Category: Natural Health

Treating Genetically Modified Animals Like New Drugs? It Could Be in the Works

Last week, the FDA proposed a new way to handle genetically modified animals: monitoring their safety the way new drugs are monitored.

The proposed regulation, one of three proposed last week before President Trump’s inauguration, would have immense consequences on the treatment of genome editing in regulations—as well as how companies go about bringing genetically modified foods to the market.

It’s worth emphasizing that this is merely a proposed regulation. And although food is indeed grouped together with drugs as something that can change the way your body functions—it’s called the Food and Drug Administration, after all—this proposal is raising some eyebrows in the world of genetics and bioethics.

Understanding the Genetically Modified Regulatory Environment

Nature.com points to the case of genetically modified salmon, which took twenty years of safety testing to approve. It’s still not available for sale as the FDA is yet to rule on how the fish should be labeled.

The ethics here are complicated. For nutrition enthusiasts, genetic modification is something that should be closely monitored and watched. But Nature also reports that a firm producing hornless dairy cattle is worried that these proposed regulations could make it difficult to do what they do, which reduces the need for “surgical dehorning”—which animals lovers aren’t crazy about, either.

If all genetic modifications are treated with the same hard-line skepticism from regulators, they argue that the consequences could result in red tape for any steps forward in the quality treatment of animals. That might push money out of the GMO world and into other controversial areas of animal treatment. According to Allison van Eenennaam, as quoted by Nature,

Because of measures like this, almost everything in genetic engineering will have to be done by huge multinational companies.”

Treating all gene modifications the same way makes for healthy skepticism, but is it enough to ensure that research resources are allocated the best way?

What’s the Alternative?

A subtle distinction must be made. Animals with genomes edited by specific tools are different than animals bred from more general DNA splicing. The proposed regulation would see no distinction between the two, which could prohibit smaller innovations under the guise of regulating the larger changes.

Currently, the FDA does not regulate these foods as drugs. And though in general terms, any food can alter the body’s chemistry, that has not always meant that the same regulatory environment existed for both.

For more information on this FDA proposal and to see what it would really mean in the world of genetic modification, you can go straight to the source with a release at the FDA’s website.

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Hens That Lay Our Organic Eggs Just Got a Lot More Room

It’s simple nutritional logic: the healthier the hen, the healthier the egg. But the term “organic eggs” and what it means for the chickens laying them has always been, for lack of a better term, flexible.

New rules passed by the USDA this month include new “minimum indoor and outdoor space requirements for poultry” to attain the “organic” label. Previously, rules only required that hens have some sort of outdoors access to be labeled organic. That left a lot of wiggle room for egg producers.

According to NPR, some producers would simply construct large chicken houses and give them a small, enclosed porch for “roaming.” While customers might picture chickens with plenty of pasture for free roaming, the reality was closer to the typical, high-density chicken house you might expect from a non-organic label.

The new rules will require approximately one acre for every 20,000 chickens, or one square foot for every 2 and a quarter pounds of chickens. But buyer beware: farmers are being given a five-year transition period to rise to the new standard. That means that some organic eggs will not meet these new standards when you buy them now.

Understanding What “Organic Eggs” Really Means

The terms “free range” and “organic” are thrown around so often that some customers forget they mean two different things. While “free range” chickens are allowed the space to roam—as the name would suggest—freely, “organic” chickens are under no such requirements.

In fact, organic eggs simply come from chickens that are not kept in cages and are fed organic feed. Under old USDA rules, simple access to outdoor areas—no matter how inadequate—meant there was a lot of flexibility for farmers looking to save a buck.

The new standards, while not ambitious, ensure that the amount of space these organic chickens are given at least adheres to a simple formula. While it doesn’t quite bring the chickens up to “free range” status, it does mean a healthier lifestyle for the hens laying the eggs.

What Does This Mean About Your Organic Eggs?

The Los Angeles Times cited a poll of farmers suggesting that as many as a quarter of organic chicken farmers don’t currently meet this new standard. That suggests a modest change in regulations, since the majority of chicken farmers may already meet the new standards. And with a five-year grace period for bringing a farm up to date, customers shouldn’t expect drastic changes overnight.

The good news is that the “organic” label still means something. Even inadequate access to pasture areas is better than no access at all. And these hens are uncaged, according to USDA regulations, which allows free roaming within their confines. Their diet is also organic, without the pesticides or fertilizers that can ultimately affect egg quality.

