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Pumpkin seeds not only taste good, but they are also a great source of essential minerals such as potassium, iron, and magnesium. They have been used for centuries by native Americans to support digestive and urinary health. However, there is one mineral that they contain in abundance—zinc. Did you know a quarter cup of pumpkin seeds contain twenty-three percent of your daily zinc needs?

This Halloween after you’ve carved your pumpkins, don’t throw away the seeds. Use them to provide nourishment and a dose of good health to your family. Here are seven ways in which pumpkin seeds can benefit your health.

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A medicinal plant that has been traditionally used in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for over 2000 years, milk thistle’s (Silybum marianum) botanical name Silybum is derived from the Greek physician Pedanius Dioscorides. The other half of the botanical name, Marianum, comes from a legend that the white veins running through the plant’s leaves were formed by a drop of the Virgin Mary’s milk.[2] Due to its association with Virgin Mary, milk thistle is also known as Mary thistle, St Mary’s thistle, Our Lady’s thistle and other such names. Three isomer flavonolignans (silibinin, silydianin, and silychristin) collectively known as silymarin form the active ingredients in milk thistle. Silymarin acts as an antioxidant and reduces free radical damage and lipid peroxidation, the process by which free radicals remove electrons from lipids in cells and damage them.

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Rich in plant antioxidants, grape seeds (Vitis vinifera) have been revered for their medicinal and nutritional benefits. They are packed with vitamin E, flavonoids, linoleic acid and oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes (a type of plant antioxidant), which can be useful in preventing bacterial infections (Staphylococcus aureus).

Grape seeds are also a rich source of polyphenolic compounds (plant antioxidants) that can help prevent breast cancer, normalize blood pressure in individuals with pre-hypertension, maintain blood sugar levels in people with diabetes, promote wound healing and protect against diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage caused by diabetes).

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One of the most important compounds in licorice is glycyrrhizin, which is sweeter than table sugar and has anti-ulcer, antiviral and hepatoprotective (liver protective) properties. Glabridin, a compound in licorice, has anti-bacterial effects that can inhibit the growth of Helicobacter pylori, one of the main causes of peptic ulcers/stomach ulcers.

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Peppermint (Mentha piperita) has been traditionally used for treating gastrointestinal disorders. The muscle-relaxing properties of peppermint oil can relieve esophageal spasms (painful muscle contractions that affect your esophagus, the hollow tube between your throat and your stomach). It is also an excellent remedy for the dissolution of gallstones.

Due to its low cost and fewer side effects, peppermint oil can be the first line of treatment in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

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The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that one in eight Americans above the age of 65 and 50 percent of those above 85 suffer from this neurodegenerative disorder.

Alzheimer’s disease, the most common reason for memory problems in elderly people, is characterized by senile plaque deposition (accumulation of abnormally folded proteins in the brain), neurofibrillary tangle (aggregation of insoluble twisted fibers found inside the brain cells) formation, and neuronal loss (death of neurons). The condition can affect memory, behavior, and other mental abilities.

Although there is no known cure for Alzheimer’s, certain herbs can prove beneficial in keeping your brain healthy, slow down and even prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s.

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Underground bulbs that grow at the base of plants, onions (Allium cepa) are rich in healthy soluble fibers called fructans. Fructans are prebiotic (substances that enhance the growth of beneficial bacteria) fibers that can reduce inflammation, improve colon health and reduce the risk of colon cancer. Onions are also packed with antioxidants that reduce inflammation and suppress the growth of harmful microorganisms, particularly bacteria and yeasts.

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Of all the leafy greens, kale can be called the healthiest, as it is packed with antioxidants and other essential nutrients such as vitamins C,K, B6 and potassium. In fact, it has double the amounts of vitamins C and K than those present in spinach!

Besides these, kale also contains cancer-fighting compounds and bile acid sequestrants, which help decrease the total cholesterol levels in the blood.

If you haven’t tried kale before, we give you six reasons to include it in your daily diet from today.

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From 44 million Americans using cell phones in 1996 to more than 330 million active cell phone users in the US in 2015, the cell phone industry has seen a quantum leap in the last two decades.

