Village Green Newsletter

Vol VIII Aug 2008 | The Village Green Apothecary E-Newsletter

Did you know that many culinary herbs and spices — like oregano, cinnamon, turmeric, and garlic — not only make your food taste delicious, but are also terrific for your health?

Their powerful healing properties can support normal blood sugar levels, provide antioxidants, and may even offer antibacterial, antiviral, or anti-inflammatory capabilities. You can reap their valuable health benefits by cooking with them, but they’re also available in capsule and tincture (liquid) form for a more concentrated, therapeutic effect.

Take Our Quickie Quiz

Match each herb or spice with its description.

1.Oregano 2.Cinnamon 3.Turmeric 4.Garlic

A. This bright yellow spice has long been used as a powerful anti-inflammatory in both the Chinese and Indian systems of medicine. It contains an active ingredient called curcumin.
(Hint: Curries favor with many cooks.)

B. Native to central Asia, this herb is one of the oldest cultivated plants in the world and has been grown for over 5000 years. This herb is rich in a variety of powerful sulfur-containing compounds.
(Hint: Dracula won’t bother you.)

C. This spice may support the body's ability to utilize blood sugar, and just smelling the wonderful odor of this sweet spice has also been shown to boost brain activity.
(Hint: It’s not just for toast anymore.)

D. The volatile oils in this herb include thymol and carvacrol, both of which have been shown to inhibit the growth of various types of bacteria.
(Hint: Makes a spicy pizza pie!)

Answers 1-D, 2-C, 3-A, 4-B

Spice Up Your Healthy Menu With These Nutrient-Rich Recipes

Aloo Gobi (Indian Style Cauliflower with Potatoes)

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon ginger paste
2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon garam masala
salt to taste
1 pound cauliflower
1 teaspoon chopped fresh cilantro

Heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Stir in the cumin seeds, garlic, and ginger paste. Cook about 1 minute until garlic is lightly browned. Add the potatoes. Season with turmeric, paprika, cumin, garam masala, and salt. Cover and continue cooking 5 to 7 minutes stirring occasionally.

Mix the cauliflower and cilantro into the saucepan. Reduce heat to low and cover. Stirring occasionally, continue cooking 10 minutes, or until potatoes and cauliflower are tender.

More heathful recipes …

Meet Margo Gladding

Village Green’s Clinical Herbalist

You may have known her as Margo Schneider, but now she's the newly married Margo Gladding! It’s not every day you have a chance to meet someone with Margo’s passion for people, plants, and healing, but when you visit Village Green you’ll have that opportunity. Since joining us in 2005, Margo has been talking with customers in the store, providing private consultations, and writing and researching educational materials to help people learn more about herbs and nutrition.

Always a nature lover, Margo’s interest in herbs came about when she was living in the Seattle area and worked at a tea shop — where she was amazed at the wide variety and healing qualities of teas — and also at a natural products development firm. Wanting to further her studies, she made her way to the Tai Sophia Institute in Laurel, MD, the first school in the United States to offer a Master of Science degree in Herbal Medicine.

Margo’s impressive knowledge base is the result of a unique blend of educational and professional experience. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology and a Master of Science degree in Herbal Medicine, providing her with a strong foundation in the history, science, and practice of herbal medicine.

She is also working toward becoming a Certified Nutrition Specialist through the American College of Nutrition, which she will achieve in May 2009.

Margo’s strong scientific background, combined with extensive training in the clinical practice of Western Herbalism, enable her to bridge the gap between conventional practitioners and traditional healers. As an herbalist and wellness counselor, she provides comprehensive care to her clients by developing personalized health plans incorporating herbs and nutritional counseling, as well as dietary and lifestyle recommendations.

Naturally, Margo also has impressive hands-on experience as an herb gardener. Her garden boasts a ginkgo tree and several forms of mint (peppermint, mountain mint, bee balm, and lemon balm), as well as yarrow, echinacea, elecampane, oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary. She encourages people to grow their own herbs, and says,

“I think that connecting with the earth is very important for everyone to do. When you grow your own herbs or food, there is a definite relationship that occurs. And in some cases, the process of growing plants (planting, tending, observing, smelling) can be as healing as taking a plant internally. Gardening can help you to slow down, relax, and let go of your worries.”

