Genesis School of Natural Health

04/05/2026

03/06/2026

Sulfuretin is a natural aurone flavonoid found in plants like Rhus verniciflua and dahlia blooms, known for potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. It suppresses the NF-κB pathway, induces apoptosis in cancer cells, and shows promise in treating neurodegenerative diseases (like MS), allergies, and obesity.

OHSU-led discovery benefited from years of study by University of Portland undergraduates.

02/20/2026

Fun Facts: Anise has been cultivated in Egypt for over 4,000 years and the first reference was found on an Egyptian papyrus and in the Hammurabi texts that date back to around 2000 BC give or take a decade or two – through the ages there were a myriad of uses for it, some follow below:

According to some pharaonic medical texts, the seeds were used as a diuretics, for toothaches and for digestive problems.

Famous doctors of old, like Hippocrates and Dioscorides recommended it for their patients, the former prescribed it to clear the respiratory system and the latter (in the 1st century AD) believed it would “warm, dry and dissolve”.

Pliny recommended chewing it first thing in the morning to get rid of “morning breath” and, for good measure, wrote that it was advisable to keep some next to the bed to stave off bad dreams.

In the Middle Ages anise was used with honey and vinegar to gargle in the treatment of tonsillitis.

Charlemagne, in the 9th century decreed that anise be grown on all imperial farms.

In the 16th century, Europeans discovered mice were attracted to anise and baited their traps with it.

Germans, concerned about their health as much in the 18 century as they are today, often flavored their bread with whole aniseed and to this day, rye bread is commonly flavored with whole aniseed.

02/10/2026

"Black garlic is a form of processed garlic that has been treated under high heat and high humidity conditions. This produces the Maillard reaction, a chemical reaction between the sugars and amino acids in the bulb and creates black garlic’s signature dark color and sweeter, more intense flavor. This treatment enhances the nutritional properties of garlic.

One study found a 3- to 4-fold increase in phenol content, a 2- to 8-fold increase in flavonoid content, and a 3- to 7-fold increase in antioxidant content in black garlic compared to fresh garlic. Moreover, the antioxidant amino acid S-allylcysteine (SAC) is 3-6 times higher in black garlic compared to fresh garlic. It is unclear, however, if the bioactivity of these increased antioxidants increases garlic’s anti-inflammatory capacity, as an in vitro study found that fresh garlic extract induced significantly lower pro-inflammatory cytokine production, which can induce inflammation in the body and dysregulate the immune system, compared to black garlic extract."

By a Hannah Baumana and b Michelle Moreaub
a HerbalGram Associate Editor
b ABC Dietetics Intern (Texas State University, 2023)

01/18/2026

BLOOD-BRAIN BARRIER:
Current studies provide us with a list of environment chemicals that cause or contribute the breakdown of the blood-brain barrier which allows toxins, pathogens, and inflammatory molecules to enter the brain and cause or contribute to neurological disorders and cognitive impairment.

Heavy Metals such as lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic, directly damage endothelial cells, disrupt tight junction proteins, and can mimic essential ions, allowing them to cross the BBB. Increased permeability allows these harmful metals to accumulate in the brain where they cause neuro-toxicity, inflammation, oxidative stress, and neurodegenerative diseases. Methylmercury easily crosses the BBB, causing severe encephalopathy, while inorganic mercury also damages the barrier.

Aluminum has been shown to decrease the expression of key tight junction proteins which are essential for maintaining the barrier's integrity. Aluminum enhances the permeability for certain lipophilic (fat-soluble) substances allowing substances like peptides (such as beta-endorphin and delta-sleep-inducing peptide) and hormones to pass into the brain more easily.
Phthalates (DEHP): Can impact cerebrovascular function and increase BBB permeability, potentially due to endocrine-disrupting effects.

PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances): Known to pe*****te and accumulate in the brain, indicating BBB transmission.

Air Pollutants (Vehicle Emissions): Cause oxidative stress, increase matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity (degrading barrier proteins), and promote inflammation (IL-1β), disrupting the BBB.

Organochlorine Pesticides & PCBs: Identified as neurotoxicants that can affect brain development and barrier function.

Toxins (Dioxins, Toluene): Other industrial chemicals linked to developmental neurotoxicity and barrier issues.

01/13/2026

Graduate Focus: Lindsey Braach MH, HHP
https://www.blackhillsnaturalpaths.com

01/07/2026

Good Read!

Ceylon vs Cassia Cinnamon: The benefits and even adverse health effects of the 4 commercially available types of cinnamon will shock you.

12/22/2025

CHIA SEEDS

As a food, Chia is a veritable nutrition explosion! The following are some nutrition facts would garner appreciation from any health food aficionado.

Chia:

Has 6x more protein than beans. It runs neck-in-neck with spirulina as the highest source of plant-based protein. Once ounce of Chia has 4.9 grams of protein.

Is a ‘complete protein’containing 18 of 20 different amino acids including all nine of the essential amino acids that the body can obtains only through food.

Can absorb up to 27x their own weight in water!

Is high in selenium and has 3x more iron than spinach.

As a source of calcium is 5x greater than that of milk.

Is high in vitamins B-1, B-2, & B-3.

Provides 15x more magnesium than broccoli.

12/13/2025

Graduate Focus: Elizabeth Pemberton, Island Holistic Wellness

https://www.islandholisticwellness.com