Jan 27

You’ve probably been eating blueberries since you were a little kid. Maybe you’ve had huckleberries too, which are a little harder to find since they’re hand-picked in the wild. (They’re not easily cultivated.) But are those the only small, dark berries?

The answer is no! There’s an even more coveted berry called the acai (ah-sigh-ee) and it comes only from the rainforest. So it’s no surprise that is not that well-known here in the USA. But… it is starting to gain popularity, so keep your eyes out!

But what’s so great about this little berry?

Well, did you know that 70% of the plants found to fight against cancer cells are found in the rainforest? Yep, there’s all kinds of healthy food in there. Some people refer to the acai as one of the planet’s “best kept health secrets.” (I’ve also heard that native Brazilians call it the “Viagra of the Amazon.)

Put simply, the acai berry is full of potent antioxidants and other substances to promote good health and well-being. (Ever heard of having a glass of red wine with dinner? It’s for the antioxidants.)

Here are just some of the things the acai berry can do:

–Boost energy levels almost instantly –Increase mental clarity –Slow the aging process

There are many more health benefits, but these are a few that I have noticed myself.

With the aging baby boomer population, it’s no wonder why the wellness industry is booming too. If you search Google for “acai” you’ll find plenty of results.

Just watch out for any acai products that make ridiculous weight loss claims. The acai berry is great, but it’s not a miracle cure!

Jan 26

Most people are very interested in boosting their libido and sex drive. Entire species are being endangered because of this insatiable appetite for aphrodisiacs and libido boosts. Tigers are sought for their penises, which are turned into soup or powder. Rhinoceros horns are even more prized. Powdered horns go for over $1,000 an ounce!

In North America species such as seals and black bears are not safe. Seal penises and bear gallbladders sell briskly in Asian markets because they are traditional remedies for impotence or infertility.

Ginseng was once common in the Appalachian Mountains. Now, with wholesale prices topping $500 per pound, poachers are decimating native ginseng populations. The belief that this herb can stimulate sexuality may be leading this plant into extinction in the wild.

There is little is any scientific evidence that ginseng or exotic animal parts will enhance human sexuality. Wishful thinking, exorbitant prices, and the power of suggestion are responsible for the popularity of rhino or crocodile kidneys.

For years Spanish fly was reputed to drive women wild with desire, but the story of Spanish fly is pure myth. For one, the extract cantharidin is derived from a beetle, not a fly.

The insect doesn’t even come from Spain, and ingesting this substance can even kill you. Anything for a good orgasm though. It is irritating to the digestive and urinary tract, in males it can cause painful erections, which may be how the misleading stories got started.

Perhaps the growing interest in aphrodisiacs is related to an aging population that is trying desperately to counteract impotence. Many men don’t realize that their habits and medical conditions contribute to the problem. Alcohol, cigarettes, hypertension, and diabetes all have a negative impact on the ability to perform sexually.

Many prescription medicines can also lower your libido and interfere with erections or orgasms. Women are not immune to sexual difficulties from medications either.

Progesterone, a frequent component to birth control pills and hormone replacement regimens, is a potential cause. Of course you sure won’t get pregnant if you’re not going to have sex.

Antidepressants such as Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, and Effexor can all hurt the desire and delay or eliminate orgasms.

Seal penis soup can’t even undo the damage from alcohol abuse or prescription drugs. There are better ways to treat sexual dysfunction without killing off rhinos or tigers. Viagra may be one of the most popular drugs in the pharmacy, but it’s not a panacea.