What is Mormon Tea? Mormon Tea, is a beverage prepared by using the stems of a plant known as Ephedra nevadensis. It is foraged in the North American southwestern deserts, as well as in parts of Northern Mexico. The stems can either be fresh or dried before they are soaked in hot water. Ephedra nevadensis […]

What is Chaga Mushroom? Chaga (Inonotus obliquus), Inonotus means “fibrous” and “earlike”, while obliquus means “slanted.” Common vernacular names include chaga/tchaga/gaga (Russia); hua jie kong jun/bai hua rong (China); kabanoanatake (Japan); pakuri (Finland), clinker polypore, birch conk, birch fungus, birch lip, and birch canker polypore. For the sake of simplicity, this article will use the term

What is Ashitaba? Ashitaba is a specific species in the angelica family. Its Latin name is angelica keiskei. Its name references the ability to prolifically grow in less than ideal areas with little to no intervention from any cultivator or gardener. It is noted for its hardiness, fecundity and ability to regrow quickly after being

What is Damiana? Damiana (Turnera diffusa) is a herb that grows wild in the climates of the West Indies, Mexico, Central America, Southern California, and Texas. Historically, it was sought out for anxiety, nervousness, depression, digestive issues and as treatment for sexual withdrawal. The aromatic leaves and stems of the small shrub were gathered for

What is Apple Pectin? Apple Pectin is historically used primarily as a gelling agent for the making of jams, jellies and preserves. It is also a well-liked ingredient in the manufacturing of food. It is known to have “a smooth, creamy texture and great flavor release”. Within recent years, the medicinal properties have been more

What is Trimethylglycine (TMG)? Trimethylglycine, or TMG, is simply a form of the amino acid glycine. Any amateur chemist can tell you that it has three methyl groups attached to it. In the supplement industry, TMG is more commonly referred to as Betaine. It is often simply referred to as Betaine because trimethylglycine was the

What is AMPK? AMPK is an ancient biological mechanism that has been maintained over evolutionary history. It is used by single-celled organisms like yeast, and by complex multicellular life forms like humans. AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase) in an enzyme involved in cellular energy homeostasis. Let’s break that down: The “A/AMP” in AMPK stands for adenosine

What is Vervain? Vervain (Verbena officinalis) is an herb well-known in folk medicine. Also known as  herb of the cross, Simpler’s joy, herba veneris, and countless other names, Vervain is native to the Mediterranean region, but it has also spread to Asia and North America. Vervain grows to about a metre tall, and produces small