Growing Herbs for More than Just Food
• Gotu Kola: Known as brahmi in Ayurvedic medicine, gotu kola regulates dopamine in the brain, boosting pleasurable feelings and improving focus and memory. Drink two cups of tea daily (one tablespoon of gotu kola in each).
• Chinese Club Moss: The National Institute of Health are funding a study on how this herb’s active ingredients, huperzine, may affect the brain by protecting neurotransmitters. However, Chinese club moss is potent. Take no more than 100 micrograms a day.
• Rosemary: This herb belongs to a category of botanicals called adaptogens, which helps your brain adapt to stress and function better. Smelling the essential oils of adaptogens regulates the stress hormone cortisol, helping you stay alert but free of anxiety. Sniffing rosemary oil can be particularly helpful when prepping for a presentation. It will calm your nerves and trigger memory, just when you need it most.
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Earthly Eating Recipe
Angel Lush with Pineapple
Makes 10 servings
1 pkg. (4 servings size) vanilla flavor instant pudding and pie filling
1 can (20 oz.) crushed pineapple in their juice, undrained
1 cup thawed whipped topping
1 prepared round of angel food cake (10 oz.)
10 fresh strawberries
Mix dry pudding mix and pineapple in a medium bowl. Gently stir in whipped topping.
Cut cake horizontally into 3 layers. Place bottom cake layer on a serving plate; top with one-third of the pudding mixture. Repeat layers 2 more times.
Refrigerate at least 1 hour. Top with strawberries just before serving. Store leftovers in the refrigerator.
Happy Eating!
May 6th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
[…] something more exciting and tasty. Shelly has an interesting post up on Earthly Eating about the medicinal properties of some herbs and includes a yummy […]