Hidden Miracles In The Natural World
We live in a world of unseeable beauty, so subtle and delicate that it is imperceptible to the human eye. To bring this invisible world to light, filmmaker Louie Schwartzberg bends the boundaries of time and space with high-speed cameras, time lapses, and microscopes.
This wonderful TED talk video shows how our beloved Gaia is alive with the creative forces of nature. From microscopic bugs to a living universe globally in motion. Technology, art, and science come together in small portals of time and space to expand our perception, open our minds, and touch our hearts. We can see the view of the entire planet as a single organism and it’s absolutely amazing!
Louie Schwartzberg: Hidden miracles of the natural world, by TED Talk
Africa’s Super Vegetables
In Nairobi, indigenous vegetables were once sold almost exclusively at hard-to-find specialized markets while vegetables like collard greens or kale were considered staples. Collard greens and kale were introduced by Europe over a century ago by seed companies and researchers who ignored the indigenous vegetables. This is changing. Traditional varieties of vegetables are now widely available and more is planted each year throughout Eastern Africa.
The indigenous vegetables are high in protein, vitamins, iron and other nutrients making them ideal for areas where malnutrition is a problem as they are better suited to grow during droughts and resist pests better. Domesticating the hardy wild plants and knowing how to prepare them will better help families during difficult times.
Researchers concluded that native plants including grains, fruits and vegetables are more nutritious, drought tolerant and disease resistant. Cultivating these super plants will allow people across Africa to improve food security and nutrition. Indeed active research of native species of plants is ongoing in Asia and Oceania as well as Africa.
The Rise of Africa’s Super Vegetables, by Rachel Cernansky, nature.com
Smudging is Clinically Beneficial
Throughout the ages the smoke of medicinal plants have been used to cure illness. As well, the smoke is symbolic of the “washing” as you begin the process of your own personal development. The smudging or the use of natural incense products may constitute a far safer and more effective approach for therapy and health care. Indeed medicinal smoke may have a broad range of therapeutic applications and benefits. This study suggests that ambient smoke not only be directed at the body, but could be used as an air purifier as well. The ambient smoke of smudging has proven to eliminates plant and human pathogenic bacteria in the air of confined spaces. This study highlights the fact that not enough is known about medicinal smudging and many other natural product’s potential use as medicine.
A Population Study On Psychedelics
Research has found that people who have used the classic psychedelics such as LSD and psilocybin had lower lifetime rates of suicidal thoughts or attempts and were not associated with adverse mental-health outcomes. Indeed data suggests that the harms of psychedelics, “have been overstated”.
The study done by Johansen and Krebs failed to find evidence for a link between psychedelic use and mental health problems. “Over 30 million US adults have tried psychedelics and there just is not much evidence of health problems,” says Johansen. In contrast to alcohol, psychedelics are not addictive. Krebs adds, “Drug experts consistently rank LSD and psilocybin mushrooms as much less harmful to the individual user and to society compared to alcohol and other controlled substances.” He also states, “Many people report deeply meaningful experiences and lasting beneficial effects from using psychedelics,”
Prohibition of psychedelics cannot be justified as a public health issue weighed against these findings. Says Krebs, “Concerns have been raised that the ban on use of psychedelics is a violation of the human rights to belief and spiritual practice, full development of the personalty, and free-time and play.”
Book: Food of The Gods – The Search For The Original Tree Of Knowledge by Terence McKenna
With much light and joy,
Dina
