Origins of the Tomato and the Potato

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The tomato is native to South America and was cultivated from there to North America before the discovery of the continent in 1492, now known as America. The Aztec language was used by traders bringing goods from South America to what is now the U.S. In Mexico, the word tomatl simply means “swollen fruit.” Like many other words ending in -atl, from the Nahuatl (Aztec) language, it means “water.” The word “tomato” comes from tomatl or tomohuac, which means “fat.” So, tomato means “fat water.”

Since the Spanish had difficulty pronouncing the -atl ending in many Aztec words, they called it “tomato.” The tomato, along with other essential crops, was cultivated by the Incas, Mayans, and Aztecs. These included:

  • Maize (corn)
  • Beans
  • Squash
  • Chilies and sweet potatoes

Whether grown individually or together, these crops have a long history in the Americas. The development of this agricultural knowledge took place over 5,000–6,500 years, and squash was domesticated between 8,000–10,000 years ago. While the tomato is considered a vegetable due to its many culinary uses, it is, in fact, a fruit belonging to the potato, pepper, and eggplant family.

Tomatoes Are an Excellent Fruit

Tomatoes are an excellent fruit for a quick, nutritious, and healthy snack — also an ideal ingredient for creative recipes.

The tomato, potato, maize, chilies, beans, and squash were introduced to Spain and the rest of Europe at the beginning of the 16th century.

Tomatoes first arrived at the court of Queen Isabella in Madrid, and later were traded in Seville, one of the main centers of international trade, predominantly with Italy and France. It was in 1544 that the Italian herbalist Matthioli introduced his knowledge of the tomato to Italy (“pomodoro”). Tomatoes were even given aphrodisiac properties in France, where they were called “pomme d’amour” — “love apple.”

The first known published Neapolitan recipe for “Spanish-style tomato sauce” dates back to 1692.

The Spread of the Potato

The potato was cultivated between 8000 and 5000 BC in a region that includes southern Peru and Bolivia. From there, it spread throughout the Americas and was widely cultivated by the Aztecs and Mayans in Mexico. The Spanish took it to Europe, and it has since become a staple food across much of the world.

The Tomato’s Global Popularity

The tomato became — and remains — one of the most popular foods in the modern world, due to its versatility and its ability to combine well with:

  • Cheese
  • Eggs
  • Fish
  • Meat
  • Vegetables
  • A wide variety of aromatic herbs

Tomatoes are highly nutritious and low in calories. They contain large amounts of vitamin C and folic acid and are the most critical food source of a red pigment called lycopene, which has antioxidant properties and may help reduce the risk of prostate and other cancers.

Some important health facts about tomatoes:

  • High lycopene levels in the blood are associated with a lower rate of several cancers, especially prostate cancer.
  • Blood plasma absorbs lycopene better from cooked tomato products than from raw tomatoes.
  • Similarly, lycopene from heat-processed tomato juice is more bioavailable than that from raw juice.

The Three Sisters

The Aztecs learned from the Toltecs and Olmecs how to cultivate efficient mixed crops, producing nutritious vegetables through what is now known as companion planting — the Three Sisters agricultural method:

  • Maize (Zea mays)
  • Beans (Phaseolus sp.)
  • Squash (Cucurbita pepo)

These three crops were planted close together. Maize and beans were often planted in mounds formed by hilling soil around the base each year. The system worked synergistically:

  • The cornstalk served as a trellis for the beans to climb.
  • The beans replenished nitrogen in the soil.
  • The broad leaves of the squash shaded the ground, helping retain moisture and prevent weeds.

I have often wondered what people around the world ate before the Spanish introduced the Aztec crops of tomato, potato, corn, and squash to Europe and beyond. I smile when the Irish think the potato is from Ireland or when Italians think the tomato is from Italy!

Dementia Relief, Naturally

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Dementia is a canopy term for a collection of symptoms caused by disorders that affect the brain, including devastating diseases like the most common form of dementia—Alzheimer’s disease.

Millions of people in the U.S. alone are living with Alzheimer’s. It can be challenging to watch someone you love deal with symptoms of dementia, often including memory loss and trouble with language, along with personality changes, delusions, agitation, and less ability to solve problems or control their emotions. It’s important to note that although dementia risk increases with age, it is not part of the normal aging process.