The new regulation is drawing some criticism from both sides, with organic enthusiasts calling it “too little” and others believing that the small change will have an effect on prices, but not on quality. As for the hens, they were unavailable for comment.

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Rose Hips for Your Autumn Medicine Cabinet

Dog Rose (Rosa canina) is an indigenous herb to Europe, considered by some as an invasive weed found in hedgerows, scrub, woods, and wasteland. In autumn, the arching stems with downy hooked thorns bear clusters of flask-shaped scarlet fruit known as rose hips. These floral superfoods, bursting with winter medicine for our homes and communities, make eye-catching bait for birds. Be sure to share in this harvest as they are rich in therapeutic uses!

Rose hips were thought to be discovered for their high vitamin C content in Britain during WWII when scurvy was prevalent and citrus remedies were scarce. In modern times, as every practitioner knows, vitamin C supplementation is used to support the immune system. It is more beneficial to obtain nutrients from local whole food sources such as rose hips than non-bioregional plant species or through a manufacturing process.

The therapeutic use for rose hips are many and go beyond the scope of vitamin C. Rose hips contain a plethora of tonic and antioxidant (carotenoids) properties that work in synergy with vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, D, K; with beta carotene; and with minerals such as calcium, iron, selenium and zinc.

Rose hips have many actions. For example, they are anti-inflammatory, astringent (drying), stomachic (strengthening digestion), nervine (strengthening and nourishing the nervous system), and nutritive with sour and cooling qualities. These actions make it a useful food and medicine for colder times of the year, benefiting inflammatory based conditions by easing chronic inflammation and offering pain relief. They can cool the body to help lower a fever and are used internally for natural relief of colds, sore throat, influenza, blocked chest, and minor infectious diseases. They can help control diarrhoea and gastritis and act as a dietary supplement. (They are especially good for vitamin C deficiency.) They may help to eliminate waste, support the immune system, soothe nerves, relieve insomnia, and lift depression, e.g. seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

Culinary use of rose hips includes wine making, vinegar, jam, jelly, syrup, soup, and tea. They are also used in a nutritional syrup supplement (especially for babies), which is sometimes added to cough mixtures and used to flavour medicines. Extracts are added to vitamin C tablets, food supplements, herbal remedies, and herb teas. As you can see, rose hips have a great deal to offer the autumn and winter medicine cabinet.

For the non-herbalists amongst us, here is a simple recipe you can safely carry out at home.  It’s also a fun project to do with children to help raise awareness of using nature to improve health.

Recipe for Organic Rose Hip Apple Cider Vinegar

This recipe has been adapted from various sources to simplify the process. Instead of using the conventional weight:volume ratio for fresh plant tinctures based on calculating the equivalent dry weight of the herb in g:ml, I have favoured a more traditional, user-friendly approach, including the use of a metric cup measurement.

Equipment:

  • Bag or basket
  • Sharp knife
  • Metric measuring cup
  • Colander
  • 1L Pyrex jug
  • Muslin cloth
  • Conical measure
  • 100 ml or bigger amber bottles with plastic caps (vinegar tends to rust lids otherwise)
  • Labels

Ingredients to yield approximately 600 ml:

  • Wild crafted, foraged rose hips (Rosa canina)
  • 1L organic apple cider vinegar (ACV)

Method

  • Identify and pick the rose hips in late autumn when the hips are bright red, soft and fleshy.
  • Wash the rose hips, discard anything damaged, and slit the skins using a sharp knife.
  • Measure 1 cup of slit rose hips to 2 cups of room temperature ACV.
  • Place the rose hips into a 1L sterilised pyrex jug and cover with ACV, leaving head room for the rose hips to swell.
  • Cover and label the project with the name of plant, plant part, menstruum (the liquid ingredient) and date.
  • Macerate (soak in a liquid) for two weeks to one month. (You may like to follow the path and cycle of the new or full moon.) Keep it in a dark place at room temperature and stir daily with a wooden spoon.
  • Strain the acetum (a preparation having vinegar as the solvent) through a muslin cloth to remove seeds and irritant hairs. Discard the marc (left over herbal material).
  • Return the crude acetum into a pyrex jug, cover and allow to settle overnight.
  • The next day, filter and decant into sterilised amber bottles. Cap and label. Store in a cool dark place (shelf life six months).

