Ever see the movie Medicine Man? It features Sean Connery playing the role of a scientist who stumbles upon a flower extract in the Amazon rain forest that cures cancer. As he attempts to isolate and protect it, he battles greedy pharmaceutical companies and loggers. It’s all pretty exciting stuff and Connery is his usual hunky self, but the film imparts a valuable lesson as well: The antidotes for many of our woes already exist in nature; it’s just a matter of using science to locate and coax out their full powers. Here are some natural secret weapons you can use to clear a path through life’s jungle.
Epicatechin for a strong heart and mind. Studies show that this natural substance helps dilate blood vessels and improve circulation, which benefits cardiac and mental health. In fact, epicatechin contains significantly more disease-fighting antioxidants than red wine or even green tea. The great news is that the best source is cocoa, so you have one more excuse to eat chocolate. Researchers pinpointed that dark chocolate (or hot chocolate) with at least 70% cocoa has the most epicatechin.
Pyrethrum for bug control. One of the reasons chrysanthemums are so hardy is because their flowers contain a natural insecticide. French soldiers actually used to grind them up and rub the powder on their bodies to fight lice. Today science uses solvents to extract the active compound, but it’s still an effective, environmentally friendly alternative for debugging organic gardens and keeping mosquitoes and other pests (not counting nosy neighbors) from ruining summer parties. As spring arrives, look for products in a 3 to 6% solution at home stores and nurseries.
Fiber for weight loss. Just because fiber is indigestible doesn’t mean it’s not good for you. Researchers at Tufts University found people who ate an additional 14 grams of fiber daily—roughly double what they’d been eating—took in 10% fewer calories. They weren’t dieting. They weren’t actively trying to lose weight. The extra fiber just filled them up, so they ate less. Try increasing your fiber intake and see if you don’t enjoy the same benefits.
Cassia for beautiful hair. The cassia bush has flourished in India and China for centuries, where it’s been used in ancient medicine to purify and strengthen the body in a variety of ways. More recently, cassia inspired Pantene beauty scientists to create a breakthrough line of hair-care products called Pantene Nature Fusion. Aware of cassia’s strengthening properties and noticing that a certain element within the cassia seed was similar to synthetic hair care ingredients, Pantene’s beauty scientists set about transforming cassia into a powerful shampoo ingredient. By applying science to the cassia extract, the cassia essence helps form a conditioning system within the shampoo which provides a protective shield for hair. In fact, Pantene Nature Fusion shampoo can give your hair 10X the strength against damage in just 14 days.* Click here to learn more.
* Strength against damage; shampoo vs. non-conditioning shampoo.
I have to add...I love natural products so much but I, too, have found them to be more expensive than other competitive products that aren't natural but I just can't afford them. I'm grateful that people are starting to try to invent more nature friendly products, I just wish they would make them more affordable. Thank you for letting me give my opinion. 
I have to add...I love natural products so much but I, too, have found them to be more expensive than other competitive products that arent natural but I just cant afford them. Im grateful that people are starting to try to invent more nature friendly products, I just wish they would make them more affordable. Thank you for letting me give my opinion.
Decadent (yet smart!) desserts
