Monthly Archives: June 2021

The Exercise, Lactate, Testosterone Connection

Lactic acid is considered a waste product of cellular respiration. Lactic acid is produced in cells through the incomplete combustion of glucose following anaerobic glycolysis. Lactic acid accumulates in cells during metabolism and exercise greatly increases production, especially if it … Continue reading

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Ginkgo Biloba: Reduces Cortisol Levels?

Ginkgo biloba is a herbal supplement that has a long history as a medicinal herb. Ginkgo biloba has a number of properties that include significant effects on the brain which include memory enhancing and mood elevating effects. Ginkgo biloba may … Continue reading

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Ashwagandha as an Anti-Stress Herb

Evidence suggests that ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an adaptogenic herb. It therefore has properties that prevent deviations from homeostasis in animals and humans. One area that it may help maintain homeostatic control is with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. This axis is … Continue reading

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Lavender: More Evidence of Anxiolytic Activity

Lavender (Lavandula augustifolia) has been shown to have significant anxiolytic effects. One way that lavender can be used as an anxiolytic is through aromatherapy. Aromatherapy is the annihilation of the volatile essential oils of plants. Many essential oils contain phytochemicals … Continue reading

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Lavender Oil: an Anti-Stress Agent

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is a herb that is traditionally used as a calmative. The plant contains a distinctive essential oil that gives the plant its characteristic smell and this oil may have properties that allow it to affect the central … Continue reading

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Sage Oil: Hormonal Effects

Sage (Salvia species) is a plant with medicinal effects. A number of different sage plants have been investigated and the medicinal effects of these plants seems to extend across different species. Clary sage (Salvia sclarea) is a form of sage … Continue reading

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Chamomile and Cortisol

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) belongs to the Asteraceae or daily family of plants. Chamomile is a plant that is used in traditional medicine as a calmative agent. Chamomile is able to affect the central nervous system and may improve mood and … Continue reading

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Adaptogenic Herbs: Differences in Mechanisms of Action

Adaptogenic herbs are plants that resist detrimental changes to physiological systems and have a normalising effect on these systems. There are a number of adaptogenic herbs that have been identified and these may have different mechanisms of action. For example, … Continue reading

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The Antidepressant Effects of Schisandra and Rhodiola

Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea) and schisandra (Schisandra chinensis) are adaptogenic herbs that have been shown to possess mood elevating effects. In this regard, both herbs may have particular effects on the central nervous system that produces an anti-stress effect, and this … Continue reading

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Fish Oils as Anti-Stress Nutrients

Evidence suggests that fish oil may have particular anti-stress effects in humans and animals. For example, in one study researcher administered 7.2 grams of fish oils per day to humans for 3 weeks. The subjects were then exposed to mental … Continue reading

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