The recommended dosage is 5 ml three times daily before a main meal (neat or in 30 ml  filtered water) to benefit from the ACV digestive tract, tonic qualities. This recipe can be added to cooking (in marinades,  salad dressings, etc.) and is non-toxic and tolerated by most people, including those who are alcohol sensitive. If you experience any adverse side effects such as loose stools, which can be associated with excess vitamin C, stop taking the remedy for a day and reintroduce at half the recommended amount.

It is always good to consult a qualified herbalist before administering herbal medicine, especially if you or your client is pregnant, breast feeding, have a diagnosis and/or are taking prescription pharmaceutical drugs. For example, research indicates that rose hips have the potential to reduce blood glucose levels which can be suitable for treating diabetes.  However, large doses administered by those with hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) may cause side effects. The seeds also consist of short hairs which may irritate one internally. For those who are susceptible to irritable bowel syndrome or irritable bowel disease, take care to thoroughly strain the liquid. Rose hips are generally considered safe for use with children, convalescents, and the elderly.

Tips

When foraging for wild food or medicine, be sure to identify plant species correctly, and  harvest away from polluted areas such as busy roads and industry or where they might have been sprayed.  Remember to leave some autumn and winter food for wildlife!

One of my favourite hedgerow medicine guides for wild food and herbal medicine identification is: Hedgerow Medicine: Harvest and Make Your Own Herbal Remedies by Julie Bruton-Seal (Author, Illustrator), Matthew Seal (Author).

Should you decide to study herbal medicine (for example at the College of Naturopathic Medicine) this is the kind of practical, hands-on project you might study in the module Botany, Pharmacognosy, and Pharmacology.

About the Author

Emma Schade-Stylli has always felt a deep connection to nature and the cycle of the seasons with a passionate interest in exploring the science and healing art of plant-based medicine. Having graduated in Naturopathy and Herbal Medicine from CNM, Emma practices as a naturopath, herbalist and holistic lifestyle coach in the UK. She is also involved in a small holding project on the Isle of Anglesey, North Wales where she tends the land for pesticide-free vegetables and herbs. Emma can be contacted at info@contemporaryhealthcare.co.uk

About CNM
CNM offers Diploma Courses, Short Courses and Postgraduate Courses in a range of natural therapies, all based on a naturopathic approach to health. For the full range of courses, visit www.naturopathy-uk.com.

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Sources:
  • Andersson U, Berger K, Högberg A, Landin-Olsson M, Holm C. (2012) Effects of rose hip intake on risk markers of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease – European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 66(5):585-90
  • A Modern Herbal by Mrs. M Grieve • Roses – Botanical.com
  • Bartram, T (1998) Bartrams Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine. 1 ed. London: Constable & Robinson Ltd.
  • Bruton – Seal, J., & Seal, M. (2009) Hedgerow Medicine. Shropshire: Merlin Unwin Books Ltd.
  • Fitter, R.S.R (1974) Wild Flowers of Britain and Northern Europe. 2nd  ed. London: Harper Collins Publishers Ltd.
  • Make Your Own Whole Food Vitamin C Pills with Herbs -Learning Herbs
  • The Medicinal Benefits of Rose Hips -Permaculture 
  • Thomsen, M., & Gennat, H. (2009) Phytotherapy Desk Reference. 4th ed. Australia: Global Natural Medicine Pty Ltd.
  • Williams, S. (2013) Pharmacognosy and Pharmacy Day One, Pharmacognosy and Pharmacy. [Online] College of Naturopathic Medicine London.
  • Yard, Neils (2011) Cook, Brew and Blend Your Own Herbs. 1 ed. London: Dorling Kindersley Limited.
  • 2012, Department of Herbal Medicine. (Clinical Handbook Herbal Medicine) [pdf] London: The College of Naturopathic Medicine.

Review: Organic Root Cider by Barrier Island Organics

Barrier Island makes Mother’s Earth Organic Cider, which to me is very much a tonic. It reminds me of Shillington’s Total Tonic, but it’s better IMO. I told Mark Welch it was “rich,” and he said, “Yeah, there’s a lot of product in that cider; I can tell you that. We put for every nine pints of vinegar, we put ten pounds of roots and vegetables in there to start the process.”

If you have a sore throat or that tickle in your throat that could be the onset of a new bug to fend off, this is what you want to sip on. I would pour myself an ounce and sip on it for an hour like a fine scotch. It doesn’t taste as good, but you can play with the complexities and pretend.

