1. South America
We uncovered amazing stories of South American tribes who enjoyed glowing good health and an amazing resistance to even the most dreaded diseases. So we looked to the Amazon Rainforest, home to some of medicine’s most stunning pharmacological discoveries. There we found the graviola tree, which has been cultivated in Peru since pre-Columbian times. In fact, its fruit was often represented in ceramics of the time. We found that local legends tell of indigenous peoples who often utilized different parts of the graviola tree, such as the bark, root, leaves, fruit and seeds, for medicinal use in the treatment of diabetes, indigestion, intestinal parasites, and even certain types of cancer. They even used graviola as a type of very mild sedative. Another rainforest nutritional treasure is the fabulous camu camu berry. Folklore tales dating back more than 700 years describe Amazonian Indian tribes using this fruit to effectively help treat infections, decrease pain, strengthen joints, and even maintain longevity. Today, scientists have found that the camu camu fruit is rich in Vitamin C and contains 30 to 60 times more vitamin C than an orange or lemon. The camu camu berry is also an excellent source of calcium, phosphorus, potassium, iron, and various amino acids. Besides its vitamin and mineral content, the fruit is also rich in anthocyanins, amino acids, flavonoids and has very strong antioxidant activity. As our quest for nutritional knowledge continued, we turned our eyes toward the acai berry. For centuries, the acai berry has been eaten and used for medicinal reasons by the natives of the Amazon rain forests. And, of course, we were fascinated to learn the legend of the acai. This legend tells how the palm tree that produces the acai berry was discovered accidentally by an Amazon Indian girl named Iaca, the daughter of a tribal chieftain. Facing devastating famine, this chief declared that no children would be allowed to be born into the tribe until a new food source was found. Iaca, the chief's own daughter, was with child at the time. After her child was sacrificed, a grief-stricken Iaca ran into the forest that there discovered the acai palm bearing a wealth of bountiful dark purple fruit. Tragically, the discovery of this new food source could have saved the life of Iaca's daughter, causing it to be called "the fruit that cries." The tribe's leader named the fruit acai (Iaca inverted) in honor of his daughter, and his tribe once again prospered. From a health standpoint, the acai berry is one of the most nutritious and powerful foods in the world. Acai contains a remarkable concentration of antioxidants that help combat premature aging, as well as valuable phytonutrients and a nearly perfect amino acid complex. Some of the more well-known health benefits of the acai include weight management support, increased energy and enhanced mental focus, not to mention cardiovascular and circulatory support. Continuing our search through the lush jungles of South America, we heard amazing stories of how the Mapuche Indians of Chile have, for centuries, been known for their remarkable strength and endurance. We discovered that maqui berries have, for many hundreds of years, been a dietary staple of the Mapuches. According to legend, the ancient Mapuche regarded maqui as a sacred and powerful plant, and used maqui fruit as an essential part of its medical practices. But the most exciting and legendary use of maqui was the strength, stamina and overall good health it provided to Mapuche warriors. The Spanish conquistadors who were repeatedly defeated by the Mapuche tribes reportedly said that the extreme stamina and strength of the natives came from the daily consumption of a beverage made from the maqui berry. Our South American quest for knowledge, however, did not end in Chile. We also found that that the ancient Incas treasured pau d'arco as a major plant source used to promote health and immunity. In fact, indications imply that the use of pau d'arco may actually pre-date the Incas. We found that they Guarani and Tupi tribes called the pau d'arco tree "tajy," which means "to have strength and vigor." They used the bark not only to fashion hunting bows but also to treat a variety of health conditions. A tonic made from the pau d'arco tree was traditionally used for good health, strength and endurance.
2. Far East
Next, we turned our investigation toward the mysterious Far East. There we discovered marvelous stories of remarkable longevity and good health, even in extremely remote and undeveloped villages. These stories all seemed to be connected to the wonders of centuries-old Ayurvedic traditional medicine. Roughly translated, the word Ayurveda, or Ayurvedic, means “the science of life.” We began our research of the Far East in northern India, where we found the amalaki tree. This amazing tree enjoys a prominent position in Indian culture and is celebrated during the amalaki fruit harvesting season. Under the glow of a full moon, families gather under nearby amalaki trees and give thanks for the bounty of these trees. Folklore says that even just sitting under an amalaki tree will lead to greater vitality, strength, and overall health. Amalaki is highly regarded in Ayurveda for promoting the perfect digestion that leads to radiant health and youthful aging as well as shining eyes, skin and hair. Next, we discovered that the fabulous bacopa has been revered for centuries in the Ayurvedic herbal traditions of India. It is said that the use of bacopa for memory enhancement goes back 3,000 years or more in India, when it was discovered to benefit brain function, including memory and learning skills, and to help manage anxiety, depression and stress. A traditional Ayurvedic medicine used to treat mental disorders and epilepsy, this wonder-herb appears to strengthen memory as well as improve mental focus and concentration by enhancing the conductivity of nerve tissue. One of our most exciting and joyous discoveries involved the goji berries of Tibet. The natives of this mountainous region say that eating goji berries in the morning will make you happy the entire day, as its amazing nutritional properties create a sense of well-being and optimism. Indeed, nomadic peoples of Mongolia and Tibet have, for many centuries, found that regular consumption of goji berries supports a long, vigorous and happy life. Loaded with nutrients and powerful antioxidants, 18 amino acids, more beta carotene than carrots, 21 trace minerals, more iron than spinach, 500 times more vitamin C by weight than oranges, 13% protein and many other vitamins and minerals including calcium, magnesium, vitamins B1, B2, B6, and E, goji berries feature prominently in both ancient and current Tibetan medicine. Looking back to India, we set out on the trail of an herb so powerful that its name in Sanskrit is“Brahmi,” which means wisdom or consciousness. Gotu kola, an ancient medicinal herb used in India, Indonesia and China for thousands of years, has long been associated with enhanced energy, improved brain function, and longevity. In fact, we discovered that gotu kola has been called one of the "miracle elixirs of life" because legend has it that an ancient Chinese herbalist lived for more than 200 years as a result of using this remarkable herb. According to Ayurveda, the gotu kola herb is one of the chief herbs for revitalizing the nerves and brain cells; hence, it is primarily known as a "brain food" in India. Another Far East herb that boasts quite a fascinating legend is ashwagandha. This herb has been used for 4,000 years in India and is featured prominently in the ancient art of Ayurveda where it is used to boost energy and vitality. Sometimes called Indian Ginseng, Ayurvedic medicine refers to ashwagandha as both a vitalizer and a mood-stabilizer. One other nutritional jewel from the Far East that captivated our imagination and attention was the schizandra berry. This remarkable berry has a long history going back many centuries and, according to ancient Chinese herbal texts, it was believed that schizandra could “prolong the years of life without aging.” The fact that it has been in continuous use for at least 5,000 years and has been horded, revered, and praised by the cultures of China, Japan, and Korea demonstrates that the reputation of schizandra is well-founded.
