Ginseng: Getting to the Root

On February 23, 2015 · Add Comment

If there’s one Asian herb that everyone has heard of, it’s ginseng – Panax ginseng to give it it’s full name. It’s often thought of as a stimulant, although Ginseng is actually more sophisticated than that. In traditional Chinese herbology, we use it to strengthen digestion, improve lung function, reduce anxiety, and increase energy. Read

by Jonathan Welch, Contributing Editor

The Power of Sriracha

On October 22, 2013 · Add Comment

It’s Thai. It’s trendy. It gives your food a tangy kick in the taste buds. And you’ve probably heard about it and seen it on the tables of many New York eateries far and wide these days. Sriracha sauce is indeed all that and a bag of…peppers. But there’s more to this sauce than something you slather on your rice for punch and flavor.
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by Jonathan Welch, Contributing Editor

Give alternatives to the Flu Shot

On October 10, 2013 · Add Comment

My brother likes to say that if a massive pandemic were to hit the United States – another plague of sorts – that I would be the first one down. Not a fair assessment, I say, since I actually went a few years without a major cold or flu, but I do get his point. I used to catch every cold or flu when I lived in our native Massachusetts; a place with extreme seasonal changes and a history of being drafty and chilly during the down months. Moving to New York City actually seemed to boost my immunity, and working with health practitioners allowed me to use tactics to stave off the flu before it came knocking on my door. And despite my tendency to catch things, I would find myself most years avoiding the flu shot.
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