If Lost Empire Herbs is all about natural herbs, why is nothing labeled organic? To answer this question, you need to understand the bureaucracy involved in organic labelling. Essentially, every step along the way from where it is grown to processed to packaged must be certified organic. The … [Read more...] about What is Organic? What is Not?
Wild Foods
Do You Drink Radioactive Water?
I’ve discussed many times how the quality of the water you drink is extremely important to your health. Almost everyone talks about what kind of filters to use, but I skipped past all that and went straight to a source, a fresh spring as detailed in Upgrade Your Water. In Santa Cruz, … [Read more...] about Do You Drink Radioactive Water?
Urtification or Stinging Nettles on the Skin
Urtification refers to the flogging of the body with the fresh nettle plant. The name urtification comes from the latin name of nettles, Urtica dioica. This process has historically been popular in folk medicine. What are the benefits of urtification? And does it work? I had heard about this … [Read more...] about Urtification or Stinging Nettles on the Skin
Church of Nature
Church of Nature is a concept I've been using for a few months. It helps to ensure that I make the time to get outdoors in nature more regularly and to acknowledge the awe and respect for nature it deserves. What's involved in this? Watch this video to find … [Read more...] about Church of Nature
Hiking for Mushrooms
At first, when I started hiking for mushrooms, I was bummed out to learn that Reishi, Chaga or Cordyceps don't grow in my area. Some of the most famous mushrooms just aren't here where I live. But then I got to know more about the mushrooms that do grow in my area and discovered: Lots of … [Read more...] about Hiking for Mushrooms
Crabbing, Fishing and Connection to Food
The more I’ve gotten into nutrition, the more I’ve realized the importance of having an actual connection to food. The reason there are 10,000 different diets, with a new one coming out every day, is because the civilized human species has largely lost this connection, and this leads to all kinds … [Read more...] about Crabbing, Fishing and Connection to Food
Seaweed Foraging
The other week I attended a seaweed foraging class that was put on through ForageSF. This required me to wake up at 2:45 in the morning to drive a few hours up the coast, but it was worth it. I’m amazed at how something that seems so difficult at first, can turn into something so easy with a … [Read more...] about Seaweed Foraging
Should I take Nettle Root Tincture or Powder?
The question you may be asking yourself is, "Should I take Nettle Root Tincture or Powder?" In this article we'll discuss some of the differences between these two and whether you will want one, the other or both. The fact is that different methods of preparation bring out different benefits … [Read more...] about Should I take Nettle Root Tincture or Powder?
The Miracle Tree: Moringa
With a nickname like “the Miracle Tree”, it’s not difficult to imagine that moringa deserves your attention. Moringa oleifera, or simply moringa, is a tropical tree that grows plentifully in Central America, South America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Having been used medicinally for more … [Read more...] about The Miracle Tree: Moringa
Hawthorn Park
I was just up in Oregon a little while back. One of my aims is to spend a little time in nature each day. This is great to be deep in the heart of a forest, but just a park inside the city is better than nothing. One study I just read about with hospital patients, showed that those simply … [Read more...] about Hawthorn Park
Amazonian Herb Garden
While the Achuar were the peoples that we got to spend the most time with in the Amazon, we also did a quick visit to the Quechua in Sarayuka. After drinking guayusa tea mixed with a number of barks in the morning, I got a tour of their herb garden that surrounded the hut. They grow a … [Read more...] about Amazonian Herb Garden
Edible Backyard Plants
If you’re practicing pesticide-free gardening, that’s great for you—and the earth. And it’s great for one other reason: You might be able to harvest and eat some of the plants that would otherwise be considered weeds. That’s right: If you don’t spray your yard and thoroughly clean anything you … [Read more...] about Edible Backyard Plants
Tonic Herbs as a Source of Primal Nutrition
Everything old is new again. - Peter Allen Today with big groups of people moving towards hunter-gather, ancestral and paleo nutrition, there has been a shift to look back at our ancient roots to discern what the best ways to eat are. I like to think about nutrition outside the lens of a … [Read more...] about Tonic Herbs as a Source of Primal Nutrition
Yummm…Spit Beer
Chicha. The word is used to describe a number of different drinks all across Central and South America. It is a sacred and very important daily drink of the Achuar people in the Amazon jungle. There it is made with the manioc, also known as yuca or cassava, roots. After harvesting they are … [Read more...] about Yummm…Spit Beer
Walking and Phallic Trees
There are some very cool and very different trees inside the Amazon rainforest. A large portion of them are different types of palm. One of the most fascinating to look at is the Walking Palm, also known as cashapona or Socratea exorrhiza. The tree itself appears to levitate upwards as it … [Read more...] about Walking and Phallic Trees
Finding My First Reishi Mushroom
After several days of traveling by plane, bus, truck and boat we arrived deep in the Achuar territory in the Amazon jungle in the southern part of Ecuador. In Kapawi lodge where we were staying there was a number of flora and fauna guidebooks showing all the amazing biodiversity of the area (the … [Read more...] about Finding My First Reishi Mushroom
How to Make Nettle Root Tincture
Want to learn how to make nettle root tincture? This video contains tons of valuable information about Urtica dioica, better known as stinging nettle. Not only will you learn about various benefits of nettle root for both men and women, but you'll discover which ingredient to add to make nettle … [Read more...] about How to Make Nettle Root Tincture
Herbs, Herbs, Everywhere but Not a Thought to Think
If you’re in the USA I’m sure you’ve heard this saying before. (Not sure if there is an equivalent in other languages.) “Water, water everywhere but not a drop to drink.” This speaks to the idea that you can’t drink salt water. While water is hydrating, that level of salt will dehydrate you … [Read more...] about Herbs, Herbs, Everywhere but Not a Thought to Think
Ep27: Survival School
In the latest episode of the Vital Way, Zane Christopher reflects on his ongoing experience at Roots Survival School. Surviving In the Wild vs Living In the Wild Which Essential Survival Tools You Can Learn to Build Building Multiple Purpose Tools What's the Hardest Thing Zane Built … [Read more...] about Ep27: Survival School
Diabetes & Blood Sugar
All many people know of this now common disorder is that diabetes involves the pancreatic hormone insulin and blood sugar in some way. This simple answer is right though so generalized it does not go into the specifics of the two types of diabetes. However, just as in every other system or state of … [Read more...] about Diabetes & Blood Sugar
Immunity
We all long to be healthy. No one enjoys being sick or injured. Enjoyment is never the issue here. So it is of utmost importance to have an immune system working at the highest levels. (we're going to also talk about a concentrated wei qi booster for humans later). So what does a healthy one look … [Read more...] about Immunity
Wild Foods
By Zane Christopher People seem to be waking up to the fact that their food doesn't just magically appear in a box waiting to be grabbed from a grocery store. They are learning that it is 'harvested,' sometimes in disturbing and unnatural ways. The desire to be healthier and happier more than … [Read more...] about Wild Foods