Milk thistle side effects are uncommon, but it’s good to read up and make an informed decision. Here, we look into the various side effects reported while using milk thistle and who should take extra care when using it. Is milk thistle safe? First up, it’s important to say that milk thistle is recognised as a safe herbal product. Therapeutic doses of milk thistle are not toxic.(1) Indeed, they may actually be good for you.

Our use of black seed oil extends back into distant history. It is said that Cleopatra used it to take care of her silky tresses, while followers of the Egyptian boy Pharaoh Tutankhamun made sure that it accompanied him into the afterlife. If you’ve decided to try it for yourself, let’s look at how much black seed oil to take and when to take it during the day. A quick recap on black seed oil Black seed oil is extracted from Nigella sativa seeds. You might know them better as black cumin seeds.

Beta-glucans, β-glucans, Beta-d-glucans, polysaccharides… typing these into a search engine can lead you down a rabbit hole of scientific jargon. Luckily, behind all the technical terms, beta-glucans are not too complicated, and may have benefits for your health. Let’s take a refreshingly simple look at what they are, and why they might make a great addition to your diet. What are beta-glucans? To a simple question, a simple answer: beta-glucans are a type of fibre.

Reishi, cordyceps, lion’s mane, chaga… these exotic names belong to medicinal mushrooms which have been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine. The Western world is finally beginning to recognise the value of these fascinating fungi. However, without the benefit of thousands of years of knowledge behind us, it can be hard to know where to start. Allow us to take you on a journey to understand medicinal mushrooms and how they…

Fanning out in delicate wings, the Turkey Tail mushroom has a beautiful multi-toned cap which is more than worthy of its name. It’s also one of the best known medicinal mushrooms, alongside reishi, cordyceps and lion’s mane. Adherents of Traditional Chinese Medicine have been using it for over 2,000 years, and closely associate it with replenishing your Qi, or life essence. But what is the scientific evidence for turkey tail benefits?

Found in the highlands of Tibet, India, Nepal, and the Sichuan, Yunnan and Qinghai provinces of China, cordyceps is a medicinal fungus with a fascinating life cycle. Traditional Chinese medicine has made use of this mysterious mushroom for thousands of years to nourish both yin and yang, while in the West cordyceps is now becoming more and more popular as a health food. Let’s take a look at what traditional wisdom and modern science have to say about cordyceps benefits for your health.

Deep in the forests of Asia, North America and Europe, the lion’s mane mushroom grows. Its cream-coloured tendrils cascade over fallen trees, looking from a distance like the hair of a lion’s mane, or the flowing white beard of a wise old man. It is a newcomer to Western medicine, but traditional wisdom has known of the health benefits of lion’s mane for years. Let’s take a look at the scientific evidence.

Exotic-sounding and intriguing, reishi mushroom may be a newcomer in the Western diet, but Eastern medicine has used it for generations. Fans of reishi say it has a range of benefits for your health, including boosting your immunity and mood. Let’s take a look at what modern scientific research has to say about the health benefits of reishi mushroom. What is reishi mushroom? Reishi is a medicinal mushroom which is used in traditional Eastern medicine to treat a range of ailments. It has a flat, ear-shaped cap with a characteristic reddish-orange colour. …

Despite being classed as a ‘pseudocereal’, buckwheat has very real benefits for your health! What exactly is a pseudocereal? Like many other grains, buckwheat is a pseudocereal. This simply means that it’s a seed which commonly eaten and used in the same way as a cereal. Other pseudocereals include ancient grains like amaranth, quinoa, chia and acacia seed. In the 20th century, these nutritious grains fell out of fashion…