In its pure state, chocolate, or cacao, is quite nutrious, and inspires eudaimonia. There are number of varieties of cacao. Almost all commercial chocolate is made using beans of the Forastero Group. Another more prized cultivar, Criollo, is used by the top chocolate makers around the world. It is less bitter and more aromatic than any other bean.

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Chile peppers contain one of the most effective curative substances in the world — capsaicin. While many people enjoy eating hot and spicy food they are not aware of the therapeutic properties of chile peppers. The authors of The Healing Powers of Peppers present a wealth of scientific and medical information, including personal testimonies about the healthful advantages of chile pepper living. They show that many cultures have known about pepper power for quite some time and catalog dozens of medicinal recipes. The book is available from Amazon for $10.50

Authentic root beer owes it distinctive flavor to Sassafras, a tree native to the eastern U.S. The root or root bark of sassafras can also used to make tea. The leaves are used for thickening sauces and soups, and when dried and ground are known as filé powder, a spice used in Cajun, Creole, and other Louisiana cooking, such as the dish filé gumbo.

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Maca is becoming popular around the world as a tonic that enhances strength, fertility and energy. Maca (Lepidium meyennii) is grown in the Andes Mountains of Peru, it looks likes a large radish, and botanically it is indeed related to radishes and turnips. For approximately 2000 years maca has been an important traditional food in its growing region.

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What are the most immediate ways to access cleaner air, water and food? We’ve summarized them here:

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The most efficient treatment for burns is: aloe vera gel. Nothing in the world heals burns faster and more effectively. There’s no reason why everyone can’t have access to at least one of these plants, since they are easy to grow indoors. To get best results, the gel must be fresh and undiluted.

Need some Maca, Chuchuhuasi, or Cat’s Claw to cure what ails you? You might want to try Raintree. They wild-harvest and export over 60 sustainable rainforest plants, resins and oils from the Amazon.

Raintree has developed many proprietary rainforest herbal formulas and extracts utilizing these medicinal plants. They also have a first-rate Tropical Plant Database.

Golden Root or Rhodiola Rosea is a plant native to mountainous regions of Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Arctic. It has been used throughout history in those areas to combat fatigue and restore energy.

Recently it has been getting worldwide attention due to its effectiveness as a “adaptogen”. Explaining the effects of the adaptogens is difficult, since each one affects an individual differently. If you are mentally exhausted or physically fatigued the adaptogens will help you feel more energetic and vitalized — but they are not normal stimulants.

One particularly interesting aspect of Rhodiola is that it appears to work differently within the body than other adaptogens — the best known of which is the very popular herb Siberian ginseng.

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Rooibos (pronounced “roy-boss”) is a red tea grown the mountainous Cedarberg area north of Cape Town in South Africa.

During the summer months the Rooibos plants are harvested, fermented and dried in the sun. The sun induces the change from verdant green to the mahogany red of Rooibos tea.

The slightly sweet tea is free of caffeine and is low in tannin which inhibits absorption of minerals, and is often used during breastfeeding to supplement iron levels.

Lately, Rooibos has been the subject of many scientific studies in Japan and South Africa. Researchers in Japan are studying the effects of the oligosaccharides in Rooibos, and have discovered that these compounds may aid the immune system in fighting viral infections. Other studies have shown that the tea relieves insomnia, nervous tension, mild depression, stomach cramps (including colic), constipation, and allergic symptoms (even those caused by hay fever and asthma).

Rooibos is available from gourmet supermarkets and health food stores.

Grapefruit Seed Extract is a powerful disinfectant. It can be used to disinfect wounds, sterilize fruit and vegetables, purify drinking water, sanitize dishes, countertops and cutting boards and inhibit bacteria growth in pools and spas. The active ingredient of grapefruit seed extract is synthesized from the seed and pulp of certified organically grown grapefruit. The process converts the grapefruit bioflavonoids (polyphenolics) into an extremely potent compound that kills Strep, Staph, Salmonella, E. Coli, Candida, Herpes, Influenza, parasites, and fungi.

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