Antidiabetic effects of Momordica charantia (bitter melon) and its medicinal potency

Diabetes mellitus is among the most common disorder in developed and developing countries, and the disease is increasing rapidly in most parts of the world. It has been estimated that up to one-third of patients with diabetes mellitus use some form of complementary and alternative medicine. One plant that has received the most attention for its anti-diabetic properties is bitter melon, Momordica charantia (M. charantia), commonly referred to as bitter gourd, karela and balsam pear. Its fruit is also used for the treatment of diabetes and related conditions amongst the indigenous populations of Asia, South America, India and East Africa. 

Image by Shutterstock. Image of slices of bitter gourd arranged on a white background sourced from Shutterstock. Available at: https://www.shutterstock.com/es/image-photo/slices-bitter-gourd-arranged-on-white-286289255

CU Boulder study: Narcotic painkillers cause chronic pain

Results of a three-month study released Monday by the university show opioids, such as morphine, cause an increase in chronic pain in lab rats, something that could have  implications for people, too.

Image by Shutterstock. Image of hands of a woman holding a pack of medicament sourced from Shutterstock. Available at: https://www.shutterstock.com/es/image-photo/hands-woman-holding-pack-medicament-255027928

Yerba Maté Tea Improves Microcirculation and Blood Viscosity Parameters in Subjects with Abnormal Circulation

Elevated blood viscosity is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Yerba maté (Ilex paraguariensis, Aquifoliaceae) tea, a popular South American beverage made from the leaves, has been found to have lipid-lowering effects, antioxidant activity, and other potential cardiovascular benefits. There were, however, no clinical studies that evaluated the effects of yerba maté tea on blood viscosity. So, the aim of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to evaluate the effects of yerba maté tea on blood viscosity, microcirculatory parameters, and other CVD risk factors in subjects with high blood viscosity.

Bamboo Mathematicians

In 999 A.D. they recorded a flowering of Chinese Mainland Bamboo. It was probably an astonishing sight, since no one alive at the time had ever seen the species flower before. The bamboo plants died, their seeds sprouted, and the forests did not flower again till 1114. After the species was imported to Japan, the Japanese recorded flowers in the early 1700s, and then again in 1844 to 1847. The flowering in the late 1960s was just the next burst of a 120-year cycle.

Phyllostachys bambusoides, a species of bamboo with a 120-year flowering cycle. Photo by Emmanuel Lattes, Alamy. Image sourced from National Geographic. Available at: https://i.natgeofe.com/n/c701f64e-551c-40d1-ab74-b6aa820cc7a6/bamboo-1200.jpg?w=1280&h=677

Unpacking the Science: How Playing Music Changes the Learning Brain

On the other hand, Patel says, there’s now a growing body of work that suggests that actually learning to play a musical instrument does have impacts on other abilities. These include speech perception, the ability to understand emotions in the voice and the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.

A bassist at the Conservatory Lab Charter School in Boston plays during a recital rehearsal. Research has found music instruction has beneficial effects on young brains. Photo by Jesse Costa/WBUR. Image sourced from KQED. Available at: https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/23/2014/07/cellist.jpg

Trees seen resting branches while ‘asleep’ for the first time

They don’t snore, but might creak during their slumbers. For the first time, trees have been shown to undergo physical changes at night that can be likened to sleep, or at least to day-night cycles that have been observed experimentally in smaller plants.

Time to rest your weary branches. Photo by Dmitry Savin/Getty. Image of tree branches with leaves sourced from New Scientist. Available at: https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/18162330/gettyimages-1495132231.jpg?width=800

Changing gut bacteria through diet affects brain function, UCLA study shows

Time and time again, we hear from patients that they never felt depressed or anxious until they started experiencing problems with their gut, Tillisch said. Our study shows that the gut–brain connection is a two-way street.

Image by Shutterstock. Image of a kernel of a walnut isolated on white background sourced from Shutterstock. Available at: https://www.shutterstock.com/es/image-photo/kernel-walnut-isolated-on-white-background-157638134

Gender differences in the neural response to acupuncture: clinical implications.

Relative to males, females exhibited greater brain activation in the right-sided postcentral gyrus, precentral gyrus, precuneus, postcentral gyrus, inferior parietal lobule, declive, middle occipital gyrus and parahippocampal gyrus.

