The History and Cultivation of the Stevia Plant

Native to South America and grown in other tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world, Stevia is an herb cultivated for its leaves that contains an extract that is exponentially sweeter than sugar. 

Ancient Origins of Stevia

Evidence indicates that Stevia was first used by the Guarani and Mato Grosso Indian tribes who lived in the region of modern-day Paraguay.  For many centuries, these natives utilized the leaves of the Stevia plant as a sweetening agent for various bitter teas, as well as for medicinal concoctions.  In the 1500’s, the Spanish Conquistadors learned of Stevia’s sweetening properties from the Indians.  Over the next few hundred years, the use of Stevia had spread to other parts of South America and Mexico. European travelers were taking a keen interest in the herb and began taking samples of it overseas to learn how to.......read more

Pen Still Works after 25 Years

Have you ever heard the energizer bunny mantra:  "Takes a licking, but keeps on ticking"?  This usually refers to batteries, but in this case, it was a pen.  It would be hard enough to believe that a pen would work after 25 years, even in normal circumstances, but after being in a woman's stomach all that time?

A 76 year-old, British woman was sent to a GI specialist when she began to suffer various symptoms including weight loss.  With a few diagnostic tests, the doctor concluded that she had a linear-shaped object in her stomach.  It was then that the woman remembered having accidently swallowed a black felt-tip pen a quarter century ago.

Upon inspection of the decidedly corroded pen after removal from her stomach, it was determined that the pen still had ink in it and could be used for writing.

A Brief History of Marijuana Use in Ancient Africa

Also known as hemp or cannabis, marijuana is the oldest known psychoactive plant.  It grows in many parts of the world is successfully cultivated in a wide range of soil types and climates.  In ancient times, marijuana was known to have been used in religious rituals, as well as in medicinal preparations.  It was highly revered for its ability to improve mood, alter perception and consciousness, as well as treating symptoms such as nausea, respiratory ailments, fever, and pain. 

Cannabis Comes to Africa

The use of marijuana by the indigenous people of Africa can be traced back to 14^th century Ethiopia.  Since marijuana did not originate in Africa, the ancient tribes who used it had to acquire it through trading with outsiders.  Archaeologists now believe that marijuana was introduced to African societies by trading goods with their Arab neighbors.  Soon, through seed sharing and careful cultivation practices, cannabis culture had spread to other tribes throughout Africa, giving birth to a commodity that would become more valuable than gold.

Originally, African tribesmen chewed cannabis leaves, but they soon learned the art of smoking the plant, which changed African culture in many ways.  New skills, like pipe-making, had to be learned and smoking marijuana became a large part of ritual and recreation which was performed in groups. 

The Riamba Cult

One tribe, the Bashilenge, formed their entire religion around the use of cannabis.  The Bashilenge call themselves Bena-Riamba, which is translated “the sons of hemp”.  This ancient culture regarded marijuana as a god and the pipe as a symbol of peace.  They believed that cannabis had universal magical powers and was used extensively to ward off evil spirits. 

Deeply engrained in the fabric of African culture, cannabis was used in ancient times in a medicinal capacity to treat common conditions such as dysentery and malaria.  In some tribes, marijuana was worshipped as a god and its use permeated almost every other aspect of societal life, as well.

References: 

H. von Wissman, My Second Journey Through Equatorial Africa (London: Chatto & Windus, 1891), p. 312; cf: K. Zetterstrom, "Bena Riamba, Brothers of the Hemp", Studia Ethnographica Upsaliensia, 26 (1966): 151-65.

J.E. Morley and A.D. Bensusan, "Dagga: Tribal Uses and Customs", Medical Proceedings 17 (1971): 409-12.

Zoo Animals Pig Out On Pumpkins For Halloween (PHOTOS, VIDEOS)

For millions of kids, Halloween is a time to wear wacky costumes and gobble up sweets. But for zoo animals around the world, it's a chance to pig out on pumpkins.

Zoos in cities including Seattle, Chicago, San Diego and Hanover, Germany are helping their animals get into the holiday spirit by offering up some tasty pumpkins.

Tony Franceschiello, the senior keeper at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, says handing out the seasonal squash is a great way to add some excitement into the day for the animals.

"They love them," Franceschiello said. "[The pumpkins are] a very novel item, bright in color. They never see these things throughout the year, so it's very creative to them."
Each animal species is different, so keepers like Franceschiello try to take that in account when handing out the pumpkins.

