 2003 and currently teaches holistic health courses online. To read more about Angie and her work, check out her blog: http://authenticmama.com/

*This is the opinion and/or claim of the author. It is always recommended that you consult with a primary health care provider before making significant changes to your diet or health care routine.

Swine flu false claims infecting supplement industry

Swine flu false claims are starting to infect the supplement industry. What is the long-term effect of irresponsible marketing, products claiming to "cure" swine flu? Read this blog post by the Nutrition Business Journal for more information:

"The FDA is bracing for an onslaught of dietary supplements and other products making false or misleading claims for the H1N1, or swine flu, virus. A quick Internet search found that a number of U.S. companies are currently touting products they say can prevent or cure the H1N1 virus. In an effort to get out in front of what could be a public relations nightmare and provide fuel for tighter supplement regulation in the future, a coalition of supplement industry trade associations issued a statement today urging supplement manufacturers and retailers to “refuse to stock or sell any supplements that are presented as treating or curing swine flu” and to “refrain from promoting any dietary supplement as a cure or treatment for swine flu.”

"The groups backing the statement are the American Herbal Products Association, the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, the Council for Responsible Nutrition and the Natural Products Association. In their statement, the groups also noted that “federal law does not allow dietary supplements to claim to treat any diseases, including swine flu” and that they are “unaware of any scientific data supporting the use of dietary supplements to treat swine flu.”

"The statement did note that “there are dietary supplements that have much to offer in terms of enhancing general immune function. However, therapies for the treatment of swine flu should only be recommended by qualified healthcare professionals or public health authorities.”

"Given mounting public anxiety in the United States and beyond over the fast-spreading H1N1 virus, the associations’ action is an important step in encouraging the supplement industry to act responsibly and legally in the face of a potential health crisis. Let’s just hope companies heed their warning rather than put the industry in jeopardy by attempting to milk profits from public fear."

Related links:

Natural Products Foundation Urges full Enforcement of the Law Regarding False Advertising for Dietary Supplements

Industry Making Strides in Improving Tarnished Image of Weight-Loss Supplements

Avian Flu: Consumer Scenarios and Responsible Marketing

© Accessed 5/6/09: Nutrition Business Journal: http://tinyurl.com/dcnuzf

Hydroxycut recall begs stricter controls for dietary supplements?

The voluntary recall of 14 Hydroxycut products by Iovate Sciences has people talking. Should there by stricter controls on dietary supplements?

The Hydroxycut recall was triggered by a consumer warning by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued May 1. In response, Loren Israelsen, executive director of the United Natural Products Alliance and a member of Nutrition Business Journal’s editorial advisory board said in a Nutrition Business Journal, “This is a big deal for the dietary supplement industry because it will inevitably invite comparison to the ephedra AER [adverse event reporting] episode, and critics of the industry will no doubt call for some review of DSHEA [the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act] as a result."

Ongoing problems with Hydroxycut and similar products have people wondering if supplement regulations should be firmer, which does not seem like a priority for Congress right now. And, until it is, how can consumers protect themselves?

According to Nutrition Business Journal, "consumers bought $1.67 billion worth of weight-loss pill-form supplements in 2007, and Hydroxycut was the top-selling weight-loss supplement brand sold at supermarkets, drug stores and mass merchandise outlets (excluding Wal-Mart). Weight-loss supplement sales have been hurting since the 2004 ephedra ban, and this event is likely to take a hefty toll on 2009 sales."

In other words, we know there is no "quick fix" or instant solution for health challenges, yet, people continue to buy the products. Perhaps consumers can best protect themselves by asking the question, "Why?" Why, when we know so much about the many successful applications of alternative medicines and holistic health do we buy pills? Why do we continue to support "short-term fixes" instead of long-term health when studies show that these choices may, in fact, be hurting us more?

Will this recall of Hydroxycut products influence consumer purchases? Should there be more supplement regulation to protect the consumer? Tell us what you think....

Click here to read the full article in the Nutrition Business Journal.

Obama sees alternative medicine as a practical avenue for prevention

During an April 29 Town Hall meeting in Arnold, MO, President Barack Obama said, "We should do what works," expressing his openness to including complementary alternative medicine (CAM) in the U.S. healthcare system.

Obama went on to say, “I think it is pretty well documented through scientific studies that acupuncture, for example, can be very helpful in relieving certain things like migraines and other ailments—or at least as effective as more intrusive interventions.”

According to a press release on the Nutraceuticals World website, "The response followed a question posed by a licensed acupuncturist and massage therapist, who asked the president how alternative medicine would fit into his new healthcare system."

The press release goes on to say:

"'I think one basic principle that we know is that the more we do on the prevention side, the more we can obtain serious savings down the road,” he added after commenting directly on acupuncture. President Obama also stressed the importance of changing the current logic of the healthcare system, which focuses only on reducing costs in the near-term.

“Reimbursement for healthcare provided by CAM practitioners not only would support the health of the public,” said Michael McGuffin, president of the American Herbal Products Association, Silver Spring, MD, “it represents a significant opportunity for products used and prescribed by CAM practitioners and a major step forward in the development of an innovative and wellness-based healthcare system.'"

To read the original press release on the Nutraceuticals World website, click here.

Garland chrysanthemum healthy addition to fresh soups and salads

Garland chrysanthemum Chrysanthemum coronarium greens are a traditional addition to chop suey and soup, according to an April 30 article by Vern Nelson in The Oregonian, "Get set for chop suey." An annual that grows from 1-4 feet tall, garland chrysanthemum has yellow flowers and, depending on the cultivar, can also have white tips.

For cooking, Nelson recommends these varieties:

• Broad leaf, which has a mild flavor
• Maiko, which has a vigorous flavor
• Round leaf, which has a milder flavor and bi-colored flowers
• Small leaf, which has serrated leaves
• Tiger ear, which has a strong flavor and broad leaves

To cook garland chrysanthemum, Nelson suggests you lightly "saute the leaves and stems or whole 4- to 6-inch seedlings with sesame seeds, garlic, ginger and soy sauce. Overcooking the leaves causes bitterness."

To also can eat the chrysanthemum raw in salads [like dandelion], add to "soups containing fresh ginger, or dunk in fritter batter and deep-fry." Nelson says that, "You'll detect flavors of carrot, celery, and juniper in round-leaved cultivars, and mesclun in most cultivars. The species and serrate-leaved varieties have a stronger, sometimes bitter finish [...]. The petals of all varieties have less flavor but look great in salads. The seeds can be sprouted and used in sandwiches or as salad."

To read the complete article, including tips for planting garland chrysanthemum, care, and harvest, click here.

© Nelson, Vern. The Oregonian, "Get set for chop suey." April 30, 2009.