World Health Organization declares Swine Flu pandemic

The World Health Organization (WHO) raised the Swine Flu pandemic warning level from 5 to 6 on Thursday, June 11, according to the Associated Press. The global flu is reportedly the first global flu epidemic in 41 years. WHO Chief Dr. Margaret Chan is expected to make a statement about the pandemic on Thursday.

WHO said in a statement that, "At this early stage, the pandemic can be characterized globally as being moderate in severity." The organization also told member countries that it was talking with flu vaccine makers and believes the "firms could work '"to ensure the largest possible supply of pandemic vaccine in the months to come.'"

In the meantime, Swine flu in continuing to spread in the northern hemisphere. The last pandemic, the Hong Kong flu of 1968, killed about 1 million people. Some health experts feel the current pandemic warning should have been declared earlier; however, others fear that would have caused widespread panic. "Raising the epidemic alert to the highest level will almost certainly spark some panic about spread of swine flu," according to the Associated Press article "WHO: Swine flu pandemic has begun, 1st in 41 years."

Though some countries are responding more aggressively, representatives from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said, "the move would not change how the U.S. tackled swine flu." So far, in the U.S., there have been "13,000 cases and at least 27 deaths from swine flu."

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>> Read the original article from the Associated Press, "WHO: Swine flu pandemic has begun, 1st in 41 years"

Foraging for wild, medicinal plants and herbs

Foraging for wild food is not a "I just happened to see it" activity anymore. More and more websites are sprouting up with tips about what and how to forage native plants in your local neighborhood. So, what does "forage" mean? Generally, to forage for wild food is to search for and identify natural food sources safe for eating.

Whether in the country or an urban setting, wild foraging is a good way to incorporate local foods, including medicinal plants and herbs, into your everyday diet. For example, dandelion is a common weed found in many backyards. Medicinally, dandelion has a long history of use as a diuretic, tonic, and aperient. The tops can be eaten fresh in salads and the root, when dried, makes an excellent coffee substitute. (Before eating from the wild, make sure you have correctly identified the plant. For this, you may want to go foraging with a local expert or reference a reputable guidebook. Also, avoid plants that may have absorbed harmful toxins, such as plants growing by the roadside.)

In Portland, Oregon, where ACHS is based, some of the most commonly foraged foods include, pears, berries, walnuts, lavender, mint, and rosemary. (The ACHS Botanical Teaching Garden, for example, invites locals to cut fresh herbs. such as rosemary and chives, for personal use, and will host a U-Pick Lavender event in July.)

For information about wild foraging in Portland, check out the Urban Edibles website, and for foraging wild and edible plants in your area, check out foraging.com.

Click here for more information about upcoming ACHS community classes and to download free information about growing, harvesting, and using medicinal plants to support your health.

Studies show the benefit of vitamin D for asthma and allergies

Vitamin D, often thought of as the "sunshine vitamin," has more benefits than a sunny disposition. For example...did you know that vitamin D can help control allergies? According to a recent study in the May 1 issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, children with lower vitamin D levels were more likely to be hospitalized for asthma and had more allergies. That means, with regular levels of vitamin D, your kid's asthma and allergy symptoms may be significantly reduced.

How do you get more vitamin D, especially if it's not sunny? There are many sources, but for kids, perhaps one of the most friendly products is Kids Chewable DHA. In addition to vitamin D, fish oil is a natural source of vitamin A and Omega-3 fatty acid, which are essential nutrients.

Other foods with vitamin D include: salmon, tuna, sardines, milk, eggs, cheese, and many ready-to-eat cereals.

Now is the time for education. Take a moment to find out what natural health can do for you.

May is National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. Founded by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Awareness Month was established to educate clients, family, friends, and co-workers about asthma and allergy challenges, as well as how to live a full, healthy life with them.

How much water do you really need?

How much water do we really need to be healthy? The answer: It depends. The amount of water a person needs is dependent on many factors, such as where they live, how active they are, and overall health. So, the question may not be, "Am I drinking the right number of glasses?" but, "Is my body getting enough fluids?"

Water accounts for about 60% of our body weight, and every system in our body depends on it. For example, water flushes toxins out of our organs, hydrates our skin, and carries nutrients to our cells. But as we live through our day, we lose water through natural processes like breath and perspiration. What happens to our bodies when this water is not replaced?

Dehydration happens when the body does not have enough water to function correctly. Dehydration can manifest in many ways, but include sluggish body function and lack of energy. Who wants that.

To figure out how much water your body needs, here are some guidelines based on the information provided on the Mayo Clinic website:

1. Replacement approach. The average urine output for adults is about 1.5 liters a day. You lose close to an additional liter of water a day through breathing, sweating, and bowel movements. Food usually accounts for 20 percent of your total fluid intake, so if you consume 2 liters of water or other beverages a day (a little more than 8 cups) along with your normal diet, you will typically replace the lost fluids.

2. Eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day. Another approach to water intake is the "8 x 8 rule"—drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day (about 1.9 liters). Though the approach isn't supported by scientific evidence, many people use this basic rule as a guideline for how much water and other fluids to drink.

3. Dietary recommendations. The Institute of Medicine advises that men consume roughly 3 liters (about 13 cups) of total beverages a day and women consume 2.2 liters (about 9 cups) of total beverages a day.

For more information about nutrition, Click Here for the free download "Keep Your Kids Healthy."