People report wonderful testimonials including, “My inflammation seemed to be getting better every week,” and “No more knee pain, stiff neck, or swollen Achilles tendon.” They even report weight loss and blood sugar control. It makes sense, considering the ingredients:

  • Raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar provides essential nutrients that aid in digestion, metabolism, the lymphatic system, oxygen transport, and energy production. It balances the bodily pH levels and maintains them.
  • A whole lemon (with peel) cleanses and detoxifies the liver, flushes the digestive system, and provides tons of vitamin C.
  • Horseradish root provides lots of nutrients and minerals, aids in digestion, increases immunity, lowers blood pressure, increases metabolic function, and helps kill pathogens in the body.
  • Ginger root provides a strong antioxidant effect, boosts immunity, has anti-inflammatory compounds, and alleviates gastrointestinal distress, including nausea, which is imperative in this concoction!
  • Turmeric root “increases the antioxidant capacity of the body” which increases the cider’s anti-inflammatory properties, improves brain function, increases heart health, and fights cancer.
  • Garlic increases metabolism and lowers cholesterol while strengthening the immune system, especially against colds and upper respiratory infections.
  • White onion improves our absorption of vitamin C, regulates blood sugar, and helps protect us against chronic illness and disease.
  • Beets clean the blood and the circulatory system, lower blood pressure, boost stamina, and provide valuable phytonutrients to combat disease. They are high in fiber and offer anti-inflammatory properties for the body.
  • Serrano, habanero, and poblano peppers are rich in nutrients and vitamins and contain capsaicin, which lowers the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease. They also have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties so they may provide relief for pain related to arthritis, fibromyalgia, skin aging, and psoriasis.

As a daily tonic, take at least a tablespoon daily. Sip on it if you have a sore throat or at the first sign of illness. Take it for digestive issues. Take it to prevent illness and to help return the body to health. It helps aid detoxification and adds tons of nutrition to the body. I’m hooked. We’re always going to have this is one in the house.

The Green Wonder: 5 Things You Want to Know About Matcha Tea

Organic Green Matcha Tea in a Bowl

Matcha tea is rapidly becoming a cult drink. Artisan coffee, Earl Grey, and generic green tea are all very popular in certain circles, but if you want to cause a stir at your next dinner party, offer your guests some Matcha tea.

So what is Matcha tea and what do you need to know about it?

Matcha is the preferred beverage of the rich and famous. Models drink Matcha shots at catwalk shows and health-conscious celebs such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Victoria Beckham buy jars of the stuff.

Matcha tea originates from Japan and for centuries, Matcha has been used in traditional Japanese tea ceremonies. The best Matcha tea comes from a very specific shade of green tea known as Tencha tea. It is well known for its health and wellness benefits, so if you are looking for a nutrient-rich beverage, Matcha tea is a good choice.

1. Match Tea Contains Caffeine

Unlike regular green tea, Matcha tea contains as much caffeine as a cup of brewed coffee. However, whereas drinking strong coffee will give you a serious buzz, a cup of Matcha tea promotes a sense of calm alertness. This is because Matcha tea contains a natural substance called I-theanine, which promotes relaxation. So if you need to chill, ditch the coffee and drink Matcha tea instead.

2. Matcha Offers Health Benefits

We all know green tea is good for us, but are you aware of how many health benefits you get from drinking Matcha tea? Matcha tea is made from whole leaves, so it contains much higher levels of nutrients. Matcha is an excellent source of antioxidants and some studies have found that Matcha can slow the growth of cancer cells.

3. It takes Ages to Make Matcha Tea

Grinding Matcha tea is a labor-intensive process. Traditional Matcha tea is ground using stone mills and it can take up to an hour to grind up to 40g of tea. Unfortunately, traditional tea grinding methods are the only way to make Matcha, as food processors and spice grinders would produce a different flavor of tea – and you probably would not like it half as much.

4. Lower Grade Matcha Tea May Be Contaminated

Tea plants in certain areas are exposed to pollution and may contain high levels of lead, so always buy the best grade of Matcha you can afford. High-quality Matcha tea products are more likely to be cultivated in rural areas free from contaminants.

5. Matcha Tea Powder is Very Versatile

Traditionally speaking, Matcha tea is prepared with a tea bowl and a bamboo broom, but you can use Matcha powder in your baking, for smoothies, and in lattes. (Although you lose many of the health benefits if you add it to cookie dough!) If you do decide to bake with Matcha powder, buy a cheaper product.

Part of the enjoyment of drinking Matcha tea comes from preparing it the traditional way, so have a Japanese tea making ceremony and enjoy your Matcha.

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