Our recent articles on sweeteners and Lyme disease evoked a great deal of discussion. Here are two especially informative comments.
Regarding our article on sweeteners, Brian wrote:
I must take issue with you on palm sugar as an acceptable sweetener. It is not sustainable, and one must sacrifice the coconut to harvest it. Please see my commentary on my blog.
You’re quite right, Brian—harvesting palm sugar destroys the flower which would later grow into a coconut. Trees take ten years to grow and are being illegally logged, and now they’re being targeted by the government in the Philippines for biofuel use.
It’s interesting that coconut was demonized for years as a bad fat and thus wasn’t cultivated. It is still demonized by the American Heart Association and many others who should know better. But now that the truth is coming out about its health benefits, we can’t get enough of it in coconut water and sugar and oil. But there just aren’t enough coconuts and coconut trees to go around, and the unsustainable palm sugar harvesting practices are indeed a problem. So let’s scratch palm sugar from the list.
Our Lyme disease article prompted this comment from Jeanne:
Your readers may be interested to note that Cat’s Claw (Uncaria tomentosa), a woody vine that is indigenous to the Amazon rainforest, is being used to successfully treat Lyme disease. It is found throughout Central and South America, where it is known as Uña de Gato, Vilacora, and Life-giving Vine of Peru, among other names. It is a powerful anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibacterial agent. In addition to Lyme disease, Cat’s Claw is being used to treat other immune system disorders like arthritis and rheumatism, lupus, and CFS. Samento is a potent extract of the vine and is the form many Lyme-literate practitioners use.
Excellent information, Jeanne. Many thanks!