"We do spice them up a little bit with meal worms for the meerkats," he said. "The bat-eared foxes have mice and crickets crawling throughout. Elephants just pretty much crush them, because......read more

Ahmadinejad's Nightmare

Does homosexuality exist in every human society?

At a press event two weeks ago, CNN’s Wolf Blitzer asked Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to elaborate on his notorious assertion from 2007 that there were no homosexuals in Iran. “My position hasn’t changed,” replied the defiant Ahmadinejad. He then acknowledged to Blitzer, begrudgingly, the tiny sliver of a possibility that there could be such monsters living amongst even the Sharia-centric Iranians. “Perhaps there are those who engage in [homosexual] activities … but these are not known elements within Iranian society. Rest assured, this is one of the ugliest behaviors in our society … but as the government, I cannot go out in the street and ask [my people] about their specific orientation.”

I’d take considerable pleasure in using this column to expound on Ahmadinejad’s intellectual deficiencies. (Let’s be honest, any leader who believes in a supernatural entity that finds gay people icky isn’t exactly the deepest thinker.) Yet this arrogant theocrat unwittingly raises a more interesting issue for us to consider:

Does homosexuality exist in every human society?

For anyone with even a modest scientific background, the answer seems obvious —hence the widespread disbelief of Ahmadinejad’s initial claim of a gay-free Iran. Although LGBT Iranians live under constant threat of severe legal and social sanctions, we do know that there is no shortage of them. Still, that doesn’t mean that homosexuality can be found in every other corner in the world. A husband-and-wife team of anthropologists at Washington State University named Barry and Bonnie Hewlett believe that they’ve found a society without gay sex—and that there other societies, too, in which................read more

A Cancer Fighting Virus?

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Researchers have shown for the first time that a single intravenous infusion of a genetically engineered virus can home in on cancer, killing tumor cells in patients without harming healthy tissue.

Scientists have been intrigued for decades with the idea of using viruses to alert the immune system to seek and destroy cancerous cells. That interest has taken off in recent years as advances in genetic engineering allow them to customize viruses that target tumors.

The field received a boost in January when biotech giant Amgen Inc agreed to pay up to $1 billion for BioVex, the developer of experimental cancer-fighting virus OncoVex. But the only "oncolytic virus" so far approved by a regulatory agency is for treatment of head and neck cancer in China.

In a study published in.............read more

Okra Seed Coffee

Did you know that you can make a coffee substitute from okra seed?  During the Civil War, coffee was a scarce commodity, especially for southerners whose food supplies were being blocked by Northern forces. 

Here is an excerpt from a letter sent in from a reader, H.A. Terry of Crescent City, Iowa, that was published in the March 1862 issue of Nebraska Farmer.  He wrote:

"During these [Civil] War times, when real coffee is worth 25 to 33 cts. per pound, it is necessary for farmers, and farmers wives to cast about for a cheaper substitute for the real article; and from my own experience, I can recommend the following:

...Okra or Gumbo. This makes the best coffee of any article that I have ever used as a substitute for coffee. The seed should be browned the same as coffee and makes a very palatable drink alone but is a little better if a little coffee is used with it. The plant is very productive and is easily grown. An ounce of the seed will produce enough for almost any family. The seed can be procured of any seedsman for 25 to 30 cents per ounce."

Fun Facts about Zucchini

Zucchini is a summer squash variety that is a popular choice with home gardeners.  This delicious edible can be easily cultivated in a variety of soils in all areas with a temperate climate.  the largest zucchini ever recorded weighed in at 65 lbs.  Here are some other interesting zucchini facts:

• One small zucchini contains only 25 calories.  Compare that to a plain baked potato at approximately 130 calories.
• The zucchini blossoms are not only edible but are considered a delicacy when fried in many parts of the world.
• Zucchini has more potassium than a banana and is a fat free, cholesterol free food.
• The skin of the zucchini can range from pale green to nearly black.  The darker the skin color the more nutrients it has.
• In late August, the town of Obetz, Ohio hosts an annual zucchini festival.
• Boiled until very soft, cooled, and mashed, zucchini makes a great first food for baby. 

