Tonsil stones, also known as tonsilloliths, are calcified bits of debris that can get lodged in the crevices of your tonsils. They are made up of dead cells, mucus, bacteria, and food particles. Once trapped in the folds of your tonsils, they harden into yellowish stones. While tonsil stones may not exhibit obvious symptoms, one major indication you might have them is recurrent, foul-smelling breath.… [read more]

Gandoderma lucidum is an edible medicinal mushroom native to Asia. It has been used therapeutically for at least 2,000 years, going by the name “reishi” in Japan and “lingzhi” in China. Thriving in hot and humid environments, reishi is characterized by its reddish, glossy, kidney-shaped cap on a stout stem. Growing in clusters on the stumps of deciduous trees, reishi can also sometimes form elongated… [read more]

A deceptively simple concoction, peanut butter is essentially roasted peanuts whipped up into the consistency of a spreadable paste. Whether smooth or chunky, salted or sweetened, peanut butter is a staple in kitchen pantries everywhere – perhaps because it lends itself equally well as a spread, sauce, dessert, snack, and smoothie. There are hundreds of recipes that use PB to balance and compliment sweet and… [read more]

Beets (Beta vulgaris) are a biennial vegetable, edible from root to leaf. The fleshy, purplish-red tap root with a sweet, earthy taste is not frequently seen served up in American cuisine but both beetroot and beet greens are absolutely deserving of a spot in the annals of medicinal superfoods. 8 Health Benefits Of Eating Beets Here are some incredible reasons to eat your beets: 1.… [read more]

From the jungles of South America, cat’s claw (Uncaria tomentosa) is a woody vine that features thorns shaped like hooks, which allow this plant to climb and cling to trees as high as 100 feet tall. Used therapeutically for at least 2,000 years by indigenous peoples of the rainforest, cat’s claw – or uña de gato, as it is known locally – is believed to… [read more]