The widespread use of cell phones involves communication with other devices using electromagnetic radio frequencies that continue to invade nearly every aspect of modern life, despite concerns that they might be harming your health. In fact, many kids these days use cell phones as portable entertainment devices, which is becoming a cause of concern.

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Belonging to the family Asteraceae, false daisy (Eclipta alba) is traditionally used as a liver tonic and to increase hair growth in Ayurveda. Also known by the names bhringraj and trailing eclipta, it grows as a weed in moist places.

False daisy is useful in the treatment of liver cirrhosis and infective hepatitis. It is also used as an anti-venom against snakebite. Its analgesic properties can alleviate toothaches when the leaves of the plant are rubbed against the gums. Animal studies show an acute reduction of blood glucose levels (by 10.8-17.6 percent) in diabetic rats when given a 100-250mg/kg of an ethanolic extract of false daisy.

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The choice to breast feed or formula feed is a big decision for expectant and new parents. Various health organizations such as the American Association of Pediatrics (AAP), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Medical Association (AMA) endorse breastfeeding as the best choice for babies. But why is breast milk better than formula?

Here are some basic differences that breastfeeding offers over formula-feeding.

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A few decades ago, people lived and worked outdoors. Children enjoyed playing in parks, clothes were hung outside to dry and people would cycle to nearby places. Almost everybody spent a good amount of time out in the sun.

But today’s world has a different story to tell. Children play on game consoles, clothes are dried indoors, a cab is easily available for even a short distance and the addiction to TV and the internet has limited our outdoor activities. What does this mean? To put it simply, you’re missing out on all the sunshine.

Vitamin D, also known as the ‘sunshine vitamin’, is produced when the ultraviolet rays of the sun strike the skin and trigger the synthesis of vitamin D.

Did you know that vitamin D is actually a pro-hormone and not really a vitamin? This is because vitamins cannot be synthesized by the body and need to be acquired through diet and supplements, whereas the body can make sufficient amounts of vitamin D from sun exposure.

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Produced by the non-toxic species of Arthropsira bacteria, spirulina is a popular health food supplement used by vegans due to its high protein content.

Spirulina is a type of cyanobacteria (blue green algae) and is an excellent source of antioxidants. It became an instant favorite when NASA scientists proposed that it could be grown in space and used by astronauts as a power food.

Phycocyanin, a plant antioxidant that gives spirulina its unique blue-green color, can fight free radicals and stop the production of molecules that cause inflammation.

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Native to the Himalayas, shilajit (botanical name asphaltum) is a humus exudate that oozes from the layers of rocks of different formations and is found in the high mountainous regions of Caucasus, Altai and the Himalayan mountain ranges.

The name shilajit means the ‘conqueror of mountains and destroyer of weaknesses’ in Sanskrit. A thick, rich, tar-like paste made up of organic plant material, which is thought to have been compressed between rocks for hundreds of years, shilajit is rich in nutrients, antioxidants, amino acids, phytochemicals and trace elements. It contains more than 84 minerals, including copper, silver, zinc, iron, and lead in their ionic forms.

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Olive oil has been the cornerstone of the Mediterranean diet, which is associated with longevity and lower risks of heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke.

Obtained from the fruit of the Olea europaea (olive tree), a traditional tree crop of the Mediterranean region, whole olives are pressed to obtain olive oil, which is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA).

These fatty acids are important for maintaining heart health and also act as an excellent food for a healthy brain. Here are five health benefits of olive oil that recent research has uncovered.

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Your body’s prime detoxifying organ, the liver constantly filters blood to strip away any chemicals or toxins that enter the bloodstream. Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver and can cause heavy damage to this crucial organ, which can lead to fibrosis (scarring of the liver) and cirrhosis (chronic liver failure).

Hepatitis viruses are the most common cause of hepatitis in the world, but other infections, toxic substances (such as alcohol and certain drugs), and autoimmune diseases can also trigger it.

Hepatitis A and E are typically caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water. Hepatitis B, C and D usually occur as a result of parenteral contact with infected body fluids. Acute infection may occur with limited or no symptoms, or may include symptoms such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), dark urine, extreme fatigue, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.