Yogi

One of the oldest cultivated grains, barley has sustained human health for millennia in many forms. In ancient Greece, barley played an important role as a staple bread-making grain, and it was considered an important food for athletes, who attributed much of their strength to the consumption of barley. Barley is now known to be an important source of antioxidants, which work to slow the rate of oxidative damage by neutralizing free radicals.

Barley Malt is a natural sweetener made by malting barley grains. During the malting process, the grains produce maltose, a unique type of sugar. The sweetener has a distinctive flavor and a distinguishing rich, dark color. The final product can be either a syrup (used in Yogi Cereals and Granola Crisps) or a powder (used in some Yogi teas).

See Barley Malt.

Basil Leaf is a well-known culinary herb with a delicious pungent bite. But basil also has a role in supporting good health. From an herbal perspective, basil is a warming herb. It promotes proper digestion and reduces gas, and when used regularly, helps to balance the lungs and sinuses by sweating out respiratory and nasal imbalances. A widely used immune system booster, basil also strengthens nerve tissue and enhances mental clarity.

Belleric Myrobalan Fruit (Bibhitaki) is another famous fruit of Ayurveda, and one of three herbs in the widely-used Ayurvedic remedy, triphala (the other two herbs are Amalaki and Haritaki). The name bibhitaki means "one who keeps you away from disease," so it is no surprise that this valuable herb has many uses. It is used primarily to support a broad array of digestive functions. Bibitaki is unusual in that it is both laxative and astringent; for example it mildly purges the intestines, while simultaneously toning the tissues. Bibhitaki also helps support proper water balance, and it excels at not only cleansing the digestive tract, but also the urinary and respiratory tracts. It is also generally nourishing to the lungs, throat, voice, eyes and hair.

The bilberry plant, also known as huckleberry and whortleberry, is a shrubby plant that grows in the moderate climates of Eurasia. Bilberry Leaf contains powerful antioxidants, called anthocyanosides, that help prevent free radical damage and support stronger, more flexible capillary and cell walls. This is especially important to eye health because the retina is one of the most capillary-rich parts of the body. If capillaries can stretch without breaking or leaking, blood flows better through the capillaries that feed the retina, supporting proper vision. Bilberry is especially noted for aiding night vision; interestingly, during World War II British Royal Air Force pilots ate bilberry jam before flying their evening bombing raids, as they'd noticed improvement in their night vision whenever they ate the jam.

Not only is Black Pepper one of the most widely used culinary spices in the world, it also has a long history of use in herbal medicine. Even today, black pepper is considered the foremost detoxifier in Asia. A warming digestive remedy, it helps relieves gas and supports proper absorption of nutrients. It does this by stimulating the taste buds in such a way that an alert is sent to the stomach to increase acid secretion, thereby improving digestion. Black pepper has many other benefits as well. It is antioxidant, which helps to reduce free radicals. It normalizes respiratory mucous, thus helping to promote sinus function. As a diuretic, black pepper balances water in the body and normalizes eye pressure.

Since ancient times, the leaves of the blackberry plant have been used to promote health, especially throughout Europe and Asia. For example, the Roman army doctor Galen had his soldiers chew blackberry leaves to strengthen gums and build up physical resistance; today we know that it was the vitamin C and tannins in the leaves that help boost immunity and heal wounds. In addition, blackberry leaf contains an important ingredient, ellagic acid, which is a powerful cell protector and antioxidant. Blackberry Leaf is also source of mild astringent compounds (tannins), which tighten up and dry out loose, soggy tissue, so blackberry leaf has been used traditionally to ease minor sore throat, diarrhea and skin rashes.

Blueberries are the fruits of a shrub that belong to the heath family, a large plant family that includes the cranberry and bilberry. We are most familiar with them as a deliciously healthful "superfruit." Blueberries are rich in vitamins C, E and fiber, and are packed with free-radical fighting antioxidant phytonutrients called anthocyanidins. In addition, blueberries contain ellagic acid, another phytochemical that has been shown to prevent cell damage.

In some parts of the world, the word "to eat" literally means "to eat rice." And no wonder, since rice supplies as much as half of the daily calories for half of the world's population. Brown rice of any variety is among the most nutritious. Brown rice is a whole grain because the process that produces it removes only the outermost layer (the hull) of the rice kernel. This delicious nutty-sweet grain is high in manganese and provides energy and protein while contributing to the synthesis of fatty acids - important for a healthy nervous system. Brown rice is also high in phosphorus, iron, fiber, selenium and essential fatty acids which may support immune function.

Burdock Root - a member of the daisy family that originated in Eurasia - is now firmly established as a naturalized plant in North America. Herbalists value burdock in treating all manner of liver toxicity conditions, and in fact few herbs are better known for detoxifying the liver. Burdock has also been used topically to support normal skin function, especially around the head, face and neck. The root is served as a food in Japan, where it is known as gobo. Resembling a long brown carrot, burdock can be prepared in the same way you might enjoy a carrot, such as fresh juice or in a stir-fry dish.