Image by Shutterstock. Image of puzzle pieces representing a man and a woman sourced from Shutterstock. Available at: https://www.shutterstock.com/es/image-vector/puzzle-man-woman-152017826

Kids Kicking Cancer: Using Martial Arts to Teach Kids "Inner Power" in the Fight Against Cancer

Rabbi Elimelech Goldberg, known as Rabbi G, has helped more than 5,000 kids kick cancer by learning martial arts. Photo by NBC News. Image sourced from NBC News. Available at: https://media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com/image/upload/t_fit-560w,f_auto,q_auto:best/newscms/2016_20/1090271/rabbi-martial-arts-today-tease3-160517.jpg

Fermented Oat Kissel

Fermented oat kissel is a traditional Russian drink that goes back to the 10th century. It was made by fermenting oats with a piece of rye bread in water for a couple of days, then straining the liquid from the solids, and allowing the starch to settle on the bottom. The starch is the most digestible part of the oat grain, which is what lactic bacteria, and particularly Lactobacillus Plantarum, prefer, and it is where the beneficial by-products of fermentation would concentrate, while bran and germ stay more resilient.

Photo by Beets and Bones. Image of fermented oats in a jar sourced from Beets and Bones. Available at: https://www.beetsandbones.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/fermented-oats.jpg

Medical Acupuncture For Vets Helps Treat Ailments

A variety of animals at the Zoo benefit from regular acupuncture treatments. With animals living longer in zoos, this non-invasive technique can block chronic pain signals and help them live comfortably.

Photography by Ken Bohn. Image of an animal receiving acupuncture treatment sourced from San Diego Zoo. Available at: https://stories.sandiegozoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/acupuncture1-1358x500.jpg

Harvard Study Reveals What Meditation Literally Does To Gastrointestinal (Bowel) Disorders

The hits just keep on coming when it comes to the health benefits of meditation. Research is now emerging that would justify implementing this practice within hospitals and schools (some already do) as well as including it in treatment recommendations for various diseases.

The Sneaky Life of the World's Most Mysterious Plant

It looks so ordinary, this vine. But it’s not. It is, arguably, the most mysteriously talented, most surprising plant in the world.

Photograph courtesy of Ernesto Gianoli. Image of a stunning landscape sourced from National Geographic. Available at: https://i.natgeofe.com/n/198fa995-edf3-4674-8db6-7569aaf865b7/Gianoli-cover-image1.jpg?w=718&h=907

Can A Plant Remember? This one seems to.

There’s this plant I’ve heard about that had a really bad afternoon a few years ago. It was in its pot bothering nobody and then, suddenly, it fell. Not once, but 56 times. (I’ll explain in a minute.) But it’s a plant. Things happen to plants, and as far as I know, they go on as before. They don’t have brains. They have no way to “remember” anything. They’re not animals. So I figure even 56 consecutive falls left no lasting impression.

Sensitive plant, shame plant (Mimosa pudica), flower and leaf, leaves sensitiv, leaflets folded after touching Photograph by blickwinkel, Alamy. Photo by National Geographic. Image of a stunning landscape sourced from National Geographic. Available at: https://i.natgeofe.com/n/686cf10b-fb74-460c-9902-f4f5242535b7/AN2DHB.jpg?w=718&h=1095

Managing your emotions can save your heart

We often think of the heart and brain as being completely separate from each other. After all, your heart and brain are located in different regions of your body, and cardiology and neurology are separate disciplines. Yet these organs are intimately connected, and when your emotions adversely affect your brain, your heart is affected as well.

Photo by Medscape. Image of an illustration of interconnected mind and heart sourced from Medscape. Available at: https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8865/Srinis-mindheart-blog.jpg

Yoga For Brain Power: Mindfulness Exercises Reduce Effects Of Cognitive Impairment By Improving Memory, Mood

A recent study published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease found yoga and meditation could reduce the cognitive and emotional problems linked to Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia compared to memory training exercises like crossword puzzles.

Yoga can stave off the effects of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. PIXABAY, PUBLIC DOMAIN

How to Make Dandelion Salve

There are a lot of recipes floating around the internet for homemade balms, salves and lotions. My frustration with a lot of them is that they include a lot of ingredients I don’t have on hand. I’ve almost invested in some of these products but couldn’t ever bite the bullet and do it. Often these products can be expensive and not something I’ll use often enough to make the investment. What I love about this recipe I created is that it includes some pretty simple ingredients that most people already have at home or can purchase for a low cost. Making and using all natural skin care products doesn’t have to be expensive! 

Photo by Montana Homesteader. Image of homemade herbal salve in a tin sourced from Montana Homesteader. Available at: https://montanahomesteader.com

Letting It Go: Easier Said Than Done

One traditional Chinese adage says, “Your heart can create heaven or hell.” The modern version of this might read something like, “Your consciousness creates your reality.”

Photo by Shutterstock. Image of beach wave and footprints at sunset sourced from Shutterstock. Available at: https://www.shutterstock.com/es/image-photo/beach-wave-footprints-sunset-time-387261568