Dementia Can Strike Early

Dementia can strike people as early as 30 years old. It’s certainly clear that there’s a lot of pain and suffering involved with dementia and Alzheimer’s. Drugs have consistently come up short when it comes to curing the disease. Natural supplements, diet, and exercise can reverse dementia and Alzheimer’s symptoms.

Lower Your Risk of Dementia

Avoid processed foods. Favoring an alkaline diet and exercising lower your risk of dementia. There are other relatively simple, meaningful steps you could take to lower your risk too.

  • Avoid high copper levels in the water. We need trace amounts of the heavy metal copper to survive because it’s vital for bone, hormonal, and nerve health. However, too much of a good thing could be bad for our brain. A study found that copper can trigger the disease. The study found that copper in drinking water at levels one-tenth of the EPA standard caused a toxic accumulation of the pro-Alzheimer’s protein amyloid-beta.
  • The researchers can’t yet say what the exact “level of too much copper” is, but if you have copper water pipes, getting your water tested for excess copper is an excellent place to start.
  • Avoid products containing aluminum, an environmentally abundant metal that has long been implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

Tinnitus and Dementia

Tinnitus was significantly associated with dementia occurrences in the 30–64 year age range. Tinnitus was associated with a 63% higher risk of early-onset dementia. Dementia is generally regarded as a multifactorial disease, and its incidence increases with age.

What Is Dementia?

Dementia is not a specific disease but a group of disorders characterized by the deterioration of at least two brain functions — memory and reason.

Signs and symptoms of dementia result when once-healthy neurons or nerve cells in the brain stop working, lose connections with other brain cells, and die. While everyone loses some neurons as they age, people with dementia experience far more significant losses.

Dementia symptoms lead to the loss of cognitive functioning such as thinking, remembering, and reasoning to such an extent that it interferes with a person’s daily life and activities.

Dementia is more common as people grow older (about one-third of all people age 85 or older may have some form of dementia), but it is not a normal part of aging. Many people live into their 90s and beyond without signs of dementia.

Common Early Symptoms of Dementia

  • Communication problems
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Finding it hard to carry out familiar daily tasks, such as getting confused over the correct change when shopping
  • Struggling to follow a conversation or find the right word
  • People with dementia cannot control their emotions
  • Being confused about time and place
  • Memory loss
  • Repetition
  • Getting lost
  • Personality or mood changes
  • Ringing in the ears (Tinnitus)

Herbs That Can Provide Cognitive Relief to Those Living with Dementia

Turmeric/curcumin and dementia care significantly lessen its kind in India and Europe, which is due to turmeric and its primary component, curcumin, and their antioxidant benefits.

Helpful Herbs and Natural Aids

  • Holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum)
  • Ginseng
  • Ginkgo biloba
  • Maca
  • Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri)
  • Green Tea (Camellia sinensis)
  • Black Pepper corn extract (Piperine)
  • Cachitozapot (from Nahuatl, meaning “sleep-sapote”) — a tropical fruiting tree also called casimiroa and Mexican apple. It contains a natural sedative and pain reliever.
  • Verdolaga, Purslane (Portulaca oleracea)

Hope for Prevention and Relief

We can feel hopeful that natural integrative, personalized approaches could be the key to fighting this disease. In the meantime, it’s essential to take timely, simple steps to lower your risk of dementia now—before the disease has a chance to set in.

About 35% of dementia cases could be delayed or prevented if attention had been paid to modifiable risk factors, including early education, midlife hypertension, obesity, hearing problems, depression, diabetes, physical inactivity, smoking, and social isolation.

Sore Throat, Cough, & Laryngitis Relief

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Sore Throat, Cough, & Laryngitis Relief

Catching a cold can be miserable. Constant nose-blowing leaves your skin raw, while relentless coughing robs you—and those around you—of sleep. A sore throat can make something as simple as drinking water feel like torture.

Many people reach for over-the-counter (OTC) cold remedies to ease the symptoms. But what if these remedies do more harm than good?

