Cinnamon is a delicious and versatile spice.  But did you know that is has many health benefits as well? 

There are 2 varieties of cinnamon:
            Ceylon Cinnamon: This is true cinnamon.
            Cassia Cinnamon: This is the common variety found in most stores. 
The Ceylon variety is lower in Coumarin, a compound which can cause liver damage when consumed in large doses.  If you can find the Ceylon variety it is a better option.
 
Here are my top 5 benefits:

1. Blood Sugar Balancer
            Cinnamon has been shown to reduce insulin resistance; a key to achieving proper blood sugar balance.             Cinnamon also lowers blood sugar levels by slowing glucose from entering the bloodstream.
           
            The anti-diabetic effects of cinnamon can lower fasting blood sugar levels by up to 10-29%, when 0.5                – 2 teaspoons of cinnamon is consumed per day.
            Tip:  When eating sweet foods, add some cinnamon to slow the effect of the sugar on your system. 
 
2. Neuro-Protective
            Compounds in cinnamon have been found to inhibit the buildup of Tau proteins in the brain.  These                   Tau proteins are associated with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinsons Disease. 
 
3. Anti-Inflammatory
            Inflammation is an underlying issue with all disease states.  Any tool to help lower inflammation is                       beneficial. 
 
4. Anti-Oxidant
            Loaded with powerful antioxidants that protect the body from oxidative damage caused by free                         radicals.
 
            Cinnamon has an ORAC value of 267536 umol TE/100g making it one of the top seven anti-oxidants               in the world!  
 
5. Anti-Microbial
            The main active component of cinnamon, cinnamaldehyde, has been shown to be fight bacterial,                       fungal, and viral infections.  It is also effective in fighting tooth decay and bad breath.
 
            Tip:  for a natural mouthwash, use 1-2 drops of cinnamon essential oil in a mouthful of water.  Swish and                   gargle in mouth for at least 1 minute then spit out.  You can also drink cinnamon tea at the first sign of a sore            throat. 
​

Naturopathic medicine is based on the belief that the human body has an innate healing ability. Naturopathic doctors (NDs) teach their patients to use diet, exercise, lifestyle changes and cutting edge natural therapies to enhance their bodies’ ability to ward off and combat disease.

NDs view the patient as a complex, interrelated system (a whole person), not as a clogged artery or a tumor. Naturopathic physicians craft comprehensive treatment plans that blend the best of modern medical science and traditional natural medical approaches to not only treat disease, but to also restore health.

Naturopathic physicians base their practice on six timeless principles founded on medical tradition and scientific evidence.

• Vis Medicatrix Naturae – The Healing Power of Nature. Our bodies have such a powerful, innate instinct for self-healing. By finding and removing the barriers to this self-healing—such as poor diet or unhealthy habits—naturopathic physicians can nurture this process. 
  
  
• Tolle Causum – Identify and treat causes. Naturopathic physicians understand that symptoms will only return unless the root illness is addressed. Rather than cover up symptoms, they seek to find and treat the cause of these symptoms.
  
  
• Primum Non Nocere - First Do No Harm. Naturopathic physicians follow three precepts to ensure their patients’ safety:
  • Use low-risk procedures and healing compounds—such as dietary supplements, herbal extracts and homeopathy—with few or no side effects.
  • When possible, do not suppress symptoms, which are the body’s efforts to self-heal. For example, the body may cook up a fever in reaction to a bacterial infection. Fever creates an inhospitable environment for the harmful bacteria, thereby destroying it. Of course, the naturopathic physician would not allow the fever to get dangerously high.
  • Customize each diagnosis and treatment plan to fit each patient. We all heal in different ways and the naturopathic physician respects our differences. 
    
    
• Docere - Educate patients. Naturopathic medicine believes that doctors must be educators, as well as physicians. That’s why naturopathic physicians teach their patients how to eat, exercise, relax and nurture themselves physically and emotionally. They also encourage self-responsibility and work closely with each patient.
  
  
• Tolle Totum - Treat the whole person.  We each have a unique physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, social, sexual and spiritual makeup. The naturopathic physician knows that all these factors affect our health. That’s why he or she includes them in a carefully tailored treatment strategy. 
  
  
• Prevent illness. "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" has never been truer. Proactive medicine saves money, pain, misery and lives. That’s why naturopathic physicians evaluate risk factors, heredity and vulnerability to disease. By getting treatment for greater wellness, we’re less likely to need treatment for future illness.

Information from AANP website.

A warm chai on a cold night sounds like the perfect combo and it is easy to make at home!





Store bought Chai often contains a lot of sugar, artificial colors and chemicals.  This home-made recipe is not only natural and delicious but has many health benefits as well. 

Turmeric, ginger and coconut oil are anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial to help boost your immune system and keep you feeling healthy.  The coconut oil adds an extra boost to your metabolism as well.

Enjoy this chai anytime of day or night and enjoy often! 

Ingredients to make 2 cups of Chai :
- Fresh turmeric root or powder - ½ - 1 tsp
- Fresh ginger root or powder -  ½ - 1 tsp
- Cinnamon powder – ¼ tsp
- Fennel seeds – a pinch of seeds
- Cloves – a few cloves
- Nutmeg & Cardamon - a pinch of each
- Organic Virgin Coconut oil – 1-2 tsp
- Honey – ½ tsp or more to taste
- Almond/coconut/rice milk 1&½  cups

*The cloves/nutmeg/cardamon are for flavor and can be left out if you do not like these.  
*The quantity of the spices used is really up to your taste, adding more will increase the health benefits of the chai. 
*Fresh ginger and turmeric have the most nutrients and taste the best but if this is not easy to find the dry powder can be used.  
*Grate the ginger and turmeric finely so that you can drink it in the chai.

Directions:
- In a small pot, bring 1.5 cups of your choice of non-dairy milk and ½ cup of water to a simmer
- add all the ingredients, allow it to simmer for about 5-10 minutes, cool then enjoy!
- You can strain it if you prefer, I like to leave it all in and drink the ginger and turmeric bits


Dr. Lindsey Jesswein, ND

Spirulina is a blue-green microalgae that is packed full of nutrients- in fact it is one of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet! At almost 70% protein, it is has the highest protein content per gram of all foods!

What makes it so nutritious?  It has a full spectrum of nutrients, including essential and non-essential Amino acids, healthy fats like GLA and omega-3’s, B vitamins including B12, chlorophyll, antioxidants, Vitamin A/K/E/D, and minerals.  

Why take it? Think of spirulina as an easily absorbed super multi vitamin that boosts energy, detoxifies, supports the immune system, reduces inflammation, and supports overall health.  Low energy, digestive concerns, immune dysfunction, allergies, liver concerns, and more can all benefit from high quality spirulina in the diet. 

How to take it?  Spirulina can be found in liquid, powder, and tablet form.  The powder and liquid forms can be taken on their own or mixed into smoothies or any other recipes.  Choose whichever form will work for your lifestyle.  While it has a dark green, almost black color, the flavor is mild and not overpowering when mixed into other foods.  If possible, purchase an organic form.