References:

http://www.foodchannel.com/articles/article/top-10-zucchini-fun-facts/

Oxytocin: The Love Hormone and its Role in our Relationships

While several factors contribute to the intricacies of human relationships, there is one very important biochemical factor that must not be overlooked. Oxytocin is a mammalian hormone produced in the hypothalamus. Research done on this hormone suggests that oxytocin is largely responsible for the development of human bonding behavior and the positive loving emotions that we feel in our relationships. Oxytocin may also be responsible for our tendency as humans to desire and establish long-term monogamous relationships.


The “Love Hormone”

Of all mammals only three percent have a tendency toward monogamy. In the animal kingdom, the prairie vole and its cousin, the montane vole, have been studied for their monogamous versus polygamous nature. It seems that these small mice like species are the same in most respects but interestingly, the oxytocin hormone is substantially higher in the prairie vole. Oxytocin has been linked, not only to the prairie vole’s monogamous nature, but to its social behavior such as grooming, defending its nest and the fact that both father and mother care for the young.

What Does Oxytocin Do?

Oxytocin is best known for its functions related to childbirth and the establishment of a mother/child bond. In addition to stimulating the uterus at childbirth, oxytocin promotes the “let down” reflex associated with breastfeeding. In fact, it induces such sensitivity in women that the cry of a baby, even if it is not their own, can cause lactating mothers to release milk. Additionally this hormone invokes maternal behavior and emotions characteristic of nurturing mothers.

Many facets of romantic relationships are affected and, to an extent, determined by oxytocin levels. Engagement in both foreplay and sexual intercourse elevate oxytocin activity which, in turn, often produces an intense emotional feeling of connectedness and attachment. Oxytocin is an essential element for these types of long-term relationship building functions.

Childbirth and romantic interludes are not the only way to increase oxytocin levels. Simply holding hands, nurturing a child or elderly person, or grooming a pet will also raise the level of this powerful hormone. In fact, oxytocin may be one of the reasons that people get physical health benefits from healing processes like massage or psychological benefits from support groups.

Oxytocin seems to be a common ingredient in monogamous relationships as well as the hormone that establishes other emotional connections. From prairie voles to humans, hormones have always played a large part in everything from social to sexual behavior. In humans, oxytocin functions as the natural “love hormone” that has many far-reaching health benefits.

10 Good Uses for Salt

Just a pinch of it and it’s worth it. We’re talking salt here. Used throughout human history, mentioned often in the Bible, ubiquitous and cheap. Mined from salt rocks and extracted from sea water, salt is… well, the “salt of the earth.” You can’t live without it healthily. At the same time, you can’t live healthily with too much of it. Get the balance right – in your food and in your life – and salt is worth it’s own weight.

1. Deter ants

Sprinkle salt in doorways, on window sills and anywhere else ants use to sneak into your house. It’s a sure way to keep them out!

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See: 10 good uses for salt

Meet the man who’s re-creating Noah’s Ark

While Noah will likely always remain the first name in arks, tourists are chomping at the bit to climb aboard “Johan’s Ark,” an ambitious re-creation of the biblical boat that’s attracting gawkers galore along a waterfront shipyard in Dordrecht, a city in the western Netherlands.

Dutch builder Johan Huibers is expected to complete work on the massive vessel sometime next month in what has been a staggeringly ambitious project to bring one of the best-known stories of the Bible to life. It’s taken three years of his life and $1.6 million out of his pocket, but Huibers, owner of a...........read more

The Methuselah Tree

Growing high in the Inyo National Forest located in eastern California, a bristlecone pine tree, nicknamed the Methuselah tree, has existed for thousands of years in an ancient grove among other centuries old trees. The oldest known living organism, the Methuselah tree is named after the oldest person in the Bible and is estimated to be upwards of 4800 years old.  If scientists are correct, this tree's germination date predates the Egyptian Pyramids.

The Ancient Bristecone Pine Forest where the Methuselah tree lives is higher than 10,000 feet above sea level.  Here, the soil is very poor and the climate is harsh, but bristecone pine trees have learned to adapt, giving them an extreme evolutionary edge.

Precipitation in this ancient forest is usually less than 12 inches, ranking among the lowest recorded on Earth.  Most of that precious moisture falls as snow throughout the long winter.  The warmth of summer is often limited to a scant 6 weeks and it is during this time that the bristlecone generates new growth and musters its reserves for overwintering.