Meditation May Lessen Depression

For people struggling with severe depression, practicing meditation may offer mood-lifting benefits. In a recent pilot study, researchers randomly assigned 28 people dealing with depression (all of whom had previous depression episodes and thoughts of suicide) to two groups: One group continued their usual treatment, while the other paired standard care with mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (or MBCT, a healing approach that combines mindfulness meditation with cognitive behavior therapy). Results showed that symptoms of depression decreased from severe to mild levels in the MBCT group, but remained the same in the group of participants receiving conventional care only.

Even in the most severe cases, depression is a highly treatable disorder. While it's critical to work with a physician in treating depression, certain self-care strategies—such as exercising regularly, practicing yoga, and using nutritional therapy—may produce mood-improving effects and ease depression symptoms.

Yukon Gold Potatoes and Health

The more intense yellow color of the flesh, the higher the vitamin A levels, which promotes good vision, healthy skin, and improved immune system. The peel stores goodly amounts of potassium, helping to reduce risk of stroke, as well as vitamin A. So scrub them gently and leave on the peels when cooking.

Potatoes also contain glutathione, an antioxidant that may help protect against cancer.

Healthy Rosemary

Rosemary contains primarily borneol, camphor, eucalyptol, and pinene in its essential oils, which can irritate the skin. Yet, surprisingly enough, it is also used in rheumatic liniments and ointments for its soothing effect.

This herb also has sedative, diuretic, stomach relief, aromatic, antispasmodic and antiseptic properties, and is thought to be particularly beneficial in the treatment of fatigue and neuralgia. Those with sensitive skin may suffer contact dermatitis from cosmetics scented with rosemary oils, or from prolonged handling of the plant.

Rosemary also contains chemicals called quinones, which have been shown in laboratory studies to inhibit carcinogens. Thus, this herb is ranked high on the list of cancer-prevention and reduction foods.

Herbalists use rosemary to treat dizziness due to inner ear problems, nerve conditions, headaches, halitosis, stomach ailments and as pain-reducers. Ancient folk remedies list it as a memory-enhancer. Since rosemary is such a flavorful addition, it is a staple to those on a salt-restricted diet.

Warning: Essential, distilled rosemary oil, (not not to be confused with flavored cooking oils), should never be taken internally. It is poisonous in strong doses. Be sure to consult your physician before attempting any medicinal use of any herb, spice or other home remedy.

Ginkgo for MEMORY

In a recent French study, 3500 men and women who took the herb ginkgo biloba for 13 years were 24% less likely to die. This study was unique int hat it looked at overall survival rather than at the effects of ginkgo biloba on memory loss.

Interestingly, those taking the gingko biloba appeared to have the same amount of memory loss as those who took other memory enhancers. The study was not randomized, so the people taking the ginkgo biloba may have been different from the non-takers.