Genesis School of Natural Health

06/14/2026

BEET THE ODDS WITH BEETS!

Did you know that beets are packed with nutrients while being low in calories, fat-free, and cholesterol-free?
🥬 Beet Greens are loaded with:
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin A
• Calcium
• Iron
• Powerful carotenoids that support overall health
Just 100 grams of beet greens can provide about 50% of your daily Vitamin C needs!

❤️ Beet Roots are rich in:
• Folate
• Fiber
• Potassium
• Manganese
• Vitamin B6
• Iron
• Magnesium
• Copper

What gives beets their beautiful red and golden colors? Natural plant pigments called betalains, which are powerful antioxidants. In fact, one of these compounds, betanin, has been shown to have even greater antioxidant activity than some anthocyanins found in berries and other red fruits.

👁️ Golden beets are especially rich in lutein, a carotenoid that supports eye health and may help protect against age-related vision issues. Beet greens also contain lutein and zeaxanthin, two important nutrients for healthy eyes.

💪 A Natural Boost for Performance
Beets are naturally high in nitrates, which the body converts into nitric oxide. This compound helps:
• Improve blood flow
• Support heart health
• Enhance muscle efficiency during exercise
• Reduce oxygen demands during physical activity

Whether roasted, juiced, pickled, or added to salads, beets are a colorful and nutritious addition to your diet!

Adapted from research by Hannah Bauman (HerbalGram Associate Editor) and Lindsey Duree (ABC Dietetics Intern, Texas State University).

06/12/2026

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06/12/2026

04/23/2026

Mitochondrial Health is Cell Health!

Unlike nuclear DNA, which is inherited from both parents, mitochondrial DNA is usually inherited only from our mothers. Both egg and s***m cells contain mitochondria with mitochondrial DNA, but after fertilization the mitochondria from the s***m are almost always destroyed. Mitochondrial DNA changes very little across generations, so scientists can use it to trace maternal lineage through hundreds of thousands of years.

"Current literature highlights the role of mitochondrial disorder/dysfunction in numerous neurodevelopmental disorders, such as ASD, ADHD, intellectual disability, and speech delay (2, 4, 7, 11, 23). Mitochondrial abnormalities have been noted in various psychiatric disorders as well." -

Mitochondrial diseases are known inborn errors affecting energy metabolism and are as common as chronic diseases such as diabetes, affecting approximately 1 ...

04/14/2026

Astragalus membranaceus, also know as astragalus, locoweed, or milk-vetch, belongs to the Fabaceae, Legume or Pea family. It’s native to Northeast China, Siberia, and Mongolia, where it grows on sunny grasslands and mountainsides. Plants in the Pea family range from edible to mildly poisonous, which may depend on the plant part used. For example, astragalus contains an alkaloid in the seed coats, which inhibit an enzyme necessary for metabolism in mammals. The roots of the same plant are valued as a medicine, however not all vetch varieties are used.

Astragalus is a perennial herb that reaches three feet tall, with slender, ascending, many-branched, slightly hairy stems. The leaves are alternate and pinnate, with 12-18 elliptical leaflets. It has 2-22 dark yellow flowers and the root grows 12-35 inches long.

In healing, astragalus is an immune modulating and adaptogenic herb that valued for current and post-infection, especially when the infection has left a person weak and without energy. It assists through the inflammation stage, as well as the tissue proliferation stage, and helps add antibodies in the blood.

Plant Parts Used: root
Taste/Tendencies: sweet and moistening/warming

Therapeutic Actions: immunomodulatory, anti-tumor, tissue regeneration, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, cardiotonic, nephritic, diuretic, anti-hypertensive, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, protective with some chemotherapy, anti-aging, cognitive enhancer, and pulmonary protective.

Medicinal Uses: long-term immunological protection, chronic illness, and cancer. Immunological action over time rather than acute assistance. Weakened individuals with night sweats, loose stools, frequent infectious illnesses, poor digestion and poor nutritional status, lack of general vitality. Antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-malarial.

Constituents: high-molecular-weight polysaccharides, flavonoid glycosides, and triterpenoid saponins are the most used in pharmacology. Other components found include amino acids, fatty acids, and trace elements.

DOSAGE:
Tincture (1:5 in 40%): 20-30 drops or 4-8 ml, 3x/day
Decoction: 9-15 grams/cup water
Capsule: 1,000 mg, 3x/day
Fluid extract (1:4): 10-60 drops, 1-4x/day in a little water

DURATION: May be taken long-term. Low to moderate doses have few side effects and generally considered safe.

Contraindications:
May interact with medications that suppress the immune system.
Individuals that have received an organ transplant should generally avoid immunomodulators.

Always ensure astragalus used is species-specific, as some contain neurotoxins, nitrotoxins, and/or excessive selenium in some plant parts, usually the seeds. However, other plant parts, such as leaves and roots, may be edible!

High doses or overdoses may cause indigestion and should be avoided in case of fevers. Possible headache, tightness in the chest, insomnia, dizziness, HBP, or allergic reaction.

Immune stimulating properties are not suitable for uncontrolled or active states of autoimmune dis-eases.

No adverse effects reported for pregnancy and lactation.

Note: It has been reported that astragalus strengthens both nonspecific and specific immunity and is ideal for most anyone who is immunocompromised. Be cautious of the prescribed medicines, as well as the active state of the disease.

Image: Researchgate.com

03/06/2026

Sulfuretin is a natural aurone flavonoid found in plants like Rhus verniciflua and dahlia blooms, known for potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. It suppresses the NF-κB pathway, induces apoptosis in cancer cells, and shows promise in treating neurodegenerative diseases (like MS), allergies, and obesity.

OHSU-led discovery benefited from years of study by University of Portland undergraduates.

02/20/2026

Fun Facts: Anise has been cultivated in Egypt for over 4,000 years and the first reference was found on an Egyptian papyrus and in the Hammurabi texts that date back to around 2000 BC give or take a decade or two – through the ages there were a myriad of uses for it, some follow below:

According to some pharaonic medical texts, the seeds were used as a diuretics, for toothaches and for digestive problems.

Famous doctors of old, like Hippocrates and Dioscorides recommended it for their patients, the former prescribed it to clear the respiratory system and the latter (in the 1st century AD) believed it would “warm, dry and dissolve”.

Pliny recommended chewing it first thing in the morning to get rid of “morning breath” and, for good measure, wrote that it was advisable to keep some next to the bed to stave off bad dreams.

In the Middle Ages anise was used with honey and vinegar to gargle in the treatment of tonsillitis.

Charlemagne, in the 9th century decreed that anise be grown on all imperial farms.

In the 16th century, Europeans discovered mice were attracted to anise and baited their traps with it.

Germans, concerned about their health as much in the 18 century as they are today, often flavored their bread with whole aniseed and to this day, rye bread is commonly flavored with whole aniseed.