The Hidden Dangers Of OTC Cold Medicines

Recent research shows that several common cold medications can have damaging effects on the brain and respiratory system. Some ingredients found in OTC cold medicines—such as dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, acetaminophen, and benzocaine—have been shown to:

  • Damage upper respiratory cells
  • Prolong cold symptoms
  • Potentially contribute to dementia and brain shrinkage

A study of 18 commonly sold sore throat medications found that all but one caused inflammation or cellular damage in at least one area of measurement.

Aspirin—often overlooked in cold treatment—performed better than most OTC options at a precise low dosage (6 mg). However, higher doses became pro-inflammatory, and even low doses carry risks such as stomach irritation, nausea, and cramping.

The Natural Way: Herbs That Heal

Fortunately, natural remedies offer safer, effective alternatives for relieving sore throats, persistent coughs, and laryngitis. Some of the most accessible remedies include:

  • Honey – Soothes sore throats, reduces coughing, and speeds recovery from upper respiratory infections. Honey outperforms both antibiotics and OTC medications in many clinical studies.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar with Lemon and Honey – Supports immunity, clears mucous, and soothes the throat naturally.
  • Healing Teas – Warm herbal teas can ease pain, reduce inflammation, and clear congestion. Consider:
    • Passion fruit and onion tea
    • Ginger, garlic, and cinnamon infusions
    • Golden milk (turmeric and milk)
    • Lemon leaf tea
    • Chamomile – Known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and astringent properties

Introducing Dragon’s Blood Super Syrup

To address these symptoms holistically, we developed Dragon’s Blood Super Syrup—a powerful blend of herbs rooted in three ancient healing traditions:

  • Ayurveda (India)
  • Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
  • Herbolaria Mexicana as practiced by the Olmec, Toltec, Maya, and Aztec civilizations

This formula provides fast and effective relief from:

  • Sore throat
  • Persistent cough
  • Phlegm buildup
  • Laryngitis (voice loss)

Key Herbal Ingredients In Dragon’s Blood Syrup

  • Honey – Acts as the base, delivering both flavor and natural antibacterial action.
  • Chilcoatl – A traditional Mexican root used to eliminate viruses, fungi, and bacteria on contact. Known for its broad-spectrum antimicrobial effects.
  • Turmeric (Curcuma longa) – Contains curcumin, a compound with potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Also shown to support heart and brain health and alleviate arthritis and depression symptoms.
  • Piperine – A bioactive compound found in black pepper. Enhances the absorption of curcumin and contributes its own anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune-supporting effects.

Together, these ingredients form a powerful, herbal-based alternative to chemical-laden cold remedies. Not only do they ease symptoms, but they also support your body’s natural healing processes.

Relief Without Risk

Unlike synthetic medicines that often come with side effects or worsen inflammation, natural remedies—especially those developed with wisdom from centuries-old herbal traditions—work with your body to restore balance and promote healing.

If you’re battling sore throat, lingering cough, or voice loss, reach for nature’s medicine cabinet and try Dragon’s Blood Super Syrup—the herbal solution backed by science, history, and healing tradition.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are natural remedies for sore throat and cough?

Natural remedies include honey, ginger, turmeric, garlic, onion tea, and herbal blends like Dragons Blood Super Syrup. These soothe the throat, reduce inflammation, and help eliminate infection without harmful side effects.

2. Why should I avoid over-the-counter cold medications?

Many OTC cold medications have been shown to damage respiratory cells, prolong illness, or even contribute to long-term risks like dementia. Natural alternatives often provide relief without these risks.

3. How does honey compare to traditional cough medicines?

Honey outperforms many OTC remedies in clinical studies, providing better relief from cough and sore throat while also aiding immune function and healing.

4. What is Dragons Blood Super Syrup and how does it work?

Dragons Blood Super Syrup is a natural blend combining Ayurvedic, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Herbolaria Mexicana. It includes honey, turmeric, chilcoatl, and piperine to reduce inflammation, fight microbes, and soothe throat and respiratory symptoms.

5. Can herbal remedies help with laryngitis and voice loss?

Yes, herbs like chilcoatl, turmeric, and honey soothe inflammation, support tissue regeneration, and fight infection—key factors in recovering from laryngitis and vocal strain.

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