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2 weeks ago | 
naturespharmacy.substack.com | Cassandra Quave
Earlier this week, I shared my first encounter with Moroccan black soap (aka, Savon Noir) during my trip to Casablanca. Savon Noir is made from olive oil, argan oil, and the aromatic essential oils of several common Mediterranean plants (eucalyptus, rosemary, and Mediterranean cypress) saponified with potassium hydroxide.
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2 weeks ago | 
naturespharmacy.substack.com | Cassandra Quave
Following our visit to the Canary Islands, the next stop was Casablanca, Morocco, located on the northwestern coast of Africa, not far from the Strait of Gibraltar. This was my first visit to Morocco, though I’ve collaborated with scientists who study plants in the Atlas Mountains.
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3 weeks ago | 
naturespharmacy.substack.com | Cassandra Quave
Hello dear readers, and greetings from Tenerife, Spain! Over the past week, I’ve been en route to Europe by ship with my mom, who is celebrating 50 years of service to our hometown school system—first as a special education teacher and later as a school psychologist. She’s set to retire next month and is looking forward to relaxing and spending more time on her emerging hobby of nature photography.
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1 month ago | 
naturespharmacy.substack.com | Cassandra Quave
In 2023, annual sales of herbal dietary supplements reached an astounding $12.5 billion USD. Nearly one in three Americans use these supplements daily, yet accurate information on their ingredients remains difficult to find. Misinformation on video and social media platforms continues to hinder public understanding of the safe and effective use of herbs. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) has been a critical player in filling this void.
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1 month ago | 
naturespharmacy.substack.com | Cassandra Quave
New on the show, I speak with Dr. César Ojeda, an ethnobiologist specializing in fermentation, biocultural diversity, and microbial ecology. Dr. Ojeda shares his insights on traditional Mexican fermented beverages, particularly focusing on the science and cultural importance of these foods. We discuss the concept of ethnomicrobiology, the role of microbes in traditional agriculture, and how microbial communities impact the fermentation process.
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1 month ago | 
naturespharmacy.substack.com | Cassandra Quave
I’ve long been fascinated by the gut microbiome. Although scientists can now genetically sequence microbes to capture a snapshot of what inhabits the gut, many of these microbes have never been successfully grown in the lab. As a result, the gut microbiome—and the complex interactions between microbes and between microbes and their human host—remains somewhat of a mystery. Many devastating diseases have already been linked to disruptions in the gut microbiome.
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1 month ago | 
naturespharmacy.substack.com | Cassandra Quave
As readers of this newsletter, you’re already aware of the sudden and far-reaching challenges that have disrupted my lab and so many others in the scientific community. With funding abruptly withdrawn, I’ve spent countless long days and late nights at my computer—scrambling for solutions and trying not to slip into a state of despair. In one of my darkest moments, my husband gently pulled me away from my desk and out into our backyard. “Come look at the plum tree,” he said.
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1 month ago | 
naturespharmacy.substack.com | Cassandra Quave
They’re the secret behind the vibrant red pop of maraschino cherries and the enduring green in canned green beans. But these colorants are neither natural nor nutritious—and the U.S. food system is long overdue for a reassessment of the synthetic additives we allow in our food. Many of these dyes are already banned in other countries due to health concerns.
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1 month ago | 
naturespharmacy.substack.com | Cassandra Quave
This week on the show, we’re joined by Dr. Rosette Chakkalakal, an Associate Professor at Emory School of Medicine and Director of Preventive Medicine, and Kathy Taylor, Director of Medical Nutrition Therapy at Grady Health System. Dr. Chakkalakal and Taylor share insights into Grady’s innovative Food as Medicine program, which addresses food insecurity and chronic disease management through nutrition-based interventions.
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1 month ago | 
naturespharmacy.substack.com | Cassandra Quave
Have you ever had a dream where you're trapped on a train track, the locomotive bearing down on you at full speed? Its headlights sear through the darkness, blinding your eyes. The horn blares, louder with each passing second. Sweat beads on your brow. Your heart pounds frantically, as if it could fly out of your chest. And yet—you remain frozen, paralyzed, unable to move from its path. This has been my recurring nightmare for weeks. Every night, I’d wake just before impact.