3. South China Sea
The next stop on our worldwide quest was the beautiful South China Sea where we found a delicious fruit with quite a royal name. The mangosteen fruit has such an exquisite flavor that it has been given the nickname of the"Queen of Fruits." Interestingly, mangosteen has been used for thousands of years in Chinese, Ayurvedic and folk medicine in Asia. Dried and ground, these traditional medical practices used the rind against internal and external infections. Poultices of the whole mangosteen were used to treat skin conditions, and an extract of mangosteen pulp was used to control fever. The mangosteen has also been reported to have been relied upon as nutrition for individuals who, because of illness, were unable to eat other foods. Exceptionally rich in xanthones and antioxidant-packed nutrients, mangosteen is not only a wonderfully delicious superfood, it also offers up amazing health benefits.
4. South Pacific
We then turned our attention to the wealth of nutritionally-rich exotic fruits found in the glorious South Pacific area. Our tropical trek brought us to the amazing noni. This miraculous plant was named “noni” by ancient Hawaiian healers who treasured its astounding medicinal properties. References to the use of noni date back many centuries and there are almost 40 recorded herbal remedies from these healers of old that involve combinations of the noni root, stems, bark, leaves, flowers and fruit. In fact, medicinal use of the noni plant is even mentioned in ancient Sanskrit writings from India. From a nutritional standpoint, this tropical powerhouse has long been known for its beneficial effect when it comes to emotional and mental wellness. And although the jury is still out on precisely what makes noni work, a number of clinical studies indicate that noni’s high xeronine content works at a cellular level, making noni extremely helpful for burns, digestion, heart health, and immune system health. Plus, its antioxidant properties are quite possibly an important key in unlocking the secrets of anti-aging and longevity.
5. The Big Blue Marble
Next we dove into the brilliant blue oceans that have given our planet the nickname of “the big blue marble.” The first “pearl” of underwater nutrition that we encountered was the sea vegetable called bladderwrack. Now, bladderwrack has been a part of natural medicine for centuries, with recorded use dating back to at least the 19th century. Sometimes called “sea wrack," bladderwrack was found to be particularly beneficial in the treatment of thyroid disorders and obesity. Even back then, physicians found that the high iodine content of this herb appeared to stimulate thyroid function, which boosted metabolism. Nutritionally, bladderwrack is rich in iodine, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, sulfur, silicon and iron and high in some B-complex vitamins. In addition to phosphorus, selenium, manganese, zinc and small amounts of vitamins A, C, E and G, bladderwrack also contains the anti-sterility vitamin S as well as vitamin K. Swimming on through the sparkling forests of sea vegetables, we found another amazing sea vegetable called dulse. Found in the waters of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, an absolutely charming legend surrounds the delicate dulse. In the coastal villages of Northern Ireland, it is often said that throwing dulse into a body of water will bring peace to the thrower. To this day, it is not uncommon to find sandwiches of bread and nutrient-rich dulse leaves gracing the lunch tables of Ireland. When it comes to nutrition, though, dulse is much more than folklore. Possessing a mildly spicy flavor, dulse is extremely high in vitamins B6 and B12, as well as iron, potassium and fluoride. Unlike other sea vegetables, it is relatively low in sodium. This delicious sea vegetable also contains a large shopping list of other vitamins and nutrients, including vitamins C, E, and A, magnesium, calcium, dietary fiber and protein. Additionally, dulse is a natural source for Iodine, essential for thyroid gland and thyroid hormone secretion.
6. Okinawa Japan
Our last underwater adventure took us to the gloriously blue waters surrounding the islands of Okinawa, Japan. There, the pristine Pacific is home to a very unique form of coral; Sango coral, to be exact. As far back as the 1700’s, this particular type of coral was found in European medical reference books as “coral to purify the blood.” (“Palestra Farmaceutica Quimico-Alencia” anno 1792 by Felix Palacios)
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