Margo’s enthusiasm for herbalism is catching! Come and meet Margo at Village Green Apothecary and see for yourself how her unique expertise can help you reap the benefits of both traditional and alternative herbal remedies. She’s available for private consultations at Village Green on Monday and Thursday afternoons.

Herbs have so many unique healing properties. One of the things that I enjoy about herbalism is that each herb has its own set of characteristics or energetics, such as warming, cooling, soothing, stimulating, and relaxing actions. When working with a client, it is my job to match the plant’s energetics to what I am observing in the person.

One of my favorite body systems to support using herbal remedies is digestion. Just a slight taste of an herb can have a big impact on someone’s heath. For example, the bitter taste of an herb on the tongue can quickly ignite the digestive process by stimulating the secretion of digestive juices, and lead to enhanced digestive health.

— Margo Gladding, Village Green’s clinical herbalist

For all of your health and nutrition questions visit myvillagegreen.com and click on
"Ask An Expert."

Recommended Pathway Products

Pathway OREGANO OIL — Great for everything except pizza!
For support of a healthy immune system, Pathway Oregano Oil is standardized to 70% carvacrol (translation: lots of effective ingredients inside) and contains a full spectrum of the naturally occurring compounds found in oregano. We use Wild Mediterranean oregano oil from the Origanum vulgare species in a base of cold pressed extra virgin olive oil. Available in capsule or liquid form.

Pathway CINNAMON (Cinnulin PF®) — Patented, Concentrated Cinnamon Extract
Cinnulin PF is a clinically tested, water soluble cinnamon extract, carefully filtered to eliminate toxins found in whole cinnamon. (In other words, it’s perfectly safe for everyday use.) The only extract standardized for doubly linked Type-A Polymers, Cinnulin PF has been shown in clinical research to have a host of health benefits related to metabolic syndrome. Studies also support its use for healthy body composition, blood pressure, immunity, antioxidant activity, and antibacterial properties.

Pathway TURMERIC — Standardized to contain 95% Curcuminoids
Turmeric has been shown to exhibit potent antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, and anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, it has cardiovascular, liver and digestive protective capabilities. Pathway TURMERIC contains patented Curcumin C3 complex, which contains a minimum of 95% concentration of three curcuminoids: curcumin, bisdemethoxycurcumin, and demethoxycurcumin. (Translation: a whole lot of very effective ingredients!) Curcumin C3 is currently being used in studies for cancer research.

Pathway GARLIC (ONE-A-DAY) — Enteric coated so your friends will still talk to you! The premium quality Chinese garlic cloves used in Pathway's GARLIC TABS are naturally grown, hand peeled, and carefully processed to preserve allicin, the key active ingredient. An enteric coating is applied to each tablet for superior, odor-free absorption. Each tablet provides a minimum of 6,000 mcg of total allicin potential and all of the natural compounds normally provided by fresh garlic cloves.

Individualized Nutrition, Pharmacy, and Healthy Living

5415 W. Cedar Lane, Bethesda, MD 20814
Order online or by phone: myvillagegreen.com | 301-530-0800

The information in this newsletter is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice. Consult your physician if you have any question regarding a medical condition.

Village Green Apothecary has been providing individualized nutrition, pharmacy, and healthy living products for over 40 years. We are committed to providing you with expert guidance, knowledge, and a custom-tailored mix of nutritional and pharmaceutical products needed to achieve and maintain optimal health. Our staff of 45 trained professionals (including a team of Pharmacists, a Nutritionist, Naturopathic Doctor, and Clinical Herbalist) offer private wellness consultations, personalized health plans using The Essentials of Healthy Living (EHL), and individualized custom compounding. Our pharmacists are available to review and address drug/nutrient interactions and depletions to ensure your health and wellbeing. Please contact us with any questions. We are here as a resource for you.