Common Foods that Moderate Cholesterol by Susun Weed

Renowned herbologist Susun Weed writes, “If you are concerned about cholesterol, I have some great news for you. A variety of delicious foods have been shown to be as effective at moderating cholesterol as any drug. These foods lower LDL (the bad cholesterol) and raise HDL (the good cholesterol). They have a positive impact on total cholesterol and triglycerides too. And, as a bonus, most of these foods help prevent diabetes and lower blood pressure. See below for a list of these cholesterol-lowering foods. And remember to eat them cooked, frozen, dehydrated, fermented, or coated in oil for maximum benefit. Enjoy! Here’s to a healthy heart the Wise Woman Way.” From www.susunweed.com

  • Almonds (2 handfuls): Lowers LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol.
  • Apples (½ cup dried): Lowers LDL cholesterol by 23 percent; total cholesterol by 14 percent.
  • Apple (1 raw): Lowers LDL by 40 percent.
  • Avocado (1-2 a week): Fiber and beta-sistosterol compete with cholesterol for uptake (and win).
  • Beans, peas, lentils, and lima beans (¾ cup). Lowers LDL and total cholesterol.
  • Blueberries (2 cups frozen): Reduces heart disease by 40 percent.
  • Chocolate (1-3 ounces): Increases HDL, counters LDL oxidation, lowers total cholesterol.
  • Citrus fruits (½-1 cup): Rich in pectin, a type of soluble fiber; lowers LDL.
  • Cooked leafy greens (½-1 cup): Proteins and fiber bind cholesterol.
  • Fatty fish (2-4 servings a week): Reduces triglyceride levels by 25-30 percent.
  • Garlic (1-4 cloves): Lowers total cholesterol.
  • Hibiscus (1 cup infusion): Lowers LDL.
  • Nourishing Herbal Infusions (1-4 cups): Polyphenols and phytosterols reduce total cholesterol and counter oxidation of LDL.
  • Nuts (handful): Lower LDL.
  • Oats (½-1 cup): Soluble fiber lowers total cholesterol.
  • Olive oil (2-4 tablespoons): Lowers total cholesterol.
  • Pasture-fed, antibiotic and hormone-free meat and dairy (1-2 servings): Saturated fat is not the enemy of a healthy heart. The omega-3/omega-6 ratio of pasture-fed meat and milk is much closer to the ideal 1:1 ratio, than feedlot corn-fed meat and milk from soy-fed animals and promotes heart health.
  • Pears (dried or fresh, 1): Even more soluble fiber than apples; too bad for LDL.
  • Roots: The edible roots of plants are concentrated sources of phytosterols and polyphenols.
  • Shiitake mushrooms: Reduces cholesterol.
  • Tea, green (2-5 cups): Reduces LDL cholesterol.
  • Whole grains, including barley, kasha, rice, quinoa, amaranth, millet, wheat, oats. Soluble fiber lowers total cholesterol.

Green blessings, Susun Weed

Reprinted with kind permission from Susun Weed

See Susun’s book Abundantly Well: Seven Medicines

Click here for an article on “Using Infusions to Heal” by Susun Weed


The Science of Gratitude: It’s not just for Thanksgiving anymore

| by Cheryl Shainmark

We all know that we should be thankful for what we have, hopefully not just at Thanksgiving, but all the time. But did you know that it can be good for you as well? Research shows that the more you practice an attitude of gratefulness, the greater the effect. Gratitude confers a multitude of benefits, such as increased health, social connectedness, feelings of well-being and energy, as well as decreased feelings of depression, greed and envy and decreased substance abuse.

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Traditional Chinese Medicine with Dr. S. X. Ke

Dr. Song Xuan Ke has been of tremendous help to me on numerous occasions. His herbal remedies for balancing the Kidneys and digestion exceptionally beneficial. On our first meeting he gave me herbs to balance and strengthen my entire system, while assisting me in avoiding surgery at the time.

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Eye Floaters by Dr.Marc Grossman O.D. L.Ac.

Do tiny black shapes dance on your white living room wall? Do you see little black circles, lines or squiggles floating in your peripheral vision? Floaters are an appropriate name for these small dark shapes that appear before our eyes, because they do, indeed, float through your field of vision.

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13 Ayurvedic Anti-Aging Herbs by Dr. Ram Mani Bhandari

In Ayurvedic herbal treatment, anti aging means principally keeping up a healthy body into herbal treatment and bringing down the operation of aging, degeneration and depreciation. The objective of herbal anti-aging treatment is to aim for a healthy aging mode, and to maintain both mind and body working at optimum level, so the treasures of old age can be relished with peace of mind and vitality.

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Mirabai of Woodstock, NY

| by Merryn Jose

“At Mirabai you’ll find an amazing array of books devoted to inspiration, transformation and healing, the best in World Music which you can sample on our listening station, exquisite statuary and jewelry from Asia and the South Seas, crystals from Brazil and beyond, incense from India, meditation and yoga supplies, and so much more. Nearly every day, new and long-time customers comment on the “good energy” they feel here. Some refer to us a sanctuary for the soul. Come visit sometime and see if you agree.”

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Tired Eyes Linked to Brain Fog by Marc Grossman, OD, LAc

We’ve all experienced tired eyes, but did you know they are also linked to brain fog? Pinning down the cause can be tricky. Tired eyes is a common complaint. The possible causes include: Computer Eye Strain…

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Keeping Up Your Kidney Energy For Strong Bones by Mitzi Adams

| by Mitzi Adams

Jin Shin Jyutsu® physio-philosophy is an ancient art of harmonizing the life energy in the body. This art brings balance to the body’s energies, allowing the body to function, feel better and heal more quickly. With the high occurrence of osteoporosis, osteopenia, and other fragile bone conditions, prescriptions for Fosamax and similar drugs are given routinely. There are other alternatives if you are willing to take the time and give this a try.

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Dandelions May be the Health Boost You Need

It’s spring and that means our favorite pesky weed is about to make its appearance! Before you eradicate those interlopers you may want to try something different.  Dandelion, both leaves and roots, whether grown wild or cultivated, is full of medicinal benefits. The greens can be chopped into salad, cooked like spinach, or added to juicing, while the root form can be used to make an infusion/tea or extract. 

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Polarity Screens by Merryn Jose

| by Merryn Jose

“Always interested in preventative medicine for myself. I decided to pay a visit to a Holistic Health Exhibition held in London. I spent some time talking with a very enthusiastic sales person about the use of Polarity Screens which is a device that she claims has vastly improved her overall health by using them just twenty minutes twice a day. Personally I found the screens quite remarkable in their simplicity, which allows the body’s self healing mechanism to do all the work.”

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